B.Inspired MAMA

On the Move…

Krissy — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 01:58:30 +0000

It’s been a month or so since I’ve blogged here. In that month I have finally gotten my postpartum depression under control and have even managed to start an exciting new business, B.Inspired Vintage. But in starting up my blogging again, and to complement my new business, I’ve decided to make a move back to Blogger. I’m still going to share the same clever products, crafty projects, and creative parenting tips, but with a little vintage flair thrown in, too! I hope you’ll join me at the new (and improved) B.Inspired Mama!

Wordless Wednesday: The Art Clothesline

Krissy — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:49:22 +0000

Wordless Wednesday: Square Lunch

Krissy — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:56:01 +0000

Six Stellar Sticker Activities

Krissy — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:08:51 +0000

Most toddlers are fascinated with stickers, and my Sawyer is no exception. Every time I see a pack on sale, I grab it for our overflowing sticker collection. Stickers provide an easy go-to activity for every busy mom; just give your little one a piece of paper and sheet of stickers and get their lunch prepared or the floor mopped without fuss. But there are so many more things you can do with stickers to make them even more fun and creative. Here are six ideas to take sticker-fun above and beyond that plain old piece of paper!

1. Create Lines & Patterns

Help your little one build fine motor skills and even early math skills by encouraging them to place their stickers in lines and patterns. Start by drawing or having them draw one long line on the paper and show them how to place their stickers in a row covering the snaking line. Show them how to create a pattern along the line (i.e. one Elmo, then one Big Bird, then one Elmo sticker, and so on). But be careful not to hinder their creative fun by forcing them to stay on the line or with the pattern if they really aren’t into it.

5. Start with a Background

Instead of just handing your little one a blank piece of paper every time (not that it’s a bad idea once in awhile), give her a background to start with. Use a sheet from a coloring book or a page from a magazine. Have her draw something first. Or if you’re really feeling ambitious, draw the background yourself. My son’s favorite is when I draw him a winding road or choo choo tracks for his car, truck or train stickers. But try playing up the silly factor by pairing backgrounds with unlikely stickers, like sea life stickers on an outserspace scene.

3. Create a Reward Chart

Stickers are a great reward for good behavior. Let your little one see her accomplishments add up by adding her stickers to a reward chart. You can start with just a blank sheet of paper, a self-drawn design (of course, our design of choice is always the road and train tracks), or even design and print off a free chart from ChoreCharts.com.

4. Decorate Cards & Gifts

Let your little ones in on the gift-giving by having them decorate cards and gift-wrapping with stickers. Use inexpensive blank notecards, plain gift bags, or even recycle paper grocery bags for wrapping paper. Match the stickers to the interests of the gift recipient for a personal touch.

We used stickers to transform this wipes container into a potty training reward treasure box.

5. Decorate 3-D Objects

You don’t always have to think flat when it comes to stickers. With just a few fun stickers, recycled wipes boxes become magical treasure chests and empty plastic water bottles become dazzling vases. The sky’s the limit!

6. Make Your Own

Give your little one some markers or crayons and a sheet of plain white labels to easily create their own stickers. Or cut their already made creations into smaller shapes and run them through a sticker maker. Just don’t waste time and money on those poor quality kids sticker making kits. Invest in a Xyron Sticker Machine(which can be found with the scrapbooking supplies and actually costs about the same amount anyway) so you can use it for your arts and crafts, too!

Mama Loves Monday: Creative Kiddy Finds from Etsy

Krissy — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:08:36 +0000

In honor of opening up my new Etsy.com shop, B.Inspired Vintage, here are some of my favorite creative kiddy finds from other Etsy sellers!

Creative Kids Art Bucket by Mom N Mia Quilts

Lavender Scented Play Clay by Mama K’s

Crafty Kids Card Making Kits by Sarah Emily Design

Wordless Wednesday: Sawyer’s First Symbol – A Face

Krissy — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:02:35 +0000

B.Inspired by Wendy: Scrapbook Designer & Creative Mama of 8

Krissy — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:50:40 +0000

One thing’s for sure: being a creative mama is hard work! No mama knows that better than my friend, scrapbook designer and mama of 8, Wendy. I know that I could probably learn a thing or two from her. And I’m totally inspired by her ability to juggle her creative endeavors while raising such a wonderful bunch! So, let’s hear from her how she handles it all. Read on and B.Inspired by Wendy of Busy Mama Designs.

