Family Chic

A simple glass votive is set in a new light once wrapped with the tip of a fern leaf.

To make these you will need - glass votives, twine and one large fern leaf. Clip off a part of the frond and wrap around votive, secure with a rubber band to hold in place. Tie twine on and remove rubber band.

I love to make something out of nothing - it's a thrill for me. Try making a tray out of a paper grocery bag and a fern frond.

This is a great way to wrap a treat for a friend - they will love it and they can keep it- no need to ask for your dish to be returned!

Cut down a paper grocery bag by two thirds and fold over the top to create a 2 inch depth on the bag and start stapling fern leaves to edge.

To conceal the staples - layer the leaves over each other. At the end, fold down the previous leaf, staple the next one...

... release the leaf and it will fall back onto the other one to cover the staple.

Continue around the entire rim until it is covered with fern leaves. To add stability to the base - add a cardboard insert (I use the cardboard back to sketch pad).

Line with wax or parchment paper and you are done.

A fern garland will set the mood for a spring party of any kind!

To make this garland just clip fern cuttings to twine with a small clip (I bought my clips for $0.29 a piece at Blick). You can also tie fern on or use clothespins if you don't have a metal clip handy.

My 5 year old daughter loves to pretend that she is a shop owner - it keeps her happily occupied for at least an hour or more. The other day, I made some felt fruits and vegetables and we set up an imaginary roadside stand - complete with twine, bags and signs. Now I have to keep an eye peeled at garage sales for a scale!

Tomatoes, carrots, bananas, eggplant, lemons and a pear are available at Jane's produce stand today.

Funny thing - it doesn't matter how much I buy at this stand- the total is always $1.00. What a deal!

To make your own felt produce - cut two pieces of your desired shape from felt and sew together, leave an opening so you can add stuffing.

Turn inside out, add stuffing and fold edges in.

For the carrot, I made simple green leaves by fringing a cut of green fabric.

Add the greenery to the opening of the carrot and stitch closed with a thread of the same color. I use a blind stitch.

I don't make a pattern for each piece - I cut out my shapes freehand - so no two are the same.

The book - Sock and Glove, Creating Charming Softy Friends from Cast-off Socks and Gloves by Miyako Kanamori - inspired me today.

Using a $3.00 pair of white chenille gloves from CVS, Jane and I made this adorable bunny (design by Miyako Kanamori) in less than 25 minutes.

I did the sewing, Jane did the cutting and stuffing.

Here are some glovedogs by Miyako. There are so many charming patterns and ideas in this book - I highly recommend it.

Dancing in the bathroom - teeth brushed, pajamas on and song is still running!

Send your child to school with a green lunch. Make a sandwich wrap using spinach wraps, make shamrock pepper slices and add in a green apple and key lime yogurt for dessert.

You can make shamrock pepper slices simply by slicing a green pepper across the middle.

My daughters love this green river float. Coat the rim of the glass with green sugar crystals (found in the baking section of the supermarket), drop in a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream and pour in some green river soda so it reaches the rim and creates a foamy top. Add a green straw and you're done.

My kids prefer to eat their vegetables raw and cold. Make a shamrock cup by slicing a green pepper in half and scooping out the seeds. I fill mine with peas and serve with a spoon and use the top of the pepper as a lid. My kids love this - it's simple and refreshing and perfect for St. Patrick's Day.

Another hot one - wasabi peas - a great tasting green treat for kids who like it hot.

I needed a change and I needed it fast - this did the trick. I can take this down in a few weeks when the next impulse hits!

Any paper will do & you will need two different colored pens or markers for this.

Have your child start the game by making a scribble mark on the page.

Using a marker of a different color - you try to make something out of that scribble.

You make the next scribble and hand the pad back to your child - it's their turn to create something.

Using two different marker colors allows you and your child to look back and see the progression of each drawing. It can truly be amazing to see what others can make out of a random mark on the page.

To me, the roots of a plant and the way they twist through soil are pretty enough to show off. Instead of using an opaque container to hold your plant, transfer it to a glass jar or vase and let all of that organic beauty show.

I picked up this hyacinth at my grocery store, removed it from its plastic pot and dropped in into a lidded jar.

Not just a can of dirt anymore.

A packet of seeds can cost less than a dollar, recycle a can and buy a bag of soil and you're on your way for less than $8.00.

Throw down some paper on the floor and let your kids assemble their tiny gardens. Every child loves to get their hands into some dirt!

We love to plant sunflower seeds. The "kid stuff" variety only grows to about 32" - perfect for little ones. Take a look through the seed packets at your grocery store or garden center and let your kids pick whatever they like.

If you're using a can - make sure to hammer a few small drainage holes into the bottom. Place a dish underneath and stick in a sunny windowsill. Let your child care for their own plant - they will enjoy taking on the challenge.

Use left over yarn and wrapping paper or origami paper to make these simple cards.

Using a pencil, draw your figure - then outline with marker.

Cut out a simple a-line dress shape from origami or wrapping paper (or any decorative paper) and glue in place.

Glue on yarn and trim to desired length. My kids love this part - they get to give their girl a haircut!

Draw in face details and style your girl!

Use rubber stamps to add a message.

I purchase my blank cards at Michael's.

You can experiment with hairstyles - try ponytails and braids too.