Favorites of 2011

As we are nearing the end of this year, it's kind of fun to see how the year went.  I am amazed at the growth of this little hobby of mine.  Thank you so much for spending a little bit of my life with me!  I looked through the archives and pulled out some favorites from the past year.  These aren't necessarily the ones with the  most hits or the most comments.  Just ones I like, a lot.


Dishtowel into Pillow  - I bought a dishtowel of Colorado, but didn't want it to get dirty.  I sewed it into a pillow and it sits on a bench in our foyer. 

 Bench Makeover - I bought a bench for cheap and gave it a makeover.  I painted the legs, added more padding, covered the buttons and tufted this.  It sits at the end of our bed and we love it.

Green Smoothie - we drink these several times a week.  In fact, after all the Christmas goodies that have been coming into our home, this smoothie is the perfect way to bounce back!

Source: themacdougallfamily.blogspot.com via Laurel on Pinterest

Arts and Crafts Thursday with kiddos series - every Thursday, when my kiddos are out of school, we try to do some art project.  I loved looking back at all the things we've made together.  It's become one of our favorite things to do together.

Source: themacdougallfamily.blogspot.com via Laurel on Pinterest

Ruffle Bag Tutorial - such a pretty bag.

Source: themacdougallfamily.blogspot.com via Laurel on Pinterest

Allowance with our kids - this is the way our family does allowance.  It isn't complicated, it works, and I really think it is teaching them some basics of money.  All kids spent their own money on Christmas presents for each other this year!

Source: themacdougallfamily.blogspot.com via Laurel on Pinterest

Our office - this year, we got moulding up around the room, put in an executive desk, started filling up the bookshelves, and sewed some drapes.  We still have to get a light fixture, something on the walls, replace the office chair and cozy this room up.

Source: themacdougallfamily.blogspot.com via Laurel on Pinterest

Our Baby - yep, we've got #4 on the way.  I'm not sure if projects are going to slow down as I get bigger or speed up as I anticipate no spare time once this little duckling arrives. 

Again, thank you!  You have made our year such an awesome year!  We are very excited for the year 2012 and anticipate another fantastic year!

Also linking to:  Serenity Now, Someday Crafts

Q-Tip Craft

One day this winter break, G. and I found ourselves looking at each other and being bored.  What we came up with is a quick craft that stifled that boredom right away.

I broke the q-tips in half and G. stuck them in a Styrofoam ball.  My original thought was that it could be snowflakes.  By the time we were done, G. called them sea anemones.  We could have spray painted them, we could have added glitter, or at least googly eyes - but we didn't.  I took a cue from my little guy and this is all he wanted to do and was COMPLETELY happy the entire time.

Well, it didn't take long before big sister wanted in on the action.  She used Q-tips precision tips.  They have a pointy edge and are new.

Again, break and stick.

About a half hour later:

I use q-tips a lot with our crafts - mostly for applying paint or glue.  Every kid who has come in our home since has picked these up and gone a bit ga-ga over them.  Who would have known?  Sometimes the simplest craft are the most effective.

This is a sponsored post from Q-Tips cotton swabs.  If you're looking for extra inspiration on how to incorporate Q-tips® cotton swabs into your routine (along with a few laughs), head here to watch this new video, which can also be found on Facebook: facebook.com/qtips.

Rainy Day Play from Rosie Pope

 I got a chance to interview Rosie Pope, of Rosie Pope Maternity and Bravo's Pregnant in Heels, a while back.  Recently, I was able to pick her mind a little bit about kids, specifically ideas for keeping them busy when you are forced to be inside.

  This is Rosie's Rain Day Plan:

Creating a masterpiece with your wee ones

1. Get a large art board (they can be ordered online or from any art store e.g. pearl paint).


2. Buy glitter, post paint, finger paint, sprinkles, anything creative that comes to mind (we’ve even used grains and large stencils…it is great to let the kids search for unusual things to use)


3. Let your wee ones go nuts painting all over until they lose interest. The key is to then keep it and then bring out the next time it is rainy and then let them pain again. They can use their hands, paintbrushes, sponges and learn about making different textures. I of course always put down a lot of paper to avoid mess and have a lot of wipes on hand! Best though just to let them get really into it before cleaning up.


4. Over the course of months they will create a completely amazing canvas that you can have framed and put up in your apartment.


*I have three – we’ve worked on one every year since my eldest son was born
 

Yesterday was the type of day where all M. wanted to do was stare at a screen - computer, ipod, TV, movies, etc.  So, we got out some larger paper and different mediums.  She started using oil pastels and switched to water colors.

This is all we've got before a friend came over, but we'll save it and work on it a little more.  I've got sprinkles and glitter that she will be pretty excited about!

Thanks Rosie!

PS - Happy 11-11-11

Pop Up Haunted Houses

My kids are home for fall break and it is time to do some arts with them!  We ran across this idea on Make and Takes and got pretty excited.  We had all the supplies, every child could do it - perfect for a gray fall day.

The oldest two cut their own houses out with some guidance.  G. decided to go three story.  Then, we colored in the details.

Maybe we should also include painting fingernails this fall break?

Use water colors and paint right over the color crayon.  The crayon pops!

Yes, we totally listened to Halloween Party on pandora while we worked ( and yes, despite my sister's opinion - we like Jack Johnson)

We glued a piece of construction paper to the back for stability and added details.  M. would tell me what she wanted and I cut them out - pumpkins, cats, moons.

I's house

G's house

M's house:

This was REALLY fun - totally recommend it if you are looking for some ways to fill up your day!  Today we are decorating graham cracker haunted houses and then we've got one more craft for Friday!

Arts and Crafts Thursdays - Gooseberry Pottery

This is technically our last Thursday this summer - so I wanted to finish our arts and crafts Thursdays off with a bang!  Plus, it was my oldest daughter's birthday and she has wanted to go hear for years!

There was something for everyone.  I. painted a heart box, G. painted a red eyed tree frog, and M. and I. worked on a cupcake box (gluten and egg free, of course!)

Gooseberry Pottery has no idea who we are or that we were even taking pictures.  They were so great to work with.  I was a bit worried about having 3 kids there and just making a mess.  I didn't give my kiddos the benefit of the doubt - they are awesome!  Plus, this place is so kid friendly!

Little M. can handle polka dots pretty easily.

In about a week, we get these back!  We are so excited!

This was a fun way to celebrate a birthday.  We were asked several times if we were taking friends, and I was thrilled to hear I. always answer that she likes to do these types of things with just her family!

Arts and Crafts Thursdays - Snakes in the Grass

This week's art came straight from here.  After the butterflies that we did a couple of weeks ago, G. wanted snakes! 

It was pretty straight forward.  The hardest part was making the snake fat enough that they could cut it out, but thin enough to look like a snake!

I love watching I. and all her detail.

After we drew and painted the snakes, we cut out grass from green construction paper.  We glued the grass to the blue paper and used white paint and a paper towel to dab on clouds.

I love how I. weaved her snake in and out.

G's snake

M.s snake - with the cutest smile.