5 Practical Actions to Help Boys Behave

Posted by Heather.MacFadyen | Nov 13, 2015

At my wits’ end.
Yep, that about sums up how I felt.

The temperature outside blazed a few degrees shy of 90 million. And the boy energy inside swelled like a ready-to-pop zit (equally painful and annoying).

You see, summer in Dallas is our winter. Except, unlike those kiddos up north, my Texan boys are out of school for those three long months (imagine 3 months of straight snow days. . .).

Sure, we can get some energy release in a pool. But by August, the novelty has worn off (just like sledding in February).  Even Pinterest can’t offer enough creative indoor activities to keep peace in my home.

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Fabric Acorns

Check out more free craft ideas at http://www.allcrafts.net/thanksgiving.htm

 

 

Are these not the cutest little acorns EVER!!!

 

I absolutely LOVE them and think they are so much FUN!

They're perfect for fall, but I also think you could tie a cluster together and hang as a Christmas ornament, or tie a few to the top of a gift, or how about threading one on an autumn necklace for a little girl... so many possibilities.

 

 

They're so little and cute and bright and exciting... and I wish a had a whole bowl of them just like this one! Sadly, I wasn't the one who made them and therefore don't have any.  BUT, Lisa, my sister, was nice enough to share her photos and tutorial with us. Thanks, again for sharing your crafts Lisa!

 

Here are her fabulous instructions for anyone with half the patience she has.

 

 

I made a template, and cut out the fabric.  (My template was 1 3/4 inches from top to bottom tip and

 1 3/4 inches across at its widest point.  The size of the acorn all depends on the size of the hats that you find though.)  You need 2 pieces for each acorn.

 

With the right sides together, sew 1/4 inch seam around the fabric leaving the top open (straight edge open).

 

 

Flip the fabric right side out (seam is now on the inside) and baste around the top.  Leave the strings long enough that you can get a good grip to tie them closed later.

   

Fill the acorns with stuffing, pull the basting tight and tie off the tops.  The tighter you stuff the acorn the less puckers and gathers you will have at the top. (I think its cuter that way.)

   

Using hot glue, glue the acorn hats on the top of the fabric acorn.

 

Before I used the acorn hats I put them in hot soapy water and let them soak for about an hour.  Rinse them off and lay them on a towel over night to dry.

 

Thanks so much Lisa! You're amazing!

here's where we link

Tissue Paper Sunflower

http://www.freekidscrafts.com/tissue-paper-sunflower/   This sunny Tissue Paper Sunflower was designed by the FreeKidsCrafts Team to bring sunshine into your room. Supplies White Cardstock or Heavyweight Paper Yellow Tissue Paper Black Sunflower Seeds or black tissue paper Tacky glue Scissors Newspaper Paper Plate Instructions Click on Printables and print out Sunflower Pattern.  Cut out and place on newspaper. Cut Yellow Tissue Paper into small squares and crumple up. Put small quantity of tacky glue on paper plate and dip crumpled tissue paper into it.  Place glue side down on yellow leaves of sunflower until all the leave are covered.  Spread tacky glue on black portion of sunflower and cover with sunflower seeds. If you do not have sunflower seeds, use crumpled black tissue paper.  Make a whole bouquet to brighten your bulletinboard or room.

Repurpose (Place Mats)

Used with Permission by April Dawn White Frayed cuffs and thread bare knees are all that remain of my children's denim jeans. I carefully slipped the blade of the seam ripper under the thread and lifted the blade. After cutting the stiches, I removed a back pocket from a pair of blue jeans.  During this project, I repurposed the worn out jeans into funky denim place mats. Any salvageable part was cut away and assembled into something new. What once was a back pocket is now a utensil and napkin holder. From the tattered jeans, I created four distinct place mats. Each denim place mat has a unique backing and binding fabric to represent the personalities of our family members. On my daughter's placemat I repositioned a crocheted pocket and covered the back with pink and red heart and star material. As I reworked the fabric, Genesis 50:20 came to mind: "But God intended it for good." As the youngest in the family, Joseph was teased and despised by his older brothers. Their hatred for Joseph was so great, they sold him into slavery. Decades later, Joseph held a prominent place in the king's court. The same brothers, who sold him off, later stood before Joseph begging for assistance. Joseph had every right to turn them away. Instead he said, "You planned evil against me, but God used those same plans for good" (Genesis 50:20, MSG).   I love the phrase "but God used those same plans for good." Those same plans, not different plans, the very same plans -- for good! I stopped sewing to offer praise! I began to examine those areas of my life that once were painful. Now I can see God was using those same plans for good.    Praise God that He is the ultimate recycler! He was reducing, reusing, and recycling long before our generation. He wants to reduce our burdens, reuse our trials to help others, and recycle areas to bring us good and to bring Him glory!   "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV) Connect with me: Email redchairmoments@gmail.com Facebook http://www.facebook.com/RedChairMoments Twitter http://www.twitter.com/RedChairMoments Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/redchairmoments/

Tiny Teacup Terrarium

Creative Ideas

from www.allfreekidscrafts.com

  

Collect all of the materials listed above to create your terrarium.

