10 St Patricks Day DIY Kids Crafts Elegant Fun & Easy Art Projects to Make Together


Celebrations

In the last roundup I presented the 10 Best Eco Friendly Valentines Day Crafts. Now it's time to think about that next holiday on the calendar. As you'll discover in this new post you don't have to spend a lot of green to make some really beautiful and fun holiday crafts with kids at home or at school for St Pat's Day. I'm betting even adults who like easy to make creative art projects with fabulous results are going to have a blast with Mommy Blog Expert's picks for this year's ten best St. Patrick's Day arts and crafts on the Internet -- including some edible treats, a few green eco friendly ideas, and free downloadable printables.
Image from PracticallyFunctional.net
Two things are synonymous with St. Patty's Day: beer and the color scheme. Here is a Green Beer Bottle Candle Holder that not only combines both things, it's beautiful and functional too. From Practically Functional, Directions
Image from Spoonful.com
These Sweet Shamrock Pretzels may be edible but they definitely qualify as an easy and fun to make craft, too. From Spoonful, Directions

Image from BHG.com
What could be easier than choosing and sending free St. Patrick's Day E-Cards to friends and family? With so many options you may want to send several cards to everyone you know. From Better Homes and Gardens, Get Cards Here

Image from MarthaStewart.com
These dainty and sweet green clover hair pins will fancy up your little girls hair for that St. Pat's party she's attending. Maybe some of you big girls will want to add these to your do before that big celebration you're attending, too. From Martha Stewart, Directions

Image from The Magic of Ordinary Things.Blogspot.com
Decorate a door either outside or indoors with an assortment of monochromatic print and solid color scraps fabric in every imaginable shade of green with a little white or beige mixed in for contrast. From The Magic of Ordinary Things, Directions

Image from Crayola.com
What would St. Patrick's Day be without a Leprechaun Hat? Make this green paper one and decorate it to wear or prop it up and use as a table centerpiece. From Crayola, Directions

Image from SimpleAsThat.com
Here's a real cute shamrock paper lei that you can make from cut outs of colored and print paper. It involves just a few craft supplies and would be perfect to make with kids at home or at school. From Simple As That, Directions

Image from Kaboose.com
Can't get to Ireland in time for St. Paddie's Day this year? No problem. If you can't move the mountain, bring the mountain to you. Make your own kissable sparkling Blarney Stone with a found rock, some paint, glitter and a little creativity. From Kaboose, Directions

Image from DisneyFamily.com
If you have a Disney fan in the house, download this free template and print out this adorable Minnie Mouse St. Patrick's Day Printable Candy Box. They'll love this. From Disney Family, Directions

Don't forget that that this an educational opportunity for kids and adults alike,too. There's so much fascinating stuff to learn about Ireland and the origin of St. Patrick's Day along with a collection of other activities, games, and free downloadable coloring pages and more printables that little kids will enjoy. From DLTK Kids, Access Here
Image from BettyCrocker.com
And to top it all off, how about these darling easy-to-make Leprechaun Hat Cookies that use large marshmallows for the rise of the hat? From Betty Crocker, Directions

Have a wonderful St. Patricks Day holiday and enjoy making these fun crafts while carving out some time to spend with your loved ones. 

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.
No comments:

Paper Plate Dog Barrier Prevents Licking So Rash Heals Eco Alternative to Elizabethan Collar


Pets

Yes, in case you're wondering, that really is a paper plate that our dog is wearing around his neck.
Dexter models his DIY medical equipment
Seriously. Kids are so darned resourceful. Yesterday our miniature pinscher Dexter had a rash on his belly. So to keep him from licking it while it heals, our clever 15 year-old daughter came up with this innovative solution. She made this in just a few minutes by cutting out a hole in a rigid paper plate, creating an impromptu barrier between his head and body to keep him away from the inflamed area. And guess what -- It worked!

Sure beats the expense of having to take the little guy to the vet and buy an Elizabethan Collar, on of those big plastic cone-shaped contraptions that looks like you're wearing an inverted lamp shade around your neck. Not only is the Elspas invention of a new paper plate application more economical and convenient, it is eco friendly and bio degradable too.
He looks kind of cute & doesn't seem to mind wearing a paper plate!
FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.
1 comment:

Sweepstakes Trip to Los Angeles for MTV The Host Premiere Prize Package ARV $4,095


Contest

Win a trip for two to Los Angeles for MTV's The Host Premiere, tentatively scheduled for March 18 - 19, 2013.

 The Prize Includes
  • 2 Tickets to the Premiere of The Host in L.A.
  • Roundtrip airfare for you and a friend to Los Angeles
  • Roundtrip transportation to/from airport
  • 2 nights hotel accommodations
  • In room snacks and treats amenities
  • $200 spending allowance for one
  • $300 The Grove shopping giftcard
  • A transformative makeover for The Host Premiere
ARV of Prize Package is $4,095

 Watch this exclusive clip for a sneak peek of the new show...


Enter to Win

 MTV's 
The Host Premiere Trip 

FTC Disclosure:  I am sharing the opportunity for MommyBlogExpert readers to enter to win. I also entered this contest. MTV, a brand of Viacom International, is hosting this sweepstakes and will be providing the Grand Prize to the winner. I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.
No comments:

Coffee Bean Tea Leaf $1 Drink Nationwide Full Size One Day Spring Deal - March 7th


Deals

Can't believe it's almost Spring because it seems like only yesterday that Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf was having their Fall $1 Drink Special. Come to think of it I'll never forget how scrumptious the Spring Peach Tea Party Drink was back in 2010. Well time really does fly because another spring season is right around the corner. Now, best of all, it's time for another CB&TL seasonal drink event and you're invited.
Here's one of my triplet daughters with her fave drink: Mucho Mango
My 2 girls & I have been enjoying these specials for years, Photo circa 2010
Loyal MommyBlogExpert readers know how much my family and I love our neighborhood Coffee Bean so I couldn't be happier to share their latest almost free drink day with you all.

