Classic Crafts: Sponge Paint a Leafy Tree!

Saturday mornings have officially turned into a crafty-painting time for us; it is the perfect day to make a mess with all our papers and paints.

I recently came across this little project in a magazine and although it is nothing completely new or original, my kids had a blast and they turned out really cute. Hopefully you will get a chance to let your little ones make this colorful painting to decorate your home this Fall!

First, gather a few basic supplies:

• card stock or heavy paper (2 pieces per child)
• a sponge
• paints (fall colors--red, orange, yellow, brown, etc.)

While you are gathering supplies, give your child a whole piece of card stock and tell her to draw the trunk of a tree.  The trunk should take up most of the bottom of the page with branches spreading into the top half.  In the meantime, take another piece of card stock and draw a cartoon tree-top on the top half.  This will be your stencil.  If you are terrified of drawing your own tree trunk or tree foliage on top, here is a template.

Cut your "tree top" from the paper as your stencil.

Once you have cut out the center of your "tree foliage" and your kids have finished drawing the trunk (and anything else they want to add) then you are ready to paint.

Place the template directly over the paper.  I taped ours to the table to keep it from moving around.  Next take an old sponge (or carpet squares) and squeeze the paint onto a plate or large surface so they have plenty of room to dip. Remind them not to mix sponges--use one sponge per color or else everything will mix and be a big mess.

This is the fun part! Watch your kids create original designs inside the stencil.  I enjoyed seeing how different the trees looked even though they had the same template, sponges and colors.

Once they are finished with their work of art, simply remove the stencil, stand back and admire!  I love how these turned out, the kids had a blast and continued doing other sponge projects long after they finished their trees. 

Mask Contest this week!

We are running a Mask Decorating contest this week...all the details are here.



It's as easy as printing out a mask here, letting your child (or you!) decorate it with medium or craft supplies of choice, then uploading a picture of the artist in the mask on our FB page.





My daughter was all about sequins...who can resist glam??!

The last day to enter is Friday, Oct 28. There are 2 prizes up for grabs: this darling custom initial necklace from My3Chickadees etsy shop and a $10 Hobby Lobby gift card.

We look forward to seeing your entry soon!

Harvest Hullabaloo: Make a Memory. Carve a Pumpkin!

Have you ever carved a pumpkin with your kids? It may not seem like a big deal to pick up a pumpkin. It doesn't take much to get your hands covered in messy pumpkin-goo, and it won't take long to make a few holes and place a candle inside, but to your child it is a fabulous memory-maker and a wonderful family tradition!
We have been carving pumpkins with our kids for at least the past 4 years. Sometimes we go to a pumpkin patch and select the perfect pumpkin for our family, but if funds (or time) are limited, they are just as happy with an equally perfect pumpkin thrown in the cart from our super-center. Kids really don't care.
The main thing is to create a memory with your kids, and the #1 rule is to have fun and don't worry about the mess. Tell yourself up front that it's a bath night and let them get involved in the process!

If at all possible, I have discovered the joys of pumpkin-carving outside. It is much easier to enjoy the process if everyone can dig their hands into the pumpkin, whether you are planning to keep your pumpkin "guts" or whether you are planning to launch them into the shrubs.
Before I begin basic pumpkin carving 101, let me recommend a few tools for the job. Of course any old knife and any kitchen spoon will work as a pumpkin carver and scraper, but if you are willing to splurge on the tiny carving sets (knife and scraper) sold in most convenience stores, you will save yourself a lot of time and energy.  It's important to scrape the inside as cleanly as possible.
I also discovered a GREAT use for an art tool I had lying around.  If any of you are really looking to take pumpkin carving to the next level, or if you have linocut printmaking in your past, track down your Speedball Linozip set like I did. It was so easy and fun to peel away the layers using my old printmaking tool!

Once you have carefully cut the top off your pumpkin and removed the insides (it worked really well to store ours on a cookie sheet!) then it's time to become an artist.  We normally download a free template, if you do a quick search you can find all kinds of ideas for your pumpkin.  My husband chose to use a Darth Vadar template this year, and right now my daughter is really into Swan Lake Barbie. I found a coloring page printable online and added some black and orange in Photoshop to help me see how it would look on the pumpkin.

I normally cover the backside of my printed template with a thick layer of pencil, tape it to my pumpkin and trace a heavy line (using the carbon copy method).  My husband prefers to tape his template to the pumpkin and poke small holes through the paper where he wants to carve through.  Either method works depending on how detailed you want to be!
Once our drawings were lightly traced onto the pumpkins we went to work carving. My husband used the carving tool to make all his cuts and was finished in about 15 minutes.  I made all my deep cuts, then went back in and peeled back the layers of skin from my pumpkin. There are several tutorials online for how to do this effectively. I wish I had watched one of them before carving, but it was still fun and my daughter was thrilled! 

