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DIY Patriotic Flip Flops

June 20, 2019/16 Comments/in Crafts, DIY and Holidays /by Carrie Groneman

Patrotic Beaded Flip Flops

Have you ever made DIY Beaded Flip Flops? It’s a great way to beat the heat on your feet, bring style to your outfit and celebrate all things Patriotic. Of course you can make these any time of year, in any color, but for this tutorial, we are thinking FIREWORKS!

These really east Patriotic beaded DIY Flip Flops shout Red, White and Blue!

They are simple and freehand, so you can make a straight line, or any design you choose; meaning you can’t go wrong and will turn out fabulous.

A terrific art to try, a family activity, girls day , or youth project. Please share with us how your turned out by sending me your picture of your DIY Patriotic Flip Flops to carrie@amothersshadow.com. Now go have some FUN with these!!!

DIY Patriotic Beaded Flip Flops

Supplies:

A Pair of flip flops with the plastic straps

Fishing line

Needles

Beads – tip: make sure the needle(s) will fit through the bead as you choose the beads. Flip Flops

We used regular sewing needles because they were thin enough and strong.

You will want to double the fishing line with a length as long as you can manage.

Better less than more because the line will tangle. Flip Flops 1 To begin, tie a large knot at the end of the fishing line and bring to the outside from the inside first. Flip Flops 2 Go back to the inside and and stitch a few times about 1/4″ or so apart to give it support to the knot. Flip Flops 3

Begin by stringing the first bead on the outside strap and pulling the line through Flip Flops 4 Push the needle through the strap allowing just enough room for the bead and pull through Flip Flops 5 Repeat this step with the red bead, making any design or pattern you desire. Flip Flops 6

It can be a straight row, or zig-zag or wavy.

The only requirement is that you have fun with it. Flip Flops 7 When you reach the end of the thread, tie if off by making a loop… Flip Flops 8 Take your needle through the loop Flip Flops 9

And pull the thread to form a knot.

Do a few zig-zag stitches through a previous hole used for a bead to make a strong knot. Flip Flops 10 At the middle point, stay behind the post with your needle as shown here.

It will look nicer and it’s too difficult to poke through anyway. Flip Flops 11 Continue beading until both straps are decorated to your creative flair. Flip Flops 12

And now you have a unique and stylish pair of flip flops!

Copyright Carrie Groneman, A Mother’s Shadow, 2014, 2018

Recognize a blessing and be a blessing today.

Thanksgiving EASY and Homemade Hostess Gifts

November 14, 2018/7 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Carrie Groneman

Thank you for dinner or Thanksgiving party

Are you look for some Thanksgiving EASY and Homemade Hostess Gifts to take during the holidays?

I believe that showing appreciation for someone who has taken the time to invite others over for a meal, pie, or simply to share company goes a long way; especially these days of such little face-to-face communication because of our amazing technology.

Expressing gratitude like these Thanksgiving EASY and Homemade Hostess Gifts can be inexpensive, quick, usable and very meaningful.

Let me share with you some ideas and you can get your creative juices flowing from there:)

This is SO quick, simply stop at your local candy store and Dollar Tree, or grocery store and pick up a plate and bowl (or just one) and fill it with seasonal candy. Wrap it all up in the clear cellophane and tie it with a bow.

Thank you for dinner or Thanksgiving party

This is a terrific idea if you have been invited, but you cannot attend because of distance OR you want to send a Thanksgiving Thinking Of You to a family or college student. Check out my post on sending THIS in the Mail

Thank you for dinner or Thanksgiving party

A nice candle with the Unique GRATEFUL Stenciled Towel HERE tucked in a nice gift bag or a basket would be a terrific gift.

Thank you for dinner or Thanksgiving party

Or the Creative PUMPKIN Stenciled Towel HERE with a Pumpkin Scented or decorated candle in an orange gift sack, or in a pumpkin basket would be fabulous!

Thank you for dinner or Thanksgiving party

bag or basket would be really appreciated

In a clear cellophane bag or a fall themed bag, fill with any one of my popcorn recipes. I have a link HERE with SIX of my most popular Popcorn Recipes that I think you’ll want to make one, or all six of them to take as a hostess/host gift, or to family and friends to let them know how grateful you are they are in your life.

