Crafty Ideas- Making Lumiere's with Water Balloons

How to make Lumieres using water balloons. Gorgeous and simple!

OK, I got this idea from Pinterest www.candletech.com and I really want to give it a try.  It looks pretty simple- 

What a great idea for any party or wedding, these little wax lumieres can be made in any size (depending on how big you make the balloons),  Also, if you’re feeling braver, mix some colour into the wax and play around with different shades and tones – 

You will need : High Melt Paraffin Wax (try most good craft stores),  party balloons, a double boiler, non-stick cookie / biscuit sheet.

1. Fill balloon with tepid water.

2. Melt your wax. Optimum working temperature for this project is 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Try to maintain this temperature for your wax while working by keeping it on a double boiler.

3. Slowly dip your balloon into the wax  to just below the water level in the balloon. Warning: Do not dip the balloon into the wax past the water level. This could cause the balloon to pop.

4. Hold the balloon in the wax for a few seconds, and then slowly lift it out of the wax. Dip the balloon a few more times, allowing some time between dips to let the wax cool.

5. While it is still quite warm, carefully set the balloon down onto a piece of paper or a cookie sheet, making sure it is level. This will create a flat bottom for the lumiere.

6. Dip your balloon a few more times until it is the desired thickness. A good target thickness is 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch.

7. Set the balloon on the paper or cookie sheet again and let it cool.

8. When the wax is completely cooled, hold the balloon over a sink or bucket, facing away from you. Carefully pop the balloon with a skewer or knife and let the water drain out. Throw away the balloon shards.

9. To level the top of the lumiere, heat a cookie sheet on the stove and place the lumiere top-down onto the hot sheet and carefully melt the edges until it is level.

10. Place a tea light or votive inside the lumiere and burn on a candle holder in a dark area…. gorgeous!

Birthday Angels

Check out this awesome video of all the Birthstone Angel earrings by Girlie Gals!  They are just gorgeous and what a great birthday or Christmas gift!!

A Stress Free Morning Routine for Back to School

         It's That Time of Year Again!!!

Here are some good ideas on how to make this
less stressful and more fun for everyone.  So much is going on now that if we have a good routine planned we can make it a great time for all.  (Ideas from Apples4teachers.com )

Let's go! Let's go! Come on … you're going to miss the bus! I don't know where your favorite jeans are; it's not my responsibility. What do you mean you still have homework? Did you brush your teeth yet? Let's go! I'm leaving… NOW!

Oh I hope your mornings don't sound like that above. If it does, it's not too late to turn that ship around. The key to having a stress free morning routine is to have a smooth bedtime routine. Remember, a routine is something that is followed regularly, standard procedures. Without the consistency you will have an uphill battle.

Here are some tips to a stress free morning routine:

• No yelling. Raising your voice, albeit frustrated, is only going to escalate matters.

• Early to bed, early to rise. That one is simple.

• Showers and baths should be taken at night. You think you'll have time in the morning, but you rarely do.

• Look over all homework for completeness before bed; don't assume it's finished.

• Before bed ensure lunches are made, backpack is packed and there are no surprise "Oh I need xxx today!"

• Give singular instructions. Don't say, "I want you to finish your homework, eat breakfast, get dressed, comb your hair, brush your teeth and be in the car by 8:15." To a child, that sounds like "blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah." One instruction at a time works wonders.

• Provide instructions once. If you're doing this, stop: "Johnny, it's time to get dressed." Two minutes later, "Johnny, we're going to be late if you don't get dressed now." Two more minutes later, "Johnny, honey, I told you to get dressed." "Johnny, Mommy is going to be late, now go get dressed." To a child that sounds like "Oh mom is good for asking about five more times before she really goes ballistic!" Repeated requests only send the message that junior doesn't really have to do it now.

• Set consequences and stick to your guns. If you tell your child the car is leaving at 8:15 sharp, make it happen. Clearly you can't leave your child behind, so leaving without her isn't an option. Tell her you will be leaving whether she is ready or not. Sending a 10 year old to school with uncombed hair, pajamas and an empty belly might be just the catalyst for change.

You are the parent; you set the tone for the morning routine. You need to be actively involved in the morning routine. Follow the steps above and I guarantee 'joy will come in the morning!'

Breakfast with Potato Bacon Casserole

This yummy sounding breakfast recipe is from the Nestle Company by a bachelor named Nick:

I liked this recipe from the start. It didn’t complicate things with tons of steps and most of the ingredients I had on hand. With a prep time of only 10 minutes, I could just pop it in the oven – pretty simple, pretty delicious, pretty perfect for a Saturday (or Sunday if you prefer to watch the pros) day of football.

Potato Bacon Casserole

Ingredients for 6 servings:

• 4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 8 ounces bacon or turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can (12 fl. oz.) * NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten or 1/4 cup egg substitute
• 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt

Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease 8-inch-square baking dish.
LAYER 1/2 potatoes, 1/2 onion, 1/2 bacon and 1/2 cheese in prepared baking dish; repeat layers. Combine evaporated milk, egg and seasoned salt in small bowl. Pour evenly over potato mixture; cover.
BAKE for 55 to 60 minutes. Uncover; bake for an additional 5 minutes. Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Kid's Fun with Colored Rice

I have used this idea- with my kids and with my daycare children and it was a really big hit.  It's very easy and is a great sensory activity for little ones and older preschoolers.  This activity combined with cups and measuring toys is a great activity for learning cause and effect, measuring, pouring as well as small motor skills involved with grasping handfuls of rice.  You can incorporate a lesson on learning colors and mixing colors also.  This activity calls for rice mixed with food coloring and a bit of rubbing alcohol, I did not use the alcohol which only speeds up the drying process and it was just fine.  This is also a great activity for everyday fun substitute this into your water or sand table:



Measure out the rice (4 cups) and put it in a Ziploc bag with about 2T of food coloring and 3 T of rubbing alcohol. The kids can help you mix the rice in the bags to spread the color.  Allow them a bit of time to dry.
















For older children, this is a great art activity in bottles or making pictures or mosaics.  The possibilities are endless!  Please share your colored rice activities!  

Recycled Bottles

What a cute idea from The Colorful Living Project!  An easy way to recycle old bottles into a nice vase for a table centerpiece, wedding or holiday decoration or, as in my case, for my daughter's bedroom so she can have her own vase with flowers.  You can use practically any bottle and any color spray paint too.

Spray Bottles DIY Project

This project is so simple.

1. Remove labels from bottles. ( You can soak them in hot water and dish soap for extra help)

2. Dry and clean

3. Pick your spray paint choices: Seen above is Satin Ivory.

4. Spray paint box carrier too!

You get the idea...

Some spray painting tips... Cover area with newspaper or drop cloth first. Wear a mask or be careful not to inhale fumes. Don't spray into the wind!!! Wait for your first layer to dry and stick the bottle on your finger to get a good coat around the bottom sides.

Christmas in August??

I just reopened my shop, BrankletsNBling, after a month long closure due to a military move.  We moved and drove from Virginia to Anchorage, AK.  It was quite an adventure and with three small children, there was never a dull moment!  Now that we are settled here in Alaska, I have been able to reopen my shop- hurrah!  Unfortunatly, I missed Etsy's Christmas in July Extravaganza so I decided to have my own Christmas in August Sale!  I have reopened my Holiday Shop which includes all holiday and Christmas jewelry and it is all on sale for the month of August for 30% off!  Here are just a few things that are included in the sale:


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