VanillaBean-designs

Valentine candy bar wrapper...

2009-02-12T11:01:00.001-08:00

When looking for a cute cheap gift to give a few special friends of my daughter ... I thought of a candy bar with a new valentine wrapper. It's just a little bit cooler (not to mention tastier) than the old box of conversation hearts.

It's super easy.... (and inexpensive)

Just download the wrapper (click on the image)... print it out ... trim the excess paper... write your message on the blank note space...fold on the white strips around a regular Hershey bar...and tape the back flaps together. Tie a ribbon or ric rac around it if you want to get REALLY cute!

This is perfect 'little something' to give to Sunday school or Mother's Day Out teachers ... or to add to any bigger gift.

Free Valentine Photo Card templates...

2009-01-27T18:35:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the new and improved vanillabean-designs 'bean blog'!

We'll still have handmade collage art... but we now have a FREE site and offer our designs on original photo cards and announcements as well.

Here are a few of our most recent... (click on the links to the right to view the whole collection)

My sister is joining me in this new endeavor as we found a common creative interest to pursue. After searching for birth announcements and holiday photo cards, only to find the cute ones where WAY too expensive and the affordable ones were SOOO not cute or original... we started making our own... (and got a little carried away!)

Therefore, vanillabean-designs will now be offering a selection of digital photo cards, invitations, and announcements. (View 'how it works' at the right side of the page.)

Bookmark this page, our new 'bean blog'... http://www.vanillabean-designs.blogspot.com

to catch all of our attempts at creativity in motherhood and all our newest designs.

Just as a welcome gift and just in time for Valentine's day...

we'll offer some card designs for you to download free, add your digital photo and have printed at your favorite spot. For less than 10 cents a 4x6 print on some websites, like snapfish, and being able to printing as few as necessary at walgreens or walmart... you can even just make just a few to send to grandparents for fun. Heck... it's practically free.

***crafty tip*** after printing your photo valentines... cut two slits or hole punches into the side and attach smarties or lollipops to give to your kid's friends.

Click on image to download the .PNG template file.

***if you don't have photo editing software, but really want one of our VBD valentines. Email us your photo and we'll do it for you and email you the valentine with your photo and message to have printed.

Toddler friendly gift tags...

2008-12-23T11:50:00.000-08:00

Piles of presents and they all belong to me... is what has to be running the the head of a toddler at Christmas. To get my 18 month old and her 2 year old cousin involved in the present passing this year, I made these:

(I did them in Photoshop Elements with digital scrapbook products by Lauren Grier and Shawna Clingerman and KimB's cute elf-a-bet alpha freebie.)

You could easily add to: and from: text on the photo in any photo editing/storing program and print them out on your computer. Print multiple small photos on a page by selecting the wallet print option in your printer settings or by inserting the photos into a Word document.

Or for those who like to kick it old school... just print out the photos and glue them to cute Christmas papers or tags and add stickers, ribbon, glitter, etc. You could even get the kids involved as a fun craft project to make the tags for brothers, sisters, or cousins.

As a girl who likes options... let me offer another to those completely against the digital age. Cut faces out of those unframeable shots you already have printed that are too far away, have flaws or blurs or squirrel faces, but at least one salvageable smiling cutie.

Christmas crafts for kids...

2008-12-21T11:50:00.000-08:00

My daughter got to make 3 super cute Christmas crafts last week thanks to my new friend and craft queen, Shanna. So, here they are... and easy enough to do today!

Icing Christmas tree... edible decoration (your's WILL look prettier... keep in mind she's under 2)

Supplies: ice cream cones, can of white icing, green food coloring, candy ornaments (marshmallows, m&m's, sweettarts, smarties, gumdrops, redhots, sprinkles, etc.)

1. Mix food coloring with icing to make it green

2. turn the cone upside down on a plate

3. spread icing all over the cone

4. decorate the tree with candy

5. enjoy... my daughter takes an ornament off everytime she passes it

Lid ornaments... full of kitschy charm

Supplies: lid from old container, school glue, random baubles (sequins, buttons, beads, noodles, crayons etc.)

1. fill a lid with glue up to the top.

