Frankenstein From a Piece of Scrap Wood

Supplies:

• 2 Large Google Eyes
• Green Paint
• Black Felt
• Tiny Piece of White Felt
• Craft Wire
• Black Paint
• 2 Bolts
• Hot Glue Gun
• Scissors
• Paint Brush
• Scrap Piece of Wood (I used a 1x6 that was 12 inches long)

This was a very easy project to complete.  The most time consuming part was waiting for the paint to dry.  I actually got the piece of wood from the hardwood store for $0.50.  I drilled a hole in each side of "the neck" that was slightly smaller than the bolt.  I painted all sides of the board.  I used two different colors of green paint to get the color that I wanted.  While the paint was drying I cut the felt hair and eyebrows and cut the wire for the stitches .  Once the paint was dry I attached the eyes, hair, eyebrows, and bolts with a hot glue gun.  The stitches around the head were a little tricky at first, but once I figured out how to best attach them I was good to go.  I wrapped the wire all the way around the piece of wood and twisted the ends together to keep it in place.  Then I glued the stitch pieces on top of that wire.  Then I used black paint for the nose and mouth.  I also rubbed a little black paint on my fingers and placed on the bolts and various placed on the face to make it look worn/dirty.  Last I attached the small (tooth) piece of felt.  

Check out what else I made with wood
2x4 Pumpkins

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Quick, Easy, and Inexpensive Halloween Crafts

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I wanted to make some crafts with supplies that I already had, but since I LOVE the craft store I decided I was willing to buy a few things to complete them.  I ended up spending less than $6.00 and made these cute decorations.  Get creative and have FUN!  Oh and drink a bottle of wine while you do it... you will need an empty bottle!

Supplies I Bought:

• $1.99 Bag of Google Eyes (the one that comes with a variety of sizes)
• $1.00 Small Wood Frame
• $0.45 Letters E E K
• $1.00 Small Chalkboard Frame
• $0.99 Sparkly Tree Branch
• $0.49 White Crepe Paper

Total $5.92

Supplies I Had on Hand:

• Wine Bottle
• Purple Paint
• Black Paint
• Green Paint
• Orange Paint
• White Paint
• Scrap Ribbon
• Glue
• Random Jars
• White Chalk
• Spider Sticker 
• Spider Web Place Mat
• Tape

** You can use what ever color paint you have on hand or you can buy acrylic paint for about $0.59 each.

EEK Googly Eye Picture Frame

First I painted the picture frame a lime green color and the letters orange.  After they dried, I attached the piece of ribbon, letters, and googly eyes with glue.  Last, I added a SUPER cute picture of my son in his Halloween costume!

The Witch is IN Chalkboard

First I painted the chalkboard purple and let it dry.  I lightly wrote on the chalkboard in pencil what I wanted it to say so that I had a guide.  Then I used white paint (you could use the chalk) to trace the writing. I actually glued the piece of chalk to the frame because the witch is ALWAYS in!  Next I added a piece of scrap ribbon and a Halloween sticker.  Last I dipped my finger lightly into the black paint and gently rubbed it in to the frame to give it more of a worn look.  

Mummy Jars

I chose three different sizes of jars.  A jelly jar, an olive jar, and a quart size Mason jar.  First I took a very long piece of the white crepe paper and crumbled it up just a little bit to give it a more mummy like look.  Then I just began wrapping it around until it was all covered.  I taped down the ends and even tied on a few extra pieces.  Last I glued on a pair of googly eyes.  I plan on placing FLAMELESS tea lights in them to let them glow at night.  

Now that you have finished that bottle of wine you can stick the sparkly glitter branch in it and your display is complete!

be sure to check out some of our other Halloween Ideas
Pretty Pretty Pumpkins
Pumpkin Playdoh Party Favors
Free! Chalkboard Halloween Printables
Free Halloween Chevron

Fun with Fossils

My boys love to help cook and they love to get dirty so this was the perfect project for them to help me with.  Plus it was nice to have a few extra hands to help me!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup Sand
• 1/2 Cup Used Coffee Grounds
• 1/2 Cup Water
• 1 Cup Flour

Combine all ingredients except water

Slowly add water until thick dough forms.

Now it's time to get our your DINOSAURS!

Preheat oven to 200 degrees.  With a spoon, scoop out about a golf ball sized amount on to an ungreased baking sheet.  I used the bottom of a glass to flatten them out.  The dough will be sticky.  

Use the plastic Dino feet to make imprints in the dough

Bake for about 25 minutes.  Using a metal spatula, flip them over and bake for another 5-10 minutes to dry out the bottom.

For other Dinosaur themed projects and party ideas check out the links below
Dino-Mite Party


Fossil Cookies


Dinosaur Eggs

Dinosaur Eggs

For Nathan's 4th Birthday he requested a dinosaur party.  So I put my brain to work and came up with a few ideas and a few more thanks to Pinterest.  The dinosaur eggs are the perfect make ahead or hands on activity.  We had a wide range of ages 2-7 and they all enjoyed it.  

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup Sand
• 1 1/4 Cups of Flour
• 3/4 Cup Salt
• 1 1/4 Cups Dirt (I used top soil I had left over from potting plants)
• 1/2 Cup of Water (maybe a little more)
• 8-12 Small Plastic Dinosaurs

In a large bowl combine sand, flour,salt,and dirt.  Mix well with your hands, make sure to break up all the dirt clumps.  

