4th of July Craft Collection

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I've been busy as a bee making some 4th of July Crafts, wanna see?? 

Rag Wreath and Ra Ra

 

Tin Can Craft

 

Iris Folding Star Craft 

 

 Here's a simple Betsy Ross-ish flag ( I made 12 stars instead of the traditional 13). For this craft all you need is:

Small rectangular piece of wood

red, white, umber, and blue paint

paintbrush

I just found a good picture of a Betsy Ross flag and went to town. I sketched it briefly with a pencil and then painted the stripes area all white and the stars area all blue, letting the areas dry before adding any more. Then, I added red stripes and white stars. I did this on all sides of the wood block for some consistency.  When everything was dry, I did mixed some raw umber and water and did a light wash over the whole piece to give it some aging. I let is dry and Voila!! All done.

 

 

Just today I made a little 3d star garland. Simple and easy. HERE is the link for the 5 point star pattern. It's really basic and if you have the time I am sure you can do something A LOT better than what I did. Still, it's fun!!

 

Last but not least is a fun one for kiddo's. I currently host a craft time at my local library and this was our most recent project (that we'll finish this week).  What you need to make it is:

Crayons

Card Stock

Black Paint

Color a piece of card stock with as much crayon color as you can like this:

You want every bit of paper showing through covered with crayon. Once finished, paint it entirely with black paint and let it dry. Once it is completely dry, use something pointy to scratch your design on the surface. I went for fireworks to go with the 4th of July theme.  The trick to this craft is that the paint cannot adhere to the wax from the crayons, so it is easily etched away. Fun, eh??

I also wanted to tell you about the awesomest blog advertising company out there:

Social Spark is great. 

I totally recommend it!

Disclosure: I receive payments for people referred (and you will too if you use Social Spark!)

Here are the Parties I linked Up To!! Check them out and be INSPIRED!!

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Iris Folding Star 4th Craft

Oh, I'm getting my house all gussied up for the 4th!! Here is my latest Iris Folding craft. What do you think??

 If you are interested in learning to iris fold....look no further than THIS site. Circle of Crafters is the awesomest...and they have got plenty of tutorials and free patterns. For this project, I made my own pattern (yikes) and cut out my own template. I don't doubt that you can find a star template on CoC though. I'd look for you, but I've only been allotted 10 more minutes computer time by my family. :-)

For the matting around it a did a blue watercolor wash on a plain white cotton/linen piece of 8x11 paper. I trimmed it to fit the frame I wanted. I made the outer matting out of another piece of paper, a beautiful bright patriotic blue. To do this craft you absolutely need:

A selection of paper (including something heavier for the matting)

Scotch Tape

Exacto Knife

Frame

Watercolor paint (optional)

So, use that site I mentioned above and try some Iris Folding. I guarantee some "gussying-up" of the house. Check out THIS link to see some of my other projects I've done in this genre.

:-)

Here are the awesome sites I linked up to....check them out and be INSPIRED!!!!

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The Little Looster Review

Okay, this little step stool has saved my Munchkins butt. Seriously. It's called the Little Looster and I received it to review a few weeks ago. It has kept it's place of honor in our wash-closet since then and I have no intention of removing it. This thing is GREAT!! Here are some of the best features about it:

*Sitting on the Potty for little kiddo's can actually be comfortable!! No more dangling legs. 

*It helps potty training kiddo's feel more secure...and there is no need for a potty SEAT. They can practice the art of perching on the precipice with perfect poise. :-)   (Couldn't resist.)

*No more gripping the dirty seat to stop themselves from falling in. This booster is high and wide enough to give them much better balance and keep their hands free!! 

*It's only $39.99!! One of those cheap-o stepstools  usually goes for around $14.00 and this product is like 3 stepstools in one very great shape, perectly fitted to give great balance and support.

In my mind the best parts of this "booster for the loo" is that it gives confidence to children who are learning or practicing the art of potty training. I only wish I'd had this when my Munchkin first learned....we had quite a struggle transitioning from the little potty to the "big kids potty"....and I really think it had everything to do with the fact that there was no feeling of support when sitting on the big potty. The little looster helps to have your feet securely supported (on more than just a tiny step stool) and keep your knee's higher (rather than feet dangling) which is a better position for your body to relieve itself. I love that the Munchkin can practice sitting on the big seat and not use the potty seat on top of it....because, honestly, those things aren't that easy to clean. When asked what the munchkin thought of the Little Looster:
"It's so BIG!!"

 And, yes, it is large....but still convenient in the bathroom for adults. It does not get in the way of adult use of the restroom, and I can't say the same for the little step stool we were using before. We constantly had to move it out of the way because the way it had to be situated for the munchkin to use it left it right in the middle of things.This Looster stays tucked away neatly by the toliet, accessible for little feet and out of the way of the big feet.

If you would like to learn more about the Little Looster check out these links:

www.littlelooster.com 

or find Monica Mylet (the designer) on Twitter and follow the Companys grwoth and be a part of exciting contest:

Loostermama 

I received this product for free to review and all parts of my review are 100% my opinion. Believe me when I say that if I don't like something, YOU WILL KNOW IT. If I didn't like this product, I would have made it perfectly clear. Therefore, you can and should assume that I absolutely love this product and if Monica made it for adults I would buy one for myself.;-)