2. place sequins, buttons, etc. in the glue

3. allow to dry completely

4. poke a hole through the top

5. tie with ribbon

Detergent Snowman... cute and he smells good too

Supplies: detergent, cloves, sticks, sequins or buttons, toothpicks

1. mix dry flake detergent with water to make a paste

2. let your child roll 3 balls, big, medium, and small (paste dries quickly so work fast)

3. use a toothpick to keep the balls together

4. let your child decorate him: dried cloves as the eyes, pre-gathered sticks for arms, sequins or buttons for buttons, etc.

Bibs from BEBE AU LAIT... am I dreaming?

2008-11-10T11:49:00.000-08:00

Not since my HOOTER HIDER was the cutest thing in my post-pregnancy wardrobe, have I thought that BEBE AU LAIT could get any better. Though nursing is a thing of the past for me (until the next one shows up)... I still have a messy baby.

Just in time for Christmas... they've introduced their LATEST STROKE OF GENIUS - THE DOUBLE BIB.

I can remember, not so long ago, walking through a fancy baby store and purchasing a $20+ bib just for the cute fabric... only to get it home and filthy and read "DO NOT WASH... damp cloth only." It was ruined in less time than it took to get it home from the store. This bib comes in the super cute fabrics ... but gives you 4 chances to use it and then can be washed! The best part is that there are no food trapping velcro to clean out... magnets only.

To make it EVEN better... BEBE AU LAIT is having their first ever sale (through Monday Dec. 1st midnight)... so go stock up!

Up for grabs...

2008-11-10T11:48:00.000-08:00

30 days is a super cool site that features collections of tutorial links for making your own crafts of all kinds. I have it on my Google Reader and have a ton of her links bookmarked to try out when I get a chance. I especially love her holiday collections... can't wait to see the Christmas stuff she finds! Mique also does giveaways on Mondays from certain featured sellers of handmade goods.

Today... it's us. The two pieces above... 3 if by Sea and Pink 'Pair' Tree are up for grabs to a lucky commenter on this post by tomorrow :

http://thirtyhandmadedays.blogspot.com/2008/11/little-late.html

(a goof from me gives you only one day to do so... but that's better odds for winning with less time for more comments right? so go comment... QUICK!)

Bows-oh, is that all?

2008-11-04T11:47:00.000-08:00

Making your own bows is really more intimidating than it is difficult. At the rate we lose the ones put in my toddler's hair, I hate to spend too much money on the everyday ones. Here is a simple way I make bows for my daughter.

Gather your supplies: cute ribbon, clear mini pony-tail elastics, craft glue or hot glue gun, clips (available 100 for $4 at Sally's Beauty Supply), foam 'no slip' cabinet liner (available at wal mart or hardware stores), thinner ribbon for bow's center, buttons or accessories for finishing

Start by making a loop at one end of your ribbon. Decide the width of your bow by making another loop on the other side and hold in the center.

Then, make an 'X' shape with another set of loops

Pinch the ribbon 'x' in the middle to make a bow shape.

Double loop the clear rubber band around the center of the bow and make final bow arrangement.

Cut a small piece of thin ribbon in a coordinating color to be the bow center. Glue one end and hold.

Glue the other end in place, trim excess and allow to dry. I like to use an extra clip to hold it tight while it dries.

While drying, prepare a thin ribbon strip with glue. Start at one end of the ribbon near the inside hinge of the clip. Continue wrapping the gluey strip of ribbon around the clip, ending near the inside hinge of the clip on the other side. ** Be sure to account for the ribbon needed to expandwhen the clip is released.** I use several spare clips to hold the ribbon in place while it dries.

To make the clip 'no slip' for fine baby hair. Use a small strip of foam no-slip shelf liner glued to the inside of the clip.

Get as creative as you want with various ribbons and accessories and create handmade bows to match your daughter's favorite outfits.

Some of our latest designs...

2008-10-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

If you're an Austinite and want to forget the online fees and shipping charges... and here are just a few of the new art pieces we have created:

Email us at vanillabeandesigns@gmail.com to check availability.

Finally cash in those free photobook coupons...

