22 Feb
It’s time for my oldest’s birthday again, and though I pledged there would be no party beyond our regular Disneyland trek, I am in the midst of American Girl Tea Party preparation.
Though she wanted to take her friends up to the Los Angeles American Girl Store, we decided to bring that store to them. Here, in my house.
How to do that?
I’m starting, by thinking small…here is our inspiration…
17 Feb
If you ever wanted to learn how to fold a cootie catcher, check out this step by step… And see how we changed it up to help with memorizing spelling words, and “rocket math!”
10 Feb
Why not make insanely ridiculous and cute valentines for the kids to send out? I’m only in massive party planning mode. But, my oldest daughter saw these while we poured over our DisneyFamilyCraftfinder app. Here was our inspiration from FamilyFun! Oh, if you have an iPad and haven’t downloaded this one, you must, must, must! Kids want to make valentines that look like fortune cookies? No problem. Using a little wiremamma know-how, I created some fortunes with a curly script, and printed them out with …
10 Feb
All those days watching from the windows
All those years outside looking in
All that time never even knowing
Just how blind I’ve been
Now I’m here, blinking in starlight
Now I’m here, suddenly I see
Standing here, it’s all so clear
I’m where I’m meant to be
And at last I see the light
And it’s like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it’s like the sky is new
And it’s warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything looks different
Now that I see you
…
http://www.etsy.com/listing/90744490/set-of-3-floating-tangled-lanterns
6 Feb
“DIY” Rapunzel Lanterns… how to demonstration…
This step by step tutorial takes you through lantern creation using the decorated lanterns from http://www.recessionhome.com:
You can use ANY card stock paper to create these… I supply glue dots and floating hangers, however I recommend — for sanity’s sake — using a glue gun. WAY easier, and more permanent, in my opinion. Here’s how we do it.
Apply Glue Dots ( or hot glue dots -- works better!) along edge of lantern)
Align punched holes, and press and hold firmly until the glue adheres. Paperclips may be used if need be. Hot glue seals FAST so usually, clipping not needed. Don't crimp the paper!
Tie floating hanger through the punched holes and hang! Voila! Floating Tangled Rapunzel Lanterns!
~Ashley
30 Jan
Here’s a redux from last year! Found more of the same from Walmart, for $1.75
….. The Valentine’s Quickie Wreath project…
It’s not what you’re thinking.
The other day, I had a little kitchen money left over from the end of the week. My youngest and I ventured to K-Mart to look over the end of Christmas sales and see what we could get for 90% off. Seriously. It’s January and they’re having 90% off Christmas decorations. Way to get ready for the Ho-Ho-Holiday for next year! Still, it’s almost Valentine’s day, and I never, ever have decorated for the happy heart day that heralds both my husband and my oldest daughter’s birthdays. And I love to decorate. SO, maybe I had Valentine’s on the brain as I was looking through broken ornaments, tattered garland, and ratty little trees. Perhaps we should have come out when it was 75% off, I was thinking.
We turned a corner. What I saw, I couldn’t believe. Pink and red shiny garland. In Christmas wrappings. For 90% off. It was originally 6.99. That means .69? For a broad swath of very Valentine looking garland? I can work with that, I thought, and shoved it in my cart.
We got home and I thought, mantle? No. I’m copying a friend of mine with her scrabble-esque I Love You frames. Draping it anywhere else just seemed cheesy. What I wanted was a door hanger. So, here’s what we did.
Garland!
Tools!
Funky Wire Heart Frame!
Tah-Dah! Hear Shaped Door Hanger for $0.69!
27 Jan
So, thanks to my friend Natalie, we are designing Flynn Rider Wanted posters…
This hand drawn poster was first “enlarged” — hand copied into 4 quadrants on 8 1/2 x 11 paper.
When you think about a picture in 4 parts, it makes it easier to get that smolder down, (not sure if the nose is quite right… 
Once the pencil rending is complete, time to redraw an impression over your poster board!
The lines, not shading, will serve as your guides for final sharpie rendition. Make sure to capture hair highlights, and ears… I almost forgot his ears.
Finally, use a poster marker to fill in the dark coat, eyebrows, beard, and hair.
He’s so terribly handsome… don’t we all fall for the bad boy…?
Anyway, the little ones will have a blast smacking Flynn with paper frying pans. Voila!
Pin the Pan!
If you need help, or would like a hand drawn Flynn Poster, just come visit me in my Etsy store, or shoot me an e-mail. Takes about 5-7 days to complete & arrive.
Super Mom Moments has the best printable frying pan, available for free on her site. She rocks.
All the best!
Ashley
26 Jan
Here’s what we’re making today, on www.recessionhome.com — Even Rapunzel will approve of these cake plates, made to look like her favorite cast iron pans! Who knew, right?
Follow this quick and easy tutorial, and do it yourself! Don’t have time? Just ask! I’m happy to construct these for you — just ask over at our Tangled Party Supply store…
Step 1:
Purchase your cake plates from either Walmart (50 for under $2.00) or the Dollar Tree… where you can get 24 for $1.00 — depending on how many you plan to make. Separate into two groups… handles and plate bottoms. Draw handles onto the bottom of the handle stack. You can get up to 3 out of each plate bottom…
Draw your handles on the back of cake plate...one plate can have up to 3 handles...
Step 2:
Cut out each handle with a sharp pair of scissors. Don't do too many at once, or they'll shred...
Step 3:
Use hot glue to secure "dip" part of plate to the underside of the black cake plate.
Step 4:
Press and seal! and watch your fingers! Hot glue can cause burns... believe me. I know this from personal experience!
Step 5:
Tah-Dah! A Rapunzel Cake Plate fit for Blondie and Flynn Ryder. Who knew, right?
You can add a hole in the handle so it looks even MORE official…
courtesy of @ Flicker / by Island Vittles
Again, thanks for viewing this tutorial! and let me know how your crafting goes!
If you don’t have time to create the perfect Rapunzel party decorations for your child, just ask me — or head on over to our @ Etsy online Rapunzel Tangled Kingdom party decorations store – www.RecessionHome.com.
All the best!
~Ashley
24 Jan
Need I say more?
Beaker Cake Pops
For what it’s worth, our house is voting for Man or Muppet:
I'm Pinning!
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