Coloring Mixing Grinch Painting

Happy Monday!! I am so excited to finally post this! It’s been a while since my last, what I like to call, “mommy” post or kid friendly post I should say. I was totally inspired by Sheryl from Teaching 2 and 3 year olds for this fun activity. It’s all about a no mess painting that is fun and educational for your little one. I love the idea that this is a hands on activity but all the mess is contained in a Ziploc baggy.This was a definite hit with my three year old daughter. We did this about a week ago and she is still talking about it. It’s a great way to teach mixing colors. Continue reading “Coloring Mixing Grinch Painting” →

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DIY Mercury Glass

 

Today’s post is a “do it yourself” project I have been wanting to try out for a while. I have seen this all over the internet and wanted to share my own tips on how I made these mercury glass vases. For my project, I used three different glass containers and one large mason jar. I really liked how these turned out, they are perfect for just simple decor ideas around the house or even centerpieces for a party or a wedding. The great part about this particular DIY is that it’s easy and takes not time at all. Did I mention it was easy?

What you will need:

Using a spot outside, place your cardboard on the ground for less mess. To start off this project, you are going to fill your spray bottle half way with water and the other half with vinegar. Give it a good shake to mix it up. Then shake up your looking glass spray paint, so your ready to start. Lay out your glass containers, evenly spread out, on top of the cardboard. Start spraying the inside and outside of each glass container. If you are using a bottle or something with a narrow opening, just coat the outside with paint.

This is the messiest part, so I suggest wearing gloves and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.

Coat each glass container entirely. Inside and out!!

 

Then mist your vinegar and water solution all over the inside and outside of each glass container.
Then using a paper towel or two, pat off the droplets of water and vinegar to get that vintage look. I noticed when you pat a little more vigorously the more worn it looks. Don’t forget to pat the inside as well! Now, let them dry, and you are finished!! Simple mercury glass vases that are perfect for holding flowers, candles, or even makeup brushes (like how I used mine).
 Hope this was helpful! Can’t wait to share more fun DIY projects and decor ideas.
 Thanks for stopping by!!
Caitlin

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DIY Christmas Ornament

 What you need:
1 Christmas picture that you want  (wallet size)
Styrofoam
Glitter
Clear Plastic ornament
Small ribbon
2′ Wide ribbon 7 inches long
Instructions:
1.Cut your picture small enough to fit inside the ornament. Wallet size works best, even it you want your picture to fit inside the ornament horizontally
2.Crumble up the Styrofoam as small as you can, in a bowl and then add glitter. You only need a little.
3.Then place your mixture of Styrofoam and glitter into your ornament. Add your picture in the ornament the way you would like it to look.
4.Close your ornament and then add your thicker ribbon to the top and tie in a bow. Then tie your smaller ribbon through the loop so it makes an “o” shape to hang on the tree.
Then you are finished!!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Caitlin

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Toddler Pumpkin Costume

Halloween is just around the corner and I am so excited I finally finished my daughters costume just in time. Last year I had so much fun making her costume I knew I wanted to do it again. After scrolling through Pinterest for some inspiration I found a couple of pumpkin costume ideas that I wanted to try and recreate. I put together this costume in about two hours and I have to say, it was two hours well spent. It turned out so cute and I found out sewing paired with a glass of wine is a very relaxing combo. It might just be my new form of therapy 😉  It was so fun to create something one of a kind and that Maddie was excited to wear. If your looking for a fun homemade costume idea for your toddler this one is perfect. I am no seamstress by any means, so if I can do this so can you.

 What you’ll need:
1 yard of orange knit fabric (depending on the size of your toddler)
Sparkly Green ribbon (for the straps)
3 yards of orange tulle
1 8×10 black piece of felt
2 leaf arrangements
Sewing machine
Thread (any color.. I used white)
Scissors
Hot glue gun with glue sticks
Fabric measuring tape
Everything I used was from Hobby Lobby (minus the sewing machine)
 1. Measure out fabric
 This was my first time putting together an entire garment, so it was definitely trial and error. First step I measured out how long I wanted the dress using the fabric measuring tape and the distance around my daughters chest. Then cut off any excess fabric I didn’t need.
2. Sew on Straps
Don’t worry what your stitching looks like, it will be covered in the end. I cut two pieces of the green sparkly ribbon for the straps and made sure they were the right length and in the correct places in the front. Then sewed the straps on the inside of the dress.

