#craftykins

Foodkins// National Grilled Cheese Day Party

How to Host a Grilled Cheese Party with Revel and Glitter

Did you know April 12 is National Grilled Cheese Day? With only three ingredients, bread, cheese and butter, grilled cheese is one of the most popular comfort foods around. Turn it into an afternoon of fun when you invite friends over to build new creations for a Grilled Cheese Party!

Let guests experiment with different types of textures and flavors.

Bread – Start with study breads like sourdough, rye, baguettes and ciabatta.

Cheese – Keep your cheese options simple and familiar; there are many popular cheese flavors like Pepper Jack and Colby to mix things up. If you have a daring crowd, try goat cheese, mozzarella, and smoked gouda.

Meat – Cooked bacon and thinly sliced meats like roast beef, pepperoni and salami, are tasty protein additions.

Fruit/Vegetables – Have a few fruit options, like thinly sliced Granny Smith apples, pears or strawberries, for a sweet kick. Sneak in tasty veggies like fresh arugula, avocado and sweet onion slices.

More extras – How about a few crunchy add-ins like French fries and potato chips? It will surely elicit a giggle or two.
Condiments – Spread options from classic butter to hummus, wasabi mayo and pesto can give any sandwich a savory finish.

Offer a few pairing suggestions like brie with strawberry jam, cheddar, red onions and bacon or Pepper Jack, arugula, and jalapenos for a spicy twist. This is why I love chalkboard paper, it is so easy to write down tasty suggestions.

What better way to serve up tasty sandwich creations than on these bread slice plates from Crate & Barrel?

Instead of serving with tomato soup, pair with cherry tomatoes and apple slices. Don’t forget the pickles!

Happy cheese party planning!

Bread Slice Plates// Crate & Barrel

Photo Post Cred: Dawn Smith, Revel and Glitter

Craftykins // Robin Egg Cupcakes + Treats

By Taylor Mead 1 Comment

Our friend, Jenn from Ever After in the Woods, is whipping up some magic in the kitchen again, and enchanting us with her tales of a woodland wonderland picnic..

Winter Woodland Picnic

There is just something about the woods that makes you think of fairy-tales. My daughter loves exploring our magical woods for a dessert picnic, with a few whimsical treats in tow.

We made these beautiful DIY Wish Bottles before heading out. Simply fill a small craft bottle with glitter, (everything is better with glitter!) write down your wish, and and seal the bottle with a cork stopper.

DIY Wish Bottles:

Materials

Glitter
Small Vials
Paper
Pen

Directions

Write down the wish on a piece of paper and place in the bottle.
Fill with glitter and close with stopper

What would a picnic be without a few snacks or treats to take with us? We made this mini Robin Egg cupcakes in both vanilla and chocolate flavors and topped with a blue jellybean rock (you could also use a light blue speckled jelly bean.) They not only look adorable, but are delicious as well!

Robin Egg Woodland Chocolate Cupcakes:

Makes 48 mini cupcakes

Ingredients

1 pkg chocolate cake mix
1 large box instant chocolate pudding
1 tsp cocoa powder
3 eggs
1/4 cup oil
1-1/4 cup water
mini cupcake liners
1 container vanilla frosting
Large Blue Jelly Bean Rocks or Large Speckled Blue Jelly Beans

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350.
Line cupcake pans with muffin liners.
In a large bowl combine the cake mix, pudding, water, cocoa, eggs and oil and mix well. About 50 strokes.
Pour batter into each of the prepared cupcake pans ¾ full.
Bake 12-15 minutes.
Cool completely
Pipe the frosting onto each cupcake.
Top with a jelly bean.

So adorable and yummy too! These could be made into full size cupcakes as well, just increase the baking time to about 20-25 minutes. To make a vanilla cupcake use a vanilla cake mix, vanilla pudding and omit the cocoa powder from the above recipe. This is a great way to doctor up a cake mix and save you some time in the kitchen. The pudding makes these cupcakes rich and decadent.

Having your children outdoors and enjoying quality time with them is how you make memories. I love to do “things “with my children, that is how memories are made. Let them be little, time goes by so fast that sometimes I need to remind myself to slow down and enjoy the moments. When you get to your picnic destination have your princess place the contents of the wish bottle in her hand, close their eyes, blow the glitter and make a wish. The ultimate magical adventure!

