Mothers Day Crafting

Daniel and Olivia (Grandkids) came over the night before Mother's day and wanted help putting something together for my oldest daughter Stacie. Daniel is her son and Olivia is her niece although she lives with her now. Single moms have it rough on Mother's day so I was happy to help. Just a quick digression here...I was a single mom of three kids 18 months apart. There were about 10,9 and 7 on this particular Mother's day. I had worked a twelve hour day and picked them up from daycare. I told them I was going to take a quick bath and then I would help get them ready for bed. ( Mothers Day had not been mentioned) I came out and the whole living room and dining room was covered in Silly String and shredded paper and half blown up balloons and all I wanted to do was cry over the mess.. Instead I put on my happy face and hugged them. Then I put them to bed and cleaned for over an hour..Now I look back and smile but then it was just a "Mom is totally and completely overwhelmed." moment. So back to the kids coming over. Daniel made his mom a Carrot Cake from scratch with cream cheese frosting which I thought was really cool. I did nothing on this but found him a recipe and took him to the store. The writing on the cake is sad, but sweet cause he did it. The cake was amazing by the way..... Olivia wanted to go the crafty route. I had found a couple of ideas on Pinterest so off we went. Lemon Lavender soap in a goatsmilk base. I had the lemons, the soap base she bought with her own money at Michaels with a coupon. It was 5.00 and then we wrapped it in scrapbook paper and raffia. We still have half the soap base left. This stuff is yummy and a quick craft. We decorated up a yard sale basket with a newspaper rose and some yellow paint. Made some just like "Mary Kays Satin Hands" stuff. Olivia went nuts over this. We called it making a potion. In fact she wants to do this for her Birthday party. You just find a cute little jar and spoon, mix the Dawn soap that is apricot colored for soft hands and sugar and fill the jar. You use it like a scrub and it really does make you hands and arms super soft. Our jar is a little on the messy side but she was thrilled with it. Then we put together my favorite craft. I found a little terra cotta pot and saucer at Goodwill. Olivia painted them turquoise and then sealed them with mod podge. We glued it all together with a little glass bowl from the dollar store and added a button on the top. Gummy Bears completed it. Check this out, a handmade gumball machine! The kids were so excited with the gifts they made and Stacie was thrilled. I had a wonderful Mother's day too. I was taken to a wonderful dinner and My son got me a beautiful orchid and Stacie and the kids got me a greenhouse and some gardening things. I have more things to post along with a couple of tutorials but I think I will do that in a few days......Have a Happy Day! xoxooxoxmelinda