Homemade Ornaments!

 

So it’s that time of year where our fridges are full of thanksgiving left overs and the trees are freshly put up! Which means it’s time to jig up that tree for all to see, but when it comes to Christmas with kids the best part are the things are kids make to contribute to the holiday spirit. I thought how fun and cost effective would it be to whip up some homemade ornaments!!  It’s really simple I promise!! 

 

 Here’s the recipe to start:

1 cup Flour

1 cup salt

1/2 cup water

 

 

That’s it!! Now you mix the ingredients until fully combined try to mix the flour and salt together before adding the water just to make it easier to mix I used a wooden spoon to mix everything, then you turn out on a clean surface no need to flour the surface. Just kneed till it’s all together it will be a little crackly along the edges but that's fine. Now just separate the dough ball into 2 balls and then roll out nice and flat but not where you can see through by any means, if you can pick it up without it ripping apart its perfect, so now whip out a bunch of cookie cutters or even a knife and get creative (I used the knife to make the puzzle piece) don't forget to make tiny holes for hanging and then place in the oven for 2-3 hours on 200F. They will be nice and hard but somewhat fragile so be careful. Let them cool for about 5 minutes and then the real fun begins! Paint them up you can have the kids help but be sure to remind them to be gentle. I lost a few ornaments because my little ones underestimated their own strength lol. Now for painting I went to the dollar tree and picked up a few water color paint sets that look amazing and a few sharpies for details. Once they dry use some thread to weave through the holes and then hang! I recommend putting on your favorite Christmas music while engaging in this project it just kind of sets the mood and any time I have an excuse to play Christmas music I take it! 

 

Santa Handprints:

 

Now as for the Santa’s it’s the same process as the ornaments only difference is you need a thicker cut of the dough just roll out about a quarter of an inch thick or even a little less and then place the little hands and press! Takes a little bit of force and maybe a couple of tries but just be sure to press each finger and the palm until you have a nice imprint. Poke a hole where their isn't an imprint, use the knife to cut out the imprint like the picture shown leaving a border around the hand print. Put in the oven for 3 hours at 200F and then let cool again and paint using picture as a reference I used the watercolors and a sharpie! So have fun and Merry Christmas to you all!! 

 

 *Pictures in this post belong to Krystal Rivera*

Hey everyone!  My name is Krystal Rivera.  I am a 24 year old stay at home mom/photographer.  I have 3 boys ages 2, 3 and 4.  I have been married for 5 years.  I love to indulge in the wonderful world that is couponing and homemade EVERYTHING!     

 

HOW TO REMOVE LABELS ON GLASS AND PLASTIC!

To remove the labels: Use water for the paper and oil for the gum/adhesive.  Thin paper labels you can simple rub any safe oil (I use grape-seed oil) on the label and allow it to soak in.  I put my finger over the oil bottle and flip, then rub the label.  Repeat this step until the label is covered.  Come back later that day and using a knife (butter knife will do) scrape the label and goo off.  If any leftover residue is left use a non-stick green kitchen scrub pad with soap and wash off the oil and stubborn adhesive.  You may stick your container into the dish washer or fill it with water to hold it down into a sink or bowl of water to soak for while... at least an hour.   Any stubborn labels will come off, just repeat the process allowing more time for the water/oil to do its magic.  I just leave mine for most of the day insuring they will give me no trouble when the time for scrapping comes. I wish I would have got a Mrs. Butterworth's bottle before they went plastic. Oh, well... Have fun collecting and re-using your favorite bottles-jars and containers!

Hey everyone!  My name is Krystal Rivera.  I am a 24 year old stay at home mom/photographer.  I have 3 boys ages 2, 3 and 4.  I have been married for 5 years.  I love to indulge in the wonderful world that is couponing and homemade EVERYTHING! 

I Choose to Reuse!

 

When it comes to saving money couponing is one way and limited

flushing is yet another, but one big way that I not only found a fun

way to explore DIY'ing but to save extra money in many random areas is

to Reuse! I think that is one of the most important steps in recycling if I may

add! Well in my journeys of frugality after moving many times I

couldn't help but notice that every time we moved and I would unpack and I

would notice my supply of dishes would get less and less and anyone

who moves a lot knows how pricey that can get so although I loved my

local thrift store I finally came to the point where I wasn't going to

spend another dime on a mysteriously lost bowl. So I found that after

our monthly food shopping that when I popped open those country crock

potatoes and Hormel fully cooked dinner entrees that those microwave

plates were strangely durable for being disposable, so I kept them and

reused them for microwaveable foods, and they hold up use after use

after use! So I applied that to so much more and here is a list of

many of my favorite Ways to Reuse! Remember when you don't want to

have to spend money on certain things think it through cause their

just might be a free alternative!

My Go-To Reusables!

-Manufacture containers (look out for some like Country Crock, Hormel & Tyson)

**plus they are so dishwasher safe!**

-Oikos yogurt containers (great for holding paint, snacks, stacking

cups for toddlers and endless craft opportunity's

-Kings Hawaiian tins (great for baking! and food storage)

-Lemonade mix containers like Country Time Lemonade (great for using

in crafts and as a summer cup. I decorated a few and added ribbons for

marker storage and holding brushes etc.)

-Onion bags (as many of you may already know they make for a great

brillo assistant to your everyday sponge really works wonderfully!)

-Welchs juice concentrate from the freezer section (very durable everyday

drinking cups and of course crafting!)

