One More Snack… I can’t help it!

I really got excited this year for the Halloween snacks…  didn’t plan on it but it just kind of happened.  When I was shopping for the bananas for my banana ghost/buddies, I found these yummy looking little brownies.  I knew the kids would love them and the spider brownie idea was born.

All you need is mini brownies, pretzel sticks for the legs, and butterscotch chips for the eyes.

Place the pretzel sticks in the brownie for the legs.

Then squish the butterscotch chips pointy side down to make the eyes.

Ta Dah…..  Brownie Spider!! 

Okay, I know food posts are NOT my forte, but these little snacks were just too cute not to share.  I promise to get back to my sewing craftiness soon.  Thanks for indulging me my friends.

Linking up here

Banana Ghosts… Nom Nom Nom

Aren’t they cute??  A yummy and healthy Halloween treat! 

You want to make them with your kids don’t you? 

Well, of course you do so here’s how:

Supplies:

Banana (I cut them in half as I did this as a snack in Jack’s kindergarten class…  11 bananas are ALOT cheaper than 22!)

Mini chocolate chips

Regular chocolate chips

You may even have all the supplies you need at home already.  :)

Peel the banana.

When placing the chocolate chips in the banana, push the pointed tip into the banana so it will stick in well.

Insert two mini chocolate chips for the eyes.

Place one large chocolate chip under the eyes for the ghost mouth.

That’s it!  You are done!!

You can adapt this yummy snack for a year round treat.  Em was still hungry after she ate this one.

So, she made a banana buddy next.

The kids can randomly stick the chocolate chips all over the banana for a “buggy” affect. 

I mean, honestly, we all know that chocolate and bananas go fabulous together.  This is easier to make and much healthier than a banana split.  So, hand over the chocolate chips

and let those kids create!!!!

Linking up here this week!

Ghost Feet in Kindergarten

The first time I saw a little foot turned into a ghost was when I got a little one made from foam in the mail.  It was so stinkin cute!!!  Impressed, I thought to myself, “I’m going to do that!” 

Never happened.

Then, I saw this:

Source: thejohansonjourney.blogspot.com via Janette on Pinterest

 

Two days later, my son’s kindergarten teacher asked me if I would be interested in doing a Halloween craft for the class. 

SWEET!!!!  LITTLE GHOST FEET!!!!

was all that ran through my mind for a split second.  I was very excited when she liked my idea. :)

Just in case you haven’t seen this around… all you need is white paint, black paper, and supplies to make the ghost face and VOILA!  You have preserved your little one’s foot forever.

The kiddos were giddy the WHOLE time I was in the classroom which was super cute.  (Yeah, I let a bunch of 5 year olds sweet talk me.  Some of them are smooth talkers already!  God help their future girl/boyfriends, seriously.) I helped them with the footprint and let them create their own face with googly eyes and a black crayon.

Then, I punched holes along the bottom of the cardstock and threaded a ribbon through the holes.

Each picture is topped off with a little poem that my sister and I made up together over the phone.

The little boy ghosts have a blue sparkly bow tie and the little girl ghosts have a pink sparkly hair bow (sparkle makes everything more beautiful… just ask Bella!)

I was so  impressed with each child’s creativity.  Even more, I feel so blessed that I was able to share in making this memory with all of them.

So, if you haven’t done this craft with your own kids yet…

GO, DO IT NOW!

I wish I would have done it several years ago the first time I saw it.  I am definitely doing it with all of my kids this year (even though Max’s foot is the same size as mine).

Linking up here this week!

It’s Almost Wednesday

 Those I call “friend”

I seriously am trying to blog more my friends… I just can’t seem to find a balance between all of the many hats I wear.  If I spend more time blogging, I feel neglectful of my house and family.  If I spend all of my time with my house and family, I feel like I’m losing the “creative me.”

(Which makes me a bit grumpy, sad to say but true.  If I don’t make time to unleash my creative side I’m not very fun to be around.)

Anywho, there’s my little sob story for the evening.

NOW, for something a bit brighter;

 

I’m participating in Welcome Wednesday over at Take it From Me!!  Come join along. :)

Apple Festival

So, I mentioned that I was all excited about fall this year.  We were actually able to go somewhere as a family that didn’t involve a sporting event or grocery shopping!!!  Honestly, I don’t know that last time we were able to do something fun like this with the kids. 

Our destination:  The Apple Festival in North Georgia.  It only took us about an hour and a half to get there and it was WELL worth the drive. :))

Who would have thought that picking apples could make ALL of my kids so happy??

As you can see, Finn is over the top and Max is assuming his tween picture attitude.  Despite his “Seriously, Mom?” look that I want to slap off his face, he was almost as excited as the little ones (at least that’s what I’m telling myself.)

I don’t think Finley stopped smiling until he fell asleep tonight.  He kept running through the trees, knocking all the low apples to the ground, and SQUEALING in delight. 

In proper independent style, Emily took off on her own so I wasn’t able to get as many pics of her.  I was the loud mouth mom yelling, “EMILY” every minute that I couldn’t see her.  I’m sure everyone there was thinking, geez lady control your kids already.  She found some of the biggest apples… like seriously BIG:

It’s bigger than my hand!