Thank you for dinner or Thanksgiving party

Or you can simply fill the bags with purchased candy. If you can find fall colored candy, such as these here: Hershey’s Kisses, Sixlets and M&M’s that makes it even more fun.

Thank you for dinner or Thanksgiving party

To finish the easy cellophane bags off with one of the BEST and favorite treats, these White Chocolate Covered Corn Pops are scrumptious. Click HERE for the recipe

Thank you for dinner or Thanksgiving party

Simple is great! A nice soap with a bow on it is usable and budget friendly.

Thank you for dinner or Thanksgiving party

Now if you want to thank YOUR guests for coming, or if you want to take a little gratitude treat to those who will be there, here is an idea. Something like these little triangle boxes hold about 1 full Tablespoon of Sixlet and M&M candies and 1 Hershey Kiss.

These could also be NAME PLACE CARDS at the table, or put on a THANK YOU or THANKSGIVING sticker to personalize them.

hank you for dinner or Thanksgiving party

Copyright Carrie Groneman, A Mother’s Shadow, 2018

Recognize a blessing and be a blessing today.

A candy lei to wear and give at Halloween

Halloween Candy Lei

October 20, 2018/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Carrie Groneman

Lei made from candy, netting and in Halloween colors

This Halloween Candy Lei is the perfect SWEET gift for anyone of any age!

It’s difficult to find projects that are inexpensive for teens and that they will actually like, and want. But this Halloween Candy Lei fits perfectly! Teens will have fun making these for them self, or for their friends, or have them make these at a party! Put out candy that will fit in the netting (as described below) and let them choose the kind they want to put in their lei. To keep your costs down, you can have popcorn or other snack food for them to munch on while they make their lei and kindly limit the candy count to whatever your budget will accommodate for each person.

It’s a terrific treat for a parent to give to your kids.

The Halloween Candy Lei is an especially great gift for a grandparent to make and even send in the mail. See my post Did You Know You Can Send THAT In The Mail for fun ways to mail it off!

The Halloween Candy Lei is so EASY, QUICK and SIMPLE with no tricks involved, only TREATS:)

HALLOWEEN CANDY LEI

Supplies:

Click on the name/title to go right to the item for easy shopping

This Halloween 10″ mesh ribbon/tulle would work well for mini candy bars and small size candy *personally, I prefer to use this size just to be safe. You can always put 2 pieces of small candy in it if it looks like it needs it.

This regular 6″ Halloween tulle netting works for very small/mini sized candy

Curling ribbon in your choice of color

Any mini and small candy, it just needs to fit in the tulle netting you choose

Directions:

Place candy in center of tulle.

Halloween Candy Lei

Take one side of the tuelle of the candy.Wrap the other side of the tuelle over the candy.Tie curling ribbon close to the candy to hold in securely so it won’t fall out.

Halloween Candy Lei

Option: tie candy into the ribbon if it it too large to hold securely.Curl the ribbon.

Tie the ends of the tuelle together in a square knot to form a lei.

Halloween Candy Lei

Another option is to loop one end and have it more of a hanging type of candy holder as shown below.

Halloween Candy Lei

Copyright Carrie Groneman, A Mother’s Shadow, 2013, 2018

Recognize a blessing and be a blessing today.

Kids thumbprint made into a pumpkin in a Halloween picture

Halloween Kids Thumbprint Pumpkin Keepsake Picture

October 18, 2018/9 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Carrie Groneman

A memento of kids thumbprint in holiday picture form

This Halloween Kids Thumbprint Pumpkin Keepsake Picture is a KEEPER for any mom, grandma, aunt; everyone will LOVE this picture.

See, the pumpkins are the kiddos thumbprint, isn’t that the most awesome idea ever!

And the vine has the first letter of their name in the detail!

As your kids or grand kids are added to your family, so are the pumpkins, so this picture can be displayed year after year.

The Halloween Kids Thumbprint Pumpkin Keepsake Picture a wonderful treasured decoration for fall or Halloween.

