"Santa's Cookies" Plate

If you read yesterday's post, then you know Audrey and I went crazy with the Christmas crafts this past weekend. My house is decorated but not like my friend. Her house looks like what you'd see in a magazine. It's amazing.

 

I thought it would be fun for Audrey to have a plate she made for Santa to hold his yummy treats. I had one when I was a tiny monster myself. It was so special I thought because Santa knew they were from me, the plate said so. We wanted to make sure Santa came back every year and what's the fastest way to a man's heart? Right! Through his stomach!

 

To start off, you will need a couple of supplies:

Paint Brushes (craft store)

Acrylic Paints (craft store) or

Permanent Markers (any store)

Ceramic Plates (Dollar store)

Blue Painter's Tape Multi Surface (Walmart)

 

With her being so little still and not being able to write her name, I decided Mama would help her. I got my fine point brush and started off writing. I did all of the red first and let it dry for a few minutes before I added the green designs. When I was done, I set it in a cold oven and turned it on to 350 degrees. After I saw it had heated up, I set the timer for 30 minutes. Once the timer was off, I turned off the oven and cracked the door to let it cool down fully. After it was cool to the touch, I got my painter's tape and taped off what I had done.

Then I got out Audrey's paint brushes and the paint and let me go crazy. She had so much fun painting the plate. When she decided she was done, I took the paint off and repeated the process of baking it in the oven. I bake it to set it faster. You can let it sit to dry but it will take 21 days it says.

 

If you don't have acrylic paint or don't want to buy it, you can do the same thing with permanent markers. I used to use them but never got the same effect as I do with the paints. My favorite part, this is all washable. I put Audrey in paint clothes of course and watch her so she doesn't eat it or paint herself. Also, this stuff can be washed in a dishwasher, top rack.

 

 

I have decorated so much glassware with this for Fab Flares by Audrey's Mom. It is very easy to use and looks great. Ended up being a cheap and fun project for her and I to do together that we will use for many Christmas' to come.



 

Oh My Monday! Love me some FOOTBALL

In our home, we use our manners, say our prayers and cheer for the Seattle Seahawks! We wear our Seahawks gear every game and watch it as a family. We get loud and we yell. We are the 12th Family!

In honor of such an amazing football season so far, I've teamed up with Macey's Closet for a giveaway for your little cheerleader. One lucky reader will win a pair of football leggings, a custom team colors tutu and a team themed headband. To enter, just fill out the form below. Don't have a little girl? Enter for a friend or family member!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Trial and Error of New Products: Painting Faux Pumpkins

As a business owner, I follow a lot of other business pages. Not only is a great way to network but you also can see what's selling and for how much. I enjoy seeing other people's failures, not because I'm cruel but because it shows they have a real passion for what they are doing. They are willing to keep working until they get it just right. I don't like to fail but I know it's going to happen. So I've made sure that when I have a new idea for something, I should practice it.

With the season turning into Autumn, I thought it would be a great idea to get some items in that theme for the shop. So I bought Audrey and I some "testers" to play with. We have these small faux pumpkins from Dollar Tree that are "carvable". I'm not vey good at carving a real pumpkin so I was very hesitant with some Styrofoam pumpkin. So obviously my next thought was to decorate them. I've been seeing such fun things online about decorating pumpkins with paints, glue, and my favorite, GLITTER!

 

I tested out a jack-o-lantern style pumpkin. I'm going to have my nephew try it out.

As you can see, it's not as tall as a soda can. Perfect for small hands. You can't see it in the photo but I made marks on the pumpkin as my outline.

 

Then I painted in the areas I outlined with black paint. I used my acrylic enamel this time but if you are doing it with a child, then you will want to use Tempera. It's a non-toxic paint that washes off of everything, including clothes. I didn't like how light the stem was so I went over it with a darker brown paint.

 

I think it turned out pretty cute and I have a feeling my nephew is going to love it.

 

I can't wait to make more and show them to you.

 

*Alyssa*

Tutu's and wine glasses and hair bows? I got this! Oh wait, where's Audrey?

