Teacher Gift: Class Birthday Chart

March 20, 2014 by Kelly Dedeaux

Happy Thursday ya’all! I’m so excited to share a fun Teacher Gift: Class Birthday Chart with you today as part of a Craft Lightning Teacher Appreciation week!

Learn more about the Craft Lightning week at the bottom, with LOTS more Teacher Gift ideas! First off, here’s how you can do this quick and oh-so-cute Class Birthday Chart. I chose to do mine in a puzzle theme, because that’s how Wonder Woman’s teacher has her classroom set up….she loves puzzles!

Supplies

Board (wood or foam board – I used a foam board sized 28″ x 10″)
Spray paint – for board
Letter Stickers – for words/months
Shape/design stickers – such as my puzzle pieces
Ribbon
Shapes/pieces – for the names/dates (I used blank puzzle pieces)
Glue and/or Tape
Pen – for writing names (I used a permanent marker with a fine tip)

Directions

Spray paint your board (1 minute). Allow to dry completely
Measure to the middle of the board, then move out from there to put your month stickers on. Then add any words/titles/designs you’d like to the rest of the board. (6-9 minutes)
Write the names and day of the birthdays on the pieces you chose. (2-3 minutes)
Glue or tape ribbon strips behind the board, under which month they go to. (1-2 minutes)
Glue or tape the pieces to the ribbon in which month they go to. (1-2 minutes)
Glue or tape a ribbon behind the board at the top, to hang. (1 minute)

Notes: For the pieces, I just wrote each child’s first name and the date their birthday falls on. For example, ‘Rob’s’ birthday is March 3rd. So on a piece I write ‘Rob’ then put a ‘3’ under his name on the piece. That piece then goes onto the ribbon hanging under Mar (March).

See how easy this Class Birthday Chart is? Quick, fun and you can customize it to match the teacher’s classroom! We’re so excited to give it to Wonder Woman’s teacher soon! Yes, this is just like my previous Birthday Calendar DIY I made for my family. So fun!

Check this out…..

What a super cute Free Printable Happy Birthday Bookmark from Bombshell Bling! I’m sure any teacher would appreciate these cute bookmarks, where they can fill in special ‘gifts’ for their students throughout the year on their birthdays. Go get your free printables at Bombshell Bling now!

For the Craft Lightning week, each day a group of fabulous bloggers shares a fun and QUICK teacher gift. They all take 15 minutes or less (excludes drying/inactive time), just like the Class Birthday Chart and Happy Birthday Bookmarks! Go check out the other fabulous ideas!

One in a Minion Valentine

January 22, 2014 by Kelly Dedeaux

Yup, another Minion. Of course, there’s a few things that could go along with this darling Minion Valentine Free Printable: You’re One in a Minion, Valentine!

Minion Valentine with Free Printable / Busy Mom's Helper

or you could do something like: I’m Bananas for You, Valentine!

Either way, so dang cute!

Here’s how you can make your own…just print out this sheet…

Then use scrapbook paper to cut out the different shapes. Don’t forget to add hair with a marker, if desired!

Then tape the hands around a banana and Viola! You’re done! You can even use this for more than just a Valentine – decor, cards, art project with the kiddos…whatever your little Minion heart desires!

Now, ASSEMBLE THE MINIONS, and get to work! 🙂

14 Gifts of Valentines with Free Printables, plus MORE

January 19, 2014 by Kelly Dedeaux

Do you go all out for Valentine’s Day, or keep it mellow? Do you love the holiday, or find it annoying? Me, I’m kind of a mix. Mostly since we haven’t done TOO much in the past for Valentine’s day. Either because we were busy with school/kids/life, or couldn’t afford it (or BOTH, usually). Now that we’re past the college years (Hallelujah – imagine angels singing here), we’re still really watching our budget and our lives are busier than ever – but I want to make a better effort to show Hubby he’s loved and appreciated. So this Valentine’s, I decided to do the: 14 Gifts of Valentines

Day 1: I’m so glad you ‘CHEWS’ to be with me! (gum)

Day 2: We’re ‘MINT’ to be together! (tic tacs, mints)

Day 3: I’ve got a CRUSH on you (Crush soda)

Day 4: I’ll Always BURN for you (hot tomales)

FREE PRINTABLE TAG

Day 5: Our love will never ‘FIZZLE’ out! (soda pop)

Day 6: Let’s STICK together forever (duct tape)

Day 7: You’re the APPLE of my eye! (apple, apple cider, apple candy, etc.)

Day 8: I’m totally NUTS about you! (nuts)

FREE PRINTABLE TAG

Day 9: You’re my best CATCH (swedish fish)

Day 10: You’re my best MATEY! (Chips Ahoy)

Day 11: I’m BANANAS for you! (Monkey/banana)

Day 12: You always MELT my heart (melting chocolate, covered strawberries)

Day 13: Can’t BEAR to be without you! (gummy bears)

FREE PRINTABLE TAG

Day 14: ‘Honey Comb’ your hair, ’cause we’re going out! (Honey Comb cereal with dinner certificate)

I’m really excited to share these with him – although I will admit I’m giving them to him early, since I don’t think he’ll truly avoid looking at this post! Oh well, he can feel special even if it’s not Valentine’s exactly, right? It’s NEVER the wrong time to give your honey a bit of extra lovin’!

