Personalized Gym Bag

This is a fun craft for Mom to make for their sons and daughters who love sports! Or you can even get the kids involved and help to create a bag that is perfect for them.

Materials needed:

• 1 yard each of narrow offray coordinating soccer ribbons (or ribbon of your choice)
• 6" wide solid ribbon
• Felt numbers and letters
• 1 Decorative patch
• Coordinating buttons
• 1 Gym bag
• Glue
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Apply the narrow ribbons across the front of the nag and glue into place.
2. Add patches and player's name and number to personalize the bag.
3. Add buttons for a finsihing touch.

*You can do the same project for any sport --just purchase related ribbons for that project. (ie...football,tennis,golf etc...)
**You can even make it girly bag by making a ballerina bag, tennis bag,acting bag or even an overnight bag---just purchase appropriate ribbons to make it girly. Use your imagination and have fun!

Books related to project:

"My four-year-old son loves all of the Froggy books! And when he signed up to play soccer, we read this book every night for the entire season. He chants "Head it, boot it, knee it, shoot it . . . " before every game or practice. We are now buying a copy for the team to autograph and give to the coach. Every soccer mom should get this book! (As well as the other Froggy books!)" Reviewed by: Anonymous
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"Yes, this is a beautiful, moving story of a girl's dream come true. I bought it for my 6 year-old grandaughter who loves her ballet lessons. I hope the book will encourage her to pursue her own dreams, whatever they may be. This is an example of a classic in children's literature. It can be read again and again and has life lessons for the young and the old" Reviewed by: L Stubbs 
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Ribbon Wrapped Headband

I found this cute little craft in Joanne's the other day when I took my daughter to get some fabric for a project.

Supplies you will need:

• A plain headband
• 2 yards of 7/8" ribbon
• 1 and 3/4 yards of 1/4" ribbon
• Scissors
• Fabric glue

Directions:

1. Glue the end of 7/8" ribbon to the inside at one end of the headband.
2. Wrap the ribbon around the headband and repeat,overlapping each previous wrap slightly until the entire headband is covered.
3. Cut and glue the ribbon end to the inside of the headband to finish.
4. Glue the 14" ribbon to the inside of the headband on top of the other ribbon.
5. Wrap the ribbon around the headband on top of the 7/8" ribbon,spacing the wraps equally apart to create a striped effect.
6. Finish by gluing the ribbon to the inside of the headband
7. With the remaining 7/8" ribbon,make a 2 looped bow and glue it onto the top of the headband for added decoration.

***You can make other bands like the ones here by adding decorative cloth daisies,beads,lace and ornamental things.

Books related to our topic:

"I loved this book! I got my first relaxer at 8 or 9 so I have never learned to care for natural hair. This became a big problem when my daughter was born with a head full of it. I got through the baby stage OK, but now she is two and her hair is thick and kinky. After using styles that put too much stress on her hair, big chunks started to fall out and I knew I had to do something. I went to the Web to see if I could find a site or book that talked about hair styles for African-American children. I found Kinki Kreations and went to the nearest Border's the next day. I immediately began to use the tools and suggestions in the book, which was easy to read and understand, and had lots of illustrations. This was incredibly helpful to a novice like me. Within two days I had washed, trimmed, and combed out her hair as the book instructed and put it into little twists. I have never gotten so many compliments on my daughters hair! Her hair has stopped breaking, it's growing rapidly and is strong and healthy. The natural oils recommended have worked wonders. My heart sang when my little girl told me, while admiring her new twists in the mirror, "Mommy, I like my puffy hair". I am indebted to Jena Williams for sharing her knowledge and philosophy in this great little book." Reviewed by:Mocha Mom For more information visit-- AMAZON

"I bought this book for a friend and she loves it!! It is a great book, with easy to follow instructions!" Reviewed by:Joy 
For more information visit--AMAZON

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

This is a very easy and fun project that requires some paterental supervision if you have young children. What's great about it is you get to eat what you have made or you can make it for a gift. My daughter likes to make them every now and then. We had gone to Joanne's to get some fabric and they have a huge cake decorating section. When my daughter saw the chocolate's she asked if we could make some.

 Materials needed:
1 box of Pretzel Rods
1 bag of chocolates (any color)
a bowl
a plate or tray to sit the pretzels on
spoon
a microwave or stove

DIRECTIONS:

Put 1/4 of the bag of chocolates in a microwave safe bowl and melt slowly 30 seconds at a time so chocolate doesn't burn. Stir chocolate. Once the chocolate is heated throroughly then you can begin dipping. My daughter uses a spoon and gently coveres each rod in chocolate. There is no right or wrong way as long as you get chocolate on the pretzel and not in your mouth. : )

Once you have the chocolate on your pretzel rod than lay on wax paper on a plate so that it can harden. (It works without the wax paper too---we didn't have anymore.)

As you can see my daughter used her favorite pink chocolate. Any color will work.

Or you can be silly like my daughter and try to balance it on your nose. Anything for a picture!








