With Valentine’s Day being one of my favorite holidays, I love to make all sorts of things inspired by the special day. We like to have special Valentine’s Day Treats that we make together. We also like to really decorate the house with some store bought décor but most of it is handmade (and a lot of it is Valentines décor made by the kids!). We try to do at least one special Valentine themed craft or activity on the days leading up to the holiday. We like to give our creations to the nearest and dearest people in our lives. It’s nice to spread love all year but it’s fun to have an extra special day to do so. Here are some of our favorite making projects for Valentine’s Day.

1. Do your kids like weaving projects? Mine do and I’m glad because I like the fine motor aspect of the activity as well as the super fun results. This Heart Weaving project can be done with essentially any color of yarn to make the craft as individual as your child.
2. I just love suncatchers. I think they are a beautiful way to add color to a window, especially in the dreary winter months. These Heart Suncatchers are absolutely perfect for Valentine’s décor!
3. Puffy paint is seriously one of my favorite types of paint! I love how different the beginning is from the end. These super cute Puffy Paint Hearts make the perfect statement pieces for a Valentine’s Day garland!
4. Sometimes it is hard to find a way to display ALL of your child’s art. This Heart Art is such a stunning way to display a child’s artwork! This also makes one heck of a gift!
5. These 3D Paper Hearts can be personalized to fit the Valentine’s Day color scheme or with your favorite colors. A child could create patterns or solid. The options are endless with these super cute hearts! 
6. My love of paper crafts continues with these unbelievably easy Paper Hearts. These hearts would also make a fantastic banner or garland!
7. Another canvas art project that can literally be done by any age. The result is beautiful enough for a museum and your children will be so proud of their masterpieces!
8. This little guy is just too cute for words! I love that this Felt Heart Mobile can start out as a Valentine decoration but then would be so cute in a child’s room for an everyday decoration!
9. Fingerprint crafts are one of my favorites to keep from my children. As their hands grow I can remember how small they once were from the artwork. This Fingerprint Tree is the perfect sentimental Valentine’s Day craft. Sure to bring some tears to my eyes in 5 years!

A lot of these art projects are ones that I would want to see in my house the whole year through. And if not they are ones that will be kept in a box forever and ever! Valentine’s Day is so full of love and I enjoy so much creating crafts and art projects with my kids to celebrate such a wonderful holiday.  

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Each and every year, months before Christmas, kids start to question how long until Christmas comes! Is it the same in your home? We like to keep kids occupied and prolong their anticipation with crafting many a Kids Craft and especially DIY Christmas ornaments every year! Will you join us this year? They make wonderful little gifts that kids can give at Christmas and are a great way to also decorate gifts. We also have some amazing Christmas Sewing Projects to make and gift.

1. Reindeers and Christmas are inseparable, right? We love seeing adorable little reindeers, and when they look as cute as this felt Christmas reindeer ornament, you can’t resist to make a whole lot of them!
2. For kids who are eager to learn how to sew, easy felt stars are perfect ornament to make this Christmas. Super easy and when presented with bunch of different items for decorations, it’s super fun to make as well!
3. We like to mix things up and add different themed ornaments on our Christmas tree. So, crochet fox ornament also found a way to our Christmas tree. Adorable, isn’t it? If you like fox crafts, we have made lots in the past!
4. With Christmas falling in winter season, it’s easy to add some of the winter crafts and decorations to Christmas holiday. We love these quick to make penguin softies you can make and hang on your Christmas tree. You can choose few other penguin ornaments and make them too!
5. If you prefer paper crafts, we prepared a printable template to use and make adorable 3D reindeer ornament! Quick to make and looks so cute hanging on Christmas tree. You can even string many together and make a garland!
6. Kids always ask: Will it snow on Christmas? It’s one of the things so many associate with Christmas. If your kids are also looking forward to white Christmas, invite them to make few of these lovely pipe cleaner snowflakes!
7. Another pretty easy to make Christmas ornament, even for kids as young as toddlers and preschoolers – pipe cleaner Christmas tree. We used them for Christmas garland, but you can easily just hang easy one separately on Christmas tree as an ornament.
8. For unicorn fans, Christmas is another opportunity to add them to holiday decorations! There are many unicorn crafts to choose from, but we love these adorable and easy unicorn ornaments made from paper and wool! Cute!
9. Use smaller wooden slices to make wood slice snowman ornament or use larger ones and turn your snowman into decorative piece for Christmas mantel.You can even use it to decorate your front porch! Which one will you choose?
10. Christmas crafting provides an opportunity for younger children to work on their fine motor skills. Great example is this yarn wrapped Christmas tree which can be decorated in number of ways. Let your child’s imagination run wild as they pick materials for their wrapped tree!

