Blog - Laura Kelly's Inklings

November 28, 2020 by: admin

Kid Painted Gift Wrap

Kids love to make their own presents for others and create their own kid painted gift wrap. Hand painted gift bags are really fun to make and fabulous for wrapping too. It is like a two in one bonus project! You can use pretty much any bags but my favorite are kraft colored lunch bags that come in packs of 25 or 50 at the grocery store because they are super inexpensive. The cost of this project makes it a fabulous one to do with a group of kids either in a classroom or a club.

You will need the following supplies.

OOLY Poster Paints
Paint Brushes
OOLY Smooth Hues
Paper Sacks or Bags
Blank Gift Tags (If Desired)
Ribbon
Hole Punch
Paper Towels and Water for Rinsing Brushes

Start by painting stripes with red paint on the bags and tags.

Add green, light green and red stripes going in different direction to create a plaid.

Use your finger to paint snowmen and reindeer. Once the paint is dry, you can add details with brushes and other colors of paint.

When the paint is completely dry, use a Smooth Hue marker to add details.

Put gifts in the bags. Use a hole puncher to put a hole in the top of the bag then tie the tags through the holes with ribbon. Ta Da!

Kid Painted Gift Tags

The paints are great for making gift tags to match the wrap too. This is my favorite one. Also, I love that is matches the wrap.

Other Kid Painted Christmas Ideas

Additionally, Wood Slice Ornaments are super easy and fun to make with paint sticks from ooly. Get the details here on the blog.

YAY for Creating with Kids!
Laura

November 25, 2020 by: admin

Linky Party Edition 17

It has been such a busy week with all of the Thanksgiving festivities. We are actually full on Christmas decorating already! These are the features from last week’s linky party!

There are four of us who work together to bring this party to you! We would LOVE it if you would join all of us on our creative adventures.

Ann at Bella Crafts Publishing | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Laura at Laura Kelly Designs | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Meg at Makeable Crafts | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Beth at Creatively Beth | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

The rules are simple:

Please visit our hosts on social media and say HI! We can’t feature you if you aren’t following us on at least one platform.
Share up to THREE family friendly – crafts, recipes, DIY, home décor, printables, etc. – linked to a specific post – not your main website URL.
Please don’t link up shops, advertising, round-ups, other linky parties, or any sales promotions, we appreciate it.
Help us spread the word about this party by sharing the Creative Crafts Linky Party button in your post or sidebar. Use the hashtag #creativecrafts when sharing on social!
It’s not a party if you aren’t mingling! Visit other links at the party because it’s always nice to leave comments and pin from the original source.

By linking to the Creative Crafts Linky Party #16, you give us permission to share your post and images on our blogs and social media. We will always give proper credit with a photo and link back.

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

November 18, 2020 by: admin

Linky Party Edition 16

It’s beginning to look A LOT like Christmas. This past week was filled with creating holiday content, decorating around the house and shopping for gifts. Loads of the submissions to the linky party were Christmas projects, recipes, crafts and DIYS. Here are our favorites!

Ribbon Angel Christmas Ornaments

Christmas Elf Laundry Wreath

DIY Christmas Gnome Decoration

Christmas Butterfly Ornament

There are four of us who work together to bring this party to you! We would LOVE it if you would join all of us on our creative adventures.

Ann at Bella Crafts Publishing | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Laura at Laura Kelly Designs | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Meg at Makeable Crafts | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Beth at Creatively Beth | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

The rules are simple:

Please visit our hosts on social media and say HI! We can’t feature you if you aren’t following us on at least one platform.
Share up to THREE family friendly – crafts, recipes, DIY, home décor, printables, etc. – linked to a specific post – not your main website URL.
Please don’t link up shops, advertising, round-ups, other linky parties, or any sales promotions, we appreciate it.
Help us spread the word about this party by sharing the Creative Crafts Linky Party button in your post or sidebar. Use the hashtag #creativecrafts when sharing on social!
It’s not a party if you aren’t mingling! Visit other links at the party because it’s always nice to leave comments and pin from the original source.

