Crafty | Beauty and The Boys

DIY After school snack tray

September 18, 2015 - 9 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ReadySetSnack #CollectiveBias

I don’t know how many times since school has started, that I’ve heard, “I’m Hungry.” right after school. “Get a snack.” I tell them. After 3.5 seconds of looking, I hear, “I don’t know what we have!” I decided it was time to solve our little after school snack problem by creating a snack station! First up for that snack station, is this super easy DIY snack tray I decided to make! I love how it turned out and so do the boys! Now they know to check the tray before they claim they can’t find anything! I’ll be sharing more of our snack station as I get it together, but today, I’m going to show you how to make this super easy tray!

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DIY little pumpkin jars

September 17, 2015 - 11 Comments

Heyyyy! I’m back with another Halloween craft today! I meant to post this on Friday, but, life happened! Better late than never though. {If you missed the other Halloween posts, you can view them here and here} For this fun Halloween craft. I decided to make little pumpkin jars. I had planned to make them with empty baby food jars, but my husband decided to throw those away. Yes, I’m giving you the side eye hubs. lol. So, I grabbed my little mason jars and got to work! Here is how to make your very own DIY little pumpkin jars!

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DIY 31 Days of Halloween Fun Jar

September 8, 2015 - 6 Comments

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I don’t know about you, but in this house, we absolutely LOVE Halloween! Candy apples, fun Halloween crafts, hay rides, pumpkin patches, apple cider, and so much more!! With our super busy lives, I thought it would be fun to create a 31 days of fun Halloween jar! Something to make sure we are enjoying time together every single evening + weekend in October! We don’t have a ton of money to spend on Halloween events this year, but I still want it to be fun for the boys! Besides, most of the best memories and moments in life are free! If you have little ones, then you and your little kids are going to love this. It’s quality time with mommy and/or daddy every day and they will have fun choosing a stick out of the jar each day. It will give them something to look forward to! Quite a few of these are things that can be done at home and then of course there is a few where y’all will go places!

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DIY Word for the Year Jar

December 15, 2014 - 13 Comments

{This post contains affiliate links}

If you’ve been following posts in the blog world for the past couple of years, you’ve probably seen that people are starting to throw resolutions out the window and are embracing a word for the year instead. As a matter of fact, I’ve done in the past two years and I’ve loved having a word for the year to embrace, instead of having resolutions that never happen. In 2013, my words were Live Life. I simply just wanted to embrace this life and to really live it and it was something I felt I could do, it was something I knew I could actually strive for. In 2014, my word was fearless. I didn’t conquer being fearless in all areas of my life, but I did conquer quite a few and I enjoyed getting over those fears and realizing what I was capable of. I’ll be sharing my word for 2015 in January, but until then I thought it would be fun to create this word for the year jar.

It would be great for a new years party, everyone can draw a word out of the jar and apply that word to their life in the new year. One word can have a different meaning for everyone. Or you could write down words that you like and draw one out of the jar for the new year. While choosing a word is great, I feel like it’s comfortable. You are picking a word that you’ve thought over and know you can do, but I think having a list of words to choose from and sticking to the one you pick from the jar presents a little more of a challenge. I can’t wait to share what word I wind up getting out of my jar. I loved this craft and idea so much that I decided to share with you how to make your own!

You will need:
– A Vase
– Glue
– Gold Glitter
– A gold sharpie paint marker

First, I simply wrote Word For The Year on the front of the vase. You can decorate the vase further if you like, but I like the simplicity of it since I knew I would be adding glitter.

Next, I used a glue stick and slid it around the rim of the vase twice and then sprinkled glitter all around the rim. Make sure you put something down to catch the glitter that doesn’t go into the vase and something to dump the glitter that did fall into the vase, out. After I let the glitter on top dry, I turned the vase over and tapped it all the way around to get most of the glitter out of the inside.

I then cut up little squares of black construction paper and wrote words that I liked on each piece. A few I put in there are: Embrace, Live, Love, Explore, and Create. There was more I wrote down too, just choose words {or have your guest choose words} that inspire you. I could apply any of the ones I just listed to my life in the new year because there is always something I want to do better, more of, or embrace more.

Fold the pieces of paper up and drop them in the jar! Your jar is officially complete! Have fun letting your guests select words or having the fun challenge of choosing your own word for the year at random!