2008-10-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

Every time I open my email... it seems I have a free photobook waiting at one of the online photo printing services I use... especially when you sign up for a new account.

Here are a few I have used:

www.snapfish.com

www.shutterfly.com

www.artscow.com

These free coupon codes usually only last a short time and always seem to expire on me... because I don't have any idea which photos to put in book form. With Christmas coming up... what a creative way to save money and make a truly unique gift.

Using pictures you already have:

-make a child's personal family photo album. Use and label pictures of family (like grandparents or cousins that they don't see everyday)

-find out your child's favorite subject (ex: dogs) and collect pictures from the internet

-make a themed timeline book from your photo stash ... like Halloween costumes that your child has worn or first days of school or Christmas mornings

Easy picture taking around the house:

-make a book of your child's favorite things around your house (for example: pacifier, cake, doll,)

-take pictures of your child making faces (sad, happy, surprised, silly...)

For those with a little more time on their hands...

here are some fun learning projects to do WITH your kid:

-go on a color hunt with your child and camera and make a color book

-go on an abc hunt with your camera (keep in mind most photo books charge for more than 20 pages... so you may have to double up on a few)

-go on an animal/bug hunt around your home to see what else lives where you live

-find examples of opposites (like hot/cold, dirty/clean, big/small, heavy/light...)

Bird with The Word...

2008-10-07T11:43:00.000-07:00

As you may have guessed... birdies are one of my favorite subjects. After filling my daughter's room with birdie art, wouldn't you know she is obsessed with DOGS.

Obviously... it hasn't stopped me. 'Lullaby Birdie' is the latest VanillaBean design, a 16x20 acrylic and collage piece on canvas that features a plethora of pretty pinks and a verse special to most moms.

It could also be sweet with no words or a simple monogram or name in the lower right corner.

Toddler tub terror turned...

2008-10-01T11:42:00.000-07:00

Picasso?

Art time with my toddler usually consists of a coloring sheet and one highly supervised crayon... which inevitably becomes a snack. Until now...that is. I must rave about the Crayola Bathtub crayons, which fulfill my toddler art responsibilities and have brought new vigor into the words 'time for your bath'.

My toddler loves to scribble on the blank canvas of the bathtub while I scrub and rinse. Usually, Mom and Dad can't resist picking up one, too. Here is a little 'self portrait' that Dad worked up with a few finishing touches from a 1 year old.

When it's time to pull the plug, a simple wet washcloth or splash and fingers erases any sign of the fun! Then they can drip dry in their little plastic tray.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this product!

Once upon a time...

2008-09-29T11:41:00.000-07:00

there was a girl who loved fairy tales. When she grew up, she designed this art collection for her daughter's bedroom wall.

These four 8x8 original VB collage art prints with signature VB embellishments feature iconic symbols from the classic fairy tales. Matted and mounted on 4 12x12 canvases or reduced together on 1 personalized 16x20 canvas, this art can live happily ever after in your little princess' chamber.

Contact us at vanillabeandesigns@gmail.com to choose your canvas size, paint color, matte color, and personalization characters and color.

(actual images of art, digital simulation of canvas and mattes and personalization)

Please, please, please...

2008-07-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

not again... is what I usually think as I pull out the favorite bedtime books for my daughter. Longing for something new in the rotation, I pulled this book, that I had originally bought for my classroom because of its repetitive text, off the shelf because of her new found fascination with dogs. Lily went wild at the beautiful depictions of little faces and a rambunctious 'dod' (as she says with renewed vigor every time I turn the page).

Kadir Nelson, the genius behind these pictures, is, quite possibly, the greatest illustrator ever. Check out his work in: one of my top 5 favorite stories, Salt in His Shoes (about a young Michael Jordan... told by his mom and sister) and He's Got the Whole World in His Hands (which puts Kadir's amazing work behind the classic tune.) I picture his illustrations in my head for all of the stories that I write... which is why my own never measure up!

Now, I am usually not a fan of celebrities who think they can also be children's book authors, but Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee put rhythm to simple words and tell a hilarious story in Please Puppy Please and Please Baby Please, with words like"Go back to bed, baby, please, baby, please" ..."Not on your HEAD, baby baby baby, please!" ... we can relate, too.

