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September 26, 2022September 26, 2022

Scrapbooking Tools and Tips

Why Scrapbook?

After years of family celebrations, vacations, and holidays, we’re sure you’ve made plenty of memories. Make those moments last for years to come with special keepsake scrapbooks for you and your grandchildren. Plus, you don’t need to be particularly crafty or buy expensive materials to preserve photographs, art work, and other precious documents.

Scrapbooking Tools and Tips

First things first—you’ll need a scrapbook to get started. Your local craft store will have plenty of options, but no matter what you choose, make sure that the book comes with paper that will protect your photos and other keepsakes from deteriorating over time.

A tried-and-true brand is Kolo, which makes memory books in a variety of colors and sizes, plus, their pages, which will serve as the backdrop for your photos, are acid-free—perfect for your archives.

Stick It!

When you have your scrapbook and your photos ready, you’ll need a strong adhesive to make sure everything stays in place on the page. Skip the sticky white school glue and opt for Glue Dots. Designed specifically for craft projects, Glue Dots won’t have an adverse affect on your photos or materials. Plus, they come in an easy dispenser to keep mess to a minimum.

Pretty Papers

Create the perfect backdrop for your memory pages with customized paper. Your local craft store is bound to have dozens of paper options to choose from in a variety of designs.

The standard size is usually 12×12, so make sure your scrapbook matches if you’d prefer not to cut them down. While these papers aren’t required—most scrapbooks come with plain white or black background papers—they serve as an easy way to add color to your book.

Tools of the Trade

Once you have your book, adhesive, and paper, the last basic tool is scissors. Sharp scissors should be able to provide an even cut through paper and photos, but bigger projects may require a paper cutter. Fiskars makes a paper cutter sized for scrapbooking projects, so it won’t take up too much space on your shelf.

Put Your Own Stamp on It

One of the easiest ways to adorn your scrapbook is by using rubber stamps and lively, colorful inks. Stamps range in size from very large (for backgrounds and borders) to small (for accents). For example, to accent a page dedicated to the birth of a granddaughter, you might want to use a baby bottle or “It’s a Girl!” stamp.

Stores like Michael’s and Joanne Fabrics will have tons of stamps in different designs, from basic stars and hearts to ornate landscape settings. You will also be able to find a wide variety of colorful ink pads. Plus, many holiday stamps can be recycled for other craft projects, like cards and gifts.

Knockout Punches

Create a merry display of memories by adding accents and borders. One way to do this: Skip the scissors and pull out the puncher. Hole punches have come a long way—now they can create shapes like hearts, stars, butterflies, bears, and more. Queen of crafts Martha Stewart has her own line of punchers that will create beautiful borders on paper, from ric rac to scalloped.

Accessorize with Stickers

As you compile photos and other keepsakes (movie stubs, sports tickets, etc.), organize them into themes or events that you can build pages around. Then, when you hit the craft store, make sure to browse the sticker section for sets that match.

Jolee’s makes sticker sets for just about every occasion, from birthdays and holidays to vacations and sporting events. Look out for their dimensional collection to give your scrapbook depth.

Lay It All Out

Now that you have all of your supplies gathered and you’re ready to assemble your scrapbook, take some time to mock up the layout of each page before you start gluing things down. This will help limit mistakes and make sure your memories are preserved perfectly.

December 15, 2016December 15, 2016

20 Resolutions Everyone Should Make

20 Resolutions Everyone Should Make

Wonderful list! I hope 2017 is the year for you to love yourself and enjoy life better than ever! 🙂

Totally awesome list – print this out and put it in a location that you will see every day of the New Year 2017! ♥ 🙂

It’s time for New Year’s resolutions. Most of us have a love-hate relationship with this once-a-year list. Maybe the same few goals keep popping up year after year, or maybe you throw it all out the window and say screw the list.

There’s a reason traditional resolutions don’t stick. Things like losing weight, ending a nail-biting habit, or paying off debt are all good goals. But it can be hard to put your heart into them.

If you really want to reach new heights, consider writing your goals with more heart and intention. Focus on the feelings you want to feel in the New Year and the big picture.