Halloween Kids Thumbprint Pumpkin Keepsake Picture

Supplies:

Click on the title or word to go to the product(s) if desired

8×10 stretch canvas

Foam stick on decorations, HERE is an idea, and ONE and ANOTHER,

Orange, green and black paint, HERE is a great paint set

Paint brush, THIS is a good set

Halloween Thumbprint Pumpkin Keepsake Picture

Directions:

Lay the largest piece(s) of foam decoration you are using on the canvas, placing where you would like it to be.

Trace it lightly with a pencil, then remove it.

Dip the child’s finger or thumb into the paint and help place it where you desire, applying pressure and helping to roll the thumb.

When the paint is dry use the brush to draw the stem and leaves, making the child’s first initial, or even the name, as part of the stem.

You can see in these pumpkins’ there is an “R”.

Draw faces on the pumpkins with the black paint and brush.

Now place the large piece of foam, such as the tree, in place and decorate with any other pieces to fill in the space as desired.

Halloween Thumbprint Pumpkin Keepsake Picture

A HUGE thank you to my daughters-in-law Ashley and Tawni for making this for Stan and me, we love it!

Copyright Carrie Groneman, A Mother’s Shadow, 2014, 2018

Recognize a blessing and be a blessing today.

Halloween mini lights strung with fabric and netting

DIY Halloween Garland

October 14, 2018/8 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Carrie Groneman

Halloween Decoration for your home

It’s incredibly easy with my step-by-step tutorial and perfect to do while watching a movie, or visiting with family and friends.

All you do is rip or cut fabric strips and tie half a knot, that’s all there is to it!

By making your own DIY Halloween Garland Spooky homemade decoraction you can match your Halloween decor or use what you find on sale.

This is also a wonderful activity to involve the kids or the entire family.

Great for a girls craft night.

So fun, you could make one for a relative or neighbor.

Make Your Own Spooky Garland

Supplies:

You can click on the titles I have in colored print below to go directly to the products.

Also, you can easily adjust for a different length of light cord. I show measurements for a 7 foot cord, but 1 1/2 times the measurements for a 10 foot cord, 3 times the measurements for a 20 foot cord and so on. It’s a very forgiving pattern; just tie on the fabric and mesh strips to your liking.

3 1/2 – 4 yards of 42″-45″ wide fabric.

Recommended to get 2 different patterns that compliment each other of approx.2 yards each (to give yourself plenty to finish the project, extra is better then running out). It must be 100% cotton so that it tears easily I have links here to make it easy if you’d like to check these supplies out.

Spider Web Glow in the Dark fabric HERE

Pumpkin Heads Fabric HERE

CANDY CORN HERE,

3 packages of 10″ wide and 30 feet long mesh ribbon click HERE to see GREEN

7 foot light strand- Click HERE for PUKMPKIN lights,

Purple lights, but not sure the length

DIY Halloween Garland

TIP* we actually found that using TWO strands of lights worked better than just one, so you might want to double the light strands like we did, though I only show one in the tutorial. Instructions: Cut the 42″-45″ width fabric at 1 inch intervals, beginning on the short end of the fabric –

DIY Halloween Garland

cut several at a time as you go, but not all at once, just in case you do not need all the fabric, then you can use it for something else.

Rip the length of the fabric giving you a 1 inch wide by 42″-45″ strip of fabric.

DIY Halloween Garland

Measure the strip and divide it into fourths and that is where you will cut giving you 4 pieces that are approximately 9 1/2″ – 11″ long

DIY Halloween Garland

With the mesh ribbon cut it at 10″-11″, whichever works best for the length of fabric you have pieces of.

DIY Spooky Halloween Garland

Again, cut as you go, but not all the roll just in case you have extra you will be able to use it for another project.

DIY Spooky Halloween Garland

Taking the mesh ribbon, fold it over, dividing it into thirds.

DIY Spooky Halloween Garland

Try to be consistent, but does not have to be exact.

Taking the mesh ribbon, fold it over, dividing it into thirds.

Cut along the long sides, giving you 3 pieces of the 10″-11″ mesh.

Begin to tie the fabric alternating with one pattern the mesh ribbon, the other pattern, the mesh ribbon, etc.

DIY Spooky Halloween Garland

*Again, this shows using only one cord, but I recommend two cords for better light when finished to show through the fabric.

DIY Spooky Halloween Garland

Continue as shown,

DIY Spooky Halloween Garland

All the way down the length of the cord.And that’s it!