My husband's Darth Vadar! We lost one of the eyes, but he still looks intimidating--especially at night!

We will not be entering any pumpkin carving contests anytime soon, but we had a great time digging our hands in the pumpkins and choosing the perfect thing to carve for and with our kids.  I would highly recommend making this a family tradition--this is the perfect week for you to go discover your very own Great Pumpkin rising out of the pumpkin patch.  We'd love to hear your favorite pumpkin carving or any tips you might have!

Leaves

by Elsie N. Brady

How silently they tumble down

And come to rest upon the ground

To lay a carpet, rich and rare,

Beneath the trees without a care,

Content to sleep, their work well done,

Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly

Until they nearly reach the sky.

Twisting, turning through the air

Till all the trees stand stark and bare.

Exhausted, drop to earth below

To wait, like children, for the snow.

Decorate your Mask Contest!

The air is crisp, the leaves are falling, the store shelves are lined with rainbows of cheap, multicolored plastic pumpkins and ridiculous amounts of sugar-filled candy.


What can we do to join in (or escape from) all this festive Fall fun?
It's time to hold a contest. It's time to decorate a mask.  That's right. From now until October 26th we are hosting our first annual "Muddy Mask Decorating contest!"  The rules are simple. 
1. Print this mask. Go here for the PDF:

2. Decorate the Mask.  There are 2 Categories in our contest! They are:

• Best, most creative & original design by a 3-6 year old child. Let your baby go to work on this mask and see what he or she can do!
• Best, most creative & original design by anyone. Let's see what your muddy, creative juices can create with this piece of paper and the amazing left side of your brain.

3. What to do when your mask is done!

• Take a photo of your child (or you!) wearing the completed mask and upload it to our FB site. We can't wait to see all your photos!

4. PRIZES!

• We have a great prize lined up for our 1st place overall mask winner.  Check out this super cute, customized initial necklace from our good friend Amy's Etsy shop, My3Chickadees!!! Also be sure to check out all the great ideas at her blog, Living The Allergic Life...to the Fullest!

• The winner in our 3-6 year old category for our Mask Decorating contest will receive a $10 gift card to Hobby Lobby so you can restock your creative genius's art supply shelf.

The Fine Print!

Feel free to enter both categories, but only one winner will be chosen per household.  The last entries will be considered on Oct. 26th, 2011. The winners will be notified and announced on Friday, Oct. 28th. Judging will be based on originality, creativity, and overall appeal of the photo itself. 

**Thanks for joining in on the fun...we can't wait to see your photos! Use this time to enjoy creating something  special with your little ones!

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It's Fall! What Can we do in the Upstate?

Are you looking for some fun things to do with your family this Fall? 

Is it time to start a few family traditions? 

Here is a list of our favorite Fall things to do in the Greenville area.  Please let us know your favorite Fall activities and we will add them to our list!

Fall for Greenville
Fall for Greenville takes place on Friday Oct. 14^th -Sunday 16^th
This year is the 30th anniversary of Fall for Greenville! Fall for Greenville takes place downtown on Greenville's Main Street. With over 40 of Greenville's finest restaurants showcasing almost 200 menu items, St. Francis Fall for Greenville is a fun event for the entire family. It has a festival atmosphere with carnival rides, a Ferris wheel, etc. There are also several stages set up throughout with local musicians playing for all 3 days.
Check it all out here. 

Happy Cow Creamery
I have to give a shout out to Happy Cow Creamery—one of our favorite places to visit! I love their products, my kids love their products, and we love seeing all the cows!
An exciting event is happening soon at Happy Cow. They are celebrating their 9th Anniversary on Saturday, October 1 from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Happy Cow will have lots of samples, and their Famous All Beef Hot Dogs w/drink will only be $1.00, and a Bag of Popcorn for only 25¢. There will also be a live Band, The Balloon Pirate (he is awesome!), Trolley Rides, Pumpkin Decorating. Check it all out here: http://www.happycowcreamery.com/
If you can't make it to the fun on Oct. 1^st, stop in any time to enjoy their amazing products. They are located here: Happy Cow Creamery/ 332 McKelvey Road/ Pelzer, SC 29669/ or call (864) 243-9699

AutumnFest at the Market/ Greenville State Farmers Market.This event begins this weekend at Greenville State Farmers Market, Greenville, SC! AutumnFest offers an opportunity to come out and indulge in the colors and flavors of Fall. Locally grown apples, pumpkins, plants and produce will be available as well as unique lawn accessories. Located @ 1354 Rutherford Rd., Greenville, SC, 29609/ (864) 244-4023. Here are the dates and times: Friday, Sep 23 8:00a to 6:00p, Saturday, Sep 24 8:00a to 6:00p, Sunday, Sep 25 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Sky Top Orchard

Our family LOVES Sky Top Orchard. It is only a short drive up the mountains from Greenville and offers a fun family experience that we enjoy year after year. They have all kinds of apples to pick or buy, as well as pumpkins, cider, and a variety of other things. Do yourself a favor and be sure to get a home-made donut from the stand. Yum. Here is the link. 

