DIY Archives - Life is Sweeter By Design

DIY Fish Slime

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June 6, 2018 by Jamie Leave a Comment

Summer time makes me think of the beach. One thing at the beach...is the ocean! There are lots of colorful fish in the ocean and this DIY Fish Slime will definitely make your kids think they are at the ocean! DIY Fish Slime This fish slime would make a great activity for a SUMMER party! Making the slime will keep kids busy and once they are done it will be fun to play with. Then you can package it up and send it home with the guests. Ingredients Needed for Fish Slime 1 airtight container 1 5 oz bottle of clear glue ½ cup water ½ tsp baking soda 1 tbsp contact solution Gel Coloring (I used a mix of neon blue and navy) Blue extra fine glitter Clear fishbowl beads Plastic fish How to Make DIY Fish Slime In a bowl, pour the entire 5 oz bottle of clear glue. Add in ½ cup of water. Drop a few colors of blue coloring. We use these soap dyes. I love them - there are a ton of colors to choose from and they don’t color your … [Read more...]

Candy Tackle Box Gift for Dad

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May 22, 2018 by Jamie Leave a Comment

Kids love getting involved in gift giving especially for mother's and father's day. I am the first to admit it is sometimes hard to find cute homemade gift ideas that are actually something my husband would want! Luckily this Candy Tackle Box Gift for Dad is the perfect solution for this Father's Day! Candy Tackle Box Gift for Dad The dad in your life doesn't have to be a fisherman to enjoy getting this candy tackle box. I mean...it is full of candy, LOL. That will make most men happy! I love that this is an easy gift to put together and kids of almost any age can help do it. Supplies Needed for a Candy Tackle Box 1 Small Clear Plastic Tackle Storage Box w/dividers Candy—Gummy Worms, Sharks, and Fish Candy—Lifesavers and Small Gumballs (only red & white to look like bobbers) Piece of White Cardstock Markers Tape or Glue stick I was excited to find the plastic tackle box on Amazon for only a few dollars! It would … [Read more...]

DIY Mermaid Slime

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May 17, 2018 by Jamie Leave a Comment

It is summer time and thoughts of crystal blue water, sand and mermaids are swirling through my mind. We may not make it to the beach this summer, but we can pretend we are there by making some DIY Mermaid Slime! This may not be the exact same as seeing a real mermaid...but it will keep my kids busy! DIY Mermaid Slime My girls have always had a thing for mermaids...I mean who doesn't! We really hoped we would spot a mermaid when we were in Puerto Vallarta last year...but we didn't. :-( I guess we will just make mermaid slime instead! We may even plan a day of beach themed crafts....we will pick some seashell crafts for kids and then end with mermaid slime! FUN!! Ingredients Needed for Mermaid Slime 1 airtight container 1 5 oz bottle of clear glue ½ cup water ½ tsp baking soda 1 tbsp contact solution Coloring (I used a mix of neon blue, kiwi green and teal) Mermaid Glitter (We got ours out of this kit - it is an … [Read more...]

Easy Seashell Crafts for Kids

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May 1, 2018 by Jamie Leave a Comment

Do you collect shells on your tropical vacations? WE DO--every time! I actually have a little seashell obsession, LOL. Well a great way to keep your kids busy this summer is to do some easy seashell crafts for kids. It is a double bonus...your kids stay busy and you use some of those shells that are sitting around! Easy Seashell Crafts for Kids I have actually gotten a sore neck from looking down at the sand trying to find shells on the beach. I did a lot of looking for shells when we were in Puerto Vallarta last year. Luck was on my side because I even found a few sand dollars. Woot Woot. Shells are Fun for All Ages I love that so many of these seashell crafts for kids work for a wide age range! My kids are spaced out so I need to be able to keep different ages occupied. Some of these would make great gifts too! Think of Mother's Day and Father's Day coming up. Crab Fridge Magnets - Red Ted Art Coral Shell Resin Bangles - The Soccer Mom … [Read more...]

Root Beer Float Slime

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April 10, 2018 by Jamie Leave a Comment

I have a daughter who is obsessed with slime. It is actually a great obsession because it keeps her busy and it is something she enjoys. She is always looking for new slime ideas! Combining her favorite drink....with her favorite hobby was a natural fit! Root beer float slime is SO cool and fun to make! Root Beer Float Slime This is a two-part slime recipe and that is part of what makes it special. This really looks like a root beer float when you get done! My daughter loves to read slime books and one of her favorite for fun, new ideas is Slime Sorcery. She got the book after she had surgery and she spent a lot of time scouring it!! Ingredients and Supplies Needed for Root Beer Float Slime White Foamy Slime - 1 ⅓ cup white glue 1 tbsp + 2 ⅓ tsp Instant Snow ⅓ cup Sta-Flo ⅓ cup water, hot 1 tsp baking soda 1 cup shaving cream, optional 2 containers Vanilla Extract, optional Root Beer Slime - 1 5 oz container clear glue 1 … [Read more...]

