Friday Freebie: My Memories Purse Cards {6/29}

This week I will be sharing a purse card kit with you. It includes the purse cards, plus all the elements and papers used to create the cards. You can download these right into your My Memories software or you can use these with any other photo editing software!

This week's kits:

Freebie Kit 2

Freebie Kit 3

Download your Freebie Kit 2 and Freebie Kit 3. Be sure to download this kit right away. It changes every few weeks and after that, this particular download will no longer be available.

Here is a picture of finished projects (from My Memories) using the above kits:

Using MyMemories Software to Customize your Purse Cards

1. Download template file and install it into your software
2. Using MyMemories Suite, choose Create Album From Designer Template and find your project
3. Now you can print and enjoy the provided template, or customize it with your own papers and embellishments.

 TIP:
You can right-click on the white guide and lock it in place to keep it from moving while you are working. Make sure this is the top layer of your project before printing.
 
Instead of adding the paper as a background paper, you can add it as an embellishment so that you can move the paper around.  This is especially useful when using papers with stripes or circles, so you can decide which part of the paper you want to use.
 
Once it is added as an embellishment, you can now select the paper and move it into the position you want it.  
 
Just SAVE and PRINT on cardstock!

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DISCOUNT:

Do you want your own digital scrapbooking software? My Memories is offering a special deal for my readers. Enter code STMMMS30543 at checkout to receive $10 off the My Memories Suite v3 Software. You will also receive a $10 coupon to use in the My Memories store. (A $20 value!) {Copy and paste the code to avoid typos}

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Enjoy your downloads. If you create anything with your My Memories software or these free downloads, I would love to see it. Please share a link in the comments!

Science for Kids: Making Slime

If you remember, a few weeks ago, I was telling you about how I want to do some fun learning activities with my kids over the summer break! One of the areas I want to focus on is science. My kids are a little too small to understand many of the principles behind science experiments, but just getting them thinking about what can happen when you mix different things together is completely age appropriate. So, today, we decided to whip up a batch of slime!

Supplies needed:

• Borax
• Glue (clear or white)
• Food coloring
• Water

I originally found the recipe for how to make this slime over at Our Best Bites. Head over there to get all the specifics for the recipe. But, I will share the basic run down.

You mix borax with water and set aside. In another bowl, mix your glue, water and food coloring. Thomas wanted green and Olivia wanted blue, so I did two drops of each color. Then, you pour in the borax/water solution and watch the magic happen!

When you first start mixing it, it seems like it might never come together, but I promise if you keep going, you will be rewarded! 

This activity lasted us an hour, and seeing as it only took us about 5 - 10 minutes to make it, you can tell what a hit it was. Even my two year old played with it the whole time. Trust me, this stuff is awesome - even I got in on the fun. 

Best part - you can store it in an airtight container to play with at another time. This project was a little messy, but totally worth it.

Linked up here: 

Not JUST a Housewife: Show Me What Ya Got

Clean and Scentsible: The Creative Spark

Tatertots and Jello: Weekend Wrap Up Party

Crafts Unleashed: Summer Boredom Edition

Friday Freebie: My Memories Purse Cards {6/22}

This week I will be sharing a purse card kit with you. It includes the purse cards, plus all the elements and papers used to create the cards. You can download these right into your My Memories software or you can use these with any other photo editing software!

This week's kit:

Freebie Kit 1

Download your Freebie Kit 1. Be sure to download this kit right away. It changes every few weeks and after that, this particular download will no longer be available.

Here is a picture of finished projects (from My Memories) using the above kit:

Using MyMemories Software to Customize your Purse Cards

1. Download template file and install it into your software
2. Using MyMemories Suite, choose Create Album From Designer Template and find your project
3. Now you can print and enjoy the provided template, or customize it with your own papers and embellishments.

 TIP:
You can right-click on the white guide and lock it in place to keep it from moving while you are working. Make sure this is the top layer of your project before printing.
 
Instead of adding the paper as a background paper, you can add it as an embellishment so that you can move the paper around.  This is especially useful when using papers with stripes or circles, so you can decide which part of the paper you want to use.
 
Once it is added as an embellishment, you can now select the paper and move it into the position you want it.  
 
Just SAVE and PRINT on cardstock!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

DISCOUNT:

Do you want your own digital scrapbooking software? My Memories is offering a special deal for my readers. Enter code STMMMS30543 at checkout to receive $10 off the My Memories Suite v3 Software. You will also receive a $10 coupon to use in the My Memories store. (A $20 value!) {Copy and paste the code to avoid typos}

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Enjoy your downloads. If you create anything with your My Memories software or these free downloads, I would love to see it. Please share a link in the comments!

