Spoonful of Imagination

Add it to a Family for Something Beautiful

  • Home
  • Our Family
    • Our Home
  • Courses
  • Shop
  • Contact

A Playdate All about “Color & Create” with Roseart

November 14, 2013 By Erica Deuel 7 Comments

Disclosure: Thanks to RoseArt Magic Fun Dough for sponsoring today’s discussion. I was compensated for my time, but all opinions are my own.

roseart_partyI love color and creating, and it has rubbed off on my kids. They love to use their hands to create. We are constantly doing little projects, so I was thrilled when asked to review the new RoseArt Magic Fun Dough Kits. We decided to share this fun with some sweet friends, so we hosted a little play date. With both genders and a range of ages, I opted to have a “color and create” themed little party, where we all got to create and play.

My little Reagan had been asking to break open her new toy ever since it came in the mail. She was all too excited on the day of the play date when I finally told her “yes! We can open it!”

magic_fun_doughOur play date was after school, so I had some colorful snacks as a treat. While we ate we talked about creating and ways we can use our imagination.

Color_partyI gave a brief demonstration about how we could use the Magic Dough kits, and they were all grabbing at supplies and off starting before I totally finished. Here is a quick little video that can show you what I demonstrated.

magic fun dough playdate-2The process was simple. Roll out the dough, cut out a shape, use the water to transfer the image, wait 60 seconds, and peal the paper up. It was as simple as placing a temporary tattoo on your body! The kids LOVED it! It worked perfectly and had no sticky weird residue.

This technique allows for imaginative play as they can create characters to play on the larger prop that came with the kit. We received the Volcano Valley and Fairy Tea Party.

playing_magic_fun_doughThe image would disappear, if you rolled the dough out. This would allow for play over and over again. I tried this feature to see it work. It totally did! My kids didn’t want to “mess up” their creations though. We have let some dry out, and talked about turning them into Christmas ornaments.

playing_magic fun dough

friends_playdateReagan eventually claimed both kits and had so much fun with all the features of the play sets. She made volcano lava and then would turn and make some tea and offer me a cup. 🙂

volcano magic fun doughWe had so much fun playing with these kits! The hardest part was my little impatient four-year old didn’t always cover his image with the water completely, so parts of it didn’t always fully transfer. The boys laughed and said it looked like they had gotten their heads chopped off. 🙂

This was such a hit. I seriously left the kits out for three days after my play date. My kids have been having a blast. We have used them a lot and still have tattoos! I am very impressed with how much you get with this kit.

The Magic Fun Dough kits are available at Target, Walmart (located in the craft aisle), and on Amazon. They all cost under $20.00.

tattoo_your_magic_doughWe had a blast at our color and create play date.

I think these kits would make great Christmas presents. I am all about ways to encourage imagination and creativity, and these kits totally do that.

magic fun dough playdate

signature

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

DIY Burlap Greeting Cards

September 6, 2013 By Erica Deuel 17 Comments

How many of you have lost your significant other to the re-start of the football season?

Matt loves the NFL, especially our hometown Atlanta Falcons, and he tops it all off with multiple fantasy football teams. You may love football too, which is great. But for me, growing up with 5 brothers, football became a yawn fest for me. But I love Matt and he needs his down time too, so I try to muster up the strength to support him through a game or two each week. What I have found is that this can be an amazing few hours of crafting time. I don’t know about you, but I love when I can “find extra time” to create. So as Matt settles into a game, I start-up my craft on the other couch. We still get that time together but get to both focus on something we enjoy.

DIY_burlap_greeting_cards

So, while the NFL started it’s season last night I created these Burlap Greeting Cards. Win, win, win! I get to do something I love, I get to encourage my husband with some football time, and now I’ve got some fun cards I get to mail out and encourage some friends. And I’m going to give you the supply list, DIY instructions, and a free printable so you can make them too! Maybe even during the games upcoming on Saturday or Sunday!? 🙂

Supply List:

  • Cardstock
  • Scrapbook scrap paper
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Burlap
  • Mini round brads
  • Print out of graphic
  • Envelopes

Creating_greeting_card_suppliesI started by folding one of my big pieces of scrapbook paper in half and measuring how much needed to be cut off, so it fit perfectly in my envelope. For other cards I used my cardboard cardstock. The main idea here is to use a thick piece of paper to give it a real greeting card feel while also providing a sturdy pallet for all the embellishments.

making_a_greeting_cardOnce I had the size of my card, it was my blank canvas to decorate. I started on my first card by ripping the edge around one of my graphics to add a fun textured look.

worth_far_more_than_rubiesI cut a piece of burlap slightly bigger than my ripped graphic. I pulled a few strands off the ends of the burlap to create a more fringed look, and used a mini round brad to attach both the graphic and the burlap to my folded card.