1193 Pinnacle Mountain Road Flat Rock, NC 28731 (828) 692-7930

Boo in the Zoo!  

Many of you have a local zoo membership, but even if you don't, you can enjoy Boo in the Zoo at the Greenville Zoo. This event offers safe, non-scary trick or treating for kids 12 and under! The dates are Oct. 21^st and Oct. 28^th from 5:30-8 for members only. Oct. 22-22^nd and 29-30^th from 4-8 it is open to the general public.

Barnes and Noble 
has several activities that carry over into fall.

Barnes and Noble the shops at Greenridge has stories around the Campfire 7 p.m. (every Friday!)

They also still have a Tuesday morning story time at 10 a.m.

The Barnes and Noble on Haywood Road has Story time for kids @ 10 a.m. on Thursdays.

Story times also continue at Great Harvest Bread on Woodruff Road.


The Library!
As always, don't forget about library events! Your local library has a very full activity if you are looking for something to do on a rainy day, or if you simply want to get out of the house and do something FREE with your little ones! Our local library has many events on the calendar here:


Stingy Jack's Pumpkin Patch?
I have not been to Stingy Jack's Pumpkin Patch, but the information below has me intrigued. Has anyone ever been here? I might have to check it out!
Friday, Oct 14 4:00p at Mountains and Meadows at Turkey Pen. 324 McGuire Rd., Pisgah Forest, NC, 28768
Children 5 and under are free and do not require a ticket for entry. All parking for the event will be located on Asheville Highway and is $5 per vehicle. Just look for the parking signs as you approach the event area. Looking forward to seeing you at Stingy Jack's Pumpkin Patch!

The Saturday Market! 
The Saturday Market takes place on Main Street in Greenville, SC, between Court and Washington streets. Market Hours are 8 am to Noon, May 7 to Oct. 29.

This place (The Happy Berry) has a great listing for local Farms: 
They are open Saturday 8am until 6pm
Sunday noon until dusk
Monday thru Friday 8am until dusk


Stewart Farms
I have never been to this farm either, but this place looks awesome.
Stewart Farms is a real, working farm and nursery, pumpkin patch, Greenhouse,and Farm Store.
Opening Saturday Sept. 24 The SC MaiZE opening Saturday, Sept. 24 Farm Admission - $2.00

You have to check out the pictures for this Corn Maize!

When: Opening Date: Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 Closing Date: Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011
Fridays 4-10
Saturday 10-10
Sunday 2-8
Weekdays and November by apt. only
6600 Highway 92
Enoree, S.C. 29335

SC Childrens Theater

This theater has a dramatized story time for $1 per child every other week on Monday and Tuesday. This sounds really neat! It starts Oct 3. Here is the link! 

There is a Hands on Childrens museum in Hendersonville

The cost is only just $5 a kid. Check it out here!

Fountain Inn theater for kids

Shows are $5 for kids. More information here!

Nivens' Apple Farm 

This farm also has apples, hayrides, pumpkins, and a corn maze. It is open August 15th thru Thanksgiving (or until apples are gone) 2.2 miles west of Moore, SC. from Hwy. 290 or Exit 63, 6.2 miles east of I-85 down Hwy. 290 toward Moore, SC. Phone: 864-574-8889 or 864-576-4195. 

8 am to 6 PM. U-Pick apples, hayrides, School tours, U-Pick pumpkins, farm animals, corn maze, apple cider.

Mini Miracles Farm

This farm also has blueberries, pumpkins, Fresh eggs, snacks and refreshment stand, Bouncy castle or moon bounce, pony rides, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info)

Mini Miracles is located at 708 Old Rutherford Road, Taylors, SC 29687. Phone: 864-248-7752. Alternate Phone: 864-968-9678.

Email: [email protected].

Open: Call or visit our website for Updated Hours. Directions: Visit our web site for directions please.Pumpkin Patch and Fall Family Fun Days open Monday October 4th and runs through November 14th; Hay rides, Animal Education Station, Bounce House, Pony Rides and Food are Friday, Saturday, Sunday; Pumpkin Patch open all week long; Private Educational Tours booked Monday-Friday; Birthday Parties any day but Saturday. 

What are your favorite Fall Family traditions? Comment below and we will add them to our list!  Happy memory-making!