Easy Peasy Fall Art

This isn't the post I was planning for today, but life happened and my plans changed. My mother AND my 5 year-old both have the stomach flu. We're hoping it's the 10-hour one that's going around and not a few days long. 

Not only are they sick, but it snowed here last night. My other two chillins are not sick yet (pounding furiously on this little wooden table) but the 3 year-old is going nuts stuck inside. So I found a recipe for paint here and saw this idea here and she is busy painting leaves with q-tips on these paper trees. The blogging world is fabulous, I tell you. Fabulous.

I can't post my pictures because my phone is dead, but once I get it charged I'll throw some pictures up. Here is a picture from her site:

My girls started out with leaves and ended up just painting in general. Maya ended up with a bicycle and Cali, well, she painted. That's all I have to say.


How do you keep your kid(s) busy when they can't go outside or play together?

Today I'm Grateful for...

Technology! 
As of right now, my husband is a little over 1300 miles away. He flew to Missouri to visit his dad and brother. And while I'm happy for him, I miss him. And I'm stuck sitting here with all three kids for two weeks. 

However, thanks to this handy device called the telephone, we talk every day. I can send him an e-mail, I can even talk face-to-face via Skype. I could send him a letter through the mail, but he wouldn't get it for a few days. I can't imagine living in years back when it took weeks for one small letter to arrive. Or taking months to travel that 1300 miles.

We are truly blessed in these latter days. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to chat with my husband.

Give Thanks

I almost didn't get this posted today. My husband got a last-minute ticket to Missouri and I haven't had access to my laptop until now. So, here it is.

I made this banner last year, but I really like it, so I'm sharing it now. {:

What you'll need:




Contact paper
Thanksgiving-themed scrapbook paper
Scissors or a straight edge cutter
Yarn or ribbon
Letters
Glue
Hole punch
Triangular pattern


I just did the triangles free-hand. It would have been nice to have a pattern, but you do what you can with what you have.


I cut out 11 triangles. Four for give, one for a space, and five for thanks.

Once you have them all cut out, center the letters on the triangles and glue them on. (The letters I used were like post-its, so I didn't glue mine.)

Now, comes the tricky/annoying part. Covering both sides with contact paper.
I found the easiest way, was to separate a piece of contact paper just enough that three triangles would fit. Lay them face down, pressing from the center and out. Once they are smoothed, separate more of the contact paper and fold it over on itself. This time, smooth from the folded edge to the end.

Cut them out, leaving a little bit of space on the edges.
Punch two holes in the top corners of each triangle
Cut 10 pieces of yarn into 3-inch strips, and two in 4-inch strips.


Tie each triangle, overlapping the first letter over the next. The two longer strips go on the ends for hanging.


And, voila.
Banna.

Obviously, this is subjective and you can switch the materials and sayings for any holiday. Here is an example of a Spring banner I made:

And this was for my nephew for Christmas:

And my other nephew:

Anyone planning on making something similar? These actually make great gifts.

Holy gads and oh my heck, these are the cutest printables I've seen for Thanksgiving. Paper Glitter put these up back in 2009, but thanks to Pinterest I found them today. It took some digging and a search on Bing, but it was totally worth it.
Here's just a sample:

 Cute, right?

Anywho, here is the link to the original blog post (which is on her older blog), a link to the actual PDF file, and a link for just one colorsheet.

Also, check out her Etsy shop and her YouTube channel!

November Blogging

NaBloPoMo

Think I can do it?

We'll find out...

As I've grown older, I've come to appreciate Thanksgiving more and more. 

I'm sure some of it is because of my level of maturity, 

but also because I've been given even more to be grateful for. 

Don't get me wrong; I have ALWAYS been blessed. 

I've always had a loving family, 

amazing friends, 

a home to live in, 

food to eat... 

But now I have an understanding husband, 

three fun and adorable kids, 

even more friends... 

The list goes on. 

I try to show my appreciation for others year-round, 

but Thanksgiving gives us the chance to express it all month long. 

Not only will I be posting Thanksgiving ideas 

every day for the month of November, 

but with each post will be something I am grateful for.

When I was younger I always thought,  

Really? How many things do I have to mention?

But now, my cup overflows and my eyes are open to see it.

What if?

I'd forget to thank him for about 20 pounds...

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