DIY_encourage_greeting_cardI love the layer look and the mix of frayed edges with the clean straight lines of the card’s background. I started playing with my paper and came up with a few other designs. This next one, I cut the graphic out with straight lines (rather than the ripped technique) and glued it to the card. I then ripped a decorative piece of paper to border it. and glued it on top. Lastly, I cut out small burlap circles, pulled out a few strands again (to create a fringe), and used a mini round brad to attach the burlap flower to my card.

Burlap_greeting_cardI made these so quick. I love the textured look with the burlap, but you can keep your design even simpler. The following two I created with just scrap paper and glued them on the card with my graphic.

scrapbook_paper_greeting_cardsThese cards are all 5″ x 7″, but I then made some easy smaller ones as well. There are so many possibilities and designs when creating cards with just a few supplies.

DIY_scrapbook_paper_greeting_cardsThese were so easy to make. You could of course create your own printout with a special saying, quote, or picture and that opens the door for even more possibilities. You could also do the same techniques but put it in a frame rather than on a card like I did for my sister here.

I feel like I have been tired and trying to figure out the new normal routine with school here. I don’t think I am alone, as I have seen FB messages and Instagrams of others in the same boat as me. I am excited to share this valuable truth with all of you, You Are Worth Far More Than Rubies. I created this graphic for you to use and create your own cards. Click here to download the larger graphic I used for my 5x 7 cards and click here to download the graphic for smaller cards. Enjoy!

I plan to write a few friends this weekend. Do you have friends that could use some encouragement?

encourage_a_friend

Share this post somehow through social media, let me know how you did in the comments below and you’ll be entered to win a set of these cards to send out to your friends. I’ll randomly draw a winner on Monday for the first four 5″ x 7″ cards I shared on here.

beautiful_handmade_cards

Thanks so much for stopping in. I hope you have a great weekend and are able to add a spoonful of imagination into your day!
signature

 

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Haven Conference 2013

August 6, 2013 By Erica Deuel 22 Comments

I can now say I have been to a blog conference. It was everything I thought it would be and so much more.

For those of you who might wonder what a blog conference is, it is an event over a few days where bloggers come together to learn, network, and inspire one another. I went to the Haven conference in Atlanta that was geared towards other DIY and crafty bloggers. It was awesome.

I roomed with one of my really good friends, Erin, at DIYontheCheap. We had a blast!

haven conference

For 2.5 days we ate really well, were around gorgeous decor, and learned so much. I met so many incredible people and hung out with some of my favorite bloggers. It was like a dream. I am so thankful for this weekend.

Going into it I felt a bit drained from all the travel, foster care training, and getting back from the beach the day before. I felt I didn’t have much time to prepare, although I did have my business cards ready to hand out. I was tired, knew another homeschool year was coming quickly, and was wondering how I was going to balance it all.

I knew the weekend was going to be huge when I felt my heart opening up in the first session.

ana_white

Ana White was the opening speaker and I love what she said. One thing that stuck out to me was “be good at one thing…good enough at everything else.” It’s so easy to get discouraged and over whelmed at all the components of having a blog. When she said that, there was an immediate freedom for me.

I went to lots of sessions where I learned so much. My head is spinning-in a good way. I’m still processing all I heard, and I have lots of ideas and a to do list a mile long (that I am excited about). One of my favorite sessions was a hands on session with Ryobi power tools. Getting hands on with some tools gave me confidence and took some of the intimidation away that powerful tools can bring. I can’t wait to use my new miter saw! Stay tuned to hear more about it.