Do you choose a word for the year? If not, do you think you might start?

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DIY Kid Friendly Snowflakes

December 5, 2014 - 5 Comments

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I have always loved Christmas. It has seriously always been my favorite holiday ever. After I started having kids, once they hit the age where they understood what Christmas was, watching their eyes light up in amazement and wonder, and being able to create fun Christmas memories with them, it became ever more wonderful! We love doing crafts in this house and we did our fair share of fun ones last year! With the chaos of life lately, I’m making sure my kids still feel the magic and fun of Christmas. I brought Elfie back this year and we’ve started Christmas crafts again. The boys and I had so much fun making these kid friendly snowflakes, I think we need to make a bunch more to put in random spots around the house!

For these DIY Kid Friendly Snowflakes, you will need:

– Popsicle sticks. {$1 store for the win}
– Hot glue gun & glue sticks.
– An assortment of candy.
– Glitter.

First, grab four Popsicle sticks and use the hot glue gun to glue them together as shown in the pictures above. I made three, one for each of us.

Second, put glue on one part of the stick, sprinkle glitter of choice, and repeat until the snowflake is covered in glitter. Do these for each snowflake. I chose blue glitter, Jay chose green glitter, and Kage chose gold glitter.

Third, let your kids pick out candies to add to their snowflake and glue them on! Don’t forget to pick out some for yourself! 😉

That’s it! Easy peasy! Since the boys each put a candy cane on their snowflakes, they hung them on these little hooks I have on the backdoor and I set mine on the mantel! You could easily glue a candy cane to the back of your snowflake to use as a way to hang it or string or you can prop it up somewhere. This was seriously so easy to do and it made my kids happy and they are so proud of their snowflakes! I have to admit, it was fun for me too!

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DIY Thankful Bouquet

November 4, 2014 - 10 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ExtraGumMoments #CollectiveBiasIf there is one person that has been there for me through my life, through all my ups and downs, and through all the good and bad things in life, it’s been my mom. Not only was she there for me growing up, but when I became an adult and started having children of my own, we got even closer. I can truly say she is one of my best friends and if anyone deserves a beautiful thankful bouquet, it’s her. She has always been the one to give extra in any situation and she’s a true blessing! When I first became a momma, she was always there helping me when I needed it and offering advice when I asked. She always seem to have the answers and knew what to do. When we found out my back was messed up, she was there for me again. She knows what it’s like to have a bad back and so she knows what I’m going through. She helped/helps in whatever way she can, whether it be a shoulder for me to cry on or helping me out with the boys. With this pregnancy, she has been here every step of the way. It’s been my hardest pregnancy so far and she has really shown how much she cares. I honestly can never thank her enough for all she has done for me, but I know making little things for her is always a way to her heart. I decided to make her a thankful bouquet and I am so happy that she loves it!

It turned out so much better than I pictured in my head and I wanted to share how to make your own diy thankful bouquet. Especially with thanksgiving around the corner, it’s that time where we start thinking of everyone and everything we are thankful for. I’m sure there is someone in your life you are extra thankful for or maybe even a few people! You could whip these up and give a little something extra to those special someones and let them know how much you appreciate all that they do.

For this DIY Thankful Bouquet, you will need:
– Extra Gum {I used two packs}
– Flowers {I used purple because that is my mom’s favorite color}
– Sticks
– Hot Glue Gun
– Scissors
– A pen
– Fall leaves {These are extra and not required}

First, I wrote out all the different reasons I was thankful for her on each piece of gum. I used 4 sticks per thankful message.

Then, I lined each message up and glued them in a straight line on the sticks!

I could have easily left it like that, but I decided I wanted to do something more and make it a little more fall themed and fun! I had some fall leaves on hand and so I glued little leaves onto each piece of gum and to the top of each stick. I love how they turned out!

Afterwards, I added some leaves to the bottom of the vase and then filled it up with water. I love the look it created! Then, I put the flowers in the vase and arranged the sticks around the flowers. I adore the finish product and I love it even more knowing that my mom loves it!

What do you think, do you love it?! I would love for you to share with me who you are thankful for in your life!