Here’s some other fabulous Valentines ideas!

50+ Great Valentine's Ideas on { lilluna.com } #valentines

50 Handmade Valentine’s Ideas

from Lil’ Luna

Valentine’s Day Envelope Memory Book

from The Dating Divas

50 Cute Sayings for Valentines

from Skip To My Lou

100 Clever Valentine’s Day Sayings

from Creating Really Awesome Free Things

14 Days of Valentines Free Printables

from Mommy By Day Crafter By Night

Superhero Hooded Towels Tutorial

January 8, 2014 by Kelly Dedeaux

We love hooded towels at our house. It’s just nice to literally wrap them up completely after their bath (for the boys) or for my girl to wrap herself up. They think it’s lots of fun, too! The ones we did have were from when they were smaller – animals such as a lion, shark, duck and frog, and a princess crown one for my girl. They were fine, yes, but having grown so much, it didn’t cover completely. Or really at all – like from the hood on their heads down to their little bums. Then they’d try to curl up their legs to dry off and stay warm, without much success. It was time to replace them, that’s for sure!

I wanted BIG hooded towels this time. And I mean HUGE!!! So really, you don’t need to sew two full towels together, I just chose to for this.

Supplies – per towel

Two bath towels ($3 each at Walmart)

One hand towel ($2 at Walmart)

Felt of color choice for details

Here are the color schemes:

Wonder Woman: Blue, Yellow & Red. She has white stars on the bottom, and a gold crown with red star.

Superman: Blue, Yellow & Red. His cape is red, along with part of his pants. Top and pants are blue. Yellow Belt.

Batman: Black & Yellow, or you could do grey as well. I added bat ears to the hood – too cute! Yellow belt.

Green Lantern: Green, White & Black

Directions

Take the two towels and sew them together, with a nice seam. Make sure the prettiest edge is on the outside. (sorry for the terrible pic – was taken in my craft room at night, since the kids couldn’t see them in the day or I’d be totally busted!) The part that’s showing here should go on the INSIDE of the towel.

I thought they looked best with this seam running vertical. Place the hand towel with one long edge along the top of your ‘bottom’ you just created. Again, make sure the prettiest seams are going to be on the outside! Like in this picture below…pretty seams on the outside!

Then take the very top of the hand towel, fold and sew together.

Use the felt to create some Logos, Crowns, Belts, Stars, Bat Ears…..give them personality, just like the kiddos! Then just sew them on – the smallest felt pieces (logos and crown) were done by hand stitch, the rest on my normal sewing machine

See the adorable little bat ears? I LOVE LOVE LOVE them!!! So does my little Batman 🙂

Sorry I don’t have a pic of my Green Lantern – he was ultra grumpy this week with schedules going back to normal. I’ll try to nab a photo this weekend and include it 🙂

What hooded towel would YOU love to make, and for who?

Over 400 Stocking Stuffer Ideas

December 13, 2013 by Kelly Dedeaux

Every year, I have no trouble making a huge (like, over the top) list of gifts I’d love to get my kids. Then I have to cut it down a LOT. The stocking stuffers, on the other hand, are such a struggle for me! My problem is, I don’t want to spend much on the stuffers, but don’t want to give them ‘junk’ stuff, either. This year, I’ve got it all taken care of – check out these lists of Over 400 Stocking Stuffer Ideas that helped me out, with TONS of ideas, for anyone on your list!

Over 400 Stocking Stuffer Ideas / Busy Mom's Helper

Here we go…..

Happy Stocking Stuffing!!!

Cocoa Gift Hats

December 7, 2013 by Kelly Dedeaux

So I’m really good at lists – obsessed, as Hubby would say – so I do really well in the holiday season with keeping track of what we got for which kid (and who it’s from). That said, in the past I’ve often struggled remembering the smaller gifts – for neighbors, friends, co-workers, church family – until the last minute. Ya, shame on me, I know! This year, though, I’m planning ahead and have LOTS of different ideas for some fun little-gift-giving! This is just a simple Cocoa Gift Hat gift that we’re giving my daughter’s classmates. Super easy, super cute, and super cost-effective!

Cocoa Gift Hat with Free Printable Pattern / Busy Mom's Helper

One bonus about these is that you can make them really customized…make them YOURS. So even if all your kids make these for their friends, they can do something unique (a special color, different stamp, etc.) to make them stand apart from the others. Really, these Cocoa Gift Hats are just super fun, and

Supplies Needed

Gray-patterned (or desired) color paper – for hat
Red (or desired color) paper – for strap across hat
Stamp and ink of choice (I did ‘Merry Christmas’ in silver ink)
Snowflake sticker, or other cute accent
Clear baggie – I got mine at Walmart
Cocoa – loose powder or a packet
Mini Marshmallows
Peppermints, Andies Candies, etc.
Tape or glue

Directions

1. First, print these shapes out. Then use them as stencils to trace your hat and strap shapes.

2. Glue or tape the strap shape across the hat. Use the stamp on the left side, accent (sticker) on the right.

3. Attach the baggie behind the hat with tape or glue. Fill with cocoa (powder or packet), marshmallows and mints.

Have fun with it!!!