Q: Tell us about yourself and your family.

A: I am a Christian SAHM of 8 wonderful kids! Aaron-22 Autumn-17, Josiah-16, Jordan-14, Rebah-12, Ryan-4, Vanita-3 and Volesya-1 year. The Lord has blessed us to be able to homeschool them. I have been married to the most wonderful husband and father I could ever dream of, Dan, for 23 years. We are dairy farmers in beautiful Lancaster County, PA, home of the Amish.
I have always enjoyed all kinds of crafts but shortly after our oldest was born, I was introduced to traditional scrapbooking. I totally fell in love with it and began working on pages a little at a time. As time went on I started to love all kinds of paper crafting and also developed a love of computers. It was only naturalto get involved in digital scrapbooking and that has developed into designing. I just started designing my own kits in December and I am totally loving it. I have been accepted into Faith Sisters, a digital and hybrid scrapbooking store as a designer. I am so excited about this new journey. You can see some of my designs here.

Q: What inspires you?

A: First off, my family. It seems one of them are always into something new, whether it is a new book or some new music video or game. I love to look at other designers and get inspiration from them. I also just love to look in magazines, books, even advertisements to stores for some of the latest color palettes and designs.
Q: How do you nurture your own creativity?

A: I have found over the years that if a few days go by and I am not able to do some sort of designing or crafting I just NEED to sit and work on something. So, I have made it a priority for me to have time, maybe not a big chunk but many little slivers of time, to just sit and create. Or I will just take a few minutes and look at some of the latest styles or colors.

Q: How do you inspire creativity in your children?

A: I have always encouraged them to try something new. Someone will never know if they are the next greatest artist if they don’t first pick up a paintbrush or pencil. With us homeschooling, I have had the opportunity to help them learn many different crafts, and use many different mediums. They have all gotten to see what they like and don’t like. In our family we have some that love to do anything art related. Others don’t care for art in form of paper, paints, or pencils, but would rather build something, or make music. But, all of them are creating in some way.

Q: What is your favorite creative project or activity that you do or have done with your children?

A: We have worked on scrapbook pages together, worked on learning musical instruments, love to work in the garden, but like to put it together in a creative way, not just straight rows. We also have done lots of drawing, painting, woodworking stuff.

Q: What is your favorite creative product that you use or have used with your children?

A: I think we enjoy paper crafts the most, whether it’s cards, making boxes, scrapbook pages, or just coloring.

Wordless Wednesday: The First Print

Krissy — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:24:01 +0000

Sawyer, at 17 months of age, enjoys his first finger-painting print!

Five Ways to Up the Finger-Painting Fun Factor

Krissy — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:28:45 +0000

Photo courtesy of Flávio Takemoto

I bet you didn’t know you could make finger-painting even MORE fun! Here are five simple ways to do just that:

1. Add Texture

Mix a bit of sand, salt or glitter into the paint to add visual and tactile texture.

2. Use Patterned Paper

Patterned scrapbooking paper makes a perfect, sturdy base for goopy finger-paint. And the pattern showing through the paint adds interest and depth to the finished creation.

3. Pull a Print

Let your little one paint directly on the table or a tray, then press the paper onto it and pull it off to make your little one’s first print.

4. Make a Mirror Image

Have your little one paint only on one half of a piece of paper. Then fold it in half, smooth it down with your hands, and open it up to see a mirrored image of what she painted. Thank Crayola for this great idea, and check out their site for more!

5. Paint on a Window or Mirror

Add a little dish soap to the paint for easier cleanup and let you little one go to town on a window or mirror. You could even pull a print (see #3 above) from their creation.

If you’re really ambitious, head on over to Tipnut.com to find 5 homemade finger-paint recipes!

Mama Loves Monday: Stickers

Krissy — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:41:19 +0000

Clever Product

Dress Up Doll Wall Decals

What little girl wouldn’t LOVE these Dress Up Doll Removable Wall Decals by Mae on their bedroom or playroom wall? Even my little guy would get a real kick out of them. I could see an entire line of these in different genders and occupations. Too, cool!

Crafty Project

Transportation Sticker Scene

Sawyer has taken a sudden interest in stickers, particularly stickers pertaining to transportation! He loves it when I draw a simple road or railroad tracks on a piece of paper for him to create a transportation scene with his stickers. In this piece I even added clouds in the sky. If your child is able, have them draw the scene related to their stickers.