May Day Flowers

Today our homeschool group is taking May Baskets to a nursing home our church has been ministering to. I thought I would share with you the two kinds of flowers we made!

One is the traditional tissue paper flower made with tissue paper and chenille stems.

Here is a video showing the basics of how we made them. The only difference is we only used 3 pieces of tissue and didn't trim the edges.

The other kind of flower was easier to make but not quite as attractive as when I saw it on Pinterest because I forgot to tell the kids to turn the paper the other way!

Here's the original pin I got the idea from in case you want to do it right!

Remembering Last Year's TEN TURKEY CRAFTS in TEN DAYs

I'm going to focus learning more about Hanukkah this year than Thanksgiving crafts, but I wanted to reminisce about last year's TEN TURKEYS IN TEN DAYS! (BTW, be looking for a post about Hanukkah next week!)

Day 1


Day 2


Day 3 & 4


Days 5-8



Days 9-10

AWANA Cubbies studying Creation Week

One of the reasons I've been too busy to check in daily is because I'm the director/leader of our Cubbies group.

Over the next few meetings, we'll be covering the days of creation. AWANA provides a lot of great things to use, but I get bored with just worksheets in class. On the other hand, I've been trying to provide parents with some additional worksheets which support our memory verses and preschool learning in general. 

I thought I'd share some things I have found to incorporate. 

First, I think this is so cool. It's the days of creation by a Jewish homeschooler. I LOVE how to tell a Kosher fish!


I am going to be using a simpler version of this for our next meeting. I had the Cubbies hands traced a few times, will cut them out beforehand, and make a smaller version of the sun for day 4 of creation. We'll stick the memory verse in the middle instead of a face.


I had also like this idea but thought it too much for one Cubbies meeting.


This is a cute creation book. Love it being hands-on.


This creation pack is cute but practical. It covers the days of creation and includes number and letter writing practice.


Lastly, here's a site with all kinds of worksheets, activities and even a Genesis lapbook!


Do you have any great resources for teaching creation?

Patching Holes in Jeans with Crochet

For some reason, my daughter is getting holes in the knees of her jeans.
I'm not a big seamstress nor am I financially able to just go out and purchase new ones.

So I used crochet!

First, we had one just horizontal tear. I cleaned up strands and crocheted around the edges as you would a pillowcase our towel.

I crocheted a second row around using a slip stitch chain 3 around. Then I crocheted across the hole connect each a loop on each side with a chain 3. This is what the final result looked like.

This is what it looked like on.

Oh, for this pair of jeans, I used Lion Brand Trellis. I chose that one because, well, it's cool looking but also because it is nylon making it a little stretchy. I thought a little stretchy would be good on the knee especially since the jeans were also stretchy.

The other pair of jeans had the hole a little lower than the knee and x-shaped. First, I laid it flat and joined the edges with just a few stitches. Nothing pretty. Just enough to hold it together.

This was before the few stitches.

Next, I crocheted a doily just large enough to totally cover the whole area. This is the pattern I used. I think I only went to round 5 and ended with this...

You would normally sew this on with pink thread, but I didn't have pink. I used a light tan thread. I put a booklet in the slender leg of the jeans which allowed me to sew against it without attempting to stick my hand in the jeans.

Here's the finished product!

I sewed right around the center, around the middle of the circle and then around the edge very well. 

She think she's all cool now and I think her jeans aren't so uber-poor looking!
It's win-win!

Prettifying our new Whiteboard

We were given a new whiteboard which we definitely needed.

It is about 2 ft. by 3 ft., but there was one problem. If you accidentally marked over the edge or erased over the edge, you left it on the wall. 

Not good.

Duct tape to the rescue. I put it front and back around the edges. After all, I didn't want the tape to stick to the wall!
Here's the final product.

We think it looks pretty!

World Snake Day--Easy snake crafts

Considering all the wars and international unrest it's nice to know that the world can agree on one day to celebrate snakes!

It's a start.

Here's a few ideas from Pinterest to help you celebrate.

