Halloween 2013: iPod and Nerd

Halloween was a lot of fun this year. It seems like this may be one of the last ones where we do our own neighborhood, just that small loop with all the kids, just that small bag of candy.

This year, there were a lot of requests from the kids' friends to join in their trick or treating fun. We ended up having one friend each come by our hood and then we went to visit other friends throughout the evening. Elise ended up with 9 1/2 pounds of candy from a trunk or treat on the 30th and Halloween combined. Sheer teeth rotting craziness!!

Lucas asked to be an iPod 2 days before Halloween. Thanks, buddy. This is not something you can order online or find in a store so I set off to make it. It actually was not too difficult to do.

Here's what I used:

-black display board with the wings cut off
-white cord
-2 cardboard tubes (I used the tubes that glowsticks come in)
-styrofoam ball
-silver spray paint
-glue gun

I printed the icons from the internet. I found a zip file online with some of them but the results were better with these steps:

1. I google imaged "angry birds app icon" (and whatever other icons I wanted)and saved the highest def one I could find
2. Opened it in Picasa
3. Set my print settings to 8x10 paper size, shrink to fit, and shrink to 65%
4. Print on white cardstock!

The ear buds were the fun part. I cut a foam ball in 2, hot glued the tubes onto the ball halves, then glued the cord with LOTS of hot glue into the tubes. I attached the cord onto the back of the board with a stronger glue that needed to dry overnight.

Ellie was the cutest nerd ever. Her costume was easy and was a combination of Goodwill, costume store and what we had on hand. Her friend came as a nerd too. These girls had a bast together!

Teacher Appreciation Door Decorations

It's Teacher Appreciation week! Have you done anything special, something above and beyond for your teachers yet?

Yesterday I went in and decorated their doors. I prepped everything at home beforehand so that all I had to do was put up the paper and decorate once I got to the school. I used my Cricut to cut out the letters and shapes. I timed it so that the kids were gone at the time (PE and Music) and it worked out great.

I wanted to tie in each theme with what the kids were doing in class right now. Elli's class is doing plants and flowers. Lucas' is raising caterpillars right now. I am so happy with the connections!

Baseball (or any sport!) Snack Idea

If you are anything like me, you want to make snack for the kid's sports that aren't just a pack of Goldfish crackers or a granola bar. I like to make something a little creative that the kids will like, with a bit of team spirit thrown in.

I made these for Lucas' baseball team on my snack day last week. I had everything on hand except the M&Ms so it was easy and cost efficient.


The bag toppers were super easy. I just made them the same width as the top of the bags (Wilton treat bags, 4" across), printed the logo and "Go D-Backs" on the BOTTOM part of the tag and stapled closed.

This shows you that you can take an ordinary snack and turn into something cute and fun.

Girlfriend Glitter Cups

Pretty over the top, aren't they? But super cute and a great way to let a girlfriend know how special and unique they are.

Here is the scoop! You will need:

• Modge Podge (I used Gloss)
• Foam brush
• Glitter (I used Martha Stewart)
• Insulated cold or hot cup
• hot glue gun and glue
• eyelets
• eyelet setter
• strong hole punch (ie: Cropadile)
• acrylic sealant
• coffee sleeve (or use this template with cardstock)
• fabric to cover coffee sleeve
• ribbon to tie on the sleeve
• embellishments of your choice: the blingier the better!

1. With a foam brush, paint modge podge all over cup in an even layer. Sprinkle glitter to cover the modge podge (do this over a paper plate to re-use glitter). Shake off excess glitter.

2. Allow to dry (I let mine sit about an hour near the heater) and repeat 2 more times.

3. Once it is completely dry (maybe leave several hours or overnight), spray with an acrylic sealant. I used DecoArt Triple Thick Brilliant Gloss Glaze. This sets the glitter. Make sure you handwash only!

4. Next, make the sleeve. Unglue the coffee sleeve and cover with fabric using modge podge or a glue gun. Make sure that the areas where the eyelets will be (on the ends) are not too bulky so you can get the hole punch through it.


5. Punch 3 holes on each end and set the eyelets. String through some cute ribbon like a corset. This allows the sleeve to be removable for cleaning of the cup.

6.Next, bling it up using glitter picks (from Michael's), feathers, flowers, initials, beads, ribbon...whatever you like! Make it personal and over-the-top! These are meant to be fantastic. Adhere all of the bling with LOTS of hot glue.


Imagine these for your friend as a Birthday gift, a fun New Years cup, Girl's Night Out, Secret Santa.

Have fun!

Easy Giftwrap

Here is a gift I wrapped today for a birthday. I used the techniques we learned at our recent flower making craft club. Who wouldn't want to get a gift like this? :)