This is the perfect fall craft, and you can incorporate it any way you want! Make a timeline for a deployed loved one (just add twine and hang), include in boxes for friends, or mail to grandparents…the list could go on and on! We created these to hand out to our neighbors, and it made for a fun afternoon!

Supplies:

• Construction Paper or Fall Paper
• Leaf Template
• Scissors
• Glue
• Chocolates

Directions:

1. Print off template.
2. Cut out template.
3. Trace template on fun/fall paper.
4. Cut out colorful leaf.
5. Write fall greeting leaving room for candy.
6. Glue candy down onto leaf.
7. Allow to dry.
8. Deliver some fall fun!

Super easy right?? I used construction paper I already had at the house, and the candy was left over from my last chocolate binge session. There are tons of cute papers in the stores now, and you can create so many different patterns and shapes with these! We choose colorful leaves to celebrate the changing of the seasons!

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Here are some beauty hacks using peppermint oil:

1. Want to give your lips a little bump and boost? Simply add 1-2 drops of peppermint oil to your lip gloss!
2. Acne Spots! They are so annoying and hideous at times! Dab a thin layer of peppermint oil to those pesky spots and let it work its magic!
3. Do you suffer from dandruff? Those pesky little flakes in the hair! Apply some peppermint oil to your scalp, and help eliminate that dandruff!
4. Peppermint stimulates the hair follicles, therefore it can help your hair grow longer! Add some peppermint oil to your shampoo bottle!
5. Oily skin?! No problem! peppermint oil to the rescue! Peppermint oil helps with oily skin and moisturizes very well! Apply some peppermint oil to your skin after showers and watch how vibrant your skin may become!

Consider using peppermint oil in your daily beauty regimen…it may just be the game-changer you need! Stay beautiful and amazing!

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Supplies:

• Size H crochet hook
• Medium (4) yarn in any color or multiple colors
• Scissors
• Needle
• Button (optional)

Terms:

• Chain = the stitch used to increase the height for new rows or rounds
• HDC = Half Double Crochet
• SC = Single Crochet (most basic crochet stitch for designs)

Directions:

• Chain 30+1 (or however long you would like your pouch to be. I measured based on pens and pencils. The plus 1 is a chain for the upcoming half double crochet (HDC).
• HDC into the second stitch from the hook and all the way across. Chain 1, and continue in this pattern for 20 rows or you can switch colors to make a block type pattern
• After row 20, chain 1 and you are going to start to decrease. Decrease 1 at the beginning of the row, and decrease 1 stitch at the end of the row. So you will be decreasing 2 stitches on each row. I ended up with 14 stitches across on my final row.

• Once you are done with the piece, I folded the bottom (be sure you are on the wrong side of the work) up to meet the last full row of 30 stitches (so right before you started to decrease. You can use a stitch to marker to keep your place, or I just threaded my beginning tail into where I wanted them to join.
• I then took a different color and sewed the sides together using a needle. It is important you are sewing on the wrong side of the work because you are going to flip this inside out.
• Once I was done sewing, I then single crocheted around the top of the pouch in the same color that I sewed the sides with. You can then add a button of you choice to the middle of piece.
• Then, you are done!

This is great pouch that can be customized in so many ways! So, make sure to get your creative juices flowing and start crocheting today!

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Supplies:

• Small Water Guns
• Tempera Paint
• Canvas Panels

Directions:

• Water down the paint in a small bowl and mix well.
• Using a small funnel, slowly pour the paint mixture into your water gun.

• Head outside.
• Prop your canvas up on a tree or other allowed surface or lay them flat on the ground.
• Have the kiddos start shooting at the canvas to make their creations.

• Allow your creations to dry.
• Display them proudly.

Notes:

• I discovered using a frosting tip was the perfect size for a funnel to pour the mixture into each gun, since I did have the right size of funnel available.
• Some of the paint was a little thick so I would recommend adding more water if you run into any misfiring issues.
• You can put them in a frame or hang them without one. Awesome!
• The water guns were so cheap, I did not feel bad for throwing them away. There’s no way I have the patience to clean them all out!

Didn’t they turn out so cool? I was really impressed with their own color choices and styles. They had a blast squirting the canvas to create their own masterpieces, and with it being outside, clean up was a breeze! These bad boys do need to dry overnight before hanging them up. I just love how each of their personalities show through in their work! The kids REALLY got into it. It was so much fun! All in all, this was a complete success! Happy crafting, y’all!