Instead of writing down “lose weight” or “hit my goal weight,” make a resolution to feel good in your skin and fall in love with your body. This empowers you from within, and you’ll create goals with your heart. When your heart is your compass, you’re more enthusiastic and focused.

20 Resolutions Everyone Should Make

If you want to feel more alive and present in your life, consider revising your New Year’s resolution list. Here are 20 things to consider:

1. Release what no longer serves you.

2. Live less out of habit and focus on intent.

3. Raise your standards.

4. Look for the good in others instead of focusing on the bad.

5. Be OK with not being OK.

6. Look in the mirror and like what you see.

7. Be kind to yourself when you’re learning something new.

8. Be OK with not knowing. Learn to love the journey.

9. Stop apologizing.

10. Let love guide you.

11. Stop rushing things that need time to grow.

12. Know the difference between giving up and knowing when you’ve had enough. Let enough be enough.

13. Travel to that place you keep thinking about. It’s in your heart for a reason.

14. Trust yourself more.

15. Let go of who you think you are so you become who you want to be.

16. Be thankful for today.

17. Don’t worry about how your life looks. Instead, focus on how it feels.

18. Invite your inner child out to play daily.

19. Let yourself be you.

20. Stop trying so hard to get to where you think you should be and see you are exactly where you need to be.

December 14, 2016

12 Things You Should Never Throw Out When Downsizing

These are the items that are worth finding space for in a new home.

When you’re packing to move or making over a room, it’s the perfect time to take a hard look at all your stuff — and purge. Just be careful how trash happy you get with these few things.

1. Family heirlooms
Evaluate what you have and ask yourself which ones are meaningful to you and your family now, says Jodie Watson, an organizing expert and owner of Supreme Organization. “These are the ones to keep and take with you to your new home,” she says.

2. Electronics of any sort
Hold on to them until you’ve completely wiped out all your personal information. “I can’t tell you the number of people who go on massive de-cluttering binges and don’t take the time to clear all their personal information,” warns Geralin Thomas, a professional organizer and owner of Metropolitan Organizing who has also worked on A&E’s Hoarders.

3. Photographs
“You may need to digitize these, but you don’t want to lose them,” says Barbara Reich, a professional organizer.

4. Important paperwork
When it’s time to clean out or pack up a house, let go of as much paper as possible, says Reich. But look out for important stuff like birth and death records, marriage licenses, social security cards, retirement documents, medical records, insurance policies, and more that might be mixed into a pile headed for the recycling.

5. A landline phone
You never know when your cell phone’s battery or service might go dead. “Keep at least one,” says Thomas.

6. Collections
“You have obviously enjoyed collecting these items, so select the few items that you value above all the rest,” says Watson. Whether it be dolls or decorative glassware, it’s better to display and enjoy a few than to have the whole collection boxed away in storage.

7. Fine jewelry AND the boxes they came in
“Having a piece of jewelry in it’s original box adds value when reselling it and keeps the piece of jewelry in mint condition,” says Thomas.

8. Extra kitchen and bathroom supplies
Only keep what you need and use from the kitchen, like pots and pans, a good quality chef’s knife, a spatula, a wooden spoon, countertop appliances you use a lot like a blender, and crucial linens. “If you have duplicates, you can donate them, but make sure you have the basics with you,” says Reich. And the bathroom? “You should bring two sets of sheets per bed (one on the bed, one to change) and four towels per person,” she says.

9. Decorative and sentimental items that bring back precious memories
Hold on to things like a lock of hair from your child’s first haircut or the medal you won for running a marathon, says Reich. “These are items that you would not be able to replace,” adds Watson.

10. Emergency supplies
A radio, batteries, a flashlight, and a first aid kit should all be on hand when you move into a new home, advises Reich. “And if you don’t have emergency supplies, now is the time to get them!”

11. Tags from expensive handbags
“If you ever are consigning them, tags will help you prove authenticity and bring a much better price,” explains Thomas.

12. Medication and toiletries that haven’t expired yet
Replacing these can be expensive. “Medication taken daily should be kept with you during the move,” warns Reich.

