Monday, September 26, 2011

Halloween is around the corner!

Each year we have hosted a Halloween Swap, but with our busy schedules we are only swapping
with family. Sorry fellow swappers, next year we will be back with a fun swap so please check back in.

Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year. This year my friend and I are hosting a kid party
that will be as much fun for the adults as the kids. We plan on doing a Mad Science Lab! Letting all
the ghouls and boys touch all the slimmy sticky items in our lab. Ill post pictures of our fun day!

So what is a blog without photos!?! Here are some past Halloween projects
that hopefully will inspire you to make some fun and easy items.

This is a glass pickle jar, cleaned and reused as a candy container.
Add a plastic pumpkin and some embelishments and you have a great recycled gift.

A recycled salt container is transformed into a photo display container.
Add a skeleton, beads, and you have a gift anyone would love.
Full directions on my salt containers is on another page.

Here is another salt container that I made for my son. Boys love monsters.

I have one more project to share with you but I need to
find the photos. Very cute and easy project for the kids.

Have a great day,

Ramona

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Candy Bouquets

Halloween is around the corner and I have been putting together these adorable candy bouquets.  They will be sent to a local store for selling during Haloween, and a few for friends.
To start, put sand or plaster of paris in the bottom. The candy bouquet can be top heavy and you need weight in the bottom to keep it balanced.

Next put in Styrofoam and wedge it in there good and tight. You may need a couple of pieces to wedge in the container.

Next glue candy onto wooden skewers. Glue curling ribbon onto the backs and bottoms of the candy skewers. Start arranging the candy like flowers! The goal is to cover the skewers so they cannot be seen.

In this bouquet I used the Cricket die cutting machine to make a Frankenstein paper doll and sign.  When picking candy keep in mind how you will glue it onto the skewers. Boxed candy, lollipops and individually wrapped candy work best.

Stay tuned for more Halloween ideas!

Ramona

Friday, September 9, 2011

In Rememberance of 9/11

All our lives were touch in some way on 9/11. It brought us together as a country, made us appreciate those that serve and protect us each and every day.

I realized my own son had not been born and was unaware of 9/11. We have been talking about what happened on 9/11 and what it means for us as citizens of the United States of America.  Our discussion wondered to the other wars the United States have been involved in and why. 

Sunday will be a day to remember why we love this country!

Have a wonderful weekend,
Ramona

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Sunflowers

My favorite flower is the Sunflower.  This year my husband and son planted me a whole bunch in our garden. Here is the first flower cut from our garden.
Even though summer is coming to an end for most of us, you can still bring some sunshine into your home with flowers. Streach out those beautiful long days of summer!

Have a great weekend,
Ramona

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Science Day!

Our second annual Science Day was a success!

What I learned from last year was be organized, here is my set up table separated by project:

I have borax, glue, salt, oil, cornstarch, vinegar (lots of vinegar) plates, cups, spoons and so much more!

I try and do projects that range from easy for the little siblings to more advanced for the older kids. This year we decided to have the kids make a contraption to keep an raw egg safe when dropped from our tree house. The kids had so much fun and I was so proud of my son for coming up with his idea. Here is him with his parachute box and bubble wrap contraption.



At my local RAFT, Resource Area For Teachers, center we found lots of kits and ideas.  One of the ideas was catapults made from spoons and staple removers. So simple yet the kids loved them!  Glue or wire the staple remover to a base. Then glue the spoon to the top of the staple remover. Get some foil and crumple it into a ball and your set!  (bend the teeth of the staple remover in opposite directions to allow it the staple remover to move freely)



We also exploded Diet Coke and Mentos! This is the highlight of the day for the kids.  My suggestion is to keep an eye out for sales and stock up. This is one activity the kids would do over and over if they could.



Most of the items we used are everyday household items. Depending on how many kids you plan for you may need to buy extra supplies. For a fun rainy day activity you have everything you need in your cupboards! Here is a link to a site I found lots of projects on:  http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/

Have fun with your kids!

