A Fun And Easy Fall Project From Deep Space Sparkle

Looking for an easy to do fall craft with your little ones?  This cute crow project is perfect.  I used the free printable from Deep Space Sparkle.  So cute, and easy to use.  

This is one of those sites that I came across a year or so ago.  It was love at first sight.  I always intended to come back and grab a lesson or two, but just never did.  As I was scrolling Facebook the other day I was reminded how adorable her projects really were.

So, I did it.  I am so glad we did.  Here are our finished projects.  Ages 3-8 participated and all loved it!  A winner in my book.

The one thing that became painfully obvious was how pitiful our craft supplies closet was.  I found three watercolor sets with three sad looking little paintbrushes.  They were a little frustrated that they weren't able to create the backgrounds like in the sample... I would say it is high time we get that supply closet stocked.

I really loved their enthusiasm while doing this project.  Simple but fun.

I went ahead and purchased the Autumn Art Activity Pack.  It looks adorable!  Four separate lessons are in the bundle.

* Autumn Art Collage Activity Pack

* Funny Face Pumpkin Craft

* Scarecrow Activity Pack

* Watercolor Leaves Art Activity

The projects come with super easy to follow lessons as well as a supplies list.  I can't wait!  I scheduled one project per week... perfect for the month of October.

To get a copy of the handout and lesson for the Crow Project just click on the photo below.

Preserving Summer Memories

Summer memories can be so sweet.  My children and I love to pick up fun and interesting objects whenever we spend time outdoors.  We come home with pockets full of leaves, rocks, sticks, shells acorn caps... whatever strikes our fancy.

Instagram Felt Sugar Cookies Giveaway

The sun is shining, the flowers are in full bloom and I thought I would share a little bit of that happiness with my readers and Instagram followers.  Starting today, July 8, I am hosting a giveaway on my Instagram page.  

I am giving away an adorable set of felt cookies from My Etsy Shop!  The set comes with six sugar cookies decorated with bright Summer Flowers and detailed with little stitches and pretty beads.

Felt food is a wonderful addition to any play kitchen.  They are so soft and fun to hold.  Their bright colors are inviting to play with.  They would also make a pretty display in a sweet dish sitting on a countertop or side table.  Here are a few more photos of the set.

The set will come packaged in a drawstring bag which is nice for storage or for gift giving.  If you would like to take a peek at the other lovely goodies in my shop, just click the link HERE.   Use the code SUMMER15 to receive 15% off of anything in my shop.

Entering is easy:

1. Head on over to my Instagram page and hit Follow.

2. Look for the photo at the top of this post and click the little heart to like.

3. That's it!

4. I would be grateful if you would share this giveaway.  Please feel free to share this post as well as the photo on Social Media.  Thank you and Good luck!

5. The giveaway is open for one week.  It will close on July 14 at midnight.   I will announce the winner the next day.

10 Pinecone Crafts For Summer

Before we moved to our new home the only way we found pinecones is if we begged some from my sister or went to the country to hike around the woods.

Now that we are in our new home we have pinecones everywhere!  The Littles love collecting them.  So, now that we have plenty, we need to get crafting.  Of course I went to Pinterest to find some inspiration...While I was there I figured I should just create a board to collect all of my Pinterific finds!  There is a link at the bottom of this post if you want to take a peek.

They had suggestions for using pinecones for every season.  But, since it is Spring going into Summer, I thought I would focus on Pinecone Fairies and Pinecone Flowers and Animals.  Here are my top 10 favorites!

How To Bake a Pinecone from Refresh Style

Rainbow Mouse Family from RedTed Art

Pinecone Roses from Creative Green Living

Rainbow Fairies from Twig and Toadstool

Pinecone Owls from Handcraft Your Life

Zinnia Flowers Made from Pinecones at A Fanciful Twist

Make Fire Starters from Something Turquoise

Pinecone and Acorn Fairy from Willodel Blog

Felt and Pinecone Elves from Handcraft Your Life

Pinecone Owls with Feathers from Meaningful Mama

Happy Crafting!

Follow Sunshine by Channon's board Pine Cone Crafts and Resources on Pinterest.

DIY Spring Felt Wreath

After the winter's browns, tans, blacks and gray gloomy clouds....some color is in order!

I made the wreath below, actually two of them, for the doors in my kitchen.
It was one of those decorating moments where you want to make something, but it's cold and you have a house full of little people and school to do.   I dug through the stash and came up with a couple of straw wreaths, some burlap and my ever-so-versatile felt supply.  Add a glue gun and we were in business!

They turned out cute and were just the burst of color I needed.  But, Winter is gone and Spring is here! So, instead of just tossing it into the attic, along with the other outdated crafts, I decided to do a little upgrading. Super simple!

