The Nap Time Creations

"...but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass;..." Alma 31:6 This is what I read yesterday morning during my scripture study.  I stopped reading and started pondering.  This scripture is used in church classes to point out when we serve others, usually inactive members,  in small ways, it leads to greater things, like coming back to church. This is true, but I couldn't help but think is this true with relationships we already have.  Relationships with our parents, siblings, spouse, children, and friends. So, let us start small and simple acts in our home and it will make the difference in the world.

My kids love to play with Playdoh. We haven't played with it for a while, so when i pulled it out they were so excited. They sat and played quietly for an hour and a half! I couldn't believe it! They got along and had a great time playing. I noticed that the reason they were so good is because they had important "tools" to help them stay busy. They really didn't need me and were self entertained. We have a lot of accessories with Playdoh but they only play with 2-3 essentials.  They are: 1. The roller is just a mini rolling pin. It came in a kit with cutters, but I have seen cut up PVC pipe used and it works great.  2. The ruler's edge is great for cutting the Playdoh chunks.  3. The scissors are great for cutting the Playdoh in pieces. My 3 year old is learning how to use scissors and this is great way for her to practice holding and using scissors.  Other things that make it easier for my kids to play is, they only get to...

For Christmas one year, grandma gave Sadie a lot of play food. I had to weed some of it down to the very favorites and put the rest away. But is doesn't matter, it is still everywhere. There are so many pieces! So I ran to the dollar store and picked out a bucket and put some cute vinyl letter on the front.  I love how it turned out! It was simple to make. I picked out the font I liked in my Silhouette Studio, cut, weed, and applied. A few things I learned: 1. Just because it is a cute bucket doesn't mean the food will always be inside. 2. I learned how to curve the font after I made this (should have learned before) 3. The dollar store is the best place for picking up kid toy organizers. I hope you can make one too! If you do please share with me, I'd love to see it! Have a great day!

I love birthdays! I love celebrating someone's life and who they are. With a growing family, it can be hard to remember everyones birthday. So I created a birthday calendar and so can you!! What you'll need is: small clipboard 12x12 scrapbook paper mod podge (MP) foam brush scissors and this print out from eighteen25 Trace the clipboard onto the scrapbook paper. Cut it out and put MP on the clipboard. Line up the paper and then put MP onto of the paper as well. Don't worry it will dry clear.  I added graphics to my calendars, you can do this or leave them blank.  *I changed mine to an 5x7 you can also do this as an 8x10 with a large clipboard. Fill in the birthday of family and friends and forget them no more!!

In my last post, I talked a little bit about this book. It is one of my very favorites. I am going to share two concepts from this book.  1. A chore Chart I have small kids at home, so a chore chart isn't something I thought about to much. When I read that kids need to start learning about money between ages 3-4, I realized this applies to my family. I quickly turned to Pinterest for any ideas for a chore chart that included money. I couldn't find any that I liked or that would work for what I wanted. So I made my own.  I took from various ones to make up my own, custom made it for both my kids and laminated it.  Kids earn a COMMISSION for the work they do not an ALLOWANCE! That is awesome. They do the work, they get the money. I found that a quarter can get my 3 year old to do what she is supposed to. Pick up toys, make her bed, put clothes away, etc. I pay her the quarter right away and she puts it in her jar. If she does a bigger job for me I pay...

First, I should let you all know that I am not a perfect parent by any means. I have my great, awesome mom days.  I have my bad, not so good mom days, and all in between. I am, however, always on the look out for GREAT parenting books. I have checked many books out at the library, have taken a parent-toddler workshop, with both of my kids, and talk to many parents. So let's get started as to why I find these three books to be the best. 1. No-Drama Discipline I found that the best principle in this book was to connect with your kids. When our kids act out, which they do, then it is our job to be the detective and figure out why. A hug, or confirming their feelings helps calm the situation down so then we talk about the situation and possible consequences. I have tried this and it works wonders, but I have noticed that if I am tired and my kids are tired as well, it makes it a bit harder. As long as I have had a good night sleep I am a better parent (aren't we all tho...

