HALLOWEEN CRAFTS

I love this idea from Family Fun magazine for smaller children.  Another great TIP...spray paint the milk jug with glow in the dark paint before putting on the face for some extra GLOW!

Spirit Jugs

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• Rated by 275 members

Total Time Needed:

1 Hour

Stationed on a walkway or porch, these homemade lanterns will extend a ghostly greeting and good-bye to all your holiday visitors.

Materials

• Clean plastic gallon milk jugs
• Black permanent marker

• Craft knife
• String of 50 clear low-wattage holiday lights

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Instructions

1. Draw ghost eyes and mouths on the jugs. Tip: Leave the caps on while you do this, so the jugs don't dent.
   
2. Use the craft knife to cut a half-dollar-size hole in the back of each jug (a parent's job).
3. Arrange the ghosts near each other and string the lights between them, stuffing several bulbs into each of the jugs.

Personalized Gift Bags

Greeting cards and gift bags can be somewhat expensive,and generally get tossed right after the party.  Suddenly a $15.00 gift turns into a $25.00 gift, and if your kids have as many parties to attend as mine, that can really add up.   Here's a great solution, I found this nicely sized plain bag at Target for $1.99, and added some .99 tissue for a total of $3.00.  I had my children decorate the bag with personalized messages and creative drawings (no card needed).  The perfect, inexpensive solution with meaning.

IDEA OF THE WEEK!

I found this cute little gadget on IKEA.com and although it is a "hanging dryer", I think this would make a great place to hang your childs artwork...for only $4.99.  If you live close to IKEA and have some creative kids, this is a must have.

click here for the link

PLEASE BE PATIENT!!

Hi Everyone,

I have had some major computer problems, but should be up and running again soon!  Please be patient and sign up so you will get new ideas as soon as they are posted.

Thanks!!!

Rachael Ray's non profit organization, Yum-o! :: CONTACT US

Rachael Ray's non profit organization, Yum-o! :: CONTACT US

Perfect Pots!

I love this idea for Mother's Day.  My best friend made these with her son for his grandma.  It is an fun, inexpensive, and personalized way to let grandmothers, aunts, or anyone special know how much they are appreciated.  Start with any size terra cotta pot, paint them white, then let your child dip their hands in paint and carefully help them place them on one side of the pot.  Paint simple flowers on the other side.  Don't forget to place the date somewhere on the pot so that special person will always remember the day.  Spray with sealer when the paint is dry to keep them beautiful for years to come.  Thanks Heather!!

The result -  a very easy, personalized gift!

Your little one will have a great time getting messy!

My Favorite Baby Bedding

My favorite baby bedding comes from Bananafish.  They have luxury nursery bedding at an affordable price.  I have used their products in nurseries I designed and it was abolutley beautiful!!  Check out the pictures below of some of my favorites!!  Visit Bananafish and enjoy many other styles and find out where to buy.  Enjoy!!!

Clarissa Bear

 A gorgeous pink and brown bedding

set perfect for any mini diva

Jungle BFF Bedding Set

The animal appliques are made of plush fabrics

and will keep your little one cozy and comfy

Taylor Nursery Bedding

Sophisticated black and white damask

this would look great in a bright pink

or orange nursery also

Easter is a little over a week away, but you can still spend this weekend decorating eggs in a unique way.  I can't wait to try the melted crayon eggs with my kids! 

Melted Crayon Eggs

by NAOMI SHULMAN 

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  Total Time Needed:

30 Minutes or less

When the most humble of art supplies meets the shell of a just-boiled egg, the crayon wax softens, and the colors swirl together in a magical way. The results are fast, fun, and gorgeous.

Materials

• white eggs
• tongs
• empty egg carton
• crayons

Instructions

1. Hard-boil white eggs. Remove them from the hot water with tongs or a slotted spoon, dry them, and rest them in an empty egg carton or on plastic bottle caps (an adult's job).
2. Color them with the crayons' tips or remove the paper coverings and use the crayons' sides. For a speckled effect, grate a crayon and sprinkle the bits over the eggs. The waxy eggs are very slippery, so take care when turning them to color the underside.
3. When you're done coloring, leave them to dry for about an hour.

