Holiday Fun for Everyone

The holidays are fast approaching, and that means fun for the whole family! Gathering family around for holiday traditions is one of the things we look forward to all year, and for good reason. Nothing brings people together like holiday celebrations. The holidays are a special time of the year that bring everyone young and old, friends and family, together to celebrate and create lasting memories. Whether it's Eid, Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Thanksgiving, or any other cultural or religious observance, the holiday season is a time of joy, reflection, and tradition.

Sealing artwork and coasters with Epoxy Resin

I did a fun canvas painting of a vase using gouache paint for the background and used pressed flowers from previous summers, then sealed it with epoxy resin. Since reading The Ultimate Fluid Pouring and Painting Project book about resin, I have wanted to try it and love how the projects turned out. 

Inspiring Arts and Craft books and Easy Embroidery Hoop project

In March, we take a little extra time to do a few more crafts anticipating the warm weather. With the kids at home for Spring Break, there is more time to break away from our routine and try some hobbies we put off during our busy schedules. We have been trying a few ideas from Quarto Knows books Brain Lab for Kids, Stitch + String Lab for kids, Art lab for kids, Paint lab, and Calligraphy Kit.

Importance of Crafts, Self-Care, and a Fun Novel

We have always felt the need to be "craftful" as both the process and product helps us relax, develop physical and cognitive skills, and it brings a feeling of happiness. We have dedicated a closet to hold our supplies as we believe crafts are therapeutic. We have always enjoyed crafts for its pleasure without worrying about the final product. 

Decoupage Vase and Using Stencils on Fabric

I enjoy looking through, and being inspired by a couple of Amy Butler's books. The Stencils book has beautiful fresh, decorative patterns that we can use for many of our decor projects. The 14 die-cut stencil designs in this kit comes with an inspiring book that has colourful projects.

Detailed Papercut Lantern

I was inspired by the Paper Craft DK book to do this detailed papercut lantern project. This book has 50 fun and exciting projects that involves card making, gift wrapping, scrapbooking, and beautiful paper flowers. I love that the book includes templates that we can use to recreate the projects. I used the template for lanterns from this book, and scanned it on my Brother ScanNCut machine, which cut this intricate lantern design for me within minutes.

Make Your Own Mason Jar Sewing Kit

Bernardin jars can be used for fun things besides canning this time of the year. We can use these jars to make wonderful homemade gift that we can give to our family and friends. I thought "outside the jar" for the holiday season and made this Mason Jar Sewing Kit. You never know when you'll need sewing supplies like pins, needles, thread, and tape measure, so I am sure anyone getting these jars as a gift will appreciate it.

Art Work with Project Popperz Color Slicks, Metallic Markers and Painters Paint Marker

Project Popperz Color Slicks are no mess solid tempera paint that comes in brilliant classic colours. It is smooth when we apply, and there is no need to press. The Color Slicks are simple to use; twist up the applicator that moves up and down to apply the paint. The twist up applicator also protects the paint from breaking or crumbling and gives better control to paint without making a mess. It dries fast, and does not streak or bleed. It works well on foam board, corrugated board and paper. 

Making An Impression With Scotch Tapes and Giveaway

Scotch’s new Expressions Tape is simple and fun to use to decorate and personalize our space. I did a couple of projects, which only took me a few minutes. Scotch Brand from 3M introduced their new Scotch Expressions Tapes in more than 100 colours and patterns and four types of tape; Magic, Washi, masking and shipping. The tapes have become the newest way to personalize projects. The versatility of this line of tape gives projects an added dimension. Each tape is designed to stick to a wide variety of surfaces for both permanent and temporary applications.

Win This Inspiring InstaCraft Book

InstaCraft is a colourful book that offers 50 fun and simple projects for adorable gifts, decor, and more. It is always nice to see a book that is full of inspiration. The crafts are very simple and would be wonderful for young children that have an interest in doing crafts.

Ornaments Made With Love

I am very happy about my personalized ornaments from Ornaments With Love. I ordered the Art and Craft projects ornament engraved with our site name and the upcoming year. We really like how colourful and beautiful this ornament looks. I am thinking of attaching a magnet on the back so I can stick it on the fridge and my magnetic board. The Art and Craft projects ornament would be loved by anyone who enjoys doing crafts.

Eid Cards

My children enjoyed making Eid greeting cards using mixed material. They used...

Fun Felt Owl Inspired By The Crafty Creatures Book

The Crafty Creatures book is very inspiring because of its colourful images and step-by-step instructions. I like how the author, Jane Bull shows how felt and cloth can be used to sew and knit a variety of fun, cute, wooly animals that children will enjoy playing with. There are many projects in this book I have bookmarked to try. We made this Fun Felt Owl from the book.

Crafts Made to Decorate The Table For Thanksgiving Weekend

I made these Thanksgiving themed crafts with my children, as part of a sponsored post for Collective Bias® using material I bought from Michaels Arts and Crafts Store and things found around our home. 

I encourage my children to be thankful everyday and remind them about those who are less fortunate than us. I also teach them to be thankful for the bounties and mercy of God for providing us with everything we need. We made a table centrepiece, place cards and napkin rings to decorate our table when we have guests during the long weekend. 