Today I am so excited to share this project with you! I was recently put in charge of the 5 and 6 year olds in church, and I need an activity that will keep them busy for at least an hour! That is a lot of attention time for them. So let's get started.  We talked about Blessed are the peacemakers. Not only was this great for my class, but for my kids as well. I'm going to show how to make a cute puzzle! First, print what you want to be the puzzle. This can be a picture, flash cards, anything you want. Then place on you PixScan mat and take a picture just like the one below. Upload the picture to Silhouette Studio It is hard to see, but I overplayed the puzzle cut out onto of the picture.  Send to the machine and cut it out.  Now I wanted this to be a magnet, so I copied and paste the design. I did this so that it would match up perfectly.  *The PixScan was in landscape, I flipped the image to portrait. The magnet paper is portra...

I love watching the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics. It is such a neat experience to see the world come together. When I was 14, I was able to participate in the Olympic torch running in Ogden Utah, for the Winter Olympics. It was so cold and amazing to be apart of such a grand event.  So, for this year I thought it would be fun to make some cupcakes. During the process, I thought of what I would write about. When in came down to it, it was more about the Olympic rings that I made. The cake great, the frosting great, the rings...not so much greatness. How to make: White cake mix (or any you prefer) Frosting Wilton Candy Melts Sprinkles Make cake mix and bake as directed Choose frosting you love or make the one you love Frost cake. I used Wilton's tip #12. You can choose which ever you like, I prefer the roundness of this tip. I had on hand gold and silver sugar sprinkles. Half were in gold and the other half in silver.  Now for the rings. Thi...

Now that summer is here, I love making these yummy refreshing smoothies. With 3 simple ingredients, everyone in the family will loves these. First, grab the goods.  1. Frozen fruit.  I love this fruit mix. It is my very favorite. They have it at Costco as well. I just grabbed a bag from my grocery store and it's great. Also, I find that using frozen fruit means that I don't have to add ice. 2. Yogurt.  I have tried many different yogurts and I find I like this one the best. I buy it big so my kids can enjoy a bowl of yogurt as well. 3. Coconut water. I found that juice is too sugary and sweet. I didn't like the extra sweetness and wanted something a little more healthy. Ok so now lets mix!! In the blender: 2 Cups frozen fruit 1/2 cup yogurt 3/4 bottle of coconut water Blend till smooth. Add water in as needed. Start off with 1/4 then add more as you mix to get the right consistency.   Pour in cups and enjoy!

I tend to loose my crafting side during the summer. I get so caught up in all the summer activities and kind of forget about crafting. Don't get me wrong, every once in a while I sit down and create a card or a birthday banner (I have two birthdays in July).  "What have I been up to?" you might ask. Well let me show you!! First, we went on a day trip to Red Fish lake. It is gorgeous and I am so anxious to go back. A day was not long enough. It wasn't even a day. It was more like a 3 hour car ride for maybe 1 hour of being there. Have to try that again. The next week, Colt and I took our cute little family camping. We had fun swimming at the Payette Lake, and the Gold Fork Hot springs. We drove all over the mountains and fell in love. I am ready to go back out and go camping. I'm not so sure Colt is though. He did an amazing job of taking all of us. He never complained and was happy to be with us.  I did do a craft t...

I love my Silhouette Cameo and one of my favorite projects that I have done is make mustache tattoos. Today I will show you how to make temporary tattoos.  First, select the design you. With Silhouette Design Studio, there is an endless supply of designs. Place registration marks, this will help to know where to put the design. Copy and paste as many as you would like, offset the design (this will give it the outline to cut, if you prefer). Print on the white paper of the  printable Tattoo paper  .  **If you have typed words, as in the example below, be sure to mirror your image** Once printed, place the clear sticker sheet on top, place on mat, and cut out the shape. Place on desired area with a wet cloth for 20 seconds. The paper will slide off and your image will remain! My kids thought these where the greatest things! We Played all afternoon with our fake mustaches.  These are great for kids birthday parties, family get...

I love to try new techniques with sewing, so when I saw this great tutorial on making a zipper bag, I knew I had to try it. I love the way it turned out! My favorite part is the cute light pink zipper. Who doesn't need another bag? Once it was made I added some HTV to it just to make it more special. Make sure to mirror the image with HTV. Iron on and BAM! A custom made bag. It is addicting to make such cute bags. I hope you have a great day! The inside lining is so charming!