How do you tell what is TRULY meaningful?
Watson says this is her favorite trick: “In any given category, like artwork, ask this question, ‘If I could only take three pieces with me, which three would they be?’ With books, the question might be, ‘If I can only take 20 with me, which 20 would they be?’ This will help you discover the items that are the musts to take with you; the rest is negotiable.”

Kate from learnandgrowbooks.com

Kate is the founder of Learn and Grow Books, which is a website for parents and teachers of pre-K children.

October 1, 2015December 26, 2014

Pumpkin Carving Party Invitations

One of the best parts of Halloween is carving the pumpkin. This Halloween, why not gather a few friends together and throw a pumpkin carving party?

Keep the party laid-back by making it a homemade affair. There’s no need to spend money on store-bought invitations when your budding artist can create adorable ones personalized with her own stylish touch at home. This smiling paper pumpkin is sure to bring ghoulish cheer to all who receive him.

What You Need:

1 sheet black construction paper
2 sheets orange construction paper
1 sheet white paper
Orange and black ribbon
Pair of Halloween-themed brads
Pencil
Craft glue
X-acto knife
Crystal stickers, beads, or any other embellishments

What You Do:

Fold one sheet of orange paper in half like a greeting card.
Fold the black sheet of paper over it and trim it on all sides so that it is slightly smaller than the orange sheet. This will create an orange border for the card.
Glue the black paper onto the orange.
Ask your child to draw a pumpkin on the second sheet of orange paper.
Parents, use an X-acto knife to cut out the pumpkin’s face.
Have your child glue the pumpkin onto the card.
Help your child handwrite the party title on the front of the card, or print it out from the computer.

Cut the white paper in half widthwise, then trim it down a little more so it fits nicely on the inside of the card. Help your child write the party details by hand on the white paper. Alternatively, type the party details on the computer, print them out, and cut the paper to fit inside the card.

Attach the party details to the inside of the card with a pair of brads. If you don’t have brads, simply tack it onto the card with glue.
Have your child embellish the card using ribbon, glitter glue, stickers, or beads.
To save time, print each guest’s mailing address onto labels and ask your child to stick them onto the envelopes.

Once all the invites are finished, set off for the post office and drop these beauties in the mail!

Kate from learnandgrowbooks.com

Kate is the founder of Learn and Grow Books, which is a website for parents and teachers of pre-K children.

June 26, 2015December 26, 2014

Barbecue Ribs on a Gas Grill

Step 1 of 7

Barbecue Ribs on a Gas Grill

Cooking ribs which produces a genuine barbecue flavor by using a gas grill, is often a challenge. Gas grills are great for hot and fast cooking, but not so efficient when you need to turn a rack of ribs into tender, smoky barbecue. However, there are some tricks you can use. To get the best possible ribs from your gas grill, all you need is this three step process.

For this example, I am using a full rack of spareribs trimmed. You can use baby back ribs with this same method, but reduce the cooking time about 5 minutes per stage. Otherwise, the total cooking time will be between 1 1/2 and 2 hours.

Your gas grill must be large enough and contain at least two burners, since these ribs will be cooked indirectly. This means the heat will not be below the rack of ribs, but off to the side of the grill. I will explain the set up in detail as we progress.

What you will need:

one rack of ribs
a good Rib Rub
barbecue sauce
1/2 cup apple juice
aluminum foil
fuel for your grill
wood chips for smoke
a sharp knife

Step 2 of 7

Preparing the Rack – Barbecue Ribs on a Gas Grill

It is seldom to find store bought spareribs that are properly prepared. You will need to do some basic trimmed before we get started. Ideally, what you’re looking for is a rack of ribs with a square shape and an even thickness throughout. Make sure you inspect the ribs for any loose pieces of meat or fat. Cut off any excess scraps or excessive fat from the rack. This doesn’t mean cutting all the fat off, just thick useless sections.

Since we are grilling these ribs faster than we would on the smoker , the benefit of the fat isn’t as great. We still need fat to keep the meat moist but, we don’t want to end up with an overly fatty finished product.

