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 - 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

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.

School Gift Idea - Paper Carrots

Are you prepping up for Easter? I am and totally fell in love with the strawberries I made for Valentine's for school gifts and wanted to create something similar for Easter. I created the carrot packaging pattern in Illustrator and imported and edited the image in Silhouette. I used my Silhouette machine to cut the pattern.

I selected various paper patterns to complete my project.


Fold along the crease marks.

I used hot glue to secure the end tab. This works great than double sided tape or glue dots. It's much more durable.

I prepared green yarn tassels for the carrot leaves. I used a small card stock as my guide. Wrap yarn around the card stock several times and secure with another yarn, tie in a knot and cut the ends.


Add treats inside the carrot box.
Insert the green tassel and loop an extra piece of yarn through the punched holes and secure in a knot.

Arrange and pull out tassel.
 
Set aside and prepare stamped Easter tag.
  Carrots are done and ready to be tagged.

 
I prepared scalloped circle tags, stamped "Happy Easter" sentiment using PSA Essentials Peel and Stick stamp.
 
I also added a pink and white twine to finish my tags.
 
Add tag and secure. That's it! Simple and so cute.
 
We're ready to share them with our school friends. I'm planning on making a few extra carrots for our church teachers too!

Great gift and a great addition to your Easter bags.
  
Visit http://psastampcamp.blogspot.com/ for more ideas.