0 Memory Can Tutorial

I am a big digital scrapbooker, but with three kids things are a little hairy sometimes and I can't always get to it, so I needed to come up with something that I could put all my scraps of paper into for each child (height/weight, new words, silly sayings, etc).

I happened upon some empty paint cans in the hardware store and remembered a gift my aunt had given me for my son - it was a paint can decorated with wall paper scraps and ribbon and thought that it would be perfect for this use.

So I had one for my son, but not my girls. Here is what I did:

Materials Needed:

Empty paint can - can be purchased at most hardware/paint stores

Mod Podge

Paper/wall paper/wrapping paper

Ribbon

Scissors

Tape measure (flexible)

I had leftover border from my youngest daughters room, so decided to use it for her can. I really didn't want it to be so matchy-matchy with her room, but thought it is a 'memory can', so why not have the outside be a memory of her nursery once she is grown?

1. Measure your can (height and circumference).
2. Cut your paper to fit the measurements.
3. Hold up the paper next to where the handle inserts into the can and mark it.
4. Make a straight cut all the way down the paper at each mark.
5. Now cut half moons on each side of the paper to allow for the handle.
6. Using Mod Podge glue, and a brush, apply glue to the entire backside of the paper. Smooth out all bubbles with your fingertips and make sure that the paper is properly adhered to the can.
7. Once that is complete, add another layer of mod podge to the entire outside of the can.
8. Cut out a circle of the paper for the top of the can and adhere with glue. (TIP: I found the spindle of my blank DVDs was the perfect fit!)
9. Personalize with ribbon, stickers, etc as desired. (And don't forget the handle!)

Now you have a memory can that can be cherished for years to come. I think the hardest part of this project was trying to get the handle on!

This being my first can, it is a bit simple. Now that I have done it though and have found it so easy, I would love to embellish it a bit more - with layers of paper "applique" style, ribbons, flowers, etc. These could really be quite intricate if you wanted them to be! I may use one of these as a gift "basket" for Christmas this year!

Happy crafting!

0 Oooey and gooey

One of my fondest summertime memories is of my aunt creating a tub of oooey and gooey gook. This is very messy and VERY FUN! My aunt use to make a small kiddie pool full of this stuff and us kids would walk in it (or on it if you go fast enough), make balls and watch them melt, have fights with it... but what is IT exactly?

Here are the ingredients:

Water and cornstarch, a bowl or plastic tub (or a kiddie pool if you like). That's it!

How do you make it, you ask. Very easily:

Put some cornstarch in the bowl. Slowly add water. As you pour, stir (with your free hand). The trick is to add just enough water so that you can roll the mixture into a ball, stop rolling and it melts between your fingers.

Now have some fun!

2 Daily Reminders

If your child is anything like my oldest, then you find yourself reminding her several times of her daily tasks. I decided that I was done feeling like a broken record and thought I would try a Daily Reminder Chart. Below is the chart that I created. I don't have a laminator so I put it in a picture frame I had lying around and put it on her bureau with a dry erase marker. This way every morning and evening she has to physically mark off the task and this seems to reinforce the behavior. Now all I have to say is "Are you all checked off?" and she'll run to make sure she didn't forget anything... no more broken record here!!!
I have provided a blank one that you can print and fill in... this would also work perfectly as a chore chart.

UPDATE: I created a 4shared account and you can download the Daily Reminder sheet here.

To give credit where credit is due: The stitched newspaper font is from here and I used elements from the SP Promise Collection kit from http://www.shabbyprincess.com/.

Cheers!

Part of:

1 Memory Quilt and Traveling

For my last two babies I have done memory quilts as a little keepsake for them. I cut out the squares (8" x 6") and hand them out to family members along with my box of fabric paints. Each member does their square and then gives it to me along with the paints and I pass it on to the next person. I start handing out the squares a few months before the baby is born so that I can have it before they come along, but unfortunately we had an illness in the family that prevented the squares from getting done before Olivia came. Anyway, it was completed yesterday and I think it looks fabulous!

