Twizzler Candy Bracelet

It’s cold, rainy lazy day and this edible bracelet activity is great to keep the kids engaged and entertained indoors. Don’t have any twizzlers? You can make bracelets with fruit loops. We’ve even made bracelets out of jelly beans – if it’s edible and sweet it will keep the kiddos engaged.

All you need to make your own twizzler bracelets is some ribbon and a few packages of the candy. We dug into the last of our Halloween candy (gasp! Candy doesn’t have an expiration date does it???), the snack-sized packs are perfect.

I chopped them into segments. The kids got to practice self-control, fine motor skills, and pattern-making as they created their jewelry. Ironically, this post could alternately be titled, “how to get your kid to eat less candy.” I think it’s interesting how interacting with their food makes the kids enjoy it more, even if there is less of it to go around. These twizzlers made a total of 4 bracelets.

Playdough

2 c flour
1 c salt
4 tsp cream of tarter
2 c water
food coloring
1/4 c vegetable oil

Combine dry ingredients.  Add food coloring (if desired) to water, Mix wet and dry inredients well

Cook over low heat in a non-stick pot until it becomes rubbery and playdough-like (Yes. You will just know when it is done.)

Cool and knead

*For Glittery Playdough, add glitter in near the end of your cooking step! It is definitely 4 year old approved playdough!*

Homemade Playdough

From:  http://www.howdoesshe.blogspot.com/

It is SO easy to make and SO much better than the stuff you buy at the store.


This recipe makes the softest, sqUISHiest, longest lasting play dough…EVER!

You can make your kids’ favorite colors and package them in these perfect little containers to throw in your kids’ stockings.

Where did I get these perfect little containers? Let me show you…

After I put the playdough in the container, I thought it looked a little plain. I wanted to add a little circle something to the top of the lid. I sat down to my computer to design something and then I thought, “Am I crazy! There is stuff like this on ishare all the time!” I hopped over there and found these adorable circles that fit PERFECTLY to the top.

Before you go thinking that this playdough can’t possibly be that good, make some. You will see. Every time I make it I can’t put it down.
Squishiest Playdough Recipe

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/4 cup salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 Tbls. vegetable oil
food coloring (I used 4 drops)

Just dump all the ingredients into your pot and give them a good stir. Enlist some small help if possible – they will think you are magic.

Put your pot on the stove and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it forms into a ball.

As soon as it joins into one big glob, take it off the heat and dump it onto your counter or some wax paper. Wait for it to cool, then knead it a few times until it is nice and soft. This is where you have to use a little self control to let the kids have a turn too.:)

This would make a perfect gift for any kid – not just for Christmas, I’m thinking birthdays, party favors, gifts for the classroom kids, cousins, neighbors, anyone!

Apron

From: http://www.simplydesigning.blogspot.com/

My daughter loves to do art! So I wanted to get her an apron to help protect her clothing.

I couldn't find one I really liked and everything I found was a bit pricey given the fact that I didn't love them.

(Really? $20 for an ugly art apron that will eventually get stained and ruined...no thanks.)

I picked up a kids size apron at Michael's. It normally was only about $5 but I used a 40% off coupon so it was less then $3. And then I bought an iron on sparkly cupcake, applied it, and voila, a really cute art apron!

The final cost was only about $5. My daughter thinks it is great and wears it when she does art and when she is pretending to cook in her kitchen! And I don't care if it gets stained and eventually needs to be replaced! Win win!

Magnetic Chore Chart

From: http://www.u-createcrafts.com/

SUPPLIES:

-Wood (10x15 inches)
-Wood Block (Approx. 1.75x6 inches)
-Chipboard piece (11x17 inches)
-2 pieces of scrapbook paper PER chart
-Mod Podge
-Foam Brush
-Vinyl (optional)
-Sheet Metal (Found mine at Home Depot for .99 - in Roofing section)
-Accent/Plant Gems ($1 at Dollar Tree)
-Magnets
-Chore pics (clipart included)
-Hot Glue Gun
-Tacks (optional - at Lowe's - 24 pk. for $1)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Begin by spray painting your piece of sheet metal with spray enamel (or you can leave it unpainted cuz it looks cute both ways!) Let dry.

