{free printable & project share} Homemade Sugar Body Scrub

I know I always appreciate  homemade gifts, especially on Mother's Day, so this  year I decided to do baskets for the moms with multiple homemade goodies.  Sorry I'm posting this after the fact, but just in case my mother and mother-in-law check this blog I didn't want to ruin the surprise.  Anyway, this lavender sugar scrub is just one of the things debuting in the basket and it took less than 1 minute to pull together.  Now that's my type of craft!

Ingredients Needed:

•  Sugar (I used granulated white sugar, but I suppose brown could work too)
• Oil (I used almond oil, but any oil that is smell-less would work-- such as olive oil)
• Essential Oil Drops
• Glass Jar

First fill your jar with the sugar, but leave enough room for the oil.  I used just enough oil that when it was mixed together it was a sloshy, but not too oily (does that make sense?).  It's not a science-- just pour the oil in a little at a time until you're satisfied with the dampness of the sugar mixture.

 Now, add between 5-10 drops of essential oil.  I used lavender, but contemplated using peppermint, orange, vanilla....etc.  I bought this lavender essential oil at Hobby Lobby and it was the most costly part of this project.  BUT, it should last me a while because you don't need much.

Next, tie it up with a pretty ribbon, a wooden stick and my free printable.  I would also encourage you to Mod Podge the printable label onto your glass jar so when it gets wet it doesn't sog up and fall off.

 I've created an assortment of four body scrub labels for you.  These body scrubs are super fast to put together-- the perfect last minute gift for just about anyone.

{food share} Flower Bundt Cinnamon Rolls

I can't take credit for this fun food presentation idea-- it was solely MY HUSBAND'S idea!  Believe it or not, my husband LOVES to help me come up with fun and unique ways to serve food.  It was sweet, really.  He came to me after I had made the cinnamon roll dough and with excitement in his voice he exclaimed, "you should let some cinnamon rolls rise in the mini-bundt pan and then when they cook they'll take on the flower shape.  It'll be soooo cute!"

Such a cute idea-- thanks honey!  The only thing I dislike about this is that the frosting covers it all up!
Looking for a delicious cinnamon roll recipe to go along with this?  Take a look at this recipe from one of my previous posts HERE.

{free printable} Room Service for Mom

Being a mom is seriously the hardest job I've ever had, so when Mother's day comes around I use that day to rejuvenate.  Today you'll find my "Room Service for Mom" Mother's Day printables at Whatever Dee Dee Wants.  Head on over for the full post.

Included in this printable set:

• Room Service for Mom Door Knob Hanger (to be filled out by mom and left on the door)
• "I love my mom because..." Questionnaire (to be filled out/colored in by the kids)
• 5x7 inch mother's day note card

 To all those mom's out there... hope you have a relaxing Mother's day-- as you deserve it!

{craft share & recipe} Easter Cookies

I must admit-- icing cookies intimidates me!  I always look at those edible creation cookies and 'ooh' and 'ahh' over them and wish I could create something remotely similar.  Not to say mine even compare to the professionals cookies, but they really weren't too terribly difficult.

I wasn't feeling overly confident about icing a face on the bunnies so I decided to play it safe with some fluffy bunny tails made out of mini-marshmallows.

I'd say it's not bad for my first attempt at icing cookies this way!

Royal Icing (Piping Border Frosting)

2 Egg Whites, beaten

1/4 Teaspoon Cream of Tartar

3 Cups Confectioner Sugar

Directions:  Sift together the sugar and cream of tartar.  Next add the egg whites and beat with electric mixer until it stiffens up and holds it shape.  Then, I divide the frosting into different bowls and add the coloring needed for each cookie.  Keep in mind that piping the borders on the cookies don't take a whole lot of frosting.  

Royal Icing (Flooding Inside Frosting)

Using the left over piping border frosting I then added just enough lemon juice to make the frosting a bit more runny.  I believe I added somewhere around 1-2 Tablespoons.  Then, you just plop a good amount in the center of the border frosting and slowly spread it to the edges.  It will dry smooth and flat, but it does take around 20-30 minutes so resist the urge to touch.

