Rice Painting - Contributor Post

Do you have vinegar, rice and food coloring? Then you have an afternoon of entertainment! Samantha from Heart-shaped Leaves gives a tutorial that even I can follow!

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A while ago, a friend of mine passed on a link to a tutorial for colored rice and I was intrigued. So I bought the necessary ingredients (rice, vinegar and food coloring) and set Jack up at the table. We poured I think it was 2 tbsps of vinegar into four small bowls and then added 4 drops of food coloring. Then we added 1 tbsp of rice and let it soak.

After soaking we drained the rice and sat that out to let it dry.

After it had dried we went in search of the glue only to be unable to find it. This drove me crazy, but I still forget to buy any when I went to the store. Fast forward to later that week when I accidentally found the glue in the box where I looked earlier. I still haven't found the glue stick though.

So I set Jack back up at the table, this time with heavy paper (I used the back side of some watercolor paper), the rice, glue and a paintbrush. The only suggestions I gave him were to keep in mind that lots of glue meant longer drying times and that he couldn't glue the paintbrush to the paper. 

and the finished product

Check out more of her amazing crafts for kids on Heart-shaped Leaves!


 

Easter Crafts, Foods and Fun - Blog Share

Doing Easter last minute? We've got some ideas for you!


First of all, invite over friends! Yes, this is Jackie and her family from Accidentally Mommy!

Now, we're just dyeing eggs because that's all some of us can handle, for real. But there are other crafts you can tackle, perhaps, one could say, of a higher calibre...

Samantha Williams shows us plebs how to make string eggs over on Heart Shaped Leaves.

A complete, step-by-step how-to, made easy for people even just slightly craftier than I am!









Of course, we're busy concentrating on just getting some color on the real eggs.














But that's not the only fun to be had! After the eggs get colored, you get to go on Easter Egg hunts. And sometimes, if you're really freaking cool, you get to do it in the dark...with flashlights, like Tracey from Inside the Mommyvan. Check it out.

Some of us, though...we're still just chugging away. Work, work work.














And the whole time, we're striving not to break those darn eggs. But what would happen if you let your kids stand on the eggs? Literally walking on eggshells. Alex Nguyen over at Alex Nguyen Portraits found out. And you won't believe your eyes!

Not even a joke, guys, not even a joke.

Of course...we aren't so lucky.

Good thing I'm hungry! (And super duper attractive!)

Now, you might not be into hard-boiled-egg-that-just-fell-on-on-the-floor (though I'd question your taste, because obviously delicious).






If you're looking for something a little more impressive, JJ on Low So Paleo has got a brunch idea that's not only appetizing, but also Paleo friendly!

Okay, now that we've eaten...back to work!

Looking good (if blurry. Way to go, photographer.)





So, we're just about ready for Easter Day!

But when the Easter Bunny comes, maybe he feels like filling those plastic jobbies with something other than candy or money this year...if so Joella at Fine and Fair has some great alternatives to put in the Easter basket.









So, there you have it. Easter in an eggshell.

 

Tape Painting - Contributor Post

Contributor Samantha has a great idea for revamping your painting activities! To see more creative wonders, make sure you visit Heart Shaped Leaves!

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The other day we tried something a little different when we were painting. I had the kids stick regular scotch tape to their canvases and then paint over them. The result was pretty neat, and definitely something we are going to try again. 

Step one: stick tape to canvas. (I originally wanted to use masking tape because I think it might peel off the canvas better, but scotch tape worked just fine. You may want to use masking tape if you are using paper though.)

 Step two: Paint over tape.

Step three: Once the paint is dry, you can then peel the tape off and hang up your masterpiece!

Jack's

Ava's

 

Blog on Fire

Jo over at Bum Bum Germs gave me an award this week. The rules are I'm to write seven things about myself, and then give the award to five other bloggers. Thanks, Jo!

So, here goes:

1) I always underestimate the time a task will take me. In fact, just now I spent NINETY MINUTES cleaning out my upper cabinets. I'd sectioned an hour for BOTH the upper and the lower cabinets. Fail.

2) I bite my nails. My mother says I've been biting them since before the babies' age. So far, they don't bite their nails. YAY FOREVER. Last week I'd been able to let my nails grow for two or maybe even three weeks. The nails hadn't even reached the end of my fingers at that point. Gross. I'd really like to pain my nails, too. Anyone have any suggestions?

3) I have no idea what my future looks like. The only thing I know about it is that my family will be there. That's all I need to know, to be honest.

