Love Banner

It's a little overdue, but here is the Love Banner from the Toddler Valentine's Day party.  It could work for birthday parties, tea parties, classrooms, or just a sweet decoration in your house.

We've been up to our eyeballs in planning a 2nd birthday shindig (more "why I haven't been blogging" excuses!).  I've done so many great things and made a ton of great printables, but we are also all about the surprise element for our guests.  After the party, you'll get pictures and printables galore.  Keep an eye out!

A Toddler Valentine Party

There isn't much that's sweeter than a group of toddlers on Valentine's Day.  They did crafts, exchanged Valentines, made and decorated cookies, and made a mess befitting of five kids.

Decorations:
I came across this great idea on Pinterest: sewing streamers together using long stitches and tight tension.  The result is a really cute ruffled streamer.  I hung the balloons from the top, which gave the illusion they were floating.  To do this, I taped a piece of thread on top of the balloon, tied it in a knot around the tape, and taped it to the roof.

Snacks:
The party was post-lunch and post-nap for the toddlers, so I didn't do too much for food.  And I tried to avoid sugary foods.  Here is what we served:

• Toddler Party Mix
• shreddies, yogurt covered raisins, cheerios, mini chocolate chips, dried cranberries
• Homemade Heart-Shaped Goldfish Crackers
• Fruit Kebabs
• punched small heart shapes out of watermelon, pineapple, and cantaloupe; put on popsicle sticks.
• Strawberry-Banana smoothies
• cups and straws were on the table.  I poured some for the kids when they asked.

Activities:

Young toddlers are unpredictable and aren't usually interested in extremely structured activities.  For this reason, I kept it simple.  I set up little centres around the kitchen for them to explore as they wanted.

• Valentine Mailbox Decorating: Stickers, felt pieces, and other embellishments they could easily stick or glue on a paper bag.
• Votive Candle Holder: smear glue/water mix over a baby food jar.  Stick tissue paper hears to the jar and cover with glue/water mix again.  Let dry.  Use as a candle holder.

• Cookie station: roll out cookie dough, cut out cookies, bake, ice, and decorate with sprinkles.

• Sensory bin: Pink rice (dyed by me), pom poms, heart jewels and some scoops and spoons.

I didn't want any messy clothes and I wanted a nice party favour for the kids to take home.  I decided to make aprons for each of the kids.  The girls' aprons had hearts and the lone boy's had a mustache.  The kids looked incredibly cute wearing them and they provided excellent photo opportunities.

* I made the banner above the aprons.  It should be up as a free printable soon.

Valentines:

We asked everyone to bring Valentines for each other.  Our Valentine for the kids was a tub of homemade playdough.  We got the containers and bags from the dollar store.  I designed the labels, which we printed and stapled on.  They read: "You make me feel squishy inside."  I'll be posting them as a free printable soon.

The girls also got some hair bows.

I also wanted to give each of the kids a nicely iced cookie.  I thought this was a great opportunity to try out royal icing.  It wasn't as hard as I'd thought, and I learned a lot.  Consistency is everything and I didn't get it quite right.  Next time!

And that's it!  It took a lot of planning, but it was worth every second.  Toddlers are adorable.  I love mine. ♥

Valentine's Day Matching Game

I really really love printables.  I love finding blogs that offer great ones, especially for free.  Who doesn't love free?

So, here is Little Renn's first printable - a Valentine's Day Matching game!  My daughter loves to play matching games.  Who doesn't?

Two notes:

• I don't have Illustrator anymore, so I'm not able to work amazing magic in *gulp* Publisher.  
• I also don't have a colour printer.  I got sick of paying for ink, so I got a laser jet.  So no fancy photos or set ups in this post.  Just the basic guts.

Here's how you do it:

* Click here to download the matching game.

* Print it (colour is better).

* Cut them out.  (Scissors, punches, x-acto knife - whatever works for you.  You'll get the nicest edges from punches or an x-acto).

* Mix them up and play!  If you want to be fancy, get a cute bag or box for them.

Here are some alternative uses for the cards if matching games aren't really up your alley.  If you're older than 3, this is probably you.

• Cupcake toppers
• Mini-valentines
• Glue them to a valentine mailbox.
• Make a garland.

I'd love to know what you think!  Leave a comment on the blog or on Facebook!

No offense Pyrex...

...but your new stuff kind of sucks.

Would you want this?

Or THIS?

