Paisley Walls: June 2011

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

4th of July Decor

How to keep your kids from eating too many Snacks

My kids always eat constantly through a school break and I decided that I was going to try something new. I put containers in the fridge with their names on them and had each child pick out 4 snacks in the morning. These were the only snacks they could have throughout the day. They didn't need to ask permission to eat any of them, but once they were gone, they were gone!

It took only one time for my son to learn his lesson. He decided to eat all of his snacks in the morning and was hungry in the afternoon (right before dinner). I didn't cave in and he never did it again. It was a lesson and although I really was tempted to give in, I knew that i would regret it. It's ok to say NO...They aren't going to STARVE...even if they say they are going to (:

Hope this helps you to save some food, money and a little sanity!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Preparing for Father's Day Crafting Playdate

Source: Simply Savvy

I am hosting a playdate where we will be making these "Treat of the Month" father's day containers, as well as the cookies to put in them.

I am all prepared for everyone to show up:

Canister was found at Micheal's for $2 after coupon

Precut papers to line the cylinder and to decorate

Precut "Dad" and "Daddy" letters from my Cricut

white squares for the kids to do custom artwork

Frames for the custom artwork

(I had this scrapbook kit that was sports related that I got for 75% off at Target's Dollar Spot. This was the perfect time to use it)

Tags for special comments to Dad

Borders for decorating

Hang tag for the kids to sign

You don't have to purchase a container! If you have a coffee canister or an oatmeal container, you can easily decorate it as well!

Recipe to be Made:

Snickerdoodles:

1/2 C. Butter 1/2 tsp Vanilla

1 C. Sugar 1-1/2 C. Flour

1/4 tsp. Baking Soda 2 Tbsp. Sugar

1/4 tsp. Cream of Tarter 1 tsp. Cinnamon

1 Egg

1. In a Medium mixing bowl beat the butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the 1C. of sugar, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Beat until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in remaining flour. Cover dough and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

2. In a small mixing bowl combine the 2 Tbsp sugar and cinnamon. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in the sugar-cinnamon mixture to coat. Plae 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet

3. Bake the cookies in a 375 degree oven for 10-11 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Cool.

Makes 36 cookies

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UPDATE: Here are the pictures of the completed cookie tin, and card:

Chalkboard & Basic Barstool redo

I found this 70's (ish) chalkboard at a yardsale for $2. It was an orangy wood color and it was missing the actual chalkboard insert. I spraypainted it black.

I picked up some black chalkboard paint

And painted a thin MDF board that I cut to the dimensions of the frame

After 3 coats and 24 hour drying time, I rubbed chalk over the entire board.

Here it is in it's final resting place.

Notice the stool? Well that was actually a $4 Goodwill find and it was originally a pretty beat up barstool that I cut the legs to the height that I wanted, sanded the heck out of it and painted it this pretty blue color.

It had loads of black and white paint all over it that I sanded down.

I made sure not to totally take it off so that when I did my distressing, the black would show through.

Here is my entryway now. It still has a long way to go, but I'm getting there.

Back From Vacation!

Sorry, I went away without letting you know, but I am a bit skiddish of stating into cyberspace that I am not home. I feel like I am shouting..."Hey Burgalars come and steal my stuff"! So anyway, we just got back from New York...Buffalo to be exact. My husbands family lives there and we were visiting them as well as seeing the area.

We went to Niagra Falls:

Notice the dreary sky ):

I highly suggest doing the Maid of the Mist while there, it was super soaking, my kids loved it!

Then to The Marina's Naval Park:

We went inside and toured all of the mechanics of this World War II battle ship.

We also went inside a submarine.

We had to hit the Buffalo Science Museum as well:

These three pictures were taken by my daughter in the Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit, she's becoming quite the photographer.

They had these great interactive areas where the kids could build and learn. We all had a great time making different structures.

This was a cute grasshopper made out of CARDBOARD! I took pictures of it from all angles...maybe one day I will copy it for my kids school library (:

Besides visiting family, that was our visit. Hope you felt like you visited too!