Ryobi toolsAfter two days of hearing and absorbing information, staying up late talking, mingling with other bloggers, and eating lots, we were a group of tired bloggers. I think every blogger in that conference left tired yet excited and inspired.

tired bloggers

I came home with so many goodies that I can’t wait to start using on some new projects! The sponsors of Haven were incredible and blessed us all with so much!

blogger_swag

I actually won one of the giveaways from Home Depot, and I literally squealed with excitement! I got an incredible basket of products that I have already started using. I am obsessing over it all, but the solar mason jar is my favorite!

Home Depot swagAs I went about the conference, I was constantly encouraged by other bloggers about my story. I had friends new and old ask about my family, homeschooling, and our journey to foster care. My heart was uplifted. I can easily question our life style on hard days, yet this weekend I was encouraged that our way of living is inspiring others to go for their dreams as well.

The closing talk for the conference was a challenge to use our gifts and skills for good. It was all I could do to not cry through the whole talk. It felt like everything that I had been feeling and processing all weekend was brought together.

I love to craft and do fun projects, but more importantly I love to inspire. I have a renewed sense of purpose. I am excited to continue to share my projects and ways I decorate our home to be a warm welcoming place, but I hope through it all I can share parts of our story and journey that inspire you. We are not perfect but we are trying to live simply. walk humbly. and love Jesus and people. Thank you for caring and being in it with us!

Thank you to Haven and everyone who attended for creating and being apart of something so marking on me. Thank you to YOU for being in this journey with me!

giveaway

Now, a little something for one of YOU! I mentioned in my Haven Is Coming post that I would have a way for you to win some of my swag. Here is the deal. On my instagram feed during the conference a fun conversation started on “how many bloggers does it take to use a saw?” Enter the answer in the comments below to be entered to win some of my swag: Ryobi Flashlight, Rust-oleum Spray Gripper, and a roll of 3m painter’s tape! I will use random.org to pick the winner on Friday!

signature

 

 

 

 

If you went to Haven, and we didn’t get to meet, I wish we had! There were so many people who I wish I had gotten to meet. We needed two more days 😉 Please introduce yourself, so we can kind of meet here!

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

We are Moving!

February 14, 2013 By Erica Deuel 11 Comments

We are moving!  Or we are trying!  Last week I shared that I had fallen into my hole. Today, I want to explain a little bit as to why and share some of the exciting things we have facing us as we move forward.

For about a year and a half, we have been talking and praying about what was next for us as a family.  There have been a series of events like our best friends moving across the country and our family month-long road trip. These have been chapters in “our story” and have given us the sense that something new was coming.  There have been ideas, conversations, and dreams all over the place.  Its been exciting and fun, but no clarity was given until this past fall.

We now have a dream that is coming into a plan that we believe God has placed directly in our hearts.  I have LOTS more details coming to what is next for us, but for now, the part where it all melted down.

One thing in the mix of the coming changes was knowing we need to sell our house.  Shortly after we made the decision to sell, a situation presented itself to us, and we thought we had sold our house before even placing it on the market.  It felt like all the “arrows” and “signs” were saying YES!

We were then surprised by the news two weeks ago that the deal we had been working on for about two months, fell through.  We were crushed, and that is where you heard from me last week.  I had sat on the news for a week, opened up to you, and then many of you all poured tons of love and kindness out to me in response.  I STILL have not responded to every loving message I received through emails, comments, texts, facebook messages, in person hugs, phone calls, and tweets.  I have felt supported and encouraged.  Thank you for caring for me and helping to carry me through.  Please know that I will respond to each and every message I have received.  You all have built into me, and I am forever grateful.

You might have seen this picture on instagram last week, if you follow me there.

erica deuelA smile was on my face.

