Valentine Rainbow

I didn't want to pass out candy Valentines to the kids in Rex's class this year, so instead we gave out these cool crayons. They are super easy to do, not to mention, they are a great 'green' Valentine if you use the broken crayons your kids no longer play with. My only warning, they can a bit time consuming if you're making a whole bunch.

 

You need: 

~ Crayons ~  Hefty zip top bags ~  silicon heart muffin pan (I got one in the Target dollar section for $2.50. Since you won't be able to use it for anything but crayons after this, I'd try there too.)~ 

~ packaging materials like cellophane bags, card stock, ribbon ~

Start by removing the paper labels from your crayons. (I do this with a little paring knife, trust me it's MUCH easier than peeling!) When you're finished, crush up similar colored crayons in sandwich sized Hefty bags. I just give the kids a meat tenderizer and tell them to pound away, it works great and they have fun smashing them into bits. Place mold on a metal baking sheet and heat oven to 350. Gently pour shavings into heart molds until they are about half full. Bake crayons in mold for 10-15 minutes, or until all shavings have melted. Remove from oven and cool for 30 minutes. Crayons should pop out of the molds easily when they are done.  

 

We packed ours in small cellophane baggies with some recycled paper shreds. A thin strip of  ribbon and a small scrap of paper worked great for a tag. To top it off, Rex added a Star Wars sticker to each one.

Day 11 - Clothespin Wreath

Nate and I made this a few years back. It was so adorable, and it kept him busy for a good deal of time.

Clothespin Wreath

What you need:

2 brass rings, 1 10" and 1 12" (found in any craft store)

clothespins (enough to cover the entire clothespin)

Green spray paint

Red puffy paint

Glue Gun

What you do:

Spray all of the clothespins with green paint so they are completely covered. Let dry completely.

Once dry, clip clothespins around the small ring, making sure to cover the entire ring. Glue the larger ring to the back of the clothespins with the glue gun. Let dry.

Use red puffy paint to add 'holly' to the wreath. You can also use pom poms, glitter, or buttons to decorate.

(Wreath should hang well by the back ring, but if it does not, glue a small piece of wire, shaped like a U, to the back for hanging.)

Day 12 & 13 - Simple Soaps and Bath Salts

You can make a relaxing gift for any lady on your list in just about an hour. Here's how...

Simple Soaps

What you need:

Melt and Pour Soap Brick (a variety of kinds are available at Michaels)

Scents and Colors, optional (also at Michaels)

Shaped Silicone Muffin Pans

What you do:

Melt soap according to package directions. Add color and scents as desired, then pour into molds. Let molds cool on a flat surface for at least 2 hours. Once the soaps set, gently pop them out of the mold (they should come out very easily if they are done).

Relaxing Bath Salts

What you need:

5 cups Epsom Salts (you can get these in any Walmart, Target, Walgreens, etc.)

5 drops food coloring (any color)

3-5 drops essential oils (at Michaels)

What you do:

Place all ingredients in a large resealable bag. Shake and knead until food coloring appears evenly distributed. Pour salts into small glass/plastic jars (I got mine in the scrap booking storage section of Michaels) and attach directions to pour into warm water.

*Package soaps and salts with a few washcloths or a big fluffy robe.*

Day 15 - Magical Reindeer Food

When I worked with the kindergartners we had Mrs. Claus come by for a special story time the last day of school before Christmas break. Once she was done reading, she passed out these little baggies of 'Santa's Magical Reindeer Food'  to all of the kids. They went bananas for the stuff and it could not be simpler to whip up a batch for your kiddos!

Santa's Magical Reindeer Food

Mix 2 cups dry oats with 2 tablespoons glitter, any color. Sprinkle on the lawn Christmas Eve so Santa's reindeer will be sure to stop by!

Day 16 - Photo Frames

Make a cute frame for your holiday pics!

What you need:

Acrylic picture frame (I used a magnetic one for the fridge)

Puffy fabric paint

What you do:

Draw on the frame! I did holly & stars.

(See, super easy!)

Day 21 - Gift Card Holders

I came up with the idea to do these a few weeks ago, and though I would like to share all of it with you, today you're getting only 1 of the 3 versions of the kid friendly card holder I designed for this holiday blog. Turns out, this easy no-sew idea I had for my blogger space has become one of my best selling Etsy items. Big thanks to Rex for asking me to take the next step and sew one for him...

No-Sew Felt Gift Card Holder

What you need:

Scraps of Felt

Fabric Glue

Ruler

Scissors

Ribbon

What you do:

Cut 1 piece of felt 5-inches tall by 4-inches wide. In a coordinating color, cut a second piece 3-inches tall by 2 1/2-inches wide. With the fabric glue, carefully glue around three edges of the small piece of felt and place it in the center of the large piece, 1/2 an inch from the bottom. (Add any embellishments now, like felt shapes or pom poms.)  Let dry.



Fold over the top of the holder 1/2 an inch and cut 2 small slits in the gift card holder, placing them 1/2 an inch from each side. Feed a small piece of ribbon through the slits. Tie a small knot in the ribbons on the back side of the holder. 


Add gift card and hang on a tree, stocking, or doorknob!

(Photos coming as soon as my battery recharges!!)

Day 24 - Snowman Pots

Nate and I made these a few years back, with rave reviews from everyone we handed them out to. They are super simple and make great gifts filled with a handful of Hershey's kisses!

What you need:

small clay pot

assorted black buttons, 2 large and 4 small

small piece of cork (at craft stores)

white, black, blue, pink, and orange paint

small ivy leaves

1 red button

paint brushes

pencil

glue (a hot glue gun works best, but any type of glue should work fine)

How to do it:

Paint your pot white on the bottom and black around the rim. Paint the cork orange. Once the pot is dry, add two small pink circles for cheeks on the front of your pot and small dabs of blue to the rim of the pot. Let dry.

With a pencil, map out where you would like the face to be. Glue the 2 large buttons on as eyes, the cork as the nose, and the 4 small buttons for the mouth. Finish by gluing the ivy and red button to the rim of the pot, placing the button carefully in the center of the ivy.

Fill with candy and give to someone special on your list!  

Day 37 - Cute Clippies

Have a little lady on your list? Try making these cute clippies for her.

 What you need:

spools of ribbon, fabric glue, and plain metal barrettes.

How to do it:

Measure enough ribbon to completely cover your barrette (mine was about 9 1/2 inches) and cut.

Starting with the bottom inside part of the clip, carefully glue the ribbon to the barrette, covering the entire piece with one long strand of ribbon. If you measured carefully, your ribbon should fit perfectly and finish on the inside top portion of the clip.

Let glue dry overnight.

Want to give these as a gift?

Try  this...

* Make a pretty package out of paper. Cut a piece of card stock in the shape of a T, making sure the top of your T is at least 2 inches tall and 3 inches wide and the stem is about 1 inch wide and at least 1 inch long for every pair of barrettes you plan to add. Decorate the top and add your clippies to the stem.
* Embellish your clippies with small flowers, rhinestones, or buttons. Simply glue them on the finished barrette and let dry overnight. (Please be sure to supervise your young kids if they use these.)
* Use a pair of clippies to attach a name tag to a gift.