Once done trimming, rinse the rack of ribs with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

Step 3 of 7

Rubbing the Ribs – Barbecue Ribs on a Gas Grill

Once the ribs are trimmed and rinsed, it is time to apply the rub. A good rib rub adds flavor but doesn’t overpower the meat. You want to apply the rub all over the rack. This means back and front as well as the side and ends. Apply as much rub as will stick. The natural moisture of the ribs will hold all the rub you need.

You can apply the rub up to an hour before you start cooking, but any longer will affect the texture of the meat, giving it a ham like flavor and consistency. If you need to return the rack to the refrigerator ofter putting on the rub, wrap it in plastic wrap and handle it gently. Preferably, try to get the ribs to the grill within 10 to 20 minutes. If doing so, it is okay to leave it out until the remaining preparations are made.

Step 4 of 7

Making Smoke Bombs – Barbecue Ribs on a Gas Grill

Making a proper smoke on a gas grill while cooking at lower temperatures is a real challenge. To be honest, while you might be able to give these ribs a hint of smoke, they are not going to have a strong smoke flavor. That is the sacrifice we make by using a gas grill. However, we are certainly going to give it a try by throwing in a couple of smoke bombs to generate smoke. This is a quick, easy, and cheap way to make smoke on a gas grill.

To make a smoke bomb start by placing about 1/2 cup of damp, but not wet, wood chips on a piece of foil. Wrap the wood chips so that one side has a single layer of foil. Poke several holes through the foil to let the smoke out. I’m using two smoke bombs, but you can use more if you wish.

Place the smoke bombs under the cooking grate as close as possible to the burner you are using. You will need to preheat the grill hot enough to get the combustion of the wood started. Once you see smoke coming out of the smoke bombs, turn down the heat and place the ribs on the grill.

Step 5 of 7

Placing the Ribs on the Grill – Barbecue Ribs on a Gas Grill

The grill placement is most important. We need indirect heat to cook our ribs without drying them out or overcooking them. We also need to be able to hit temperatures up to 375 degrees F. On the grill I am using, the burners run side to side instead of the more typical front to back. I am using the front burner for heat and putting the ribs in the back. This works because most gas grills vent out the back so the smoke I create in the front, will be drawn to the back of the grill.

If you have a grill with the burners running front to back, you will need to use one of the burners on either end. Lets say you are using the left most burner. This means you will place your smoke bombs directly over this burner (and under the cooking grate). The ribs will be placed as close to the right side as possible. If the rack is short enough to be placed running parallel to the burners, set it as far to the right as you can get it. Otherwise, you might have to place it in a more diagonal position on the grill.

Place the rack, bone side down on the grill, close the lid, and adjust the grill until it holds a temperature of 300 degrees F. Now, let the ribs cook for 30 minutes. Don’t open the lid. This will hold in as much smoke as possible. Don’t expect a lot of smoke to billow out of the grill as there won’t be a tremendous amount of smoke production.

Step 6 of 7

Wrap the Ribs – Barbecue Ribs on a Gas Grill

Once the ribs have been on the grill for 30 minutes, it is time to move on to the second stage. The ribs should be browned on all sides. If they appear raw on the surface anywhere continued grilling for another 10 to 15 minutes, otherwise, move on to the second phase. Now we are going to make the ribs tender by steaming them with apple juice. The secret is to wrap the ribs tightly in foil. You want to make it as water tight as possible after pouring in the apple juice.

With a tightly wrapped packet, place the ribs back on the grill in the indirect grilling space. Now close the lid and increase the grill temperature to around 375 degrees F. At this temperature the apple juice will boil, tenderizing the ribs and cooking them quickly.

Step 7 of 7

Barbecue Sauce – Barbecue Ribs on a Gas Grill

After the ribs have been steaming in foil for 30 minutes, it is time to turn down the heat and unwrap the ribs. They should be mostly cooked at this point. Look for the rack of ribs to be more flexible. If you pick up the wrapped rack on the end, it should droop down. If you open the foil and the ribs are not browned completely, close up the foil and continue grilling for another 10 to 15 minutes.