These books will be favorites for the baby bedtime routine now and for MANY childhood years to come!

Raindrops on roses...

2008-07-08T11:39:00.000-07:00

and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens...these are a few of my favorite things. This is a fun, super simple craft for you and your child to do together.

Just gather several magazines you have around the house, a pair of blunt-edges scissors, and some glue. With your child, flip through the magazine and find things that they love. My daughter LOVES our yellow lab, so as soon as she saw a puppy dog that looked just like him, she wanted to cut that out. Some of the others I helped with :) But she knew when she saw jewelry, or apple juice, that she wanted to clip those, too. Each time we cut out a picture we glued it down right away - this helped keep her interested. When we had a good amount on the paper, I cut out letters to spell her name and let her glue those down at the top of the page. Then I wrote in marker "favorite things," and we hung it on the fridge for display.

Star spangled snacks...

2008-07-02T11:39:00.000-07:00

Fourth of July picnics and barbecues make the perfect excuse to create a fun snack with the kids. I almost always do my fall-back "flag cake." But this year, I'm excited to try a twist on the old "cake ball" recipe! (thanks suzanne) :)

To make the cake balls a little more festive, try using red velvet cake mix. That way, when friends and family bite into your scrumptious snacks, they not only get a mouth-full of yummy dessert, but a tribute the red, white and blue.

recipe and photo from bakerella

Red Velvet Cake Balls
1 box red velvet cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)
1 can cream cheese frosting (16 oz.)
1 package chocolate bark (regular or white chocolate)
wax paper
1. After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.
2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting. (It may be easier to use fingers to mix together, but be warned it will get messy.)
3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50. You can get even more if you use a mini ice cream scooper, but I like to hand roll them.)
4. Chill for several hours. (You can speed this up by putting in the freezer.)
5. Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.
6. Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm. (Use a spoon to dip and roll in chocolate and then tap off extra.)

Flag Cake

1 angel food cake

1tub cool whip

1 package instant pudding mix

strawberries

blueberries

1. make instant pudding using shaker method (kids can do this)

2. tear up angel food cake into bite size pieces (let kids tear away)

3. mix pudding and angel food cake and dump in 13x9 pan

4. smooth on cool whip layer

5. arrange sliced strawberries and blueberries to form a flag

Personalized patriotism... in a snap.

2008-06-30T11:38:00.000-07:00

Blame it on my daughter being born on the 4th of July... but I've become obsessed with red, white, and blue outfits. However, I was having trouble finding the perfect shirt that told the world... "HEY... It's Independence Day AND my birthday!"

My solution was a pack of iron-on transfers. I designed my daughter a shirt using photoshop elements and the 'liberty' kit from Little Dreamer Designs.

This would be especially good for matching shirts for the whole family, birthday parties, etc. It's too easy NOT to do it.

Just buy a plain t-shirt or tank top and a pack of iron on transfers.

Use a photo or fonts to create the t-shirts image or text.

Flip the image.

Print it out.

Cut around it.

Iron it on.

Or just borrow this design...

Birthday memories... for the children of the memory-keeping challenged.

2008-06-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

Not every mom has the time or energy to be the super scrapbooker that our kids deserve. This book, that I picked up at Pottery Barn Kids, is set up in a way that allows you to write down minimal facts one year at a time, easily store memorabilia (like invitations and cards), and let's your kid do the talking. The important thing is that it records memories of your child's life from birth to age 18 in a unique, concise way that all moms CAN do and kids will enjoy having.

I love that this book has interviews with your child that you write down, gives you ideas of ordinary but special things to keep in its time capsule envelopes, and has space for a few pictures of your child at every age. The only thing left up to you is recording these precious memories every year on your child's birthday...even a mom with a late start could catch up with this one!

Afterlife of a formula can... (vol. 4)

2008-06-25T11:36:00.000-07:00

I'm celebrating my child's first birthday and switch from formula to whole milk with a ceremonial formula can...

10 ways to reuse a formula can

#4 Birthday Party Centerpiece

Gather your materials:

clean can, dowel rods, patterned paper, colored cardstock, glue, ribbon, photos, acrylic paint, sponge brush

Remove and trace paper label to create new wrapper

Decorate paper wrapper with photos of child throughout the year.

