3 Little Known Shopping Tips For Craft Supplies Online.

Let me ask you a question. Did you ever think that the internet would become so powerful and pervasive, that even DIY Crafting Kits for Every Occasion">craft supplies would turn into big business online? Neither did I. But it’s true. You can actually find just about any type of craft supplies that you are looking for if you look hard enough through the different search engines (or your local retail store). However, there are a few big sites that you might want to peruse the next time you are considering buying craft supplies.

1) Amazon. Amazon has recently (during the last few years) expanded their reach into the far corners of the internet. By this, I, of course, am referring to the fact that a lot of online merchants sell through Amazon.com’s website. If you are searching for ‘leather craft supplies,’ Amazon might not have what you are looking for in stock. However, Amazon might have a partner retailer who sells their leather craft supplies and lists their goods on Amazon. Consider Amazon like a giant retail search engine that lists items from all sorts of different companies besides themselves.

2) Ebay. Ebay is a great place to find close-out merchandise. By this, I mean that companies go bankrupt and have fire sales. A lot of these sales have moved online and therefore you might be able to get a really good deal on some merchandise that is being auctioned off on the world’s biggest auction site.

3) Retailers’ own websites. Many of the well-known craft sites like Michael’s have their own websites. These sites often have great bargains on merchandise that’s also found in their retail stores. However, even these retailers need to occasionally close out some big lots of merchandise. The web is a perfect place to do exactly that. With no real overhead costs (besides the website’s operation), many of these big retailers will use the web to move a large amount of product really quick. Of course, the retailer needs a mail order, or store pickup, set up to do this, but most do. Check your local retailer’s website, you might be surprised.

How to make a twig cross, using things around the house and yard!

Every now and then I come up with a cool project idea. Well, today was another one of those days! 

I've been thinking of a neat way to represent the upcoming Easter holiday and in my house, we don't celebrate with eggs and little bunnies. Not that they aren't cute and sweet, it just doesn't convey the correct message. Easter bunnies, candy, and baskets do not represent Christ, His death on the cross, and His rising from the dead on the third day. 

Recently doing some Pinterest searches for ideas I saw a lot of people using burlap and an empty wooden frame. They'd use the burlap to form a cross shape around the frame and secure it with a pretty ribbon or bow. 

After looking for at a few pictures I got to searching around the house. We have a huge Jacaranda tree in the front yard that just recently dropped all of its leaves and branches. They are the perfect twigs for this project, as you'll soon see. I'm sure any small and medium size branches will work. 

Let's get to crafting...

Here are the materials that I used to complete my twig cross:

Twigs small and medium sized in lengths from around the yard.

Old fabric, I used an old table cloth in a tan color. 

That is all!! 

I thought I'd need the glue sticks and was presently surprised that I did not need it. Winning!  

Start by separating the twigs into two piles. Small and medium. 

Lay the long ones with all the ends lining up as even as possible. For me, the twigs have a pointy end. So I pointed those ends towards the bottom. 

For the smaller twigs, I made two even piles and then placed the two together, with the ends facing the opposite direction. So each side for me had pointy ends sticking out. 

Depending on how thick your twig grouping is will determine how thick and long the fabric piece will need to be. You want it to be strong enough to hold all the twig cross pieces together. 

I used about an 1" wide by 14" length fabric piece for tying them all together.

Place the fabric on the underneath side of the twig bundle. Place center twig piece in the middle, towards the top. Remember you want a cross shape, not a T. 

Then with a crisscross pattern, fold over the ends of the fabric. Repeat the folding one more time around. Making sure the ends all meet in the back of the twig cross. Tie ends in two strong knots.  

Wal-la! Now you can add any decorating that you'd like, I left mine just as it is. 

I hung my new twig cross on the front door and I'm really happy with how it turned out. Especially, having never made one before. I hope you enjoy this easy to do Easter/Resurrection day diy craft.  

Thanks for hanging and I'll talk to you soon! 

If you found this fun and useful, please be sure to share the love! 

Easy Fall DIY with Pinecones!

Today I have a super easy and cheap DIY for Fall! So go gather all your pinecones, a big bucket, a heavy rock, and some bleach.

 This is how they looked before I got started. 