Childrens Art Display Wall

For those of you with school-age children you know how quickly all the art masterpieces they bring home from school can add up and end up all over the house. Even for those of you with little ones not yet in school, the precious scribbles and works of art seem to multiply daily. Both of my kids love to draw and paint.  I needed to corral all of these papers while still allowing my children to display (at least some of) their beautiful works of art. And I wanted this project done cheaply - like under 5 bucks cheap! Here is what I came up with:

Before I created our art display wall, I would use masking tape to hang up all the pictures on and around my coat closet. This in and of itself was not awful, but it started to become an eyesore, especially since you see this particular closet from all the main areas in my house.

Pretty, huh? Oh, wait. I don't think so either! So, I went on the hunt for a way to display artwork. I have seen other pictures of using curtain wire and special clips to hang artwork, and I thought this would be a great solution. I found this really great Dignitet Curtain Wire from Ikea:

This was perfect. But it was going to be $12.99 for each wire (I needed 2) plus the price of the hooks ($2.99 for a 24 pack). I was looking at almost $29 before shipping - since I don't have an Ikea near me. This just wasn't an option for right now.

I had to get creative, and I will show you how I made a much cheaper version of this same idea!

Art Display Wall

Supplies Needed:

• Laser Level (or tape measure)
• Eye hooks (sometimes called screw eyes)
• Picture hanging wire
• Pliers
• Clothespins

Lucky for me, the only purchase I had to make was for the eye hooks. They were under $2 at my local hardware store and I had everything else on hand.

Step One:

Decide where you want your art display wall to go. I had a nice, low, blank wall in the hallway leading to the kid's bedrooms and their bathroom. The perfect spot to display their art!

Step Two:

Use your laser level to mark where you want to install your eyelets. (If you don't have a laser level you can just measure up from the ground with a tape measure the same distance on both sides.) Screw in the eye hooks on either end.

Step Three:

Loop your picture framing wire around the eye hook and twist it to secure it. Repeat this process at the other end of your wall. Trim any excess wire.

Step Four: 

Hang your pictures using clothespins. I plan to decoupage these clothespins with some fun kid paper some time down the road.

I did two rows of the wire to accomodate more artwork and really fill the space. The great part about this system is you can make it as long or short as you want. You could do a really narrow, tall wall, and just add more strings along the entire height of the wall! If you wanted to dress it up a bit more for pictures or even just the artwork you could use the clips from Ikea. They are called Riktig Curtain Hooks. 

Another inexpensive option for hooks would be to use badge clips. These have a snap you loop around the wire, with the clip on the bottom. You can find these at Walmart or your local office supply store. 

As they create new works of art, I rotate out their newer projects and file away the old ones. In the coming months I will share my filing system for keeping (and sometimes tossing) all the works of art and school work!

Linking up here:

Sugar Bee Crafts: Take a Look Tuesday

Tip Junkie: Tip Me Tuesday

Not JUST a Housewife: Show Me What Ya Got

Delightful Order: Delightfully Inspiring Thursday Party

Tatertots and Jello: Weekend Wrap Up Party

The Girl Creative: Just Something I Whipped Up

Friday Freebie: My Memories Photobook

I have a different kind of Friday Freebie for you this week. My memories is offering a great deal on their website. You can create your own free* 6 x 6 photobook (*all you pay is the shipping!) You create your book in just three easy steps.

1. Download a free trial version of My Memories software
2. Choose a template
3. Upload your book for printing (use code BK6FRE at checkout)

You can get more details at http://www.mymemories.com/lifetime

Below is a video showing you how to customize your photobook using the My Memories software. It is really easy. 

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DISCOUNT:

Do you want to purchase the full version of this great digital scrapbooking software? My Memories is offering a special deal for my readers. Enter code STMMMS30543 at checkout to receive $10 off the My Memories Suite v3 Software. You will also receive a $10 coupon to use in the My Memories store. (A $20 value!) {Copy and paste the code to avoid typos}

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Father's Day Gift Ideas

Last year, I created some fun gifts for my husband for Father's Day with the help of my kids. I thought I would re-share them in case you needed an idea for something handmade to give that special Dad in your life. Don't forget, Father's Day is less than two weeks away!

Father's Day Handprint Tree

Daddy's Shoe Print

Click here to be taken to the original project post! Are you making anything special for Father's Day? I would love to see it! I haven't come up with anything for this year, yet! :)

Preschool Activity Pages: Practice Using Scissors

Yesterday I told you about how I was planning on creating some printables to work on some educational concepts with the kids over the summer. First up in this series are some sheets to help practice fine motor skills - specifically, using scissors!

I have created four sheets to print out and have your child practice their cutting skills.

These sheets are fairly simple. I didn't want to use up a ton of my printer ink cartridges just to have my kids cut the sheets up!

Download and print your practice cutting skills worksheets.

