Dip Dyed Reusable Canvas Bags

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. We all recognize the three "R"s that we learned in grade school. Earth Day is around the corner and its time to get thinking about reducing, reusing, and recycling. Using recycled cotton canvas bags while shopping is a great way to reduce our waste while doing routine activities. These bags are sturdy enough for the heaviest groceries, and are 100% reusable and machine washable. I dip-dyed a few of my favorite canvas totes to add a little color and fun into my shopping routine, and today I'm sharing them with you.

 

Canvas bags don't have to be boring. Being made from 100% cotton means that these bags can be dyed, decorated, and otherwise customized to fit your personality. I chose to dip-dye my bags with an ombre effect in two different colors. These fun, vibrant bags are great for taking along to the grocery store, to the Farmer's Market, or even packing up to take to a picnic in the park.

I started shopping with reusable bags because I was sick of the waste from one-time use plastic bags.  Shopping with reusable bags is becoming a way of life for many Californians. While the state can't agree on a unified plastic bag ban, many cities in California have adopted bans on plastic grocery bags. My town adopted a plastic bag ban in January 2014, meaning they stopped providing plastic bags to customers and charge 10 cents per paper bag and offer reusable bags at most registers for a fee.

Who wants to pay more at the grocery store? I sure don't!

Fun Gift-wrapping Idea for a Preschooler's Birthday Party

March is birthday month in the Messy House! All 3 kids have birthdays this month, so there will be a lot of celebrating going on. March 2nd also happens to be National Read Across America Day, and Dr. Seuss's birthday, so why not start the celebration with the gift of some books? Right now, I am loving the idea of wrapping small gifts in a plan paper and decorating with ribbon and accents to make them special.

 

If you're like me and adore wrapping and decorating gifts before they are given, then I bet you'll love this project. This project is easy enough that even if you don't enjoy wrapping gifts, you will love the simplicity of this project. A bit of brown paper, some colorful ribbon, and a few pieces of scrapbook paper is all you need for this.

Oh, and books. Pick a couple of books your kids enjoy and would love to add to your collection. Stumped on what books your kids would like? Take a trip to your local library and take a look around! We've found many new authors and series through first borrowing a few of their books from the library to take them on a "test-run".

Rainbow Rolled-Brim Knit Hat

This post is part of the Spring Craft Blog Hop 2015, the second in a four-part spring craft blog hop challenge for the spring season! This hop will run from February 18 - March 17. We challenge you to create a craft project that reflects St. Patrick's Day, Palm Sunday, or a general Spring theme. Please join us in this challenge and link up your crafty creation to be seen on 20 blogs!

I love to create projects that can be gifted. In November, I re-taught myself to knit to keep my hands
busy, and to be able to create wearable gifts. I could spend hours at the knitting store or browsing online for yarns, thinking of the beautiful creations I could make. For a hat with a fun St. Patrick's Day twist, I created a rolled-brim rainbow hat that is made using 2 worsted weight yarns knitted together.

 

Using white and rainbow-colored ombre yarn knitted together creates this unique design in the knitting and makes a thicker, warmer hat that is perfect for cold weather. This pattern is simple enough for beginning knitters that know the basics. The whole hat is knit using the knit stitch (which creates stockinette when knitting in the round).

Spiced Rosemary Candied Almonds

Sticking with game day snack theme, these Spiced Rosemary Candied Almonds are the perfect snack to enjoy with company (or not) while watching sports, hiking, or just kicking back. A few staple ingredients is all you need to create a sophisticated snack that will please just about everyone. These Spiced Rosemary Candied Almonds aren't just great for game day. Try them for snacking on mid-day, instead of reaching for the chips or cookies. Package them up, they make perfect gifts for holidays, housewarmings, and hostess gifts.

Don't think you need to stop at almonds, though. Try making Spiced Rosemary pecans, walnuts, cashews, or a mixed blend. Once you are comfortable with the method, the possibilities are unlimited! Make these ahead and store for up to one week in a cool, dry location. These make for excellent additions to a cheese platter, or toss in some dried cranberries for a tempting fruit and nut blend. Instead of reaching for pretzels or the chip and dip, grab a handful of these nuts and snack smarter.

 

Spiced Rosemary Candied Almonds
Get printable recipe here

Ingredients

• 1 pound raw almonds
• ¼ c sugar
• 1 egg white
• 2 tsp dried rosemary, finely chopped (3 sprigs)
• 1 tsp kosher salt, plus pinch
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

Decorating for St. Patrick's Day: Photo Prop, Free Printable

With St. Patrick's Day coming, I think most people are a little "green" with envy. But why should those with Irish blood have all the fun? Here are two printable photo props so we can all have a little fun! I got the inspiration for these from last month's Valentine's Day on a Stick.

Kiss Me I'm Irish Printable

 

 I'Rish I was a little bit Irish printable

Cut them out, fold them over a craft stick, and get snapping! Or use them to decorate around your house, maybe stick them in a potted plant, or in a candy dish on the mantle, or hide them somewhere for that special someone to find!

 

See how I used these printables to make fun party favors!

 





Valentine on a Stick Craft and Free Printables

These cute valentines on a stick are perfect to put anyone in the Valentine's day mood! You can use them to decorate your candy bowl, or add a small touch to a bouquet. Make a lot and hand them out to friends and family. Slide a lollipop inside, instead of using the craft stick, for a sweet something extra, or attach a bag of Kisses with a bit of curling ribbon for some whimsy.

Happy Valentine's Day!
Renee
 



"Kiss Me, I'm Yours" free printable

 

"Be Mine, Valentine" free printable

 

Step One: Print. Each template comes with 3 copies on a page, so you can make lots of valentines!

Step Two: Cut out the template around the edges

Step Three: Fold along the line. This is your back and front.

Step Four: Tape a craft stick on the back (white side) of one half.

Step Five: Glue together and let dry. You can now pass out your valentines, or use them as decorations.

You can share your Instagram pictures with me using hashtag #creativemamamessyhouse. I look forward to seeing your creativity!

 

 



A Gift for Pony Club and free printable

I know I said that I would show you my kitchen window herb garden, but it was raining and I really wanted to create a tutorial for making over some flower pots as well as planting a few new herbs in said pots. So instead I did an indoor activity today and created my first printable.

These words were spoken to me once at a Pony Club Championships in 2010 and they have managed to stick with me. So, to give back, I created this print for my former Pony Club chapter, in their colors. I plan on printing it out in cardstock and frame it to hang in the barn.

Pony Club is a youth organization that teaches leadership, confidence, and a sense of community through riding and horsemanship. I first joined Pony Club at age 14, and continue to participate in my club through volunteering. To learn more about Pony Club, visit http://www.ponyclub.org/.

For the free printable click here. Feel free to share these words of encouragement with anyone who might need it!

Until next time,
Renee