P is for Pumpkins

 

My friend Shelley recently sent Little Crafter a Michaels gift card for his birthday, and she also sent us printed out photos and directions for a ton of fun holiday projects.  Little Crafter's favorite was a flowerpot painted to look like a jack-o-lantern.  We decided the only thing more fun than making it would be making it with friends!

So that is what we did.

We had a craft {and playground and Panera} playdate with some of our favorite friends, Owen, Ella, and Ms. Brandee.

To make your own, all you need are flowerpots {any size}, orange and black or dark brown acrylic paint,

and paint brushes.

First, you paint the outside of the pot orange.  Let it dry.  Then, flip it and paint the inside.

Finally, add a face!

I thought they turned out totally adorable!  We filled them with candy...AC Moore didn't have candy corn in stock yet, so the kids picked out Jelly Belly packages.  Once those were gone, we replaced them with lollipops.  Did I mention that the pots cost 89 cents a piece?  If you already have paint, it doesn't get much cheaper than that!

 

I can't wait to see your pumpkin related crafts!  Link 'em up here!

Fall Craft Challenge #4: Pumpkins!

Welcome to Week 4 of the Falling for Crafts Challenge here at One Artsy Mama!



So far, we've decorated our tables, mantles, and doors, and shared some yummy snacks and recipes.  Are you ready for a new challenge?

This week's theme is....pumpkins.

They're one of my favorite things about fall, and this week it's up to you to do something {anything!} with pumpkins!  It can be a craft, a recipe, home decor, a kids' craft...if it has a real or a fake pumpkin involved, it counts!

You can:

{monogram pumpkin made by me, painted one made by LC!}

paint it...

cover it...

stack it...

carve it...

{these are sorbet filled oranges!}

...bake it

{Happier than a Pig in Mud linked this pumpkin pound cake up to our Snack Challenge two weeks ago.

Amanda from Joy in the Jumble made these Pumpkin Cutout Chips.}

 and if you want you can even wear it!

{made from pumpkin seeds}

Anything goes!  You can also make a pumpkin out of any materials you want; I saw all kinds of ideas on Pinterest!

Ready to play?

Create your pumpkin masterpiece and link it up here.  Please follow One Artsy Mama and also add my Fall Challenge button to your post or somewhere on your blog.

If you don't have a blog and want to play along, just send me pictures via email or Facebook.

I can't wait to see what you create!

Challenge #3 Features: Gorgeous Door Decor

Boy, oh, boy, you all are making it tough on me!  After looking through almost 60 gorgeous submissions, how am I ever supposed to choose just a few to feature?  Aack!  Once again, I want to show off way more than I can fit into this post...but I have a solution!  I am going to post the most viewed and my very favorites here and then I'm going to spotlight some more on my Facebook page, so be sure to stay tuned there for more gorgeous decor features!

Ok, on to today's inspirations:

This week's most viewed link, therefore winning the "Most Popular" award was....

Pumpkin Spice Wreath from Katie at Little Things Bring Smiles.

Isn't it gorgeous?  I know this shot doesn't show the whole thing, but I wanted you to see the detail on those absolutely stunning felt roses.  Woweeeee!  Simply beautiful.  And I love the color combo, don't you?

Burlap Wreaths are quite popular this season; it's a great look for fall.  I've given this

Burlap Wreath with Flowers and Berries from Today's Fabulous Finds the "Best in Burlap" award because I love every single thing about it.  The way she did the ruffles, the color choices, the combo of flowers and berries...everything about it is elegant, gorgeous, and seasonal.

Wrapped Wreaths are the other big hit this season, from what I can see.  Some are made with yarn, others, like this Argyle Wreath with Owl by For Mamas are wrapped with jute.  {Either way, I don't think I have the patience to do it, although I looooove the look!}  This one really stands out to me because of the argyle pattern she acheived using felt squares.  And because of the owl.  Not gonna lie.  This one gets the "Hoo's Creative" Award.

Here's another wrapped jute wreath; this one I liked because of the adorable pennant banner and because of the fun felt flowers...there's a better closeup on her blog so you can see just how cute they are.

So, this Jute and Felt Mum Wreath by Crafty Critique gets today's "Chic and Crafty" award.

Chelsea at two twenty one did this variation on the jute wrapping that I just love.  Totally pinned it.  Instead of a traditional wreath form, she wrapped a monogram.  And of course, purple and black are perfect fall colors if you're a Ravens fan like me!  So, she gets the ever-so-coveted "Amy's Favorite" award.

The "Let's Party" award goes to this really fun Trick or Treat Wreath from Robyn at Tips from the Heart.  Doesn't it just make you feel like celebrating?