 This time on offer for just a dollar is a full-size hot or cold Spring beverage. Available nationwide at participating retail locations on March 7, 2013 from 2-6 pm local time only. While supplies last.

 Take your pick from these delicious sounding coffee and tea drinks
  • Chai Tea Cappuccino
  • Scottish Breakfast Tea Cappuccino
  • Anniversary Blend Tea Cappuccino
  • Agave Nectar Sweet Tea
  • Blood Orange Sweet Tea

 I think I'm going to try the Blood Orange Sweet Tea on Thursday. How about you? What do you think sounds good? Will you be joining me at Coffee Bean for this special event?

 FTC Disclosure: I am a long-time Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.
No comments:

5 Spring Home Spruce-Up Tips - Spring Cleaning 101 for Busy Family Lifestyles


Homekeeping


It may still be snowing right now in parts of the country, but that doesn't mean we all can't start thinking about spring wherever we live. I know at my house with several sloppy teens spring cleaning is an honored but hated tradition but nevertheless is still well underway already. Warm weather will eventually arrive for everyone soon enough, though. So you'll want to be ready to enjoy all the wonders of spring which traditionally starts on March 21st.
Me pulling my brother on our sled in late Winter, Photo circa 1960
To get you to start visualizing about those sunny and warmer days ahead, you and I need to figuratively and literally sweep away those winter cobwebs and refresh our homes. 

Here to inspire us and get the job done are five easy tips from Sally Morse, Director of Creative Services at HunterDouglas, a brand renowned for their custom window fashions, to create a brighter, lighter, more organized home for you and your family. 
Farmers market tulips brighten up the dining room
1. Clear Away 
If cleaning and clearing away the clutter seems overwhelming, Morse has one simple trick to calm the nerves. To avoid stress, split spring cleaning into easy-to-manage smaller tasks. “Try setting the kitchen timer for 15 minutes per area, like the bedroom closet, pantry or foyer," she says. "Telling yourself you’re going to de-clutter the home in one weekend sounds draining. Rather, split up the tasks into smaller ones so you stay focused and don’t get lost in the process.” 

 2. Welcome Springtime Light
While you might want to update everything in your home with more spring-like furnishings and accessories, it may not be the most time- or cost-effective approach for you. One uplifting and impactful décor change that can easily be made, however, is to update your window treatments. By adding the right window fashions in your home, they will not only look stylish and beautifully filter light for a glowing room, but also provide a host of practical benefits such as energy-efficiency, UV-protection, sound absorption and more. Most definitely, nothing says spring like a sun-soaked room. 

3. Bring Nature In
As Mother Earth comes to life again it’s a great time to bring that feeling of nature's regeneration indoors with easy-to-maintain plants and flowers. Additionally, to make your indoor and outdoor spaces feel more seamless, use the same planters on your porch and entryway as in your foyer and kitchen.  Lastly, don’t forget about the flowers; add pastel bouquets of lilac, forsythia and narcissus to spread a cheerful dose of color around the home. 

4. Make it Lemony Fresh
Appeal to all five senses with this year’s spring updates. After your initial scrub and, sorting and clearing of clutter, extend that fresh scent by adding a lemon-scented diffuser. You can, of course, easily purchase one, but for a fun DIY project, create a citrus diffuser at home. Simply take any small vase or glass bottle and add lemon-scented fragrance oil, mineral oil that’s used as a non-evaporating base to hold the essential oils, a small dose of vodka that thins the oils getting it to the right consistency to move up the reeds, and diffuser reeds that can be purchased at any crafts store. Start by pouring 1/4 cup of mineral oil into a measuring cup, add 2-3 tablespoons of vodka, stirring to emulsify both together; then put in the essential oil. Pour the mixture into your container and insert five reeds. With these basic ingredients on hand, you can keep your home smelling fresh and clean all through the season and beyond.
  
5. Lighter Linens 
For one spring refresher that goes a long way, try brightening up your home with lighter fabrics.  This update can awaken nearly every room from the living room, bedroom and bathroom to the kitchen.  Swap out heavier, darker fabrics such as rugs, pillow covers, and towels for lighter ones both in texture and color.  Top beds with a lightweight blanket, folding the comforter and placing it at the foot of the bed for chilly evenings.  You can even go so far as to invigorating the living room with slipcovers in light, washable fabrics.
  
Image provided by Hunter Douglas
As you can see with a little work and a few additions, you can happily welcome in the new season with a clean, orderly, beautiful home.  

For more ideas on getting your home ready for spring you're invited to visit HunterDouglas.com as well the Hunter Douglas Facebook Page and their Pinterest Page.  For even more inspiration, don't miss the brand's “The Art of Window Dressing” iPad app in the iTunes App Store.

What are your ideas for getting a home filled with kids into the spring spirit? I hope you'll feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts.

 FTC Disclosure: Hunter Douglas provided the tips incorporated into this blogpost as interpreted by MommyBlogExpert. However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.
No comments:
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)