Once the ribs are ready to continue, set your grill temperature around 250 degree F, but definitely not more than 265 degrees F. (the burning temperature of sugar). Place the ribs back in the same place to finish cooking.

When smoking ribs it is up to you whether to add sauce or not. However, with the gas grill method I encourage the use of a good barbecue sauce. It adds authentic barbecue flavor to your ribs and adds to the surface texture of the meat.

The secret to a good sticky rib is multiple coats of barbecue sauce. The best method is to sauce one side of the ribs, close the lid and cook for 5 minutes. Then open the lid, flip the ribs and sauce the other side. Do this for 30 minutes and you will have a heavy coating of barbecue sauce.

Five minutes after you put on the last coat (at least 2 coats a side) take your ribs off, cut, and serve.

Kate from learnandgrowbooks.com

Kate is the founder of Learn and Grow Books, which is a website for parents and teachers of pre-K children.

April 13, 2015December 26, 2014

Plant a Fail-Safe Veggie Garden

What happens when you give kids dirt, a shovel, and a squirting hose? Chances are, a little chaos, and a lot of fun. Now, with summer here, you can add even more delight—and some lasting science lessons too—by throwing seeds into the mix. With just a few inexpensive supplies, you and your child can plant a first vegetable garden together.

Gardening, of course, offers endless possibilities. For children, though, it’s best to start small, with quick, hardy plants. And you don’t need a huge backyard to do it. This easy, “brown thumb-proof” garden fits in a patio planter. Get ready for happy mess!

What You Need:

Rectangular planter, at least 2-3’ long, 8” high, and 10-12” wide.
1 seed packet each: radishes, lettuce, nasturtium, and sugar snap peas (look for the dwarf/bush variety, which stand alone).
1 large bag of potting soil (enough to fill your planter)
Trowels
Watering can
Flat sticks for labels

What You Do:

Check the weather and pick your spot. These are cool-weather seeds, but beware of frost: start planting when night temperatures are regularly above freezing! Also, find a spot with direct sun at least several hours daily. If you’ve got a budding scientist, it’s also a great time to point out how plants need light to grow.
Prepare your soil. Gardens always start with good dirt. Empty your potting soil into your planter and smooth the top, but don’t push it down—airy soil will help nourish your seeds.
Plant peas. Plant peas in a row, roughly 2” apart, at least an inch away from one long edge of your planter. To plant, have your child place the seed on top of the soil, and then poke it down about an inch, and smooth the soil over it. Write “peas” on a label and place it at the end of your row.
Plant your other seeds. The other seeds grow well in patches rather than rows. Leave about two to three inches from your pea row, and then mark off three rectangular patches: one each for lettuce, nasturtiums, and radishes. Large-seeded nasturtiums can be planted the same way as peas, at least 3” apart. Lettuce and radish seeds are smaller; sprinkle them out and cover with a light blanket of soil. Once you have planted your seeds, be sure to mark them. Give them a good, gentle drenching as well. This is a great time to talk about how our plants start from seeds of all shapes and sizes. Which seeds are biggest? Roundest? Weirdest?
Tend your garden. The next several weeks are full of delights. Water daily, and you will soon see sprouts. Some of your lettuce and radish plants may be too close together—you can thin them to about 2-3” apart. Help your child identify plant parts: roots, stems, leaves, and flowers.

The best thing about this garden is it’s almost instant gratification—within days you’ll see the first sprouts. Within six weeks, you should harvest your first lettuce and radishes, and within nine weeks you should be able to pick peas and make a bright nasturtium bouquet for the table. Adventurous eaters may even put nasturtium leaves and flowers in a salad! With luck, your harvest will last even longer: your child will begin a lifelong love for a green and growing world.

Kate from learnandgrowbooks.com

Kate is the founder of Learn and Grow Books, which is a website for parents and teachers of pre-K children.

January 1, 2015October 30, 2014

10 Hard Questions to Ask When Clearing Out Your Clutter

Parting with your junk should not be sweet sorrow. Here’s how to know when it’s time to let it go.

What do we want? Free space! When do we want it? As soon as we can actually let go of our stuff. That day can be today, if you reconsider your on-the-fence objects with these questions.

