Kids Crafts | How To Make A Pinecone Birdfeeder

Preschool Winter Craft: Pinecone Birdfeeder by Rachel Paxton

Cold weather often keeps preschoolers inside, looking to you to find them something fun to do. This winter you and your preschool-aged child can feed the winter birds by making pinecone bird feeders. You probably already have everything you need for this craft project laying around your house, and your child will have a great time hanging out with you and trying something new.

Supplies Needed:

Pinecones
Yarn or twine
Creamy peanut butter
Bird seed
Knife
Plate

*Note: If you don't have any pinecones in your yard, try a local park. Some craft stores also carry pinecones.

Place a large spoonful of peanut butter on a plate and give your child a knife to spread the peanut butter all over the pinecone. Repeat for however many pinecone bird feeders your child is going to make.

To avoid getting bird seed all over the place, it's a good idea to do the next step outside.

Have your child take the peanut butter-covered pinecones outside. Pour some wild bird seed onto a plate and have your child roll the pinecones in the bird seed.

Help your child tie an approximately 24-in. piece of yarn or twine around the top portion of each pinecone. Sprinkle some more bird seed on the pinecones to make sure they are completely covered.

Let your child choose where he or she wants to hang the completed pinecone bird feeders and then tie the bird feeders in place.

Sit indoors with your child and watch for visiting birds!

This craft project is a big hit with preschoolers. My boys ate as much peanut butter as they put on their pinecones! Make sure to take pictures.

Photos of finished birdfeeders: http://www.christian-parent.com/preschool/pinecone-birdfeeders.shtml

Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For resources for the Christian family, including parenting, toddler and preschool activities, homeschooling, family traditions, and
more, visit http://www.christian-parent.com/

Scrapbooking | Sweet Escape Sandy Beach Scrapbook Layout Idea

Today I am featuring a 12x12 scrapbook layout that I made a few weeks ago with photos I took while hubby and I were on vacation down to the Jersey Shore back in early September. This page was pretty easy to make but it did take me about an hour. I titled this layout "Sweet Escape" as it was definitely a sweet escape to hit the Jersey Shore for week!

I made the 12x12 background using 3 sheets of cardstock that I got from Scrapbuck.com. The background was built on a piece of sandy/tan colored cardstock and then I ripped a piece of white card stock into a strip that measures 3" by 12" (approximate) and then I ripped a piece of blue cardstock to measure about 6" by 12" (approximate). My edges are uneven as I wanted the appearance of water, foam and the sandy beach. I glued the white and blue together and then glued those onto the sandy/tan colored piece of cardstock.

The 2 photos on the right measure 3" by 4" and I matted them both onto one piece of light blue cardstock and left an 1/8" border. I then tore a piece of blue vellum to use as the mat underneath the framed photos. I only tore the top & bottom edges and then used glue dots to put the entire thing onto my page. (cardstock from Scrapbuck.com).

My photo on the left measures 3 1/2" by 5 1/2" and I did the same thing with that photo as I did to the other two photos. (see layout for placement). I had a Soft Spoken (tm) embellishment pack from Scrapbuck.com and I used the "Sweet Escape" and the "To Do" tag from that pack to accent my layout.

On the bottom left corner I used Beach Theme'd Dazzles (from PaperWishes.com) to make a beach scene. I used some dark chocolate brown chalk to add some accent around the chairs to make it look like they were sitting in the sand and to make it look like the umbrella was giving off a shadow from the hot sun.

Like I said, a very easy layout in the 12x12 format which it took me 1 hour to complete but I am very pleased with how this page/layout turned out.

Super Quick and Easy 12x12 Thanksgiving Scrapbook Layout

I wanted to share with all of you today a super quick and easy page that my daughter made. Last year we all went to her house for Thanksgiving dinner so these pictures are from that holiday. My daughter likes simple and quick scrapbooking pages and this page is no exception...super easy! Plus, it is extremely frugal because it cost her less than $1.00 to make!

She used a piece of 12x12 white cardstock for her background. She had a cardstock sticker with a Thanksgiving design on it and mounted that near the top right. She used the colors on that sticker as her inspiration and decided to tear a piece of striped paper (same color hues) and mount that toward the bottom of the page. It takes up 1/3 of her page space. She also trimmed it out with some dark purple cardstock near the top torn edge. She mounted both photo's onto matching striped paper and rounded the corners leaving a 1/8" edge border. She made her own title block near the bottom right that simply says Thanksgiving Day. She made her own orange frame for the smaller picture of her daughter and did a little journaling on the top and bottom of that frame.

This page took her less than 20 minutes to make...like I said, super quick!

Kids Crafts | How To Make A Fall Leaf Collage Craft Project

Fall Leaf Collage by Rachel Paxton

Fall is a great time for kids to do fall crafts. Leaf collages are easy to make and can provide hours of fall fun. Kids enjoy looking for the leaves as well as using the leaves to create their creative collages.

