Sticker I Spy

My kids have TONS of stickers!  They love getting them, but for some reason they don't like using them, so we have an entire shoe box tote full of stickers.  So, I thought I'd put some of these stickers to good use and made I Spy Sticker pages.

They were really simple to put together.  I took a piece of cardstock and covered it in stickers.  I used a few big ones, filled in a majority of the space with small to medium sized stickers, then filled in the small spots with those really tiny sticker chart stickers.  There are easily over 100 stickers on the page. 

I slipped the cardstock into a page protector.  I printed a page that had a list of all the stickers that were on the page and slipped it in the page protector behind the sticker page.  This would be a great little game to keep in the car.  The older kids can read their list on the back to find things on their own.  Or the kids can look at each other's sticker page and tell the other what to find.

What do you spy on our sticker pages?

Sharing at...

Sun Scholars

Blogiversary Winners!

I apologize for the delay in announcing the winners for the Blogiversary Giveaways.  I honestly bit off a little more than I could chew, trying to host the giveaways and plan and prepare for my daughter's birthday party.  Sorry!  But, here are the winners for the three giveaways, chosen using Random.org.

The winner for day #1, the eye spy jar, is...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

1

Timestamp: 2011-08-03 00:05:02 UTC

"Christie said...

I would love to win this for my girls! I keep meaning to make one but never seem to find the time or materials to do it.

July 12, 2011 12:28 PM"

The winner for day #2, the mosaic pot craft kit, is...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

6

Timestamp: 2011-08-03 00:00:55 UTC

"annakim23 said...

This looks like a perfect craft to do with a toddler!

July 14, 2011 10:27 PM"

The winner for day #3, the journal giveaway, is...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
8
Timestamp: 2011-08-06 22:05:10 UTC


"Heidi @ Mom's Crafty Space said...

I'm a follower :)
July 21, 2011 12:53 PM "

Congratulations to all of the winners!  Please contact me at themuddyprincess@gmail.com with your full name and mailing address.  Please contact me by Thursday, August 4th.  If I do not here from the winners by the end of the day on the 4th, I will choose a new winner.

Pirate Princess Birthday Party

My daughter recently celebrated her 5th birthday with a Pirate Princess party.  My inspiration came from Jake and the Neverland Pirates, a new show on Disney Junior, and one of her favorites.

I started by making this invitation to send out to all her pirate friends.  I found the adorable pirate girl graphics HERE.

With the extreme heat, we knew this year's party would definitely need to revolve around the pool, so the decorations went up around the pool area. 

I made the "Pirate Lagoon" sign on a piece of butcher paper and attached it to a hula hoop coverd in black crepe paper.  The pink bunting was made from a vinyl shower curtain I bought on clearance at Target.  I cut out the triangles and sewed them together.

I purchased the white net from Oriental Trading Company and made the pink/black/white scrap banners with some leftover fabric I had.

I did add this extra bunting and wooden X in our front yard by the mailbox.  This would help guests find where X marked the spot for the party!

For the party, we provided some pirate goodies for our guests.  Pirate friends who attended, each received a pirate bandana and a handmade eye patch.  For the eye patch I purchased stretchy headbands and sewed on a pirate patch shape cut from felt.  The pink designs were cut using my Cuttlebug, and attached with sticky dots.

I made newspaper swords for big brother and his friend, following the tutorial at Filth Wizardry.  The pirates also decorated a wooden treasure box.

The birthday pirate princess had a special outfit to wear for the day as well.  I didn't get many pics of her in this because most of our time was spent in the pool.  I made the pirate skirt a while ago and created this shirt to go with it.  And Heather, over at Celtic Tide Creations, was kind enough to create this Izzy (from Jake and the Neverland Pirates) hair clip.

Besides lots of giggling and splashing in the pool, the pirate friends also went on a treasure hunt.  I made up some clues for the kids to follow.  To make them look old, I tore the edges of the paper, then soaked each piece in a bowl of soda and soy sauce.  They ended up with this nice vintage looking color.

The pirates found the treasure where X marked the spot -  in the sandbox!  Then everyone gathered around to collect their loot and add it to their treasure boxes they decorated when they arrived.  Treasure included rings, necklaces, pirate coins and tattoos.  I even made some of the pretty pink pirate coins into old looking coins for big brother and his friend using gold spray paint and brown acrylic paint.

Of course, no party is complete without a birthday cake.  Here is the cake and cupcakes I made.  The same graphics I used for the invitations were the same ones I used for the cupcake toppers.