1. Is this item enhancing my life?
This question is better than “Do I love it?” (Because, of course, at one time, you did.) Instead, ask yourself if the item is actively important to you right now.

2. Is this something I’ll want my children to see one day?
A work of art you’re proud of completing? Sure. A moving box filled with decades-old Tupperware? Probably not.

3. Do I already have five of these?
You’ll never use all that red nail polish before it goes bad, and you need, at most, two black cardigans to get through the chillier months.

4. Would it be too expensive to replace?
If it turned out you really needed that scented candle or magazine rack, it wouldn’t break the bank to just get another. And in the meantime, enjoy a priceless commodity instead: empty space.

5. Can I consolidate?
Boxes of stationery sets or piles of craft materials will take up less room if you toss their original containers and store them together. Gain space, but keep your stuff. Not a bad trade-off.

6. When I wear this, do I feel good?
Make it goal to have a closet full of only confidence-boosting items that you truly love.

7. Do I know someone who might want this more than I do?
It might be time to part with boxes of baby clothes, but the task becomes easier to swallow when you think about the new mom who truly needs them.

8. Would I move this to a new home?
If you wouldn’t take it with you, why give it permission to fill your space now?

9. Does keeping this item make more work for me?
If that one unloved sweater requires a trip the dry cleaners after every use (and maybe that’s why you don’t wear it!) or your grandma’s silver vase needs constant polishing, donating it can get rid of the clutter and the chore.

10. Could I make some money selling this?
Check eBay or Craigslist to see how much cash the unnecessary item might pull in. Does that money buy you something you actually need? Time to sell!

Kate from learnandgrowbooks.com

Kate is the founder of Learn and Grow Books, which is a website for parents and teachers of pre-K children.

December 13, 2014October 30, 2014

Make Your Own Wrapping Paper

Make your own wrapping paper with unique materials. Add a creative touch to your gifts and make your own wrapping paper. As adorable as the rows of store-bought holiday wrapping paper look, the price tag is enough to turn even the most die-hard holiday fanatic into a Grinch. Eschewing pricey paper doesn’t mean that you can’t have pretty presents; it’s easy to make your own wrapping paper. Encourage your child to look for snazzy wrapping materials around your home, and this year’s presents will look gorgeous on the cheap! Your child will learn the importance of recycling as he receives a lesson in present-wrapping basics.

What You Need:

Newspaper
Old calendar pages
Old pillowcases
Coffee cans
Decorated paper
Maps
Waxed paper art

What You Do:

Newspaper:

This one’s a classic, but for good reason! The crisp black and white paper looks top-notch when wrapped around a box and tied with pretty colored ribbon. Have your little one search for his favorite pages to use, and suggest that he turns to the inside pages or the classifieds if he likes the appearance of words over pictures.

Old Calendar Pages:

Out with the old; in with the new! Instead of just tossing away your old agenda or calendar pages, invite your child to use them to make creative wrapping paper. Small gifts can be wrapped using just one calendar page, or he can layer and tape calendar pages together to wrap larger presents.

Old Pillowcases:

Pillowcases are a particularly pretty way to wrap up presents. Recipients will be impressed that your child has covered his presents with cloth, but there’s very little effort involved. Show your child how to use the pillowcases as he would paper (fold and tape them into place), or simply put his gift inside the case and tie it up with a pretty bow!

Coffee Cans:

If your family drinks a lot of coffee, this one is a no-brainer! Those shiny silver cylinders are perfect for gifts on the smaller side—just clean them out, have your child slip his gift inside, and pop on the lid. Finish it off with a festive ribbon and wait for the family’s “oohs” and “ahhs”!

Decorated Paper:

Big rolls of brown paper are great for various art projects and are generally inexpensive. If you have one lying around, invite your child to have at it! He will gain valuable wrapping practice with this easy-to-work-with paper, an activity that is very beneficial for his motor skill development. Gifts look great wrapped in the neutral paper alone, but sponging or stenciling on bright paint will really liven them up!

Maps:

When you cross a state line or visit a national landmark, free maps are often provided at the visitor’s center. Start hoarding these, as they make interesting (and informative!) wrapping paper. Have your child wrap up a gift for someone who loves to travel, and his present will be a double-whammy!

