Pom Pom Jar (Reward System)

When I'm out with my fellow Moms, I often ask about different ideas to help me become a better parent. My friend suggested a reward system and said the Pom Pom Jar had worked for her. It's such a genius idea - it's a great way to discipline your little ones. Kids earn pom poms by being well-behaved and kind around the house or doing little chores. Those pom poms go into a jar and when the jar is full - they get a reward!

I have sweet treats for prizes and soon will start creating fun surprises for my little guys.

I wanted to create my own pom poms using some scrap yarn. (It's perfect use this project).
Wrap the yarn around a scrap piece of card stock. When you're making pom-poms volume is key. Remove the wrapped yarn from the card stock and prepare a 3" to 4" yarn and tie it around. Knot twice to secure the yarn. You don't want it too loose.

Trim loops carefully. Set aside and prepare wooden discs.
Remove uneven strands and shape while trimming.

Stamped 12 wooden discs using PSA Essentials Super Star Peel & Stick Stamp set.

Glue wooden discs on top of each pom poms.

I used hot glue to secure the wooden discs.

 
I also made a simple felt flower tag and layered it with scalloped label and topped with with a stamped sentiment from PSA Essentials Peel and Stick stamp collection.

Secure with hot glue and attach to felt.

Here's the jar ready to be used by my little ones.

Visit http://psastampcamp.blogspot.com for more ideas.

Learning Numbers - Peg Board Tutorial

My boys and I are addicted to Team Umizoomi and this project really inspired me of a creative way to work on our number skills.



I started with a 2"x4" wood scrap. I actually got this from a neighbor and thought this would be perfect for my project.

Plan your number spacing before stamping. If you want to be absolutely sure you can measure the space in between and mark them with a pencil. I just eye balled mine. It's not perfect but you can't really tell right. I was just too excited to get this one done so we can put it in good use.

After stamping mark the holes for the pegs and drill the appropriate number of holes. After drilling use a sanding block and smooth out the surface of the wood.

Use a fine sanding paper.

Feel the surface to make sure there are no rough spots. Then use a Crystal Clear Acrylic spray to seal to protect the wood and also the stamped surface.

I picked up a package of wooden golf tees at Walmart. Found some natural tees that match my peg board perfectly. The tees came with this awesome bag - it was a great deal all in all.

Here's my son concentrating on placing the right number of pegs.

I just love this project. Hope you enjoy it too!

Visit http://psastampcamp.blogspot.com/ for more ideas.

Teacher Gift - Packaging Idea

Looking for an inexpensive teacher gift idea. I came up with this from browsing through Pinterest. Thought a little gardening kit would be perfect. I started by designing a printable gift tag. I created a blank circle for the stamped initials. I used PSA Essentials Archive Peel and Stick Stamp set for the initials. I also used the corresponding outer circle to perfectly frame the letters.

 

I punched a hole and looped through a pink and white twine.

It was fast and super easy. I am going to do a bunch more printable designed gift tags for my future projects. The stamps makes a fast personalized present.

I picked a few items at the Dollar Store to create my simple gardening kit.
 
I stuffed the glove with all the goodies and wrapped the stamped tag. Perfect gift for any teacher. A simple way to show your appreciation.

We can't wait to give them to our play school teacher.

Visit http://psastampcamp.blogspot.com/ for more ideas.

Teacher Gift - Brown Sugar Body Scrub

I am loving all the homemade hand and body scrubs via Pinterest lately and thought I can definitely create a big batch of this brown sugar body scrub and turn them into teacher gifts.

Ingredients
Organic Coconut Oil (1 1/2 cups)
Virgin Olive Oil (1/2 cup)
Brown Sugar (2 cups)
Lemon Juice (5 tbsp)
Lemon Zest (2 tbsp)

I started by mixing all the ingredients. Make sure there are no lumps.


I designed a set of circle labels to decorate the packaging. Punch circle tags using a 2" circle puncher and glue onto the tops.
Transfer and divide into mason jars. Seal and secure lids.

I decorated the jars with ribbon and attached the circle label.
I also prepared stamped circle tags and attached it with a pink ric-rac ribbon. I used my custom stamp from PSA Essentials.
I can't wait to deliver these homemade goodies to our teachers. 

Visit http://psastampcamp.blogspot.com/ for more ideas.

PSA Essentials Blog Hop

Welcome to the PSA Essentials & blog hop! If you're coming by via PSA Samp Camp you're on the right track. If not make sure you start at the beginning and check PSA Stamp Camp blog so you don't miss any amazing projects.