My husband doesn't know how lucky he is - I'm cheap.  I scavenge thrift stores for cool stuff (mostly Pyrex and vintage toys).  This is my hobby.  Not spas, designer clothes, or other costly adventures.  I love me some Pyrex.

And the nice part is - it's relatively easy to come by.  I don't think I've ever been to a thrift store that didn't have a piece of Pyrex.  But I only buy what I like.  That is super important.  It's waaay to easy to get sucked into buying everything.

Don't bother wasting your money on eBay or at antique stores.  They rip you off.  (Confession: I did buy the yellow Mod Kitchen one on eBay.  It was very reasonably priced and located in Ontario.  I'll never do it again....promise!)

And shout-outs to people who have contributed to my collection:  The lovely Grandma Coco and my wonderful sister.  Anybody else that wants to give me vintage Pyrex, I accept.

Do other people collect Pyrex?  Yes.  Do people have cooler collections than I do?  Abso-freaking-lutely.  I challenge you to Google image search "Pyrex" - there are no words really.  Breathtaking doesn't really do it justice.

AND: I'm not encouraging people in my area to begin this collection.  I'm not looking for a fight in the aisles of Value Village.  I'll just be the creeper following you around the store.  I've done it before and I'LL DO IT AGAIN.

Toddler Entertainment tip:  Read books often enough that you can recite them from memory while typing a post.  I apologize for any coherency issues.  Multi-tasking is haaaard.

Life

Life seems to get in the way of blogging.  Too busy, too lazy, uninterested...I can use all those excuses. But I'm determined to get back at it.

We are going to be hosting some very sweet toddlers for a Valentine's Day party, so I figured sprucing up the place was in order.   Project number one: A Tree of Hearts.  This should have been a "couple hours" project, but it was an "over a week" project. (Crafting with a toddler takes a bajillion times longer).  But the project itself was simple:




A Tree of Hearts

Materials:
- heart template
- fabric of choice
- ribbon or string for hangers
- a tree branch

1.  Cut out two hearts from each fabric.
2.  Cut a length of ribbon/string for hanger.
3.  Place the ribbon/string between the two hearts (remember to put the hanging part on the inside; leave a little bit hanging out so you'll catch it in the seam allowance.
4.  Sew around the outside of the hearts, leaving about a 1" opening for turning.
5.  Turn it, stuff it, sew it closed!
6.  Hang them on a tree branch.




* Tip: to get really great little points at the bottom, backstitch a couple times as you're sewing on each side.  If you look closely at mine, you can tell how long it took me to figure this out.
* I COULD NOT figure out how to get the center part of the heart to turn nicely with the ribbon.  Switching to smaller ribbon helped, but getting a nice upper internal point is IMPOSSIBLE.  Help?

Finding a decent tree branch was the hardest part for me.  I had to dig through a pile of twigs on the side of the road on a cold winter's day.  And I had to walk five miles up hill, both ways....

Toddler entertainment tip of the day: Putting on "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" by Wham! entertained the kiddo for 1/60th of the time it took to write this post.  And the adorable dance moves weren't bad either.

Baby Giraffes

Working in an office full of men is likely a challenge.  Telling them you're pregnant likely wouldn't result in an appropriate amount of excitement, or so I would assume.  So, someone in this situation deserves a special little something...some baby giraffes!

It's too early to know whether this special little bundle will be a boy or a girl, so I made a boy giraffe and a girl giraffe.

I used a minky fabric for one side and some graphic prints for the reverse.  Some colourful grosgrain ribbon for the tail and back, and they were done!  I would have loved to put a squeaker or bell in them, but unfortunately I had neither on hand.

I used this pattern from the Craftin' It blog.  

I Spy Bag

Quick and affordable are some of my favourite words when it comes to crafting.  And for this I Spy bag, all materials came from the dollar store.

An I Spy bag is filled with filler (vase filler, rice, etc.) and lots of miscellaneous items.  Whatever you can find at the dollar store or thrift store.  Then play I Spy!  Ask your child to find an item in the bag.  Or just let them play by themselves.  They'll love it.  

It's great for toddlers and even older children (I can see my kiddo's uncle enjoying this very much). It's nice for sensory play, as well as vocabulary development.  It would also be a great road trip toy.

This is just what I had leftover!  

Materials:

One pencil case with clear opening 

Filler (vase filler, rice, etc.)

Pom poms

Googly eyes

Shapes

Erasers

Animals

Beads
Letters

...whatever you want!

