How To Get Crafting and Organize It All

It is spring and if any of you are anything like me you really like to get organized. I have the fever......spring fever and when I go into my closet for all my craft stuff I realize I need to get rid of stuff and organize it all, but I have been collecting for years so I have a lot of purging to do. If you are just starting to craft all of it may seem very overwhelming. You may ask yourself where do I go to get supplies? Where do I put it all? What do I get? How do I get started? These are all tough questions but I have the answers.

Number one rule of starting to craft is you need a spot to craft. It does not need to be a whole room, I wish but not necessary. I use my kitchen table for a lot of my crafts.

Next you need to get some sort of storage container. You can use a tote bag, a plastic tote container, a backpack, a basket or just about every craft store like JoAnne's Fabric carries dividable containers for all those little odds and ends.

Then you need a place to store it all. I use a section of my closet and some stuff I store in the basement. You can use a spare closet, a spare room, the basement, under your bed or just about anywhere you can find space.

Next you need supplies..... I am going to list a few essential items that every crafter should have in their crafters containers

1. Glue (Elmer's, glue sticks, and hot glue)
2. Multi-purpose scissors
3. Assorted paper in all colors
4. Assorted paints (Start with the primary colors of Red,  Blue, Yellow, and Black and White)
5. Remnant ribbons and string
6. Pompoms
7. Pipe cleaners
8. Google eyes
9. Assorted Feathers
10. Assorted Paint brushes
11. Assorted Pencils and Markers
12. Remnant assorted fabrics
13. Various stickers (Felt, foam and basic stickers)

That list should get you started and you can build from there. Just remember don't collect too much without keeping it organized and make sure you have a plan for what you collect or else it will just sit there and collect dust.

Finally where do you get all these supplies? Well there are several stores you can check out and remember go to the clearance section first there are some great deals there. Check out stores like Walmart, Jo-Anne's Fabric, Craft Mania, A.C. Moore, Micheal's as well as several on line sites. Sometimes you can find random deals at stores you would not even think of like Rite Aid or CVS just keep your crafter eyes on wherever you go and a deal could be where you least expect it.

There you have it. Once you follow these steps crafting is just a blog away. Remember have fun and always have your eye open for the next great idea. Hoppy Crafting:)

Easter Tree Decoration

This weekend with Easter approaching I decided to try an Easter project with my kids. I have a 4 year old and an 8 year old so I had to create a project that would appeal to both. I came up with the Easter Egg Advent Tree. It was a fun project that kept my kids attention for a good afternoon. So read on and join in our adventure.....

Supplies needed for the project:

1. Plastic Easter eggs in various colors (I used 24 rainbow colored eggs that I bought at Walmart for around $2.00 for 42 eggs........I will save the rest for a future project.)
2. Ribbon ( I used green curly ribbon that i had around the house)
3. Stickers ( I used felt stickers and various other stickers I had around the house)
4. Various size sticks and branches ( I found some outside my house in the yard)
5. A Styrofoam disk large enough to fit snugly in your container that you choose ( I used a 115/16 in x 37/8 in disk that I bought at walmart in the floral section for $1.50)
6. A clay flower pot (I used a 6 inch on I had around the house)
7. Easter grass ( I used green child and animal friendly kind that is available at most stores for .97 a bag)
8. Scissors
9. Candy or some sort of treat to go inside the egg.

Once I decide to start a project I lay out all my supplies and brain storm. This step helps me process what I have and makes sure I have what I need. It may help you too. Especially if you have a lot of supplies...

Step 1:  I had my kids pick the eggs they wanted and had them decorate them with various stickers of their choosing. You may want to encourage your kids to not cover the holes in the eggs or the crack in the eggs with the stickers because you will need these open for later steps. (My kids covered most of the cracks and holes so I just slit them back open later)

Step 2: Once the eggs are decorated or while the kids are decorating the eggs cut the curling ribbon about 6-12 inches long and push the ribbon through the bottom of the egg and tie a double knot. See image below for a visual.

Step 3: Once the eggs are threaded add whatever treats you want to put in your eggs. I used chocolate and of course the constant begging of my kids and my weakness of chocolate prevailed and we all had a chocolate or two but try to keep the snacking to a minimum. If chocolates is not your thing or your children have allergies or special diets use stickers or small toys that usually go into kids goody bags at parties or better yet money works wonders........I mean who wouldn't want a money tree;0)

Step 4: Once the eggs are filled and closed shut it is time to make your tree. Put the Styrofoam in the bottom of your container and push down until it is snug. I f you want a little more stability you can use hot glue but mine worked just fine without it. If the container you are using is lightweight then you may want to put rocks in the bottom before adding your Styrofoam to keep your tree stable.

Step 5: Next place your branches in various places around your Styrofoam until it resembles a small bare tree. See image below for a visual.

Step 6: Next hang your eggs in varying levels all around your tree branches and using the edge of your scissors curling the ribbon left over for a finishing touch.

Step 7: Lastly put the Easter grass all along the base of the tree to cover up the Styrofoam and voila a truly sweet advent Easter tree for all to enjoy.

Variations: Now some people may not want it to be filled with treats and alone the tree is a wonderful decoration or even a centerpiece for an Easter meal. Maybe you could even snip off the eggs and give them to guests as they leave your house after a filling Easter meal. Best of all the supplies could be varied.....for example you could use any kind of ribbon, any type of container or maybe you want to paint your eggs whatever you want to experiment with try it and if it works for you great post it I would love to know but whatever you try don't be afraid to experiment sometimes they best things come from just playing around. So hop to it and hoppy crafting.

The Home of Quick and Easy Craft Projects For Kids

Welcome to my quick and easy kids craft site.

My kids and I will fill this blog with posts about creating fun, easy, and exciting crafts for you to try with your own children.

I will share my adventures and give you step by step instructions as well as helpful pictures of the crafts I create.

If you need a rainy day activity to do with your kids... you'll want to keep coming to this blog because it will be updated almost daily with new and exciting crafts.

I look forward to all of your comments and suggestions as well as additions to my blog. Look for my first post coming soon for cute and easy Easter crafts. Enjoy and Hoppy Crafting :0)