To see the instructions on how to make them, please look at my website right here: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Simple-Bead-Earrings.html
Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Simple Beaded Earrings
These earrings are simple to make and fun to wear. There are endless possibilities as to which kind you can make. I made a batch of them for my kids' craft market day. There are some with beads, some with wire, some with feathers. Quick, easy, fun and inexpensive.
To see the instructions on how to make them, please look at my website right here: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Simple-Bead-Earrings.html
Enjoy!
To see the instructions on how to make them, please look at my website right here: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Simple-Bead-Earrings.html
Enjoy!
Friday, May 24, 2013
Recycled T-Shirt Doggie Toy
This project is super easy to make, and is a great way to recycle a few old t-shirts. If you have a dog, making an awesome dog toy out of old t-shirts is super easy, and free. So before running to the store to get a tug-of-war rope for your furry loved one, give this a try. Plus, your pup will love it even more because it will smell like you!
This is a photo of our big doggie (we have three: tiny, medium and big), enjoying his new toy.
To read the instructions, please visit my website right here:
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Mercer Museum, Doylestown, PA
This spring the kids and I took a trip to the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, PA. For my two boys a fun museum is a difficult thing to find. They love The Museum of Natural History, but are somewhat warm to art museums, no matter how much I like them. The Mercer Museum really hit the spot for them. We came not knowing what to expect and found it to be a fascinating place with so much to explore.
When you first come you see a beautiful building, and right outside you can find machinery in the shed that was used in the pre-industrial age.
When you buy tickets, they tell you to go on an elevator and go up to the 6th floor. What you don't expect is for the elevator to open on top of a roof landing out in fresh air. We were surprised in a very good way by that.
After you explore the top level you will notice that the path descends in a spiral around the castle walls. In the center is more large stuff hanging, like boats, and carriages, and along the sides are small rooms that showcase different categories of items, from sewing clothing, making and preserving foods, clockwork, things a doctor would use, toys, weapons. You name it. It is all very fascinating. All the while there are small nooks and crannies, and little rooms on the sides you can explore.
Here is a bit from the Henry Mercer Museum website about the museum and what it is:
"By 1897 handmade objects were being discarded in favor of new machine-made goods. Historian and archaeologist Henry Mercer (1856-1930) recognized the need to collect and preserve the outmoded material of daily life in America before it was swept away by the Industrial Revolution. Mercer gathered almost 30,000 items ranging from hand tools to horse-drawn vehicles and assembled this encyclopedic collection in a system of his own devising. To enhance the collection's educational value, and to share it with the public, Mercer decided to design and build a museum to display the artifacts.
You can find more historical information, as well as prices, hours and directions on their website:
http://www.mercermuseum.org/
Henry Mercer was also known for his tile work, and it is evident throughout the museum. It is beautiful and amazing to see.
Our next stop is Fonthill Castle.
When you first come you see a beautiful building, and right outside you can find machinery in the shed that was used in the pre-industrial age.
When you buy tickets, they tell you to go on an elevator and go up to the 6th floor. What you don't expect is for the elevator to open on top of a roof landing out in fresh air. We were surprised in a very good way by that.
Once you are up there you go through a small archway to a tiny red door. It is all very exciting, especially for two boys who like everything even remotely magical.
After you go through the tiny red door, you find yourself in a castle that houses thousands of artifacts. Thousands!! Spanning quite a few centuries. It is absolutely amazing. The castle has a very real feel to it. It is stone and cement, and not heated, so if you are there in the colder months, keep your hats on. It is exciting to explore, especially on the top, with small passageways and spiral staircases, small secret rooms. Amazing. There are many of the larger items on the top, including gallows, and caskets, carriages, bikes, all kinds of neat stuff.
After you explore the top level you will notice that the path descends in a spiral around the castle walls. In the center is more large stuff hanging, like boats, and carriages, and along the sides are small rooms that showcase different categories of items, from sewing clothing, making and preserving foods, clockwork, things a doctor would use, toys, weapons. You name it. It is all very fascinating. All the while there are small nooks and crannies, and little rooms on the sides you can explore.
