Doing Without

DIY Modeling Beeswax

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 06:13:31 GMT

These are like the Stockmar beeswax modeling kits, but less expensive and homemade! This is also a great way to use those leftover pieces of crayons in the bottom of the crayon box that the kids never like to use.

You can make them a variety of ways. If you want them completely natural, use beeswax and Stockmar beeswax crayons to color them. (You'll need about 1/2" of crayon per color). If you want them a little cheaper, you can do what I did and use pure beeswax and color it with a tiny piece of regular crayon like Crayola. (You'll need 1/4 of a crayon per color unless you're making white and then use 2 to 3 times as much.) You can also make modeling wax out of plain paraffin wax. It's not natural, but no more toxic than regular crayons or store-bought modeling clay. You can buy it at a craft store or use saved pieces of melted candles.

Place approx. 2 tbsp beeswax (or other wax) into each section of a silicone soap or candle mold. Use only silicone. Plastic will melt in the oven and you may never get your wax out of a metal mold. Also, 2 tbsp is approximate. Just eye it. It doesn't have to be absolutely perfect. Add 1 tsp oil to each one of those. You can use vegetable oil. I used olive oil. Then place a piece of the crayon in each to add the color. Place the mold on a cookie sheet and put in the oven on 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

When the wax is completely melted, remove everything from the oven. Use a popsicle stick or something similar to stir each color well until all of the wax looks smooth and creamy. The wax may settle or separate a bit, so you might need to go back and stir each one again. Stop stirring if you see it starting to firm up a bit or you'll end up with messy-looking wax.

Let cool on the counter or wait until firm and then put in the freezer if you're impatient. Once completely cooled all the way through, pop it out of the molds. Use a rag to brush off excess.

These make really great stocking stuffers! I borrowed molds from a friend, so I went ahead and made 2 years worth of batches for my kiddos so I won't have to ask to borrow the mold again. The wax is firm, but softens well when warmed up in your hands while kneading it.

Wooden Winter Play Scene

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:36:03 GMT

This year, my daughter has a new little brother, so I made a winter play scene for her that has both of them with a little sled to ride and a little snowman to build.

I purchased the wood pieces very affordably from this Etsy shop. I made my own color wash using safe acrylic craft paints thinned with water. You can leave them as-is once dry or you can seal them with a handmade beeswax polish.

I purchased an undyed destash playsilk from a mama on Etsy for $7 to use as snow. I'll be wrapping up the whole set in the playsilk and slipping it into her stocking to find on Christmas morning.

Bendy Dolls

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:26:51 GMT

I made these bendy dolls using chenille stems (pipe cleaners), embroidery floss, felt and 1/4" wooden beads. You'll need a little glue to keep the hats on. A simple blanket stitch is all you need and is easy to learn if you don't sew. Bendy doll tutorials are easy to find online. I like this one or you can just search "bendy doll tutorial" on Google and get several links.

Bendy dolls are super cheap to make, but I'll admit it does take a couple of hours to make each one. They make great stocking stuffers and they are the perfect size for a gnome treehouse. I made this family specifically to fit in the treehouse I made the kids for Christmas this year.

Check "bendy dolls" in Google images to see all of the different styles of dolls others make. I love the little fairy dolls that use fake silk flowers for their skirts.

Fairy or Gnome Treehouse

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 08:51:54 GMT

I am just so floored about the newest toy my husband and I built for the kids for Christmas this year. It's a gnome tree home! I saw this one for sale on Magic Cabin and have wanted it for a couple of years and was determined to save up for it. Way out of our price range, but I saved up all of my Etsy earnings for an entire year to get it. When I went to order, I decided to check the reviews first, just to make sure I was getting my money's worth. As it turns out, it's a kit. They just send you some wood pieces and you have to design and build it yourself. For $150! I thought "I can get my OWN dang sticks from my yard for free!"

So I did. :)

We used a branch from a strawberry guava tree that my husband found on the road after the tree trimmers came by. It's a dense, smooth, gorgeous wood that is very difficult to work with because it is so solid, but worth it for its beauty and durability. The wood pieces we cut from an old shelf in our house. I have no idea what type of wood it is, but I'm sure most any type would work fine. We used a piece that was about 14x40" The round slices are wood rounds that I purchased from a couple of Etsy sellers.

I drew the shapes onto the board with a pencil and my husband cut them with a cordless Ryobi saw. Then I sanded all surfaces and rounded the edges using my Mouse power sander. I used my beeswax polish recipe found here to polish and seal the wood but this step probably is not necessary. It does give the wood a gorgeous shine and makes it feel nice to touch.