2. When sheet metal is dry, add your vinyl to the sheet metal or you can paint/stencil or use marker to add the T chart on yourself. Spray with 2 coats of Polyurethane to make sure paint won't chip off of the sheet metal. Let dry.

3. Trace onto the BACK of your chipboard the design you want it to have. I made mine have scalloped edges for my daughter's, and just a simple straight edge for my son's.

4. Mod Podge scrapbook paper to the FRONT of your chipboard paper. You will need two pieces to cover the whole piece. Let dry.

5. To make magnets you will need to cut circles around your chore clip art, and then mod podge them to the flat backs of the accent gems. Let dry. Once dry add magnet strip or small magnet to back.

6. When chipboard is dry, cut out your pattern from the back. You will then hot glue this to your piece of wood, making sure it is center. Also be sure to add hot glue to the chipboard piece and not the sheet metal because it will dry too fast to stick.

7. Add your ribbon to the back of your wood. I do this by turning the board over, marking the very center top, and then measure two inches on each side. Staple the ribbon on the 2 inch marks and tie a square knot (right over left, left over right).

8. When sheet metal is dry, hot glue this to your scrapbook paper/chipboard in the center. Be sure to hot glue the paper and not the back of the metal or the hot glue will dry before you can put them together.

9. Paint wood blocks or wood rectangle where your child's name will be. Let dry. Once dry add name to the blocks with vinyl or you can paint or stencil it on.

10. To make sure the sheet metal sticks well, add tacks to the four corners of the sheet metal.

11. Hot glue name block(s) to the top center of your board.

Taffy (Candy) Pinwheel

Supplies Needed:

~ Taffy
~ Craft or floral wire
~ 3mm clear beads
~ GCD Pattern Paper
~ Scissors
~ Ruler
~ Skewers
~ Ribbon

Step 1:
Cut your pattern paper into a 4x4 inch square.


Step 2:

Using your ruler find the center point and draw a line from one point to the opposite point and then do it again to the other side (so you end up with and x on your paper) (oh and do this on the side that will not be showing ;))




Step 3:

Cut along the lines making sure to leave enough space in the center to fold up the sides.

Step 4: (optional) I found it useful to cut the corners off the end you are going to fold up to the middle because it's attached to a wire and putting a hole at the end can make it tear.


Step 5: Punch holes in the center and on one of each of the opposite corners.

Step 6:

On the non-pointed side cut off some floral wire and wrap it around the top. Add a round bead to the top (this is how your pinwheel will spin).

Step 7:

Put the wire through the center of the paper and fold up the corners by putting the wire through the holes to secure.

Step 8:
Attach another round bead to the center and pull up the remaining wire and then tuck back into the bead to secure.

Step 9:

On the pointed end add on the taffy by poking a hole into the taffy and "threading" it up onto the stick. When you are done adding the taffy cut off the pointed end with your scissors (to prevent small children from getting hurt). Tie a ribbon on the bottom and you are done.

There you have it - a super simple idea to brighten someone's day!

Play Tent-2

From:  http://www.3punksmom.blogspot.com/

You will need:

2 twin flat sheets {matching, for side walls}
1 twin fitted sheet (or flat) {for tent top}
1 queen flat sheet {for scallop}
3 packages of 1/2" double fold bias tape
35"-36" hula hoop


Start by cutting your pattern piece for the tent top. Cut a string to 30". Take the string and hold it on a scrap piece of fabric to make the pattern. Hold the pencil at the end of the 30" length and pull taut. Make a mark to remember where you started. Holding the pencil, swing the pencil, keeping it taut and draw a line (it will be arced) to the other 30" line. Your arc will be 28.75" in length (run a fabric tape along the arc line to make sure right)

Now take the 2 flat sheets and sew 2 sides together. Think about that the large hem that is normally at the top of the bed sheet when made, is going to be the bottom hem of your tent.