She used sticks, scrapbook paper, and even cupcake liners to decorate this!

The "You Rock My Socks" award goes to Jamie for her {not one, not two, but 3} Flower, Fabric, and Feather Wreaths at Crafty, Scrappy Happy.  Look how she used feathers and vintage buttons to accent this...and what great colors!

The "Nifty Thrifty" award goes to this $5 Fall Monogram by The Family That Plays Together.

I'm all about monograms, and I'm all about doing things on the cheap!

Whew, I don't know about you, but I'm all kinds of inspired.  Even though I already made my fall wreath, I'm ready to make another one!  We need one for each door, right?  Right?!
Be sure to pop over to the Facebook page and see what other decor I've featured there!
And of course, come back tomorrow to find out the topic for Challenge #4...I'll give you a hint...they're orange and Little Crafter keeps wanting me to buy them. :)

Don't forget to enter the Tommee Tippee Giveaway: a Newborn Starter Set!

Review and Giveaway: Tommee Tippee

I have a baby book for Little Crafter.  In fact, I have several. 
And none of them are finished.

It drives me crazy.  I'm a sentimental person and an artsy mama, after all, so of all things, I should have a beautiful scrapbook preserving all the important details of the beginning of my son's life.

Nope.

Why?  Well, as many of you know, the moment a baby enters your life, you have little to no time {or energy} for such endeavors.  Then, that baby turns into a running, talking, exploring, endlessly questioning toddler who leaves you thinking that caring for a newborn was a piece of cake.  And projecs like the unfinished baby book take a backseat to making shape monsters, jack-o-lanterns, and pom-pom projects with your little crafter.

That's why when I saw this new app from Tommee Tippee
called The Day Baby Was Born,

I. fell. in. love.

It's gorgeous.  It's personal.  It's breathtaking.  And...wait for it...

It's free.

No joke.  Here's how it works, right from the website:

Save your memories

The Day Baby Was Born automatically collects:

• News, facts and information from the day your baby was born.
• Facebook Wall comments about baby posted by family and friends.

You can also easily add memories through our guided storytelling process:

• Your pregnancy journal from week to week.
• Your personal story and letter to baby.

Share your joy

When you're ready to share your news, The Day Baby Was Born creates:

• Personalized pregnancy and birth announcements for Facebook.
• A storybook you can share online or save for years of storytelling.

It has a place to put your ultrasound pics and other photos too.  You can share and view it online or download it to your computer and enjoy it forever in digital and printed form!  I love how easy it looks and the finished product is just beautiful.  I wish it had been available when Little Crafter was born!

...and that's not all!  To celebrate the launch of this great new app, Tommee Tippee is offering a giveaway to you wonderful readers here at One Artsy Mama:

a Newborn Starter Set

 

The set {a $44.99 value} includes four 9 oz bottles, two 5 oz bottles, a bottle-and-nipple cleaning brush, and either a pacifier or formula dispensers.  All bottles are BPA and pthalate free and have a soft, ultra-wide nipple with an anti-colic valve. The winner gets to choose either a blue, a pink, or a clear set. 

Here's how to enter:

- follow One Artsy Mama {required}

- "like" Tommee Tippee on Facebook

- follow Tommee Tippee on Twitter {TommeeTippee_NA}

- "like" One Artsy Mama on Facebook

- tweet or post on Facebook about this giveaway

- check out the sample storybook and tell me your favorite feature of the app

Each action is worth one separate entry, so you can enter a total of six times.  I'm trying something new this time; instead of commenting, please fill out this form to enter.  Giveaway ends at midnight EST on 10/1; winner will be announced on 10/2.   Good luck!

To see some of Tommee Tippee's other products, visit 

http://www.toysrus.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=3945443

Pumpkin Pots

Want to see one of our favorite fall crafts so far?

Look at these cute little pumpkin flowerpots!

Want to see how we made them?  Head over to my friend Carmella's awesome blog, Creative Carmella for the full post.  I'm filling in for her today while she takes a little time off after the birth of her precious baby, Liam.  Pop on over and say hello, take a look at the pumpkins, and be sure to congratulate her on that new little sweetie!  Have a great day!

Great Giveaway Weekend Winners!

Thank you all so much for participating in my Great Giveaway Weekend!

After all, you're the reason I'm celebrating...all 200+ of you!

Here's the news you've been waiting for.