Terms of Use (please read before downloading):

• Many of the printables are in .pdf format. Please be sure you have the latest version of Adobe Reader installed on your computer before downloading. 
• All of the printables on Laura's Crafty Life are for personal use only. You may not sell or redistribute any of these printables without express written permission.
• Feel free to share these printables, but link directly to Laura's Crafty Life to refer a friend to download and print them out directly from my blog. 

Click on any of the links below to stay up to date with everything going on at Laura's Crafty Life!

     

Linking up here:

Tip Junkie: Tip Me Tuesday
Sugar Bee Crafts: Take a Look Tuesday
Not JUST a Housewife: Show Me What Ya Got
Clean and Scentsible: The Creative Spark
The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday
Tatertots and Jello: Weekend Wrap Up Party

Preschool and Kindergarten Activity Pages

For the next several weeks I will be sharing some fun printable activity pages you can use for your preschooler or kindergartner. I want my son to continue practicing some of the things he learned in pre-k and I figure it is never to early to start with my toddler. Some of the activities will be appropriate for 4 - 5 year olds and others will be appropriate for any age child. Use your own judgement as to what your child is ready to learn!

My plan is to have educational activities scheduled out for the entire week. You can work at these activities at your own pace! The different areas I will be focusing on are:

• Language - letter or number recognition and writing skills
• Fine motor skills
• Science 
• Reading
• Arts and crafts
• Gross motor skills

Terms of Use (please read before downloading):

• Many of the printables are in .pdf format. Please be sure you have the latest version of Adobe Reader installed on your computer before downloading. 
• All of the printables on Laura's Crafty Life are for personal use only. You may not sell or redistribute any of these printables without express written permission.
• Feel free to share these printables, but link directly to Laura's Crafty Life to refer a friend to download and print them out directly from my blog. 

I hope you will follow along with me! Click on any of the link icons below to stay up to date with everything going on at Laura's Crafty Life!


     

Preschool Activity Pages (I will be updating this list as I get the printables posted on the blog.):

• Practice Using Scissors (Fine Motor Skills)
• Making Slime (Science for Kids)
• Practice Writing ABC's (Fine Motor Skills)

Summer Fun 2012

Summer break has officially started for us. I am slowly coming up with ideas to keep the kids busy (and Mommy from going crazy from repeated - "I'm bored" - requests). I created a list of fun activities we can do as a family throughout the summer. Some are pre-planned activities I know we are doing and others are activities to do when we don't have any plans. These particular activities will likely be done on the weekends when Dad is home with us.

Our list of activities:

• fishing
• camping
• local pool
• zoo
• baseball game
• bubbles
• sprinklers
• summer movies (our local theater has inexpensive summer kid's movies)
• homemade ice cream 
• go on a hike
• picnic
• pink jeep tour
• library program (our children's library has a summer reading program with a lot of fun local guests to entertain and educate the kids)
• tabletop s'mores
• pool party
• mini golf
• summer concert
• water balloon fight
• garden
• play date
• chalk
• fly a kite

Being a craft blogger, I had the overwhelming urge to go all out and make something with card stock and embellishments and basically just over-do it. But, this time, I just needed to keep it simple. I used a large piece of kid's art paper and different colored markers. Anyone can do this in about 10 minutes. It helps to include the kids in coming up with some ideas of fun things they would like to do.

I am also planning on posting some educational and fun activities I will be doing with the kids during the week while Dad is at work. I will post those as we do them! You can check out my Summer Pinterest board. I will be adding more ideas as I find them!

I hope this inspires you to create a summer bucket list of your own. We have already checked one item off the list - 'camping' and tomorrow we get to cross off another - 'pink jeep tour in Sedona'.

What activities do you have planned to keep the kids (and yourself) entertained throughout the summer?

Friday Freebie: My Memories Designer Pack {6/1}

This week I will be sharing a doorknob hanger kit with you. It includes the doorknob hangers, plus all the elements and papers used to create the hangers. You can download these right into your My Memories software or you can use these with any other photo editing software!

This week's kit:

Freebie Kit 3

Download your Freebie Kit 3. Be sure to download this kit right away. It changes every few weeks and after that this particular download will no longer be available.

Here is a picture of finished projects (from My Memories) using the above kit:

Using MyMemories Software to Customize your Doorknob Hanger

1. Download template file and install it into your software
2. Using MyMemories Suite, choose Create Album From Designer Template and find your project
3. Now you can add pictures, print and enjoy the provided template, or customize it with your own papers and embellishments.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

DISCOUNT:

Do you want your own digital scrapbooking software? My Memories is offering a special deal for my readers. Enter code STMMMS30543 at checkout to receive $10 off the My Memories Suite v3 Software. You will also receive a $10 coupon to use in the My Memories store. (A $20 value!) {Copy and paste the code to avoid typos}

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Enjoy your downloads. If you create anything with your My Memories software or these free downloads, I would love to see it. Please share a link in the comments!