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Keep your kids busy this summer by creating easy crafts using supplies that you probably already have at home. This DIY photo frame is so cute, and it will make the perfect decor for your kids’ playroom or bedroom. What’s even better is that this craft is so quick to make your kids can construct several frames to display their favorite photos.

Supplies:

• Craft Sticks
• Construction Paper 
• Colored pencils or crayons
• Glue
• Scissors

Directions:

• Start by cutting the Construction Paper  to make your design for the front of your photo frame. 
• Glue Craft Sticks together. Note: The number of Craft Sticks needed may vary depending on size.

• Assemble your stand and glue Craft Sticks together.

• Decorate the front of your stand with the construction paper shapes you cut out, and paste the shapes on the stand.
• Allow your photo frame to dry completely. Once dry you can tape a photo in place.

You can customize your photo frame with any design. You can create a bakery stand or a lemonade stand. You can even add stickers or beads for an extra fancy touch.

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Supplies:

• Yarn
• Tissue Paper (variety of colors)
• Fun Shaped Paper Cutters
• Glue or Mod Podge

Directions:

• Cut a necklace length piece of yarn.
• Using the fun shape cutters, cut out a variety of shapes in all of the colors of tissue paper.
• Carefully glue the shapes to the yarn.
• Allow to dry.
• Wear and have fun!

Notes:

• I used Mod Podge, but you can use any kind of glue. Using school glue with the tip might be easier too. Just watch out for the drying time. This dried fast for quick use. 
• If you want to pre-cut the yarn so that everyone has the same length do it. If not, leave the yarn out with scissors.
• Even if you don’t have the fun paper cutters who’s to say you can just cut strips or squares of the tissue paper.
• Add each piece of tissue paper individually, if you try to add too much the yarn will be come over saturated and the tissue paper will get soggy.
• Everyone’s will be different and fun! 

My family had so much fun making these unique leis and I hope your family does too! Happy Crafting!

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Surprisingly, I found some great plants at my local Commissary. While they don’t have a huge selection, the plants I’ve purchased in the past have lasted the longest. I’ll admit I’m still working on my green thumb so I try to find a selection that I think will be easy to maintain. Pictured below is a small selection I found at my local Commissary.

Here are a few tips when shopping for your flowers or plants:

• Check the leaves: Try to purchase flowers or plants that have healthy leaves, making sure to avoid leaves that are yellow, wilted or damaged.
• Check for pests: While some garden pests may be common, examine your plants before you buy them. Be sure to look for signs of disease.
• Check the roots: If possible, examine the roots. You’ll want plants with healthy roots for a good chance of survival.  

I’m really proud of my babies, pictured below are my Commissary plants. This first one is called a Guiana Chestnut also known as a Money Tree! I haven’t seen any dollar bills, but I definitely notice how RICH the green color is

The second one is Hoya Kerri also known as a Sweetheart Plant…I bet you can figure out why it has that name!?!?

No matter where you shop, be sure to read the plant care labels. For the longest time, I never read the labels, and I think that’s one of the reasons I never had long term success when caring for my plants. Wanna learn more about budget gardening? Make sure to check out our Gardening on a Budget blog!

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What you need:

• Size K (6.50mm) Crochet Hook
• Medium 4 Worsted Weight Yarn (2 strands)
• Scissors
• Threading needle

Terms:

• Magic Circle = how to crochet a round
• SC = Single Crochet (most basic crochet stitch for designs)
• Chain = the stitch used to increase the height for new rows or rounds
• DC = Double Crochet
• Back Loop Only = one of the loops of your crochet stitch

Directions: 

Using 2 strands of yarn (throughout the whole pattern), start with a Magic Circle and Single Crochet (SC) 6 stitches into the circle.

SC 2 into every SC around the circle.

To grow my circle, I put 2 SC in the first SC, SC into the next 2, then 2 SC into the next stitch. 

For the next row, I did 2 SC into the first SC, SC into the next 3, 2 SC into the next stitch.

Next row: 2 SC into the first SC, SC into the next 4, 2 SC into the next stitch.

I followed this pattern increasing SC’s (2, 3, 4, 5, etc) until I got the desired circle size.

Once you get the circle to the size you want, start the next row with a Chain 2.

I then DC into the Back Loop Only around the whole circle. You will continue to only use the Back Loop Only for the remainder of the pattern.