Glitter Vials// Oriental Trading

Photo Post Cred: Jenn Powell, Ever After in the Woods

Craftykins // Paper Plate Cake Stands

By Ruby Leave a Comment

The holidays are upon us and it’s that time of year for lots of parties. Put together this simple cake stand with some pretty paper plate and cup products, and use it to display your homemade (or store bought) sweet treats. You can bring your treats displayed on it, and you won’t have to worry about sticking around until the end of the party to bring your cake stand home. Kindly let the host know to recycle the stand when the party is done. You could get a number of fun looks depending on the mixing and matching of paper plates and cups. Get even more fancy and make a two tier stand with 2 different sized plates and cups. Now, who will be using this idea this holiday season?!

Paper Plate Cake Stands

Total time: 5 minutes

Supplies:
Paper plates, various sizes
Paper cups, use various sizes to achieve different heights
Glue gun/glue stick

Directions:
Add some glue to the bottom rim of the cup, center it on the bottom of the paper plate, and attach to set in place.

Paper plates: Cheeky | Vintage top & accessories from Kinoko kids | Styling: Rubyellen Bratcher

Craftykins // Oven Mitt Turkey Puppet

By Ruby Leave a Comment

If you have an old oven mitt lying around (or one that was gifted to you, but didn’t match your style), turn it into a turkey puppet! All you need is a little bit of felt and some craft glue, and your little one will have a fun afternoon creating stories with their newest toy.

Oven Mitt Turkey Puppet

Total time: 30 minutes

Supplies:
Oven mitt
Felt, various colors
Craft glue
Scissors

Directions:
1. Cut out your feathers; each puppet needs about 10 feathers (5 on each side). Cut little notches on the side to give it some details.

2. Cut out your 2 eyes, 2 circles for cheeks. and 2 wings. Cut out 1 beak and wattle (the red part that hangs down).

3. Glue your 1 eye and cheek on one side. Repeat for the other side. Glue on the beak and wattle on the side of the oven mitt, on the seam where the two sides meet.

4. Glue on your feathers, about 5 on each side. Then, glue a wing on top of the bottom section of the feathers.

clothing // vintage dresses from kinoko kids.

Craftykins // Pumpkin Jack-o-lantern Balloon Garland DIY

By Ruby Leave a Comment

Garlands are always fun and easy way to get festive for any holiday. They can be made with simple things you might already have lying around the house, or things that could easily be found at the dollar store. I found a pack of orange balloons and green tissue paper, and put together this pumpkin garland. To add a little more spook, I added a jack-o-lantern face on the balloons. The kids and I plan on throwing a pumpkin carving party, so we will be using our pumpkin jack-o-lantern garland to decorate!

Pumpkin Balloon Garland DIY

Total time: 20 minutes

Supplies:
Orange balloons
Green tissue paper
Green curling ribbon
Glue
Scissors
Black tape

Directions:
1. Cut out pumpkin leaves from the green tissue paper, about 1-2 per balloon.

2. Cut out 10″-12″ strands of curling ribbon.

3. Blow up various sizes of balloons.

4. Tie the ribbon to the balloon knot and glue on pumpkin leaves. Curl the ribbon.

5. Cut out a 4′-5′ strand of ribbon and tie the balloons on. Glue on more pumpkin leaves on the string between each balloon.

6. Cut out a jack-o-lantern face from black tape and place on some balloons.

Craftykins // Pumpkin Jack-o-lantern Surprise Ball DIY

By Ruby Leave a Comment

Halloween is all about about tricks and treats, and this pumpkin surprise ball is definitely a trick-or-treat. Make one for a gift — or make a bunch for a Halloween party. Put in some creepy trinkets, as well as some sweet treats, and children will love unrolling it to uncover what’s hidden inside.

Pumpkin Jack-o-lantern Surprise Ball DIY

Total time: 30 minutes

Supplies:
10 trinkets
Crepe paper streamers, orange and brown
Black construction paper
Craft glue
Scissors

Directions:
1. Start with something ball shaped in the center ,and wrap with crepe paper until completely covered. Wrap the item completely before moving onto the next object.

