Category: Crafts

Butterfly Candy Craft

It’s funny how parents have to go from simple pink party bags to more elaborate birthday themes as their kids grow. I, for one, have a little pre-tween approaching a 2-digit birthday in just a couple of years, and the easy cupcake and party bag birthday just doesn’t cut it anymore. This year, I managed to convince her to turn her party bag into a fun craft, and when she saw the adorable outcome, I didn’t have to say it twice. We used two types of candy (candy corn & individually-wrapped chews), which I actually weighed for 24 of her classmates. I prepared the supplies in little DIY baggies, and did a quick demonstration for the big-eyed 7 year olds. Paired with some ices, it was the perfect goodie bag that doubled as a fun craft. I’m sure your kids will enjoy it too!

The best part about this adorable butterfly craft is that it’s easily customizable. If you’re not a fan of cavity-laden candies, feel free to fill them with fresh fruit, crackers, cereal, or nuts. You can also decorate the butterflies to your liking, choosing from different types of card stock and decorations. Whatever you decide, your students, campers, or kids will be thrilled to create this fun and creative edible craft.

What you’ll need:

snack size Ziploc bags (6 1/2″ x 3 1/4″)
candy, cereal, crackers, fruit or nuts
pipe cleaners
clothes pins
card stock
sequins, gems or other decorative accents
glue

How to:

1. Fill the Ziploc bag halfway with candy.
2. Seal the bag, pressing out all the extra air as you go.
3. Push the candy to one side of the bag, and place a pipe cleaner in the center.
4. Loop the pipe cleaner around the bag and twist tightly to secure.
5. Open the empty side of the bag and fill with a second type of candy. Close securely.
6. Twist ends of the pipe cleaner around your finger to create swirls.
7. Place a clothes pin over the center of the bag, covering the twisted pipe cleaner.
8. Place glue along the length of the clothes pin and cover with card stock.
9. Decorate the card stock as desired.

NOTE: If you are only using one type of candy, you can fill the bag up all the way and just twist the pipe cleaner around the middle.

Related Posts:
rainbow cupcakes
candy sushi
ice cream clowns

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Chanukah Wall Hanging Craft


You know all those useless catalogs that stuff up your mailbox before the holidays? Well, it turns out they’re not always so useless. Especially when you’re stumped in the crafting department and you’re looking for some inspiration. The Land of Nod is a great place to find it. I was skimming through their overpriced catalog when I happened upon this idea. And when you have the Hanukkah decor squashed into a quarter of a page (against a several page spread of Christmas decorations) you’ve got to learn to be creative.  When I saw the countdown-to-Christmas calendar, I knew I had to make a Chanukah version with draidel pockets for each night. The pockets are perfect little holders for Chanukah chocolate coins, the real (green) stuff, draidels and little gifts. You can even use the center ribbon to personalize it for your family or child.

Hang this fun holiday wall hanging behind the menorah for some festive Hannukah decor.

Happy Crafting & Happy Chanukah!


1 year ago: draidel snowglobe
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Rainbow Cupcakes

We all know I’m not much of a baker, but when my newsfeed got flooded with Noah rainbow crafts of all kinds, I was inspired to create something fun with my kids. All those multicolored rainbow cakes were definitely out of my league, mixing one batter is enough for me – forget 6! (not to mention all that unhealthy food coloring). Inspiration struck from my pinterest crafting board, where I pinned this cupcake idea a while back. I simplified the idea by using a simple glaze instead of a buttercream, as well as mini marshmallows instead of pastry cream. The results are absolutely adorable! Feel free to use your favorite cupcake recipe, or follow my easy no-mixer recipe below.

*In the story of Noah, G-d promised never to destroy the world again with a flood, and as a symbol of that promise, he made a rainbow appear.

1 year ago: 3 layer chocolate cake martini

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Picture Perfect Teacher’s Gift


When it comes to the end of the year, every teacher deserves a little token of appreciation to show them just how much we value what they have done for our children. To me, that token isn’t so much about what you give, but more about how you give it.  I think it’s important to take the time to write a nice card (perhaps attach a photo) and give a gift that is more thoughtful than elaborate. Making your gift a personal one can also help you cut down on spending. When you need to purchase gifts for quite a few teachers, assistants, therapists as well as bus drivers and monitors, creativity is key. If you are not the creative type, you can search pinterest for some inspiration, or give a gift card with a handwritten note.

