Children’s Activities – Arts and Crafts Family Fun

Snow Day Fun

I was babysitting my granddaughter last night while her parents were at a Super Bowl party and was trying to come up with some ideas to keep her entertained.

In my family room I still have a cabinet filled with arts and crafts supplies that my girls used for school projects.

It’s only February, but there’ll still be plenty of snow days off from school before spring finally arrives.

What are some fun ways to spend time together when the weather outside is dreary? There are all kinds of inexpensive ways to spend time with your kids. Reading a story to your young child is a wonderful experience. Listening to music and dancing together is also fun. Another fun activity is building forts with blankets and moving furniture together. Then bring in a flashlight and read a book to your child.

Play dough is also a nice creative way to spend time together. Roll it, mold it and create great works of art. It’s safe and can be used over and over again. You can make your own play dough and make different colors.

Here’s a nifty play dough recipe that I’ve used many times with my own kids.

• 4 cups flour

• 1 cup salt

• 4 cups water

• 4 tablespoons oil

• 1/2 cup cream of tartar

• food coloring (use this to create the colors of your choice)

Mix all ingredients in a sauce pan. Cook and stir over low/medium heat until play dough is completely formed and no longer sticky. Allow to cool slightly before storing in an air tight container or zip lock bag.

Shaving cream art is also fun and easy. Using a vinyl table cloth or plastic place mats just spray some shaving cream on and let them use like finger paint. I would recommend using the sensitive skin brand of shaving cream.

Another great favorite is collages. You’ll need a few craft supplies such as construction paper, some magazines, Elmer’s glue and safety scissors. You can find deals on craft materials at Create for Less.  Have the kids cut out pictures of interest to them and glue them all over the construction paper. Once their project dries hang it proudly on your fridge!

These fun projects are also great for homeschooling moms or daycare moms!

Turn a snow day into a fun and exciting day with your child or grandchild if you’re babysitting while their parents are at work!
photo credit: woodleywonderworks

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Scrapbook Entrepreneur: Ideas To Work From Home

Preserving Memories

Turn Your Hobby Into a WAHM Business

When my girls were babies, I started a scrapbook, or baby book for each of them.

Over the years I’ve compiled notes on many of their “firsts” – first tooth; first immunizations; first haircut and other milestones.

I’ve kept up their family histories all the way from when they were first born, through grade school, high school, college, weddings and in the case of my oldest daughter – her first baby.

Today, this art of maintaining memorabilia has morphed into the art called “Scrapbooking.”

My two nieces are very much into scrapbooking and have compiled some beautiful books. One of my nieces has 5 children.

What is Scrapbooking?  Wikipedia defines it as:

Scrapbooking is a method for preserving personal and family history in the form of photographs, printed media, and memorabilia contained in decorated albums, or scrapbooks. The idea of keeping printed materials of personal interest probably dates to shortly after the invention of printing.

If you’re crafty, then you might want to consider supplementing your income by starting a scrapbooking business.  It could be a great way to turn a hobby into a money making opportunity and enable you to work from home.  Of course, to really be a success with your scrapbooking business, you’re going to need to have a plan and know what you’re doing.  Let’s take a look at the best course of action if you’re thinking about becoming a scrapbooking entrepreneur.

First, you’re going to need to decide whether or not you want your hobby to be a business.

It might not be immediately obvious why it would be a bad idea.  However, when our hobbies turn into another kind of work, it can be hard to find ways to relax.  Make sure that you’re ready to add in another job, and that scrapbooking will still be your passion after money gets involved.

Next, think about whether there’s a demand for your services.

Do people comment on the quality of your memory pages and digital scrapbooks?  Do they ask you what they should do with their own, or where to get the best supplies?  If you’ve experienced this time after time, a home based business might be appropriate.  It’s no fun to leave your photos sitting in a drawer or on the computer, and people now are realizing that.  People are always looking to preserve memories of milestones such as births; graduations; weddings; vacations and retirements.  You can help them make their dreams of a beautiful scrapbook come true.
Prepare to market your talent.

Put together a portfolio of your best work, compiling the pages you’re proudest of.  That way your prospective clients will have something to look at that’ll tell them what kind of quality you have to offer.  Make sure you include only professional quality work.  Don’t fill out a scrapbook portfolio with pieces that aren’t up to snuff.  It won’t look good, even if they make the portfolio look a little thicker.

Now you’re ready to start looking for clients.