{free printable & tutorial} Parchment Paper Candy Egg Bundles

These pseudo transparent parchment bundles are just what I would have loved as a kid.  I absolutely adore that you can see the candy through the parchment paper and you know what you're about to devour.  Plus, they were such a cinch to make.

First-- download, print, and cut the Easter egg template. (see link to download below).  Another fun thing about parchment paper-- you could cut it to printer paper size and print the actual template onto it if you like, but then you won't be able to see through the paper. That would still be super cute, though!  I also thought about letting the kidlets color the cut out parchment paper eggs before sewing with crayons or markers, but then I realized it was bedtime and I was out of mommy/kid crafting time.

 Next, trace the egg template onto the parchment paper and cut the stencils out, making sure to cut out two eggs per candy  bundle.

Now, pin the parchment eggs together and sew around the edges, leaving a spot in the top to insert the candy.

Drop the candy in and sew the egg up.   I tried a few different eggs and while the one compartment egg was certainly the easiest I really like the look of separating the candies by sewing in between each layer.

Tip-- don't overfill the eggs with candy.  Leave a bit of room for the sewing machine foot.  If the candy is butted right up to the edge the sewing machine foot ripped my paper because it was too tight of a fit.  OR lift your sewing machine foot altogether and eliminate it from even touching the parchment paper.

Now, all that is needed is to hide these fun candy bundles on Easter morning and watch the kids tear into them with wide eyes to see their yummy surprises.

 If you want to use the Easter Egg template click the button below to download.

{recipe & craft} Rice Crispy Shamrock Treats

Hope you haven't put away your Valentines heart cookie cutters yet!  These shamrock Rice Krispie treats were a hit at our household and my little ones enjoyed eating all the many scrap leftovers.  Rice Krispie treats are some of the easiest things to make, so I feel a little silly posting this, but what the heck. It was a fun make and hopefully you'll find it fun as well.

 Needed:  Rice Krispies Cereal, Butter, Mini Marshmallows, Green Gel Paste Coloring, Heart Cookie Cutter,  Wooden Skewers, and Plastic Wrap.  Oh, and don't forget some cut green ribbon too!

 Once the marshmallows have melted add a few drops of the green gel paste and stir until you get the coloring you desire.  Then add the cereal and stir stir stir like a crazy woman.  Then quickly transfer it to a greased pan before it cools (which happens quickly).

Next, spray your cutter with non-stick spray and start cutting your hearts.  I used three hearts per shamrock, smooshed them together and shoved a skewer in the center to hold them all together. Then, let them cool completely before wrapping.

Such a sweet edible bouquet of Krispie treats.

Rice Krispie Treat Recipe

{recipe adapted from Kellogs at ricekrispie.com}

          3 Tablespoons Butter

          1 Package Mini-Marshmallows (10oz)

          6 Cups Rice Krispie Cereal

          Green Food Coloring

Directions:  In a fairly large heavy bottom sauce pan melt the butter and marshmallows.  Once completely melted add the food coloring until you've receive the coloring you desire.  Next, add the Rice Krispie cereal and stir vigorously.  Immediately transfer over to a greased pan and cut out shapes before it completely cools.  Now, enjoy!  My little monsters sure did.

{share} Three Quick & Easy Toddler Activities

 Little boys are full of energy, constantly moving, and curious about everything.  I'm kept on my toes daily with my two kids.  At times I find it challenging to find new things for them to do so they don't get bored and start beating each other up.  Below you will find three constant activities we do just about everyday.  These games don't require anything in addition to what most of us already have in our homes.  So here we go...

1.  Dinosaur Hunt

The dinosaur hunt hats aren't needed for this activity, obviously, but it sure does make them look cute.  I bought these hats and the foam lettering at Hobby Lobby and my littlest one, Graham, loves to wear his all day long.  So, how do we play this game?  First, I make my kids hide in the corner with their nets and hats while I disperse of all the many dinosaurs (and other plastic animals) around the room.  I make some of them difficult to find for my older one, while the majority are just scattered on the floor in plain sight.  Then they come running from their corner and collect as many of the animals as they can until their nets are about to burst.  Then, we play it again!  Fun stuff, I tell ya.