(I used photoshop elements and digital papers to create mine... but you could easily do the same thing with regular scrapbook paper, photos, and stickers)

Spread or spray adhesive evenly over the back of the wrapper and attach to can.

Cut 'X' slits in the plastic lid to place dowel rods in.

Paint the dowel rods and can lid green with acrylic paint and a sponge brush.

Cut out flower shapes out of colored cardstock. You will need a front and back for each one. (Any asymmetrical shape will need a mirror image for the back)

Cut photos of child in circle shapes to create the flower center.

Spread glue over the back of the flower, place dowel in position and press the back flower down evenly. For different heights of flowers without sawing the dowels-- just cover more or less of the dowel with the cardstock flower.

Spread glue over the back of the leaf. Attach the back leaf shape part of the way and press the rest together on the dowel. Use the stem to wrap around the dowel for support.

After they are completely dry... place the dowels into position through the can lid. You may need something inside the can to hold them in place. I ended up using macaroni noodles... because I didn't have any styrofoam.

For a boy birthday, create different shapes on the dowel rods. Try, an airplane and clouds, cars on a racetrack, frog pond with lily pads and cat tails, mickey mouse or other favorite character heads printed out from the internet.

Keeper of the keys...

2008-06-18T11:34:00.000-07:00

Ever since I first opened the little package that arrived from etsy seller Jimmy Pickles, I've been in love with their cute wristlet key chains. As a mom of two youngsters, I'm always leaving the house with my arms full, and I get to the car only to drop things one at a time as I attempt to locate my keys. This cool key fob slips easily on my wrist and stays there while I juggle the kids, bags and accessories. They come in so many fun, funky, stylish, modern prints that you're sure to find the perfect one for you - and a few friends.

Seaside pool...

2008-06-18T11:33:00.000-07:00

Before my family left for the beach, I was worried about taking two young children to spend all day in the surf and sand. But once we arrived, I discovered the perfect solution - a blow-up pool. We bought a small inflatable pool at walmart for five bucks and filled it with cool faucet water. I threw in a few water/bath toys and we put it under the shade of our umbrella. It worked perfectly - keeping my nine month old son out of the sand and gave my two year old daughter a place to play with water in the shade. So next time you trek to the seaside - remember the best five dollars you'll spend, aside from sunscreen, will be on a pool with an oceanfront view.

B is for Bow-Holder...

2008-06-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

After ordering some precious 4th of July clippies from etsy seller TIFFANY C DESIGNS... I realized I needed a place to put my daughter's growing bow collection.

Using our love letters... we are now happy to offer monogram bow-holders to match your little lady's room or bathroom decor-- you choose the letter, the colors to feature in the pattern and the ribbon color.

Afterlife of a formula can... (vol. 3)

2008-06-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

Recently when organizing my craft closet, I used a tip from Real Simple magazine to put all of my ribbon spools on wire hangers. It worked perfectly... except that I was left with a box full of ribbon pieces not on a spool. I'm always buying ribbon by the yard and way OVER estimating how much I'll need or receiving cute ribbons on gifts. I hate to throw it away and can always use it for crafts, scrapbooking, gift wrapping, etc.... but need an organized way to keep it.

10 ways to reuse a formula can:

#3 Ribbon Dispenser

Gather your materials:

clean empty can with flexible plastic lid, knife, spare ribbon pieces

Cut various lengths of small slits in the lid of your container.

Fill can with spare ribbon pieces leaving one end hanging over the can.

Poke each ribbon piece through the slits leaving just a small length of ribbon showing.

Reattach the lid on the container.

Black white and red all over...

2008-06-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

Our latest art set is an homage to the animal kingdom ...depicting 4 of its finest in black and white.

Perfect for a playroom, this set features creatures, both hand drawn and collaged, matted on 4 12x12 square canvases... each with their own special collage detail like ribbon, felt, button, or twine and pop of color.

With blue, green, red, and yellow all represented in the art... the canvases could be painted any color that would look best in your room... even 4 different colors. Hung in a square or a straight line, this set of handmade art will make graphic statement on any blank wall.