You’ll need to let others know you have this business. Start by telling your family and friends, and encourage them to tell other people they know.  Write an online press release, or have one written by a professional who knows the format.  You can also submit this press release to local papers and in other areas in the community.  Just a flyer at church, the grocery store, or in the craft store can do a lot too.  Start writing a blog. A quick way to start a blog is HERE. After you develop a good client list, think about offering discounts for referrals.

The business can expand if you’re willing to not just offer scrapbooking services, but to teach others how to put together scrapbooks too.  Set up a class and teach people in your community how to present their memories in an attractive way.

A scrapbooking business can be a lot of fun and you can turn it into a second career or may make some extra money for your family.  Just remember to research current going rates and charge fairly for your time and materials so you don’t undercut yourself.  If you approach things the right way, your scrapbooking business could really take off.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Fancy Friendship Bracelets from Klutz – Review and Giveaway

Arts and Crafts

Jewelry Making

When I was a youngster, I didn’t attend fancy day camps in the summer when school was out.  The Park and Recreation Department in my town would hold activities at each of the local parks all day long.  Along with my friends, I’d show up in the morning; go home for lunch and; walk back for the afternoon activities.

One of my favorite activities was arts and crafts.  For a small fee, perhaps it was 5 or 10 cents, we’d get to make a project.  One of my favorite projects were the bracelets made out of colored cord.

I recently had the opportunity to review a newly released book from Klutz featuring the Fancy Friendship Bracelets, written by Anne Akers Johnson.

Klutz started with super-simple instructions for a flock of all-new bracelet designs which includes five different colors of cord.

Features Include:

• 6 stylish charms

• 40 yards of cord

• More than 200 beads

Recommended for ages 8+, the book includes instructions to make 10 different fancy friendship bracelets.

Klutz was started in 1977 by three unconventional friends from Stanford University. In 2002, Scholastic Inc., the largest children’s book publisher and distributor in the world, acquired Klutz.

…how-to books from Klutz come packaged with the tools of their trade (from juggling cubes to face paints to yo-yos), and are designed for doing, not just reading.

Klutz also offers Bead Loom Bracelets, Spool Knit Jewelry, Shrink Art Jewelry as well games, puzzles, art, drawing and extra supplies.

For a MSRP of $19.95, this is a cute, entertaining and educational book to put on your Christmas holiday shopping list for any pre-teen or tween!

For More Information Visit: Klutz

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be two (2) winners receiving 2  copies of the same book – one to keep AND one to share.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Klutz and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and another product you’d like to try.

This contest will run until November 8, 2009 at 11:00 pm. EST

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Lands’ End FeelGood Donations and Twitter Party

Lands’ End

Upcoming FeelGood Twitter Party

Several years ago I was visiting my friend in New Hampshire, and as we spoke she was crocheting infant hats for the neo-natal unit at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital.  They were so cute – and didn’t use much yarn to make.  Several could easily be made in the course of a night while watching TV.

That whole winter I occupied my time making the hats for charity, and shared the pattern with my coworkers.  I sent up bags full for my friend to bring to Dartmouth.

I’d like to let you know about the Lands’ End FeelGood Campaign.  This initiative is a terrific way to shop and feel good about giving to homeless individuals and families across the country.  For every Lands’ End FeelGood sweater purchased, the company will donate signature FeelGood yarn to One Heart Foundation’s Warming Families, a nationwide knitting charity.  Lands’ End expects to donate thousands of pounds of yarn to the charity where volunteers plan to knit up to 25,000 hats and other items to warm the homeless and displaced.

One cone of FeelGood yarn is enough to make 28 hats.

Help us spread the word about the campaign and the FeelGood collection.  For every blog post  about the campaign from now until September 16th, we will donate a cone of FeelGood yarn to volunteer knitters at Warming Families.  One cone of FeelGood yarn is enough to make 28 hats to be donated to homeless individuals in communities across the country.

Embed Video – We’ve also created a knitting “how to” video you can embed featuring Vickie Howell, best-selling craft author and host of TV’s Knitty Gritty.  It can be found on the Lands’ End YouTube channel here: Lands End.

Send a Link – Once your post is complete, please send a copy to TwitterParty@landsend.com.  We will update everyone on how many cones of yarn were contributed as a result of your efforts at the FeelGood Twitter Party on September 16th.

