Tonya Staab

MyPrintly: DIY School Years Photo Frame

Jay is this close to being done with college. Now that he's chosen his career path, and finished all of his general ed classes, he's focused on finishing up the classes he needs to come out with a degree in automotive technology. He's been so passionate about cars for years, spends hours tinkering away in the garage working on his own, and his friends bring theirs over to work on too. And hey, I'm not going to complain a single bit about having someone in the house who can fix my car for next to nothing for me.

Many, many years ago my mum put all of my school photos into a frame with a school bus on it and gave it to me. It had every photo from every year, and although I cringe a little when I see some of those photos, it's also a great memory that I still look at. So, I decided it was past due to make one for Jay too.

This is a quick 30-minute project (once you track down photos) and I'm sharing all the details on how to make your own over at MyPrintly.

 

5 Minutes For Mom: Holiday Rock Painting

While I was in Kentucky recently Mike and I drove through the post office to mail a letter and right there on top of the mailbox was a painted rock, we took it on a journey a couple of days later to a lake, where we took a photograph of it to post in the local Facebook group created for local rock adventures, and then vowed we'd paint our own rocks someday to leave and create fun adventures for even more families.

Well, this week I'm over at 5 Minutes for Mom showing you the perfect painted rock project to do with your kids this holiday season. They include inspirational messages, and getting the kids outdoors, so what could be better than that?

Head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom and grab all the details on this fun project.

 

Make and Takes: DIY Evergreen Wreath

We are at the in-between stage at home right now.

We've packed up Halloween, but don't want to put up Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving. I don't usually decorate for Thanksgiving either, although I do have a few mini pumpkins on the mantel, a large lighted pumpkin in front of the fireplace, and am still burning the bourbon pumpkin candles.

So, most of the everyday decor has returned to its rightful place for a couple more weeks including this front door wreath.

I'm over at Make and Takes this week showing you just how easy it is to make one for your front door too, so head on over and grab the tutorial.

 

Lady and the Blog: DIY Holiday Artwork For Your Walls

Last week when Mike arrived home, he walked into the living room and was surrounded by holidays. There was Halloween on one wall, and Christmas on another. Such is the life of a blogger ... while celebrating one holiday, we are often preparing content for the next one. By Christmas I'll have Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day on separate walls too I'm sure.

With that being said, I'm over at Lady and the Blog today showing you how to pull off super cheap DIY seasonal or holiday-themed art for your walls.

Snack Tubs So Easy Kids Can Make Them

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Stonyfield® Organic Kids®

The twins are twelve now, and for the most part are fairly self-sufficient (as long as I'm nowhere in plain sight, because then they seem incapable of even pouring a glass of milk).

Little by little, though, I'm teaching them life skills. This includes being in charge of putting together their own snacks, not only for school but also for after school, and when their friends come over too. Sure sometimes I'll bake muffins, cookies, or a loaf for them, but on an ordinary day, it's all on them.

A snack tub in the pantry, and another in the refrigerator are ideal for kids who love to graze after school, have neighborhood kids coming and going, and who want to grab something quickly to pop into their school bag. This alleviates that age old problem of looking into the pantry or refrigerator and closing it again because there's 'nothing there'. There's plenty there, but when you are overwhelmed with stuff, it's hard to see what you need or want, so making snacks accessible is key. Nobody wants to dig around for a carrot, peel it, and then snack on it. We are going to naturally go for whatever is the most convenient.

DIY Minecraft Foxy Costume

Flynn is a little obsessed with Five Night's at Freddy's. He has clothing, toys, drink bottles, anything he can get his hands on really. So naturally, he wanted a Foxy costume for Halloween. But, not just any Foxy costume, he wanted a Minecraft Foxy one. 'Cause why make things easy on this mum who knows nothing about Minecraft or Five Night's at Freddy's ... mostly because there's a lot of uh-huh, oh really, you don't say, as I sit through hours of conversation about both.

I'm always up for a challenge though. So this is what we have ...

 

I'm not going to lie, this is a little time consuming to make, BUT it's very VERY easy.