I got my pebbles at Target in the vase section.  I bought my charcoal at the pet supply store in the terrarium section...Go figure! You can find Spanish moss at Michael's or JoAnn Fabrics and a ton of other places.  Any old potting soil will do. Keep in mind the size of your container when selecting plants. You would be surprised how much room all of the stuff takes up inside the jar. I used mostly ground cover like Irish moss or baby tears that I had growing around my yard. If you have a large container you could do a little Bonzai tree or a succulent plant.  I think herbs will work too.

Wash your glass container and lid with hot water.

Layer the ingredients in order.  I used a large spoon to add the dirt.

Start with a good sized scoop on top of your moss and then add your plant.

Use a couple of fingers to help protect the little guy while adding more soil around the edges and use your spoon to press it all down.

Now's the time to add your little figurines to create a world all your own.

Once you've got everything placed, give it a couple sprinkles of water, secure your lid and VOILA!  Your very own portable world of enchantment.

Monitor your tiny garden for the first few days to regulate the moisture level.  If it gets too steamy in there remove the lid to let it evaporate a little.  If it seems a little dry you can mist it or add a few more sprinkles of water. Once it has become established it will pretty much take care of itself!  You shouldn't need to water more than every 2-3 weeks.

You won't believe how simple it is...with all the ingredients and about 3 dozen glass jars I have saved up in all different shapes and sizes. I couldn't resist making a whole gang of them.

Repurpose Flower Baskets into Glowing Outdoor Chandelier

by Pauline Molinari from allfreekidscrafts.com that encourages sharing.   http://club.chicacircle.com/repurpose-flower-baskets-into-a-glowing-chandelier/

 



My family is so lucky to live in Southern California. I’m originally from the midwest, so there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t realize how fortunate I am to be living in such a beautiful area. Being able to enjoy outdoor flowers and foliage year round is a treat. We currently have hanging flower baskets in our backyard, but after awhile they needed to be refreshed.

My super smart husband figured out that it was more cost effective to buy new hanging baskets rather than replace the insides of them. Once I saw the empty wire frames I knew I had to make something with them. The outdoor chandelier craft was born!

My daughter and I worked together to attach two empty wire flower baskets together with black pipe cleaners to make a globe shape. But, first we filled them with a large string of white holiday lights in the center. We used the kind that we could adjust the “twinkle” factor on the set of lights. I cut the black pipe cleaners into 3 pieces each. We secured the two baskets together, as well as the lights hanging from the top of the now globe-shaped wire frame. This allowed the twinkling lights to hang nicely throughout the frame.

It was that easy!

We reused one of the chain hangers from one of the baskets too, and attached it to the top of our homemade outdoor chandelier. We hung it above our outdoor patio area, and now we can enjoy it year round! Lovely!

I  love when I can re-purpose something into something beautiful!

Happy crafting!

Creativity

"Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play." ~ Henri Matisse

"To think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted." ~ George Kneller

Creative "Build-A-Snowman" Kit

by Lois Breneman - 2012 - Heart to Heart

In some parts of the country this winter, warmer than usual temperatures have kept away the snow.  Are your children or grandchildren praying and begging for the white fluffy ice crystals?  If so, this activity might help!  Encourage and help them prepare now for a future snowy day by gathering everything they will need so their snowman or snowlady can stand in your front yard in style!   But who said a snowman can't be sitting in a chair?  Be original.  Have your children draw out their ideal snowman or snowlady on paper, and plan what they will need to dress their snowy masterpiece as soon as enough snow arrives. 

If you need inspiration or more ideas, check out the 25 cent bin at Goodwill or a thrift store for fun accessories.

For the hat, you could decide on a stocking cap, black felt hat for a man or a straw hat with flowers for a snowlady.

A colorful scarf could be an actual scarf or simply a piece of fabric you already have with raw edges.

A carrot nose could be kept in the refrigerator until needed, of course, but for the eyes and nose you will need coal, large dark stones or large buttons (toothpicks might help to hold them in place).  Dark colored Tootsie Pops would work even better (possibly grape flavored).