My Valentines Day present from Brin came in the mail, as I was processing what was next for us as a family.  Questions were racing through my mind like “Did the lost sale of our house mean a “no” to our plan?”   “Was it just a bump in the road that we had to over come?”  “Why did we have to go down this road for two months to drag out acting on the next step?”  I was emotionally drained and discouraged and then Brin’s package arrived.  I had never done a blogger swap until I signed up for this one and was paired with  Brin at Bold Butter Baby.  She way outdid herself on our Valentines Day swap.  See what I mean…

valentines day present

Her package came and it had lots of my favorite stuff.  The candy is amazing…does this girl get me or what?  Yes, candy does brighten my day.

candy

I adore the coffee mug and all the bright-colored socks she chose for me.  Two of my obsessions are COLOR and socks…and she paired the two together. Amazing.

polka dot mug

target socks

Did you catch that infinity scarf I am wearing?  She ordered that for me, and I am obsessed with it.  Brin WAY over did herself, and I was truly teary eyed opening her present and feeling the love pour out.

spoonful of imagination

What I have seen modeled in Brin, as I have gotten to know her is strength.  Through the process of email, twitter, instagram, and lots of direct messages I have seen and heard how Brin and her husband have moved in the last few weeks.  They have a young active boy, Dexter, and Brin has been really sick.  She’s had a lot going on, yet she has reached out to me.  One day I literally was crying on my floor direct tweeting with her about my house and get this…some one stole my present to her.  She found the remains of the packaging.  I was crushed.  She deserves my present and so much more.  I wish I could send her another right now.  I will some day.

What surprised me is how in a dark moment, the person that was there for me and was lifting me up was a new friend.  Direct tweeting me hope and perspective.  It is moments like this (after being pulled out of them and can look back) that I see that I was not given the short stick. God has not forgotten me and is loving me by orchestrating an even better story for me.  I have found a new friend and I know I will always cheer her on.  Someday, I will meet this girl in person.

It is funny how circumstances happen in your life that you don’t get, you don’t want, yet something good becomes of it.  I have gone from feeling God’s plan was laid out for us to becoming more raw and accepting that although our path may be before us…we might have to work, struggle, and endure a little to get there.  Just because we sense God’s desires for us, does not make the path easy and simple.  I’m finding that it means we have the peace to continue on.

We have decided to put our house on the market with a realtor.  Exactly one week from tomorrow it will be up for sale.  We have been busting butt to get things cleared out, closets simplified, and pictures packed away.  It’s been busy and our house is currently at the “it gets worse before it gets better stage,” but we are making progress.

Wearing a pair of my new socks, while cleaning out my vanity cabinet.  A not fun job, made better with new/fun socks.
Wearing a pair of my new socks, while cleaning out my vanity cabinet. A not fun job, made better with new/fun socks.

I am convinced now that we will see God’s might and hand in “our story” even more clearly than if that first sale had gone through.  Thank you for being a tool used to impact and encourage me.  Tomorrow, I will lay out what we have been doing and still have to do around the house.  On Monday, I will share WHY we want to move.

Thank you Brin for the amazing package.  Please visit Brin and say hi.  I highly recommend her facebook, twitter, instagram, and blog.  Today is the last day to enter her Cricut giveaway.  Enter it and check out the sweetest post she wrote about me.

signature

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
Next Page »
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
YouTube-Channel
Erica Deuel

Subscribe for Weekly Updates!




Most Popular Posts

Painting Flower Pot Party Tips
DIY {easy} Burlap Wreath
DIY Outdoor Checker Board
DIY Burlap Flowers
Chiffon Flower Tutorial
DIY Paper Butterflies- Spring decor for cheap
DIY Outdoor Table
DIY King Size Rag Quilt {Repost}
Cheap lamp to Industrial Beauty
Engraved Wood Sign Tutorial (and Dremel Micro)

Categories

  • All About the Kids
  • art journal
  • Blogging
  • Christmas
  • Craft Projects
  • Dancing Zebras
  • DIY
  • Eddy's postcards
  • Embroidery Journal
  • Family
  • Featured
  • Fireside Chat
  • Foster Care
  • Giveaways
  • Guest Posts
  • Home
  • Homeschooling
  • Kid Activities
  • Kid Craft
  • My Heart
  • Our Outings
  • Project Spotlight
  • Send Out Love
  • Shop
  • Sponsored Posts
  • Spoonful Lab
  • Spoonful Tribe
  • Tips + Tricks
  • Traveling
  • Uncategorized
  • Vlog

Favorite Categories

Subscribe for Weekly Updates!

Favorite Categories

© 2023 Spoonful of Imagination, Inc.