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Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Creative Ideas from Martha Stewart

This time of year it seems like most parents are indoors with their children due to the cold weather.  Some parents may start to get cabin fever or just plain bored.  Here is a creative project you, as parents, can do while you are cooped up inside all day, every day!

Potato-Print Baby Clothes

Tools and Materials
Potatoes (white potatoes, russets, or red potatoes)
Permanent fabric paint
Sharp knives
Foam brushes
Paintbrushes in various sizes
Cutting board
Forks
Vegetable peeler
Paper towels
Child-size hangers
Melon baller
Fine brushes
One-piece or prewashed T-shirts
Ironing board
Iron

Ladybug How-To
1. Peel potato to create a smooth edge. To make the leaf, use a chef's knife to cut a large potato in half lengthwise.
2. Use a paring knife to carve a tear-drop leaf shape out of other half.
3. To create the ladybug body, carve a semicircle out of the other half for the body or cut a small red potato in half and in half again. For the head, use a melon ball scooper to cut out a circle for a round stamp.
4. Place potato stamps on a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Do this only the first time you use stamp.
5. Apply paint to the flesh of the potato with a foam brush. You can use green for the leaf, red for the body atop the leaf, and black for the head.
6. Slide a cutting board inside the shirt to block paint from bleeding through the back. Press the potato stamp firmly onto the shirt. Stick a fork in larger potatoes for stability when stamping.
7. Draw a green stem with a detailing brush.
8. Stamp another ladybug body and head atop stem.
9. Draw black antennae with a detailing brush. Using the end of the brush, add small dots to the body and end of each antennae.
10. Heat-set the shirt by ironing on the front with a hot iron after stamping. For a design with a lot of detail and "puffy" painted areas, iron the back as well.

Gator How-To
1. Peel a potato to create a smooth edge. Cut two large potatoes in half and use to make five potato stamps: a rectangle for the body, four green feet, tail shape, mouth, and a small triangle for spikes on the back. Place potato stamps on a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Do this only the first time you use the stamp.
2. Apply paint to the flesh of the potato with a foam brush.
3. Slide a cutting board inside the shirt to block paint from bleeding through the back. Press the potato stamp firmly onto the shirt. Stick a fork in larger potatoes for stability when stamping.
4. Dot black eyes with the back of the paint brush.
5. Dot white teeth with the back of the paint brush.
6. Heat-set the shirt by ironing on the front with a hot iron after stamping. For a design with a lot of detail and "puffy" painted areas, iron the back as well.

For more fun t-shirt ideas, read: Potato-Print Baby Clothes - Martha Stewart Kids

Friday, January 14, 2011

Cotton Ball Snowmen

Here is an idea for a fun winter craft to do with your kids! Its simple and affordable and the kids will love it!  The best part is you probably already have all the supplies at home.

Materials: Construction paper, cotton balls, and crayons.
Description: Past cotton balls on the paper to resemble a snowman and decorate him and the surroundings as you please. 

Here are a few examples.


Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Questions Galore...Answered!

Have you ever had so many questions you just do not know where to turn too?  Babycenter.com is your one-stop shop to all your mommy needs.  This website will provide all your answers to getting pregnant, being pregnant, resources for raising an infant and toddler, coupons for the necessities, count down til D-day, a play-by-play (weekly) on how your child should be developing, amazing recipes for food to make for your child at all ages, and so much more to help you be the best mother you can!!! 


The following information was taken from babycenter.com.  Try these ideas with your children.  We know that childhood obesity is on the rise and, typicially, when children come home from school or are done with their homework, on goes the television.  Here are some simple ideas to keep your kids moving:

  • Take family walks. Alternate walking, running, jogging, and skipping. Play "I Spy," start a collection of feathers or leaves, and sing songs or recite nursery rhymes as a diversion while you walk.
  • Lead them to water. A paddle pool, sprinkler, or running hose all encourage splashing, running, and touching. Or have your child wash your car or the family pet. (Always supervise your child around water.) 
  • Help your child draw a hopscotch board or four-square grid on the sidewalk with chalk, and then show her how to play.
  • Take family bike rides. Be sure everyone wears a helmet.
  • Challenge your child. See who can jump rope the longest, shoot the most baskets, stand on one leg longest -- anything goes. Kids love to compete against their parents.
  • Join a YMCA, YWCA, or community center as a family. Or look into other local resources that keep kids moving, such as a bowling alley, skating rink (ice or roller), or museum. 
Derived from: http://www.babycenter.com/0_activities-that-boost-physical-development_10300500.bc

Monday, January 10, 2011

Fun Crafts You Can Make at Home

Picture from http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/57281744/Stockbyte

 Looking to make some new crafts for your baby?  This website, http://www.make-baby-stuff.com, offers a ton of great ideas for crafts you can make at home. Some of these craft items include baby toys, baby clothes, things for the nursery, bedding, baby food, and even homemade gifts. The site offers video tutorials and step-by-step instructions so that anyone can make these crafts. Try them out and let us know what you think!

*Click HERE to see a funny comic on what to do and what not to do with your baby

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Free Nursery Rhymes


While you may be well aware of the importance of nursery rhymes, knowing them by heart is another story. If you are looking to learn more or to refresh your memory on the nursery rhymes and songs you grew up loving, check out this website; http://www.nurseryrhymes4u.com/

A great link is this one; http://www.nurseryrhymes4u.com/NURSERY_RHYMES/MUSICANDSONG.html
Here you can click on songs, see the words and hear the music!