DIY Spooky Halloween Garland

Now you have your own Halloween Garland to drape anywhere you’d like.

Halloween Decoration for your home

Copyright Carrie Groneman, A Mother’s Shadow, 2014, 2018

Recognize a blessing and be a blessing today.

how to use stencils on a pillowcase with kids, for yourself, or a gift

DIY Stenciled Pillowcases

August 29, 2018/2 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Carrie Groneman

How to easily make them and ways to gift them

Doing crafts with the kids, grand kids or a youth group is a great way to spend time together and have fun.

However, do you ever wish you could find something they could learn from while participating, was practical, inexpensive and they would actually enjoy making it?

These DIY Stenciled Pillowcases are THE answer!

The stenciling is a great way to teach a new form of art, or how to paint and decorate in a different way.

Stenciling is easy and the results are always picture-perfect because there is no right or wrong. It’s creative, individual and allows the person to have help with design.

Our family can’t say enough about the STENCILS we used from STENCIL REVOLUTION. to create our pillowcases.

Here’s why Stencil Revolution Stencils are the BEST

They are high quality products
The kids used them, then the adults, and they held up extremely well!
The variety of stencils are huge!
There are several options in sizes of the same stencil.
The customer service at Stencil Revolution is outstanding!
Because of the variety in choice and size of these stencils, the possibilities are in the millions….ok, just wanted to see if you were still reading:) But it’s A LOT!

We first started by letting the kids, my grand kids stencil their own pillowcase.

After giving them a little lesson on how to use the stencils (see my post HERE on stenciling Windsocks for a tutorial and video for more information) and the paint sponges they went to work.

How to easily make them and ways to gift them

It was a wonderful time to watch them be creative, mix the colors and be imaginative on how they wanted to express them-self on their very own pillowcase.

No technology. No television. We talked, laughed, shared stories and PLAYED by learning and trying something new.

How to easily make them and ways to gift them

And the result….

WOW! That’s really cool!!!

How to easily make them and ways to gift them

Love those happy, proud faces when they see how they accomplished something amazing and finish a project.

How to easily make them and ways to gift them

To make your own DIY Stenciled Pillowcases for youself, or with your family, here is a list of what you’ll need –

Supplies:

FIRST visit Stencil Revolution HERE and choose the stencils you want for you project. They have SO many quality options for you in various sizes too! The shipping is extremely quick and if you have any questions at all during your check out process, the friendly and helpful staff are there to help you all the way!

Pillowcases such as THESE

Plastic Paint Tray Palettes like THESE

Acrylic Paint like THIS

Round Sponge Brushes like THIS

Paint Brushes for those small details and to personalize – optional, like THESE

Painters Tape – optional, like THIS

Disposable Table Covers, THIS is a pack of 4

Tawni, my daughter-in-law aka one of the mom’s, wanted to make a pillowcase for her toddler son, my youngest grandson. She did a marvelous job using the small dinosaurs STENCIL REVOLUTION Stencils!

How to easily make them and ways to gift them

w to easily make them and ways to gift them

As I mentioned at the beginning, these will make ideal gifts. HOW?

First I need to show you this –

My husband Stan using the BUTTERFLY STENCIL REVOLUTION

and paint sponge made this adorable butterfly.

How to easily make them and ways to gift them

After quickly and easily painting the stencil his butterfly looked like this on the pillowcase.

How to easily make them and ways to gift them

He also made a vine and then it turned out like this:

How to easily make them and ways to gift them

I LOVE how it turned out!!!

For a gifted pillowcase, it doesn’t need complicated, or involved. It can be simple, quick for you to make, but look extraordinary and considered the best gift they have received because it’s practical and needed!

How to easily make them and ways to gift them

A FEW of the MANY WAYS TO GIFT A DIY STENCILED PILLOW CASE:

Let the family, or extended family, make their own for an activity to spend time together
To have their own on campouts
To take on a trip, or reunion
For a birthday gift
For a graduate’s gift – high school or college, it would be a wonderful gift You could use the STATE STENCIL for where they are going to school, or the SPORTS STENCIL if they have a favorite, or put in their name with these LETTER STENCILS
For a bridal shower, the new bride would really think this was special to have a pillowcase or two with any of these WEDDING STENCILS painted on them.

