Come Together Kids

December 9, 2011

10 Crafts and Activities for Boys

December always seems to be the month for "Best of" lists.

So, with my almost 8-year old son's help,

I've compiled this collection of 10 of the best "Boy-Approved"

crafts and activities we've done here at Come Together Kids.

So many times crafty projects seem to appeal to girls more than boys, especially once the boys get a little older.

The following list is in no particular order,

but each item has been given

my son's seal of approval!

1. Magical Playdoh Mix

I think the "magical" aspect of this mix,
with the color and scent being revealed
as we add the boiling water
is what makes it so appealing every time we make it.

2. Marshmallow Shooter

My son LOVED how far this contraption

launched the marshmallows.

3. Hot Car Crayons

Making crayons in the oven is fun,

but doing it in a hot car added

a certain coolness factor.

4. Make-Your-Own Lava Lamp

It's such a neat principle

and he loved watching the bubbles

each time we added a tablet.

5. Bubble Snake Maker

Again, such a simple contraption

but it produces such cool results.

6. Really Big Bubble Maker

For boys, I think bigger is so often better.

These big bubbles were a big hit.

7. Glow-in-the-Dark Drinks

Everyone thinks these drinks are awesome,
boys, girls, kids and adults!

8. Spongeballs

We've made these several times
for our own family and for playdates.
They've been a blast every time.

9. GAK!

What boy wouldn't love

this slippery, slimy substance?

10. Fingerprint Candles

I have to admit, I was a little surprised when my son

added these candles to his Top Ten list.

However, he said he really liked when the

"drawing melted onto the candle" and

he likes seeing them at the grandparents' houses.

I hope you get some inspiration
for your own boys from my son's list here.
(and don't get me wrong,
these ideas are perfect for girls too!)

December 7, 2011

Footprint Penguin Wall Hanging

I originally shared this idea as part of the Christmas Wonderful series at Design Dazzle, and now I'm excited to share it here with you in time for the holidays.

How cute is this group of penguins in their little hats and scarves? Doesn't the shape of their bodies look familiar? That's right, they're footprints! I made this adorable canvas wall hanging for the grandparents last year using the footprints of all the grandchildren.

The project was pretty inexpensive and not too difficult to make at all, but even more importantly, the grandparents loved it!

Here's what you'll need:

plain artist's canvas ( I had a lot of footprints, so I used a 12" x 24" one)
two pieces of blue cotton fabric for the background (mine had small prints that somewhat resembled the snow and sky)
black cotton fabric for the footprints (mine had a subtle dot pattern)
scraps of fleece or felt for the penguin accessories
Heat'n Bond Ultra Hold Iron-On Adhesive
acrylic paint for the eyes
snowflake buttons (optional)
iron and hot glue gun

Here's what to do:

1. Iron the Heat'n Bond to the wrong side of the blue fabrics. Overlap the two fabrics slightly to form the "ground" and the "sky". (I cut a slightly wavy line where the two colors met.) Cut your fabric a few inches larger than the size of your canvas. Peel off the paper backing and iron your pieces directly to the front of the canvas. Wrap the excess fabric around the sides to the back and hot glue in place.

2. Next, iron the Heat'n Bond to the wrong side of the black fabric. Then trace the child's footprint onto the paper-y side. Cut out the footprints. (For an example of how this is done, see a similar post I did with Footprint Butterflies). Peel off the paper backing again, position your footprints where you want them on the canvas and iron them in place.

3. Now you'll want to add your penguins' clothing! I simply cut out pieces of leftover fleece to make little hats and scarves and hot glued them in place. Then I cut ovals out of white fleece and hot glued them on to form the penguins bellies.

4. Finally, use a bit of acrylic paint to paint on your penguins' eyes (I initially planned on using googly eyes, but I liked the look of the painted eyes much better!) and add little triangle noses ( I just glue on a small triangle of orange paper) I also added a few snowflake buttons in the "sky".

5. That's it! Whether you're making just one penguin or a whole waddle (yes, I looked up the term for a group of penguins!), this is a really cute way to use footprints to create some winter art.

I hope you enjoyed our little project (the grandparents loved them last year).

Sharing our "Happy Feet" at:

The Mommy Club
Somewhat Simple
Created by Cori
Gluesticks
Tatertots and jello
Family Ever After
Red Ted Art
Six Sisters' Stuff
Be Different, Act Normal
I heart Nap Time
C.R.A.F.T.
The Girl Creative
Keeping it Simple
Under the Table and Dreaming
Brassy Apple
Skip to My Lou
Today's Creative Blog
The Frugal Girls

December 6, 2011

Kindle Cover from a Hardcover Book

This isn't a kid-related project, but sometimes parents deserve a special treat too!

NOTE: For some reason, this page and tutorial is not loading properly for some readers. If this is the case and you need the step by step directions, just email me at ComeTogetherKids@hotmail.com

Last month I treated myself to the new Kindle Fire and I'm loving it so far. After it arrived, I knew I needed a case to protect my new toy, but I wasn't about to shell out another 30 or 40 bucks just for a holder. So, since necessity is the mother of invention, I made my own (and I have to say I like it way better than the more expensive alternative).