From easy crafts for kids who are younger like toddlers and preschoolers, to more elaborate, like Christmas sewing crafts for kids – we have done so many over years! My kids ADORE crafting and we often use crafting sessions in our home as a way to bond as a family. We wish you lots of crafting and lots of bonding this holiday season!

If you are looking for more Kid Made Christmas Ornaments make sure you check out the Blog Hop I hosted last year:

Kid Made Christmas Ornament Blog Hop 2017

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Entenmann’s® Father’s Day Giveaway

Father’s Day is rapidly approaching!  How are you going to celebrate with dad this year?   This year our Sunday will be spent mostly at home since the World Cup is on!  Hubby will be glued to the TV.  He and the kids can watch together and enjoy some of the New Limited Edition Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Vanilla Muffins!

Information about Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Vanilla Muffins 

• New Limited Edition Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Vanilla Muffins are naturally flavored with the simply delicious flavor of vanilla and come in perfectly portioned pouches ideal for breakfast or snacking on-the-go
• The scrumptious addition to the Little Bites® Seasonal Favorites® line can be devoured nationwide by kids and adults alike now through June
• With 190 calories per pouch, Little Bites® Vanilla Muffins contain no high fructose corn syrup or trans-fat, making them a snack kids will love and a choice parents can feel good about
• For more information about Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Vanilla Muffins please visit www.littlebites.com

Entenmann’s® Father’s Day Sweepstakes

Entenmann’s® Little Bites® is thanking dads for all that they do by giving away Entenmann’s® Little Bites® ties and a coupon to purchase the beloved snack to 10 lucky guys. Five extra lucky dads will win the Little Bites® tie, a coupon AND a $100 Amazon gift card!  Through June 15th simply log on to: https://www.littlebites.com/fathers-day to enter the Love Little Bites Father’s Day Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of the exciting prizes!!

Father’s Day Hole-in-One Treat

One way to show the love to create a tasty treat for Dad this year!  My husband loves when we bake for him!  Sometimes with the kids its a little easier to start out with a pre-made snack that the kids can dress up!  Take a peek at the Father’s Day treat that features Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Vanilla Muffins!  You can view the Little Bites Hole-in-One Father’s Day Fun DIY video below –  You can also find the step-by-step instructions.

I’m so excited to try the NEW Little Bites® rewards program! Buy 10 five-count boxes of Little Bites® snacks and get 1 FREE! Send in your receipts by text message, email or website. To get started, send a text message with the keyword “Little Bites” to 811-811, email to redeem@Rewards.LittleBites.com or visit http://rewards.littlebites.com.

Find more information about Entenmann’s® Little Bites® below:

 website / Facebook / Instagram / YouTube

Enter my Giveaway!!

Enter for a chance to win a $25 Visa digital gift card and (3) coupons for $5.00 off the purchase of any Entenmann’s® Little Bites®!! 

Entenmann’s® is responsible for sending out the winner’s prize.

If you are looking for additional Father’s Day Inspiration take a peek at our Handprint Father’s Day Platter from a few years ago here:

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15 Cards and Printable Gifts for Father’s Day

Father’s Day is rapidly approaching.  Are you running out of time to think of something cute and creative to give your husband or significant other?  If you are looking for more options beyond my Lion Card and my Monkey Card keep scrolling down.  Click on the links below to grab all of the amazing card tutorials and free Father’s Day gift printables. Each one is guaranteed to help your little ones show Dad how much he is loved. Don’t forget to leave a comment letting my blog friends know you found their great Father’s Day cards and gifts at Crafty Mama in ME!  