Here's what you need for this fun fall craft project:

Fall leaves
Ornamental grasses
Flower petals
Waxed paper
Old crayons
Old cheese grater
Newspaper
Iron

This project can be done on two different days. One afternoon can be spent outside looking for different colored leaves, pretty ornamental grasses, and interesting flower petals. After the kids have a good collection, have them lay everything out on some newspapers to dry.

On a rainy day when there's nothing else to do or maybe on Thanksgiving Day while you're waiting for dinner to be ready, bring out the dried leaves and grasses to create the leaf collage.

Start by choosing the size of the collage. Tear off two pieces of waxed paper to the desired size. You will be pressing the leaves between the sheets of waxed paper.

You will be using crayon shavings to get the sheets of waxed paper to stick together. This also adds some color to the collages. Choose some old crayons in a variety of fall colors and use the old cheese grater to get some shavings from the crayons.

Working on a piece of newspaper, lay one sheet of waxed paper down and arrange the leaves, grasses, and flowers as desired. Sprinkle crayon shavings all over the sheet of waxed paper, so that when you iron the sheets together, they will completely stick together.

Next use the iron to press the two sheets of waxed paper together. Unless you're using an old iron, you should use a thin cloth between the waxed paper and the iron, or you might get crayon shavings on your iron, which will transfer onto the next thing you iron...believe me, I know!

That's it! These leaf collages look great hanging in a window as a pretty fall decoration. You could also hang them on the refrigerator, frame them, or even use them as placemats.

Photo of fall leaf collage: http://www.crafty-moms.com/fall-leaf-collage.shtml

Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For scrapbooking, card making, gift-giving ideas, and more family memory-making activities, visit http://www.crafty-moms.com/.

Thanksgiving Theme'd Diaper Cakes and Table Centerpieces

Thanksgiving is just around the corner; can’t you just smell the crisp brisk air, pumpkin pies, apple cider and more? This holiday means turkey, stuffing, gravy and huge holiday feast. Football kicks off the winter season for me and the start of holiday baking. This holiday towel cake is perfect to give as a early housewarming gift, or prepping for the huge feast. From seasoned cooks to newbies it's a gift they will all enjoy.

This cake has all the right ingredients to help make a fabulous turkey feast...

Ingredients for this cake as follows:

- Fall kitchen hand towel set for the outside layers
- Six extra hand towels for inside cake
- Four napkins for inside top layer
- Four napkin rings
- Turkey baster
- Injector for adding you favorite spices, or flavoring
- A wire whip
- Gravy ladle
- Nut cracker
- Sliver spoon and fork for salad serving
- Measuring spoon and a spatula
- Raffia and fall floral sprays
- Fall silk leaves
- Fall plastic pumpkins and gourds
- Glue sticks and gun

To make, use my instructions on making the towel template here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXPeJaRraog Fill bottom layers inside with the six hand towels. For second layer fill top template with the four napkins.. Leaving a hole to put baster through. Fold dish rag lengthwise and insert into top layer with the other end hanging down to second layer.

Take the rest of items and insert around cake placing wire whip into top layer and place fall flowers with fall spray behind wire whip. Fill in holes with raffia. Place cake on a square cake board .Glue silk leaves on to bottom layer and top. Take fake fall pumpkins and gourds and glue onto cake board around cake place some raffia there as well. Another idea for someone who loves to bake for turkey day; fill cake with either apple or pumpkin pie supplies. Or fill cake with baking supplies for the go-getter that starts their holiday cookie baking right after Thanksgiving day.

That’s it. A perfect Turkey Day cake can now be made for your family and friends
Barb Ireland is the founder of Make A Diaper Cake Biz, http://www.makeadiapercake.biz Articles are free to be reprinted as long as author’s bio remains intact.
Barb Ireland

Quilting Tips | Baby Quilt Safety - Using Buttons and Bows in Baby Quilts

Baby Quilt Safety - Buttons and Bows By Sharon Camp

Little girls and their baby quilt just go hand in hand with buttons and bows - right? Think again.

Those pink and lacy decorations create a baby quilt with the little girl or princess touch. A bow here or a few small buttons there are lovely adornments. How could these few, simple additions, which dress up the baby quilt, become such a hazard to a baby or a young child?

A child loves to play with anything they can touch and pull on. No matter how securely you place and sew on the buttons with good quilting thread. Over time they will wear with the constant everyday child's play and eventually be pulled off. The buttons can be easily be swallowed by the child.

Ribbons and bows can also become a problem but they do not have to be detached to become a hazard. Babies can twist their little fingers in and around the ribbon cutting off the circulation to their small hands or even the toes. During sleep these small fingers and toes can be caught in the bow causing the same loss of blood flow to the extremity. Even though, as in a button, the quilter might securely attach the bow to the baby quilt, over time these bows and ribbons will also become loose and break from overuse. Depending on the length of the ribbon, strangulation could result if the child were to put the ribbon around their neck.

