Chalk

Chalk is inexpensive to purchase and offers hours of fun. My daughter loved chalk as a child and even at age 17. She's drew some artistic things to show you what you can do with chalk.

You can buy chalk at almost any department store such as Walmart, Kmart, Walgreens, Target, Rite Aid, CVS etc...If you are ambitious you can even try making your own chalk.

MAKE YOUR OWN CHALK

Then find your canvas (a nice clean side walk) and draw your masterpiece. Let your imagination soar and have fun.

Now some special tips for your Mommy and Daddy--Here's some household tips for those little pieces of left over chalk.

1. The next time you have a grease stain or a little ring around the collar, grab some chalk. Rub it into the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, dust it off and launder as usual. The chalk dust will get into the fibers and absorb the oils that are causing the stain.

2. Wrap a small bundle of chalk in cheesecloth, tie it off and store it with your silver to keep the pieces from tarnishing. The chalk will absorb excess moisture, which can speed up the tarnishing process.

3. This same method will work in your toolbox to keep your tools from rusting.

4. Put a bundle in your closets and cabinets to keep them from getting damp and musty.

5. The next time you need to trace a pattern on something, use chalk. It will be clear and easy to see and you can simply dust away the lines when you're finished with your project.

6. To keep ants out of your house draw chalk lines around your doorways and windowsills, ants won't cross over the line.

Credit for household tips:http://simplymrsfixit.blogspot.com/2011/03/alternative-uses-for-chalk.html

Happy Fourth of July

What a perfect craft for Independence Day. You can make several and line them down the path of your house or make a few to wave while waiting for fireworks. Kids of all ages can do this easy craft with assistance.

You will need:

Ø Red, white and blue card

Ø Stick or dowel (we used an old balloon stick)

Ø Thin red, white and blue ribbons

Ø Glue

Ø Tape

Instructions: Cut one large, one medium and one small star from different colors of card. Glue one on top of the other, and tape to the stick.
Cut lengths of the ribbons and glue them to the back of the star.

For more fourth of July crafts visit--MORE CRAFTS

Safety Pin Flag

This is a really neat and easy craft for kids of all ages (with supervision on the younger children.) You can make these cute flag pins or sell them to raise money for events at school or donate proceeds to a good cause like "The Children's Miracle Network Telethon" or just do them for fun. The possibilities are endless.

You can find out how to make these cute pins here

Bandanna Tote

You can make anything if you set your mind to it. Mom's remember these colorful bandanna scarves? Everyone has worn one around their head or neck at some point in their life, even the family dog! C'mon now admit it...you know you did.

DIRECTIONS
                                                                          You can purchase the handkerchief bandannas at any craft store like ACMoore or online at TAN'SCLUB (they offer wholesale prices)

This is how your bandana purse should look:

Fuzzy Desk Accessories

I love this idea. What teen doesn't love furry unique gifts? This is a fun project you can make for yourself or for a dear friend. You can find the directions here-FUZZY DESK ACCESSORIES

You can buy fur at places like: Amazon,J & O FABRIC STORE,BOTTOM DOLLAR, and my favorite DISTINCTIVE FABRICS

You can purchase artificial flowers at places like any dollar store,craft shop,Kmart ,Walmart etc.

So,save your old cans,cardboard and boxes so you can make this cute project.

Friendship Bracelets

Friendship bracelets are fun and easy to make. My daughter learned how to make her first bracelet in third grade by her teacher, Mr. Pulvino. 

Friendship bracelets are one of the major symbols of Friendship. Once you tie it on your friend's wrist it should remain there until it falls off on it's own. You can make all sorts of bracelets in many colors and styles. The bracelets are fun to make at parties,summer camp or just on a lazy day with your friend.


FRIENDSHIP BRACELET DIRECTIONS

Having trouble understanding the written directions? Here is a series of eight videos to teach you step by step.

VIDEO OF HOW TO MAKE FRIENDSHIP BRACELET

Learn To Crochet

My Mom was an avid knitter and crocheter. She made all kinds of things from clothes to playful animals, afghans, Halloween costumes to blankets. She would give these items for gifts, donate them for church bazaars and even to the homeless. She and my Granny would sit in front of the television crocheting and knitting hardly looking down at what they were doing. My Mother and Granny were so good at what they did they could have probably did it with their eyes closed. My Mom's favorite was actually crocheting.My daughter was probably about 8 when she asked her Grandma to teach her how to knit or crochet. My Mom thought she was too young. Mom was also a left handed person so it was a bit awkward to teach my daughter too. Unfortunately by the time my daughter was old enough her Grandma had gone to heaven.

Years later my daughter still had the desire to learn. So she went online to You Tube, watched allot of video's and taught herself.

Here are some of the neat things she made in her early days of learning to knit. She was 16 years old last year when she taught herself to knit. Since then my daughter has knitted and crocheted all kinds of scarves,hats, animals, bootie's and gave them for gifts. She even made a crocheted Mickey Mouse costume that Baby Sophia is modeling in the photo to the right. She made this with no pattern and it was her first time ever crocheting. She has even donated hats and squares for various causes. I told her that her Grandma's hands must be looking out for her and guiding her along the way. Needless to say, I am very proud of her.The possibilities are endless of what you can do and make once you learn to crochet. So, follow these videos and you too will be crocheting in no time at all. Take your time and enjoy!! Remember you will make mistakes but that's all part of learning.

LEARN TO CROCHET

(I have included several video's as everyone has a different technique and you may prefer one teacher over another.)

Learn to crochet a pot holder---