A non-crafty kind of post

Enjoy handfuls of priceless moments this holiday weekend.

See you Monday :)

Children's Initial Art

Pinterest was overflowing with ideas for initial art like this, and it had been far too long since we finger painted.  So we did.

Step 1.)  I cut their initials in vinyl and stuck it on the thick cardstock.  

 Step #2  They painted.  

He took the whole hand approach...

 ...while she took the finger tip approach. Each artist has their own technique :)

 Step No.3)  After they dried I removed the vinyl and framed.

  I bought cheap dollar store frames and hung them on their bedroom doors.  You could paint the frames if you wanted, but I preferred the raw wood look.

have a happy, messy, crafty kind of day :)

Children's Memory Binders and Memory Keeping

After accumulating piles of drawing, certificates, and cards, I was feeling overwhelmed with stacks of paper. I didn't want to just toss them in a box on a shelf, so I got a couple of these chipboard binders.  I liked them because we could paint or draw directly on them.  

They put their handprints on their binder, in their favorite color, of course.  

Inside I put anything paper of theirs that we want to save...

 artwork...

Sunday School papers...

ticket stubs...

cards(some in sheet protectors)...

certificates(did you know Home Depot offers FREE kid workshops on the first Saturday of each month?  Pretty awesome!)...

cards(some punched directly and put in the rings).

I love it.  They can pull them off the bookshelf, look through them and be reminded of things they've done or accomplished.  When it's full we begin a new binder with updated handprints.  

I don't put any pictures in these because I use them in our project life binder.  Do you do project life?  I admittedly am behind...always.  I get caught up, and then get behind again.  At least it always get completed by the end of the year.  

Since I inevitably get behind, I use a date book to record things I do not want to forget.  Later when I'm working on Project life I pull out the datebook and remember to document in detail with the pictures.  It works for me.  I record a lot of the sweet things the kids say or the places we go and things we do together. 

This time while they are young is precious.  It goes fast and little things can easily be forgotten.  Keeping memory books and project life helps me to hang on to the little moments forever.

Link up with me at these parties

Sugar Bee, A Bowl Full of Lemons, A Diamond in the Stuff, 

Carolyn's Homework, Funky Polkadot Giraffee, Today's Creative Blog,

Debbie Does Creations, Ginger Snap Crafts, Sew Much Ado, Someday Crafts, Lil' Luna , Trendy Treehouse, Free Pretty Things for You,  

The Shabby Creek Cottage, Beyond the Picket Fence, Yesterday on Tuesday, Katie's Nesting Spot,  House of Hepworths,  At the picket Fence, 

Somewhat Simple, 

Have you tried this spread? I'm addicted {Nut free muddy buddies}

We have been searching for a delicious peanut butter substitute for years. Finding a completely nut-free spread that's also delicious is not an easy feat!

  How we have not found this one sooner, I do not know!  

Biscoff Spread...have you had this?  I'm addicted.  

When the hubs brought it home I was skeptical.  We have tried every other nut free spread we could find and they were all disappointments.  After all, peanut butter is a lot to live up to.  When he brought this home, I did the toast test.  You'll know it's a suitable substitute if it's delicious on toast (in my opinion :).  And it was heavenly.  There are 3 jars of these babies stocked in our pantry.  It kind of has a graham cracker taste. Delicious.

Since it passed the test I gave it a try as a peanut butter substitute in muddy buddies.  Again, delicious!  I used the Betty Crocker recipe, and just replaced the peanut butter with the Biscoff spread. 

 I can't wait to try this spread in other holiday recipes that call for peanut butter.  I have a feeling it will be just as tasty!

Is it fall yet?

I am so excited that fall is right around the corner.   

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  I LOVE all things fall.  The colors, the pumpkins, the smells, the foods, the cozy clothes...it's all good in my book.  

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The fun of dressing up and trick-or-treating is right around the corner, then falling leaves and Thanksgiving yummies, and then Christmas!   I'm getting way ahead here, because today it's 90 degrees and August. You get the idea though...I big, fat puffy heart love fall.  

If you are craving some fall inspiration check out these last projects:

Yummy fall fairy wands

Fall pennant centerpiece

Simple fall candle

Fall burlap pennant

Fall pie pops

Kids craft leaf print

This weekend I'm working on a couple things that I hope to share next week.  We will see how far I get considering we all have colds, and right now I'm looking like this in front of the computer:

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Have a wonderful weekend full of crafty inspiration.