Suncatchers + Pony Beads = Cute idea for VBS Under the Stars

Last night I was sitting on the loveseat watching the sun catchers that Miss V and I made last year.  It was gently spinning around from the ceiling fan breeze.

Then it hit me...I could make giant stars!  I bet Hobby Lobby would have a star shaped pan so off we went.  Sure enough they had one and I used their App and got 40% off.  I also picked up some more pony beads.

So I preheated the oven to 400.  While it was heating, I sorted the clear and yellow beads and put them in the pan.

I put the pan in the oven and let the beads melt for about 22 minutes.  Be very careful when you take it out of the oven, it is extremely hot.  Let cool and you will know when it is ready to be popped out of the pan.  It will make little popping noises as it cools and contracts.

It didn't look "bright" enough for me so I tried another one and used opaque beads around the edges and put in a few glass pebbles.

This one had to melt for about 25 minutes.  This is a very stinky craft and make sure you have your exhaust fan running and a window open.

When they were cooled I drilled a tiny hole in the tops and strung them up with clear fishing line.

It was hard getting a good picture of them since they were moving around a bit. I am not really sure if I like the opaque border around the second one.  I do love the glass pebbles in them.  I am going to make a couple more and see how they look. 

These will be used in doors during our VBS program called God's Backyard Bible Camp Under the Stars.  I think I will hang them from the ceiling and they will twirl around from the AC.  Or at least that is what I hope happens.

So what do you think??????

More new outfits for American Girl Doll Kathleen

I was on a roll yesterday between making new little food items and outfits for Miss V's American Girl Doll Kathleen.

First thing I did was make a cute white sleeveless top in white cotton to match a lot of skirts that I have made in the past.  I used the Free Trendy Tank pattern from Liberty Jane.  Since the material wasn't stretchy, I did cut the back pieces a bit wider.

I also whipped up three simple skirts from Simplicity Pattern 4297. 

Then I cut out three more bags to sew up the Urban Handbag from Liberty Jane. The bag linings match the three skirts.  I thought it was a cute way to finish off the outfits.

 

I only had time to finish one bag last night and put the interfacing on one other.  I need to get another yard.

 

Aren't the outfits adorable?  Miss V things that they look cute!  She loves how the bags match Kathleen's new skirts.

Polymer Clay Hot Dog and Veggies

I spotted the idea for the hot dog also on Theresa's Mixed Nuts.  Then I thought of some veggies like carrots and broccoli which happen to be favorites of Miss V.

 Make sure you bake your items at 225 for 25 minutes so they will harden!

 

Polymer Clay Cookies for your American Girl Doll

I also saw on Theresa's Mixed Nuts, the idea to make peanut butter cookies.  Well I figured I could make those along with Chocolate Chip cookies and cookies with sprinkles.

 While at Hobby Lobby this morning, I was trying to figure out how I could make a little serving tray when I happened to wander down the painting supply aisle.  I spotted this cute palette for $1.99.  It actually looks like a ceramic one that I have.

 So here is Kathleen's serving tray with lots of cookies to share with her friends.

Polymer Clay swirl lollipop for an American Girl Doll

I spotted this cute blog the other day and had to pin this idea.  The original directions can be found at Theresa's Mixed Nuts.


What you need:  A couple different colors of polymer clay and two skewers.

 Pinch off a small piece from each block.

 

Roll them until they are about 8 inches long.  Then pinch the ends on one side and twist the colors together.  Then roll them until smooth.

 

 Start at one end and curl the clay around in a tight circle.

Break a long skewer in half and insert the sharp end into the clay.  Bake them at 225 for 20 minutes.  Allow the clay to cool.

 The orange and white was my first attempt and didn't look so good, but the pink and white came out cute!

Here is Miss Kathleen with her new lollipop

It was super easy and fun to make!

Digital Scrapbooking

I have been doing more and more scrapbooking with my digital software.  Since my computer was upgraded last year to windows 7 I have had to use a different program.  I use Paint Shop Pro by Corel.

I wanted to share some of my favorite online stores for Digital Scrapbook Kits.

Gotta Pixel
Scrap Orchard
Ginger Scraps
Sweet Shoppe Designs

Have you taken a trip to Disney lately?  If so here are some great sites that have Disney inspired kits.

Britt-ish Designs
MJ-AJ Designs
Natalie's Little Corner of the World, she has the BEST stuff for Disney
Cynthia has freebies that go along with Natalie's kits

If you need help finding a certain subject, you have to check out DigiShop Talk.

Old ceiling fan blades + creativity = Cute Dragonflies

Miss V's school is raising money for their new gym and classroom building.  The PTF came up with a cute way to raise a little money.  One mom found the idea of using old ceiling fan blades and a chair or table leg to make a dragonfly.

Each class made one and they were all due back on campus yesterday.  I took my big camera (Canon Rebel DSLR) and snapped pictures of them.

I helped the other 5th Grade class with theirs.  The teacher loves to garden so we chose a gardening theme.

 

Each fan blade was sprayed with two or three layers of Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Gloss White.  The head, I sprayed a few more times.

The body was sprayed three or four times with Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Mambo Pink Gloss. 

The students decorated each blade with a theme.  One with flowers, one with herbs, one with fruits and veggies and one with tools.  That was all done with Sharpie markers.

Once those were dry, I gently sprayed them with Rust-Oleum American Accents Ultra Cover Clear Gloss.  You must go gently since some of the marker did spread.  Once it dries you can really go nuts and give them multiple layers of the gloss.

The wings were attached with screws to the back of the body and I went over the back with a couple layers of the gloss.

I used paint pens to decorate the face and sprayed that with a few layers of the gloss.  For the hanger I made a loop of metal and put it around the screw in the chair leg and screwed on the head.  I drilled a small hole in the top of the head for the antenna.  I pushed in the antenna and used white silicone to keep it attached and waterproof.

We used old fan blades from Habitat for Humanity and my lovely husband picked up a bunch of fans on the side of a road, where someone was rehabbing a house.

You can also check salvage companies for the supplies.

Each one of the classes look very different and so cute!

These are meant to be hung outside on a fence or lanai.  They would make a cute addition to any garden.

Shared here:

Six Sisters' Stuff Strut Your Stuff Saturday

Cute Toes!

Since it has been very warm and flip flop weather here in SW Florida, Miss V wanted to make her toe nails pretty.

China Glaze, In the Lime Light

Herbs and Tomatoes

So earlier today Miss V and I repotted some new herb plants and two tomato plants.

 Sweet Basil and Cilantro

 Greek Oregano (do not put this stuff in the ground!  It invasive...learned that the hard way)

 Black Prince Tomato, have never heard of this type, but it looked really cool.

 Patio Cherry Tomato, says it is great for containers.  I wonder how long it will be before we have to repot it?

 Sage

German Thyme