If you plan to have the quilt as wall hanging with all the buttons, bows, and other attachments that would bring out the best of your work because little fingers will not have access to these tiny little parts, think carefully. As you secure these attachments to the baby quilt, do so with quilting thread and be sure you have knotted them tightly in place. Many families place a wall quilt over the baby's crib or cradle and having any of these attachment falls off would be dangerous to the child. If the quilt hangs low enough for a toddler to crib and those ribbons are within their grasp, these become a source of enticement to pull and play with them. Hence, the problems that result in cutting off the circulation or possible strangulation are still within the baby's reach.

Little girls with their buttons and bows are probably best left to story books until they are older. Safety should be first when designing your baby quilts.

Come and choose one our handmade children's quilts, a lasting keepsake, a unique birthday gift, or Christening gift, for that special "little one." Visit my website: http://www.uniquebabyquiltboutique.com/ and chose of one unique handmade children's quilt from my collection for your child's birthday or other special event.Sharon Camp, The "BabyQuiltLady," has been quilting for over 30 years.

Baby Shower Tips for a Fabulous Baby Shower by: Barb Ireland

Baby Shower Tips for a Fabulous Baby Shower - by Barb Ireland

A baby shower is a day full of joy and anticipation for the mom-to-be and all her family and
friends. It’s a time to get together and share in the happiness of a new baby coming and to
show how much the mom means to you. It’s also an opportunity to help prepare for the arrival
of their new bundle of joy. But how can you make the shower memorable and something that
will be long remembered?

One of the growing trends you find at more and more showers are diaper cakes. Diaper cakes
are baby shower gifts that are shaped like a “real” three-layer cake, but made from diapers,
blankets and other useful items. A diaper cake is a fun and rewarding hot new product for baby
showers, baby gifts, and also other celebrations. You can make your own or order one at http:
//www.makeadiapercake.biz

In addition to the diaper cake, you also want to have a party that is fun and memorable. Here
are some other ways you can “wow” your guests at a baby shower.

Make candle favors ~ Buy scented votive from your favorite craft store, tulle circles and ribbon.
Take the votive center. Put this in middle of tulle circle and then bring all ends up and secure
with ribbon. Make a nice bow and you have great gifts for guests.

Make bath salts~ Buy muslin bags, Epsom salt, and fragrance oils. Most items you can buy
from craft stores. Salt can be bought at your local supermarkets. Combine salt and fragrances
and stir good and place in the muslin bags. Beautiful way to say, “thanks for coming.”

Make Specialty Cupcakes~ These aren’t the kind you eat, but instead made from a washcloth.
You then fill with candies, coffees, teas, or more small bath items. Everyone will remember
this one and be talking about it for a long time after the shower.

Spoons — In center of tulle circle, place kisses on spoon part and wrap up the tulle over spoon
and secure and handle with ribbon. Place these at table for guests.

Make your own soap favors. Your craft stores sell complete kits. You then simply buy some
tulle circles and place favors in middle and then tie up with ribbon.

Most of all have fun and create your own style your mom to be and guests will remember for
forever. Everyone will love the personalized attention you gave to the party.

Barb Ireland is the founder of Make A Diapercake biz, MAKE A DIAPER CAKE. Articles are free to be reprinted as long as author’s bio remains intact.

Kids Crafts | Thanksgiving Hand Print Turkey Craft Project

Thanksgiving Hand Print Turkey Craft by Rachel Paxton

These hand print turkeys are an easy craft for your kids to make for Thanksgiving. They are easy enough for toddlers and preschoolers to help make, but even older children will enjoy tracing around their hands to make this fun turkey craft.

Supplies needed:

Brown felt
Colorful craft feathers
Google eye
Red pipe cleaner
Scissors
Black permanent marker
Rubber cement or craft glue

We chose to make our turkeys out of brown felt. This is just one of many options, you could also use brown craft foam or brown construction paper.

First, use the black permanent marker to trace around your child's hand on the brown felt. Next cut out the hand tracing. For younger children, you will have to do these steps for them.

Next turn over the piece of the felt so any permanent marker markings are on the backside of the felt.

The thumb of the handprint will be the turkey's neck and head, so have your child use a little glue to attach a google eye where the eye should go.

Cut a small piece of red pipe cleaner for the turkey's beak, approximately 1/2 inch long. Fold the cut piece in half and have your child glue it beneath the turkey's eye.

Next have your child brush some glue on each of the other fingers, and then have him press down one feather on each finger.

That's it! A quick, easy Thanksgiving craft that will be sure to please your child. It's also a great way to preserve your child's small, adorable hand that will be bigger next year.

Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom who is the author of What's for Dinner?, an e-cookbook containing more than 250 quick easy dinner ideas. For more recipes, gardening, organizing tips, home decorating, holiday hints, and more, visit Creative Homemaking at http://www.creativehomemaking.com/.