 2.  Fruit Loop String Beads

So in addition to dinosaurs, my kids adore fruit loops (yep, I'm that mom that allows them to eat sugary cereal).  The kids enjoy threading their fruit loops onto their string.  I love watching their concentrated faces as they try their hardest to bead their cereal.  Then, we tie knots in the end and wear them as necklaces.  It's kind of nice, really.   They have snacks on the go and I don't have to worry about them spilling all over the ground and getting crunched into the carpet.  Plus, stringing the cereal helps their chubby little fingers to develop manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.  Graham thinks it's pretty cool to eat them straight off of the string.

 3.  Magic Blanket Rides

Everyone has a blanket laying around, right?  In my case, one too many blankets reside in my house.  Which reminds me-- I need to make a trip to the Good Will.  Anyway, Miles and Graham are mad for blanket rides.  Usually toys, balls, and snacks accompany them on these rides.  Typically following these rides is the request to be burrito-ized!  I swaddle them tightly and they giggle and wiggle their way out and then we do it all over again.  I can't imagine how much fun this would be, but then again any time spent with my mom I enjoy so I'm thinking they might just enjoy the attention they're getting from me and making me laugh in the meantime.

All in all, I've found in my three short years as a mom, that it's really about being silly with my kids and encouraging their imaginations to wander and grow.  I've also discovered with my two, that I have to keep their minds going.  An idle mind brings on trouble-- you know, stealing each others toys and rough housing.  So we usually only spend 15-20 minutes per activity before we move on.  There is nothing more that I enjoy than watching my two little nutballs being silly and laughing at themselves or each other.  I really hope they remain the best of friends...

 What are some of your kids' favorite daily activities?  I'm always looking for new ideas. :)

{free printable & project share} How Do Dinosaurs?... Book Popsicle Stick Puzzles

I'm pretty sure every mother to young boys has heard of these "How Do Dinosaurs..." book series, but if you haven't click on the book picture below and go check them out.  They are apart of our nightly ritual-- sometimes they are an all day phenomenon.  My kids LOVE them.  So much we've had to purchase this particular book (see below) 3 times because the pages began to fall out.

So... because they are a fave in our house, I thought it appropriate to use these book's pictures on my popsicle stick puzzles.  I googled these books and found a gazillion pictures online to print at home.  I'm not sure if it's illegal or not-- anyone know?    However, you could also use pictures from any old book you have laying around.  After I did this I thought to myself I could have used one of those other books with the pages falling out and that would have worked great too!

The puzzle sticks were a super quick craft and was achieved in one afternoon's nap time.  I used jumbo popsicle sticks and these pictures were cropped and sized just right for them.  I highly encourage the use of your own books, as I've been told as of lately that using pictures from the web and printing them infringes on copyrights.

The number stickers were an after thought, but I think they'll be nice to have when it comes time to teach the little ones their numbers and their order.

 My three year absolutely LOVES them and has asked to play with them for the past few days straight.  It's always great when you can take your child's favorite book and make it come alive for them.  Such a darling book series--recommend checking them out at the library OR buying them for your own library collection.  They are a fave in our family!

{project share} DIY Stegosaurus Hoodie

Inspired by Whatever Dee Dee Wants and liberally using her tutorial, I decided to have my own run at this fun DIY dinosaur hoodie.  Not to mention it made me break out my brand new serger, that has been sitting in the box over a year now.  I don't know why, but just the thought of serging fabrics intimidated me.  Once the threading process was finished, which took forever, it was relatively easy to maneuver.

 I decided to use two differing shades of green felt for the stegosaurus spikes.  I sewed two of the sides, then stuffed them with batting and stitched them back into the hoodie using my serger.  One of the fastest sewing projects I've ever done.

These two little sillies just love their dinosaurs and this hoodie was very much appreciated by my little one.

Side Note:  I was a little concerned how the washing process would effect the felt spikes, but after washing it numerous times already I can see that they're going to hold up fine.  The batting has stayed fluffy and has not balled up and the felt hasn't shrunken at all.

ROAAAAAAAAAR!  If you have some dino-lovers in your family this has been a huge hit and I highly recommend it for your little ones.