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

November 16, 2020 by: admin

How to Empower Kids with ChattySnaps

I am out of this world excited about this blog post and sharing how to empower kids with ChattySnaps for two reasons. The first reason is because I totally believe in this product and what it can do for kids. The second reason is because I designed the “snaps’ and put the collection together. The power of ‘I AM” statements is unmeasurable and I am hopeful that kids (of all ages) will soon be running around with ChattySnaps that empower them to be their best selves hanging from their backpacks, lunch boxes and all the things.

What is an “I AM” Statement?

Are you wondering, what is an “I AM” statement? The answer is so simple. “I AM” statements are things that you would like to be, do and have (best in that order even). Building confidence in kids starts with supporting a positive self image. By stating out loud or in writing that I am CREATIVE, the idea of being successfully creative is reinforced in my mind. The message I send to my own brain is that I am creative because I say so. The statements are a powerful way to change your child’s mindset in a just a few minutes a day. But, it takes work. Choose the words that work. Talk about them. Most importantly, read them out loud and say them every single day.

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT ‘I AM” Statements and Being Mindful with Kids

Being mindful of the words that are being planted is important. The subjective mind is 100% subjective which is not like the conscious mind. The subjective mind accepts what it is given so whatever message you are putting on repeat will matter as it becomes fixed in the subconscious mind.

Teaching kids to be mindful is super important. Guide them towards statements that will help encourage them to grow and flourish while building confidence and self-esteem.

Some studies show that Studies show that on average, our thoughts can be up to 70% negative. Add to that, we tend that think the same things over again and again – day after day. Be mindful with kids that they are working to create positive thoughts.

ChattySnaps Empowerment Series by Laura Kelly

There are six empowerment sets to collect in this first launch. Because the “snaps” are interchangeable, the four “snaps” that come in each set (with a tail that holds three) can be switched up with “snaps” from other collections including the other empowerment sets!

You can get the sets at your local toy stores, from ChattySnaps and in my online store ShopLauraKelly.

Here are the six sets!

Kid Empowerment and Positive Mindset Printables

Here is a fun printable KID EMPOWERMENT WORD SEARCH PUZZLE with ALL of the words for sets 1-6.

Create your own “I AM” statements then cut them out and post them in a highly visable place (like the refrigerator)! You can do your own or download this free printable version. Feel free to share with your friends, students, family and everyone.

I really love Set 2 of the Empowerment Snaps. It comes with a yellow Tail and the snaps for Caring, Confident, Brave and Cheerful. Here is a fun little resource to use with kids that matches up to set 2. There is a blank page too that would work with all of the sets simply by filling in the blanks. You can download it FREE here and buy the ChattySnaps Empowerment set 2 here.

YAY! Cheers to Strong, Amazing, Empowered Kids and People Everywhere!

XO,

Laura

November 12, 2020 by: admin

Air Dry Clay Mermaid Tail

The holidays are great times to create and make decorations for the home and to give as gifts. This air dry clay mermaid tail is a fun kid craft that has lots of room for creativity, especially with the added shimmer from DecoArt’s Enchanted Acrylic Paints. I also made a butterfly to show how cute ornaments with TWO holes for hanging can be. This post is sponsored by DecoArt but the ideas and opinions are my own.

Supplies:

Directions:

Start by sculpting ornaments from Sculpey Air Dry clay. Be sure to make a LARGER hole than you think you will need because the clay expands a little as it dries. To make the holes, use the end of a paint brush.

When the clay is totally dry, paint the surfaces with DecoArt Americana acrylic paints. For the mermaid tail I chose to use pink and purple.

Additionally, I painted in stripes.

For the butterfly, I went with Christmas colors to make a festive ornament.

Once the base coat colors are totally dry, add a top coat with the DecoArt Enchanted paints. I used the gold for the butterfly. For the mermaid tail, I used the magenta.

Making this air dry clay mermaid tail ornament is super fun and so sparkly. It is perfect for a winter kid craft project to create a shimmery decoration for the holiday tree. I love that is can be used as a decoration for anywhere in the home all year round too.

Look how adorable the butterfly is!

I love the way the translucent top coat looks over a black base coat too. This enchanted village is another fun craft to make with kids.

If you are looking for more holiday crafts for kids, here are some of my faves. The gnome painting is so easy and fun!