Instructions:

(don't use a pencil case without a clear front...this was an
extra I had laying around)

1.  Turn your pencil case inside out.  Sew along the line (*see picture to the right), leaving 2 inches or so open.  (I would recommend a short stitch length, as you want to have this baby sewn up tightly).

2.  Cut off the excess above the sewing line (this will include the zipper).

3.  Turn the pencil case right side out.

4.  In a large bowl, add your filler and a few of each item you bought.

5.  Give it a mix with your hands.

6.  Carefully pour everything into the pencil case.

7.  Sew closed.

8.  Give to someone special. :)

The Peacock Tutu

I've always associated a pinky purple colour with peacocks.  I'm not sure why - there isn't much purple or pink to them.  But when I saw some beautiful pinky purple tulle, the peacock tutu was born.

I've never seen a tutu quite like this - it is shorter at the front and gets progressively longer as it goes around.  It looks just like a peacock tail!  And with the addition of some cute felt peacock feathers, the tutu was complete.

I'm thrilled with it - if it wasn't weird, I'd prance around the backyard in it. It is too big for the kiddo at the moment, but I can't wait until I'll see her running around
in it.

Tutus are incredibly simple to make.  There are TONS of tutorials on the web, so there's no need to add mine.  Here's a good one.  You'll find tutus made with elastic, ones made with ribbons, one that are no-sew, and ones that are sewn.  The peacock tutu is elastic, and no-sew - getting the urge to make one yet? :)

I've whipped up the instructions in a PDF download to make the peacock tutu, as well as the pattern pieces for the felt "feathers".  They can easily be freehanded, but for those that aren't as adventerous, patterns are always nice.  (Please forgive the "roughness" of the patterns - I don't have Illustrator yet, so I cobbled them together in Publisher).

If you have ANY questions, or anything is unclear, please send me a note.  I plan on doing more in-depth tutorials in the future, with photos included.  But I'm happy to explain anything that you need to know.

The materials are cheap, it's easy to make, and you'll have one happy kiddo at the end!  Happy tutu-ing!

*If you make one of your own, add it to the Little Renn Flickr pool!  I'd love to see it.

Peacock Tutu Instructions

Taken before "feathers" were added. And wind is not a tutu's friend!







The Playroom

When I heard we had to move (long story for another post...or several), my first thought wasn't of packing or unpacking.  It was, "Oh no....the playroom."

I have been working on the playroom for months, maybe even years in my head.  It has been a great creative outlet - I've been able to combine my craftiness with my teaching instincts.  I've been puttering away slowly, collecting cool toys, furniture, decorations and more.  IKEA and Kijiji have been incredible for finding deals.

So to find out we're moving, shortly after I declared it pretty much done...devastating.  So I immortalize it here, for all to see.  A requiem on a playroom.

I exaggerate - this playroom will be recreated in some form at our next house, which I will definitely share.  But this was its first incarnation, which will never be fully appreciated, as the kiddo just turned one.  She's happy simply pulling books off shelves.  And I faithfully put them back on the shelves when she's done. Someday, she will appreciate what a great masterpiece her playroom actually is.

The paint colour is called Sunshine (or Sunny...I can't remember).  It is such a happy colour - perfect for a drab basement.

A carpeted "path" leads you into the playroom.  Very inviting right?  These were JYSK bath mats, super cheap - maybe $3 each.





The playroom has an extra-large, hard to find Little Tikes Grand Victorian Mansion in it.  It's HUGE.  A six foot tall person can stand up in it.  It is carpeted, complete with a kitchen, barbecue, fireplace, table, and chair.

Beside the house is the book nook.  Here, although you wouldn't believe it by looking at the picture, houses hundreds of books.  There are two floor to ceiling bookcases just outside the playroom with MORE books.  It's a weakness.  But, a book weakness is not the worst weakness to have...

We stay away from TV, movie, and princess-themed books (also a topic for another post).

Our favourite authors include: David Shannon, Jaime Lee Curtis, Tad Hills, Tom Lichtenheld, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, and many, many more!

We also have a great mini-rocking chair (Winners), some comfy pillows (Bouclair & Target), a bench to sit on (Target), which happens to be overflowing with dress up clothes.

The designs on the wall are actually plastic pieces from Dollarama.  2 in a package for $2, some spray paint and they are cheap, beautiful art.




The playroom also has a fully-stocked kitchen.  The table and chairs, as well as the white bin "cupboards" are from IKEA.  The Step 2 kitchen was an amazing Kijiji find (thanks Mom!), with lots of fun electronic features.  You may have spotted some vintage Fisher-Price stuff dotting the room - they just don't make it like they used to!  Vintage Fun with Food and Little People ALL THE WAY.