It was a fantastic party had by all!  My daughter had a blast celebrating with her pirate princess friends.  Seeing all those big bright smiles behind pink frosting covered faces and pink bandana covered heads was all the proof I needed to know, "this was the best birthday ever!"  :)

Sharing our party at the following blogs:

The Girl Creative

Making the World Cuter

Sumo's Sweet Stuff

Today's Creative Blog

Tip Junkie

Sugar Bee Crafts

Skip to My Lou

Blue Cricket Design

Someday Crafts

Trendy Treehouse

It's So Very Cheri

733 - A Creative Blog

Women Who Do it All

Sew Much Ado

Sun Scholars

The Muddy Princess Blogiversary and Day 3 Giveaway!

Today is the last day of giveaways and this one is for learning.  Back in the Fall, I posted about a Mommy & Me Journal that I created for my son and I to use to write back in forth to one another.  It was a great project, because not only did we get to write fun little notes to each other, but it gave my son the opportunity to practice his writing skills. 

One reader will have the chance to win their own personalized journal.  You can choose any combination from the following:
* Mother
* Father
* Son
* Daughter
* Brother
* Sister

I did Mother and Son, since my son was in the first grade and becoming a blossoming writer.  But you could also do Mother and Daughter or even Brother and Sister.  If you win, the choice is yours!


You have 3 chances to enter.

* For your first entry (mandatory), post a comment telling me why you'd like to win this journal and who you would have it made for.
* For your second entry (optional), become a follower of The Muddy Princess blog and post a comment telling me you are a follower.
* For your third entry (optional), "like" The Muddy Princess page on Facebook and post a comment telling me you like the FB page.

Entries will be accepted until Sunday, July 17, 2011 Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 12:00 pm (noon), EST. Winners will be announced here at the blog on Monday, July 18th Friday, July 22, 2011. Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their mailing information. If I do not hear from the winners within that time, a new winner will be selected.

And don't forget to check out the giveaways for Day 1 and Day 2!  Good luck!

Glitter Toes

Now that we are totally into flip-flop season, I wanted to share this very cute way to glam up your toenails for the summer!  Creating glitter toes is fairly simple, but the results are really pretty. 

I started by putting a clear base coat on my toenails, then sprinkling craft glitter on top.  Make sure you have a piece of paper or paper towel underneath your feet to catch the extra glitter.  Only do 1-2 toes at a time, so the glitter can stick and the polish doesn't dry too quickly.  After you have the glitter applied to all your toes, give them 5-10 minutes to dry and set up, then apply a clear top coat.  I recommend keeping one bottle of top coat just for glitter toes, since some of the glitter will stick to your brush and end up in your top coat.

I used a basic fine craft glitter and it was easy to apply.  I have almost every color of the rainbow, so I'll have to try another color soon.  Glitter toes are easy to create and really fun to wear!  What color glitter toes will you wear?

The Muddy Princess Blogiversary and Day 2 Giveaway!

It's day 2 of celebrating my one year blogiversary and today's giveaway prize is for crafting.  Remember THIS post about the simple faux mosaic pots I did with my kids?  Well, one reader will win a mosaic pot craft kit to make one of their very own!  The mosaic pot craft kit will include one terra cotta pot and saucer, one bag of Crayola model magic clay and a bag of various stones/gems/sequins to decorate your pot.

You have 3 chances to enter.

* For your first entry (mandatory), post a comment telling me why you'd like to win this mosaic pot craft kit.
* For your second entry (optional), become a follower of The Muddy Princess blog and post a comment telling me you are a follower.
* For your third entry (optional), "like" The Muddy Princess page on Facebook and post a comment telling me you like the FB page.

Entries will be accepted until Sunday, July 17, 2011 Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 12:00 pm (noon), EST. Winners will be announced here at the blog on Monday, July 18th Friday, July 22, 2011. Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their mailing information. If I do not hear from the winners within that time, a new winner will be selected.

Did you miss yesterday's giveaway?  You still have time to enter that one too!  Check it our HERE and good luck!



Easy Patriotic Treat

These ice cream sandwich treats are easy to make and perfect for any summertime get-together.  All you need is a box of ice cream sandwiches and some red, white and blue sprinkles.  To get better coverage, I cut each sandwich in half, then dipped all the sides into the sprinkles.  Store back in the freezer until you are ready to serve.  Kids already love this ice cream treat, and the sprinkles make them even more fun!