Check this out...

And did any observant readers notice that the title of the book is "Laura"? How cool is that!?!?

( I picked up the book years ago because of the title. I don't remember the story being memorable, but I'm glad I held on to it because it's the perfect new Kindle cover for me!)

Okay, now do you want to see how easy it was to make? It's totally no-sew and costs only a few dollars!

Here's what you'll need:

approx. 1/3 yard quilted fabric (mine was reversible)
3/8" iron on adhesive tape ( I used Heat n Bond )
3/8" elastic
hard cover book that's a bit bigger than your Kindle
glue gun (not pictured!)

Here's what to do:

(Don't be overwhelmed by the ton of pictures and steps, it's not hard! I just tried to show each step because I couldn't give measurements since each book will be a different size!)

1. Cut the pages out of your book. I just used a sharp knife to cut down either side of the spine.

2. (Optional) My book was quite a bit thicker than my Kindle, so I ran some hot glue down the edges of the spine and pushed it together to make it a little bit narrower.

See how it's not as thick as the original book now?

3. Lay your cover open flat and cut your fabric about 1/2" longer than your book, and a little more than one and a half times as wide.


See how there's extra fabric? That will make your pocket.

4. Put your Kindle on the book and decide how tall you want your pocket to be so your Kindle fits in, but you can still easily pull it out. Then add 1/2", and cut across.

5. Put your iron on tape across the top of your pocket piece and iron in place.

6. Then cut 1/2" slit at the end of the tape, remove the paper backing, and iron down 1/2" hem.

(NOTE: You could probably just use hot glue for this too, but I liked how the iron on tape gave me nice straight edges)

See how the iron on hem finishes off the top of the pocket?

7. Okay, now we're going to get the first side ready. Cut another 1/2" slit at the top of your pocket so you can finish off the top part of the edge.

8. Turn your fabric over, put the iron on tape along that top part of the edge, and iron down a 1/2" hem.

Like how I get lazy and use a towel instead of dragging out my ironing board?

9. Now with the fold of the pocket and the hem on the top part, the left side is finished off.

10. Put another strip of iron on tape along the left edge, remove the paper and iron the left side of the pocket down. (This helps keep your device in a little bit from the outside edge of the cover)

11. Next, put your Kindle in the pocket and decide where its right edge will be so it's a snug fit. Add 1" to that mark and cut your fabric.

12. Put your iron on tape on your new cut edge, then iron down a 1/2" hem.

13. Okay, you're almost finished with the pocket! Just put the iron on tape on the side and bottom of your pocket, peel off the paper backing and iron in place.

14. Next, let's finish off the bottom edge! Just turn your fabric over, put iron on tape along the bottom edge, peel off the paper backing and iron down a 1/2" hem.

15. Now get that hot glue gun warmed up and let's start attaching our fabric to our book. ( I decided to glue down two sides, then finish the rest of the edges so it fit the cover perfectly, instead of trying to measure and get everything lined up right). Glue the left and bottom finished edges to the inside cover of your book making sure the fabric is nicely lined up on the edges. I glued down the edges and also put some glue to attach the fabric to the inside cover.

NOTE: Don't glue all the way to the top on the left hand side, you still have to finish off that top edge.

16. Next, flip your book over and put the iron on tape along the edge of the right side of the book. Cut off any extra fabric, then iron down your 1/2" hem.

17. Do the same thing along the top edge of your book ~ put down the iron on tape, and iron down your 1/2" hem.

18. Now that your fabric inside has all the edges finished and is the exact size of your book cover, hot glue the rest of it in place. Your front cover should be pretty much glued down, so just glue the fabric to the spine, the inside of the back cover and the right and top edges.

19. Now you're really almost finished! Place your Kindle on the right side opposite the pocket, and cut 4 pieces of the elastic. Position them so they'll hold the corners of your device, then hot glue them in place. (removing your Kindle before hot gluing , of course!)

Sorry about the annoying reflection of our ceiling fan, I was working at night!

That's it! You're finished!!! Don't be discouraged by the 19 (yikes!) steps in this tutorial. The whole project took me less than an hour and I was figuring it out as I went along.

Now you're ready to check out your favorite blog, read a new book, or play a few games. Your Kindle is well protected and you still have the feel of holding a real book in your hands (because it is a real book cover). Choose a copy of your favorite book and your new e-reader cover is customized for you ~ plus you're saving the $30+ dollars that you would have spent on a plain boring cover from the store.

I have to admit, I'm thrilled with the way this turned out. I had an idea in my head of what I wanted to do and it actually went according to plan. I know I'm dating myself and revealing a bit too much about my 80's TV viewing habits here, but "I love it when a plan comes together!" (Bonus points to anyone who can identify the TV show!)

Sharing my custom cover at:

Be Different, Act Normal

Lolly Jane

I heart Nap Time