{DIY Natural Leaf Garland}

Last week we made this beautiful natural leaf garland during mother-daughter crafts time. I just adore it! This would make a lovely autumn/fall or Thanksgiving decoration, laid across a table, or draped around the room as we have done. I had thought it might dry out and crumble after a few days, but it's still beautiful and perfect after a week. *Update: It's now March and it's still beautiful and perfect, despite hanging in our living room in direct traffic!

{5-A-Day Books: Fall Break}

Our 5-A-Day Books plan definitely fell by the wayside a while back. But this week we are on Fall Break from school, so once again I get to spend all day long with my little peas for a whole week. So I thought I'd try to do 5-A-Day Books for this week at least, with no plans to try to keep it up after I go back next week - trying to set realistic expectations here!

Since Princess Pea does not have Fall Break at her preschool, I'm planning to do it just with Sweet Pea (now aged 19 months), and if Princess Pea is around for some of the readings, all the better.

So this week I've selected books with Sweet Pea in mind:

Run, Turkey, Run! by Diane Mayr is a fun Thanksgiving-themed book that we got out from the school library.

The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri is another Fall book that we got from the school library. It's a great discussion starter about the Autumn season and hibernation (for Princess Pea more than Sweet Pea). And there's a fun little squirrel to find in the background on each page. Both girls love it!

Night-Night, Little Pookie by Sandra Boynton is a favourite in our house and we've had it on our 5-A-Day list before I'm sure. But we haven't read it in a while, so I thought I'd throw it in there for some rhyming good fun.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. has also been on the list before (I think twice) but somehow always gets left by the wayside.

And finally, 'Nyuszi Almos' ('Sleepy Bunny') by Julia Donaldson for our Hungarian story of the week. I don't actually know this book at all in English, but anything by Julia Donaldson is brilliant. And it's a lift-the-flap book which Sweet Pea loves. Daddy will be in charge of reading this one :-)





Linking to: 5-A-Day Books

{Pumpkin Suncatcher Jack-O-Lantern Play}

*Be sure to check out all the Halloween fun we have for you!

These jack-o-lantern suncatchers are so easy to make that our 19 month old made this one, and it even has moveable parts so that the face can be re-made as many times as she likes!

First I drew a pumpkin shape outline onto black craft foam...

.... and cut it out.

Then I cut a piece of contact paper (the sticky-backed, clear plastic stuff you put on book covers) and taped it sticky side up onto the table to hold it in place.

(I can't remember where I first got the idea of using contact paper from, but there are some lovely contact paper craft ideas here, and here. You could also do a laminated version instead.)

Then Sweet Pea and I tore up some orange crepe paper into small pieces (she loved helping with this!). Tissue paper works too, but crepe paper is thicker so makes a more vibrant orange colour.

Then Sweet Pea covered the whole contact sheet with pieces of the orange crepe paper. I had to fill in a few holes at the end, but otherwise she did it by herself. The pieces of paper overlap slightly, which gives the pumpkin a textured appearance. Then I put another piece of contact paper on the top (sticky side down).

Next I used double sided tape around the foam pumpkin to attach the contact paper 'sandwich' and trimmed the edges.

 I just taped it onto the window, and the sun shines through the crepe paper, making it 'glow' orange!

It makes a great Halloween or Thanksgiving decoration as is, or you can take it one step further...

Finally, I cut out a few foam shapes and let her use water to stick them on to the contact paper (as we did with our foam window clings). They can easily be removed and reattached with just water!

Endless jack-o-lantern play!

For more seasonal inspiration, follow my Halloween and Fall pin board.

This post was featured in the Inspired By Family magazine!

{More Pipecleaner Crafts}

We inherited a large bundle of pipecleaners from Granny this summer. After making our sparkly flower rings and our flower pencil toppers, I've been browsing Pinterest for other ideas for using pipecleaners.



Here's my 'round-up' of pipecleaner play/craft ideas. I don't know when I'll get around to trying them all, so I thought I'd share the ideas at least with you. Will let you know how it goes with them.




Making letters with Pipe Cleaners by Make and Takes
This would be great for Princess Pea as she's keen to learn all the letters now that she's four.




Pipe Cleaner Chameleons by Lines Across My Face
How cute is this little guy?




Aimee Herring

 





















Jolly Elves by Parent.com
A great idea for Christmas gifts. Will try to do these for sure, maybe for Princess Pea's preschool teachers.






Styrofoam Turkey Craft by All Kids Network.com
Super-cute craft for Thanksgiving!




Pipe Cleaner Colour Matching Fine Motor Toy by Fun and Engaging Activities for Toddlers
I just LOVE this idea! I've had it 'pinned' for a while, waiting for Sweet Pea to be big enough for it. I think she is now.


Don't they all look fun? If you try any of them, please let me know and/or link up your post in the comments below if you blog it.

PS - Come join me on Pinterest! (If you need an invitation, let me know and I'll be happy to send you one.)