Jack with one of our bags of loot.

In the car on the way home, Finley said, “What a wonderful memory we made.”  Geez, he’s 3!  Where does he come up with this stuff??

Happy Fall… I even decorated!!

As much as I love fall, these past three years I haven’t had the energy to decorate for my favorite time of the year (what a coincidence… Finley is 3).  Since I’ve been spending so much time pining at home decor on Pinterest (if you haven’t checked it out, you MUST) I decided to go crazy and just go for it. 

 

Emily and I ran out a couple of weeks ago and spent all afternoon picking out just the right decor… scarecrows, hay bales, mums, pumpkins, lanterns, and new swags for the front door.  We picked out a scarecrow for each member of the family (didn’t plan it that way at first and ended up having to go back out and get one more).  The kids had fun picking out which scarecrow represented them. :)

Here is Finley.

Here is Emily.

Here are Jack and Max.

Lanterns are absolutely beautiful!!  I found all four of these at Marshall’s for a total of $50 instead of the $24-$119 price tag on similar lanterns at Pottery Barn.  I was EX.CI.TED to say the least. :)

This little guy is even solar powered.  I have candles in the other lanterns.  At night time, my front steps make me smile. :)  Wish I had a good picture, put I haven’t been able to get one.

The pumpkin swag

Finley peeking to see when it was safe to come outside and play.

Here is everything put together!!

Here are my perfect little helpers for the day!!  I couldn’t have done it without them!

Linking up here this week

See Kate Sew Sweet Scallops Tote

Since my computer was actually behaving this evening and I was able to surf my favorite blogs a bit, I was able to find a lovely new bag!! 

 

You can see the tutorial and get the patterns for this new lovely here.   Isn’t it fabulous?!  I like that it’s layered with the scallops… something a bit different from ruffles.  Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE me some ruffles, but I’m really liking this look as well. :)

Kate is going to have a linky party for those who want to sew the tote and show it off.  I’m seriously contemplating giving it a go.  I haven’t ever participated in a sew along before (nerves tightening in my stomach).  This might just be the perfect opportunity to get my feet wet! 

If you are a fellow sewer, want to do it with me??

No Sew Fabric Flower Headband Tutorial

Just in case you missed this tutorial when I guest posted at The Johanson Journey, here it is again!

I will forewarn you that I am a VERY visual learner and become easily confused with just written directions.  So, please humor me with my step by step pictures. :))

 

Supplies needed are as follows:

~ Polyester fabric

~ Felt

~ Ribbon (sheer works best)

~ Scissors

~ Lighter/candle

~ Fabric glue (Fabric Fusion is the ONLY fabric glue I will use… and I don’t even get a dime for saying that :))

~ Pearls, beads, crystals or whatever else you might like to embellish your flower

~ Hot glue gun

~ Stretchy headband

These are so easy peasy to make that you can knock this project out in 30 minutes or less.  The hardest part for me is the “designing” process of choosing colors, fabrics, embellishments, etc.

Freehand cut 3-5 circles of varying sizes for your flower out of the polyester material (I used 3 of fabric and 1 of netting).  It needs to be polyester so that you can heat seal the edges.  If you are into the frayed look though, burlap, cotton, and silk are all great choices.  You will also need to cut out 2 circles of felt that are slightly smaller than the largest circle of your flower.  You can see mine in the 2nd supply picture above.

Grab your lighter and light a candle.  If you don’t have a candle, no worries!!  Using a candle saves my fingers from getting burned and also allows me more control over the manipulation of the fabric.  You can definitely accomplish the end result without one, however.

Gently pass the edges of the fabric over the flame.  You will notice that the edges begin to melt and darken a little.  At this point, the edges are sealed and the fabric will no longer fray.  You will also notice that the fabric will naturally “draw up” and the circle will actually look like a little flower petal.

Complete this step for each of your circles.  If you are using netting or toule you do NOT have to heat seal them.

Now you are ready to glue your circles together, one on top of the next and largest to smallest.

Time to grab your ribbon.  This will be the center of your flower.  I didn’t measure the length of it, but  I can tell you it was about 1 1/2 times the width of my largest circle.

Hot glue works best here as it dries quicker than the fabric fusion. 

See the netting that snuck in there??  I just felt like the flower needed a little more…  it’s all about letting your creative side shine!

Time to attach the flower to the headband.

SO, one felt circle needs to be hot glued to back side of your flower.  Then, hot glue the head band to the center of that felt circle.  Add even MORE hot glue to the felt on either side of the head band (not over it because you want it to be able to stretch).  Place the 2nd felt circle over the headband and press.  Allow everything to dry and:

Wear it with your hair down…

or up…

but wear it with sass!!

I know it’s cliché, but the only thing that limits you with this project is yourself.  I hope you enjoy making one as much as I did. 

One more thing, I would love, love, love to see your creations! So, pretty please take a picture and email it to me {libertyoriginal@comcast.net} or email me the blog post if you blog it.   Either way, I can rave about what a stellar job you did. :))

~Linking up here this week~