1. Origami Shirt Father’s Day Card by Red Ted Art
2. Pop Up Father’s Day Card by Red Ted Art
3. DIY Father’s Day Gift Card by Aimee Geroux
4. Father’s Day Gift Tags by I Should Be Mopping The Floor
5. You Rock Dad Coloring Page and Frame by Katarina’s Paperie
6. Father’s Day Hands Down Printable by Saving Dollars and Sense
7. All About My Dad Interview Printable by Where The Smiles Have Been
8. Free Printable Coupon Book for Dad by Mama Cheaps
9. Father’s Day My Dad Printable for Preschoolers by Thrifty Mommas Tips
10. Father’s Day Candy Bar Wrapper by 5 Minutes For Mom
11. Nuts About Dad Father’s Day Gift by Saving Dollars and sense
12. All About Dad Survey for Kids by Mama Cheaps
13. LOVE YOU TO PIECES by Trish Sutton
14. Dad’s Ultimate Pampering Kit and Sweet & Spicy Steak Rub by Whispered Inspirations
15. “BEST BUDS” Father’s Day Gift by Half Scratched

I personally have my kids fill out the questionnaires each year – I love saving them!  It’s such a fun way to look back on their childhood.

If you are looking for additional Father’s Day Inspiration take a peek at our Handprint Father’s Day Platter from a few years ago here:

Disclaimer: Never use blogger photos without permission. The Virtual Assistant (Victoria) who prepared this post obtained permission to use the photos included in this article as a member of the Craft and Food Roundup group. Links were submitted by blog owners/representatives and are being used in accordance to the group rules.

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Pom Pom Father’s Day Monkey Card

If you loved the Father’s Day Lion Card from the other day – guess what?!?  Here is another option – a Pom Pom Father’s Day Monkey Card!  You can use the same supplies you already have on hand and this would give another card option if you have more than one child.  

Supplies

• Printed PDF template (download the template here: Monkey Card Template)
• Green construction paper
• School glue
• Glue stick
• Scissors
• Small piece of tan felt
• Black sharpie marker
• Brown markers
• Large googly eyes
• Brown pom poms, one large and one medium

Instructions

• Cut the construction paper in half. Cut the template from the white paper. Glue the template to the middle of the construction paper.
• Using a good amount of glue, attach the pom poms as shown: the large pom pom is the koala body, medium is the head.
• Glue or stick on the google eye.
• Cut an oval out of the tan felt. Use the black marker to draw on a circle nose and mouth.
• Glue the felt piece to the monkey’s face.
• Use the brown marker to make the ears: Starting at the monkey’s eye level, make a semi circle toward the bottom of the head. Use the brown marker to create legs, arms and a long tail.
• The card is complete!

My kids love making special crafts like these for their dad and grandfathers.

If you are looking for additional Father’s Day Inspiration take a peek at our Handprint Father’s Day Platter from a few years ago here:

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Mother’s Day Flower Pot Wind Chime

{As written by my friend Deanna on her blog Play Dough & Popsicles}

I never understood the boxes of handmade gifts that my mom kept. I mean just think, every holiday from preschool all through elementary school from both my sister and me. Granted, she didn’t keep EVERYTHING, at least I don’t think so, but she kept things. As a teenager I would look at it and think how ugly. It was not until I became a mom to a creative soul that I finally understood. I can’t throw anything away. I mean I do throw some things away, but I have a box started. And she’s only 4.

The daily crafts and drawings are fun, but handmade gifts are the absolute best. It might not be the actual gift, but the look on her face. The look on her face when her little mind is creating something that she believes I will love. Her face when she completes it and knows I am going to love it. And her face when she hands her latest masterpiece to me in anticipation of my reaction. Her little face is the best!