Cheers and Love,

Laura

November 10, 2020 by: admin

Free Tag Template

This free tag template offers three different sizes that can be used to make tags, garlands and so much more. The super fun fact is that the printable can be enlarged if you want them bigger or shrunk if you want them smaller. Oh, the magic of technology. These are a few of my favorite ways to use the free tag template in quickly creating darling tags. This post is sponsored by Therm-O-Web (the makers of most of the products used in these projects) but the ideas are as always, my own.

Materials Needed

Card Stock or Heavy Paper
iCraft Tape Runner XL
Deco Foil Liquid Adhesive and Deco Foils
Ribbon, Twine or Raffia
Scissors
Hole Punch
FREE Printable Tag Template

Steps to Make Tags (and Garlands)

Start buy cutting out tags from card stock using the templates in the free tag pattern.

Cut out any embellishment shapes or pieces and add Deco Foil Liquid Adhesive wherever the extra sparkle is desired.

Use the tape runner to attach smaller tag pieces to larger ones if layering is desired. I love the whole idea of layering patterns over solid colors. Additionally, other materials can be used like burlap, felt and fabric.

Next, after the adhesive is totally DRY and CLEAR, add the foil by pressing it on shiny side out.

After foiling, use the tape runner to attach any extra cut out pieces (like the reindeer nose and antlers). It works for google eyes too! Finally, punch holes in the tags and add ribbon!

For example, I love how pretty this one is.

Making Garlands with the Free Template

Use the free tag template to make garlands too. Flipped upside down or right side up, the shape is perfect for whipping up quick and adorable holiday garlands.

If you are looking for more Christmas ideas, I have you covered. Here are tons!

Cheers and Love,

Laura

November 8, 2020 by: admin

Homemade Hot Cocoa

Homemade hot cocoa makes the best little gift for all the reasons. Hot cocoa is like a warm kindness sign of friendship. This is a recipe that we use in our home and also mix up to share with friends. It is super fun because you can trade out the flavors in the candy chips to create a wide variety of fun.

If you love this idea, you will probably LOVE my newest book, Sprinkling Holiday Kindness.

Ingredients for Homemade Hot Cocoa

3 cups dry milk powder
2 cups confectionary (powdered sugar)
1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup finely chopped white chocolate chips

Measure the first three ingredients and put in a bowl.

To chop the white chocolate chips, use a food processor. This is a fun little one that I really love.

This is what they look like AFTER they are chopped to the max.

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a large container with a lid by shaking. This is super fun for kids! Then scoop it out into containers to give as gifties (unless you are planning to keep it all for yourself!).

Packaging Idea to Make a Hot Cocoa Gift Set

Tie a jar of the hot cocoa mix up with a bag of dehydrated marshmallows. My kids LOVE these mini marshmallow treats so we order them in bulk.

Add my adorable note from the Sprinkle Kindness (Holidays) set from Papersalt. I love all five cards that I designed for this set so much! There are so so many ways to use them!

It might be fun to add a printable activity to your gift too. Here is a free one to download and share. It would be fun to do at home with the family while drinking hot cocoa too!

MORE FUN GIFT IDEAS

Here are two of the other cards in the set being shared with gifts. The candy cane note is PERFECT for all things red, white and peppermint. I paired it up with some of my favorite Mrs. Meyer’s products to create this fun tub to leave on a porch. Isn’t it a great way to kick off the holiday season.

The reindeer card matches up perfectly with Magic Reindeer Treat for sprinkling on the lawn on Christmas Eve.

You can grab that recipe and free printables here.

Cheers and Love,

Laura

November 6, 2020 by: admin

Reindeer Treat Recipe and Free Printable

Reindeer treat is a fabulous holiday tradition in our family. We have been making it for over twenty years and creating magical memories. I LOVE Christmas morning when the kids run outside to see if the reindeer came to eat their treats. It is easy to make and fun to give as a little gifty. This is also an AWESOME thing to make and sell at craft fairs for fundraising if you have kids into that.

