Clover Collage

Here's a great nature project that even the littlest crafters can participate in! Emily enjoyed finding different patches of clover, picking them and sticking the leaves and stems to the lint brush. She could easily carry the lint brush with her, and spent a lot of time finding small leaves, blades of grass, and tiny seed pods to include in her collage.

Once the lint brush is full, peel off the paper and glue non-sticky side to a piece of canvas board. Keep repeating the process until the entire canvas board is full of clover.

It should look something like this. Cover the canvas board with clear contact paper, and you are done!
If you have a large canvas board, this would make a terrific and unique placemat!

No Sew, Super-Frugal Tutu for Dolly

This no sew tutu was quick, easy, and practically free! It is perfect for Dolly, and Emily did most of the work on this project. To make your own, you will need some plastic netting (I used two empty bags from lemons), scissors, and ribbon.

Cut the bag down one of the long sides and then begin cutting it into strips about 1 1/2 inches wide.

Wrap the ribbon around the doll's waist twice and cut. Then, tie knots on either end of the ribbon where it meets at the doll's waist. This is where you will tie your bow when the tutu is finished.

Fold the strips of netting in half to make a loop, and thread the tails of the netting through the loop, going around the ribbon. Once I showed Emily how to do this, she attached most of the netting herself.

Pull taut and slide down the ribbon as shown. Repeat these steps until the ribbon is filled with knots of netting down to the other knot on the ribbon.

Tie the ends of the ribbon around to make a bow around the doll's waist, and you are done!

300th Post!

I can't believe this is already our 300th post! This morning Emily and I made an appearance on The 10! Show to talk about ways to encourage pretend play with your kids using items you already have at home. As usual, the crew spoiled the bejesus out of Emily. Can you tell she had about 3 donuts in the green room prior to our segment?
In case you missed today's show, here is the clip.

Here are the links from today's segment:Pretend StoreDolly's BirthdayDress Up PlayPretend Mail SetAnimal Hospital
Some of Emily's quotes from today:
Upon meeting Taylor Hicks from American Idol. "Oh...Hi! I left you some donuts in the green room!"
Immediately after our segment taped. Producer: "Emily, you were great!"Emily: "I know!!"
After leaving the studio."Mommy, can we be on T.V. again tomorrow?"
While driving back home.Emily: "Hey, tomorrow I want to pretend to have my own show! Yeah... my own show...."Me: "What will it be called?"Emily: "Ummm... I think I'll call it........The 10 Show."Me: "But that name is already taken. Don't you want to have a new name?"Emily: "No, I want it to be The 10 Show because The 10 Show is the best show!"
I'll leave you now with a photo of Emily standing among her adoring fans.More frugal crafty goodness is on the way.....

Three Little Pigs Playset

One of Emily's favorite stories is The Three Little Pigs. When we were done making this playset, she could hardly wait for the glue to dry before she ran off to play with the set! She had lots of fun re-enacting the tale over and over, and then started to perform her own versions of the story which involved the wolf going to a restaurant after failing to blow down the house of bricks.

Aside from a little construction paper and some glue, this craft uses all recyclables and materials found in nature!

To make your own Three Little Pigs Playset, you will need some small milk cartons, construction paper, tape, glue, hay (or grass clippings), sticks, scissors, and popsicle sticks.

Cover the milk cartons with construction paper and invite your child over to glue on the hay on one milk carton.....

...sticks on another milk carton.....

...and bricks from construction paper on the last milk carton. Attach the roofs.

Cut out some pig shaped heads from pink construction paper, and let your child draw the eyes, nose, and mouth. Tape onto a popsicle stick, and repeat these steps for the wolf as well.

Wait for glue to dry... and........ PLAY!!

Have fun!!

Also, I'm scheduled to appear on tomorrow's 10! Show on NBC. Be sure to check it out! Emily may be making an appearance as well!

Mega Monster Bubbles!

Wow! I think I had just as much fun as Emily with this homemade bubble solution and bubble wand. It is quite addictive! These bubbles are HUGE and they last a long time.

To make your own mega bubble solution, you will need: 6 cups distilled water, 2 cups Joy dishwashing detergent, and 3/4 cup light corn syrup. Stir the solution gently and let sit for a couple of hours for best results. Store any leftover bubble solution in an air-tight container.

For the bubble wands, try a length of yarn tied to a wooden dowel in the shape of a large "D". Hold by the dowel and walk slowly to form HUGE bubbles!