 Once added to a big Home Depot or Lowe's bucket. Add 

one part bleach to two parts water. Use a rock to weight down the pinecones so 

they don't rise up. 

 After the first 24hrs in the bleach mixer. 

 Your pinecones will close when they are full of water. 

 Some of them I noticed even the sap was pushed out. 

 After about a week they begin to open back up and dry out. 

 This pinecone came out really white and has been drying for about 3 or 4 days! 

 Bun Bun always curious and wanting to help! :)

 Once they are completely dry, you can then use them as a decoration such as

wreaths, trees, or placed in bowls. They can also be scented! 

 This pinecone kind of looks like a flower to me! 

I don't have enough yet for a wreath or a smaller Christmas tree, so I'm using them to keep my Tinny company! :) 

Super easy to do and only took about two weeks from start to finish! Perfect for Fall!! Enjoy and have fun bleaching your pinecones! 

<3 b="" for="" jenny="" nbsp="" reading="" thanks="">

Want a fun summer activity for the kids? Keep Reading!

Everyone, big or small loves bubbles! My pitbull Diamond loves them, every kid I've ever seen loves them. They are cheap, easy to make or buy and a great way to entertain them for a few hours or minutes...depending on the child! 

My most lit one, Kaitlyn, loves to play outside and when she has bubbles it is a true must. Last year after installing our new wood floors, her and her sister spilled some bubbles in their bedroom. Floors were ruined and started to pull up, it was a big mess. So word of advice...use OUTDOORS only!! Plus be careful on slippery surfaces like concrete porches and tile. I would hate for someone to get hurt trying to have fun.  

For this Giant Bubble Recipe, you will need the following:

Water

Liquid Dish Soap

Cornstarch

Baking Soda

Bucket

Giant Bubble Wand (dollar store)

or

 A piece of tee shirt fabric, cotton. Cut into one-inch strips about 18 inches long. Tie ends together. Our wand from the dollar store broke right away and I ending up tieing the ends together and it worked just fine, even better if you ask me!  

The Giant Bubble Recipe

12 Cups Water

1 Cup Liquid Dish Soap

1 Cup Cornstarch

2 Tbsp. Baking Powder

Make sure to stir the bubble mix really well, to add all the cornstarch and baking powder. Once stirred, take outside and enjoy! We had a ton of fun playing with the Giant Bubbles and so did our dog. She is crazy about them too! 

Here are some of the results Kaitlyn got using the Giant Bubble wand, that I tied together the ends of. I had a giant wand stick that the fabric was on but broke right away. :(

Thanks for reading and I hope you have some good outdoor fun with your kiddos! 

Five Christmas Crafts, that will keep the kids busy during break!

Christmas is just around the corner and I don't know about you but soon the kids will be home for Christmas break. 

They will be bored, they will need something to do....if your kids are crafty like mine, then I've found some awesome DIY's you can do from home for relatively cheap and little mess. I'm all about little, to no clean up! 

The first one I just absolutely love and other than it being a bit time consuming, it's so easy and beautiful when completed. 

The Ribbon Tree

Ribbon Tree Tutorial

The Next ones is a Paper Christmas Ornament, which from reading the tutorial, looks some what easy. 

Paper Christmas Ornaments 

Paper Christmas OrnamentsTutorial

I love, love these and would have them in the house, as decor, all year! Without the star of course! :)

Book Trees

Book Tree Tutorial

Super easy and fun crafts for your little ones. They can't feel left out! 

Ornament Candy Canes

Ornament Candy Canes

Easy, yummy, and fun! Christmas Edible Ornaments, what is better than that? 

Edibles for the tree

 Christmas Tree Ornaments Tutorial

All of these crafts and goodies are a sure fire way to keep the kids entertained this Christmas break! Plus, who doesn't love crafts you can eat? 

Merry Christmas with <3 b="">

from my family to yours! 

He Has Risen Garden, Easter Decoration.

He Has Risen Garden

I was wanting an Easter decoration that represented Jesus and not just another bunny craft. What better than an indoor garden! It's super cheap and easy to make. 