I just love repurposing things and this is such a great project because I have tons of fabric scraps that I just can't part with. I can see different themes created throughout the year and it can be a great gift idea to for a crafty friend too!

Start off by selecting a cotton fabric. Trim strips of fabric using a rotary cutter. The width of the ribbon is approximately 1.5" enough to fit around the wooden spool. Iron strips of fabric for easy stamping.

Then stamp image onto the fabric strip. I used PSA Essentials Peel & Stick Bunny Stamp Set for this tutorial. This is also a kid friendly activity.

Secure the end of the fabric strip onto the wooden spool and wrap around until you reach the end piece.

Here are my new fabric ribbons. Aren't they gorgeous. It's so shabby chic. I can't wait to make some more. 

Hope you enjoyed this project. Your last stop is PSA Essentials . Thanks again for stopping by and don't forget to follow PSA Essentials. Don't forget to comment on each blog and good luck in the giveaways!

Here's the blog hop list:

• PSA Stamp Camp: www.psastampcamp.blogspot.com 
• Jamie Green:  http://jamie-thegreenefamily.blogspot.com/
• Shelly Kurth: http://shelly-sweetgreetings.blogspot.com/
• Jeanne Streiff: http://inkypaws.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
• Anthonette Chavez: http://chavezdesigns.blogspot.com/
• Julia Aston: http://createwithjulia.blogspot.com/
• Regina Mangum: http://www.thestampinbean.blogspot.com/ 
• Jennifer Ingle:  http://justjingle.blogspot.com/
• Ginger Snap Crafts:   http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/
• Cherished Bliss: http://cherishedbliss.com/
• Mad In Crafts: http://www.madincrafts.com/
• PSA Stamp Camp: www.psastampcamp.blogspot.com
• Mae Armstrong Designs: http://maearmstrong.blogspot.com/

The giveaway:

Grand prize giveaway of 1 custom stamp, 3 Peel & Stick stamp sets, 2 notecards, 1 alignment tool, 1 black ink, 1 2-color ink, and free shipping to the winner. Value of the package is $150. Goodluck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Easter Tote Bag - Tutorial

I've been researching for a cute inexpensive Easter basket for my boys, but couldn't find one that I absolutely love. Last year I got some plush baskets from Target. Boys got tired of carrying them around. I think it was quite bulky for my little guys. I figure this year we can use something light weight, reusable and easy to clean.

I looked around for supplies I already have around the house and luckily I saved up some oil cloths from a previous project. I was worried about the condition. My oil cloth got super wrinkly and thought of going to the fabric store was just not in my schedule. I did a little Google research and found a bunch of blogs recommending a hair dryer or using an iron on a low setting to flatten the oil cloth. I opted for the iron but I placed a thin cloth on top of the oil cloth layer.

This tip worked. I used a plate to cut the circle pattern for the base of my bag. Then I measured width 12" x 25"  length for the body.

I prepared the bunny applique using a beige fabric. Iron fabric on freezer paper 8.5 x11 size. Place on top of cutting mat and create bunny shape using Silhouette machine and stamped "Oh Happy Day!" sentiment from PSA Essentials Peel and Stick stamp all over the cut out shape.
 
Sew bunny applique on the front side of the panel. Then sew bag edges.

Pin the round base onto the bag panel. Sew around the edge and flip bag over.
 
Hem opening of the bag.

Add woven bag handles and secure with pin. Sew to secure and you're done.
 
I added a simple Easter tag using PSA Essentials stamp.
 
This bag turned out well. You can customize the bag. You can change the them for any occasion and you can even do monograms on it. Tons of possibilities for this cute reusable bag.
 
Visit http://psastampcamp.blogspot.com/ for more ideas.

Bunny Tails - Easter Treat Packaging Idea

Here's another packaging idea I found on Pinterest and loved that I can easily mimic the design and incorporate my PSA Essentials Peel and Stick Stamps.

I started by cutting a 12"x12" pattern paper into four squares. Fold them in half and stamped "bunny tails" text onto the paper using PSA Essentials Archive letter stamp set. I also attached a cute little silhouette bunny to tie the whole theme.
 
I used a clear bag to package the marshmallows and secure the stamped paper tag on top of the bag. Instead of stapling the paper - I sewed a simple zigzag stitch.
 
 It's quick and easy. I'm excited to add them to my Easter bags.
 
 
Visit http://psastampcamp.blogspot.com/ for more ideas.