Kleenex box... for more than just runny noses

2008-06-06T11:28:00.000-07:00

My child has a very short lived infatuation with most of the new toys that I buy her. I recently found a FREE 'toy' that my 10 month old has not grown bored of after several weeks. It's so dumb... I almost hate to post it. But, if it brings ONE child joy... it may do so for others.

Joining her love of pulling things out of their container and fascination with paper, I stuffed an empty kleenex box with random junk mail, magazine subscription cards, coupons, etc.

She never tires of pulling each paper out, looking at it, throwing it down, and diving in for the next one.
When I see that it has been emptied and discarded, I stuff them all in again and the fun starts all over the next time she sees it.

The best part is that it's completely renewable. When the pieces get like this:

I just throw them out and grab some new junk mail (arriving daily).

Here are some other household items that have cured toy boredom at our house a time or two. My kid couldn't even stay away from them long enough for me to take a decent photo.

.nesting mixing bowls -- make great drums and toy hiding places
.tupperware -- a classic toy in disguise
.plastic container -- lifting lids is a favorite pastime of my kid and good for building dexterity
.paper towel rolls -- great to look and talk to your baby through for a little fun
.kitchen utensils -- measuring cups, rubber scrapers, spatulas, etc.
.colorful cereal bowls -- make great stackers and when translucent, can open the door for some good lessons in object permanence

We're tickled pink...

2008-05-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

about our newest art set... the 'Tickled Pink Tea Party.'

Featuring vintage style patterns from floral to polka-dots in every shade of pink and accents of rick-rack, buttons, felt, and ribbon on 1 16x20 and 2 8x10 canvases, I fell in LOVE with this set as soon as I started creating it! With this lovely dress, yummy cupcake, and pretty teacup...your little girlie can enjoy the basics of a fancy tea party... right on the wall in her room!

Your turn to bring snacks to playgroup?

2008-05-23T11:26:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just want a chocolatey snack from your oven that requires no eggs to crack, bowls to wash, and long wait time.

This recipe, first seen at my sister's, has become a favorite around here as a yummy treat and fun activity to do with kids. The teacher in me sees a math lesson in every step of this process... but my 10 month old isn't feeling it yet.

Pretzel Rafts (a name I coined for them myself)

Gather your ingredients:

pretzels (i like the snaps)

hershey's kisses (the almond ones are great... if you aren't making these for kids)

m&ms

baking sheet (with parchment paper if you love easy clean up like me)

Lay out as many pretzels as you want to make on a baking sheet... a great job for even the itty-bitty kids.

Place a kiss on top of each pretzel... unwrapping them all is a fun time killer for little fingers

Put them into a 300 degree oven until the chocolate is just shiny... not melted. (about 2-4 minutes... almost enough time to gather all the kiss wrappers and wash your hands)

While they are warm, place an m&m on top of each kiss.

Let them cool... and enjoy!

)

A name necklace that's not all cheese.

2008-05-21T11:24:00.000-07:00

I swore I would never be one of those moms who wore her kids pictures, names, birthstones, etc. adorning her jewelry. I always considered it, a bit, well, cheesy. I know the sentiment behind it isn't cheesy, but I always found the jewelry to be unpractical, gaudy, and often just plain ugly. My rule changed when I discovered Lisa Leonard Designs.

Her necklaces are classy, elegant, and carry special meaning in their hand-stamped, hammered sterling silver charms.

My mother's day gift arrived - yesterday - but I'm not complaining. The necklace is LOVELY - I'll probably rarely take it off. And yes - I'm wearing my children's names around my neck - to keep them close to my heart - but it's really not as cheesy as it sounds. Go see for yourself. I bet you'll want more than one.

Where the boys are...

2008-05-19T11:24:00.000-07:00

isn't at my house! Although Laura has a baby boy, we both will openly admit that boy art doesn't come as naturally to us as the girly stuff.

But ... wouldn't it figure that our latest labors of love would be ALL boy!

VanillaBean designs has been focused lately on a few extra special orders for a few extra special boys.

We really are HAPPY to work with you to make something that you will fall in love with every time you walk through the door of your child's room... whether you see it in the 'BEAN BOUTIQUE' or not.