It took a few tries to cut the branch so that the tops and bottoms were even so that the boards would sit level, but we got the hang of it after a bit. Use screws in the bottom to secure the branches to the board and then you can use small finishing nails in the top so it's less visible.

Once the whole thing was put together, I made stairs by gluing lots of 1.5 inch wood rounds together with wood glue. I nailed them to the frame using finishing nails and some wood glue. Tiny eye screws were used to fasten the hanging bridge, swing and rope ladder. These were all made from cotton twine I had lying around and sticks from the yard that I cut using a coping saw. There is also a little leaf-shaped hammock I made from felt which you can't really see in the photos (bottom right of first photo).

Lastly, we drilled holes in the branches and glued in some fake silk leaves.

There is a whole lot more that I have made to go with this toy, but I don't have photos ready for this post. There are some little gnome bendy dolls (coming soon) to go in it and I don't have tools fine enough to make furniture, so I ordered the furniture handmade using a fraction of the money I would have spent buying the kit to build a lesser version of what we were able to come up with on our own. I also picked up some tiny items from craft stores including miniature baskets, a tiny wood cauldron, some tiny wooden cups and bowls and I made two rugs out of felt that are cut to look like leaves.

I purchased the following furniture:

Handmade dining set: http://www.etsy.com/listing/117652261/little-woodland-fairy-table-set
Woodland fairy cradle: http://www.etsy.com/listing/117652344/little-woodland-fairy-cradles
Handmade bedroom set: http://www.etsy.com/listing/115404142/little-woodland-fairy-bedroom-set
Fairy forest furniture set: http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Forest-Kitchen-Bedroom-Set/dp/B001AMK5E8/ref=pd_sim_t_1

Easy DIY Beeswax Wood Polish

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 07:42:41 GMT

Years ago, I ordered a huge box of about 15 lbs of beeswax on Ebay from Canada for about $35. I saved by buying in bulk and I use it for all kinds of things including candles, soaps, modeling beeswax for kids and beeswax wood polish for furniture and handmade wooden toys. It makes the wood look beautiful while protecting it and it smells fantastic. The recipe is simple:

1 part beeswax (I use about 1/4 cup)
1 part olive oil or a little less

The ingredients do not have to be precise, just try not to get too much olive oil.

Put your ingredients into a glass jar and set into a pot of water about 1 inch deep. Place the pot of water on the stove and simmer the water. You want to make sure you are using this double boiler method. Never place wax in a pan directly on the stove. It can catch fire. Always put the wax into a container set in a pan of boiling water.

Once your wax melts, swirl or stir the ingredients around until they are thoroughly mixed. Pour into a silicone muffin pan or muffin cup or into a small plastic Ziploc snap-top disposable/reusable food container (my preferred choice). Let it cool. You may need to stir it once during the cooling process to keep the ingredients from separating. I don't have any trouble.

Once it is cool, pop it out and it's ready to use. For wood, rub it all over the wood and then work it into the grain by rubbing it with your hands. It also makes your skin fantastically soft! Let the wood sit for at least a few minutes and then rub with a cotton rag. I use this on my baby's wooden toys to protect them from drool and it works beautifully on unpainted wooden toys for older kids as well.

How to Make Baby Stuff

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 22:09:04 GMT

I thought I'd share with you guys this great blog on how to make baby things. Enjoy!

Save Money on Drying Clothes

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 22:00:50 GMT

A friend of mine heard that if you dry your laundry in an electric dryer, you can dry it on low to save money. It takes twice as long to dry, but uses a lot less power overall. She tried it and, surprisingly, it works! She has noticed a drastic decrease in her electric bill. Try it for a month or two and see if it works for you as well.

Tip: How to Save For Christmas

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 08:35:51 GMT

Or any time of year! Someone just asked this in another community and I thought I'd make a post.

So, how DO I save money to afford my kids' awesome Christmas presents every year? I have a PayPal account that I use to save money specifically to buy them. I never take money out of it. It just sits all year, so I don't really realize it's there and we aren't tempted to spend it. I sell things I don't need on eBay and I also sell handmade things on Etsy. The money goes right into the PayPal account and I never see it. I usually have about $300-400 by Christmas to spend on the kiddos.

This year is going to rock! My husband and I are working on making a wooden gnome tree house like this one. (Pics when we're finished!) and I am working on making toys to stock my Etsy toy shop. They usually sell out by Christmas, so that will help a lot.

