Crafting & DIY

Since we spent this week in Disneyland, these DIY Mickey Mouse Ears For Disneyland were a perfect craft for me to do with the Wee Child.  While he has his own actual official Disneyland Mickey Mouse ears, he wanted some to wear each day in park that he wouldn’t have to worry about losing.  I had seen these adorable ears in various styles all over the Internet.  Some made with cloth, others with felt and even some with plastic flowers on them. I knew they were a great choice.

DIY Mickey Mouse Ears For Disneyland

I did a bit of research and decided I wanted to go the route of using simple headbands with some foam and fun peel and stick craft items.  I didn’t want this to be a project we had to spend a lot on, or something my son couldn’t do by himself.  So for our DIY Mickey Mouse ears, we grabbed 2 headbands at the Dollar Tree and 3 sheets of stick packed foam at Hobby Lobby.  I got a thicker black foam, and then 1 sheet of red sparkly and pink sparkly papers.  I made sure they all had sticky backs so I didn’t have to worry about hot glue.

First thing I did was take a mason jar lid and trace circles onto the back of the black foam.  I left about 1 1/2 inches of foam between the circles as you can see in the picture and drew those together to make it easy to fold over the headband and seal together with the sticky backs.  They weren’t exact, so after I put them in place I had to do a bit of trimming so the would be round and sealed.

Next up was adding the colored foam pieces.  You can use any colors, designs or types but we just enjoyed these cause they were simple and fun.  I traced the same circles as before and simply applied directly to the thicker black foam.  I trimmed off excess and there we have our DIY Mickey Mouse Ears For Disneyland!

We love our time in Disneyland, and having a special set of ears makes our son feel like he is part of the cool crowd there.  It can be a great way to celebrate while not breaking the bank.  I spent about $5 on both sets of ears, and we could wear them all week long!  While collectible ears are amazing and should be purchased if you have the budget to do so, this is a great alternative to keep your budget down.

For other great Disneyland travel tips and crafts check out out our favorites below! 

How To Plan Your Week Stay At Disneyland

How To Go To Disneyland On A Budget

Minions Door Wreath

Minions Duct Tape Pencil Holder

Nothing feels as good as looking around your home and seeing it sparkling clean and smelling fresh after a deep clean.  Spring Cleaning comes around each year and you either tackle it head first or dread it because it seems so overwhelming.  As someone who has been in both places I know how much fun, rewarding and also dreadful this task can be.  Here are 12 Steps To Easy Spring Cleaning that help me to manage the task and truly take care of my home and possessions better.  We take this chance to purge as well as do literal physical cleaning of things like ceiling fans, baseboards, closets, etc. that may not get as much daily or weekly attention in our cleaning schedule.