The winners are:

One Artsy Mama $20 Etsy credit -

Carla
Comment # 2

Diaper Bag Roll from Sunny Vanilla -

Stephanie McHugh

Comment # 10

Large Ad Space at Luxe Boulevard -

Carrie Ardoin from Sweet Southern Home
Comment # 11

Necktie & Pouch from Three's{4}Me -

Lorraine
Comment # 28

Pendant and Bobby Pins from Bossy Sprockets -

Cerrisse
Comment # 25

3 piece jewelry set from These Peas Taste Funny -

Amy
Comment # 29

Digital File from One Artsy Mama -

Carmella from Creative Carmella
Comment # 20

Button Bracelet from {boogaboo}handmade -

Stephanie McHugh
Comment # 33

Soda Can Cozy from Project 365 -

Gina Taylor
Comment # 2

....and, because you all are so fabulous, what I thought was a giveaway to celebrate 200 followers turns out to be celebrating 300 instead!  Soooo, I drew an extra winner for each of my two giveaways:

$20 Credit to One Artsy Mama on Etsy

andie jaye from Crayon Freckles

Comment #43

Digital File from One Artsy Mama

Rachel

Comment #38

All winners were selected via random.org.

Congratulations to our winners!  Please send me an email with your shipping information by midnight EST on Wednesday 9/28 to claim your prize.  If your particular contest offered an option {ie: color, style, type of file}, be sure to let me know your choices.  Thanks!

Thanks again to all of the giveaway sponsors; we love ya!

A is for Apple, C is for Christmas

This past week, Little Crafter and I started getting ready for Christmas.

Yes, you read that right.  Christmas.

You see, we like to make most of our gifts, so we need to get an early start if we want to get all our projects done in time!

First, we painted a vase for his great-grandmother at the local paint-your-own pottery shop.

Then, we decided to make something special for his Grammy.

***Grammy, this is your cue to STOP READING NOW!***

I had seen this idea on Pinterest {of course} where you use half an apple as a stamp and thought it would be a cute fall craft.  It also went along quite conveniently with his preschool lesson on the letter "A."  And, it gives us a head start on our gifts...win, win, win!

 In the original post at CraftStylish, she used the apples to decorate this cute tote bag.

But we made Grammy a bag last year.

So, we decided to make an apron instead!  Grammy is one of the only people I know who actually wears an apron literally every time she cooks, so it's a perfect gift...especially if it's made by Little Crafter!

Here's how we did it:

APRON WITH STAMPED APPLES

Materials: canvas apron, apple, fabric paint, paint brushes

Cut apple in half using sharp knife.  Dip in fabric paint or use a brush to cover cut surface with paint.

Use like a stamp.  Then, go back and add details like stems, leaves, and seeds if desired.

Here's a close up of our apples and a view of the finished apron.

I thought I'd model it for you...looks great with my jersey, doesn't it? :)  Go, Ravens!

It's quick and easy and cost about 8 bucks.  Yay for thrifty gifts!

Ok, I promise to stop talking about Christmas now.  Back to Fall.  Speaking of which, don't forget to stop by the Craft Challenge and share your Door Decor!  And of course, all 9 giveaways close at midnight tonight...check them out and enter, enter, enter!

Merry Christmas, I mean, Happy Fall!

P is for Preschool

We're still busy learning about Fall here in One Artsy Mama-land.  Little Crafter has decided that he wants to do Preschool activities pretty much constantly, which keeps me on my toes!  I'm always looking for a variety of ideas that will give him a chance to practice different skills, and I love finding things he can do pretty independently.  I'm also especially fond of projects that are free, like this one!

FALL TREE COLLAGE

All you need to make this fun, festive tree is:

a magazine

a glue stick

scissors

a piece of paper or cardstock

That's it!  We had all those things laying around already, so it didn't cost us a penny!

First, we flipped through the magazine and it was Little Crafter's job to point out anything he saw that was red, orange, yellow, or brown.  Which was pretty easy...we were using the September issue of Lucky, so there were lots fall clothes, purses, and all kinds of other things in those colors!  I cut leaf shapes and we used a giant photo of a brown boot to cut out a trunk.

We glued the trunk to our cardstock, then Little Crafter glued all the leaves wherever he wanted them.

 

 

He did a good job with the glue stick and was able to do this pretty much all by himself.

It was even his idea to put a few leaves on the ground like they had fallen off..."after all, Mommy, that's what leaves do!"  This was a fun project and gave him a chance to practice color recognition as well as motor skills, and it was perfect for our unit about seasons and fall.  I've had a few people ask to see some picture of our little "classroom," which is really just a corner of our basement...here it is:

And, speaking of Fall, don't forget about our new challenge for the week; Door Decor!

Have a great day!

PS - Don't forget, only one more day to enter the NINE giveaways!