How to ... Make Leaf Print Eggs

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• Total Time Needed:

1-2 Hours

Instead of opting for the classic egg-dyeing technique this Easter, turn a new leaf with this reverse-stenciling method.

Materials

• Small flat leaves (we used fern, cilantro, dill, thyme, and mint leaves)
• Hard-boiled white eggs
• Nylon stockings, cut into 3-inch-long sections
• Rubber bands
• Water

• White vinegar
• Food coloring
• Large glasses, one for each dye bath (be sure they're wide enough to hold an egg)
• Spoon

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Instructions

1. Lay a leaf on an egg, then cover it with a section of nylon stocking to hold it in place.
2. Pull together both open ends of the stocking, then twist the ends together and secure them with a rubber band.
3. For each dye bath, mix 1/2 cup warm water, 1 teaspoon vinegar, and 10 to 20 drops of food coloring in a glass. Carefully submerge the nylon-wrapped egg in the bath and let it soak for about 4 minutes.
4. Use a spoon to remove the egg from the dye bath and set it on a covered work surface. Carefully remove the rubber band, nylon, and leaf. Allow the egg to dry completely before further handling it.

Dye-ving Dudes

by NAOMI SHULMAN 

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Total Time Needed:

1-2 Hours

These hard-boiled snorkelers are fully equipped for a dip in the blue (or green or pink). For a hilarious centerpiece, display a row of the finished dudes sitting in their dye-ving tanks.

Materials

• Egg dye
• White eggs, hard-boiled
• Permanent marker
• 3/4-inch round white adhesive labels
• 1-inch-wide water-bottle lids
• Small rubber bands

• White glue or glue gun
• Flexible straws
• Self-adhesive foam
• Small clear glasses or bowls (optional)
• Small pitcher (optional)

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Instructions

1. For each snorkeler, dye the bottom third of an egg, then let it dry.
2. Draw eyes on a label and adhere it to a water-bottle lid. Slip the rubber band around the egg, about a quarter of the way down. Glue the lid over a rubber band.
3. Trim a straw 1 inch above and 2 inches below the flexible section. Bend it into a snorkel shape and glue it in place.
4. Cut foam flippers (trace our template ). Glue them to the egg, adhesive side down, and let dry. Stick the adhesive side to the display surface, or, if you like, to the inside of a small glass or bowl. With the pitcher, gently pour in dye until the egg is partly submerged.

Notes:

White glue is kid-friendly but requires drying time; using a glue gun is an adult's job.

Easter is just around the corner, but you can still make some great easter crafts with your little bunnies!  These are some of my favorite from Family Fun magazine.  Have Fun!! and Happy Easter!!

Lucky Rabbit Feet

by Catherine Newman and Jodi Butler 

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Total Time Needed:

1 Hour

Give your child a little bounce in her step by adding jingle-bell bunny faces to a pair of lace-up shoes.

Materials

• Lucky Rabbit Feet template
• felt (white, brown, pink)
• tacky glue

• jingle bells
• pink paint

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Instructions

1. Print out the Lucky Rabbit Feet template.
2. Cut the heads from white stiff felt, the eyes from brown felt, and ear details from pink felt.
3. Attach the features to the faces with tacky glue.
4. Cut two slits for the nose as shown.
5. For added realism, paint two jingle bells pink (ours are 18 mm) and let the paint dry.
6. Thread a bell onto each lace, then thread the ends of the laces through the nose slits. Lace up the shoes and tie as usual.

Organization for Kids

Toys, Art supplies, and everything in between can overtake a child's room without proper organization.  Check out my article here for great organizing tips!

Welcome!

Hi Everyone!!

Welcome to Pikkles & Ice Cream, a blog created to help you design, decorate and organize everything kids.  I hope you will check in often to see what's new and trendy in children's decor.  We will also offer fun and healthy recipes for your kiddos to enjoy, craft projects, and a wealth of useful information. 
Enjoy!!