Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Dr. Scholl's Shoes Fan Fridays
Dr. Scholl's Shoes on Facebook is giving away a free pair of shoes every Friday. Make sure you also like their page, to remind yourself to enter every Friday. CLICK HERE.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Autism Speaks: For Aidric
This is my family (minus my brother), and this is his son, my nephew Aidric. I am raising money for Autism Speaks to help kids like my nephew that have to deal with this disorder, and I am raising money for the families that walk alongside, like my nephew's grandparents. We get to spend time with him at least once a week, so I can't imagine how someone can feel trying to understand how he feels every day. We are learning so much about autism, and there is so much more to learn.
I know it may be odd to be asking strangers for donations, but anything you give will help with treatments and research.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Musician's Friend April Daily Mic Giveaway!
I just entered to win a mic from Musician's Friend! They are doing daily giveaways for the month of April.
I am also a musician, and I love techy things. If you like them too, enter HERE.
Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication.
I am also a musician, and I love techy things. If you like them too, enter HERE.
Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication.
Recycled Yarns: Part 1 - How to make PLARN (yarn out of plastic bags)
Part 2: How to Make Yarn out of T-SHIRTS
Part 3: How to Make Yarn out of JEANS
Welcome to Wacky Wednesday's How-To! Part 1 of "Recycled Yarn". Today I will teach you how to make plarn, which is yarn made from plastic bags. You can use scissors to cut the bags, but I prefer a cutting mat and a rotary cutting tool. It makes cutting a breeze!
Part 3: How to Make Yarn out of JEANS
Welcome to Wacky Wednesday's How-To! Part 1 of "Recycled Yarn". Today I will teach you how to make plarn, which is yarn made from plastic bags. You can use scissors to cut the bags, but I prefer a cutting mat and a rotary cutting tool. It makes cutting a breeze!
1) Take any plastic bag from a grocery store. Make sure it is clean.
Fold it down by pulling the bottom corners of the bag.
2) Fold the bag in half.
4) Fold a third time.
5) Cut the bottom of the bag and the handles off.
You will then have a piece of plastic bag about 13 inches long.
6) Cut the plastic in strips about 1 inch thick.
I cut about 13 pieces.
7) Open the sections and you will see that they are circles.
8) Now you can take one section and loop it into another section.
Pull one loop into the other.
Loop one into itself.
Pull the bags as tight as you can without breaking them. I found this is a better method than just tying the pieces together. You won't have to struggle with big knots in your projects.
9) Loop the 13 pieces together and roll it up like yarn.
Tada! Plarn! One bag down...99 more to go to make my market bag...
Grab my button!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Pattern Review: Market Bag
A couple of years ago, I found this pattern for a market bag from Lion Brand (you will have to sign up to see the free pattern). I always wanted to make a large bag to carry my notebook and crochet supplies. It took me about a week to complete it, and the homespun yarn really made a nice effect on the pattern. I also loved that this bag has a big handle. Even if it stretches, I think it has a lot of give. And it's stretchy enough to throw over my shoulder.
Then I took a daring attempt and tried the pattern using plarn. What is plarn, you may ask? You can make plarn with plastic grocery bags. After a run to the supermarket, cut 1 inch loops from the plastic bags and loop them together.
I think it took about 80-100 bags to make this bag. It is HUGE. The handle stretched a bit and the bottom rounded out more, but it's still functional. As I was making it, a friend purchased it from me. So I never go to use it. But I will make one for myself (one day).
Monday, April 1, 2013
Easter Games, Crafts and Recipes
I am reposting this entry because the last couple of ideas did not post!
My church is having an "Eggstravaganza" Easter event today, and I get to help with the crafts! I had a lot of fun helping the kids last year. I thought a list of new games and crafts would be a good idea for this year. Here are some different games and craft ideas that I found.
1) Memory Game - from MarthaStewart.com
Play a matching game that tests who has the best memory. Make matching pairs of colored eggs, dyeing on side only. You could also take plastic eggs and change only the bottom colors. Set eggs face down in an egg carton. The first player tries to find a match by turning over two eggs. If they match, he keeps them and goes again. If not, he turns them face down, and the next player is up. Kids keep taking turns until all the matches are found. Whoever finds the most matches wins the game. Plus, you could put little gifts inside the plastic eggs for more fun, like this next game.
