DIY String Easter Baskets

I don't remember a whole lot from my elementary years, but I do remember making these string baskets for Easter, funny eh! I had just thought about them last year but didn't get around to making them, so I was excited to try them out this year! They are fun to make, kinda messy and really sticky, but it's a fun one for your kids to do....unless they are clean freaks like their moms and hate being messy. lol Faith had to keep washing her hands every 5 minutes.

The result was worth it though, aren't they cute and fun?!!

Want to make one for/with your kids for Easter? You need the following:

• Balloon- blown up to the size you want
• String or yarn. String works better; I used 12 bundles of crochet thread, 2 different colors.
• 1 cup warm water + 2 cups granulated white sugar- stir til dissolved
  

1. Hang balloon up with some string and place newspaper or something underneath.
2. Dip string into sugar water mixture and wrap around balloon. The fun thing about this is you don't have to get it perfect, just keep wrapping it around in different directions to get a web-like design.
3. You can use more string than me to make it more covered, that's all the string I had so I stopped there, but I like it this way, just my preference.
4. Let dry over night.
5. When strings are all completely dry and stiff, pop balloon and either pull out carefully through holes or wait til next step.
6. Cut a hole for front of basket, where the Easter Bunny will place the goodies! ;) Faith was extremely excited about that part! If you didn't already, pull out your popped balloon now.
   
7. Be creative and decorate with whatever you want!
8. To make it stand up, just lightly press bottom down on hard surface.
   

This is how Faith wanted hers---> I hot glued lace around hole to cover up raw edges and hot glued bow on top. I love the way they turn out!

And you got yourself a fun, unique Easter basket ready for all those yummy goodies.... which include Cadbury eggs, right?!? They are the BEST! :)

If you do one, let me know, I want to see!! I like to find different ideas!

Glass Etching

My friend showed how to do this on her blog and I've been wanting to try this for a long time! (Thanks Jess!) It was easier than I expected.

Basically, all you do is get a stencil or cut out letters/shapes with your Cricut like I did (UsingVinyl). Make sure to do some test-cut outs on regular paper to see if it will fit and if you will in fact like it. Stick it on where you want it,(I did mine on outside so had to have letters cut out backwards.) paint the Armor Etch glass etching cream on and let sit for about 15 min. Wash off with Cold water. Peel off vinyl and voila, an awesome, personalized etched glass!

(I know, bad picture...oooh well, too lazy enough to take a better one.)

Rag Garland

My sister and I started making one of these for this past Valentines, but of course I didn't finish it that day so it never got finished. It gave me an idea for my sisters birthday present though! I got about 6 coordinating fabrics and tore them into strips, and also got some ribbons and tied them on the twine in no specific order. I modge podged some cute matching scrapbooking paper and cut it out with exacto knife. Her reaction to it made it all worth it!

I also made a magnet board for her, but forgot to take a picture. I'll get one and show ya.

You can do this for any holiday or special occasion. For the Valentines one we made, we scrapped some small heart boxes and used red, pink, white ribbons. When I finish it, I will post it.

Family Togetherness

My family had our annual outing. We decided to stick close this time and make our own fun.

It included a whole lotta water and a whole lotta food and a whole lotta Sun....at least for me anyways. I always seem to turn into a crispy critter no matter how much sunblock I put on.

Water fight at the park. Check out the sweet shot of me launching my cup-o-water at Tim.

How to get beefy biceps like Dale's: stuff a water balloon up your sleeve. ;)

Day at Cowabunga Bay-very fun water park!

Firework time. The only way Mikkie would enjoy them was for me to cover her ears during the high-pitched screaming ones that sounded almost identical to my little niece. ;)

My brother and SIL made a most scrumptious Raspberry Cobbler. It was a party in my mouth. I love cobbler and I love raspberries....can't think of a better combo. It's quick, easy n tasty. give it a try!

(sorry not the best lookin picture-we started diggin into it before i could take a picture of the beauty)

• 1 box white cake mix

• 1 (16 oz) can of any pie filling

• 2 T. butter

• 1 can of Sprite

Cook in 10 or 12 inch dutch oven. Drop butter in bottom. Drain half of the goo out of the can of pie filling, then pour into dutch oven. Pour in cake mix. With your finger, put a zigzag design on top of the cake mix and then pour the sprite on top. checkerboard your charcoal on top and bottom until full. Turn at 15 min. and start checking to see if it's cooked every 15 minutes thereafter. Usually takes about 30 minutes total.

We brought our game "Horse Balls" that we made. Yea, I know, awesome name, eh. =) It's a cross between Horse shoes and golf balls. We made ours with THESE instructions. It's really fun!

Glitter Toes

Back in September when I was 7 1/2 months prego and couldn't reach my toes, I wanted to go beautify my toes and do the glitter toes for the first time. I loved them, they lasted forever.....and ever.....and EVER! I couldn't get those blasted things off! I'm still filing them off. I guess I could've paid to get them removed.

Anywayz, point is I've been searching for some ways to do it myself and found a really great way with NO acrylic!

Here's the How To:

1. Paint one coat of a coordinating color to the glitter you choose.

2. While paint is still wet, sprinkle glitter all over each toe to cover well. Make sure to do it over a piece of paper so that the excess glitter can be saved and reused. Also a small craft paint brush is helpful to brush away any excess.

3. Paint a clear top coat over the glitter to help keep it contained and add a shine to the sparkle.

Here's what I used:

I got the Glitter from Sally's (one of my fav. stores) and they have about 6 fun different colors!

I was excited to try it and asked Faith if she wanted hers painted also and she got so excited! It's so fun having girls! Yay for Pink and glitter!

She has such cute lil piggy toes!

They turned out great, just as sparkly as the acrylic ones except SO MUCH EASIER to get off!!

Even my hubby is happy....cuz it means less spending! ;)