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DIY Sharpie Paint Marker Chore Cards

August 7, 2014 - 6 Comments

One of the things I’m implementing with our new routine before the babies come, is chores. The boys have never really had chores that they get paid for. My husband or I just say, “Jay pick up the toys.” or “Kage, can you get the trash picked up.” I think they are at the age now that they should have chores and get paid for those chores. So, this is part one of how I’m creating their chore system. The first part is simply making the chores cards. I created regular chore cards for both of them and then I created “I didn’t listen” chore cards that they will not get paid for because, lets face it, I get sick of them not listening and this is going to be their new punishment for not listening.

To make these chore cards you will need:

Index Cards.
Sharpie Paint Markers.
This Chore sheet.

First, I highlighted the age appropriate chores I wanted to have them do and be paid for. Those are the ones in blue. Then, I highlighted the chores that they would have to do when they don’t listen.

{Sorry y’all. You know I don’t share their real names on the blog!}

Then I got to work on making their chore cards. I gave Jay six chores to be paid for because he’s six years old. The chores I chose for him are:

– Pick up toys.
– Help load the dishwasher.
– Pick up dirty clothes.
– Make his bed.
– Set the table for dinner.
– Sweep kitchen floor.

{Sorry y’all. You know I don’t share their real names on the blog!}

I gave Kage five chores to be paid for because he’s almost five years old. The chores I chose for him are:

– Pick up any trash around the house and throw it away.
– Clear the table after dinner.
– Help switch the clothes over.
– Unload the dishwasher.
– Pick up toys.

I am only paying .25 cents per chore, which I feel is plenty for their age. The toys they normally want don’t cost that much and if they want a more expensive toy, they can save up for it. Still, Jay has the chance to make $1.50 a day, which is $7.50 if he only does the chores Monday through Friday or he can earn $10.50 if he does chores all seven days. Kage can earn $1.25 a day, which is $6.25 for Monday through Friday and $8.75 for doing chores all week long. I feel like that is plenty of money each week {even if they only do the five days} for kids their age!

The “I didn’t listen chores” are going to be for when they don’t listen and I will pick one chore from those cards that whoever isn’t listening has to do. The chores they will do for when they didn’t listen are:

– Clean the bathroom toilets.
– Wipe down the bathroom sinks.
– Wipe down the baseboards.
– Wipe down the cabinets.
– Wash all the windows.
– Mop the floors.
– Dust all the furniture.

Those are the chore cards! Check back next week for part two of our chore system and where the index cards will be going!

Do you have chores in your house for your kids?!

I’m linking this post up to Sunday Funday.

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DIY Laugh Basket for your spouse

July 25, 2014 - 16 Comments

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Today, I’m going to brag on my husband for a moment. He works so hard for our family to allow me to be a stay at home mom to our kids. He also helps me out whenever I need him to and sometimes when I don’t even ask and I appreciate that so, so, SO much! Since finding out that my back is messed up, he has been even more tentative and hands on than he normally is, especially now that I’m pregnant and he knows I’m in more pain now than when I wasn’t pregnant. He is always making sure I’m okay, doing extra things I ask him to do or that need to be done, rubbing my back, and he’s even given me a few massages without me asking him too! This past year has been hard, but it’s also made me realize how incredibly blessed I am to have such an amazing husband. Now, normally, when I want to show my appreciation for all he does for me and our family, I would get him some form of sweet card and a little something extra. I know he always appreciates every sappy/love card I get him, but truth be told, my husband is a man who likes to laugh.

He’s always making me laugh {it’s one of the things I love about him}, he has the best one liners, and always has hilarious comebacks. I’m always telling him that I wish I could just read his mind for a day because I think I would be spending the whole day in tears from laughter. This time to show my appreciation for all he has been doing, instead of going for my usual sweet stuff, I decided that I’m going to make him laugh this time. I ran to Walmart and grabbed some things to put together this laugh basket for him.

Here is what you’ll need for a laugh basket:

Hallmark BuzzWorthy Cards
Index Cards {at least 15}
Two cans of Silly String
1 can of Frosting
2 Funny shirts
Sharpie Paint Markers

I had a hard time finding exact things I wanted to put in the basket to make my husband laugh. I did find a couple things though while I was at Walmart. I found two shirts that I knew would make him laugh, they sure made me giggle. I picked up some silly string, frosting, and index cards for a few DIY games I put together.