2. Continue to wrap the remaining trinkets, with largest items getting wrapped first, and leaving smaller items to be wrapped last. As you wrap each item, shift the angle of the streamer, so that you overlap each layer little by little. Continue to wrap each one, pulling tightly (but gently) at the streamer, so that it is is taut and smooth, and the trinket stays in place. You’ll want a pumpkin shape, so be mindful of how your ball is being shaped as you wrap.

3. Once you wrapped your last object, cut the streamer and glue in place.

4. Cut out a tiny jack-o-lantern face from your black construction paper and glue onto the front of the pumpkin.

5. Cut out a small piece of brown crepe streamer and roll to create the stem. Glue on top of the pumpkin.

Have fun creating with your little babiekins!

Craftykins // Duct Tape Tiger Halloween Costume DIY

By Ruby Leave a Comment

I have another Halloween costume for you and this one uses duct tape! Duct tape is such a great craft item to have around because there is so much you can make with it. Also, it comes in so many great colors and patterns that you could come up with all sorts of costumes. Making this costume is so simple that older kids could even put this costume together completely on their own. This DIY is for a tiger costume, but you could certainly make a zebra, leopard, and many other animals. Duck tape is definitely a fun and easy route to go for some Halloween costume making!

Duct Tape Tiger Halloween Costume

Total time: 1 hour

Supplies:
Duct Tape (orange and black)
Nonstick scissors
Headband
Black shirt
Black leggings
Safety pin

To make the headband:
Cut out a 6″ strip of black duct tape and place on one side of the headband, centering the headband on the tape (sandwich the headband). Fold and press the wrong sides of the tape together. Cut into a triangle ear shape. Cut out small triangle-like slits from the orange duct tape and place on the ear. Repeat to create the second tiger ear.

To make the body:
Cut out various triangle-like slits to create the tiger stripes, and place all over the front and back of the pants and shirt. It is best to alternate the lines on each side.

To make the tail:
Cut out a 30″ long strip of black duct tape. Fold at the center width-wise, then press together. Cut out about 1/2″ from each side all the way down, but fan out to create the bottom of the tail. Cut thin, little slits about 2″ up the bottom of the tail. Cut out various triangle-like slits from the orange duct tape to create the tiger stripes pattern on the tail, and place on the front and back of the tail. To attach the tail to the costume, use a safety pin or sew on desired spot.

Craftykins // Butterfly Halloween Costume

By Ruby 1 Comment

Halloween time is upon us! Have the costumes all been picked in your home? If not, here’s a simple idea you can create with your child… painted butterfly wings! Not only will this costume get used for Halloween, but the wings for sure will lend itself to hours of imaginative play. You could also create bird, bee, or even dragon wings. There’s so much you could do with some fabric, fabric paint, and a wee bit of sewing know-how.

Painted Butterfly Wings

Total Time: 2 hours (including dry time)

Supplies:
1 yard of fabric
Fabric paint
Paint brush
Scissor
Coordinating thread
Sewing machine or hand-sewing needle

Directions:
1. Measure the wing span of your child (from wrist to wrist) as this will be the width of your butterfly wings. Fold fabric in half and cut out the butterfly wing shape.

2. Paint your butterfly wings. Allow to dry completely, then iron wings to heat set the design.

3. Cut out a 2″ x 36″ strip of fabric, and sew the center of the strip onto the top center of the wings on the wrong side of the fabric.

4. Cut out 2 – 1″ x 20″ strips of fabric, and and sew the center of the strip near the top right and left corners of the wings (where the child’s wrist will located).

5. Tie bow around neck and wrists to wear the painted butterfly wings. For smaller children, it is best to omit the tie around the neck, instead use a safety pin and pin the center of the butterfly wings to the back of their leotard/shirt.

Optional: Glue butterflies onto alligator clips to decorate the hair.

Foodkins// National Grilled Cheese Day Party

Craftykins // Robin Egg Cupcakes + Treats

Craftykins // Paper Plate Cake Stands

Craftykins // Oven Mitt Turkey Puppet

Craftykins // Pumpkin Jack-o-lantern Balloon Garland DIY

Craftykins // Pumpkin Jack-o-lantern Surprise Ball DIY

Craftykins // Duct Tape Tiger Halloween Costume DIY

Craftykins // Butterfly Halloween Costume

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