 

3.Tulle Tulle Tulle, and more Tulle

This was definitely the hardest part of making this costume. After a while I did start to get the hang of it. I made two rows of tulle. I used the same length measurement of the dress and cut out many pieces of tulle that same length.

Then I began the top layer.
Top layer: 3 pieces of tulle laying on top of each other vertically, then sewing them across the top of the dress
Bottom: 4 pieces of tulle underneath the same way to give it more fullness.

Sew both layers all the way across your orange fabric. Now sew the dress in the back so its completely closed. This is time I let my daughter try it on so I could make sure the fit was right. Then to finish sew in the straps to the back.

4.  Add leaves

I started at the front and hot glued each leaf all the way around.
5. Jack o Lantern Face
Now time to make the jack o lantern face. Cut out 2 large triangles and 1 small one and the shape you want for the mouth. Before I glued I straightened out all the tool while it was hanging up. Then I placed the pieces for the face were I wanted them to go.  Then hot glue each piece in place. Trim the length of tool at the ends if you need too.
The dress is done!!

 Head Piece:

What you need:

Hot Glue Gun
Hair Clip
2×4 piece of fabric
Left over leaves

Glue the fabric to the clip. Arrange your leaves they way you want. Then glue them in place

 

Now your little one is ready for trick or treating!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Caitlin Mitchell1 Comment

DIY Fall Wreath

Since it has been awhile since my last DIY post, I thought I would share a fun, and festive fall wreath (try to say that three fast) just in time for the Halloween season. It’s very easy to make and very affordable, and everything can be found at Hobby Lobby. Below is everything you’ll need and how to put this all together. 🙂

What you need:
Wreath (18 in. circumference)
2 ft of Black Burlap
3 Flowers
3 strands of the silver berry garland (in the Christmas aisle)
1 Wooden Letter
Paint of your choice ( I used orange & white acrylic paint)
2 Pant Brushes
Twist Ties
Glue Gun
Scissors
Penny + Pencil (to trace out circles- optional)
1. Trace out circles using your penny onto your letter in the desired pattern. Then paint around the circles in the color of your choice, let dry, then paint inside the circles. Then apply a second coat. This part is optional. It would still look cute with stripes or smaller circles or even one solid color. It’s up to you!
2. Next lay out your wreath and place the burlap the way you would like it. Then add your flowers by pushing them through the burlap and into the wreath. Add your berry stands the same way. Use twisty ties to secure the burlap, flowers, and berry garland to the wreath (without them showing). Use scissors to cut off any excess pieces that are sticking out.

3. Then, lay out your wreath and find out where you want your letter to go. Then hot glue the letter onto the wreath and press it down for 20 to 30 seconds to secure it in place. Then you are finished!!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Caitlin

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Homemade All Purpose Cleaner

Dawn: 1/2 tsp
(for an 8 oz container)
Water: 1/2 of the container
Vinegar: 1/2 of the container
 This has been a life saver for me these past few months, tackling never ending toddler messes. It cleans almost any surface and doesn’t have any harsh chemicals to worry about (especially around your little ones.) I make sure to always keep this one close at hand. Its’ great for cleaning up spills,  car seat stains, and even larger plastic toys. Super easy and affordable!! 🙂
Happy Cleaning!!
Caitlin

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Homemade Playdough Recipe

 

I love scanning through Pinterest and finding fun activities that I can do with my little one, that involves easy clean up and hours of entertainment. This homemade play dough recipe is super easy and really works. I love this idea for a fun activity for kids birthday parties or just for a rainy day activity. It’s a great way for kids to build those fine motor skills all while having fun, and who doesn’t love to play with play dough. 🙂 Another great thing about making play-dough  from scratch, is that you know what is in it, and its safe just in case your little one decides to take a little taste test.

 

What you’ll need:
1 cup of flour
1cup of water
1/3 cup of salt
2 tsp of cream of tartar
1 tbsp vegetable or canola oil
Food coloring

 

Add all your ingredients to a large sauce pan (minus the food coloring). Stir well on medium heat. You might have some lumps in your mixture as you stir but that’s okay, they will go away.  This recipe does call for 1/3 cup of salt.  It seems like a lot but it is essential. The salt helps it stay together without being sticky.