 12 STEPS TO EASY SPRING CLEANING

• Make A List.  Just like any project starting out prepared with a list of tasks you wish to accomplish will help you stay on task and focused until the “mission” is done.  This is also a great way to follow through with our second tip of getting the family involved by assigning different aspects to each person.
• Get The Whole Family Involved.  Assign each family member a task.  Kids can spend time going through their toys, summer clothes or simply helping by hauling trash to the dumpster or occupying younger siblings while mom and dad work.  Give Dad the shop, his office or the high cabinets to reach.
• If It Hasn’t Been Used In More Than A Year Get Rid Of It.  Unless it is a seasonal decoration or utensil, toss anything that hasn’t been used in more than a year.  That includes the kitchen appliance you thought you’d love but has only been the source of bruises when it fell on you or you bumped into it.
• Start At The Top And Work Your Way Down.  Start with tops of closets, ceiling fans, high banisters and crown molding first.  Dust falls to the floor to be vacuumed later.
• Clean In Sections or Groups.  Don’t stress doing everything in one day.  Tackle each room a day at a time over the course of a few weeks/weekends.  This helps you not be overwhelmed and allows more help from your family.
• Set Hard Rules.  If cleaning involves purging toys, clothes and junk that has been collected set hard rules of how many items must be gotten rid of or what things you no longer allow.  This helps kids to keep from saving every little thing.
• If It Is Broken Throw It Away.  While some items may need minor repairs, this rule applies to the bits and pieces of toys, games, etc. that we often say we will get around to or that kids tend to hoard.  Throw it away if you don’t see yourself able to repair it within 1 month of the day you clean.
• Create A Junk Drawer/Nook/Closet.  Inevitably we will all have an amount of junk that we just don’t have another place to put but can’t part with.  Designate one small area for those items.  Grabbing colored tubs at the dollar stores and labelling with family members names is a great way to give each person a “junk” space that is off limits when trash bags come around.  Do remember your hard rules in this and limitations.
• Sanitize While Cleaning.  Do double duty by using things like vinegar, antibacterial cleansers/wipes and bleach sprays to not only clean debris and dust but sanitize in the process.
• Organize By Color, Size, Style.  When it comes to things like closets, shoes, books and crafts organizing by color, size and style are the best direction to go.  Like things together and similar styles or sizes together will make it easier to find what you want at a later date.
• Avoid Comparisons.  One of the biggest issues we as women tend to have is comparing ourselves to others.  Don’t worry about what your girlfriend or neighbor has accomplished, focus on what YOU can and are able to accomplish.  If that only means going through 2 closets, that is a great place to start and something to be proud of.
• Treat Yourself To Something New.  Whether it be a few simple cheap bins for storing books, magazines and small toys in or a new area rug for the living room, treat yourself to something new as a reward for your efforts. This can also help you brighten a room and focus on better organization.

These 12 Steps To Easy Spring Cleaning are just a few things your family can do to put your house in order without feeling overwhelmed.  No matter how you tackle your household Spring Cleaning the results whether big or small will be rewarding and leave you feeling proud and ready to tackle a new fresh start in this year.

Today we are sharing the last in our series of great New Year’s Eve crafts that Katie Femia shared with us this week.  She is great with fun and inexpensive crafts, and these certainly are perfect for you to stay in budget.  Check out her tutorial below!

Are you hosting guests for New Year’s eve or day? If so, you will want your table to look extra festive. New Year’s Eve Napkin Rings such as the ones you see here are the perfect way to add some extra cheer. You only need some craft paper and cardboard tubes to create them, and the end result is the perfect set of napkin rings to make your guests feel special. Here is how you can get started!

DIY NEW YEAR’S EVE NAPKIN RINGS

Supplies needed:
Cardboard tubes (toilet paper or paper towel tubes are perfect)
Clock themed scrapbook paper (Michael’s Craft Store)
Black felt or ribbon
Scissors
Craft glue

Directions:
1. Begin by cutting the cardboard tube into smaller, 2 inch segments.
2. Wrap each segment in the scrapbook paper. Trim it to fit and attach with glue.
3. Once your glue is dry, add the black strip embellishment. Cut a length and wrap it around the napkin ring. Secure with glue.

To use your New Year’s Eve napkin ring, just roll up your napkin and slide it through. If you want, you can even personalize each napkin ring with your guest’s name. This is a great way to take a simple appetizer and dessert party and make you guests feel special.  Personalizing these napkin rings make it easy to keep track of where your napkin is while adding a flare of sophistication to a fun last minute party.

Dress up your holiday table when you give these New Year’s Eve napkin rings a try. They are a great way to get into the holiday and celebrate in festive but frugal style.

Check out these other great New Year’s Eve Crafts!