This year, after driving myself kinda crazy, I finally came up with this “picture perfect theme”. I included a set of photo albums and a picture frame, and designed this camera thank you card to top it off. I don’t love my handwriting so I typed up a message thanking the teachers for a picture perfect year.

Last year, I found some super cute ice cream sets, which was so fitting for a pre-summer gift. I printed out thank you notes with pictures of my daughters and glued it to the top of each box, wrapping each one in ribbon. The teachers loved them!

A few years ago, when my daughter was in playgroup, I purchased target gift cards for her teachers and therapist. I included these handwritten poems (which I had time to come up with because she was my only one back then!), as well as photos with each one.

For the teacher:

I want to thank you for everything this year,
for all your attention and tender loving care.
The Parsha and Yomim Tovim I learned so well,
each week at the shabbos table i’d tell.
All of the songs and stories of the week,
then mommy would give me a kiss on my cheek.
Thank you for sitting with me when i ate,
it’s due to your prodding that i put on weight.
You also helped me to eat with utensils,
and color with crayons, pens and pencils.
I know all my diapers were really not pretty,
I wish I’d been trained, it’s really a pity!
All of your dress ups and all of your toys,
were such fun to play with the girls and the boys.
To drink from a cup, this year i did learn,
too bad next year I can’t return.
For I’ll miss you and all of my friends a lot,
it’s time for headstart for this 3 year old tot!
This gift card is just a token to say,
I appreciate the efforts you made every day.
So use it to purchase whatever you wish,
a mop or a top or a pretty new dish.
In this economy we can all use,
a gift card to buy whatever we choose!

For the therapist:

Thank you for everything you’ve done for me this year,
from walking to running to sitting straight in my chair.
I  know some days were hard and I didnt cooperate,
the fact that you pushed me, I really appreciate.
It’s because of your efforts that I’ve mastered the stairs,
now my mommy can shed a few less tears.
Worrying about my progress each day,
she’s happy to see that I’m jumping ok.
I  know I still have a long way to go,
but from where I started, I really did grow.
This token is just a little something to say,
I appreciate the efforts you made every day.
So use it to purchase whatever you wish,
a  mop or a top or a pretty new dish.
In this economy we can all use,
a gift card to buy whatever we choose!

I hope that these ideas have inspired you to create something personal for your children’s teachers. They truly deserve it!

 

1 year ago: tuna salad with a twist

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MyShtub Guest Post – DIY Teacher’s Gift

I’m so excited to have Sheva from over at MyShtub, guest posting on my blog. With her magnificent photography and fun spirit, Sheva takes you on a journey of life’s trials and triumphs. She is an amazing mom of 3, a talented crafter and an avid do-it-yourselfer. At the forefront of her blog is her adorable daughter Rozie, who just happens to have down syndrome. Her real life photography helps to break the stereotypes of down syndrome, and you can’t help but just fall in love with her rosy little Rozie :)

Hi this is Sheva from MyShtub and I’m so excited to be guest posting here on Busy in Brooklyn. Since the school year is coming to an end, most of us are scrambling to find that perfect gift to say thank you to your child’s teacher. In my son’s school we usually do a group gift from all the parents, but I was a Morah for years, and know how hard they work, so I like to give a little something special just from us. Since I usually don’t want to spend a ton, especially if I contributed to the class gift, I came up with something perfect for most budgets.

What you need to create this summer fun strawberry-lemonade fizz gift package

1. Plastic drink dispenser (I got this one at Target for $5)
2. One bottle of sparkling water
3. One container of strawberry lemonade mix ( Country Time brand was OU)
4. Twine or ribbon
5. Wooden spoon
6. Scrap fabric

The first thing I did was choose a color theme. I’m currently obsessed with the aqua salmon color combo and decided to go with it. I made all my labels first and printed them on cardstock *. I also covered the bottle lid with a scrap piece of fabric and tied it with twine. Next, I poured Strawberry-Lemonade mix into a cellophane goody bag, rolled the top down, and stapled a label to hold the bag shut. Lastly, I made a recipe card with a small thank you note.

Strawberry –Lemonade Recipe:

Mix the fizzy water with the powder mix in the canister. Add fresh lemon and strawberry slices. Enjoy!

Once the items are all ready I put them inside the canister with a couple of lemons. I tied it up with twine, the recipe card, and wooden spoon. Voila! A perfect thank you gift for under $10!

*I designed my labels in Photoshop but they can easily be done with scrapbook paper and hand written labels.

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