Witch Broom Party Gifts

October 28, 2013 by Kelly Dedeaux

Okay, I have to admit that I haven’t fully come to terms with the fact that Halloween is this week. I mean, SERIOUSLY! Where the heck did October go?!?! It seems like every year, once October hits time just FLIES until January. Agh!!! Anywho – here’s a fun, simple little Halloween craft that’s great for party favors, neighbor gifts, or even for trick-or-treaters (if you spend more time than I do – I just go straight from the bag, not even putting treats in the bowl). You’ll love this darling Witch Brooms, plus a treat is never bad, right?

Supplies
Suckers
Tissue Paper
Black stamp pad, or marker (or Brown, up to you)
Ribbon or thread
Embellishments, tag, etc. to decorate

Directions
Use the black stamp pad or marker to color the sucker sticks black. Or brown, if you so desire.

Take about 4-6 square pieces of tissue paper, fanning them out, then poke the sucker stick through the middle. Fold the tissue paper down and around the sucker part, to be the broom piece.

Use ribbon to tie the base of the stick, above the tissue paper, and along the bottom of the sucker. This really helps hold it in place, and give it the ‘broom’ look.

Then just primp it up with a cute card, tag, or embellishments like witch shoes or maybe a black cat. Use a fun saying like ‘We ‘Witch’ You a Happy Halloween’ or ‘Have a Be-Witching good Halloween’. Have fun with it!

Tasty Spider Gift

October 9, 2013 by Kelly Dedeaux

These are an oldie-but-a-goodie. My kids actually made them at my mom’s house last Halloween-time, and I snapped a photo of those ones so I could try to do them again. Behold, Tasty Spider Gift second edition! These fun little gifts are so simple, cost-friendly (Booyah!) and cute that kids AND adults alike will love them!

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Supplies

Little Canisters with removable lids

Tape or Hot Glue

Googly Eyes

Black Pipe Cleaners (or colorful, your choice)

Jewel, pom-pom – something for a nose

Candies to hide inside!

Directions

I got my little canisters at a Family Dollar, and they were only about 50 Cents a piece. So….take your little canisters……

….and glue four pipe cleaners per side (spiders have eight legs, remember?) to the bottom of the canisters. I used black because that’s what I had on-hand, but making fun colorful spider legs would be awesome!

Next, glue on the Googly Eyes and Nose to the lid.

Fill with candy, replace the lid and VIOLA!!! A really easy, inexpensive little treat craft for the kids (adult-kids also included)!

Did you see my other fun Halloween Craft this week?

Cute Witchy Hat

Superhero Soda Gift

June 23, 2013 by Kelly Dedeaux

Have you noticed yet that my family’s a bunch of comic nerds? Or would it be geeks? Either way – that’s what we are, big time! My 6-year-old knows the difference between Justice League and Avengers. My boys will yell at you if you call the wrong hero the wrong name. It’s awesome! So, for Father’s Day, we wanted to do something ultra-nerdy and fun and decided to give Flash a gift that was simple, tasty, and reflected our family. Thus – our Superhero Soda Gift! Since there are 6 bottles in the set, each bottle represented a family member – perfect!

Superhero Soda Gift with Free Printables / Busy Mom's Helper

Being our nerdy selves, each of us has a Superhero name. My daughter is Wonder Woman, twins are Superman and Batman, and the youngest is Green Lantern. Hubby is Flash, and I’m Hawk Girl (when the kids say this, it sounds like ‘Hot Girl’ – not going to complain about that!).

Here’s the full Superhero Soda Gift set, in all it’s nerdy-glory!

Supplies

6-pack of IBC cream soda (or orange – just so long as the bottles are clear)
Printables, found below
Tape or Mod Podge
M&Ms, Skittles or other candies the correct color (small enough to fit into the bottle)

Directions

Print and cut out the printable pages found below. Use tape or Mod Podge to attach them to the box, trimming any excess. Attach the labels to the top of the bottle caps, and tape the bottle wraps around each bottle.

Fill each bottle with the appropriate color of treats. Here’s the colors we did:

Flash: Red and yellow
Hawk Girl: Red and yellow (could also use black – but I didn’t know what candy to do for that)
Wonder Woman: Red, yellow and blue
Batman: Yellow (could also use black/grey – again, no idea what candy)
Superman: Red, yellow and blue
Green Lantern: Green (again, black could be used)

Replace the caps, and you’re good to go!

Notes: If using M&Ms, I found that in the 3 huge bags we had to use, there were more blues than any other color, except maybe brown. In all of those 3 bags – so that may just be the normal! Other thoughts for candies: Lemon Heads, small Swedish Fish, Skittles, Nerds, etc.

Printable Pages

Front of Box, Front of Handle, 2 Bottle Toppers