DIY New Year’s Eve Bunting Banner

DIY New Year’s Eve Treat Holder

Delicious and luxurious body scrubs shouldn’t require taking out a small loan or even making a trip to the mall for that matter- just a trip to the pantry.  With fall nearly at the door Pumpkin Spice is the perfect scent to use as a base for this decadent Pumpkin Spice Body Scrub.  Not only are homemade sugar scrubs inexpensive but they are easy to make and have so many benefits for your skin.  The sugar exfoliates dead skin away while Cinnamon gets blood circulating and is an excellent natural treatment for eczema, and acne.  Coconut oil contains many skin benefits like antioxidant properties, anti aging, and is a wonderful skin moisturizer.  Above all that the aromatherapy of pumpkin spices, vanilla and cinnamon cannot be beat- rejuvenating, awakening, warm, and comforting.  The yummy amazing natural fall scent for your skin will last all day, better than any expensive perfume in my book!  Don’t keep it for yourself, make several batches to gift to family and friends.  Your child’s teacher would surely appreciate a thoughtful gift like this – it never hurts to butter pumpkin them up a little.

Pumpkin Spice Body Scrub

Ingredients:

1 cup Brown sugar

1/2 cup Coconut oil

1 Tbsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice

2 tsp. Cinnamon

1 tsp. Vanilla extract

1 vitamin E capsule

Directions:

 In a medium sized bowl mix all ingredients until fully combined, adjust the texture to your liking by adding more or less coconut oil.

After it sits a while the oil will break down the sugar some and will be a wetter consistency so make it slightly dryer than you think you want.

Scoop body scrub into a container with a lid to store. The addition of the vitamin E capsule, besides adding the benefit to your skin, is that it extends the shelf life of your ingredients- Store up to 10 weeks.

We are in love with this fun and yummy smelling Pumpkin Spice Body Scrub.  Not only is it good for our skin and budget, it is good for our soul.  As Pumpkin Spice is quickly becoming the most popular scent of the holiday season, it often brings about a great healing benefit in our lives. Stock up on extra supplies and make this great scrub to give as gifts to your friends, family or even to your kids teachers this year for the holiday season.  Or you can be like us and simply enjoy it daily in your own shower as a special treat for a hard working mom!

Check out all of our great DIY, Upcycled and Craft items, or these other great body butters and scrubs!

Pumpkin Souffle Body Butter

Gingerbread Homemade Body Scrub

Whipped Gingerbread Body Butter

Citrus Basil Body Scrub

Lemon and Lavender are one of my favorite essential oil combinations – fresh, bright, and clean, this Lemon Lavender Foot Scrub is a favorite for that reason.  They are especially fitting for springtime when I want all the scents around me to be light and just slightly floral.  This scrub was a concoction I put together while experimenting with some of my favorite bath and body diy ingredients – just 5, including your essential oils.  Most are things you probably already have in your pantry or bathroom cupboards.  I like to use this by preparing a foot tub of hot water, then I scrub my feet and calves, rinse off in the tub of water, then soak for a deliciously relaxing mini spa treatment.  The coconut oil also leaves your skin soft and moisturized for an added bonus.  With Mother’s Day coming up this is a great handmade gift to bring a little comfort and relaxation mom’s way.  Enjoy!

Lemon Lavender Foot Scrub

Ingredients:

½  cup Epsom salts

¼ cup baking soda

2 Tbsp. liquid castile soap

1 Tbsp. coconut oil

5-7 drops lavender essential oil

5 drops lemon essential oil

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a glass bowl that leaves plenty of room for mixing.

Stir until well combined.

Transfer to a glass jar with a tight fitting lid- like a mason jar or upcycled salsa jar – do not store  in plastic as the citrus acid will eat away at it.

Store in a dry area for up to 6 months.

To use: Scrub feet and calves, rinse well, pat try.

We love this lemon lavender foot scrub, because it is so simple to make and it really gives you the feeling of a luxurious at home spa day.  Add in some fun nail polish and scented candles and you can create a great at home spa day for yourself and your daughters with this easy foot scrub.

Check out our other favorite body scrubs, lotions and spa treatments!

Sore Muscle Body Scrub

Honey Almond Sugar Scrub

Citrus Basil Body Scrub

Rosemary Clove Beard Conditioner

Honey Lemon Lotion Bars