 

For the mouth, a red or pink ribbon would work.  If you have wire ribbon, you can shape it into a mouth even better.  Or use several radishes or red pepper slices to form a mouth.  Even red buttons could be held in place with toothpicks to form a smile.

For arms and hands, if you want an easy way out, gather twigs.  But you could also easily form arms around the front of your snow person's body.  One year our snowlady held a bouquet of flowers, which meant we didn't need to worry about forming her hands, since the flowers hid them.  Your snowperson could also be warming his hands with a muff (a piece of fabric or fake fur wrapped around where the hands would be).  Gloves could be placed over the hands as well.

You may want to be even more creative by dressing your snow person in a coat, but keep the size in mind when making the snow body.

For a snowman with shoes or boots, fabric could be wrapped to look the part, or you could use a pair of real shoes or boots, if you don't mind a puddle inside them or taking a chance that they'll be carried away by a stray dog.

If you want to get a message across to those who pass by your home, give him a sign to hold. 

Snow animals are lots of creative fun as well!  A bear, lion, turtle, dog, cat, or whatever your heart desires.

 

Teaching your children and grandchildren to plan ahead in something as mundane as building a snowman, will help them learn the importance of planning ahead for more important things.

Edible Flowers

EDIBLE FLOWERS from Taste of Home Magazine
Note from Lois: Be sure pesticides haven't been used on them and wash well.

ANISE - July/Sept - Strong, licorice, sweet & tasty

APPLE - May - Slightly floral, sour
 

BASIL - July/Frost - Spicy, sweet

BERGAMOT - July - Perfumy, tealike, aromatic

BORAGE - June/July - Slight cucumber taste

BURNET - July - Strong green, hint of cucumber

CALENDULA - June/August - Slightly green, tangy, peppery

CHERVIL - May/June - parsley-like with hint of tarragon, citrus

CHIVE - May/June - onion, strong

CHIVE, GARLIC - August/Sept - onion-garlic, strong

CHRYSANTHEMUM - Sept/Oct - each variety different, some mild, some strong, bitter

CORIANDER - June/Frost - like leaf, but more fragrant

(ENGLISH) DAISY - April/Sept - mild

DANDELION - May/July - like leaves, bitter

DAYLILY - June/July - cooked, like asparagus/zucchini cross

DILL - June/Frost - like leaves, but stronger

ELDERBERRY - May/June - floral, mild

FENNEL - July/August - licorice, milder than leaves, sweet

GLADIOLUS - Bulb (6-8 weeks after planting) - best used as container or garnish

GRAPE HYACINTH - April/May - grapey, bitter after-taste, slight sour

HOLLYHOCK - July/Sept - little taste, slightly bitter

HONEYSUCKLE - May/July - honey sweet, perfumy

LAVENDER - June/July - very perfumy

LEMON - Varies - citrus, very perfumed, slight bitter but
some varieties sweeter

LEMON BALM - July/August - very sweet and lemony

LILAC - April/May - perfumy, slightly bitter

LOVAGE - August - mild celery

AFRICAN MARIGOLD - May/Sept - variable, some intense and bitter

SIGNET MARIGOLD - May/Sept - citrusy and milder than African variety

MARJORAM - June/August - like leaves, spicy, sweet

OREGANO - June/August - like leaves, spicy, pungent

MINT - July/Sept - minty, milder than leaves

MUSTARD - April/May - hot, mustardy

NASTURTIUM - July/August - like watercress

ORANGE - Varies - perfumy, citrusy, orangelike skin

(GARDEN) PEA - May/June - raw peas

PINK - June/July - little flavor, clove & cottage pinks are spicier

PLUM - April/May - mild, like flower nectar

RED CLOVER - June/Sept - hay, green

ROCKET - May/Frost - like leaves, nutty, smoky

ROSE - May/Sept - perfumy, sweet to bitter

ROSEMARY - Varies - mild, flowery, delicate

(GARDEN) SAGE - May/July - flowery sage, slightly musky

(PINEAPPLE) SAGE - Sept - flowery pineapple, slight sage muskiness

(SUMMER) SAVORY - July/August - mildly peppery, sweet, herby

(WINTER) SAVORY - July/August - mildly peppery, herby, spicy

SCARLET RUNNER BEAN - July/August - like raw bean, mild

SCENTED GERANIUM - throughout year - varies, slightly sour or bitter

SQUASH - July/August - like vegetable, raw squash

SWEET WOODRUFF - May - sweet, grassy, vanilla

THYME - July/August - like leaves but milder

TULIP - April/May - slightly bitter or sweet

VIOLET (PANSY) - April/July - Mild, leafy green, some varieties sweet

YUCCA - July - slightly bitter with hint of artichoke