Crafts with Kids

A Sweet Potato Stamped Library Tote Bag

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We have been going to the library a ton lately. We’ve also been trying out ALL the libraries in the area. Seriously, we are trying so hard to not go crazy this winter. Every time we check out at the library I think “why did I not bring a bag to put all these books in?”. I must look like a crazy women with Finley on my hip, holding hats, gloves, books, movies, my giant purse, and trying to hold Rowan’s hand through the parking lot. One day I put the books quickly on the hood of the car as Finley started slipping. I opened the car door, got everyone buckled in and drove off. Totally forgetting about the books. I luckily remembered 2 seconds later, but I had to search around the slushy parking lot for the books. Doh!

Needless to say, when this little DIY Tote bag package arrived from our friend Phoebe of El Sage Designs. I knew exactly what we were going to make with it. A library bag for Rowan!! It comes with everything you need! It has instructions, an organic tote, black ink, and ideas on how to make polka dots. Phoebe suggests you use a carrot to create polka dots all over the tote. Wouldn’t that be so cute? We decided to use some sweet potatoes and cut out a heart and an “R” for Rowan. It’s a super simple craft, with super cute results. I decided to add some embroidery to ours after Rowan was done stamping.

I am pretty happy with how it came out. I love that it took a team effort!

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Thanks Phoebe!

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Preschool Valentine’s | Homemade Bird Seed Feeders

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I won’t lie. I’ve been looking forward to this day since before I had kids. I dreamed of the day when I would get to make Valentine’s Day cards with our kids to bring in to school. The day is finally here!! Tomorrow is Rowan’s Valentine’s Day party at school and we’ve been busy all week making little goodies for her friends. We decided to make some cute bird seed feeders in the shape of hearts for her to give out. We designed little bags to put them in. Rowan colored in the hearts on the bag and painted some paper for us to cut the hearts out for the top. Now let’s just hope the snow doesn’t rain on our parade. My fingers are crossed school doesn’t get canceled tomorrow.

Ingredients:

4 cups of bird seed
1 envelope of unflavored Knox gelatin
3/4 cup of flour
1/2 cup of water
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
3 Tbsp corn syrup
Heart cookie cutters
Cooking spray/ or oil
Twine
Straws
Wax paper
Cookie sheet
measuring cup

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Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix everything but the bird seed together. Mix well.
2. Add bird seed. Stir until combined evenly.
3. Spray inside of heart cookie cutter with cooking spray.
4. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
5. Place cookie cutter down on baking sheet, fill with bird seed mixer. It will be sticky. You can use fingers or you can spray your wooden spoon with cooking spray to help.
5. Pack cookie cutter with mixture. You can use the back of a measuring cup to pack it in and make it flat.
6. Poke a straw through the heart towards the top.
7. Lift cookie cutter. You should be able to slide bird seed heart right out.
8. Respray cookie cutter. Repeat all steps.
9. Let them dry for a few hours to over night until they are hardened.
10. Tie twine through the hole and then give as gifts or hang outside on your tree

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Happy Valentine’s Day.
(To see another super easy preschool bird feeder craft I did- head on over to the Little Hip Squeak blog and check it out!)

A Father’s Day Gift…

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We spent Father’s Day in Ogunquit, ME (one of our favorite places) this year. We took a little weekend trip to celebrate our wedding anniversary (more on that later) and Father’s Day. We had a lovely time all together. I really can’t say enough how much I love going on adventures all together. It just makes me so happy! Kev and I have always made gifts for each other for special occasions. We aren’t ones for physical gifts. I would take going somewhere fun and a handmade gift over any “thing” someone could buy. For Father’s Day I wanted to make something special for Kev that Rowan could be a part of too. Since we think he is pretty “super” we decided to make him a Super Hero version of himself. I drew out the pattern, sewed it up and Rowan hand painted some fabric that I used for the D on the costume and for the cape. She was so excited to give it to him.

I think this video is a pretty special keepsake.

I could not be more proud of the Dad Kev has become. I mean from day one he was a fantastic Dad but boy, oh boy we are 3 lucky girls. He works so hard for this family. He has the biggest heart and the most fun loving spirit. He loves these little girls like no other. I could not think of 2 more appropriate special occasions to celebrate on the same day than our wedding anniversary and Father’s Day. I got to marry my very best friend 7 years ago and seeing him become a Dad over these last 3 has made me love him in more ways than I ever thought I could.

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Two super short vine videos of Rowan painting…

Hi, I'm Jen!

Welcome to my personal lifestyle blog. It features topics such as motherhood, family life, fashion, cooking, and all sorts of adventures. I hope you enjoy what you find!

Jen Loves Kev
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