Archive for the ‘OLIVE KIDS!’ Category

Funky Pumpkin Craft – Another Great Craft for Kids of All Ages!


2010
09.20

I think I must be ready for fall because I certainly have punkins on my brain the past few days (especially this evening!)…  I have a couple more pumpkin projects I whipped up just in mere minutes this evening as I was sitting here examining the toilet paper pumpkin I posted earlier.  I got to thinking how addicting those things are to make because they’re so much fun to make, there’s no cutting, sewing or gluing necessary.they’re super duper quick and just too stinkin’ cute to have only one….so when my husband started hollering, “honey, uhhh…where’s all the toilet paper?  There’s none in any of the bathrooms and why do we have 12 pumpkins lined up where the toilet paper used to be instead?  And WHY are there pumpkins in all of the  toilet paper holders “….. He knows I’m craft obsessed like no other BUT who would ever want to admit to doing something so corny?!  Sheesh!  So I just shrugged my shoulders and said I had no idea how that happened and then starting shucking the other 12 under the table as fast as I could….  I figured I better find myself a new addiction or should I say a new victim…to “pumpkinize”" (another new word you saw first here on OJS *wink*)! So, I did just that.  I started looking at the case(s) of pumpkins I had decorated earlier and realized I could come up with a more realistic looking one by adding some filler….so I began to play.  I grabbed a bag of fiberfill for one pumpkin and some dry rice and plastic shopping bags for another and started on my next pumpkin adventure….

The tutorial below is based on the darker orange pumpkin on the far left.  These same steps also  apply to the black and white checked pumpkin – you just need a larger piece of fabric, more filler and a paper towel tube.

 Ingredients:

1 empty toilet paper tube for the smaller orange size pumpkin OR 1 empty paper towel tube for the black and white pumpkin

enough fabric to wrap around the filler and tuck far enough into the tube

dry rice

fiber fill, old socks, crumpled newspaper, shopping  bags, rice, etc..to fill the pumpkin

Pumpkin or cinnamon scented dry potpourri ( I used the kind in the paper envelope satchets but any dry brand will work.  Another idea is to use Carpet Fresh but I don’t think the scent would last as long.)

cheese cloth or an old nylon to put the potpourri in

a stick to use for the stem

green fabric scraps or ribbon for the stem

2 green fabric coated floral stems

Directions:

1.  Lay out the fabric so the pattern is face down on the table. Then, stand a toilet paper tube directly in the center of the fabric and start adding small handfuls of dry rice for weight and fiberfill to build the body of the pumpkin. (Sorry for all the wrinkles.  I had already put the pumpkin together but then decided to take it apart to get photos for a tutorial! )

2. Next, start pulling the fabric up and tucking the fabric ends into the center of the tube. 

3. Keep forming the pumpkin, adding additional fiber fill if needed or removing some  if it’s too stuffed.  Continue pushing the fabric ends into the tube.

 

4.  Once all the fabric is tucked in the tube and the pumpkin is formed into your desired shape, add the bundle of fragrance to the tube. (I forgot to take a picture of this step but all I did was add fragrance pellets in a piece of cheesecloth and then tied it with a rubber band.)  By adding it here you can easily remove it to add a new scentor refresh as needed.  Next, place the stick into the tube for the stem.  This also helps hold the fabric in place.

 

5. Grab your scrap of green fabric  and fold in half pushing the center down into the tube.  Arrange to form leaves.

6.  Wrap the green floral stems (or chenille stems) around a pen to form spirals.  Stretch out slightly and tuck one end of each down in the tube. 

Aren’t  these just the cutest darn punkins you’ve ever seen??  Now, I want you to imagine doing this very same technique with a gift wrap paper tube and a large piece of fabric or a sheet.  Can you just imagine how adorable that would look with a pile of funky patterned pumpkins sitting in a corner all grouped together?!  The best part of this whole project is that you can easily take them apart to store and then rebuild them again next year!  The fabric can be washed, changed and the fragrance refreshed whenever needed. 

I’m off to go find something else to turn into a punkin….kids, ya better look out because your mama has lost it!  *grin*

Olive me some funky punkins, don’t you?

xKim

P.S.  If you make any of these PLEASE share!  :-)

Toilet Paper Pumpkin Project- Perfect for Kids of All Ages!