Also, at the front desk the really nice lady gave my kids an activity. They get a sheet with some pictures of animals and while they explore they have to find the animals around the castle and stamp the paper when they found one. It was especially fun for my younger one.
Eventually, and slowly we made our way down to the bottom, where you come out to a great central hall.
Also, be sure to stop by the library. It really does look like something out of Harry Potter. It is also the only room that is heated. I thought it was amazing!
Here is a bit from the Henry Mercer Museum website about the museum and what it is:
"By 1897 handmade objects were being discarded in favor of new machine-made goods. Historian and archaeologist Henry Mercer (1856-1930) recognized the need to collect and preserve the outmoded material of daily life in America before it was swept away by the Industrial Revolution. Mercer gathered almost 30,000 items ranging from hand tools to horse-drawn vehicles and assembled this encyclopedic collection in a system of his own devising. To enhance the collection's educational value, and to share it with the public, Mercer decided to design and build a museum to display the artifacts.
In 1916, Mercer erected a 6-story concrete castle. The towering central atrium of the Museum was used to hang the largest objects such as a whale boat, stage coach and Conestoga wagon. On each level surrounding the court, smaller exhibits were installed in a warren of alcoves, niches and rooms according to Mercer's classifications -- healing arts, tinsmithing, dairying, illumination and so on. The end result of the building is a unique interior that is both logical and provocative. It requires the visitor to view objects in a new way."
retrieved from http://www.mercermuseum.org/about-the-museums/mission-and-history-mercer/ on 5/23/2013
"The Mercer Museum is a history museum of everyday life in America during the 18th and 19th centuries. Henry Mercer (1856-1930) gathered the collection and constructed the Museum.The collection of some 40,000 objects documents the lives and tasks of early Americans through the tools that met their needs and wants prior to the Industrial Revolution, or about 1850. Visitors can choose their own paths through the Museum. Most of the 55 exhibit rooms and alcoves display the tools or products of an early American craft, trade or occupation. Other rooms show categories of objects such as lighting devices or architectural hardware."
You can find more historical information, as well as prices, hours and directions on their website:
http://www.mercermuseum.org/
Henry Mercer was also known for his tile work, and it is evident throughout the museum. It is beautiful and amazing to see.
Our next stop is Fonthill Castle.
Awesome Birthday Pinata!
My youngest had a birthday party recently. Actually, since two of his close friends had birthdays within a day of him, their moms and I decided to throw a big collective birthday party. The boys share almost all friends, with an exception of a few. As you can imagine the turnout for the party was enormous. There were close to 50 children. We all pitched in, and had pizza, salads, fruits and berries, a beautiful chocolate cake, and a 'no presents' rule so that folks wouldn't feel overwhelmed by having to get gifts for three kids. It was a good party, everyone had a good time.
His favorite thing for every birthday is having a Piñata that he can break open with his friends. We didn't do any party favors, and decided that the prizes in the Pinata would serve that purpose. Now the question is: where do you get a Pinata that size, one that is strong enough for all the kids to have a turn at hitting it (and some kids are older and much stronger). I looked around online, and after seeing the prices and the sized that weren't big enough, I decided to make one.
It turned out to be better and way cheaper than buying one. While it did take some time for me to make it, I feel like it was worth it! The Piñata I made came out strong (it held up through all the kids and even some parents), beautiful, and definitely big enough for everyone to enjoy!
At first I was going to make a very simple one: just take a large square box, strengthen it with papier-mâché, then wrap it all pretty like a present and let them whack it with a bat. However, my kids had a different idea in mind: they wanted a car shaped piñata. Go figure. So, with the help of my kids, here is how I made my beautiful car shaped piñata.
__________________________________________________________________________________
You will need a large piece of strong, good cardboard. I happened to have one from a shipment of something or other in my garage. It has to be big enough to cut out two sides of the piñata, and the center for it. You will also need a roll of packing tape, some recycled brown paper bags from a store, newspaper or recycled paper for papier-mâché, tissue paper, some recycled wrapping paper and a few construction paper sheets (I used 12x18 inch construction paper: 2 black, 2 blue, 1 red, 1 orange), also some flour and water to make the glue.