When it is still at a smooth consistency add your food coloring. Don’t be shy, add a lot to make it a richer color. I think I even added more after this picture. The first two batches I made, I added just a few drops and they ended up more like pastel shades, as you can see in the picture.

 

Keep stirring for about 3 to 4 minutes on medium heat or until it starts to really clump together. Once it gets to the right consistency lay it out to dry. If you notice that the play dough seems to be a little on the sticky side, add a little salt to the outside and kneed it in.
This recipe makes one softball size amount of play dough. It comes out looking and feeling just like real deal, and you can make almost any color you want. To store, keep in a container just like you would store-bought play dough. I ended up using Ziploc baggies for mine, and it worked just as well.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Caitlin

Caitlin Mitchell1 Comment

DIY Body Scrub

Another fun homemade beauty recipe to try!! I love finding new ways to make homemade beauty products using things you find in your pantry. It’s cheap, easy, and it works just as good if not better than the products you buy in stores.
This time of year everyone wants that gorgeous tan, and a body scrub is the perfect thing to use on your skin before you lay out in the sun. There are so many types of  scrubs out there that you can do at home using things like coffee grounds, milk, olive oil, baking soda, etc. This recipe that I am sharing  has vitamin E oil to help your skin and cinnamon oil for a yummy scent. You can switch out oils for something else if you like or even add more.  After using this your skin feels so soft and moisturized right after you use it. Here are all the ingredients below.

 What you will need:

1 cup of Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Coconut oil (melted)
1/2 tsp  Vitamin E oil
1 tsp of Honey
1/4 tsp of Cinnamon oil
Small Containers

Once you have your ingredients ready, mix it all together. Then spoon your mixture into your containers. Simple as that! This is a perfect take home gift idea for bridal or baby showers, or even a fun stocking stuffer when Christmas rolls around.  This recipe ended up making the perfect amount to fill both of my glass containers, without an left over. 🙂

 

Hope you enjoyed!! Thanks for stopping by!!
Don’t forget to subscribe through google or email so you don’t miss a post.
Caitlin

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DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner

I’ll be the first to say, that I am a little bit obsessed with makeup. I love taking that little time out of my day to put myself together, and a big part of that is the makeup application. It’s my “me” time, as I like to call it, and a huge part of wearing makeup is keeping it all clean. I have extremely sensitive skin and I stay away from using all different types of makeup brush cleaners. There are so many types of cleaners out there that have tons of chemicals inside them that stay in your brush and eventually end up on your face. So what I like to do to deep clean of my makeup brushes is to use baby shampoo once a week, but for travel or a quick clean it’s good to have a spot cleaner on hand. I put together a simple solution for all those sensitive skin people out there, that really works.
Oh, and did I mention its super affordable!!
What you will need:
Water
Baby Shampoo
Alcohol
Witch Hazel
Travel Spray bottle (mine is from CVS)
-Fill your bottle up with 75% water
-10% alcohol
-10% witch hazel
-add 4 drops of baby shampoo

Now shake it up

To clean you brush spray the cleaner on you paper towel or tissue and rub your brush into the solution for a quick spot clean. 🙂
After a quick clean, that takes seconds, this is my result. I hope this was helpful for some of my sensitive skin people out there. As always thank you for stopping by!!
 Caitlin

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DIY – Letter Painting

Ive been so excited to make this painting for a while. I made this for my daughters room but any type of stencil or other colors will still give you the same effect.  Check out this super easy DIY art project that anyone can do.
 
What you will need:
Canvas (any size will work)
3 to 4 paint colors (acrylic)
credit card
one paint brush
letter cut out or stencil
paper plate
pencil
paper towels

 

Check out my first video where I show how I put it together!

Using a credit card or old gift card, dip the edge into the paint any way you like a making small strokes or little x’s all over. This technique gives a really cool texture. Once its dry it is time to add your stencil, trace, then paint your design. 🙂 Then let it dry again and your done !
Thanks for stopping by!

Caitlin

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