Ingredients for Reindeer Treat

Birdseed (The smaller seeds are better.)
Sprinkles
Jimmies
Little Candies
Crushed Peppermint

The mix is completely whatever works for you! The truth is, the reindeer have seemed to love it all over the years. This is a mix that works great if you are setting up a station at a party. This is a page in the free printable set too. There is also a page that is blank for you to write out your own ingredients.

The little spice jars work great for packaging the treat!

If you are packaging up a larger amount, this adorable card from my new line with Papersalt makes a fantastic addition!

Reindeer Treat and Party Printables

All of these printables are FREE to download.

I love the coloring sheet, especially with my all time favorite crayons from ooly!

Today is DAY FOUR of Creative Crafts Christmas which means there are lots more ideas for you!

MORE Christmas Ideas

Meg from Makeable Crafts shared a fantastic way to use Dollar Store items to make holiday decor.

Beth from Creatively Beth made the most adorable snow globe with a TRUCK in it!

Ann from Bella Crafts is sharing stamped clay ornaments. She used Sculpey clay too!

Katie over at A Sweet Berry Designs is sharing an adorable and super simple Sculpey clay ornament.

Amy from Amy Latta Creations has another fun Sculpey clay project. She made the perfect one for 2020, toilet paper!

Lindsay from Artsy Fartsy Mama has a great printable for you!

Debra from Debra Quartermain Designs has ANOTHER fun Sculpey clay ornament! It is so cute!

Cheers and Love,

Laura

November 5, 2020 by: admin

Enchanted Christmas Village

DecoArt Enchanted Shimmer paints make it super easy and fun to create a darling decorative enchanted Christmas village. There are a couple of simple painting steps that when put together almost create a magical painting experience. For this reason, this is a perfect craft for kids to make. Winter crafts that transcend past Christmas are great because they can stay up through the cold months. The translucent colors change in appearance depending on the angles of light around them once dry creating a beautiful holiday display. This post is sponsored by DecoArt but the ideas and opinions are my own.

Materials Needed

DecoArt Americana Enchanted Black Base Coat
Paint Brushes
DecoArt Americana Enchanted Acrylic Paint
Wooden Houses

My favorite Enchanted Shimmer paint color is the magenta! The shimmer paints have shimmering iridescent particles mixed in for an even more spectacular effect. These paints are a great way to create a fascinating effect without having the mess of glitters and glues.

Direction to Paint an Enchanted Christmas Village

Start by painting a base coat over the entire wooden surface of the houses and let it dry completely.

Once the black paint is completely dry, paint an even layer of the iridescent Enchanted topcoat in whichever color you love most and let it dry. If you want the extra sparkle, choose the shimmer series.

Air dry clay is a fun way to create accents for the houses. Creating discs and stamping words in them then letting them dry is easy. This would be a great New Years Craft for Kids because they could add the year in the clay or their names. Once it is dry, adding a layer of gold DecoArt Americana Enchanted paint makes them shimmer.

Glue them to the houses.

Place your houses on a flat surface and embellish with holiday trees.

It’s Day 3 of Creative Crafts Christmas Edition!

Beth from Creatively Beth used DecoArt Americana paints today too. Check out her adorable recycled tin man snow people!

More Christmas Projects

Here are the other awesome projects being shared today!

I LOVE this ornament from Rae Gun Ramblings.

Meg from Makeable Crafts used Sculpey clay to make buttons that when added to a card are the perfect embellishment!

Ann from Bella Crafts shares how to make stamped ornament builders tags!

Cindy DeRosier is sharing a beautiful ornament.

Crafting Cheerfully shows you how to create fleece darling gingerbread and even provides a pattern.

The Crafty Blog Stalker made this super creative tree with tassels!

Laura over at Laura’s Crafty Life is sharing a wreath made with Dollar Store supplies!

November 4, 2020 by: admin

Felt Christmas Tree Farm

This felt Christmas tree farm makes a perfect decoration that can go out in the fall and stay up through the entire holiday season. It is a fabulous beginner sewing project because it requires one basic stitch. Because the trees are made with felt, they don’t require any flipping or hard work! Of course it could be done on a sewing machine too which would work better if fabric is being used instead of felt. Either way, stuffed with PolyFil, the trees make adorable little pillows that create decorations that can also be played with. That is a WIN in my book.