Books related to this project:

"Lilly has one chocolate heart left from Valentine's Day, and it's bedtime, so where is the perfect, safe place to put her chocolate heart until tomorrow? This little bedtime dilemma has Lilly searching around her room for just the right place. Does she find it? "Reviewed By: Brenda Weaks  TO PURCHASE

"Pretzel is so cute.He is so big and cute. He had four other siblings. Pretzel started getting wider and wider. He was the tallest dachund ever. Pretzel one his first award at a dog show. All the dogs and the people admired him. Only one dog didn't Greta. Greta didn't like long dogs. Pretzel was a hero after he rescued Greta. See Greta got stuck in a hole. Thanks to his long body he was a hero. Greta and Pretzel got married!"Reviewed by:Anonymous  
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Personalized Flip-Flops

Materials Needed:
Purchase rubber flip flops
Marabou Fur 
Strong Adhesive (E6000)
Button
Strips of ribbons
Rubber Gloves

We have several different styles available.

MARABOU FUR FLIP FLOP--The first one has marabou fur on it. Take a piece of the marabou fur and lay it where it will go so you can get an idea of how much you will need for your project. Now add the adhesive to the bands of the flip flop and stick the fur on it. You will need to hold it in place for a few minutes.

RIBBON FLIP FLOP--You will need about 5 to 6 yards of ribbon. Cut the ribbon into 4 inch strips and now tie each ribbon onto the band of the flip flop. Make sure you knot each one into place so they don't fall off. Once you get all your ribbons on your project is complete.

Button Flip Flops--Glue buttons or rhinestones on the band with a heavy adhesive such as E6000. Be creative and have fun.





Books about feet--

"In the Flip-Flop Girl, Katherine Paterson reveals a lot of insight into the inner thoughts, feelings, and wondering of a nine year old girl. The way Paterson seems to understand the mind of a child is truly amazing. For any child having a difficult time dealing with death or loss, this book would help them understand that they are not alone in their feelings. It is also very entertaining and well written. Katherine Paterson did a great job once again at dealing with a sensitive issue for children."Reviewed by:A Customer  TO PURCHASE

"Great book if your toddler has been kicking lately. Teaches good behavior as well as phrases that you can use to stop bad behavior. Highly recommend this book" Reviewed by Beth    TO PURCHASE

"I'm an elementary school counselor and have really enjoyed using this book with students. They love it! It is a great springboard for helping children become more assertive, and to role play and practice the tips and 'the plan' for dealing with others who tease or torment them"Reviewed by DWLaker  TO PURCHASE

Happy Fourth Of July

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”


I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday with family and friends.


Here's a fun craft for kids to make---

Directions for:

"Can Do Stilts"







Books related to Independence Day---

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Paper Mache' Piggy Bank

Many years ago my Dad,Mom,sisters and I made this really big 6 foot Frosty the snowman out of paper mache'. It was the neatest thing you ever saw. It was a fun family project and we had the best time ever. After it was done drying we helped to paint it and give it character. I wish I had a photo here but all my picture albums are packed up and at my Dad's house.

On a much smaller scale here is a design that my daughter did in art class a few years ago in elementary school. It's a lady dancing.You can use your imagination and make whatever you want.

I also made a tall candle holder out of babyfood jars. The world is your oyster as the old saying goes. If you can imagine it you can most likely make it. Here are the directions for the candle holder.

How to a Paper Mache Piggie Bank

Materials Needed: 
Newspaper Strips,paper mache glue,jars,and large paint brushes,balloons,paint


PIGGY BANK DIRECTIONS


Books related to pigs--

"I've been reading Sandra Boynton to my son since he was born and we just love her work! This is another in the series of Little Pookie, a great character that helps little guys (or girls) figure out how to express feelings. Sandra Boynton can write for a child while still amusing adults. Get this one for your little Pookie for his/her birthday. You won't regret it." Reviewed by:M Link 

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"Brothers Dink and Fergus love going to the beach. Together they collect all sorts of treasures, from seawood, to rocks, to sea shells and they even find a surf board that they name Dave. Not one to venture into the ocean, Fergus is about to over come his fear with the help of surfboard Dave, thanks to his little brother Dink.

Not only is this a fun read, but it's brightly colored illustrations had me wishing I could whisk my kids to the beach for the day to look for treasures. Pig Kahuna is the perfect book to pick up on your way to the pool, the beach, or to enjoy while snuggling up together before nap time. It's a wonderful summer time read!" Reviewed by: Mundie Moms 

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Have lots of fun!

Rock Necklaces

Every where we walk we see rocks in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes we can go to speciality stores too and see all kinds of rocks from purple quartz to topaz to garnet. Jewlery makers or rock collectors purchase many kinds of unique stones and minerals. 

Rocks are everywhere. They have been on the earth for over four billion years.  The rock you pick up from the ground might have once been part of a mountain or cave. It might have been around even when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Here is a craft for a rock necklace. It looks so pretty and is easy to make.

Rock Necklaces

Books about rocks:

"Its a good book for beginners on this field, you wont find all of the rocks out there, but youll learn quickly about the major differences and characteristics of some rocks... It is very colorful, pictures are awesome, and I liked that the book tells you about rock and mineral uses, as well as in the ancient times as in today. I recommend it as an introductory book on the matter, then you should move to a more detailed book. I gave it 5 stars Considering that it is a pocket book." Reviewed by Jamie            TO PURCHASE