Tux Paint - a free computer art program for kids

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:40:47 GMT

I just had to share this totally awesome, FREE painting program for kids that beats Paint by a mile. Tux Paint is free to download (don't forget to download the additional stamps program - believe me, it's so worth it) and so easy to use, my three year old figured it out on her own. You can customize the game by age. If you have kids aged three to twelve, don't pass it up. I had it recommended to me and I couldn't be happier with it.

Check it out! http://tuxpaint.org/

Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Salad Sandwiches (Healthy Version)

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:29:44 GMT

Every year at the end of the day on Thanksgiving, I put my daughter to bed and spend the next hour breaking down the thanksgiving turkey. The meat is packed into the freezer, the bones are saved and frozen to add flavoring to soups and I strain the broth in the bottom of the pan and freeze it. Nothing is wasted. If you still have turkey meat left over from Thanksgiving, too, try this cheap, healthy version of my favorite turkey salad sandwiches.

Turkey Salad Sandwiches (healthy version)

Ingredients:

2 cups diced cooked turkey meat
3-4 tablespoons pickle relish
3/4 cup Spectrum brand vegan mayo (I promise you can't tell it's not Miracle Whip) yum!
1/2 cup diced cucumber, apple and/or celery (optional)
1-2 diced hard-boiled eggs (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Add more mayo if you like your turkey salad wetter. Eat plain or spread on HFCS-free, hydrogenated oil-free whole wheat bread.

(These sandwiches are 3-year-old-kid tested and approved!)

photo by dduchon

Thanksgiving Turkey Noodle Soup

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 08:47:32 GMT

If you or your kids love Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup, here's a super simple recipe to make its twin at home yourself using leftover Thanksgiving turkey. The best part is, you can put more noodles or turkey in if you hate the way they skimp in the canned stuff.

For the broth, I always strain the juices from under my turkey and store them in jars in the fridge. This coagulates into a jelly-like substance. You can use your "turkey jelly," as I call it, or use chicken broth. Also, I add some frozen spinach to mine. Not much, just enough to give it some added nutrients. There's no taste and my daughter doesn't even notice it.

Thanksgiving Turkey Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

5 cups water
1/4 cup "turkey jelly" or use chicken broth in place of the water above
1 cup cooked, diced turkey breast
1 tbsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
4 to 5 cups cooked spaghetti noodles, sliced or broken before cooking
1 small handful frozen or diced spinach (optional)

Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Serve hot.

photo by lusi

How to Get Kids' Shoes for Next to Nothing

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 10:10:48 GMT

I happen to know the secret to buying kids' shoes and here it is. Are you paying attention? Good, because this is the great-granddaddy of all my favorite low-cost parenting secrets.

Ebay.

Yep, that's it. Ebay. I've found out I can hop on Ebay and purchase shoes for my daughter before she needs them. Now, just a quick glance at Ebay isn't going to yield great results. What you have to do is click over on the left on the little box that says "used."

"Eww!" you say? Read on.

Almost all of the used kids' shoes on Ebay are in fantastic condition. I've even gotten some with the tags still on. I don't waste my time with single pairs of shoes. I scroll down to the listings that have lots of shoes by size. It's easy-peasy to find used shoes in excellent condition sold by lot for next to nothing and I've not lost a bid yet so don't expect 50 people to be clawing their way over you.

I have been able to buy all of my daughter's shoes by lot size. I can get about 5 pairs of shoes at a time for around $10-15 including shipping. Yes, that's right. Including shipping. I can't even get one single pair of kids shoes at Payless for $10. I like to buy them in lots of various types such as one pair of sneakers, one pair of dress shoes, one pair of clogs and a couple of pair of flip-flops all in one size. One purchase covers all of my child's needs for about a year.

When the shoes arrive, I spray them inside and out with 90% rubbing alcohol and let them sit in the window to dry for a couple of hours. This effectively disinfects the shoes. If the shoes need any other cleaning, use a toothbrush and a bowl of warm water and soap (I use Dr. Bronner's) to remove dirt.

Here's a tip: Buy the shoes a size or two in advance so if some run small, your child can wear them now and if they're too big, you can just save them for when they do grow into them. You don't want to buy a bunch of shoes in your child's size only to find out half of them run small and won't fit.

And there you have it. Happy shoe shopping!

Simple From-Scratch Pancakes

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 09:14:05 GMT

This is the best pancake recipe that I have ever had (but maybe your tastes run differently). Sorry, I can't remember where this recipe came from.

