Easy Christmas Ornaments Crafting Roundup

I decided over the weekend that it is time to start Christmas Crafting.  This is partially due to the shows Lisa & I have coming up, but also due to the fact that I always find myself awake at 3am on Christmas Eve putting the finishing touches on gifts (sometimes even on Christmas morning.) I usually also have a stack of partially finished things that I just give up on.  Maybe I aim too high, but why not?

So, a few times a week I am going to start putting together some small treasuries of things to make from Christmas this year.  This roundup is simple, easy, and dare I say cheap Christmas ornaments.  Looking at these, I think that any one would be great for kids to make.  Kamille and Maggie would love making the beaded ornaments. 

Santa & Snowman Ornaments   Beaded Christmas Ornaments  Quilled Christmas Trees

Poinsettia Felt Ornament  Pompom Ornament  Snowman Glass Ball Ornaments

My Favorites - Handprint Christmas Ornaments 

I think that I will start making these every year.  What a wonderful way to watch your child grow up.

Snowman Ball Ornament   Handprint Salt Dough   Reindeer Handprint Ornament

Free Kid's Craft Idea Everyday

When checking my email this morning I came across an email update from Free Kid's Crafts. I can't believe I haven't shared this site with you guys yet! Everyday in my email I recieve a new kid's craft that goes along with the season or holiday that is currently approaching. The projects are generally very inexpesive and use materials that I have on hand. It's the perfect way to keep little hands busy while you do a project of your own.

This morning's craft came as this tissue paper pumpkin:

Click for directions.

To subscribe to the newsletter and get a free craft idea emailed to you everday just fill in your name and email address under the Subscribe tab on the left hand side of the page.

They make it kind of fun because you can't see the crafts for the coming days but you can access the craft archives by clicking a previous date on the calendar an left hand side of the page (under the subscribe tab).

Check out Friday's Craft ~ an October Coloring Calendar

Click to print

 

Let your little one color this to uses as a chore chart or a count down to trick or treating on Halloween by placing stickers on each day until Halloween! It's a simple yet fun way to get them excited about the holiday.



Free Photos Angels Fairies Mermaids Gothic Photos Glitter Graphics
http://www.free-foto-animation-digital-images.blogspot.com/

A Play Little Kitchen Makeover

I took a little break from sewing this weekend to redo my daughter's play kitchen.  Previously, she had a plastic princess kitchen.  It went into the garage to be played with in the yard next summer.  Totally useless is how I would describe it.  The door fell off every time she opened it.  For the first few days, the novelty of the singing stove was great, but after that there just wasn't enough to do.  It was ultimately a waste of $100.00.  So, my mom found this little wooden kitchen set for $15 at a thrift store. 

It was white and getting pretty beat up.  I decided to give it a restyle with some paint.  I had a gallon of blue and a gallon of pink in the basement.  I started with that.  Then, I used cheap craft paint to create a simple design.  It's not my best paint job.  I could only find foam paint brushes.  I just don't know where all of my good brushes went off to.  Anyway, I really covered up how warped the doors were with this busy paint scheme.  I made the polka dots with the brush handle.    I finished it off with some marine varnish.  I want to wash it without the paint coming off.  I actually let Kamille roll on most of the pink with a mini roller.  She was thrilled.  I think that she still has paint in her hair, but she was so excited to get to use the paint roller like a "big mamma".  I still need to put the handles back on, but it's about 95% finished.

Great Recycled Cabinet Redo

This is a really inspiring project made from 2 cabinets purchased from a salvage yard.  Click here for the full play kitchen project.

You really could use any old cabinets to make up a little play kitchen.  Even a couple of those built it yourself closet organizers would work so well with a little paint and some wooden shapes and knobs. 

 Here is another really cute idea for a DIY kitchen with what you have.  This would be a great kitchen for a really little toddler or for outdoors.  You could bring it into the garage in the winter. 

This is from www.ohdeedoh.com/.../020910-mia-play-kitchen.jpg

Wood Working Plans 

I also found these great plans, available for $9.00 to make your own set. 

Family Fun had another great idea for a play kitchen that uses a laminated shelf and 2 shoe racks. 

Click here for the free tutorial and play kitchen plans.

Felt Food

Don't forget to go green and safe and make some great felt food for the kitchen.