Craft of the Week-7

So usually for the "COTW" I go on my favorite websites and see which ones are do-able and share them with you. This week I let my 6 year old Emma pick and this is the one she chose!
DIY Orange Soap

you will need:

- assorted citrus, berries, or herbs

- paper coffee filters, if using herbs

- clean, dry containers like juice boxes or yogurt cups

- heat resistant glass measuring cup or bowl

- non-stick spray

- glycerin soap base (note:do NOT try to cross the boarder with that. They think its explosives. funny story)

The instructions shown are just for the citrus soap. Feel free to go to marthastewart.com for the other instructions.

1. Puree oranges(i used 4 christmas oranges and my food processor)

2. To determine how much glycerine soap base you need, fill mold(I used an empty juice box) with water, then pour it into your measuring cup. Dump the water and dry out your measuring cup.

3. Cut up your clear glycerin into cubes and melt it 30 seconds at a time in the microwave. Make sure it does not boil, or it will turn to dough...and smell bad....

4. Once its all melted, add your orange puree(I did 2 tbsp) and stir. Then pour your soap into your mold and let it sit at room temp for about 3 hours.

Craft of the Week-6

So as you can tell, I'm a little behind with my "craft of the week" so I tried to find a REALLY good one for you guys!

With Easter on fast approach, I have been "slightly" annoyed at all the attention going to chocolate(one of my weakness') and bunnies. I've been trying to stress to my kids the importance of remembering Jesus dying for our sins and that it is so very special that he loved us so much. Its very easy to "remember" Jesus, but do we really think about it? I have had people near to me pass away and have always struggled with the thought of them being forgotten. How much MORE should we be remembering what Jesus did for us?!

This craft is meant for just any old book, but for those of you who have little ones with their own bibles(and feel ambitious enough), to make this cover for their bibles and I encourage you while you are doing this craft, to talk about Jesus. He loves us soo much.

Book Blankets

(please read ALL of the instructions before you start, if you want to do the optional pen holder, or pocket. It tricked me!)

...you will need:

- felt (or, a fun fabric!)

- scissors

- ruler

- pins

embroidery needle and thread(feel free to call me, I have TONS)

- button(optional)

- self adhesive Velcro dot(dollarama)

1. To make a cover, open your chosen book and measure the width and height. Add one inch to each measurement and cut out a piece of felt with those dimensions. For the inside flaps, cut two additional pieces of felt the same height as the main piece and two0thirds the width of the closed book's front cover.

2. Lay an inside flap on top of each end of the main piece and pin the flaps and the main piece together. With embroidery thread, sew a running stitch about 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch from the edge around the entire border.

3. If you like, add one of these extras:

Notebook pocket: Before attaching the inside flaps, cut a piece of felt that's 1 1/2 inches wider and 1/2 inch shorter that's your notepad. Sew it in the center of what will be the front cover of the book.

Faux Button Closure: Before attaching the inside flaps, cut a strap that's 1 1/2 inch wide and as long as the width of an inside flap. Sandwich the strap between the back flap and the cover and pin it in place, then sew around the end of the strap and sew on a button. Affix a self-adhesive Velcro dot to the strap and the front of the cover.

Pen holder: After the cover is finished and on the book, cut a 1 3/4 inch square out of felt. With the book closed, lay the square over a pen on the book's spine and pin it in place. Take the cover off the book, then sew on the square.