15 Family Friendly Backyard Games

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April 4, 2018 by Jamie Leave a Comment

Are you as excited for warmer weather as I am? We have had some big cold bursts the past 2 weeks and it feels like spring weather is never going to get here. I am already planning fun things we can do as a family when it warms up a little more. I came up with 12 family friendly backyard games that everyone in the family will LOVE and beg to play again! 12 Family Friendly Backyard Games 1. DIY Ring Toss: I love how easy this DIY Ring Toss is to make. Plus the fact that even toddlers will have fun trying to throw the rings onto the dowels. You can paint it to match your house too! 2. Outdoor Tic Tac Toe: This outdoor tic tac toe game is cute enough to stay on the deck all year long. It can be customized to fit your decor too. Who doesn't want to hang out on the deck and play tic tac toe? 3. Water Balloon Drop: When the weather warms up it will be time to play water balloon drop. This doesn't involve much effort and I know a lot … [Read more...]

DIY Wooden Spool Cat Toy

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March 30, 2018 by Jamie Leave a Comment

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LoveTheseCleanPaws #CollectiveBias We have two kitties that are a big part of our family. We got them when they were about 6 weeks old and had been dropped off at our vet's office. They are brother and sister....my kids named them Salt and Pepper! :) I was in the mood for a little DIY project and decided to make a DIY wooden spool cat toy with some old wooden spools I had. This is such an easy DIY...it only takes a few minutes, but will bring your cat a lot of fun playtime! DIY Wooden Spool Cat Toy Our cats are getting older...they are over 14 years old! The funny thing about it is that they have gotten more loving as they have aged. They still like to play too. Two Cats is Twice the Fun, Usually Having two cats can sometimes create unique issues. One thing my cats love to do is play hard in the middle of the night. Sometimes they run so fast it sounds like elephants in … [Read more...]

Vintage Easter Wood Plaque Craft

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March 26, 2018 by Pam Larmore Leave a Comment

Easter is a time of year that really makes me reminensce about the past and the pastel colors are perfect for vintage decor. This Vintage Easter Wood Plaque Craft reminds me so much of the wonderful time that I spent with my grandmother when I was growing up. She loved all things with flowers and birds...from her rose covered sugar bowl to the doilies adorning her end tables. This is the perfect DIY for Easter and a great way to preserve vintage cards! Vintage Easter Wood Plaque Craft My grandmother saved EVERYTHING. When she passed away, we found vintage greeting cards tucked in drawers, and an anniversary card from the late 1950’s inside a teapot. She had even saved a few cards from the early 1970’s that my Mom had lovingly bought for us to give her for her birthday. Greeting cards from that era are different than the glossy cards that we send today. They featured adorable chubby cheeked kids and whimsical animals in soft … [Read more...]

DIY Kids Painted Flower Pot

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March 7, 2018 by Pam Larmore Leave a Comment

I love to paint, however I’m no Picasso. I have found an easy way to make fun looking designs that don’t require any talent at all. Even kids can make these and get beautiful results. This is the perfect project to keep your kids busy over spring break! This DIY kids painted flower pot project will be a huge hit. DIY Kids Painted Flower Pot I love kids’ crafts where I can join in too. I enjoyed making Sharpie Marker Pillowcases and Sharpie Marker Mugs as much as the kids did, LOL! Did I mention that these little flower pots would make great end of the year teacher gifts or even Mother's Day gifts? YEP...something useful and personal! Supplies Needed for DIY Kids Painted Flower Pot Project Clay Flower Pots Acrylic Paints Paint Brush A variety of household items to make circles – I used a glue stick cap and a paint brush handle. Acrylic Spray How to Make DIY Kids Painted Flower Pot First I looked around my house to find … [Read more...]

DIY Hanging Flowers in a Metal Bucket

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February 28, 2018 by Jamie Leave a Comment

Spring is just around the corner and I can't wait to get my flower beds up and rolling. It is so nice to bring some color to my yard after a dreary winter. Last year I did DIY hanging flowers in a metal bucket and it turned out great! This was really quick to put together and I loved the way it turned out. DIY Hanging Flowers in a Metal Bucket The great thing about this project is that you may have some of the items already in your garage. I had a metal tub sitting in my shed from a different project. It is great to be able to recycle stuff I already have! I had a bare spot in the flower bed by the end of the driveway. This area needed something and this hanging flower bucket worked perfectly. Supplies Needed for the DIY Hanging Flowers in a Metal Bucket galvanized metal bucket or tub with handles 1 heavy-duty garden shepherd's hook pot of cascading flowers small tent stake or something similar How to Make Hanging Flowers in a Metal Bucket First decide … [Read more...]