Here's what you'll need:

• Potting Soil
• Flower Pot or your choice of decorative pots, vases, etc. 
• Smaller pebbles or rocks
• One medium sized rock
• One plastic cup
• Grass seed
• Sticks or ice cream sticks and twine for crosses

1. Take flower pot and fill half way with potting soil. 
2. Place plastic cup into the soil and bury the top, while leaving the cup opening empty. You may want to slightly wet the soil for better moldability. 
3. Sprinkle grass seeds around the top of the cup and just down the sides. 
4. Arrange rocks/pebbles around the bottom of cup and base.
5. Set up the medium rock to slightly cover the cup opening, as if it had been rolled away. 


6. Make crosses (three), with glue or twine and stick in soil above the back of the tomb (cup). 

Pearl Before Swine

 The tomb and crosses represent the Bible’s Easter story. Jesus, dying on the cross for our sins and being raised from the dead to conquer death. He was placed in a tomb and three days later he rose again. 

Using real grass seed gives you a real garden. Just remember to keep the garden in a warm location with lots of sunlight and give it plenty of water every day.

Tulips in Vases and How to Choose the Right Ones.

Forcing bulbs to bloom, when used in vases, can be trickier than one might think. After doing some research on the internet, this is what I've found. 

There are two types of bulbs for indoor growing: those you need to chill and those you don't need to chill . Below, I'll explain how to tell the difference. 

Bulbs That Don't Need Chilling

These bulbs are native to warm climates, so they don't require a cooling period to trigger blooms. Amaryllis and Paperwhite Narcissus both belong in this category. 

Bulbs that Do Need Chilling

All other spring bulbs require a chilling period before they'll bloom. This includes Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths, Crocus, Dutch Iris and Scilla. Cool temperatures stimulate a biochemical response inside the bulb that "turns on" the embryonic flower so it starts developing. Most bulbs require 16 to 18 weeks of cold before the flower is fully formed. At that point, they're ready for light and warmth. If you cut the cooking time short, the flowers may emerge but they will probably be stunted and deformed.

For indoor blooms, the easiest bulbs are Crocus, Hyacinths, Muscari, and Mini-Daffodils. Tulips and standard Daffodils can also be forced, but they require more careful attention.

There are a few things you need to do first in order to ensure your tulips will bloom.

1. Bigger IS Always Better:

 Choose large tulip bulbs from your garden center, grocery store, local nursery or online. The larger the bulb, the bigger the bloom. Pass on discount, smaller bulbs. You will not be happy with the results.

2. Bulbs need a specific amount of cold-sleepy time. 

Most tulips need between 12-15 weeks. The cold-sleepy time will be listed on the bulb package. Each variety can vary. You can buy your bulbs and then place them in your refrigerator for this amount of time. Keep them away from apples, though. The gas emitted from fruit like apples will prevent them from blooming. So a garage fridge is a great option.  Always chill for the recommended time and never less. Chilling for less time will result in zero blooms.

Once you have bought your bulbs and stored them in a cool place for the recommended time, here's what you do next. 

1. Grab a tall vase, the taller vase will help support your Tulips when growing. 

2. Go to your local craft, hobby store or I've even found these at the dollar store. The round glass floral marbles, you can purchase them here. You can choose between clear, blue, green or multi-colored. 

3. Place marbles in a vase and set bulbs on marbles. Fill with water until just above the marbles and place in well light but the cool area of your home. 

Soon you will see the bulbs growing, once green leaves are almost to the top of your vase or just above. Depending on your vase size, you can place them in a warmer, sunnier not hot location of your home or kitchen. 

Want a way to cheat and not have to wait weeks?

1.  Buy potted bulbs from the grocery store, garden center, or local nursery. Choose ones that have not bloomed yet.

2. Empty the pot, and gently shake off all the loose soil from the bulbs, all the while, protecting the tender roots.

3.  Rinse each bulb under cool water to wash away the soil.

4.  Trim roots to 2 inches long with scissors and place in a glass vase with glass beads. Follow the rest of the directions as listed above. 

BOOM! :)

Now you have a beautiful and easy Easter decoration!

Help kids to understand the true meaning of Easter with this great craft!

Helping kids to understand the true meaning of Easter can be tricky, especially if they are not yet at the age in which they can fully grasp the concept, of Christ being born, dying on the cross for our sins and being raised from the dead and defeating death. 