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour (I use 1/2 cup organic all-purpose and 1/2 cup organic whole wheat pastry flour)
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1 egg
2 tbsp vegetable oil

1. Combine dry ingredients in large glass measuring cup or medium bowl.
2. Combine wet ingredients in separate container, then add to dry ingredients and beat until smooth.
3. Pour onto greased griddle/pan and cook over medium-low heat until lightly browned on both sides.

You can also experiment by adding some frozen blueberries or other fruit to the mixture before cooking.

WIC Soup

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 09:06:16 GMT

Here's assuming you get the same WIC items in your state that I do. In this case: lentils, brown rice, vegetables and cheese.

Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 cups chopped fresh carrots
1/3 cup dried lentils
1/3 cup brown rice
32 oz chicken stock (approximately, or you can use plain water)
1/2 tsp garlic salt (or 1/4 tsp salt and one smashed garlic clove)
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup grated cheddar
1/2 tsp olive oil (optional)
water

(I also like to sometimes add any leftover extra veggies I might have sitting frozen in bags in the freezer that were too small a portion to cook up for the family.)

1. Soak lentils at least 1 hour. Drain and rinse.
2. Boil lentils in plain water for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse. (This step is optional, but helps prevent gas.)
3. Add all ingredients except cheese and bring to a boil. Then turn to LOW and let simmer 30 minutes, periodically skimming foam off of top. (The foam causes gas.) Add water as necessary.
4. Remove from flame, add cheese and stir.
5. Let soup sit covered for 1 hour to allow the rice to puff and soften.

Grandma's Home Remedies

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 20:51:46 GMT

I thought I'd pass along this link to Grandma's Home Remedies. Hope it helps someone!

Depression Era Tips

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 21:42:03 GMT

Ideas on Mommy Savers
26 Money Saving Tips From Depression-Era Elders
Depression Era Tips from Wild Hope and Stubborn Faith (check out their post on grocery store gardening!)
50 Lessons Learned From My Depression-Era Parents

Affordable Waldorf Dolls for a Cause

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 07:37:56 GMT

Still want a Waldorf doll but can't sew a stitch to make your own and dolls for sale are too expensive? Here's a fantastic alternative. These Twin Dolls are handmade in Zimbabwe and not only are they FAIR TRADE, they support a wonderful cause!

"A purchase of this doll not only provides a gift for a loved one; its “twin” will be given to a child in a family affected by HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe, most of whom have no other toys. The dolls are part of a unique project of Batsiranai, a women’s handicraft project that supports mothers with disabled children in Harare, Zimbabwe. Batsiranai, which means “helping each other,” was originally formed as a self-help group for these women. Creating the “twin dolls” has become a successful income generation initiative. Women work in teams to make the dolls, sharing tasks according to their ability.

The “twin” for your doll is distributed in one of a number of ways. Some dolls are shared through organizations working with needy families affected by HIV in the greater Harare area. Given a priority to distribute the dolls in rural areas, Batsiranai has also linked with an organization called Zvitambo, funded through Johns Hopkins University and other donors with the mission to reduce HIV transmission. Zvitambo promotes exclusive breastfeeding for babies of mothers who are HIV+ until age six months, as this has dramatic effects on reducing morbidity and mortality of babies. Zvitambo holds clinics in very remote parts of Zimbabwe to teach about prevention of HIV transmission campaigns from mothers to babies. The dolls are distributed to children during these awareness campaigns. Reports from Zvitambo of responses to the doll distribution are heartwarming."

For only $28 at Ten Thousand Villages, you can give one of these beautiful dolls to your child or a friend as a gift and make another child's day very special.

Gorgeous Henna Wedding Cookies

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:47:19 GMT

I am so inspired by these beautiful henna wedding cookies from Sprinkle Bakes. I think they would make a fantastic and heartfelt wedding gift for any couple. It's an inexpensive gift that is both affordable for the maker and would be beloved by the receiver. If you're really talented and have the time, you could even make them as wedding favors for your own wedding.

Cute, Cute Toys!

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 03:19:47 GMT

Time to start getting ready for Christmas! Okay, yeah, I know it's a bit early in the year, but if I don't get started now, I'll never have everything done in time.

How about this cute felt bunny from Hazelnuts?

Or choose from lots of peg doll designs at The Crafty Crow.

Rainbow play dough from Tinker Lab.

Homemade bubble wands from LuSa Organics.

Fashion Paper Doll Kits from Bookhou Crafts.