2010
09.20

This is a great craft for anyone and is super fun for kids of all ages to make.  It is a pretty fail proof project and only takes minutes to complete.  I have made this several times with children as young as two all the way up to adults.  They always turn out absolutely adorable and look quite smashing when grouped in bunches!  Unfortunately, I can’t take all of the credit for this idea because it’s been around for years.

Ingredients:

1 full roll of toilet paper – any brand!

1 fat quarter of orange solid or patterned fabric or enough  tissue paper, crepe paper, plastic tablecloth, towel, shirt, etc., to wrap around the roll of toilet paper

scraps of green solid or patterned fabric for leaves OR floral silk leaves, paper leaves cut with your Cricut or real pressed and preserved leaves

1 stick OR an empty toilet paper tube, a brown paper bag OR whatever else you’d like to use for a stem

2 green coated floral stems OR chenille stems in green or brown

Directions:

1.   Grab your supplies and a clean surface to spread out the fabric.

 

2.  Lay the fabric out face down on a flat surface and place the roll of toilet paper on top in the center of the fabric.

3.  Begin pulling up the sides. 

3. Tuck the extra fabric into center of the roll of toilet paper pressing into the tube opening with your fingers.

4. As your pulling up the fabric and wrapping the toilet paper,  try to fold and tuck in the puckers  (where the fabric seems to loose).  Continue tucking  the fabric in the toilet paper tube until you achieve desired results.

5. Now it’s time for the stem, if you’re using an empty paper towel or toilet paper tube first cut the whole tube open and curl it up so that it fits inside of the toilet paper pumpkin.  If you’re using a stick just push it in.  If using a paper bag, wrapping paper or cardstock crinkle and fold it up to give it some character and then insert it into the pumpkin top.

6. Cut out two leaves free handed or use your Cricut.  I cut these out by hand. 

7.  I forgot to take a picture of this step but all you need to do is take two green coated floral stems (that’s what I used) or two chenille (pipe cleaners) stems and wrap each one around a pen to form a coil.  Stretch each out a bit and either wrap around the pumpkin stem. Stretch the stems out a bit.  Ta-Da!  You just made yourself a purdy lil’ toilet paper pumpkin!

WARNING:  These pumpkins are addicting and before you know it you will have every roll of toilet paper wrapped in your house.  Please remember to leave one roll of toilet paper “un-pumpkined” for those needing to do paperwork! *wink*

Olive funky fun crafts for all ages, don’t you?

xKim

A super simple and yummy tasting “Chewy Chocolate-y Chip Cookie”


2010
08.27

This a great recipe to make with your kiddos, scouts, etc..!

Whip up a batch as an afterschool snack, a quick dessert  or for when you have unexpected company! 

(Disclaimer: Hey Kids!  Please NEVER EVER EVER use an oven without adult supervision! Make sure an adult is able to help you in the kitchen before starting this recipe! )

I can’t take  credit for this recipe because this has been around for years.  In fact, I think I got the original recipe from the back of a cake mix box. Over the years, I have tweaked it a bit.  This is the recipe I use…

Ingredients:

1 Chocolate Cake Mix – any brand will work! (I used Duncan Hines German Chocolate for the cookies above!  You can also use any cake flavor to make these cookies…think of the endless possibilities!)

1/2 cup oil (whatever you normally bake with – I used Extra Virgin Olive Oil – mild flavor)

2 eggs

Optional Ingredients:

If you want to give these cookies some extra Ooomph!  try adding some of the following:

1/2 c. chocolate  chips (or peanut butter, butterscotch, raspberry, white chocolate, etc.)

1/2 c. coconut

1/2 c. oatmeal

1/2 c. Cheerios

1/2 c. chopped nuts

1/2 c. raisins

1/2 cup crushed mints, candy cane, toffee, etc

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, oil and eggs together with a large spoon.  If adding any of the optional ingredients, stir those in once the dough has been mixed.  Form balls with small handfuls of dough and place a few inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Slightly flatten the cookie with your palm or by making crisscrosses with a fork on the top of each cookie.  Bake in oven for 8-10 minutes.  If you like a chewier cookie check the cookie after baking for 8-9 minutes.  If you prefer a crunchier cookie check the cookie at 10 minutes -if not crunchy enough bake for another 1-2 minutes.