Pretty excited over here. *Does happy dance* Why am I so excited you ask? Well, I will gladly tell you. Got an email last weekend inviting me to go to a craft walk!!! Whoohoo. Ok, now you're asking what a craft walk is. It's a smaller version of a craft show. This one will be held at a local farmers market (luckily 4 blocks from my house). I'm really exhausted though already. Trying to get a ton of new product made up. Honestly though, I may complain but I'm really lucky to be doing something I love.

Audrey is such a big "help" when I'm working. Just like any other child. One of the biggest questions I get when talking about being a wahm is, how do you do your crafts with Audrey around? Oh man, how do I do it? I'm still shocked but really, there are times that I don't get anything done. Sometimes she is trying to crawl up into my lap while I'm sewing or she's trying to get the scissors for a mad dash. Sitting at the table with her and giving her goldfish helps. I don't believe in bribing with sweets but oh I have no shame in goldfish cracker bribery. When I have a big project to do that I know I just can't get done when she's around I will wait until she's in bed. Then usually Jake will cuddle with her and put her to bed for me. If you need to get anything done with a child running around then your best bet is distractions. Whether it be food, toys, another kid or even your partner. Find the best distraction that will last the longest.

Now no one can judge me for this because we are all there at one point or another but we've all said, "Where's the kid?" I can't tell you how many times Jake and I ask each other that. This is why they invented baby gates. Either she's pulling out her pajamas and trying to put them on or she's on the dog bed rolling around. I really should remember to put the gates up more often but hey, we all get distracted by our kids. As Audrey gets older, I've really been fortunate to have her want to help mama work. I set out supplies and arrange them in ways she can get them for me. I love how excited she gets when she brings me something. It's not child labor when she takes a million breaks in an hour long shift. Audrey is my muse, model, employee, receptionist and product tester. She's my go to girl until bed time. Then Tara takes over the job. When I have to work in the garage, hooch comes out and is my body guard. She loves when I work outside, because it usually means that she's going to get to play fetch or get some treats. She isn't too fond of when I test out product on her. I really should start making her something that she'd enjoy testing... I am thinking she's asking for a batch of homemade treats and knows that I'm writing about her. Thanks dog, I have a huge slobber gob on my pajama bottoms now.

I was asked recently, "If you could give any wahm your best advice, what would it be?" This will always be my answer: Remember why you are doing this. When it gets hard and you want to give up, remember why you are doing this. Did you start this to be home with your family? Is your business goal to help earn extra income for your family? Does your family need a new vehicle? There can be a great deal of different reasons but remember why you are doing this. Write it down and post it in your work space, on your mirror or even the banner on your phone's lock screen.

Last but not least, put up the baby gates. I can hear Audrey playing with Tara's dog tags and Tara is groaning because she's trying to take a nap. If you can keep your kid alive every day, then you can become a wahm. Just find what is the best fit for you, get ready, jump!

You can do it mama!

*Alyssa*

Busy Bee trying to make a Busy Business

I have always loved crafting. My mother got me hooked when I was little. Being an only child, it was a great way for her to keep me busy. I am so glad she did. She still has some of the fimo clay characters I made her. I made her a germ and a porcupine, plus many others. It was a blast. I made plenty of pipe cleaner statues and jewelry as well. Who knew I would take my love and turn it into a passion and a business?

I started out originally making hair bows for a baby shower gift and decided to sell them. I didn't do nearly as well as I would have liked. Comes to find out, I was seriously lacking in the marketing department. So because I wasn't getting orders, I didn't believe in myself. I gave up on myself and thought it just wasn't meant to be in my life story.

Being a stay at home mom is great but I felt like I was losing not only my mind but my self worth. It was exhausting. So after a lot of talk and praying, I decided to start my business up again the right way this time. Owning a crafting business isn't as easy as it sounds. It takes a lot of time, failures, and late nights. You don't make a fortune over night. You will beat yourself up and be your worst critic. If you truly love what you do, then so will others.

Now, I am not making enough money to have Jake quit work just yet so I can be his sugar mama. Oh I would love for that to happen. It takes time though. Obviously I know that there are much better business women than myself out there but I am going to do my best to show you how you can do it as well. I will show you failures and my triumphs. I am happy and proud of myself. It's amazing to be doing this.

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