Ramona

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Sorry fellow bloggers and crafters

Oh were oh were has the crafting time gone, were oh were have you been....

Sorry fellow bloggers, my life had gotten so busy it left little time for blogging. I chaired my sons class Fiesta for the whole school! Then my job started to take over my free time and trying to keep my son busy over summer, whew! Too much going on for this lady to keep everything in balance. Did I mention my in-laws also have been staying with us for a couple of months...

Currently I am planning "Science Day" for my son and a few (23) of his closest friends. Blowing up Diet Coke with Mentos, shooting rockets into the air, and of course making slim! This year we are adding an egg challenge. Each child makes a contraption to keep an egg safe when dropped from a high place.  It will be a fun filled day and the kids are already chatting about it.

My promise to you bloggers is to post weekly with lots of photos. We are thinking of doing a swap, so stay tuned!

Happy Crafting,

Ramona

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Chick Pops

Here are my Chick Pops!


They came out so great and were a big hit with the kids. My first batch came out like chicks on steroids, or better yet the chickens on those Foster Farm commercials.  They were so bad, me and my friends had a huge laugh.

This second batch came out perfect. That is why I had done a trial run during the week, work out any kinks so the ones I took to the party were perfect. Always do a trial run.

Oh! I won second place for my Deviled Eggs. My secret ingredient.....cream cheese. Cut the mayo in half and use some cream cheese next time, creamy and tasty.

Have a happy Sunday,

Ramona

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

What Happened?

Hello crafter and artists,

Well you may notice our blog is missing photos, what happened? The best I can figure is when we moved homes the pictures were somehow tied to the old blog home. Now I must find all the photos and re-post them to this blog home. Bummer!

When I look at blogs I love all the photos, now mine are gone. No eye candy for you! So sorry, its going to take me some time to re-post all those fun photos.  Please bear with us as we continue to struggle with the move.

We will try and do a give away, cuz everyone loves free stuff!

Have a great week,

Ramona

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Altered Bottle Caps and Dog Tags

Hello Crafters!

Finally I get to work a little at my desk. My crazy sons schedule has left me no time for crafting.  But last night I finally got some time and worked on some dog tags and bottle caps.

My son has been collecting bottle caps from the local taquiera for me, he is so sweet. So I decided to make some magnets for the Christmas Boutiques.  Yes I said Christmas....

Can you believe I am already thinking about Christmas, but if I dont start working now, I wont have enough stock to participate in one at Christmas time. Plus, if I start now the inspiration will work its magic and who knows what I will be working on next.

Here is some quick photos of my desk right now...





Just a shot of the work I am doing, not the cluttered mess I am working on.  Gosh its a mess, I need to clean it up and put stuff away. It so hard to throw things away or just find a spot for them. But I think it is time to purge Hum, I will let you know how it goes.

Have a great weekend!

Ramona

Thursday, March 10, 2011

What do crafters do when they have time to kill?

So do you have some time to kill each week? I do. While my son is taking tae kwon do I sit and watch for an hour. He goes a couple times a week so that is a couple hours of my week that I am just sitting, so the crafter that I am decided to crochet a blanket.

It is something that can easily be packed up and can be done away from my craft desk. I'm not lugging around a bunch of things, just some yarn and a needle..  I went to JoAnns picked my colors, bought my needles and got working.  But I wasn't prepared for all the comments and questions that came with crocheting!

Really, I have gotten so many comments and questions it was shocking. One lady said she hadn't seen anyone knitting since her grandmother,then corrected herself to say crocheting. Another mom was so enthralled and was touching the yarn and asking when I started and how long will it take me and on and on.

Its funny, mothers don't teach their daughters to crochet anymore? Gosh I learned from my mom, who learned from her mom. Winter nights you could find us all working on some sort of scarf or blanket. In my lifetime I have created at least four blankets, plus started countless others that never got finished.

When did crocheting become something grandmas did? Why aren't mothers continuing a tradition that will create so many great memories.  Plus heirlooms to pass on from generation to generation.

