Bag Tags and Summertime Sweetness

I *think*, after a long summer drought of feeling mojo-less, it's finally come back! :)

I sat down last night with the Salt Water Taffy kit (3 left), and these cutie pics of my baby girl and started to play. I actually began by punching holes in the piece of patterned paper on the bottom right, with the intention to use the circles as a scalloped border on another layout. I began playing with that, but this cute little paper with the holes cut out began calling to me.... and this layout was born!

Because the glittery thickers were a little too bright for the softer colors of this layout, I dabbed over them with some distress ink to mute them a bit.

Here's the piece that began this layout... I punched holes in the gingham paper, then used the same punch to create circles to nest inside of each hole. I inked/distressed all the edges and added a few embellishments to make this piece stand on its own.

(I added some trim from the Mary Ellen kit- still available!- to mimic the ruffles on Ariana's bathing suit.)

Next on my list was to do a little project for the kiddos. This would be great to do with kids that are a little older! I found self laminating pouches (in the wallet size) at Walmart, and began creating bag tags for the kids' backpacks.

The sheet of Echo Park journal spot paper in the Salt Water Taffy kit made the perfect starting point for these... they were almost the exact size needed (I had to trim them down just a teeny bit).
This one I created from a piece of Pink Paislee patterned paper; the gingham is one side, and the watermelon dots and polka dots are cut from the other side and then adhered to the front. I added a few stickles for sparkle. I punched butterfly shapes to make a see through element.

(I blurred out our personal information on Sabby's tag, but I have it written on the front on her card.)

A rub on, tiny cut out cloud, and stickles make this card a little more detailed.

Once you've finished creating your cards, just put them in the self-adhesive pouch and stick it all down. I used my crop a dile to punch a hole through and tie some cute baker's twine in. I think these will make their backpacks stand out from the crowd!

A video and another easy summer kids' craft!

Have you bought your Salt Water Taffy kit yet? Huh? Huh? Huh? ;)

If you're still trying to decide, check out this video I did of the kit contents.

(I'm obviously not a professional video maker by any means, so I apologize in advance!)

I have another simple craft for you to do with your kids this summer, using scrapbooking supplies.

First, gather your items:

a 12x12 piece of cardstock (I used white)

patterned paper

green paint

red paint

orange paint

cute kids

Trace around arm and hand on a piece of patterned paper. (Next time, we're going to use some cute woodgrain paper to do this- I kind of did it on the fly, so I just grabbed whatever was closest).

Next, let your kid cut it out. This is great cutting practice for the little ones! (Even if they do slice through the wrong part of the paper... it's okay, because we're going to glue it all down to the piece of cardstock.)

Then, they can use their fingers to make leaves, fruit, and little creatures.

Here's the sample I made for them! We're going to do this next week for our Vacation Bible School on die cut cardstock, and I think they will have a blast making them- my kids did!

Summer Series- Crafting with Your Kids- Week 1!

For the next six weeks, I'm going to host a little craft each week that you can do with the kiddos in your life!

Last week, my kids were really getting into that summer "I'm booooooooOOOOOOOOOoored" mode. They were antsy to go somewhere, but it wasn't in our plans for the day.

I started brainstorming, and came up with this fun activity for them.

Grab your materials:

-a file folder for each kid

-scrapbook papers & cardstock

-magazines

-glue stick

-scissorsStart by adhering paper to the front of a file folder, and trim off the excess

.
Then cut two handles out of cardstock and glue/staple them to the inside edges.
We made three of them!Then, tell your kids to "pack their suitcases" for an imaginary trip on a plane, train, spaceship, submarine, or time machine. :)This is great practice for the little ones' cutting skills!

Now all you have to do is line up some chairs and away they go! They played with these for easily an hour! :)

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I also wanted to share with you all a layout I did this week with the Bees Knees kit.

I'm hosting a challenge on the message board about "freedom" this week.... it's not to late to come join in!

The sparkly letters were made by just putting some silver Stickles on the thickers in the kit, and rubbing the glitter in with my finger.

Make sure to keep up with the peeks of the newest kit, Salt Water Taffy, on the message board!