Waxed Paper Art:

This one requires slightly more effort, but it’s worth it in the end! Ask your child to collect an assortment of flower petals and leaves; a greater variety makes for more interesting packaging. Pull out the ironing board, spread a plain cloth on top of it, and place a sheet of waxed paper on top of that. Invite him to scatter the petals and leaves until he’s happy with the way they look. Put the second sheet of waxed paper over the arrangement, and help him carefully press the iron across the paper. The heat of the iron glues the sheets of waxed paper together, creating adorable floral wrapping paper!

Kate from learnandgrowbooks.com

Kate is the founder of Learn and Grow Books, which is a website for parents and teachers of pre-K children.

December 5, 2014October 30, 2014

Hanging Pot

Sculpting with clay is a great activity for young children because it lets them get artistic while helping them develop their fine motor skills. They also get some practice with color and shape recognition, without even realizing it. Your preschooler will learn the artistic process as she makes her lump of clay morph into a functional hanging wall pot that she’ll enjoy filling with grasses she’s collected herself. Added bonus? This project makes a great kid-made gift—perfect for Mother’s Day, Easter, or any other holiday where your child doesn’t want to come empty-handed.

What You Need:

Nylon rope, cut into 8, 24-inch lengths
Ribbon
Air-dry clay
Small plant, or herbs
Small rocks
Planting dirt
Acrylic paint
Paintbrushes
Scissors

What You Do:

Show your child how to mold the clay into a shape that she likes and that will serve as a functional pot. Be sure to make a handle for the rope and ribbon that will be used to hang the finished pot. Add intentations and designs to make the pot visually interesting. Allow the pot to dry completely.
Help your child take the eight pieces of cut nylon rope and tie all of the pieces in a knot at one end. Leave a bit of a tassel, about 3 inches, on the end of the rope.
Place the knot to the bottom of the table.
Separate the rope into four sections, or two pieces of rope per section.
Now, have her tie each section of rope together in a small knot. Leave at least an inch between the big knot and the small knot.
Tie the ribbon through the handle

Have her continue connecting the rope through knots until it will securely hold her pot in place. Now, it’s time to plant! She can place a small handful of rocks in the bottom of the pot, followed by a couple of spoonfuls of dirt, then the plant, followed by a bit more dirt. Water your plant as directed.

Kate from learnandgrowbooks.com

Kate is the founder of Learn and Grow Books, which is a website for parents and teachers of pre-K children.

December 4, 2014November 4, 2014

Decorative Light Switch Covers

Have a budding decorator on your hands? One quick and inexpensive way to update your child’s room is to decorate the switch plate, the removable plate that goes over the light switch. There’s nothing to buy and when your child wants a new design, you simply make another! It’s a great way to personalize a room, or coordinate with the theme of the room.

What You Need:

A screwdriver
White paper
Scissors
A pencil
Water-soluble glue
Tape
Markers, stickers, glitter glue, etc.

What You Do:

Unscrew the switch plate from the wall. Set the screws aside, and make sure to tell your child not to touch the light switch until the switch plate is screwed back on.
Put the switch plate on the paper and trace it with a pencil.
Cut out the shape and leave an extra inch around each side.
Help your child glue the paper to the front of the switch plate, then tuck the extra inches of paper behind the back and tape it down. Let the glue dry.
Now for the fun part! Hand your child the markers, glitter glue, and stickers and let her decorate the switch plate in any way she wants, whether it’s pirates, dinosaurs, or hearts and glitter! When she’s finished, let the glitter glue dry.
Screw the switch plate back in place, and be sure no little fingers are anywhere near the light switch.
Then admire the useful artwork! When your child wants a new design or the picture fades from frequent use, remove the switch plate, peel off the paper, and soak it in warm water until the glue comes off. Then make a new design–the possibilities are endless!

decorative-light-switch-covers-slideshowmainimage

Kate from learnandgrowbooks.com

Kate is the founder of Learn and Grow Books, which is a website for parents and teachers of pre-K children.