Simple wooden tops from Kleas.

Or try this upcycled hobby horse from Dandee.

Make your own suckers for stocking stuffers at Bird's Party.

Here are some really nice and simple play shapes you can make from felt at Origami Mommy.

Free Christmas tree decorating printable at Babalisme.

Block puzzle by Chasing Cheerios.

FREE EBOOKS! (And a shameless plug. Well, okay, maybe I'm slightly ashamed.)

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 03:44:30 GMT

I got a Kindle as a gift for my birthday and have been just THRILLED with it. I can't tell you how happy I am. We moved a long way out in the country and I don't get to the library much. Plus, when I do, I'm loaded down with kids' books for my daughter to last until we make it to town again, so lugging around a few novels on top of it is torture.

Do you know why I love my Kindle? Because it's tiny, weighs less than a book (so it's easier on my wrists) and I can download a book in seconds. Literally. (I hope you caught that pun because I'm rather proud of it.)

Best of all, there are tons of free ebooks out there just waiting to be downloaded. Some are great. Some are not-so-great. Some are downright awful, but if they are free, you can't complain. Just delete them.

A lot of traditionally published authors are putting up free ebooks for a limited time only to interest readers in their other books. Since these free books can be difficult to find if you're having to look every day, Kindle Nation Daily has set up a free book tool that posts all of the free books from Amazon when they are uploaded. You don't have to search through Amazon anymore. I just check the website every few days to see what's new.

Free Ebooks and Kindle Nation Daily

You can also download tons of free ebooks for nearly any device at Smashwords. You may have to do a little searching here, though. They do list books under a "free" section. Just click the genre you want and at the top of the page click Filter by > Free ebooks.

Smashwords

Can't get the books you really want for free? No problem! BookLending is a new website (still in beta) that allows Kindle users to find books they want online and borrow from each other. Membership is totally free. Check it out!

BookLending

I'll admit, it took me a couple of years to warm up to the idea of the Kindle. I like a good paper book as much as most people, but once I got over my book snobbery, I realized what potential the Kindle has. No trees are cut down to produce the Kindle (though toxic metals are mined to produce it, there is also mining involved in creating paper books) and the device is so lightweight. Plus, I am able to read a lot faster on the Kindle.

Not only that, but I realized the best thing that ereaders offer: FREEDOM. For the first time, authors are now able to publish what they WANT to write. Readers are able to read what they WANT to read, not just what big businesses tell them they should. No longer are we sold prepackaged books a third party has decided would be good for us based on what the current fad is.

Saying that writers shouldn't publish unless their books are professionally edited is like saying we shouldn't read blogs because they aren't professionally edited. We should all read newspapers instead. Ebooks put the power back where it belogs: in the hands of the readers and the writers.

Ebooks allow readers to read cheaply and writers to make an actual living on their hard work. So what if we sometimes have to deal with a few typos? Readers aren't stupid and we know how to overlook little problems in order to enjoy a good story. I could go on an on about the benefits of ebooks - both to the writers and the big publishing houses (yes, it's good for them too, believe it or not).

I wish I could post something about how to get a cheap Kindle, but the fact is: they aren't. They just aren't. Even used Kindles usually go for slightly less than full price. On the bright side, the newer Kindle is much more affordable than the old models and if you're lucky, it's just possible you might score a cheap used ereader on Ebay. Check out the different models as some are less expensive than others.

____________________________

Which brings me to my shameless plug. Did you know I write books, not just blogs?

Haunt is a YA paranormal romance for older teens and young adults. "But I've had enough Twilight crap," you say? Fear not. Haunt is not your typical YA paranormal romance.

Lately, I have been very disturbed by the high number of YA romance books (especially in the paranormal genre) that center around obsessive, abusive and unhealthy relationships. Many readers describe this as being part of the current "rape culture." Young women and girls are often fed stories with dubious male characters that mistreat their partners which are labeled and sold as "romance." Personally, I've had enough of these Stockholm Syndrome stories.

Haunt begins like any typical YA paranormal romance: girl meets freaky guy, girl thinks she's "falling in love" with creepy dude. The similarities end there. In Haunt, the main character actually begins to realize that these not-quite-right qualities in the guy are not healthy. The story develops into another type of romance and ends on a more positive note. The book also deals with other situations such as sex, pregnancy and abstinence based on respect rather than religious reasons for those of you who are not religious. The main character is portrayed as neither strong nor weak, but on equal-footing with the guy she ends up with.

