Pumpkin D-I-Y

Picking out the best looking pumpkin in the patch and taking it home to carve has become a Halloween tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. If you have ever taken the time to carve a pumpkin, then you know that it is definitely not as easy as it seems. Cutting the circle around the stem, scooping out the slimy pumpkin guts, and carving a design is a time consuming and not to mention, a messy feat!

It seems like every year, the traditional triangle-eyed, triangle nosed, and tooth-y smiled pumpkin seems to be slowly disappearing.  The carvings on pumpkins get more and more intricate as the years go by. It kind of seems impossible to compete with these multi-layered and 3 dimensional carvings. So, if you’re not the most talented or a pumpkin carving genius, then you’re in luck! Here are few fun and easy alternatives to traditional pumpkin carving:

Sleek and Studded:

 For this edgy and oh so stylish pumpkin you’ll need black matte spray paint and a couple dozen gold and silver studs.

        Tips:

·      Wipe down your pumpkin with a damp paper towel

·      Newspapers! Be sure to lay down a ton of newspapers before you spray paint your pumpkin

·      2-day project! It might be a good idea to spray paint your pumpkins black one day and when they’re dry, or the following day (just to be safe) then add the studs

·      To get the flat-backed studs to attach, I suggest using E-600 or Super Glue

A Little Sparkle Never Hurt:

This super sparkly pumpkin is sure to draw attention when the light hits just right.

           

Tips:

·      Wipe down your pumpkin with a damp paper towel

·      Use Modge Podge or spray paint on your pumpkin as the “glue”

·      OR have your child paint a design on the pumpkin and then sprinkle a lot of glitter onto the wet paint

·      OR spray paint the pumpkin your favorite color, then only add sparkle to the stem

Glowing Goblin:

This pumpkin brings a bright and fun twist to the traditional tea-light glow, and  a great opportunity for kids to get creative

 Tips:

·      Wipe down your pumpkin with a damp paper towel.

·      Use newspapers underneath

·      You’ll need several colors of glow-in-the-dark puffy paint

·      Use painter’s tape to help create fun designs

Sources & Inspiration:

http://www.alittlecraftinyourday.com/2014/10/22/diy-glow-in-the-dark-pumpkins

http://www.cuckoo4design.com/2013/10/studded-chalk-paint-pumpkins.html

http://waitingonmartha.com/diy-pumpkin-prettiness/

http://createandbabble.com/decorating-mini-pumpkins/

~ Sara Luckham

Social Media Specialist

Seaside Staffing Company 

Soft, Stretchy Play Dough With Only 2 Ingredients!

Some of my favorite crafts as a child were painting, baking and PLAY DOUGH! Holy moly this stuff never gets old. I stumbled upon this recipe earlier this week thanks to Laughing Kids Learn and I am about to go run to the grocery store to try it out! This looks like the easiest, simplest (and yummy smelling) play dough recipe I have ever seen! I would recommend this for ages 2 and up and always with an adult watchful eye. I love crafts that can be done simply by using ingredients we already have in the house! Talk about convenience! 

All you need is:

• 1 cup cheap-0 conditioner (any brand works!) 
• 2  cups cornflour/cornstarch
• Make it colorful with food coloring or glitter! (optional)

Just grab a big mixing bowl and add the cornstarch to the conditioner. You may need to tweak the recipe depending on the brands used, but just keep adding until you get the desired consistency. 

And voila!! You have just created the silkiest, softest and stretchiest play dough ever! Congrats :) 

Great Nature Scavenger Hunt Idea!

What an amazing idea for a get-off-the-couch-and-enjoy-the-outdoors-day! 

It is so important to get kids up and moving. With all the technology we have today, it is too easy to plop them in front of the TV, or any screen for that matter. However, there is a whole world out there waiting to be explored. So type up a list of simple items to find and let the kids and their friends run wild. 

For an added element of excitement, set a time limit! Or if they complete all the items, allow them to have a water balloon fight to cool off! 

The opportunities are endless with this simple idea and will guarantee a good time filled with learning, curiosity and lots of laughs. 

COOL Summer Project!

HOW COOL IS THIS?!  What an awesome summer activity to do with the kiddos!  Thanks to "Shared & Remembered".  And it's so easy...

Just add water to ice cube trays and mix in some fun food coloring colors.  Freeze overnight and VOILA!

Take those goodies outside with some butcher paper, or even better, fabric, and you have created a cheap, easy, cool and engaging activity for your kids!

Let us know any ideas you have to keep the kids cool for summer!