Optional:

Drizzle melted chocolate on the top (I didn’t do this for the cookies in the photograph above but it does make for a supreme cookie!)

If you’ve used a similar recipe you’d like to share please email it to me by using the form above or leave it in the comment section!  Make sure to include your blog URL if you have one!!

Have a sweet day!

xKim

“FOR THE BIRDS” ….A Kid-Friendly Craft!


2010
08.26

Hi Everyone!!  I know some of you were following me and/or at least reading my blog when it was being hosted on Blogger.  On my old blog I used to post a weekly crafty tip ranging from being green/recycling/repurposing, using a product in a different way, recipes for craft products, etc.  Everyone seemed to really like the tips and as soon as I can figure out how to get my sidebars to work right in WordPress I will probably add this section again.  ANYWAY, one of the tips I shared earlier this spring was called “For the Birds.”   At the time, it didn’t include any photos just a quick blurb on how you can share some of your paper scraps and other household things with your winged friends to help them when building nests.  This project is perfect for the spring – not really sure if they birds will make use of it during the end of summer/fall months but I had everything ready (I’ve been collecting for the past month or so) so I thought I’d post it anyway…!

If you have a clothes dryer, you have lint and probably LOTS of it that I bet you toss in the trash can…

If you’re a crafter, I bet you have LOTS of paper scraps that are too small to keep so you toss those in the trash can…

If you get LOTS of junk  mail and are into shredding your mail I bet you have LOTS of shredded paper that you toss in the trash can or recycling bin….

If you’re a crafter and use fibers/strings/ribbons, etc.., I can guarantee you have little bits and pieces that are really worthless so you either throw them  in a jar or toss those in your trash can….

If you’re a seamstress and/or do a lot of things with fabric you probably have TONS of fabric scraps that get tossed in the trash can…

If you brush or comb your hair I bet you’re constantly pulling your hair out of the bristles and tossing it in the trash can…

I’m sure I could think of many more things to add to this list!  Here’s a photo of some of the “stuff” I would typically toss in the trash that I have collected over the past month or so to give to the birds! (Like I said this is perfect for springtime when the birds are nesting and looking to build a nest for their eggs)

A mesh bag from fresh produce works wonderfully for collecting your winged friend’s nest making goodies… The red mesh bag I used is from some Clementines we had earlier this summer. I  collect all of the lint in a plastic shopping bag I have hanging in my laundry room. I’m constantly doing laundry so collecting a bag of lint happens pretty quickly around here! Once I have collected a 1/2 of a bag or so I transfer it to the mesh adding bits and pieces of the things above - I keep a bag in my craft room too that is  just for the birds now that I know how much they love to add these things to their nests! 

(Please don’t add things like Easter grass (the plastic kind) or any other things that could cause harm to a bird or nature.)

Once the bag is full, tie the top shut with a piece of string or ribbon and hang it from a tree in your yard.  In the spring,  it’s so much fun watching  the birds pick through the mesh grabbing pieces of the lint, ribbon, fabric scraps, etc.,  to add to their nests!  You’ll  be surprised at how many birds this will attract and how often you will be refilling the bag! 

If you don’t have any mesh bags you can also use chicken wire rolled into a cylinder or you can fill a bird feeder with the items too.  If you don’t mind the mess, you can also just toss the lint and other miscellaneous scraps into your yard – personally, I prefer the bag because it’s neater and much more fun watching the birds pick through it!

I hope you enjoyed this very simple and super green project!