I wanted young women, who may have little or no experience with relationships, to read about a heroine who chooses a positive relationship over a negative one.

So if you're interested, check it out. Haunt is available in any ebook format for only 99 cents. If you love cheap romance and want to support my writing, head over and check it out. You can get more info about the book at my book blog: Amber Delaine

I promise, that's the last time you'll be hearing about my book. :)

Wooden Animal Footprints Memory Game

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 01:50:22 GMT

I made this awesome wooden memory game for my daughter in about two hours. You can, too! You'll need thirty 1.5 inch wooden disks or squares and a black non-bleeding pen. I used a Sharpie pen - not a sharpie marker, but the pen in fine point. It looks like this. You will also need a pencil and a large eraser.

The wooden disks I purchased for a great price from My Heartfelt Designs on Etsy. You can grab 30 of them for $4.45 plus shipping.

First, choose the animal footprints that you would like to use. I used the following: human, bear, opossum, raccoon, cat, dog, deer, elk, pig, porcupine, beaver, bird, duck, rabbit and horse. For younger kids, be sure to avoid footprints that look too much alike or there may be some confusion during the game. I found pictures of most of the animal tracks at Bear-Tracker.

Carefully draw the outline for each footprint using a pencil. Work lightly or you will have a hard time erasing your mistakes. Place each footprint slightly above center so you will have room to write the name below. Be sure to add the name in pencil as well.

Once you have your matching footprints all drawn, use your pen to carefully trace over the pencil. Once your drawings are completed, carefully erase your pencil lines. Then use your pen to shade in the footprint shapes.

This game is great for kids of all ages. My three year old loves it and learned the names of all of the animal tracks after playing it only twice. It's a bit of work, but it's worth it and you can do it. Have fun!

How to Make a Recycled Christmas Tree Star Topper

Sat, 25 Dec 2010 02:54:27 GMT

It's a bit late this year, but...

Click to learn how!

FREE Kids' Craft Workshops at The Home Depot

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:43:55 GMT

The Home Depot offers a FREE children's craft workshop on the first Saturday of every month. These how-to workshops are appropriate for kids aged 5-12, but sometimes are suitable for children a little younger. To check out the next scheduled workshop and photos of the project to be provided, check out their web page HERE.

All materials are provided and the kids get orange aprons and goggles to use while creating. It's first-come, first-served, so be sure to arrive early to be sure you get a spot! These workshops are provided at all Home Depot stores and you can use the website to find the closest Home Depot to your area.

Free Kids' Book from Borders & Waldenbooks Book Stores

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 08:54:30 GMT

If you have a child under 12 years old, head over to the Borders website and print out their Double Dog Dare form. After your child reads 10 books, fill out the form with the 10 books that were read. Bring it into any Borders, Borders Express, or Waldenbooks by 8/26/10 and exchange it for a FREE book.

Happy summer reading!

One Hour No-Sew Tutu

Mon, 31 May 2010 23:53:05 GMT

A friend of mine had some tulle that she didn't know what to do with, so she gave it to me. I used it to make...a tutu! :D Needless to say, this has been a big hit at our house and there is just something magical about a two-year-old sprite dancing around the house in it. It lights up the world.

You can make this easy no-sew tutu in about an hour. You will need about three yards of tulle or so for a toddler. For an older child, you may need more. I think I used about three or four yards of tulle. You will also need some elastic for the waistband. I used 1/4" thick elastic. You don't want it too thick. Up to 1/2" is fine.

First, measure a piece of elastic to fit around your child's waist. Add about 3 inches and cut.

Keep your tulle folded in half lengthwise like you received it from the store and cut it into 6" wide strips. (See illustration)

For a toddler, you will need to cut each of these pieces in half at the middle. For an older tall child (over eight years old) you can make a long tutu by using longer pieces.

Once you have all of your strips cut, keep them folded in half at the middle. Lay the fold over the top of the elastic as shown and bring the ends around and tuck them in through the top of the loop. Hold the loop while pulling down on the ends of the tulle gently so that they form a very loose knot. Push the knot to one end of the elastic about an inch and a half from the end. Repeat until you have attached all of your tulle to the elastic and there is no more space left to add tulle. Leave about an inch and a half free of tulle at each end. (See illustration)

Now Pull gently on all of the ends of your tulle to tighten up the knots just slightly. Don't pull too hard or you will tear your tulle. Once all of the knots are tightened, tie the two ends of the elastic together. Your tutu is ready to wear!

Click here to help Doing Without for free, simply by reading this article at AC!