And finally, a lovely garden to tend to in the summer months.


A rather long post about a playroom, right?  I'm a proud mother. :)


Have a great playroom of your own to share?  Click on Little Renn's Flickr group in the left hand column and post some pictures!  We'd love to see what yours looks like.  We'd even love to see your ideal playrooms (please respect copyrights of others!)

Pink Punch

I hate to tease you with such a yummy summer drink, but it's too delicious not to share.  The internet is full of different takes on Pink Punch, and here's mine.  I dare say, it is a superior version to all the rest.

Ingredients:
- 1 tub of Pink Lemonade Ice Cream (found at Loblaws/Superstore/etc.)
- 1 can Minute Maid Peach frozen juice, melted
- 2 - 2L bottles of Sprite

It's easiest to make big batch of this in a punch bowl, but you can make individual glasses if you so desire. The pictures show an individual glass, but I'll give you the instructions for a punch bowl full.

Prepare yourself.  It's mind-blowingly complicated.  Pour the bottles of Sprite in the bowl.  Pour the melted fruit juice in.  Add a bunch of ice cream (I added about 3/4 of the tub).

This will foam up A LOT, so don't overdo it on the liquids.  You can always add more after the ice cream has gone in.

Some pretty ice cubes will spruce up the bowl.

And, that's IT.  Seriously.

And the best thing is?  The punch is totally versatile. Change the ice cream.  Different flavour, frozen yogurt, sorbet, it doesn't matter!  Don't like Peach juice?  Add something different?  Prefer Ginger Ale?  Go for it!  My only tip is: if you want it to be pink, stick to things that have a pink or red base.

Make it shortly before it's about to be served, and your guests will LOVE it.  I know from experience. :)

Have any combos you'd like to try?  Leave a comment below!

Mery the Mermaid

What little girl wouldn't want a stuffed mermaid?  I want one.  I hope my cousin wants one - she's getting one in the mail!  She's a mom to a beautiful new baby girl, so perfect time to whip up something cute.

I have to admit, it wasn't all that difficult to make.  After making cutting out a cardboard pattern, I cut out and sewed her front together.  Same for the back.  I sewed and stuffed her arms and her ponytail.  I sewed them together.  And voila!  One mermaid!  I think even someone with basic sewing skills could make this.

Now...I got so excited and made this so quickly that it didn't even occur to me to do a tutorial.  I'd be more than happy to whip up a free tutorial and pattern if there anyone out there is so inclined.  Leave me a comment and if at least five people do, a tutorial is in your future! :)

Little Renn has a Facebook group now.  It looks so sad only liked by me. If you join, you might be eligible to win something made by me! :)

A Polka-Dotted Birthday

How to start off a blog is an intimidating subject. Tone, subject, and direction are each critical elements, and to be honest, I haven’t decided firmly on any! So, the inaugural blog post here on Little Renn will be about something I’m particularly proud of. Something I’ve worked for months preparing and crafting for – a first birthday party!

My mother always threw great parties for us as kids and I knew I wanted to continue that tradition. For the theme, I chose polka-dots because there is a classic and timeless element to them (no Disney/TV/movie-themed stuff in our house!).

The Decorations

Tissue paper poms: These are fantastic. They’re pretty easy to make, look amazing, and are very versatile. We hung them above the couch and above the spread in the kitchen.

I managed to find tons of great (free!) printables on various websites, including a bunting banner, water bottle covers, tent cards, thank you tags, cupcake toppers & wrappers and more. I hope to soon create my own printables (and share with you!). It's amazing what people create and give away for free!




The Food

Oh, the food! We still have a fridge full! We had popcorn, fruit salsa with cinnamon chips, salted caramel cupcakes, hummus, cheesecake stuffed strawberries, cookies from Grandma Coco, candy, and more! We had a great 3-tier cake from Simply Delectable cakes. It made for quite a spread.

The Thank You’s!
We had a mostly adult guest list, so I wanted something appropriate and not junk that they would throw away.
I came across a great tutorial on The Cottage Home for coasters. I found some great scrapbook paper at Michael’s, and off we went! I even found little plastic footies at the dollar store. Tip from experience – use superglue to get those babies to stick!

We also gave out pink take-away containers to try and pawn leftovers off on the guests.

Final Note
Party planning is tons of fun, but TONS of WORK.
*Watch out for a comprehensive Polka-dot Party photo gallery!