2) Find the Coin - From Little Family Fun
Place a penny (or better yet, a golden dollar) in a plastic egg. Place other little treats in the other plastic eggs, so that they all have something in them. If you have a big group of kids, let them choose one egg and see what's inside. You go around the group until someone finds the coin. You can even place a golden ticket in one, so whoever gets the ticket wins the grand prize. You can also put Bible verses inside to make the game more story interactive, like these Resurrection Eggs from Sofia's Primary Ideas and TeachKidsTheBible.com. Or, you can try this next fun game.
3) Left Right Easter Game - from Diva Girl Parties and Stuff
Give every child a gift (or a plastic egg with goodies). Explain to the kids that they will have to pay close attention to the story, because while someone is reading the story of Jesus, the kids will have to listen for the reader to say LEFT or RIGHT. Whenever they say LEFT or RIGHT, the kids will pass their gifts in that direction. At the end of the story, they can open whatever gift they have in their hands. This game is good for any party or holiday. You can follow the story from Diva Girl, or you can write your own.
5) Secret Message Necklace Egg Craft - from Parent Teach Play
Another one of the crafts we've done at my church's egg hunt are bracelets and necklaces the kids can decorate themselves. I love how focused some children get when they are making things that they can proudly wear. I love this necklace idea from Parent Teach Play. You can use any color string or yarn, and the kids can add whatever color beads and trickets. Then just add a plastic egg with a message inside and you have a wonderful craft any kid would cherish.
I never heard about these cookies until this year. I love the idea that you can share the story of Jesus' death and resurrection while using everyday ingredients to give your children a better understanding of the story.
My church is having an "Eggstravaganza" Easter event today, and I get to help with the crafts! I had a lot of fun helping the kids last year. I thought a list of new games and crafts would be a good idea for this year. Here are some different games and craft ideas that I found.
GAMES:
 |
Play a matching game that tests who has the best memory. Make matching pairs of colored eggs, dyeing on side only. You could also take plastic eggs and change only the bottom colors. Set eggs face down in an egg carton. The first player tries to find a match by turning over two eggs. If they match, he keeps them and goes again. If not, he turns them face down, and the next player is up. Kids keep taking turns until all the matches are found. Whoever finds the most matches wins the game. Plus, you could put little gifts inside the plastic eggs for more fun, like this next game.
2) Find the Coin - From Little Family Fun
Place a penny (or better yet, a golden dollar) in a plastic egg. Place other little treats in the other plastic eggs, so that they all have something in them. If you have a big group of kids, let them choose one egg and see what's inside. You go around the group until someone finds the coin. You can even place a golden ticket in one, so whoever gets the ticket wins the grand prize. You can also put Bible verses inside to make the game more story interactive, like these Resurrection Eggs from Sofia's Primary Ideas and TeachKidsTheBible.com. Or, you can try this next fun game.
3) Left Right Easter Game - from Diva Girl Parties and Stuff
Give every child a gift (or a plastic egg with goodies). Explain to the kids that they will have to pay close attention to the story, because while someone is reading the story of Jesus, the kids will have to listen for the reader to say LEFT or RIGHT. Whenever they say LEFT or RIGHT, the kids will pass their gifts in that direction. At the end of the story, they can open whatever gift they have in their hands. This game is good for any party or holiday. You can follow the story from Diva Girl, or you can write your own.
CRAFTS:
4) The biggest hit in our Easter event last year were these Magic Color Scratch Crowns from Oriental Trading. Kids of all ages enjoyed scratching different words and designs to make their crown personal.
Another one of the crafts we've done at my church's egg hunt are bracelets and necklaces the kids can decorate themselves. I love how focused some children get when they are making things that they can proudly wear. I love this necklace idea from Parent Teach Play. You can use any color string or yarn, and the kids can add whatever color beads and trickets. Then just add a plastic egg with a message inside and you have a wonderful craft any kid would cherish.
Recipes:
6) Resurrection cookies - from Beneath My HeartI never heard about these cookies until this year. I love the idea that you can share the story of Jesus' death and resurrection while using everyday ingredients to give your children a better understanding of the story.
Pin To Win - The Year in Color: April
Glamour.com and Revlon is celebrating color with The Year In Color. Every month they will showcase a color from Revlon's Color Closet Trend Report. March's color is Emerald Envy.
If you have a Pinterest account, you can repin your favorite style from their board labeled SPONSORED: The Year in Color! Hashtag #Revlonyearincolor and post your pin on their Pin To Win post, and you will be entered to win prizes like this Emerald Cambridge Satchel and Revlon products. I love looking at color inspirations, especially for Spring.
Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication.
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