making every day a happyday! » kids crafts

make a CHANGE in your school!

erin — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 22:50:18 +0000

As we struggle with budget cuts in our schools in this dreadful California budget crisis, we all are doing what we can to keep our vital school programs alive. This week our school has initiated a “change jar competition” between the grades to inspire more donations…every penny adds up and can ultimately save a teacher’s job, a music program, PE and anything else on the chopping block. I made stickers for the kids to wear or stick on folders or skateboards if they donate…time to empty our piggy banks!

Our neighborhood had a lemonade stand on Memorial Day and raised $41 for our school!

one jar for each grade: K-1-2

no trick, bring on the treats!

erin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:34:51 +0000

I love to brag about my nieces…they are absolutely hilarious, brilliant, imaginative, precious & darling – TIMES TWO. I can say all these things since they aren’t “really” mine. (Yes, twins are everywhere in our family!) Since we live a bit more than an hour away, I like to send happy packages or style them with fun treats to let them know that “auntie” is thinking of them always. (they call me “color wonder auntie” since I am always changing my hair color. ha!) They are excited to deliver treats to their school friends this year with spooky stickers that are (of course) personalized. I’ll be using the “boo” labels on the bubbly I’ll be bringing to the block party this year!

have a happy, spooky, treat-filled night on the 31st! ~erin

1-Stop Wrapping Spot!

jennifer — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:28:00 +0000

I was in Costco the other day bargain hunting, and I found this! It’s a ‘Portable Wrap & Craft Center’ from Snapware (the makers of the snap&seal tupperware). It’s a storage solution for your gift wrapping supplies, with space for up to 36 rolls of wrap, a ribbon dispenser, built in ruler.. etc. The best part is that it’s got table legs that fold out, so the container becomes a tabletop! You can wrangle your gift wrapping chaos into just one area! Sounds mighty good to me. Looks perfect for the upcoming season.

~Jennifer*

prepare to get SOAKED!

erin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:11:53 +0000

A “super soaker” party can be the best way to celebrate a summer birthday! I’m not a big fan of “toy guns” in the house, but somehow calling it a “blaster” makes it okay with me. My son and his pals, with some help from the dads, divided into teams and had an all out BATTLE (and total blast!) in the front yard. The dads helped with the hose at the refilling station, and the ski goggles were an added accessory and eye protector. While the blasters themselves can be quite expensive, I found them on sale at Etoys.com. Each pal got to take it home as a party favor, so really that was the main expense of the party. I printed waterproof stickers to personalize the soakers, and found inexpensive Hanes tank tops (4 in a bag) at Target for the team uniforms. Hot dogs on the front steps and a “cupcake cake” made at our Vons Bakery finished off the perfect day of celebrating seven with a splash!

game on!

erin — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:31:33 +0000

We are deep into playoffs, and you’d think this was the major league! I’ve heard stories of uptight coaches and tension among the teams, but never thought it would start at the age of 7! I must admit, i have been sucked into the drama. I thought growing up as a coach’s daughter that I could handle the thrill of competition, but I have been a nervous wreck since playoffs started. I know, I know, it’s really silly, but we are managing to have a lot of fun too! We have sisters on sticker patrol, and even a team dog mascot. We’ve got a big weekend ahead, and I hope to report back with a victory!

celebrating our “first lady!”

erin — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:08:34 +0000

die cut faces of each first lady and details of their influence on our nation

My grandmother just turned 90 and we wanted to celebrate her in a very special way! I was inspired by a favorite find from years ago, a die cut “fandex” illustrating the first ladies of our nation. It made me think how my grandma is OUR first lady, and although she is not famous, she is every bit as fabulous. So, as her biggest “fans” (pardon the pun, had to say it…), we decided to create “face fans” from favorite photos of her past and present. We scanned old photos as large as possible so the printed files could be “life size”, then cut out each face and taped them to large tongue depressers (popsicle sticks would be fine too.) She was so surprised and delighted and the kiddos had a blast with the idea! I made a few sets of the fans so people could take them home as party favors….now, what will we do for her 100th birthday?? Hoping Willard Scott will be able to attend! ha!

save the teachers!

erin — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:17:37 +0000

This economic crisis is sure taking it’s toll on everyone, but it kills me to see our children suffer as school programs are cut and teachers get their “pink slips.” Most schools have a teacher appreciation week, but I think they should be celebrated everyday! Our labels can be personalized to celebrate a special teacher with style. In packs of 23, each child could wear one to school or on a field trip to identify them as a group. (until the class sizes grow and you might need two packs…ugh)

gift labels personalized to honor your teacher!

no more tears!

erin — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:17:03 +0000

My daughter loves to help me make dinner, and recently wanted to help chop the onions for the burgers. She is nearly 8 years old, and as much as I can’t stand to watch, she does use a big, sharp chopping knife. (i just can’t imagine how I will feel when she can drive a car!) I told her I would cut the onion, but she is an insistent little thing, and so I let her chop away. I guess some lessons need to be learned the hard way! Her eyes were stinging and the tears were flowing and she said, “we should wear goggles when chopping onions!” With a quick google search, voila! we found found onion goggles and now have no more tears in the kitchen.

no more tears while chopping onions

lunch notes

erin — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:06:16 +0000

i still remember the warm fuzzy feeling i would get when I opened my lunch box to find a sweet message from my mom, handwritten on a napkin. Now that I am a mom, I send along the same sweet nothings, but my favorite part is the note that comes back! This very green lunch box was designed by a good friend of mine, and mother of two. Although the first round of production needed some fine tuning, it is a great idea – good for our environment – and I just love the the dry erase memo section for lunch notes. I just crack up at the comments from my kids…”mom, no more nutz pleez”, or “can i pleez by lunch?” Since the message is gone with each new lunch that I pack, I decided to photograph some of my favorite messages to memorialize forever.

cheers! from the O’Condrens

erin — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:40:11 +0000

Oh, to be a kid again with endless fun and parties each day at school! If I saved all the paperwork and art projects from my kids’ school parties, we’d have a fire hazard on our hands! Instead, I often photograph the kids with their artwork and display on our “art board” at home. The art project stays on exhibit for a short while, but the photo memory will last forever.

st. patrick's day masks & photo