The Muddy Princess Blogiversary and Giveaway!

One year ago today, I started my blogging journey.  This first year has been quite the adventure, but I've learned so much about blogging and have been inspired by so many others.  I've met some great mom bloggers, have had some fantastic opportunities, and have even been able to put my craft talents to use for a good cause. 

I wanted to do a little something to celebrate and decided to do a few giveaways.  Here at The Muddy Princess we like to play, craft and learn, so I wanted to help 3 lucky winners do that with our prizes.  Today's giveaway is for playing.

One lucky reader of The Muddy Princess will win this handmade I Spy Jar.  My kids loved these when they were younger!  This I Spy Jar is perfect for the younger crowd, toddler to preschooler.  The jar is also the perfect size to keep in the car or even stash in your bag for emergency entertainment (like waiting in a long line at the grocery store).  This I Spy Jar is filled with rice and 10 different colored items.  There is also a handy card attached to help keep track of the items you are looking for.  The lid has been securely attached, to keep the rice and small items safely inside.

You have 3 chances to enter. 

* For your first entry (mandatory), post a comment telling me why you'd like to win this I Spy Jar.
* For your second entry (optional), become a follower of The Muddy Princess blog and post a comment telling me you are a follower.
* For your third entry (optional), "like" The Muddy Princess page on Facebook and post a comment telling me you like the FB page.

Entries will be accepted until Sunday, July 17, 2011 Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 12:00 pm (noon), EST.  Winners will be announced here at the blog on Monday, July 18th Friday, July 22, 2011.  Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their mailing information.  If I do not hear from the winners within that time, a new winner will be selected.

I hope you have enjoyed the craftiness that has been supplied here at The Muddy Princess during this first year.  I truly appreciate everyone's support and encouragement and am looking forward to another great year of crafting!

Flag Windsock

Last week was supposed to be week three of our at-home summer camp, but my son attended a half day art camp all week and we just didn't have enough time to work on things.  The week one overview can be found HERE.  But, today I wanted to share with you one of our easy crafts we completed during our week two at-home summer camp.  The theme was America the Beautiful, in honor of the 4th of July.

We made small flag windsocks using only a few supplies - small flag on a stick, toilet paper tube, yarn, glue and masking tape. 

We started by wrapping a piece of masking tape, sticky side facing out, around the tube.  The kids stuck pieces of yarn onto the tape.  These would hang down for the  bottom of the windsock.

After the kids had their yarn in place, we put another piece of tape, sticky side down this time, over top of the yarn to keep it in place.

We also had some leftover foam stars from another project, and the kids decided to use these and tied them onto the yarn.

Next, we ran a line of glue down the length of the tube to hold the flag in place.  These flags are the mini flags on a stick; we just removed the flag from the stick.

Then, we wrapped the flag around the tube, and put a little more glue to keep it in place.

Last, we added one more piece of yarn for hanging, by taping it inside the top part of the tube.

We hung these on our front porch, to help with the drying, but the kids wanted to use them inside to decorate our sunroom.  I think they turned out super cute and would like nice anywhere!



Uncle Sam Decoration

I made this Uncle Sam decoration ages ago (I can't remember where I saw the idea), but recently thought of making a few more to use as decorations for the summer holidays.  He is actually pretty easy to make.  Here is a list of supplies you will need:

• terra cotta pot and saucer
• metal coffee can
• acrylic paint and brushes
• floral wire
• wooden stars
• hot glue gun
• painters tape (optional)

I started by painting all of my pieces first.  I painted the saucer blue.  I painted the rim of the pot white and the rest a peachy color; once dry I went back and painted on the simple face.  I painted the can in red and white stripes; to make my stripes nice and neat, I used painters tape.  And I painted both sides of my wooden stars yellow.

After everything had been painted and had a full 24 hours to dry, I glued everything together using epoxy (make sure to use the epoxy in a well ventilated area).  I cut a piece of floral wire long enough to fit around the can, curled it around a pencil, twisted the ends together, and slipped it over the can.  Then I hot glued the wooden stars randomly around the wire.

And that was it!  It's a really cute decoration and has held up really well to being outside for the past 5+ years.  I will sometimes use it as is for a decoration, or add some water and cut flowers to the can.  One year we also filled it with sand, stuck in some sparklers and lit them for a fun backyard bbq party.

Sharing at the following blogs:

Somewhat Simple

House of Hepworths

Fireflies and Jellybeans

Paisley Passions

Trendy Treehouse