Your Chance to Win
When you send your post to TwitterParty@landsend.com you will automatically be entered for a chance to win the FeelGood collection including two sweaters and coordinating accessories (valued at $200).  Three winners will be chosen at random and contacted on September 17th.

Join Lands’ End and Vickie Howell, host of TV’s Knitty Gritty for a Twitter Party to celebrate the kickoff of the FeelGood Campaign.  The party will feature more than 20 fun giveaways ranging from the FeelGood sweater and Vickie Howell’s books to Lands’ End Gift Cards and FeelGood yarn.

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Time: 7pm until 9 pm CST

Location: #landsend

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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How To Start Your OWN Baby Boutique Business SET of Tutorials and MORE

Want to learn how to start selling your handmade crafts on Etsy?:

Clarissa, from Très Couture, a stay at home mom of 2 kids has been crafting everything from cards to clothing and has put together a wonderful  How To Start Your Own Boutique Business SET of Tutorials which is available on Etsy .  Her philosophy behind becoming an entrepreneur:Start your OWN Baby Boutique Business SET of Tutorials and MORE | Moomettesgram’s Musings, May 2009

You should read the whole article.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Be A WAHM: Start your OWN Baby Boutique Business SET of Tutorials and MORE

As a follow-up to a recent post about ideas to working from home, I came across a terrific opportunity from an experienced WAHM to help other moms get off the ground and get selling!

Clarissa, from Très Couture, a stay at home mom of 2 kids has been crafting everything from cards to clothing and has put together a wonderful  How To Start Your Own Boutique Business SET of Tutorials which is available on Etsy.  Her philosophy behind becoming an entrepreneur:

So, I figured I should come up with a fabulous little kit to get all the talented mamas out there started on the right foot!

As a successful boutique owner myself, I know how time consuming it all was and if I could have found someone to give me all the tips & tricks, I would have jumped at the chance and paid to learn all that I had to search for.

If all your friends, neighbors and relatives have been saying “you should sell those” and you’ve been replying “I don’t know how to get started,” now there’s no excuse why you can’t market your own boutique baby business!

Many moms and grand-moms are trying to earn a supplemental income from working at home, and ecommerce enables many people to do just that.  Even if you already sell your items at church bazaars, craft shows or flea markets, you can now go one step further and try Etsy or other similar craft sites.

You might be able to even incorporate these same tips from this tutorial and primer for getting started with any homemade artisan knitting, sewing, scrap-booking, jewelry designs or gourmet food business!

Here is a list of the tutorials you will receive:
-Pettiskirt {commercial use-comes with an easy to use formula to custom make your pettis}
-Tutu {a few variations of the basic tutu and sources for all your tulle needs}
-Blankets
-Bibs
-Burp Cloths
-Headbands {again, sources to get your materials!}
-Blankie Clips
-Neckties {4 versions!}
-Basic Hairbows
-Hairbow Holders
-Washcloths
-NapMats {big sellers especially in the Summer and early Fall!}

Clarissa has worked with companies such as Glamour Magazine, Wal-Mart, GLAM Media and Purex and can help to get you started!  She offers easy PAYMENT PLANS too!

So learn how to get started and pick up this great tutorial on how to start your own boutique business now! Expand and then move on to Bonanzle

Make sure to add in the “Notes to Seller” or the comment section of Paypal that  Moomettesgram“ sent you!

On Etsy: Start Your OWN Baby Boutique Business SET of Tutorials

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Slogbite Site Directory ~ See the Best Before the Rest ~ A Review

One of the best ways to gain a following for your blogs, eCommerce store or handcrafted retail web site is to submit your URL’s to site directories.

If you’re a work-at-home mom, chances are you have a limited advertising budget.  Submitting your blog or eCommerce site to a Site Directory is a great way to gain exposure, traffic and readership.

Read the review posted on my Moomettesgram’s Musings blog  describing all the terrific features available at Slogbite, a new site directory offering many advantageous features  over traditional directories.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Join the 5th Annual Mommyfest Blog Party ~ Meet other Moms Like You ~ May 12-16

I’ve joined a Blog Party to try to meet other Moms and Grams like me!

Blog Fests and parties are a great way to see what’s going on and get to visit some new Bloggers.

Many of the Mommy Bloggers are sponsoring Contests and Give Aways. Here’s a chance to get to take a break from your daily routine or WAHM obligations, and visit some good reads. Enter some of the terrific contests and win some fabulous prizes too! What a selection!