Fold the sheet in half to make it easier. Measure up from the large hem 7 feet.

Cut off the excess. Set aside until we need it again

Take your triangle shaped pattern piece and cut 4 identical pieces out of the twin fitted sheet (or the third flat sheet, if that's what you bought)

Sew 2 of the triangles together

Now take the top strap (made one by using a 9"x2" piece of fabric, stitched RST and turned right side out and pressed) and place it right over the seam you just made. pin the next triangle down, making sure to sew on strap. Sew the next triangle in the same manner, making sure not to catch strap

All pieces sewn and strap is lookin' good. Set aside until we need it again

Take the queen sheet you are using for the scallop and fold it squarely and straight so it is easier to cut. You want to cut the longest side (102") to get the maximum length. Cut 3 pieces 9" wide. You end up with 3 9" wide and 102" long pieces. Trim off the large 4" hem (the one that is normally at the top of the sheet) So now your piece of fabric is 98" long. Your scallop needs to be 120" long, so take one of the other 9" piece you cut and cut off 22" to attach it to this one.

Make two of these. You will be layering them together.

Take one of your 120" x 9" pieces and start folding it accordion style. Make sure to press each fold so it keeps its measurements. Take care to keep the measurement at 3" every time you fold as seen above

I folded a piece of paper at 3" to match my fabric and then made my own scallop as a guide to cut. Now I own Gingher scissors and they had no problem cutting thru all these folds. Just make sure your scissors are sharp enough to make this cut. Also, make sure the orientation of your fabric is the same on both scallops once you cut them both.

Once both scallops are cut, lay them on top of each other with wrong sides together. There will be some differences in the scallop, so just trim where needed and start pinning the bias tape on, taking care as you get to the points. I found it easier to open up the tape and get it close and then close the tape back over and pin.

Scallop all sewn up...Progress!

Pin the scallop to the tent top, right sides together, matching up the seams. I made a decision as to what was going to be the back and front at this point and stuck with it

Sew using a 5"8 seam to allow for room in the future

Now, take the sewn up tent top that has the scallop now sewn to it and place it right side down on top of the tent walls that you had sewn together earlier. Again, make sure to line up the back wall seam to the back tent top seam here. You will not pin it to the very top. Use a scrap piece of fabric cut to 5.5" as a marker. Take that marker and measure from the top of the tent wall down and pin the tent top there. Pin all the way around, using this method. I pinned about 1/4 way around to one side, then I went around to the front and started pinning. In the front , you want to gather up the fabric a little to create a drape look. In the measurement( 120") I deliberately made it a little longer so we can have that drape effect.

Here is the tent top fully pinned to the tent walls with the 5.5" excess

(will be used for the hoop pocket)

Now, you will be able to use the original seam and use it as a guide to sew now. Sew just inside that original seam. I sewed about 1/4 inch away from it. It is very important to go slow and check under all the fabric to make sure you are not catching fabric that should not be sewn. Again, slow and check!

Turn right side out to check your work.....we're getting there!

Turn back inside out and find the seam you just sewed

Iron that 5.5" hem under a 1/2" and then fold it over and using the stitches you just sewed as a guide, pin it to the same seam allowance (the 5/8" one)

Here we go again, sew in between these two stitches. Again, making sure not to catch anything under that shouldn't be there...take your time

Take your hula hoop and cut it to open it up

 Fish the hula hoop thru the pocket you just made. Once you get it all the way in, grab some duct tape and tape it back together

Here's the view from inside looking up

Stand back and admire your work

I know this is a long tutorial. There are several steps that require some time. But, I really want you guys to make it!!!! As I was designing and learning it, I thought it would be perfect for a sew-along. I can break it down into several weeks that make it easier, and motivating! Is anyone interested in that? If there is enough interest, I would love to do it. Just leave a comment if you'd like to!