Haunted Gingerbread Houses

The nieces came over to create their haunted houses this past weekend. Everyone was very creative, and lots of icing and candy were used.

Gum Ball Necklace

My niece, Z, is having a Bubble Gum Birthday Party at the end of the month.

Aunt Gwennie made the necklaces.

I'm thinking of stringing them to hang on the chandelier over the table.

Also, I need to come up with a craft project. Hmmm...

Art Day with Aunt Gwen/The Pink Lady

S was not so into it. I'm not sure why.

J making his watercolor.

The whole group.

K was very precise. She calls me "Pink Lady", which I love!

Niece S creating her watercolors.

FYI Crayola watercolors are the BEST! Totally worth the extra money.

M, being the oldest, actually listened to the directions.

Her parents would be shocked!

I love the concentration!

Finished art project.

My art piece. I like it, very colorful.

I already have a list of close to one hundred new art/craft projects for next summer.

Maybe I should homeschool, and then the boys and I could have art day everyday.

I'm sad that the summer is coming to an end. I will miss the boys, not the fighting, but the closeness.

Craft Day with Aunt Gwen: "Tie Dye" shirts

This was such a fun project! I kept wondering why I didn't buy myself a t-shirt!

You will need one 100% cotton shirt, Sharpies or Bic permanent markers, eye droppers and rubbing alcohol. It's easy-peasy. Lay the shirt flat, placing a piece of cardboard inside the shirt to prevent bleeding through. Make dots in a circle, pressing hard to have lots of ink on the fabric, then drop rubbing alcohol in the center, and watch the ink bleed. I threw them in a hot dryer to set the color. The kids all loved this project. And I am now working on a tote bag.

M was the most diligent, which probably comes from being the oldest. I think hers turned out the best, just don't tell the others!

The finished product. I love that the kids love spending time together, and get along great.

The Fab Four!

30 Minutes 1 Aisle = Patience is a Virtue

Grandma gave them $10 each to spend how ever they wanted, this meant for me 30 minutes waiting in the Lego/Nerf aisle at Target, waiting for a decision to be made. I could have used a cocktail by the end of this process.

I think S is really rocking the newsboy cap. J didn't get one, so he has been wearing my beret (which I haven't worn since the whole Clinton/Lewinsky mess). J is using his loom for the first time. He really wanted one for Christmas, and he got it from the other Grandma. I really think he will be an artist of some kind when he grows up.

Keeping out of Trouble

The above and below are ideas courtesy of How Does She?

A balloon wreath, ready for the next birthday and Oreos dipped in chocolate on a stick.

and Puppy Chow, ready for the school bake sale tomorrow.

Hey, it keeps me out of trouble, and I don't eat any of it.

What a Couple of Turkeys!

I saw these yarn turkeys in a blog (forgive me, but I can't remember which one)

and thought they would be perfect for the first grade classrooms this fall. They will have feathers stuck into them, as each child reads their allotment of books to qualify to go to the next Lunch Luau. I think they turned out cute.

Boredom

This is what happens when I have some time on my hands. Leaf Ladies.

I'll Take It!

I found this ribbon website, Renaissance Ribbons, and want it all! What to do? What to create?

Craft Day with Aunt Gwen: Jackson Pollock Inspired

Craft Day with Aunt Gwen: Bubble Wands

S is ready to create his GIANT bubble wand with:

two dowels, two eye hooks, one washer and cotton cord.

M and J set to go outside

I dubbed S the "Bubble Queen", she really rocked at this.

We even drew an audience from a toddler taking a stroll with her dad.

So did her big sister