Olive helping my winged friends, don’t you?

xKim

Strawberry Patch Purse & Monkey Business Tote-a-Long Box


2010
07.27

If you’re anything like me you probably have some of these chipboard purses stuffed on a shelf using up valuable space in your craft room.  It’s time to dig those space hogging things out of storage, dust them puppies off and git ‘em gussied up for someone  you love, or of course for yourself! :-)  

I have to admit, these purses and tote-a-long boxes ( you can’t call a boy’s purse A PURSE, ya know.)  are things I designed over a  year ago for a six year old’s birthday party with 16 children attending the party.  The kids were from age three to 12 - both girls & boys so it was important for me to come up with something hands-on and fun for all ages that the boys would like making as much as the girls.  I hemmed and I hawwed and I went about bonkers trying to think of the ”just right” craft for so many children and so many different ages/abilities.   Anyway, my youngest son has always had a fascination with small boxes, lunch boxes/buckets, etc.  One day my son came marching down the steps carrying one of these unfinished boxes.  He was on a mission to make it his official “Pokemon” box.  The aha moment struck  and I suddenly had the gimmes because I coerced the purse out of his hands while telling him I could make that tote-a-long box super special by decorating it for him.  At the time, everything was monkey business with him so that”s what he picked for the theme for the ”purse.” Do you recognize the Cricut cut?  Yeppers, it’s from Animal Kingdom!  Of course, after the monkey “purse” I had to make something more girlie and that’s how the strawberry patch purse was born. :-)   The party was a HUGE hit.  Every child made a purse – each unique to his/her own interests and every purse turned out to be absolutely adorable. 

 I offer craft parties and classes as a side gig  for children ages 1-109 and this purse and tote-a-long party has become an all time favorite that I still offer.  It’s quite funny because the boys spend more time matching colors and patterns for paper and picking out their “theme” than the girls.  The “purses” make perfect holders for the Nintendo DS, collector cards,  Hot Wheels, small toys to carry to appointments, great for storing crayons and scraps of paper for car rides, or even snacks, hair pretties, little dollies and their accessories, etc.

Tips for decorating chipboard purses:

* Remove the ugly plastic strap by unfastening from the inside.  Replace the straps with some groovy ribbon, twine, chain, etc.

* Paint the edges of all sides and inside of purse to coordinate with paper patterns and colors you plan to use. 

* Instead of paint, try using the Tim Holtz Distress Inks for the coloring – spread the color even more by misting with a light coat of water or with a sponge brush dipped in water.

* Trace an outline of each panel onto the paper you will be using to decorate with.

* When cutting the paper for covering the purse, cut it approximately 1/8″ to 1/4″ smaller so there is a small border of chipboard showing around the purse. 

*Apply the paper to the chipboard purse by using your favorite decoupage glue.  Spread an even coat on each side – work one side at a time. 

*Ink the edges of the purse and paper. 

*Decorate with embellies and then add an additional top coat of decoupage glue.  I used Mod Podge Brush Stroke for both of these which I just love!

(Strawberry Patch Purse- front) 

(Strawberry Patch Purse – back)

(Monkey Business – front)

(Monkey Business-Side ..don’t you just love the distressed look I was able to get

just from using Tim Holtz Distress Inks?)

(Monkey Business- back of tote-a-long)

This is a GREAT activity to use for a summer time boredom buster with your kids, for b-day gifts for friends, or any other holiday. The purses make great gift boxes to wrap a small gift in.

  I hope you enjoyed this and would love to see what you come up with if you make one yourself so please share! :-)

Olive crafty ideas, don’t you?

xKim

OLIVE KIDS: TOP SECRET…”Bada Bing Ice SCREAM in a Bag” Recipe


2010
06.19

-TOP SECRET-

CONFIDENTIAL!!! PLEASE DO NOT SHARE!

WARNING: This recipe is known for  self-destructing within 24 hours of being posted.  “Bada Bing Ice SCREAM in a Bag” is extremely addictive.  Once you start making it you won’t want to stop. Long lines of ice cream craving kids have been known to congregate outside houses where Olive Kids!  have been spotted making this secret concoction.  Use precautionary measures to dispose of all evidence once you eat it- this includes brushing your teeth and garling too.

 

CHOCOLATE Bada Bing Ice SCREAM Recipe:  For a 1 cup single serving

1 cup Half and Half (this can be regular full fat or fat free), regular milk works too!

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 TBS. cocoa powder

3-4 TBS sugar

2 cups Rock Salt, table salt or Kosher Salt (the larger chunk salt works the best though!)

1-2 cups of ice (or snow if making it in the winter)

 1 gallon size ziploc bag OR a plastic dish with a tight fitting lid large enough to hold ice, rock salt

and sandwich size bag full of milk.