Fireworks craft--coffee filters, rubber bands, markers

Here is another firework-type craft. 

I say firework-type because you can also make flowers from them or if you use fall-ish colors, they can be great turkey tails or cut out for fall leaves.

All you need is...

They do need to be washable markers in order to get the right effect.
You flatten a coffee filter, fold it in half and continue to fold the cone shape in half until it gets small. (Think folding like you do for snowflakes only using a coffee filter.)
Then you take a rubber band and wrap it around the coffee filter in different locations and tightness. It will look like this after you have folded and wrapped the rubber band.

The next step you can see started in the above picture.  You start coloring in all the different sections in whatever color you choose. It will look like this.

Next, you stick it in a cup of water or run it under a facet for a few seconds and then squeeze out the excess. Remove the rubber band and...

Ta Dah!

It's tie-dye fireworks!!

Fireworks Artwork---paper, paint, glitter glue & chenille stems.

Unless you are my age group---then you need pipe cleaners instead of chenille stems! ;-)

I mentioned on my previous post about Flag Day/Fourth of July crafts. Although I had to do it differently, of course!

First, we bent 4 stem in half, twisted the "handle" and spread out the legs. We used white poster paint on black construction paper to make the basic firework shape.

Here is what one looked like after we were done with this step.

Now you could sprinkle regular glitter on the wet paint if you wanted to do so, however, I had a goal of getting some fine motor skill practice for some smaller fingers.

So, we let the paint dry and then used some glitter glue to decorate our fireworks.
Here are some of the finished fireworks!

Tomorrow we'll do a different for of "fireworks" that can also be used for flowers and other things.

Flag Day and Fourth of July Patriotic Craft Ideas--Pinterest

I think I will do a few over the next few weeks building from Flag Day to Independence Day.

Father's Day Gifts to Make or have Made

Father's Day is coming up. Unfortunately, I sometimes think it gets overshadowed by the thrill of early summer.

First, let's make remembering it easy by somethings we can have made for dad.

I've had one of these done before. To get it for Father's Day, you need to order by June 1 for Standard Shipping, June 4 for Expedited Shipping, and June 6 for Priority Shipping. 

It was so easy to upload. The hardest part was deciding on the photo!

I'm actually thinking about getting this one. My hubby loves mugs. Guaranteed delivery by Father's Day if ordered by May 31. Shipping starts at $5.99. Use the code MYMUG. It's for new customers only.

Now, some Pinterest ideas.

 This site actually has several printable, easy to do gift ideas. I particularly like this "pop" one because it goes to show that it's POP not SODA!!!   ;-)

"Following in your footsteps" bookmarks. I would write that phrase and the child's name, age and the date on the back. So cute!

Hero Stones. Such a cool idea to keep around where dad can be reminded. 

Mija has started to learn how to crochet, but this is still beyond her at this point. I also like it because you don't seem to see filet crochet as much anymore.

Easter Projects: Resurrection Rolls and Stained Glass Cross

Yesterday we did do projects for Easter. One was art and one was baking, but both focused on the real reason for the season.

First, I had come across a cute idea which I posted on Pinterest. I had to use what I had available, so our stained glass cross was a little different.

We didn't have cling-on paper, so I used clear contact paper. We tore off the backing a little at a time and put torn tissue right on the back.

We didn't want to just remember the cross, so we went a step further. I wrote "He Is Risen" on the contact paper and then we tissued the back just like we did on the cross.

I would have used the black Sharpee, but again, we used what we had! I then cut out the words leaving the outline intact. 

Here's our finished project.

I just attached it with household tape. It looks really cool during the day, too, with the sun behind it, but I didn't want you to see the boxes and laundry!

Then in the evening we made Resurrection Rolls. It's been a few years since we've made them, so the experience was fresh for mija.

All you need is a roll of biscuits (you know, the scary kind that can pop at any moment), marshmallows (preferably white mini or large ones cut in half), a little butter, and a little cinnamon sugar.