DC into each stitch around until you reach the desired height of the basket.

Once you get the height you want, DC into the next 4 stitches.

Go back and forth along these 4 stitches to create the handle.

Once you get the handle done, leave a long tail.

Thread the tail into the 4 stitches that are evenly across the basket.

Once done, fill it with eggs, candy, and other goodies! This was a simple and fun project that was fun to make! Watching my kids love on their baskets made my heart smile!

Notes:

• It only took me about 2 hours to make the bigger one and an hour for the small one.

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This was my first piece – using that German newspaper that listed nearby cities that we often visited, restaurants that we enjoyed, fests that we attended, and other current events that we were a part of… It’s something I’ll cherish forever.

Once we relocated back to the United States, our next duty station was still a world away from “home.” We were living outside of Buffalo, NY and I decided that although it’s not an exotic country, I’d like to document our time spent there as well! So, the tradition has continued…now every state or country that we may be moved to, I will always collect a newspaper and create a canvas to capture these places in time.

I’m going to take you step by step on how this is done if you are interested in creating one of these for yourself! Especially for us military families, I think this is a neat way to show off all of the exciting places we have been!

Supplies:

• Newspaper
• Canvas
• Mod Podge®
• Thick paintbrush (or foam brush)
• Black acrylic paint and/or black permanent marker

Directions:

• I use a mix of pictures and articles.
• I look for different types and sizes of font for variety.
• I search for article titles that are meaningful to me.
• I look for names of cities that I have been to, school events from my children’s school district, and anything else that will ring a bell later as I look back on my artwork.
• You can cut things out from the newspaper but I prefer the look of the uneven edges from tearing it with my hands.

• Tear pieces out of your newspaper that are appealing to you.
• Place them around on your canvas until you are satisfied with the way it looks. Layer them, angle them, play with them!
• Use Mod Podge® just as you would glue to fasten these newspaper clippings to your canvas.
• Once you have glued everything down, flip the canvas over and use a flat edge (credit card, etc.) to push out any air bubbles.

• Cover the entire canvas with another layer of Mod Podge®.
  • It appears milky white as you lay it down but it will dry clear and create a protective layer to make your art work easy to wipe down and it helps preserve these memories for you for years to come!
  • Let this dry completely before the final step.

• For my German newspaper canvas above, I drew birds on a telephone pole. For my French and Czech Republic paper I painted birds flocking together on a huge tree. For this New York newspaper canvas I decided to make two love birds with some branches and leaves just framing them in.
• You can freehand or sketch any animals, plants, flowers, skylines, etc. to create your black silhouettes. Then, use paint or black markers to color in those images.

Notes:

• A bonus with the top coat of Mod Podge® that you applied is that it makes mistakes easy to wipe off – simply use a wet paper towel to smear off paint before it dries and try again.

I hope this inspires you to start collecting papers along your military journey. Then, get creative and see what you can create! Happy Crafting!

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Supplies:

• Colored Permanent Markers
• Rubbing Alcohol
• White T-shirt
• Piece of cardboard
• Small Dropper
• Cup (optional)

Directions:

• Place the cardboard between the front and back of your T-shirt to prevent the Markers from soaking through and create dot patterns making sure not to place the dots too closely together because the ink will spread and you want to be able to see and enjoy each color.

• Be mindful of colors that will look good when bled together – yellow and orange, blue and purple, etc.
• Using complimentary colors too closely together may end in a muddy looking mess.
• My favorite color combinations were fuchsia with red and turquoise with green!

• We threw in some lines and swirlies but the dots turned out the best.
• Use a variety of large and small dots!

• Once you are done with your drawing, you will drop Rubbing Alcohol onto the middle of your designs to get the colors to spread out into a tie dye effect!
• Using a cup may make this process a bit easier for you if you made circular patterns.
• Secure the T-shirt around a cup using a rubber band (or just hold it taut with your hands) and drop a few splatters of Rubbing Alcohol smack dab in the middle of the design.

• To get the colors to spread out farther, add more Rubbing Alcohol to the center of your design.
• The faster you drop, the easier the ink will spread without being absorbed by the cotton.

• Once you are satisfied with your tie dye job, remove the cardboard and put your T-shirt in the dryer for 20 minutes to set the marker.

• Then, put it on and ROCK IT!

Notes:

• The fun part is coming up with any wild design your heart desires!

This was a fun task for me and my kiddos! I hope you family enjoys their new designs!

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