Top Secret Directions

1.   Gather all of the ingredients listed above!

2.   Measure 1 cup of Half andHalf.

3.  Carefully pour the Half and Half into a ziploc bag.

4.  If you want your ice SCREAM to be chocolate this is when you’re going to add 2 tbs. cocoa powder.

If you don’t want chocolate ice SCREAM skip this step to make vanilla!

5.  Add 3-4 tbs. sugar.  Start with 3 tbs.  Stir the milk mixture.  Dip your finger in to see if it tastes the way you like it.

Is it sweet enough?  If not, add another tablespoon but don’t over do it!

6.   Add 2 tsp. Vanilla.  (The photo shows us just pouring it  into the bag straight from the bottle.  There was only a drop left so make sure to measure it when you add it to YOUR bag!)

7.  Double check to make sure you have added the milk, cocoa, sugar and vanilla.  If it’s all in the bag, carefully seal the bag closed. 

Be extra careful to make sure the bag is completely sealed so it doesn’t leak!

8.  For this step you can do a couple of different things.  You can either place the rock salt and ice inside of a gallon size ziploc bag

OR in a plastic dish with a tight fitting lid that is large enough to hold the salt, ice and bag full of ice Scream ingredients.  We typically use a bag but

I was out of bags the last time so we used a plastic dish with a lid!

(Photo showing rock salt – this is the same salt you use in the winter to melt ice outside)

10.  Add 1-2 cups of ice  to the gallon size ziploc bag or dish with lid (if you can’t fit the entire 2 cups just set aside the extra.  It can be added once some of it melts.)

11.  Place the sealed sandwich bag holding the ice SCREAM ingredients to the dish or gallon size bag right on top of the ice and salt.

Seal the bag – make sure it’s completely sealed…if using the dish with lid, now’s the time to snap the lid on making sure it’s completely in place.

Make sure no one is watching you do this VERY top secret move….START SHAKING THE BOWL/GALLON SIZE BAG!

12.  Continue shaking the dish/plastic bag for 5-8 minutes!  Make sure to rotate the dish/bag by turning it upside down and back and forth while shaking.

 

13.  KEEP SHAKING but make sure no one is watching you!  If mom/dad wonders what you’re doing say you’re exercising and then do just that! 

Jog in place while shaking the dish/bag! If the ice is melting drain some of the water and add a few more pieces of ice and then reseal the dish/bag.

14.  After shaking it for 5-8 minutes carefully check the ice SCREAM inside the dish/plastic bag.  If it’s the consistency of a soft serve ice cream cone it’s done.  If not,

KEEP SHAKING for another 3-5 minutes. Once it resembles soft serve ice cream, rinse or wipe off the plastic bag holding the ice SCREAM.  Open the bag and dig in or squeeze it into a bowl.

15.  Quickly peek to make sure no one is watching (sometimes it’s best to eat this ice cream in a closet or under the kitchen table where no one will see you.) 

16. Mmmmm!  Enjoy but don’t eat too fast or you’ll get brain freeze!  As soon as your done, get rid of all evidence before someone finds it!  Wash the dishes you dirtied… Put the ingredients back in their proper place….. Wipe your face off if you have a ring around your mouth… Quickly sneak to tbe bathroom to brush your teeth and gargle…. Make sure the coast is clear and then saunter back into the room where everyone else is at.  If someone says, “Do we have an ice cream?  Or It smells  like ice cream in here just give them your famous “What?  Are you crazy or something?”  look.  If  there’s a knock on your door within a few minutes of eating it DON’T Asnwer the door!  I repeat – DON’T ANSWER! You might have hundreds of ice cream craving kids with trance like stares stampeding to your doorstep chanting “”I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM, WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM!”

24 hours later…

(WARNING:  THIS RECIPE AND PAGE ARE GOING TO SELF IMPLODE IN 10…9….8…7…6…5…4..3…2..1….?!   1….1……1…..?  That’s weird.  Nothing happened.  You must have been very cautious with this super classified ice SCREAM information…Good Work, Olive!)