His favorite thing for every birthday is having a Piñata that he can break open with his friends. We didn't do any party favors, and decided that the prizes in the Pinata would serve that purpose. Now the question is: where do you get a Pinata that size, one that is strong enough for all the kids to have a turn at hitting it (and some kids are older and much stronger). I looked around online, and after seeing the prices and the sized that weren't big enough, I decided to make one.
It turned out to be better and way cheaper than buying one. While it did take some time for me to make it, I feel like it was worth it! The Piñata I made came out strong (it held up through all the kids and even some parents), beautiful, and definitely big enough for everyone to enjoy!
At first I was going to make a very simple one: just take a large square box, strengthen it with papier-mâché, then wrap it all pretty like a present and let them whack it with a bat. However, my kids had a different idea in mind: they wanted a car shaped piñata. Go figure. So, with the help of my kids, here is how I made my beautiful car shaped piñata.
__________________________________________________________________________________
You will need a large piece of strong, good cardboard. I happened to have one from a shipment of something or other in my garage. It has to be big enough to cut out two sides of the piñata, and the center for it. You will also need a roll of packing tape, some recycled brown paper bags from a store, newspaper or recycled paper for papier-mâché, tissue paper, some recycled wrapping paper and a few construction paper sheets (I used 12x18 inch construction paper: 2 black, 2 blue, 1 red, 1 orange), also some flour and water to make the glue.
  |  |
| To begin take your giant piece of cardboard and draw the shape of the piñata you would like, in my case it was a car, but the less curves, dips and bends you have the easier it will be to make. Cut the shape out. I started cutting it out with scissors, but that was too tough, so I used a small sharp knife instead, box cutter would probably be better, but since I don't have one, knife did the job. Once you have one side cut out, put it on top of the remaining cardboard, trace it and cut it out again. You should have two sides that are the same. |  |
To continue reading the instructions, please visit my website here: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Pinata.html
|
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Saving Summer!
I love summer and usually get sad when it is over. Last year the kids and I made these just before it got cold:
I got large clear Christmas glass balls in ACMoore and then we put a bit of ground in them and carefully arranged a few small plants from our backyard in them with chopsticks. A few broke in the process, so please be careful with glass pieces! Otherwise they came out great. You do have to make sure to spary some water into them, and occasionally check to make sure they are not to dry! They lasted quite a bit! All the way until spring brought new plants.
Don't forget to like us on facebook: www.facebook.com/happyfamilyart
Please visit our website: www.happyfamilyart.com
High Point State Park
High Point State Park is yet another beautiful place. I feel like every other post I write starts with these words. It is especially true of High Point! With breathtaking views, it is the highest point in NJ. There is camping, miles and miles of hiking trails, a lake to swim in and sand to play with.
We come there just as a trip on it's own, or just make a point to stop by there when we are passing by. Not once have we left dissappointed. Make sure to visit their visitor center for more info.
Here is their website:
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandfores
We always have a lot of fun there. Even though the water is often icy cold the kids splash and swim, and build amazing sand castles. The lake is always clean.
Nearby is the Space Farm Zoo (which is on my bucket list for this coming summer to visit), and if you are in the area make sure to stop by the Holland American Bakery. The pasteries they have are amazingly yummy: http://www.hollandamericanbakery.com/store/
We come there just as a trip on it's own, or just make a point to stop by there when we are passing by. Not once have we left dissappointed. Make sure to visit their visitor center for more info.
Here is their website:
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandfores
We always have a lot of fun there. Even though the water is often icy cold the kids splash and swim, and build amazing sand castles. The lake is always clean.
Nearby is the Space Farm Zoo (which is on my bucket list for this coming summer to visit), and if you are in the area make sure to stop by the Holland American Bakery. The pasteries they have are amazingly yummy: http://www.hollandamericanbakery.com/store/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)