4) Autumn is my favorite season. I particularly miss Connecticut at this time of year. Quite sharply actually. The hoodies, the flannels, the boots, the jackets, the pumpkin spice lattes, the leaves -- they all fill me with hope and joy for some reason. Florida may not have changing vibrant leaves, but it does have amazing autumn sunsets.

5) I ate sushi and went to a three-hour movie six hours before I gave birth. (In my defense, they were early. In defense of the sushi...whatever, I do what I want. Oops.)

6) On the rare occasions I sing karaoke, I'll usually sing You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi.

7) Halloween is my favorite holiday, but I still don't know what to dress the girls as. The possibilities...

Now, to give this award to 5 blogs that are awesome:

- Aias dot ca; This blog is topnotch. Hilarious, cute, wonderful, clever and smart.
- Crazy About My Baybah; An intimate peek into family life, full of love, happiness and a dash of sarcasm here and there.
- Heart Shaped Leaves; A crafty, cooky blog, but with the event of a new baby in the mix, lots of squishy newborn pictures!
- The Woman Formerly Known as Beautiful; a blog right up my alley, plus she just outstripped me on Babble's list, so you know she's got to be good!
- Diaries of a Grumpy Grateful Mom; honest, genuine, down and dirty and yet full of light, this blog will make you laugh.


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If you like this blog, please vote on Babble.com. Tales of an Unlikely Mother is number 17, just scroll down and click on the thumbs up! Thank you so, so much.

A Barefoot (Books!) Summer - Guest Blog

Samantha Williams is a talented cook, wonderful mother and avid reader. She combines all three every day and was gracious enough to write a post for me highlighting her latest project: Barefoot Books. She blogs her magnificent meals over at Heartshaped Leaves.

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First I want to offer a huge thank you to Darlena for giving me the opportunity to spread the word about Barefoot Books.

Barefoot Books is an amazing company that offers books to children that inspire creativity, encourage imagination and foster a love of the earth and diversity. Plus they do all that without relying on mainstream characters, which to me is a huge plus. The books are incredibly well illustrated and even more so they are well written.

Barefoot Books operates on five core values: Imagine, Explore, Create, Connect, Give Back.

Imagine
We offer books that are an authentic alternative to the commercialization of childhood. We encourage children to make time for make-believe, let their imaginations run wild and free, while never forgetting that childhood is a time for fun.

Explore
We help children explore other cultures, our planet, and themselves, providing them with ways to follow their imaginations on extraordinary journeys, both inner and outer.

Create
We believe that books with beautiful art and meaningful stories respect the innate wisdom of children and have the power to nourish the creative spark in everyone.

Connect
We are committed to using story to create deep and lasting connections—whether it’s a child and parent connecting over a book; a child connecting to the universal wisdom of other cultures; or a broad network of people connecting through shared values and the desire to help children become happy, engaged members of a global community.

Give Back
We support organizations that share our goals of global understanding, empowering children through art and story, and protecting and preserving the earth for future generations.

The month of July is an especially good month to support Barefoot Books. Our summer sale starts on July 15th and runs until August 15th. Our summer sale covers bestsellers and limited collectibles.
Also for every Bear's Birthday book purchased between July 1st and July 31st, Barefoot Books will donate a new book to the charity Birthday Wishes. Birthday Wishes brings birthday parties to homeless children, founded on the belief that everyone should have a birthday celebration.

I personally love the books because they really do get my son excited about reading. As soon as he sees me pull up the Barefoot Books website, he is in my lap telling me which book he wants. Not to mention he loves getting the books in the mail too, I mean what little kid doesn't like receiving mail?

But Barefoot Books isn't all books, we also offer puppets, puzzles, silk dress up skirts, and activity cards, there really is something to be found for everyone.

A few of our favorites are:

I dreamt I was a Dinosaur

 Life on Earth matching game

Yoga Pretzels

I do hope you will at least take a moment to browse our fantastic selection of books by visiting my marketplace: Barefoot Books.


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I am Samantha, a 26 year old stay at home mom to a three year old named Jack. I am married to the Army, I mean my husband serves in the Army. Our family is expecting a little girl around July 11th and we are all very excited. Well I am excited, I think the others are too. ;)

Let's see, what else, if you visit my blog you will find posts about food and food photography, I like cooking and taking pictures of the food I make. I also believe that reading is something every child should experience from an early age, this is why I joined Barefoot Books as an ambassador. and why I am now writing a mini bio about myself for this guest blog spot about Barefoot Books, enjoy!