Then, I went over to the card section and picked out two of the new BuzzWorthy Cards from Hallmark because I couldn’t just choose one. People probably thought I was crazy as I was reading the cards and laughing in the aisle. I picked out two that were sure to make Hubby laugh. I really am loving these new cards you should definitely run to Walmart and grab a few!

When I got home, I started putting the basket together and I have to say I love it! Here are some up close pictures of the different things in the basket.

For the DIY games, I just came up with a few sexy/fun things to do with the frosting and silly string! These are very much adult only index cards. You can create your own games or use the ones I have below!

There you have it! My DIY Laugh Basket for my husband! What would you put in a laugh basket for your spouse?!

Make sure you check out Connections from Hallmark to sign up for the Hallmark Rewards, and to see great content from other bloggers! Also, Make sure you check out #TrendyCards on Twitter!

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Mini Canvas Art

July 1, 2014 - 5 Comments

I have seen some really great Sharpie paint projects floating around pinterest and if you’ve been following me for awhile, you know I have a ~~slight~~ major addiction to sharpies. So, naturally, I had to try these out. Normally when I’m trying something for the first time, I like to start small. I ran to Hobby Lobby over the weekend to grab some craft stuff and I came across the markers and I quickly threw them into my cart, then I was trying to figure out what I wanted to try them out on. I was going down the canvas aisle because I want to start painting again and I came across some little canvases and I just couldn’t resist getting them. That night I decided to play around with the sharpies and the small canvases and I liked it so much that I plan on making a set to either hang on my wall or put on the ledge behind the couch.

This one is really simple, but I plan on doing ones that are a little more complicated, but for now; here is what you need for this mini canvas art.

Small canvases.
Sharpie paint markers in gold, silver, and red.

First, do a little border. On one I did simple little squiggly lines in gold and silver, on another I did a heart border in silver and gold.

Second, find a small saying you want to put on it. Since my motto and my blog is Live.Laugh.L0ve., I decided to go with that. I alternated between red and gold with each word.

Last, I simply drew a few hearts in silver and red to finish it off.

What do you think? Easy, simple, and cute huh? I can’t wait to make more!

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Our St. Patrick’s Day + a handmade birthday gift

March 18, 2014 - Leave a Comment

I meant to share our St. Patrick’s Day on Tuesday, but I didn’t get around to writing a post, I was far too tired. I got maybe 4 hours of sleep the night before because I couldn’t sleep, my nerve was hurting me way too bad and then I had to get up at five thirty since it was the first day back to school for Jay after spring break and I never got around to taking a nap on Monday so, come Monday night I was in no mood to write a post. Anyways, on to how we spent our St. Patrick’s Day.

During the day while Jay was at school, Kage and I didn’t do a whole lot. I did get it into my head to do a last minute handmade birthday present for my mother in law because her birthday is on St. Patrick’s Day. So, I got to work! I finished about 98% of it before we had to go get Jay from school. We drive a little ways and then walk the rest of the way to pick him up and it was such a nice day outside, Kage and I totally soaked it up.

After we picked up Jay, we came home and I finished the birthday present and then I had to get ready and finish getting Kage ready since he was in long sleeves and he didn’t need long sleeves anymore. Afterwards, I put all of my mother in laws gifts in a bag and we headed out the door. As soon as we walked in, we said our hello’s to my momma in law and great grandma & great grandpa in law {they are in town} and then I handed her the gift bag. The first thing she pulled out was the handmade gift I made her. I have to say, it’s one of the best handmade gifts I’ve made so far.

{I made the print on the front completely in pic monkey, I love the way it turned out. Then I simply printed out the pictures I wanted to use and began arranging four to a page – two on the front and two on the back – and then wrote a quote about family on each page, front and back. I punched a hole at the top of each page and tied it with a white piece of yarn.}

She flipped through it and kept saying “Awe” every so often. She gave me a huge hug before she returned to going through her other gifts. We also got her a wind chime, some silly four leaf clover glasses {that the boys are rocking below}, and a St. Patrick’s day necklace. When my father in law woke up, he looked through the scrapbook too and he loved it and so did my aunt in law when she showed up. We were over there until about seven thirty. After we left, we grabbed dinner… ate… Jay did homework… the boys had baths and I did a little reading before bed, but we crashed pretty early.

It was a pretty low key St. Patrick’s Day this year and it was spent with family and any holiday spent with family is a damn good one in my book.

How did you spend your St. Patrick’s Day?

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