Beaded Butterfly

Ok, so I have a really quick and easy kiddo craft for you today...and I bet most of you crafty types already have everything you need for it on hand.  Little Crafter saw something similar on Pinterest, and as usual, demanded that I pin it on his board so we could make it.  We decided to try it out with some friends when we had a little crafting playdate last Wednesday...here's how you can make your own!

BEADED BUTTERFLY

Materials {per butterfly}:
- random assorted beads
- two pipecleaners
- one clothespin
- glue {we used low temp hot glue...is that an oxymoron?}

All you do is have the child string beads onto both pipecleaners, leaving a little bit of room at each end.  Then, hot glue the ends onto the sides of the clothespin.  Easy peasy.

There are other variations you can do too, like painting the clothespins and adding antennae made from pipe cleaners, as seen in our original inspiration.  You can also turn the clothespin the other way, but LC likes that he can open and close it and make it look like the butterfly is flying.

Here's his, along with the ones his little buddies B-Man and Lil' L.

Fun in the Sun: Emily

   I am SO thrilled today to be sharing with you at One Artsy Mama. I started reading during the One Crafty Contest and have been a faithful reader ever since! Okay, you aren't here to read how much I love this blog (we all just do!) you are here to see what I have to share.
Today I have.... (drumroll please!)

My inspiration for this is my three year old son. He LOVES to win.... doesn't matter if he actually does win, he will say he is the winner. If I want him to do something, I just make it a race against his little brother (who is easy to beat!) and he gets it done. I probably hear, "I'm the winner." "I'm the fastest" "I'm was first" a million times a day. So.... in honor of Jack AND the Olympics (which I am obsessed with!) today I am sharing how to make you very own gold medal!
Now EVERY kid can be a winner!
First, gather your supplies. I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up round wooden discs ( I was hoping to find a pack, but had to buy them separate), gold spray paint ( I used a weekly internet 40% coupon!), beading wire, a black marker, and ribbon (which happened to be half off that day, score!) We drilled small holes at the top of each disc, peeled off the labels and sprayed both sides gold. I sprayed two coats on each side. Next, cut your ribbon. I cut approx. 25 inches for each. Sew with right sides together at an angle on the bottom. Press open. Fold a thin wire in half (about 8 inches long, 4 when folded), thread through the hole, and twist to secure. Write you message on one (or both) sides. I wrote, "You are GOLD." on all of mine. 
Now to attach the disc to the ribbon... Turn both the ribbon and the gold disc to the back side and hold the ribbon ends up. Spread the wire and put one side on either side of the seam. I folded the wire over so it wouldn't stick out and used hot glue to hold the wire to the ribbon and the ribbon to itself. When you have both sides glued, trim any extra ribbon and you are finished!
And now you are ready for our family favorite saying... "Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!"
Please stop by and visit me sometime at my regular blogging home
www.nap-timecreations.com

Follow along here: Facebook * Pinterest

Lego Party: The Favors, Part 3

Last week, I showed you two of the fun favors we made for Little Crafter's birthday using our Lego Minifigure Mold.  {If you missed them, be sure to check out the crayons and chocolates}!  Here's one more take-home gift for his little friends that was ever-so cheap and easy to make!

 

Materials:

Lego bricks

Bails

Super glue or jewelry glue

Cord or chain

Scissors

 

For this project, you don't have to know anything about making jewelry. 

STEP 1: Choose the bricks you want to use.  I like the 2x2 or 2x3 ones size-wise.  We got ours at the local Lego store where they have a "Pick a Brick" wall.  We got to fill up a little container with whatever size, shape, and color bricks we liked best from their assortment.

STEP 2: Flip bricks over and glue a bail {I got mine on Etsy} to the top center.  Don't forget, each little popped-up spot has the word "Lego" printed on it...you might want to make sure they're right side up when you're choosing which side is the top.  Just sayin'...ask me how I know...

STEP 3: When glue is dry, attach cord.  I used stretchy elastic cord so that it will easily go over the kids' heads; that way I don't have to worry about clasps or anything fancy.  I just cut the cord and knotted it. 

Ta-da!!  It's that simple!  And I just know the kids are going to love them...Little Crafter insisted on getting his right now so he can wear it around while he waits for his big day to come.

Stay tuned for more Lego fun!  Happy Crafting!

Hand Stamped Necklaces: My Newest Creations

Ever since I got my metal stamping supplies for Christmas, I have absolutely loved making all kinds of meaningful, personal, one-of-a-kind stamped jewelry.  Some of it, of course, I sell on Etsy, but much of it ends up being either just for me or a special gift for someone I love.  I get really excited when I find new shapes of stamping blanks and new kinds of charms to play around with because I feel like the possibilities are endless.  I recently made two new necklaces and since some of you said on Facebook that you wanted to see them, here they are...

This first one is, I think, my favorite necklace I've ever made for myself.

