Sidewalk Chalk Paint (Kids Craft for Modern Mami)

 Well Hello there!

I've been such a stranger, haven't I?

This summer my goal was to try to keep up with the posting of this lovely space of mine and the move at the same time.  As you can see, ahem, it hasn't been possible.  We're moving you ask?  Well, yes.  As of August we will no longer be Virginians, but instead Texans.  Exiting and sad all at the same time yes.  We'll be closer to my family which is why we decided to go for this move in the first place, but sad (so very sad) to leave such wonderful friends, and part of hubby's family, behind.  Truth be told we love it here, I love it here!  But nothing beats being closer to family, don't you agree?  Anyway, I will try to stop by here every so often to keep you updated or if you want a more sudden gratification (*wink*) you can follow me on Instagram (@lisarenata).  

Now for that kids craft.

I'm over at Modern Mami sharing a super duper easy (not exaggerating really) recipe to make sidewalk chalk paint.  Oh, I can't believe we hadn't done this before.  The kids love it and the best part it's all non toxic. 

So what are you waiting for?  Go on over and make your own.  The kids will LOVE ya for it.

Happy sunny days!

Organize Ribbons & Trims Using Toilet Paper Rolls

It's as simple as one, two, three!

Yup. 

All you have to do is:

and

Easy pease.  What did I tell ya. 

Now start organizing!

Cool Shoes for School: (DIY) Spruce Up Your Plain Converse

I had been searching for some really cool graphic Converse (or similar style) shoes for my son.  They have some great ones out there, but most of them are also greatly expensive. I then decided that we needed to make his own totally cool shoes.

We started off by buying some plain gray and white Converse at Target.  And went... 

This is the easiest and simplest change you can make to any pair of plain shoes.

What you'll need:
* Fluorescent  shoelaces
* Dimensional fluorescent fabric paint (I used Tulip brand.)

What you need to do:

Begin by changing the she laces.  My son opted for a bright fluorescent green.  Just doing this changes the look. In fact, he ended up wearing them this way for a while until I bought the fabric paints we needed to finish up the project.

Now lets use that puffy paint! (I'm so used to calling it that.  Do you? Now-a-days it is called dimensional paint, fancy for "puffy." Ha!)

Using blue and glow-in-the-dark white, I began to make lines inside the star, alternating colors.  Make sure to be very careful because the paint can pour out a lot.  If I made a mistake I used a piece of cloth and a pencil to dab it off. Once done, let the paint dry for at least 24 hours.

 

That's it!

But you don't need to stop there.  Be creative.  You can draw pictures, write words, what ever your imagination comes up with.  The point is to make those shoes your own (or in this case my son's.  He did choose all the colors after all.) 

Have fun being creative!

Monday Randomness

Isn't funny when you are looking forward to something and can't wait to do it, but then when it is there in front of you, for what ever reason you don't?  That's the story of my life (for the most part.)  Lots of wants, lots of plans and not much time to do them.  So this morning, a beautiful cloudy morning, I decided to step out to the front porch with coffee on hand and sit on my not so new bistro set.  Something I had been planning for years!  You see, since the first day I saw our house I fell in love with its lovely front porch.  I totally pictured myself sitting there enjoying my coffee.  Forward 9 years later and a constant search for the perfect bistro set, I finally found one.  Mid summer.  The perfect one, just like I had envisioned it.  Only problem?  I've only sat on the lovely cushioned chair- once! 

So this morning while the kids were watching some t.v. I escaped for a few minutes and walked out to my front porch with coffee and sat there...just watching...and listening...to the birds chirping, the squirrels running up and down the trees, and the light drip drop of the scattered rain.  Still for a moment. A simple little moment of enjoyment. A moment for me.  

Then I came in and the doing began once more...

Sprucing up my son's art shirt/smock for school.  I used the same technique as the wearable art shirts (tutorial here).  On this shirt though, I also added some puffy paint.  When done I'll write his name below the scary (not!) alien to help my son find his art shirt in class with ease. 

Other randomness:

I'm in love with the sweet lemony flavor of this herbal honey with a hint of thyme.  Perfect in our tea.

Cutting more herbs to dry and freeze.  Yea, that is the fist time I'll be freezing basil.  A couple of days ago while at Trader Joe's I came across basil in the frozen isle.  Well, I can totally do that!  Can't believe I never thought of it before.  All you need to do is puree the basil and put it in tiny ice cube trays.  Pop them out after frozen and place them in a container to use later.  

While cutting around my herb garden I also came across these lovely little flowers.  Can you guess what plant they are from?

 

Chives!  I know, pretty right?  I had never let my chives bloom.  This year I decided to let them and I love them.  I made sure to cut them all before they drop their seed though, I don't need more chives growing than what we already get (and that is a lot!)

I got the kids a game of Gobblet Gobblers, it is so much fun to play! We've spent hours playing the other day.  Imagine tic-tack-toe but with a twist:  You get to gobble up pieces! 

She's good!

The other night my chiquita came in to the kitchen and announced she had made lots of headbands.  One for me and her friends.

How do I look?

Wishing you a great start to your week!

DIY: Super Cute & Simple Felt Flower Magnets

In case you haven't noticed I have a love for flowers...and felt.  So it should come to no surprise that if I was to makes some cute magnets they would be made out of, yes, felt.

Any other felt lovers out there?  Mixed wool felt is my fave.  Nice and soft with such lovely colors.  Unlike the choices you get when you buy the cheap regular felt at your local craft supply store.

You can very well make these lovely magnets using fabric or paper even, what ever your little hear desires.  But if you like felt as much as I do, well go ahead pick out your favorite colors and follow along. The steps are super simple.

What you need:
- Assorted colors of wool mix felt.
- Crafting Jewels
- Fabric glue or a glue gun
- self adhesive magnetic strips

 How to make them:

Begin by cutting out a large flower and a smaller flower.  You can hand cut them or use a die cut machine which is what I did.  (I have this one.  And love it.)

Glue the smaller flower in the center of the larger flower.  Let dry for a bit.

Pick out your favorite jewels. There's nothing fancier than a bit of bling bling. 

Glue them on the center of the smaller flower.

Now time to add that magnet.

 I used the ones above.  I picked them up at Walmart.  They also had round ones you can glue onto the back of your flower, but I liked the versatility of the strip.  Plus, nothing is easier than self adhesive ones.

Take one of the strips and cut it into three.

Stick them on!  Ah, simple.  I love it!

They are done, finished, finito!

Ready to hold all those important notes.

On a different note have I told you that one of my recent obsessions is Washi Tape?

It sure is.  Those little rolls full of color and stickiness are just pure fun.  Have you heard of it?  Imagine painters tape but in a much smaller cooler scale.  You can use it just about anywhere and if you get bored peel it right off.  I've been using them to stick art work on the walls, to spruce up some vintage suitcases and more. 

Look!  I used some to make this Family Color Coded Calendar. (Tutorial on how to at ModernMami.)

I love those polka dots!  I also have them in hot pink, and black and white, and stripes, and...you get the picture.  I bought mine from Pick Your Plum, but you can find them all over the web now.  Many Etsy sellers carry them too.  Try them and you'll be hooked.

*If your wondering about that adorable post card in the first photo.  It's by Marisa from Creative Thursday.  I love her work!*

Happy Crafting!