VanillaBean is always growing and changing... so bookmark us and check back often. We've got some BIG plans in the works... if our kids would just nap a little bit longer.

There's an animal strike at the zoo... it's true!

2008-05-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

VanillaBean Designs recommends this book by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Margaret Spengler. It is incredibly clever, has scores of great vocabulary, and sets you up for a wonderful social studies lesson with your kid.

I wish I had this book in my classroom and had known about www.karmawilson.com. I just spent ENTIRELY too long there myself... and will definitely use her parent/teacher resources even at home. She has loads of books that are now in my amazon shopping cart. I love discovering authors that I adore!

So, go grab the animal crackers, your little one, and this book for storytime this week!

Afterlife of a formula can (Vol. 2)

2008-05-09T11:22:00.000-07:00

My latest use for a formula can coincides with a little holiday coming up this weekend.

10 Ways to Re-Use A Formula Can (or any food can)

#2 Gift bag

Perfect for presenting a giftcard, jewelry, crafts from kids, etc.

Gather your materials:

empty, clean can, decorative paper or wrapping paper, ribbon, scissors, glue or double sided tape, gift tag

Measure surface area of can and cut a strip of paper or wrapping paper to fit around the can

Affix the paper to the can with glue or double sided tape. (I used a tape runner)

Cut a piece of ribbon long enough to wrap around the can with some extra.

Slide a gift tag onto the ribbon and then tie a bow. **You can easily make a tag from scratch with some heavy paper and a hole punch.**

Stuff with your gift and some matching tissue paper and *VOILA*... not your average 99 cent gift bag.

A little birdie told me...

2008-05-06T11:20:00.000-07:00

eesh. You know when life just gets crazy?!? We've been having one of those weeks. Nothing earth-shattering, just busy, tired life with little ones. So, I apologize for the delay in posting, but we're slowly getting back into the swing of things.

Kate's been loving our craft times, and I'm learning that it doesn't have to be some big, elaborate craft to make it worthwhile. Pick something your child has been fascinated by recently and make a craft out of it. It could be trains, the sun, or, if your kid's like my daughter - birds. So without too much forethought, I gathered supplies we had on hand and let Kate make her very own birdie.

I just cut out a bird shape and wing

Let her color her bird

glue on puff balls

and feathers

and added a pipe cleaner for a little tuft

So don't put off doing something creative with your child because you think you don't have supplies or good ideas. Your kid will love creating anything with you. And Kate still talks about her colorful birdie that's hanging on the fridge.

Play-doh your heart's content.

2008-05-02T11:20:00.000-07:00

I put it off as long as I could. I feared the mess, the little pieces I knew I'd find ground into the carpet, and the potential that my child would enjoy it as a snack more than a craft. But after Kate received a small play-doh pack in her Easter basket from her Nana, I figured we'd test the waters.

She found the soft, moldable, dough delightful, and I found I was running out of ways to roll a snake - yes - I've been finding play-doh time extremely dull.

And then Kate turned two and received the latest, greatest play-doh invention for her birthday. They call it "sand art." I'm not really sure why they thought that would be alluring seeing as sand art went out of style when I was in middle school.

So if you were like me and hadn't given notice to play-doh's sand art activities for kids - take note. Not only is it reusable and easy for your child, it's takes all the boredom out of play-doh for the parent. And when we finished creating our flower - even I was proud to display it in the kitchen.

The after life of a formula can...

2008-04-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

As the un-official trash person in our house, I'm quite conscious of the amount of waste my family produces. Therefore, I'm trying to be 'crafty' about ways to re-use things around the house... especially it means something my kid can do with me or play with when I'm done.

Thus, the 'Bean Blog' brings you:

10 Ways to Re-Use A Formula Can (or any food can)

#1 Toy Drum

This would be a great craft to do WITH an older child or FOR a younger child.

Gather your supplies:

can, scissors, ruler, glue, clear packing tape, noise makers (noodles, buttons, beads, etc.), scrap paper, crayons

Measure the height of the can.

Cut a strip of paper to fit the height of the can and to fit around the can... it may take 2 strips taped together.