Add the water.  Make sure you can form a ball with it.  You don't want it to be too wet or it will never dry.

Form dough into egg shapes around the plastic dinosaur.  Place them on a baking sheet or other tray and set them in the sun to dry.  Turn them every couple of hours.  Mine took about 12 hours to dry completely.

After they were dry we had to make sure that they were worthy to be passed out to our little friends so we busted open a couple as a test run.

Then the boys and I formed an assembly line.  Nathan put them in the treat bag, Evan punched the hole in the tags, and I closed up the bag and tied on the tag.

Now we are one step closer to PARTY time!

We also made these with the kids at the party.  I am glad I had some for them to take home because they take so long to dry.  The kids enjoyed getting their hands a little dirty.  Before the kids arrived I measured out the ingredients into plastic cups.  

Then I divided the kids into groups and let them work together.  That way if one of them didn't want to get dirty they could mix with a spoon.  

If the kids would prefer an edible dinosaur treat check out the Fossil Cookies

Mickey Mouse Birdhouse

My boys are not always up for crafting with mommy.  I am not sure if that is because they are just boys or if it is because they don't share the love of crafting with me.  Either way I was pleasantly surprised by their attitudes when I got out the supplies to make these bird houses.  I think the combination of the Mickey theme (they LOVE Disney almost as much as me!) and the fact that they were able to get there hands a little messy (paint/dirt- It's all the same to them).  

Supplies

• Wooden Birdhouse
• Wood Circles
• White Buttons
• Red, Black, and Yellow Acrylic Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Newspaper (to line the counter)
• Paper plate (for paint pallet)
• Painters Tape
• Hot Glue Gun
• Scissors
• Clear Coat Sealer (if you want to put it outside)

I purchased most of the supplies at my local craft store A.C.Moore.  I bought two bird houses, 6-pack of wood circles, 4 buttons, and 3 bottles of acrylic paint for  less than $5.  I had the rest on hand already.  

I started by taping off the bird house so that everything but the red could be painted. Taping it off made it very easy for my kids to paint this by themselves.  

Nathan hard at work

Evan painting the roof

While the kids were painting the house, I cut a small part off of the wood circle to make a flat part to sit flush with the birdhouse roof.  Then I had the kids paint them black as well.  This project was a two day project because of drying time and other activities in between.

Then we let that dry and removed the tape.  Before you remove the tape you could add a second coat if needed.  When my husband saw them at this stage he was very concerned that we were making Pittsburgh Steeler birdhouses.  We are from Ohio, of course we were not making anything from Pittsburgh!

Then I taped off the black and yellow and let the kids paint the red.  So far so GOOD!

Once the red was dry (with optional second coat) use the hot glue gun to adhere the wood ears and buttons.  

Overall this was a very easy project and the kids can't wait to paint again!!!

Check out our 8 Pocket Utility Aprons for Teachers and Hairdressers (and others)

Both magical moms have been busy with our newest Etsy item, these adorable half aprons! We started making them specifically for teachers, but they are great for hairdressers and vendors. I even made one for my aunt to wear at school and they are a hit with all the teachers.

We have several different patterns to suit your style needs! There are two basic styles, a canvas one with straight corners, and a fully lined cotton version with rounded corners.

They are very high quality and super cute! They would make a great gift for teacher appreciation day or just something to give at the beginning of the school year. And trust me on this one, teachers have enough Bath &Body Works, hand soap, coffee mugs, decorative teacher desk items and apples!

BUSY BUSY BUSY

Sherrie and I have been very busy creating some fantastic items for our Etsy Store- Mary Bobbin's Boutique. Here are a few of the latest additions to the store....

This week I am working on a couple of Rag Quilts for my favorite nieces and nephew. I will post pictures when I am finished:)

String of Hearts

After the "tic-tac-hearts" I had some felt left over so I decided to make some heart garland. This was very simple and quick to make.

Materials:

Red and Pink felt

pom poms

needle and thread

sewing maching

Start by cutting the felt into three inch pieces.

Place two pieces on top of one another, lining edges up. Sew pieces together lengthwise.

After sewing the first line, flip the fabric inside out and sew another line.

This will form one long tubular heart. Next Cut the pieces to the desired length. I cut mine about 3/4 of an inch wide.

I did this with both pink and red felt. The boys are always noticing patterns in things, so I let them practice making patterns while assembling the garland. They alternated hearts and pom poms.

Striped Rag Quilts

My newest craft obsession is rag quilts. They are fairly easy to make and very snuggly! I prefer the stripes ones because they don't look as "old-fashioned" as the traditional quilt squares. These are perfect for baby quilts (make awesome shower gifts), throws and kids' quilts.

Front

Back

What's even better- we will be adding custom quilt orders to our Etsy Store- Mary Bobbins boutique! You can purchase one of these handmade quilts for yourself or a gift. All quilts are custom and handmade. Please visit our Etsy Store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/MaryBobbinsBoutique?ref=ss_profile

So cozy!

Here is another one I made for a boy. You can see how snuggly it is because it put him right to sleep!

We can make themed or character quilts for your little one too. Below is a Star Wars quilt for our biggest Star Wars fan, Evan (see the Who Wants to be a Jedi? post).