I put together a little step by step for you, so you can make your own.  You don't have to do exactly what I did, play around and have fun.  Felt can be cut into any shape, and the colors available are endless.  Here goes:

Here are the two wreaths, cut out circles, leaves and small strips of my chosen felt.

Felt flowers are easy. I cut out four circles in one color, and the smallest circle in a complimentary color.  I put a dab of hot glue in the middle of the circle and press down just in the center.  Repeat until all the circles for that flower are glued together. By only gluing the centers, it allows you to move the 'petals' a bit.

To make the rosebuds just cut felt into small strips.  I did about 3/4 inches wide and 5 inches long, making them wavy not straight.  Start rolling and dab glue here and there as you go.  Make sure the end is secure.  If your rosebud is too big just snip through the whole roll for the right size.

Here are the finished flowers, leaves and rosebuds.  Now just place them on the wreath and glue down just the centers. 

That's all there is too it! You could do holiday or seasonal shapes (Fall leaves, holly and ivy, fireworks and American flags, etc).  Whatever you can dream up. 

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Our Valentine Tree

It's true.  I love Valentine's Day!  The colors, the hearts scattered all over everything, the romance and flowers.  It may be a Hallmark Holiday, but I love it nevertheless.  To add a little Valentines feel to our dining room, the kids and I created a Valentine's Tree.

We used Perler Beads to make the ornaments for our tree.  We have so much fun with these little beads...even if I end up sweeping up half of them.  We used the same method when we made ornaments for our Perler Bead Christmas Tree.  That posts gives directions on how to use the beads as well as where to buy them.

Aside from the fact that you can have fun creating cute shapes, it's also excellent practice making patterns and using your imagination.  Problem solving skills come into play and hand eye coordination is used, as well.  Those little beads can be tricky to place on their little boards.  Once we had our ornaments made I used floss to create simple hangars.  The next step was to color the rice.

This couldn't be easier.  I just put some rice in a mixing bowl, squirted a few drops of red food coloring and then a few drop of hand sanitizer.  Then I mixed until all the rice was colored.  The more drops of color you use the darker your rice.  Then I just put them in casserole dishes to dry for about 30 minutes.  Then it was ready to go.  I reused the branches from our Christmas tree, and placed them in my glass container, then filled it with rice.

I also added some felt hearts that I bought from the Etsy shop i felt sprightly.  They have all kind of fun pre-cut felt shapes.  Then we decorated to tree.

So pretty and fun!  I would like to get some of the branches that come with little white lights to stick in among the ornaments and branches.  But, I think it turned out lovely, and it adds a fun touch of color to our room. 

I have my sights set on an Easter tree next.  How do you decorate for Valentine's Day?

Join me at these fun linkups and blog hops.

Follow Sunshine by Channon's board Valentine's Day on Pinterest.

Gearing Up For Winter With Cool Books and Projects

Usually by now we would have seen a nice amount of snow, but we have barely gotten a quarter of an inch.  But, I know that is bound to change.  I thought I would take a proactive approach and line up some fun wintry books and projects.

I gathered together a few book lists from Pinterest on all things Winter.  Take a look.

This is a great list of 10 fun Wintry books!

The sweetest group of Winter picture books.

This list should keep you and your little ones busy for at least a week or two.  What about some fun projects?  Check these out.

Fun with shaving cream and Elmer's glue.

Get directions for these beautiful snowflakes!

Make an edible snowflake funnel cake!

With this list you can be well read, have a pretty house and a yummy dessert!

For more fun finds and book lists, follow me on Pinterest.

Follow Sunshine by Channon's board What Should I Read on Pinterest.

The Top 10 Posts For 2014

A look back at the oldies, but goodies of 2014.  Please feel free to pin anything you like, I would be flattered!

Plating with this old standby in a new way.

What To Do When They Say "I'm Bored"

Are Children A Blessing Or A Nuisance

Preserving Fresh Foods On A Budget

Learning About Dignity and Propriety

The Importance Of Our Everyday Decisions

Bear Wants More and A DIY Felt Daisy Crown

Learning With and Without Textbooks This Year

Meal Planning For The Good Intentioned

20 Things You Did and Didn't Want To Know About Me

I can't believe how fast the year has gone.  The children have grown so much and they are coming into their own.  I love to see the differences in personalities.  These budding young people have minds and feelings of their own, which is good...most of the time.

Our family relocated across the state, and it has been truly wonderful!  I have learned so much about myself, and the path that our family is to take.  It is freeing to know that God's laws are always better than man's laws.  There is a comfort and peace when we follow Him.

I wish you and yours all the best in the New Year!  I can't wait to see what wonderful things are right around the corner.  If you want to follow along with me join me!

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