Let your child decorate the paper strip.

Adhere the strip to the can with glue.

Then, use several strips of clear packing tape to seal the paper and can.

Fill the can with noise makers from around the house. (noodles, beads, buttons... be creative... I found a 'pink pearl' eraser makes a very cool noise.)

If your noise makers are small enough to be choking hazards or to make a mess... seal the lid on with a line of craft glue or another strip of packing tape.

Find some good drumsticks around the house and let your kid go to town.

**If you have any 'crafty' ways that you recycle things around the house ... let us know or challenge us to figure out a way!

Rapunzel threw down her underwear...

2008-04-17T11:16:00.000-07:00

got a big laugh out of my second graders every time I read FALLING FOR RAPUNZEL to them.

I rediscovered it recently on the bookshelf of my 9 month old, bored from reading 'goat, girl, goo-goo goggles.. G...G... G' a million and a half times. As a lover of all things children's literature, I like to spice up my book selection... even to an infant.

She may have not understood the cute rhyming misunderstandings this poor princess has... but she showcased her favorite dance move to the beat of their rhyming couplets and gazed for SECONDS on end at the colorful, mixed media illustrations.

Now that your no-sew princess tutus are ready...Vanilla Bean Designs highly recommends this tale, our storytime pick of the week!

A two's tutu tutorial.

2008-04-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

I just finished making several tutus for my daughter's second birthday party and thought I'd share a "how to make a tutu" here. ahem. a no-sew tutu. :)

To make a child size tutu, you'll need two spools of tulle found at your local craft store or walmart. You can buy the tulle by the yard as well, but if you buy it in spools you only have to cut the length, and I found it saved lots of time. Also, purchase a pack of 3/8" elastic and cut enough to fit around your child's waist and tie a bow.

Figure out the length you want the tutu and double that length. I wanted my daughters to fall 15 inches from her waist, so I cut my tulle at 30 inches.

Cut. Cut. Cut. until you've finished both spools.

Tie your elastic around something to make it easier to attach your tulle strips. I found a picture frame works great! Then, you'll start knotting your tulle. Loop your tulle so that it's even on both sides.

Then pull the bottom two strips over the elastic and through the loop.

Then just pull it tight. When you start to pull the tulle, the elastic has a tendency to twist and roll, to keep this from happening, I found placing my index finger over the elastic and the tulle while I pulled really helped.

Continue doing this with each tulle strip, making sure that you bunch them closely together. When you're finished you can tie the elastic in a bow around your child's waist. This allows it to be completely adjustable.

The finished product - personal opinion - the poofier, the better!!

Can you make a fish face?

2008-03-28T11:13:00.000-07:00

I'm on a mission to find and/or create fun, affordable, creative crafts to do with my toddler. Our first official attempt (aside from the daily - coloring books and paint with water) went surprisingly well.

We've been reading The Rainbow Fish recently, and since Kate loves making fish faces, I thought it only appropriate that our first craft include some fins.

I gathered our supplies - blunt edge scissors, glue, sequins, foam square, and one googly eye. Whenever we do crafts, I cover the table with Kraft paper so clean-up is super easy. Before we started our craft, we read our book to get excited about our fish!

We cut out a simple fish from a blue foam rectangle.

I put small glue dots all over the fish - and wherever Kate insisted they go - and she placed the sequins.

We added a googly eye, yellow lips and some fins, and our fish was ready for the ocean. Kate really liked the fins and wanted to add them all over the fish.

When we finished, we hung the fish on the refrigerator to dry, and Kate enjoyed a nice fishy snack.

This is the crayola beginnings of a beautiful solution...

2008-03-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

I love the IDEA of these "crayola beginnings" markers, paints, and crayons shaped for a first grasp... so that even the little bitty ones can have some creativity in their life. However, they, by design, sit with the point facing UP... so anytime the kid grabs for it... they get a handful of MESS and FRUSTRATION!

My solution is an EGG CARTON!

Discard the packaging and place the colors upside down in an empty egg carton.

Then, when the child reaches for one... he grabs the bulbous end with the marking side down and ready for paper contact.

Plus, it makes clean-up and storage easy.