End of the School Year Gift Idea - Otter Pop Holder Tutorial

The end of the school year is coming up and I want to do something cute for the kids. I saw this idea somewhere and can't remember where...sorry!

I'm going to make an otter pop holder for each kid and bring otter pops for the kids on the last day of school. They help to keep their little hands from getting too cold while eating them.

Just cut 2 rectangles of felt. Mine are about 2 1/2 inches by 4 1/2 inches. Lay them on top of each other and zig zag stitch both sides, which will leave a tube. For decoration purposes, cut the sides with pinking shears. I'm sure the kids will love these and they're so easy. It should take under an hour to make enough for the whole class!

Check out the linky parties to the right that I'm linking up to this week!

Yarn or Fabric Wrapped Clothesline Rope Bangle Bracelet Tutorial

These are super cute, easy and cheap bangle bracelets. For a couple of dollars, you can make a whole bunch of them!

You will need rope, painters tape, yarn or long strips of fabric, glue (Weld Bond or hot glue). I got an 80 ft clothesline at the dollar store and Big Lots has great unique yarn/fibers for a dollar as well.

Wrap the clothes line in a circle 3 times and cut it to fit your wrist.

Wrap the tape around the piece of rope to secure it.

Keep wrapping the tape around until you get a secured circle.

Now start wrapping th ring with the yarn/fabric. Be sure to tuck the end under so that it will not unravel.

When you have wrapped the whole ring, glue the end to the inside of the bangle. If you use weld bond or a glue similar, you will have to hold the end down until it starts to dry or it won't stick very well. If you use a wool yarn, you will have to hold it down longer and use more glue. It's hard to make it stick!

That's it!

If you haven't yet, check out Debbiedoos for an awesome new blogger linky party!

Henderson Food Revolution - School Food Garden

So, I have been a total blog slacker lately!

One of my excuses is that I'm working on getting a part time job making bags for a local Las Vegas bag designer. If it all works out, I will be trying to make about 50 bags per week! They are cut and pinned and ready to serge. That's the problem. I need a serger and am on a mission to get a good deal!

Another excuse is that I have been trying to start a local Food Revolution. I have been really concerned about the food that is served at my son's school. It is just as bad as what Jamie Oliver saw in Los Angeles on his Food Revolution show. I found out that it is possible to start a local Food Revolution facebook page for your own town!

So, that's what I did. I have 32 followers so far, so if you want to support us, you can like the page at Henderson Food Revolution.

If you are wanting to help do something for the cause, please click here to sign the petition to help ban sugary milk in schools! Check out Jamie's Facebook page here.

My goal is to get as many Henderson, NV parents who care about our children's nutrition at school together and try to get a few simple changes made. One of my friends and I are planning on starting a school garden in the fall and we have the support of the school's Principal. What a great start!

I will post our progress as the school year gets closer. If anyone has been part of a school/community garden and has any tips, please send them my way!

Teacher's Appreciation Week Gift - Mod Podged Clipboard Tutorial

Of course I waited until Thursday night to decide what I was going to make for my son's teacher for Teacher's Appreciation Week! Well, I just finished this super cute clipboard!

I bought a clipboard at a thrift store about 3 months ago for $1.00 and finally got around to using it. I used 2 coordinating pieces of scrapbook paper, some grossgrain ribbon and Mod Podge.

The how to:
1. Measure the clip board and cut the paper to fit the lengths you want to cover. You may want to use an exacto knife to cut around the metal clip part.
2. Brush some Mod Podge over the clipboard and stick the first paper to it. I use my finger to smooth the air bubbles out. Then brush some more Mod Podge on top of the paper and smooth it out as well.
3. Repeat with the second piece of paper. I overlapped the papers, but you could cut and line them up as well.
4. Using scissors, round the edges of the paper to match the rounded edges of the clipboard.
5. Cut small pieces of ribbon and tie them on to the clip.

That's it! This makes a super easy, cheap gift! I had all of the supplies, so it cost me nothing to make.