-Soda 2 liter bottles (while many people doomsday prep many others

just simply can’t but everyday emergency prep is in fact essential and

highly recommended and what I like to do is short term water storage

in case of an outage. I store tons of 2 liters in the basement with

water and refill the bottles every three months for bacteria reasons

but this gives me piece of mind to know I’m prepared)

-Pringle containers when coated with some great laminate paper these

can make for some great pasta holders, brush container, crafting, and

much more!

-Styrofoam plates from meat- (I get a ton of these form the chicken

strips and chicken patty's alone and I find them usually in perfect

shape great for crafts, food presentation, stationary etc.)

-Expensive ziplock dog treat bags (these are great for my homemade dog

treats I even get them in the mail as samples and then when their gone

in mine go ;)

-Trix yogurt cups (these are awesome for painting and drinking cups for tots!)

Some Other great reusable ideas!

-I like to clip the recipes found in the inserts granted their isn't

any good coupons in the way. I hang them on a dry erase board in my kitchen

-You can Refill pretty empty liquor bottles with water and food

coloring to set on display nicely instead of having a bunch of empty ones

-I noticed toilet paper rolls were left everywhere in the bathroom

constantly only to find out they make for great crafts! Many

different things you can do and paint takes great to the cardboard

-You can cut cereal boxes to be file organizers and cover them with

laminate paper for decor

-When I fill out forms daily for freebies I always stumble across ones

for stickers and bumper stickers. Many were very cute but I didn't

want to just put them anywhere. Then it came to me and my big black fridge,

I figured it would complement them nicely and vice versa so I have the kids add new

ones as they arrive in the mail.

-For those of you who gets lots of mail and packages, keep in mind to

save those rubber bands that the mail men use to keep it all sorted

and when I fill up a sandwich bag I give it back to the mail man to

reuse for the mail once again.

-Wire twist ties are great for tiny wardrobe malfunctions for the

little ones never know when you need a quick fix for that popped button

-All the boxes that have pictures of food on it like Banquet meals,

White Castle Frozen burgers and pizza boxes etc. I will

cut out the pics of the food and laminate them so my kids can play pretend

-Finally newspaper comics, those are great for wrapping gifts or

wrapping fragile children items, you can laminate 8" X 4" pieces to

make cool place mats and much more!

So now you see there are many ways to reuse, save and be green

at that! Teaches children great morals and sense of creative thinking.

I couldn't tell you how many time I will see my 4 year old trying to

figure out how to reuse something. Think twice when you unwrap, take

out and find large cuts of clean aluminum foil cause I’m sure it was on

your shopping list anyways! Enjoy and get creative!

Hey everyone!  My name is Krystal Rivera.  I am a 24 year old stay at home mom/photographer.  I have 3 boys ages 2, 3 and 4.  I have been married for 5 years.  I love to indulge in the wonderful world that is couponing and homemade EVERYTHING! 

Awesome Homemade Dog Treats!

Hey everyone!  My name is Krystal Rivera I'm a 24 year old stay at home mom/photographer of 3 boys!  My boys are ages 2, 3 and 4.  I have been married for 5 years.  I love to indulge in the wonderful world that is couponing and homemade EVERYTHING!  Among the many many titles motherhood brings to the table. I enjoy making the best of every little bit!  That means stressing for house to create a perfectly coordinated Shopping list.  I enjoy creating fun and educational games and sensory play for my boys.  My 3 year old has autism and he is a huge inspiration to all of us to enjoy the littlest of things thus opening the wonderful world of sensory play.  So with all of that being said I am extremely excited to bring to you some of what makes my home boom with personality. I will be sharing tips and tricks to the everyday parent!  

I wanted to start by sharing this super easy and really yummy (for dogs that is) recipe for treats that will not only save you money but give you piece of mind as to what goes into your pups/dogs mouth.  I use this recipe all year round.  I mix and match ingredients which makes this a fun recipe! 

INGREDIENTS: *1 Cup all-purpose flour (or whole wheat flour for higher nutrition) *1 Cup hot water *1/4 Cup of quick oats *1 small can of any variety soft/chunky dog food 1 1/2 Cups of hard dog food any variety (I use Purina One-Smart Blend) (Makes approx.200 treats)
DIRECTIONS: First off in a mixing bowl put the hard dog food then pour scolding hot water into the bowl with the dog food letting it sit for 5-10 minutes or until dog food has softened and poofed up.  Once it's nice and fluffy start adding half the flour slowly mixing it till it gets nice and thick and will be a bit sticky. Then once that's mixed up add your can of soft dog food continue mixing it, it will soften back up again then add the rest of the flour until thick again.  Add your oats and mix, mix, mix till well blended then preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  Place 1/2 inch spoon fulls onto a floured cookie sheet.  Bake as many batches as the mixture will allow you.  You can bake each batch at different time lengths to get a variety of textures from soft to really crunchy pieces.  My German Shepherds love the crunchy ones!   You can switch out the oats or just add carrot shavings.  Apple chunks, dried cranberries or baby food purees can replace the dog food, endless mix and matches!  ENJOY!!



P.S. I got this great freebie online at the Purina website where if you breed pups or own 5 or more dogs in your household you can score a free kit!  Each kit contains very high value coupons, plus 3 coupons for full size free bags of Purina puppy chow,Purina One Smart Blend, Purina One healthy weight.  I used these coupons to make these treats.  Super frugal and managed to make treat baskets for the owners of the little we just sold!  So if you breed pups or have 5 or more dogs head Here to get your kit!
*All pictures below to Krystal Rivera and she has given permission for them to be posted on Amber's Unique Coupon Page blog*