KEY TO MY HEART NECKLACE

It's meaningful to me for several reasons; one is that the date stamped at the top is our wedding day.  The small blue bead represents the birthstone for December, which is both my birth month and our anniversary.  And, the word "beloved" signifies so much for me.  For one thing, since this kind of represents our marriage, it reminds me of my husband's unconditional love.  It also reminds me that I'm loved by God.  And, finally, "Beloved" is actually the meaning of my name; Amy comes from the French ami, beloved.  Which, in turn, reminds me that I'm loved by my parents too...nice, huh?  Who knew one little necklace could mean so much?

This second one was a gift for my Mom.  She found the little tree charm at Hobby Lobby and really liked it, so she asked if I'd make her a necklace with it.  Here's what I came up with:

PHILIPPIANS 4:4 NECKLACE

When I started working on it, I called her to see what she wanted me to stamp.  She {like me} is a most indecisive individual, so she couldn't come up with a definite answer right away.  As she was thinking, it suddenly occurred to me that I could use her favorite Bible verse. 



"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!   Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  Philippians 4:4-6 

I told her, "Nevermind, I've got it."  I hung up the phone and finished the necklace.  The bead isn't particularly symbolic; turquoise and purple are her favorite colors, and I had already made her a turqouise necklace recently.  The fun swirl around the bead happened quite by chance; I was out of bronze head pins, so I had to use an eyepin and figure out what to do with all the excess at the bottom.  Shhhh!  I actually really loved the way it turned out though!

What's your favorite or most meaningful piece of jewelry?

Shine on Fridays #38 {and a great giveaway}!

Hey, hey, it's time to play!  Can you believe the weekend is almost here already?  Whew, this week went fast!  Here's a quick recap of what we had going on here at One Artsy Mama:



             TP Roll Painting              Lego Crayons              Lego Chocolates          Thursday Features

Here's a look at one of our most-viewed links from last week's party...and a personal favorite of mine considering all the Lego madness that's going on around here!

LEGO Fruit Snacks: Miss Information

Congratulations to Alyssa and Melanie, winners of last week's giveaway.  They will each receive one month's free advertising here at One Artsy Mama and on Happy Go Lucky!

This week's party is brought to you by Sheila from Plum Doodles.  Here's what she had to say:

Hey, y’all! Had to throw in a little Southern drawl from this Georgia girl. I’m Sheila from Plum Doodles and I’m so excited to join the Shine on Fridays party. Plum Doodles’ name comes from my love of purple and the fact that I write about a variety of things- a doodle of this, a doodle of that. Come on over and see how to repurpose so-called trash and revive thrift store and yard sale items. And learn from my mistakes- plenty of opportunity for that! My faith in Jesus is the foundation of my life and I hope that my relationship with Him shines through all that I do. Today, I’m giving away two of my projects, a framed key and a beehive pillow. :) I’d love for you to join me in my adventures and misadventures at Plum Doodles- sit a spell and let’s laugh and learn together!

Thanks, Sheila, for a great giveaway!  As always, Rafflecopter will walk you through the entry process.  It can take a few minutes to load, so if you don't see it right away, just hang on and I promise it'll show up eventually.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ok, friends, it's time for the main event! 

 



Show off your fabulous creations with us and be inspired by what others have created!

Please link up crafts, recipes, home decor, etc.

We can't wait to see what you've been up to lately!!

If you're going to play along with us, pretty please:

- follow both co-hosts

- grab a party button and put it somewhere on your blog
- have fun and visit some other friends
- no commercial sites

- send us Starbucks gift cards {just kidding...kind of!}

Linking up your photos gives us permission to use them in features on our blogs and Facebook pages.



Shutterfly Photo Contest

Hey, friends!  Have you heard about Shutterfly's Long Live Summer Photo Contest?

It's a multi-week sweepstakes with great prizes, including a trip to the Bahamas!

All you have to do is enter a photo and caption appropriate to the weekly theme on the Facebook page.  You can enter at any point during the five weeks of the contest.  What are you waiting for?

Good luck!



Top 10 Thursday!

You know what Thursday means!  Time to take a look at a few of my favorite projects from last week's party!  If you were featured, grab a button from the sidebar!  Here they are...

A Little Birdie Party: Northwest Lovelies

I'm loving every detail of this adorable birthday party!  Be sure to visit the post to see all the cute decorations and tasty treats...might want to pin this one!

Sewing Machine Table Makeover: Life on Lakeshore Drive

I think this table redo is just gorgeous, and I can't believe she created that pattern herself using nothing but painters' tape and round stickers!  What?!

Wedding Dress: Melly Sews

Take a look at the beautiful wedding dress Melly and her mother made together.  Be sure to stop by and see the amazing pics of her and her hubby as they celebrated their anniversary in Hawaii!  The one in the water is my fave!

No-Sew Summer Basket: One Dog Woof

Adorable and useful, that's my kind of project!  Chi Wei shows how to make this in a detailed tutorial...