Luckily my mom and mother in law love hand made gifts from her too! It makes holidays fun because we can work on projects together. Plus it gives her a few extra reasons to be creative. Although like me, she doesn’t really need a reason!

This wind chime is the perfect gift from a child. It is practical, it actually does make noise when shaken, but it can be so sentimental. It is precious that a child made it. And from the person supervising this project, it is an EASY project for kids to do on their own!!

Supplies Needed

• Small Flower Pot
• Washi Tape in Various Colors & Patterns

• Fishing Line
• Beads (or you could use these)
• Scissors
  (Note: I did paint the flower pot first with White Acrylic Paint, but this is completely optional)

My daughter took small pieces of washi tape, in various lengths, and stuck it on the outside of the flower pot. It was a completely random process. Each piece was a different length and stuck in a different direction. To me it looks like a quilt. I really love how it turned out. {One of those proud mom moments. I hoped she would be creative and when she does a project with little direction and it turns out better than I could have done or when she has a better idea than me. Makes me so happy!!}

When she was done with the tape I took cord and tied a few knots in the middle. I made the knots big enough that the cord couldn’t go through the hole on the bottom of the pot. I threaded it from the inside out so that the open strings were sticking out the hole at the bottom (which will be the top of the wind chime). Then I tied a bow at the top of the strings so that the wind chime can be hung.

I then tied fishing line, about 12 inches each strand, to the knot on the inside of the wind chime. Then I had my daughter put the beads on the fishing line. It took a few times to get the beads on but after a little practice she got the hang of it. {Pearler beads and yarn could also be used, but the yarn is not quite as weather proof as the wind chime}

When she was done, I tied knots in the bottom of the finishing line and the wind chime is complete. This is going to make a great gift for someone special. It will remind the recipient of my daughter with ever breeze that allows the wind chime to make it’s music.

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Leprechaun Traps Round Up

The idea of Leprechaun Traps was new to me, until a few years ago. We didn’t trap leprechauns when I was growing up we really didn’t do much more than just wear a green shirt and make a couple crafts. Maybe it was a thing but not in my ‘world’. Once I had kids and they started to get bigger I realized how fun it is to do extra special things for holidays. Since St. Patrick’s was typically a ‘boring holiday’ for me I went to Pinterest to find better ideas and new traditions that we could start. And there it was. The leprechaun traps. I had to do a little research as to what exactly this thing was but when I realized how fun it could be, we made one! It turned out so great and I even made a printable letter to go with it.

When we were making ours we browsed and found things that we liked from others and compiled them all into one and this is what we came up with. I thought it would be fun to share some of our favorites or ones that we got inspiration from so maybe you can make the perfect leprechaun trap for your house!

Here is our leprechaun trap – for detailed directions on how to make it click the image below:

Cereal Box Leprechaun Trap from Crafts By Amanda

Saint Patrick’s Day Leprechaun Trap Tradition from DIY Inspired

LEGO Designs: Leprechaun Trap from Brain Power Boy

A Sparkling Leprechaun Trap from B-Inspired Mama

How To Make A Leprechaun Trap from JDaniel4sMom

Engineering STEAM Activity: Build A Leprechaun Trap from HandmadeKidsArt

Make A Leprechaun Trap from Creekside Learning

Leprechaun Trap Kit For Kids St. Patrick’s Day STEM Activity from Little Bins for Little Hands

You all know I love holiday baking – be sure to check out my favorite St. Patrick’s Day Recipes below:

Rainbow & Pot of Gold Brownies

Luck of the Irish Mickey Mouse Oreo Pops

Mini Green Velvet Chocolate Chip Muffins

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Fun & Easy DIY Leprechaun Trap

For some St. Patrick’s Day is wearing green & sipping on McDonald’s Shamrock Shakes (or more in the later hours of the day). For others it is more a religious celebration with legitimate meaning. Whatever your outlook on this March holiday, if you have kids investing in a few hours to introduce a leprechaun trap is a super fun way to add festiveness to the day.  Read on to learn how to make this fun & easy DIY Leprechaun Trap.