0 A Digital Scrapbooking Resource

This is a great resource for digital scrapbookers: http://www.digiscrapdepot.com/

There are thousands of freebies, a shop and forums.
Speaking of freebies - I created this monkey head for one of my layouts the other day and thought I'd share. Feel free to use however. I uploaded it as a .png file - just right click and save to your computer.

1 Cakes Galore

I am a big fan of creating diaper/towel cakes for showers. They are great gifts and can work double-duty as a creative centerpiece. If you are considering making one for a friend, I must warn you that these tend to cost upwards of $75 + once it is all said and done, of course it depends on how much stuff you add to it. They are fairly easy to make, and the face of the mom-to-be/bride makes it all worth it!

As a special added touch I like to put a "recipe card" with the cake that reads something like this: "Here is a cake made with love, I wouldn't call it yummy because it's not made to go inside your tummy!" And then I list out the "Ingredients" so that people can see everything that is included in the cake.  

Below are a few that I have made:

Below are some links to tutorials to get you on your own way to making special cakes!


Diaper Cake Tutorials:
Susie Stamp Alot
Craft Envy
Homemade by Jill


Towel Cake Tutorials:
Think Wedding
Wed Savvy
Not a ton of good tutorials for Towel Cakes... maybe the next time I make one I'll take the time to take photos!

0 Hoot, Hoot, RAWR!

I saw this adorable little owl (and tutorial) here and just had to give it a try.

I'm really happy with the way it turned out... and I think Olivia is too:

3 Dinos, Dinos Everywhere!

Hello, hello! My son just recently had his two year birthday and requested a dinosaur party. Of course I ran out and got all the party staples from the party store: plates, napkins, cups, goodie bags with goodies to fill it with (of course!), pinata, hats, plastic dinosaurs to decorate the food table, dino gummies, etc.

I wanted something to separate him as the birthday boy (in the past I have made crowns - more on these another day, but this time I thought I would get him a dinosaur hat). I had a certain look in mind and couldn't find it anywhere, so I decided to create it myself. I went to JoAnns and found foam visors for a dollar. I picked up three sheets of foam, googly eyes, and double stick tape and this is what me and the kids came up with:

How adorable is that and all for under $4! Of course my daughter loved it and wanted to make her own as well. And now, introducing the newly discovered Cassasaurus and Masonsaurus:

Here's a few other items I created for the party:

 
Dino Invite - printed up at Costco (5 x 7) with a matte finish and put into envelopes from Staples (this is not my original design... but unfortunately I don't remember where I saw the original inspiration).

 
Dino Cake - I found the instructions for this cake here. It was really simple to make and turned out awesome (I was very proud)!

I also created a dinosaur activity book for each child with dino coloring pages, word searches, mazes, dino jokes, and even a dino madlib that I wrote. I printed them on 11x17 paper, folded and stapled to create an 8.5 x 11 booklet.

Feel free to share your great dino party ideas!

0 Doggie Diaper (Not for doggie doo-doo)

This project is perfect for those of you with Canine friends that slept through the housebreaking portion of class. Although Mushu, my 4 year old Shih-Tzu (that’s him below - photo courtesy of Michelle Chappel Photography) was awake during the class, he has decided that during the winter he is much too important to have to go into the freezing cold to use the potty, so his royal highness ruled that it was kosher for him to go in the house. I have tried everything to break this nasty little habit of his, but can’t seem to make it stick. I spoke to his vet who suggested that we look into a doggie diaper available at our local pet store. I stopped into the store and after seeing the price tag ($25!!!), I decided I could make my own!

I have made several diapers now and they work perfectly. I have used terry cloth, cotton, and jersey knit fabrics, all have done the job. The one in the pictures is just a plain brown fabric, but I usually like to use a print for a little fun flair. Here is an outline of the project along with some pictures of Mushu modeling the one I whipped up today (in under a half hour!).