You set the oven temperature according to the container.

You use these items to tell the resurrection story.

First, you spread out the biscuit explaining that Jesus was laid in a borrowed tomb.

Then you lay Jesus (the marshmallow) in the tomb. He's white because He's been wrapped in grave clothes.

Jesus laying in the tomb anointed with oil and spices.

Then you put a little butter and cinnamon sugar on Jesus. It was a speedy burial, so they couldn't prepare the body fully but did put some spices on him when he was buried (John 19:40).

Of course, the tomb needs to be sealed up tightly by folding the biscuit over and pressing the edges together.

The sealed tomb.

We put the tombs in the oven for about 10 minutes. Check on yours. When they are golden brown remove them. Let them cool for a few minutes.

When you are ready to open them...

Jesus is gone! He's risen from the dead!

Little ones really are gobsmacked by it and even mija was asking "Where did Jesus go?"

Of course, the marshmallow has melted in the oven leaving behind an empty (and yummy) tomb.

We actually made three each allowing each of us to have a turn to tell the resurrection story.

There are many kinds of resurrection rolls recipes, but I really like this one because of the ease and the obvious object lesson.

Crocheted Doll Slippers

Of late, I've been craving the feel of a hook and yarn in my hands. I love to crochet. I think it is so cool to start with a ball of yarn and a hook and within a few minutes something starts to form. It is a very small taste of what God felt when creating the earth. 

Well, I came across a pattern which I just had to jump on. It would be fast, easy, and be fun for mija.

It was for little slipper that were supposed to be used for shower gifts. I saw more potential however, because they could obviously be worn by a doll!
Here's a link to the pin for pattern:

Source: mycrochetstuff.blogspot.com viaBetsy Price on Pinterest

Mija has Faith and Friends dolls which are larger than the usual fashion dolls but smaller then American Girl dolls. It's always challenging to find new clothing for them.
But now, one has new slippers.

I don't think they are too bad considering I haven't crocheted in a few years.
I did change a couple of things in the pattern. In row 4, I put all the DC and HDC in the back loop of the stitch in order to make it curve over the toe better. Also, I just caught the end of the strap in my stitch as I went around the edging thereby negating the need of sewing the strap down.

And it ended up being a double blessing. Not only did I make some shoes for mija's doll, but she wanted to begin learning to crochet!

It's a work in progress, but she definitely made a start in learning the chain stitch. I'll probably make a few more pairs of shoes in order to encourage her to keep on practicing. 
And of course, learning to crochet is school hours that don't seem like school!

Wednesday Websites--art and craft

I'm starting a new series on Wednesdays. I'll be sharing websites that I come across. 

I'll also continue to post them on my Helpful Homeschool Website page.
Have you used my page before?

Today's topic will be Arts and Crafts.

One email I look forward to checking out comes from All Free Kids Crafts. The ideas I really like I pin. You can always just go check out the site instead of getting emails. 


Everyday Art was a community art project from a few years ago, but each assignment is still available online. There is a gallery of photos of projects that were submitted at the time. Some projects take months, some only a few minutes. Some cute ideas to use or use as a jump off place.

Garden of Praise is really cool. It has entries for famous artists which tell their stories and show a variety of their artwork. Then it has online puzzles, games and printables which review the artist and what was covered. These are at an elementary level but enjoyable for all.
The site has a lot of free resources on other subjects, too!

What are some resources you use? Please share!

And the Valentine Winner is...

Have you missed me? Life has been in an uproar the past week. It looks like more uproar is coming in the near future, but hopefully, I can get back on top of things. Thanks for your patience.

I posted about possible Valentines mija could make for  our homeschool group today.

The winner is...

The Flower!

We made a few changes to the original one from Pinterest.

Source: stamping.craftgossip.com via Betsy Price on Pinterest

We left off the phrase "I'm as sucker for you, Valentine" and added a leave where she signed her now. She colored each flower, too, instead of pre-printed paper.Here is a close-up of a finished flower pop.