My friend is starting a business to teach kids and mothers to sew. She has asked me to help her and brainstorm, crocheting and knitting will definitely be on our schedule!

Have a great week, be creative,

Ramona

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Craft Projects

Hi everyone,

Sorry we are taking so long between posts! After about four years of being a stay at home mom I got a job! Yikes! It is part time at my sons school and I am really enjoying it. But, I still haven't found my groove in getting housework done, taking my son to his tae kwon do classes, plus catechism, and still have crafting time. It is tough, but I will find my groove and life will settle into place again.

But I had to show you what my mind has been thinking of.  The other day I went to throw this away...
Then I thought "hey that could be used as a vase, its water proof. Hum, I could also cut out patterns on the sides and it could hold a candle." This empty container has been sitting on my counter waiting to be transformed for a week now. Does this happen to you? I know I cant be the only crazy person out there.

So I have to show you what else I have been hoarding, just waiting for me to sit down and create with them.

Hahahahah....I have two jar fulls of plastic lids. These are from sodas, orange juice containers, milk containers. Then I have about 5 salt containers that I have pealed the wrappers off and are set to be morphed into something beautiful!

Let me tell you why I am collecting plastic lids.  Last year my friends Girl Scout troop was planning on doing Swaps.  Swaps are small items you make from any craft material (example: smore's, camp fire out of twigs, sleeping bag out of felt, flag out of beads) and place a safety pin on it to attach the swap to a hat or lanyard. This troop makes chicken and dumpling soup every year for the camp out and I thought these plastic lids would be perfect little pots! Fill them with Fimo clay shaped into biscuits and chicken legs, then filled with a clear glaze. Can you see it!?!  A cooking pot made out of plastic lids!


Then of course there is the bottle caps that I have been collecting! Remember, any restaurant or taco shop that pops the lids off sodas will have a stash of lids, all you have to do is ask the cashier for the lids.

Recycle, re-use, up cycle, be creative!

Ramona

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Cute & Last Minute Valentine

Hi Everyone,

Valentines Day is tomorrow! Wow, where is this year going?

My daughter is in kindergarten and I wanted to give her teacher a creative valentine. Her teacher is great and we are very lucky for Jessica to be in her class.

This valentine was very easy to make using only a brown lunch bag, pink yarn and a large needle. I cut the bag into sheets, 5x5", layered two sheets and traced a heart. I then followed trace with the yarn. I left an opening and filled the heart with candy and then finished sewing. I added tulle and a button for final touches.

Have fun tomorrow and be creative!

Samantha



Thursday, February 3, 2011

Valentines Day Swap 2011

Hello Fellow Bloggers and Craftistas!

This is a quick post to all the ladies that signed up for our swap. Your groups have been assigned and you were emailed your group lists last week. If you did not get your list please check your junk mail.

Remember to add our email to your contact list so future emails wont get thrown into the junk! We only do mass emails when we have a swap to announce or a big move. So dont worry that we will be sending you tons of junk mail, we wont!

The feed back on the Vday Swap has been really great, those creative minds of yours are in full gear and I cant wait to see what is created. Remember to send us some photos and we will post them on our blog and a link to your blog as well.

Have a great day and stay dry and warm!

Ramona

Monday, January 24, 2011

Valentines Day Swap Project

You have to love it when a project you have thought about in your mind comes to fruition on paper! My Valentine Day Swap Card is coming along terrific and I am so excited. Here is a preview:

It is still a work in progress, I have words to add and some more embellishments, but so far I am really happy.

Just had to share with you this morning, have a great day!

Ramona

Sunday, January 16, 2011

AAJ Annual Valentines Swap



AAJ is starting to take sign-ups for our annual Valentine's swap.

The rules, just in case you are new:
  • Sign up by Junary 26th
  • 10 participants (or less) per group
  • Each participants makes 9 Valentine cards
  • Each participant mails one card to each participant by February 10th
  • In return, each participant receives 9 hand-made Valentines
If you want to join the swap, email your name and address to alteredartjunkies@yahoo.com. In a few days we will confirm your participation.