Join in Now for MommyFest! MommyFest, happening May 12-16, 2008 to visit cyber-moms & grams blog all over the world!

I’m sponsoring eBook giveaways from my Moomette’s Magnificents Olde Town Shoppes site. I have some wonderful eBooks with immediate download for your reading pleasure ~ everything from Recipes, Crafts, Gardening, Children & More!

Come Join in on the excitement!
Visit MommyFest to learn how to sign up and get in on the A-C-T-I-O-N!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Coming Soon ~ Grand Reopening Launch of Moomette’s Magnificents Olde Towne Shoppes

I hope everyone who celebrates had an enjoyable Easter! It was so much fun to see Moomette ooh & ahh over what the Easter Bunny brought her…all kinds of artistic goodies for her to express her little self! The week before had been a bit hectic for me, as my youngest DD started off her first day of Spring Break from college by ending up in the hospital with an emergency appendectomy the night I got back from visiting charming son-in-laws parents in Vermont!

I’d like to thank Rachael Towle of Towle Creations Advertising Services for her generosity in creating the wonderful logo for me at the top of this post. Rachel has some great advertising opportunities & other great mom-related and WAH-related sites ~
The Parent Station ~ Mommy Loves Freebies ~ WAHShopping and WAHStation. Rachael’s also a member of Mom Pack and you can always count on some good info when she’s posting!But I have to tell you. I am getting sooo excited! I haven’t posted recently because I’ve just had so much going on. Within the week, I’ll be launching my newly designed site – Moomette’s Magnificents Olde Towne Shoppes! Same great information and WAHM tips and resources that are on there now – but I’ve also added a shopping cart!

Of course all of my favorite Vintage Collectible Finds will be available! Since I live in New England, I’ve always been fond of anything and everything nautical, coastal and having to do with the sea and ocean. DH & I were long-time boaters and traveled Long Island Sound, Rhode Island Waters & Gardiner’s Bay as well as Long Island extensively. I also enjoy the mountains and lakes of New England and similar states. So I’m delighted to announce that I’ve been collaborating with some absolutely wonderful, talented WAHMs from all walks of life in an effort to stock my store with products that reflect my passions. Therefore, my niche will revolve around olde-time New England themes. It’s my hope that you’ll agree that the cottage-industry Hand-Crafted Artisan products that I’ll be offering will just blow you away!

Here’s an example of some Baby and Layette Nursery items:

Stay tuned for the Grand Opening announcement & Good Things I have planned!If you think that you would like to help me stock my store with similar hand-crafted products that you create along my niche theme, please drop me a line with product photos and information ….Now it’s back to loading my cart!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Thinking of Easter & Spring – Outdoor Craft Activities for Kids

DD had ‘lil Moomette’s pictures taken today in her Easter Bonnet and dress! It’s been pouring cats & dogs here in Connecticut for 2 days now. I know the rain is needed to bring those May flowers, but my Baby Boomer bones don’t need Doppler Radar to tell me what the weather’s going to be! In the meantime, start planning ahead for that nice Spring weather that’s on its way and ‘chalk’ this great recipe craft project up as a keeper!

Need something easy and fun to do with your munchkins? Look no further than these easy crafts.

MOMS! I’m also including another goodie for you. Busy mothers and teachers are constantly asking, “What can I do with my children?” They want something to do.” Here’s the Perfect activity book for Moms, Grandparents, Home-Schooling, Teachers, Camp Counselors!

Please leave a comment that you were here if you’ve grabbed the eBook! Hope you like it!

Click here to download this rainy day activity book for FREE!

For More eBooks visit
Moomette’s Magnificents
Olde Towne Shoppes HERECRAFT: Sidewalk ChalkWhat You Need:
- 1 Cup Plaster of Paris
- 1 Cup Water
- Powdered Tempera Paint
- Toilet paper Rolls

How To Make It
1. Mix the Plaster of Paris with the water. Add the powdered tempera paint in the color of your choice. You can also divide the plaster mixture into several containers and color each one with a different color paint.

2. Let it sit for a few minutes. Stand up the toilet paper rolls and pour your plaster into them. These will be your molds for the chalk. Set them aside and let the mixture dry for at least 24 hrs. Once the mixture is dry, remove the cardboard roll. If the chalk still seems moist, let it dry for another 24 hrs.

3. Use like any sidewalk chalk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SOURCE: www.KinderInfo.com, used with permission.
The Fainting Couch

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