Coffee Table Nautical Art: Dixie Delights

Aah!  I so want this table, don't you?  And she made it for a fraction of the price of her inspiration piece!

Pour Paint Pots: Sugarsnips

These pots look like such fun to make...I know just who would enjoy this project in my house!

Sign Language Art: Crafty Mischief

I was immediately drawn to this project because Little Crafter and I constantly make this "I love you" sign to each other...just might have to do something similar for his room!

C.R.A.P.: Confessions of a DIY Blogger: Clever Nest

Fellow bloggers, you're going to love this post.  You'll laugh, you'll nod, you'll be thoroughly amused.

Strawberry & White Chocolate Scones: Pink Recipe Box

I'm a total sucker for scones, especially when they contain white chocolate!  Check out this delicious looking recipe!

Slow-Cooker Chicken & Dumplings: Lady With the Red Rocker

...ok, so now I'm hungry.  I love me a good crockpot meal, don't you?

What were your favorites?  Come back at 9 PM EST tonight for a whole new party!

Happy Crafting!

PS: I'm guest blogging over at Wait 'Til Your Father Gets Home today...come visit!

Lego Party: Favors, Part 2

If you saw the Lego Party Favors, Part 1 post, you know we bought two of these adorable Lego Minifigure ice cube trays...which we have yet to use for ice!  We used the first one to make some super-cool crayons, then used the second one for...chocolate!!

Little Crafter, inexplicably, doesn't like chocolate at all, but Mommy and Daddy sure do and so do many of our party guests.  So, here's how we made some favors that are sure to be a hit!

CHOCOLATE LEGO MINIFIGURES

You'll need:

chocolate melting wafers or candy melts 

Lego Minifigure mold

Step 1: Melt chocolate according to package directions.  Of course, I bought some store brand ones that didn't have directions.  So, I melted the wafers at 50% power in a coffee mug in the microwave for 50-60 seconds.

Step 2: Spoon melted chocolate into mold.

Step 3 {optional}: Place in refrigerator or freezer to speed up the re-hardening process. 
It didn't take long at all for them to harden in the fridge, which was great since I could only make eight at a time!

Step 4: Carefully remove from the mold.
For some reason, these guys were much easier to get out than the crayons were.  I only broke one.  We used one bag of milk chocolate wafers and one bag of dark; each bag made around 35 figures.

Aren't they adorable?!  They're like cute little soldiers in a big army of deliciousness!  I think they'd be super cute with colored candy melts too, but I didn't want there to be any confusion about which of the favors were edible and which ones weren't...as it is, one of my good bloggy buddies already told me she wants to take a bite of the crayons {ahem...Adrianne...}.

My one tip would be to make sure you push the melted chocolate down into the mold really well to make sure the feet, arms, and head are well filled in.  I had a few come out with war wounds, like this guy who ended up with half a head...

I simply can't justify giving that to a party-goer, now can I?  Whatever shall I do with him....

Lego Party: The Favors, Part 1

Hey, friends!  Guess what?  Next month, my sweet Little Crafter turns FOUR years old!  Where does the time go?!  He wanted to have a little get-together with some of his friends to celebrate on the actual day, so he made his own guest list and chose his own theme...a Lego Extravaganza!  Of course, I scoured Pinterest and found a ton of fun ideas.  Over the next few weeks, I'll be showing you the details and the how-to's as his party comes together. 

First, the favors.  The other day, we visited a LEGO store in the mall near my in-laws' house.  Much to my excitement, they had silicon molds {they called them ice cube trays} of the little mini-figures!  I've seen tutorials a all over the internet for melted shaped crayons, so we decided to give it a try...and here they are!

Materials:
Lego Miniature silicon mold
Crayons
Oven

Step 1: Preheat oven to 200.  Peel your crayons.  This part is kind of a pain, but if you have a little helper, it goes faster...sort of.

STEP 2: Break crayons and put into mold.

For this particular mold, I found that it takes 4/5 of a full crayon to make one Lego man.  We broke the crayons into five pieces, put four of each in the mold, then saved the extras to combine and make some cool swirly looking multi-colored ones.

STEP 3: Bake at 200 degrees for 20 minutes or until wax is totally melted.  I put a metal baking sheet under my silicon mold in the oven to keep it flat and catch any mess.

STEP 4: Remove from oven and place in refrigerator or freezer to help wax harden.  When hardened, remove from mold.

Popping these guys out of the mold without breaking their little heads off was the most difficult part of the whole process.  Each time we filled the tray, it made eight mini men, and each time, I broke at least one, if not two of them when I tried removing them.  There's a trick to getting them out, I'm sure, and if I knew what it was, I'd tell you...

Anyway, here they are:



 

I would have loved to have another mold or two to speed up the process, but since they were $7.99 a piece, I stuck with just one for non-edible things like this and one for edible things.  No way was I buying more than that. 

 

 

I love the way these turned out and can't wait to come up with a cute little way to package them for LC's buddies!  Come back tomorrow to see what else we did with our other minifigure mold...