Materials needed –

Fabric and 2 buttons

If you have a childs diaper on hand you can use the basic shape as an outline and then scale to fit your dog. I suggest cutting large and then wrapping it around your dog and adjusting from there. Make sure the diaper extends at least two inches past your dogs privates.

Sew all edges (1/4” works fine).

Wrap around your dog once again. Locate the base of the tail and cut a hole to accommodate. (Make sure you put it on the dog to determine where the hole goes (it will not be dead center of the diaper).

Sew the edge of the hole. Add buttons on the top corners, and voila you have a diaper. Add an overnight feminine napkin and enjoy the fact that your puppy can no longer mark his territory in your home. (You can also use velcro and create tabs instead of buttons, but I found the buttons work best for us).


But please remember to remove the diaper from the pup when letting them outside to use the bathroom! I have learned to cut the tail hole large enough to accommodate a number 2 should someone forget to remove it… trust me, you don’t want that mess!

Just as a side note – I noticed when Mushu has the diaper on he is more apt to go to the door and tell me he wants to go out, so we have had very few wet diapers! My uncle also used diapers for his female dog when she was in heat, so these would be perfect for that situation as well.

The things we do for our furry friends! 

UPDATE - thankfully this was the only winter Mushu had his peeing habit.  We have moved on from the doggie diaper, but I do hope someone else out there finds it helpful!

0 Paws 'n Brownies Donation Drive

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the Brownies of Troop 30835 for their terrific work in creating and implementing the Paws ‘n’ Brownies donation drive that benefited the Franklin County Humane Society. As their leader I had the pleasure of watching them as they brainstormed ideas and eventually carried this one to fruition. The girls were tasked with a community action project that would affect those in their community and after much brainstorming they chose the Franklin County Humane Society. After they held the month long donation drive, they delivered the items to the Humane Society. The girls were able to raise a truck load of items, including a brand new dishwasher, as well as learn some great new leadership skills. For their efforts the girls received a tour of the facility as well as ample playtime in the cat room. They also recieved these adorable t-shirts.

Great work girls, we are all very proud of you and the animals and employees of the shelter really appreciated all of your hard work. I would also like to thank all of those who made donations, it was great to see the community offer their support to those in need.

About seven thirty three!

What is seven thirty three anyway?

I've been asked many times what seven thirty three stands for, so here it is:
seven thirty is my birthday and I have three kids. 
Throw 'em all together and you get seven thirty three! 

The mission of seven thirty three is to inspire those out there in blogger land to be creative and thrifty and to try your hand at new and unusual things.  Many of my projects are children related, although I have been on a home decor kick lately!  And I currently have over 50 freebies for you to download!

When I started this blog over three years ago I intended to share my own craftiness.  Things have morphed a little around here and now not only do I share my projects but I like to feature all the talented people surrounding me in blogland!

I also offer my design services to other blog owners!  Do you need a button, header or other design element?  How about help with blog layout (adding a menu bar, laying out different "pages", etc)?  Visit seven thirty three - - - custom blog design for more info (including pricing and my portfolio).
 
For more of seven thirty three, check me out on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest!

On a personal note:
I am a full time working mother of three. I craft whenever I have a moment (but my priority is spending time with my three children). I enjoy coming up with crafts that my children will benefit from and my personal goal is to bring some boy crafts to the table (since they are so much harder to find).  
 
I was an avid skier until I injured myself (you guessed it - skiing!), so now as the rest of my family hits the slopes I stay at home with my youngest playing and crafting!  I love to camp, but not in a tent, I need a bed and a toilet, thank ya very much! I also love to ride roller coasters, the bigger and faster the better.  And I can be pretty loud when I'm with family... and I come from a large family! 

You will find lots of things here at seven thirty three - craft tutorials, blogging how-to tips, party ideas, free printables, projects I've done around the house, reviews, giveaways and more!  I hope you enjoy your time here at seven thirty three, and as always, feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.