For Christmas it is elf on the shelf & Santa, on Easter the Easter Bunny comes, and sometimes there is a cupid on Valentine’s Day. Leprechauns come around in March to make their magical debut on St. Patrick’s Day.

The story behind a Leprechaun trap is just that, an effort to trap a leprechaun so that the little guy can play for a day or two. Unfortunately, it has never worked for me. I have never held a leprechaun in my hands or seen one locked in a trap that I made. Maybe this will be the year?

Materials We Used To Make Our Leprechaun Trap

• Hot Glue & Gun
• Cardboard Box
• Scissors
• Toilet Paper Roll
• Green Paper Straws
• Popsicle Sticks
• Washable Kids Paint (We LOVE Crayola) – Red Orange Yellow Green Blue & Purple
• Paint Brushes
• Paper Plate or White Card stock
• Yellow Construction Paper
• Cotton Balls
• Writing Utensils
• Gold Coins (We got plastic ones from the $1 Store)

How to Make your Leprechaun Trap

• We started our trap with a blank cardboard box.
• I folded the top together so that it made a roof shape, but left an opening at the top.

• We painted the outside of the box green.
• For the staircase I hot glued paper straws up and down and cut smaller sections for the rungs.
• For the rainbow the kids painted each one a different color.
• One for each color of the rainbow (minus indigo because that wasn’t in the 6 pack of paint).
• The cloud is made of cotton balls glued to a cut out from the paper plate (or card stock).
• The kids cut out a half circle for the sun and I glued that on also.
• For the rainbow I glued the popsicle sticks to the inside of the box, with them sticking out 3/4 of the way. Then glued the clouds & sun over the top.

• I drew on a black circle to symbolize the pot of gold and glued three gold coins on the top of that.
• I also added a sign and a couple arrows to ‘show the leprechaun which way to go.
• The toilet paper roll became the slide.

A trail of skittles is put on the outside, leading to the stairs, in hopes that the leprechaun will follow that ‘rainbow’ and then follow the signs. He will climb up the stairs to see a box full of gold coins. He will easily slide down the slide and get stuck inside.

Unfortunately, the leprechaun will probably find a magic door to let him out. So he will steal all of the gold and get out of the house. He is tricky, but he still cares. He’ll leave a note for the kids explaining that he was there but needed to leave. And even more nice, he’ll leave a little treat for them. Most likely a bag of skittles.

It is a whimsical way to incorporate a little extra fun into a child’s life for a holiday. It is by no means necessary, but it is fun. Adds more anticipation and excitement.

If you want a free copy of the letter the leprechaun will leave my kids, click below.

Free Downloadable Letter from the Leprechaun

You all know I love holiday baking – be sure to check out my favorite St. Patrick’s Day Recipes below:

Rainbow & Pot of Gold Brownies

Luck of the Irish Mickey Mouse Oreo Pops

Mini Green Velvet Chocolate Chip Muffins

The post Fun & Easy DIY Leprechaun Trap appeared first on Crafty Mama in ME!.

2017 Recap – The Best of the Best

Another year has come and gone – this year was my biggest yet and I look forward to continuing to grow and can only do that with the support of my readers!  Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read what I write – thank you for sharing my posts and taking the time to share feedback with me as well.  Without further ado take a look at the top 10 posts from 2017!

1. Father’s Day Handprint Platter 

2. Free Printable Paw Patrol Bingo 

3. Girl Paw Patrol Party 

4. Easy DIY Homemade Bubble Refill Station 

5. Shimmer and Shine Party 

6. Fall Lunchbox Jokes 

7. Everest & Skye Paw Patrol Pinata 

8. Colorful Spring Butterfly Suncatcher 

9. Kids Parade Scavenger Hunt 

10. Elf on the Shelf Free Printable Letters 

I can’t wait to see where 2018 takes the blog and my family.  Keep following to see our adventures at home and beyond!

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