(This would also be great for Christmas or any day really.)

I started looking online and came across a lot of really great ideas but this one from Play Eat Grow, I just fell in love with. She took so much time and care in. Putting together the correct, (biblical, I might add!!) scriptures. As well as wonderful things to use to represent the different days, one to twelve. 

The craft is Resurrection Eggs, and you can use an old egg carton and 12 pretty and colorful Easter eggs. This list below is from Play Eat Grow and she has it in pdf form as well, if you are a printer! Some people do, some don't! I personally save everything, until my computer is so full in memory, for the next week I'll be deleting files. :)

Stop by her page, Play Eat Grow , to see the great pictures she has as well, I just love everything about this idea. 

1.  Palm Tree Leave-To recognize how Jesus was celebrated when he entered Jerusalem
2.  Bread-To signifies the last supper
3.  Silver Coins-To show the bribe that Judas took to betray Jesus
4. Purple cloth and thorn-To acknowledge Jesus' mocking at the hands of the soldiers
5. Rope-To signifies the beating Jesus endured
6. Cross-To shows the physical burden Jesus had to carry
7. Nail-To shows the pain Jesus went through when he was crucified
8. Sign-To recognizes Pilate's admission that Jesus was indeed the long-awaited King
9. Sponge and Thorn-To signify the last moments of Jesus' life and proof of his death
10. Spices-To signifies that burial procedures were carried forth on Jesus
11. Stone-To shows that the tomb had been opened
12. Nothing-To signifies that Jesus has risen

These scriptures can be printed off, or copied to a smaller piece of paper that goes inside the eggs. 

Resurrection

Eggs

One 

Palm Branch Matthew 21:8-9

8. Many people spread clothes on the road while others put down branches which they had cut from trees. 9. Some 

people walked ahead of Jesus and others followed behind. They were all shouting, "Hooray for the Son of David!

God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hooray for God in heaven above!"

Two 

Bread Matthew 26:26

During the meal, Jesus took some bread in his hands. He blessed the bread and broke it. Then he gave it to his 

disciples and said, "Take this and eat it. This is my body."

Three 

Silver Coins Mathew 27:3

Judas had betrayed Jesus, but when he learned that Jesus had been sentenced to death, he was sorry for what he 

had done. He returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and leaders

Four 

Pilate wanted to please the crowd. So he set Barabbas free. Then he ordered his soldiers to beat Jesus with a whip 

Rope (Whip) Mark 15:15

and nail him to a cross.

Five 

Purple Cloth and Thorns Matthew 27:28-29

28. They stripped off Jesus' clothes and put a scarlet robe on him. 29. They made a crown out of thorny branches and 

placed it on his head, and they put a stick in his right, hand. The soldiers knelt down and pretended to worship him. 

They made fun of him and shouted, "Hey, you king of the Jews!"

Six 

Cross John 19:17

And he carried his cross to a place known as "The Skull." [b] In Aramaic this place is called "Golgotha."

Seven 

Nails Mark 15:24

They nailed Jesus to a cross and gambled to see who would get his clothes.

Eight 

Sign Mark 15:26

On it was a sign that told why he was nailed there. It read, "This is the King of the Jews."

Nine 

29. A jar of cheap wine was there. Someone then soaked a sponge with the wine and held it up to Jesus' mouth on the 

stem of a hyssop plant.

Sponge and Spear John 19:29, 33-34

33. But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, and they did not break 

his legs. 34. One of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus' side, and blood and water came out.

Ten 

The two men wrapped the body in a linen cloth, together with the spices, which was how the Jewish people buried 

Spices John 19:40

they're dead.

Eleven 

Stone John 20:1

On Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been 

rolled away from the entrance.

Twelve 

Nothing Luke 24:6-7

6. Jesus isn't here! He has been raised from death. Remember that while he was still in Galilee, he told you, 7 'The Son

of Man will be handed over to sinners who will nail him to a cross. But three days later he will rise to life.' "

Christ carried the burden of our sins. He was 

nailed to the cross, so that

we would stop sinning

and start living right.

By his cuts and bruises, you are healed.

1 Peter 2:24

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