Your Chance to Win A Customizable Flip Flop Sandal by Brandi Renee Designs

"Wow" was my first reaction when I saw this awesome, unique pair of flip flop sandals from Brandi Renee Designs. I have not owned or seen a pair of flip flop sandals that comes with a jewelry case :) so I am really excited to share details about these custom-designed flip flop sandals that allow us to use our creativity when dressing up. These flip flop sandals are so fabulous that I have received many compliments from friends and family. My eight year old daughter was wishing they had her size.   

Making Our Own Pencil and Pen Holders

I love doing crafts with my kids, but sometimes technology can get in the way of having fun and doing our crafts. So I have signed the Michaels unplugged summer pact and made a promise to create time for what's important by taking a couple of hours a day to do crafts with my children. 

We are looking forward to participate in the Michaels Passport to Imagination 7-week summer craft program, whenever we get a chance to go to the store. To start off, we made these pencil and pen holders using recyclable material.  

Madly Madagascar: Love Potions & DVD Giveaway

Madly Madagascar DVD will be available on January 29th.  

Our favourite Madagascar pals are back in an all-new 22 minute adventure during Alex’s favorite holiday, Valentine’s Day.  
They bring lots of hilarious surprises and excitement. Melman plans a big surprise for Gloria, Marty tries to impress a new friend and everyone wants to get their hands on King Julien’s love potion. Children and adults in my home really enjoyed the funny DVD and its bonus features that were all about love.
The DVD also had two bonus features; First Flight was a feature about man and a bird, where the man thought teaching the bird to fly was more important that things that happen in the daily life. The second feature Hammy's Boomerang Adventure was by the characters from Over the Hedge.

We can get our hands on King Julien's love potion by making these recipes with our children. Be warned the potions may make you irresistible, and sometime you need alone time :) just like Marty did in the movie.

Bubbly pink love potion

1 can pink lemonade concentrate

4 cups raspberry sherbet

1 can lemon or lime soda

water

Mix the lemonade concentrate with water according to instructions in a large pitcher. Blend the sherbet with 4 cups of lemonade mixture then pour about a cup into individual glasses. Fill the glass with the soda and serve. The mixture will bubble to look like a love potion. I have not tested this :)

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Love Spell Perfume

Distilled water

Fragrance oils i.e. rose, lavender

Polysorbate 80

Mix the distilled water with the Polysorbate 80 into a spray bottle. Mix the fragrance oil in a separate container then add it to the water mixture. Shake well and spray.

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Magic Sand

A glass bottle with a lid

Different coloured sand i.e. red, pink, white

Ask children to layer different coloured sand and put the lid on. This would make a lovely decor.

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Love Potion Tea

Rosemary

Black tea

Thyme

Nutmeg

Fresh mint leaves

Fresh rose petals

Lemon leaves

Water

Put all the ingredients in a kettle or pan and boil. Serve with honey, sugar and lemon to taste. I have not tested this :)

Giveaway:

If you would like to win this DVD please enter through the rafflecopter below.  This giveaway is open to everyone in US and Canada until February 16th.

To win please make sure you are following my social media networks and commenting on the posts.  Winner will have 24 hours to confirm from the time of contact if they want the DVD and provide postal information.
Update: The winner is Wendy

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Egg carton characters

To make this girl and boy with the baseball gear we needed...

1 egg carton
scissors
glue
markers
and things found around the home to decorate
* cloth
* plastic craft lace or gimp
* ribbon
* tissue paper

Children will need help from an adult to cut the cups from the egg carton.  Once it is cut just play with it and let your imagination take over in creating a variety of different things.

After creating this girl and boy with the baseball gear, we were able to make up our own little story behind it.

"Is she still looking at me?"

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Oatmeal play dough

Oatmeal play dough is easy for children to help measure and make. This play dough will keep children engaged and help them become creative.

The oatmeal gives a unique lovely texture.

You will need...

1 cup flour

2 cups oats

1 cup water

food colouring

Mix the dry ingredients and gradually add water to make a smooth dough.

Separate it into balls and add a little bit of food colouring and mix. The play dough stores well for about 3 to 4 days in a ziploc bag.

Reminder: Two giveaways within Canada ending December 15, 2011

Please enter by leaving a comment on

Camelina oil, a healthy oil with lots of benefits.

Fun kits to bake with children for the holidays.

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Kodak picture kiosk

I was very happy to be invited to experience the Kodak picture kiosk in a one-on-one session; and to print some fabulous keepsakes.

Using the Kodak kiosk we can print:

- pictures in different sizes 4 x 6, 5 x 7, 8 x 10, wallet size pictures, collages

- greeting cards

- calendars

- photo books

- creative themed pictures with borders

- personalized items i.e. mugs

- we can scan old pictures and print

- prints from Facebook, Picasa

- can edit and crop

I was very happy with the outcome of the pictures as the prints were beautiful. The printed pictures can be touched right away without worrying about finger prints :)

It is fun, easy and creative to make affordable personalized gifts. Do take a look at the Kodak kiosk at supermarkets and grocery stores if you get a chance. Hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2011. Please Ask First