The ideas are in the billions!!!

Here’s how one of the kids pillowcases turned out –

How to easily make them and ways to gift them

And another one-

How to easily make them and ways to gift them

And lastly this one!!!

How to easily make them and ways to gift them

ow to easily make them and ways to gift them

I hope you’ll send your pictures of what you make with STENCIL REVOLUTION products so we can see what you’ve made. Share with us at: A Mother’s Shadow on Instagram, the blog and FB too. We want to thank STENCIL REVOLUTION for their generosity. We all had such a great time making these Pillowcases together!

Copyright Carrie Groneman, A Mother’s Shadow, 2018
Recognize a blessing and be a blessing today.

DIY Valentine Card

January 30, 2018/9 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Carrie Groneman

DIY Valentine Card

Dorthy is back with a fabulous card that can be easily made into a Valentine’s card, a Wedding Card, an Anniversary Card, or to say ‘I Love You’ any time of the year.

This craft comes together quick, is inexpensive and uses supplies on hand.

A personalized way to say that you care.

Supplies and directions are listed below in an easy to print form, but here is a tutorial to help you with your project:

Cut out the paper pieces as instructed. DIY Valentine Card 1 Trace the heart from the pattern below onto your choice of patterned paper. DIY Wedding Card 2 Fold the 4×11″ cardstock in half.

Center and glue the 3.5×5″ printed paper on the front of the card.

Glue the .5×4″ red cardstock, 2 inches from the bottom.

NOTE: Use care to ONLY glue the very sides of the band to the card. DIY Wedding Card 3 Glue the jewels on the edges of the band or brads. DIY Wedding Card 4

With a small (not the regular size) hole punch make an opening in the top of the pattern. DIY Wedding Card 5 Fold the ribbon in half and push the folded edge from the back to the front. DIY Wedding Card 6 Slide the heart through the band and glue the heart into place. DIY Wedding Card 7 EASY, economical and personalized.

Thank you Dorthy for sharing with us this very versatile card!

Here are the complete instructions, including the heart to trace:

Recognize a blessing and be a blessing today.

DYI Embellished Notebook

January 29, 2018/2 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Carrie Groneman

DIY Embellished Notebook

Dorthy is helping us again! This notebook would be a great present for any occasion, depending on the paper you choose. Make one for every holiday and season! An inexpensive, easy craft for teens, girls-day-out activity, a wonderful birthday or Mother’s Day gift – so many uses for yourself, or as a gift! Mix and match papers from scraps you have and add a fun patterned pencil to make it even more special.

DIY Covered Notebook

The complete supply list and detailed instructions follow, however, here are some pictures for a tutorial to help you along making your own covered notebooks.Cut out the paper pieces as directed. DYI Embellished Notebook 2 Cut one piece of printed ribbon 6: long. DYI Embellished Notebook 3 Cut the remaining length into 4″ long pieces. DYI Embellished Notebook 4

Take the 6×6″ piece of paper and lay it face down against the wire rings

Mark each hole with a pencil mark. DYI Embellished Notebook 5 Draw a line 1/8″ from the top of the paper at the pencil marks DYI Embellished Notebook 6 Using a small hole punch (not the regular size), punch holes at each pencil mark.

Make a small slit with scissors from the edge of the paper to the the hole you punched. Continue across the paper. DYI Embellished Notebook 7 Using a glue stick glue the paper to the front of the notebook, making sure the holes match. Glue around the edge of the entire piece of paper. DYI Embellished Notebook 8

Carefully put in place, matching the holes of the paper to the rings on the notebook. DYI Embellished Notebook 9 Use a pencil to push the paper down between the rings. DYI Embellished Notebook 10

And from the inside also. DYI Embellished Notebook 11 Glue the 3.5″ x 6″ paper to the bottom of the notebook. DYI Embellished Notebook 12

Glue the 6″ piece of ribbon over the seam between the papers DYI Embellished Notebook 13

Press down to secure. DYI Embellished Notebook 14 Glue on embellishment.
DYI Embellished Notebook 15 Fold a 4″ piece of ribbon in half DYI Embellished Notebook 16