Sensory Crafting and Creative Fun

    If you've followed us for any length of time, you know that we love to craft. I think I was born with it because I come from a long line of crafters. So when the weather changes and gets rainy and gross, we head inside and to be creative Thanks to Craft City, I usually have fun kits on hands for yucky days.

Sensory Crafting and Creative Fun

    Liam loves to make slime. It not only gives him something to do, but it promotes STEM learning. You know what else it does? It fulfills his need for sensory input. So making slime is a huge winner in our book. We happen to love the DIY Slime Kit from Craft City. It has everything you need to make opaque and crystal slime.

    This kit even comes with tablets to color the slime. There's glitter to make it sparkle too. Oh, and for added sensory fun, there's glow powder, and water gel too. The glow powder makes slime shine so bright! (You can even use it in dyed slime too!) The water gel makes the slime more gooey which is wonderful for kids that seek out more sensory input.

Squishy Art

    Squishies are all the rage. We've always had them on hand because they're a great way for Liam to keep his hands busy while doing his lessons. Well Craft City just upped the ante on squishies. Their DIY Squishy Art kit comes with everything you need to make you own custom squishies. There are three of them inside for your kids to decorate. The kit comes with puffy paint and chalk to color them. When you're done, you can add some faux sprinkles on top too.

    It's a great way to let your kids' creative juices flow. While also making themselves a sensory tool for school, homework time and more. We had a blast decorating our squishies. I did the cupcake, while Liam did the doughnut and surprise squishy too. Then he gifted it to his cousin, since he too loves toys to fidget with.

    The holidays are right around the corner. So why not gift your kids some of Craft City's kits. That way you know they'll have something to keep them occupied on snow and ice days. Also, it's a great way to spend quality time with them, and keep their devices out of their hands (even if it is only for an hour.)

Make it with Mica

    Before we know it, winter will be bearing down upon us. As much as I hate to think of that, I know it's coming. So I've already started thinking of crafts to keep Liam and I busy. Today we're going to talk about things we can make with Mica pigmented powder.

Make it with Mica

    If you're not familiar with Mica pigmented powder, you may be using it and not even realizing it. If you wear eyeshadow or lip gloss, it's colored with mica. Do you burn colored candles or wax tarts? Again, many people use mica to color them. It's even used in soaps. So let's talk about ways we can use it. But first, you may want to grab yourself some Mica. Liam and I got this awesome set from Evol Concept. It comes with twenty colors of pigmented powders.

Slime!

    Pigmented Mica Powder looks amazing in clear slime. It colors it and makes it shimmery. It's seriously the prettiest slime ever! So I want to give you our Crystal Clear Slime Recipe. All you do is make the slime, then put your slime on the table. Sprinkle a bit of mica on the slime, and knead it in. That's it. So here's the recipe:

Crystal Clear Slime

• 1/2 cup of Elmer's Clear Glue
• 1/4 teaspoon of Borax Powder
• 1/2 cup warm water

Put your glue in a bowl. In a separate cup, mix warm water and Borax powder until dissolved. Add to glue and mix well. Voila. Crystal Clear slime. Now roll the slime onto your table, and color with your Mica powder.

More with Mica

    Another fun craft is making melt and pour soap. It's so much nicer than store bought soaps, and super easy. You can create fun color by using your Mica powders in it. If you enjoy doing nails, you can use your mica for that too. 

    You can easily create eyeshadows and even lip gloss with mica powder. I want to share my favorite lip gloss recipe with you. It makes amazing Christmas gifts and kids can help too!

Lip Gloss

• 3 tbsp shea butter
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 tbsp grated beeswax
• 2 drops of essential oil (optional) 
• mica pigment powder

    In the microwave, melt the beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter. (Or you can use a double boiler.) Once it's all melted, mix well, then add essential oil if you choose to. Next add in your mica. Mix well and pour into little lip gloss pots. That's it.

    If you want an easier version, grab some Vaseline. Melt it in the microwave, add a drop or two of essential oil and mix well. Then add your mica, and pour into pots. Voila! Lip gloss.

Shabby Chic DIY Dollar Tree Crafts

    I love all things Shabby Chic! I've recently started redoing the themes in my home, and going for a Coastal Chic vibe. When I'm getting ready to make new crafts, I always go the Dollar Tree first!

Shabby Chic Dollar Tree Crafts

    Today we're going to talk about chalk painting. Now, while you can't get chalk paint at the Dollar Tree, you CAN GET things to paint! They even usually have Modge Podge Sealer in a Matter finish which is what you'll need to seal your crafts.

    When you're chalk painting something, you want to go with glass that has some texture to it. The more texture, the more you can rough it up and make it look distressed. I went with this awesome milk bottle because it was so textured. I also chose this adorable cross tea light candle holder. It's perfect for Easter, and all year round!

What You'll Need

• First you will need some Chalk Paint. I get mine from Walmart, and it's about a buck fifty for the smallest bottle. (These small bottles actually go a long way too, so they're worth every penny!)
• Sealer (I get mine right at the Dollar Tree)
• Glass Items to Chalk Paint
• Alcohol
• Paper Towels
• Paint Brush
• Sandpaper

Let's Get Started

    Now that you've gathered all of your supplies, we're ready to get crafting! First wash all of your glass with soap and water, then dry them off. Next, clean the glass with alcohol and paper towels. Now you're ready to paint! Apply your coats lightly, and let dry for two hours in between. I coated mine three or four times. (The darker paint is three coats, the lighter is four.) 

    After your paint is completely dry, it's time to make them look shabby! Using your sandpaper, sand off the paint wherever you want. When it's just the way you want it, it's time to seal it. Put one thick coat of the Modge Podge Matte sealer on them and let them dry. That's it! Easy peasy!

Treat Jars

    I made some treat jars for my fur babies too. While I didn't get the jars from the Dollar Tree (because I have boxes full of jars,) I did get the taper candle holders there. To make these, you will need jars with lids, the candle holders, and some E6000 glue. 

    After you've painted, sanded and sealed the jars, and they're completely dry, you're ready to glue them to the bases. Add a small amount of glue around the entire top of the taper candle holder, and set your jar on top. (I weighed my jars down with marbles.) Let them sit over night, and voila, shabby (or coastal) chic treat jars!