Swapping is a lot of fun as it gives everyone a reason to play with paper, glue and scissors. It's also a great way to see the amazing craftiness of others!

Join now & be crafty!
AAJ


Sunday, January 9, 2011

Hi there cutie! Where you've been?



I saw this crafty robot about a year ago when I was surfing craft sites and he's been on my mind ever since. I made him this weekend and it was a lot of fun and everyone at the party absolutely loved it.

Here's a list of the supplies you need and directions how to put him together:

Supplies:
- Large clear plastic paint can (purchased at Michael's craft store)
- Quart size empty paint can (purchased at Home Depot)
- 2 empty soup cans (opened with a safety can opener which prevents sharp edges)
- 2 - 3" long of thin (about 1/2") cardboard tube (I used a cardboard roll from wrapping paper)
- 2 bottle caps
- 1 washer
- small piece of electrical tape
- floral wire
- pliers
- big heavy duty wire cutters
- book binder tool or ice pick

I painted the cans before I assembled, you can do the same or wait until after he's assembled.

It's rather simple to put him together. First place all cans in place, this helped me think about how to attach the cans together. I then decided to punch holes and run wire through the cans to attach them.

First I punched 2 holes, with the ice pick, to the bottom of each soup can. I then punched 4 matching holes in the bottom of the plastic clear can, string floral wire through one soup can to the matching holes of the clear can, turn and tighten wire and cut extra wire. Attach the other soup can using the same steps. The robot now has his legs.

Before we attach his head we need to cut the handle of the clear paint can. This is where the heavy duty wire cutters are needed, the wire is very thick so you may want someone with big muscles to do it. Cut the wire right in the middle. Remove the wire from the sockets and get the pliers to bend the wires in half but leave about a 1/2" bend gap, this gap holds the cardboard arms (tubes). Here's a picture of the bent wire as it's quite hard to explain. The black tape was needed because I initially cut the wire too short and had to tape it on to hold the arm.



Once the arms are done, we can attach the head (quart can) to the body (lid of plastic can).

Punch 2 holes to the bottom of the quart can and 2 holes to the lid of the clear paint can. String the wire through the holes attaching the lid and the quart can, twist wire and cut extra wire.

The final touches are to add the eyes (bottle caps), nose (washer) and electric tape for mouth. I used glue dots to attach eyes and nose.

Our little man is done, all you have to do is fill him with goodies. Fun thing about this project is you can make it for anyone, a little boy, girl, or even a grown up.

Be crafty!
Samantha





Monday, January 3, 2011

Plastic Cup Airplanes

You are not going to believe what we found on vacation. A recycled airplane made out of plastic cups, a bottle cap, dowel, paper tail, string and a pin.

I know it sounds like a lot of things, but these inexpensive toys were selling like hotcakes! My son couldn't wait to get his hands on one. Here is a picture of the plane I paid $2.00 dollars for, this would sell at craft fairs like crazy.

Bonus, it makes so much noise the boys were running all around with these. Here is the video.


I will attempt to explain how it is put together. The dowel runs through the cup with a bottle cap on one end and the paper tail on the other.

A pin is glued on the cup, pointing out towards the bottle cap. (This is what makes the noise the cup vibrates and increases the sound)
You can see the cup has been melted and the pin inserted. I would just poke it through the bottom of the cup and then put some glue to hold in in place. Now I know this isn't the safest toy, but an alternative would be a paperclip.

The cups have holes put in to add string. The cups are glued together.


Spongy material has been added to give the appearance of wings. You could use anything that is lightweight, even allow the kids to cut up old sponges or Styrofoam.

Finally you use a small dowel as the handle. Tie the string onto the dowel and you are all set to fly! 
Great party favor for a boys party and inexpensive. The boys could use markers to draw on their cups.

Back from vacation and starting on some new projects using the Cricut die cutting machine. Stay Tuned.

Ramona