Olive crafty kids who like top secret recipes, don’t you?

x Kim

P.S.  Like it?  Want more of it?  Be on the lookout for MORE ice SCREAM recipes you can try…!

“ONE EYED, ONE HORNED, FLYING PURPLE PEOPLE POOP” RECIPE…


2010
06.15

Psst!  Hey Olive Kids!  I’ve got something REALLY fun for you to ”experiment” with this summer -
“ONE EYED, ONE HORNED, FLYING PURPLE PEOPLE POOP”!  It’s a PERFECT project  for a rainy day OR a day when you are bored to tears and driving your mom/dad or babysitter CRaZy! *wink*  Make this awesome  GOOPY Goo concoction with the help of an adult.  Once it’s made it resembles  a rubbery yogurt texture!  TOTALLY GROSS yet TOTALLY COOL - Is that AWESOME or what?! 

CAUTION:  DO NOT EAT! ( If you’re hungry go eat some spinach or broccoli – not this gunk!) Make sure to ask an adult for permission before you try this AND always be super careful when adding the  “really warm water” to the recipe below!  Avoid all people you meet who are purple.  Do not ask them for their….ahem….We’ll make our own! *wink*


ONE EYED, ONE HORNED, FLYING PURPLE PEOPLE POOP RECIPE

 This is what it looks like - is that cool or what? 

This is what you will need:

2 mixing bowls

2 cups Elmer’s Glue

Purple or Red and Blue Food Coloring ( Be careful!  This WILL STAIN) Or leave it white!

Very warm water

Borax (If your mom doesn’t have any you can ask her to pick up a box the next time she’s at the grocery store! It’s found in the laundry detergent isle!)

Mixing Spoon

Measuring Cup

DIRECTIONS

Add 1 1/2 cups of VERY warm water (BE CAREFUL AND ASK AN ADULT FOR HELP!) to one of the mixing bowls

  

  Measure out 2 cups of Elmer’s Glue and pour into a seperate mixing bowl. 

  

   

 

 Add 5-10 drops of red and blue  food coloring OR leave white and skip this step.  If adding color, carefully stir the dye into the glue and water solution.

  

Using your measuring cup measure  1 1/3 cups of VERY warm water (BE CAREFUL AND ASK AN ADULT FOR HELP!)

NEXT,  add 2 LEVEL (make sure it’s not heaping!) teaspons of Borax to the water.  We added the Borax to the water in the measuring cup but you can also pour the water into a seperate mixing bowl if you need more room for mixing.  Carefully stir the Borax into the water until it’s disolved.

Now you’re going to carefully pour the water and Borax solution into the other bowl filled with glue, water and food coloring. Then mix the two solutions together. Watch what happens..

The mixture suddenly thickens to a rubbery texture!  Now you need to use your muscles while carefully mixing the purple poop until everything is evenly mixed – there should be no water in the bowl and the poop should not be sticky when done.  If sticky, keep stirring.

This is what it should look like when completely mixed.

What do you do with it now?  I don’t know! – I just know how to make it! *wink*  Go play with it! :-)   Grab a rolling pin, some cookie cutters, etc…stretch it, pull it, twist it, knot it, throw it (outside only please!)

BUT….I do know of ONE REALLY COOL and FUNNY thing you can do with it….

You can make “STINKY STUFF!”

STINKY STUFF (without the STINK!) Recipe 

CAUTION:  This recipe DOES cause extreme fits of giggles! 

1 large plastic tumbler or drinking cup

1 batch of “ONE EYED, ONE HORNED  FLYING PURPLE PEOPLE POOP”

Directions

Plop the “ONE EYED, ONE HORNED, FLYING PURPLE PEOPLE POOP” into the plastic tumbler.

Now start pushing your fingers down into the purple poop until you start hearing some REALLY GROSS sounds.  Just  keep doing it and you’ll start making some disgusting noises that YOU WILL LOVE but your MOM WILL NOT!

Walk up behind someone and do it without them seeing the “STINKY STUFF” and start pushing your finger into the purple poop.  Get ready to run!

Hope you have TONS of fun and REMEMBER to clean up your mess when you’re done! *grin*

 Olive crafty kids, are you one?

x Kim and the  Olive Juniors x 2

 


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