Silhouette Deal Alert! Save 25%!! It's time to stock up!

Just a friendly heads up - Silhouette is having a HUGE sale!  25% off on almost everything!  

(It does not include the machines, downloads, download cards, gift cards or subscriptions.) 

Now is a great time to stock up on all your silhouette needs... maybe a cutting mat or some rhinestone bling? 

 Go and shop here - Be sure to enter the code: FIREFLIES at check out to get this awesome deal! 

10+ crafts with DUCK TAPE® for back to school, fall and Halloween!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walmart for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

We all love Duck Tape®- Right?!  I mean there are so many things that it can be used for, esecially now that it come in all the cute colors and patterns!  Did you also know that you can buy Duck Tape at Walmart?  Yep - just pick it up while you are already there getting groceries, clothes, back-to-school items... they have a HUGE selection so the hardest part will be trying to decide which on to get!

 

Since Back-to-School is in full swing around here I have put together a round up of easy and cute school supplies that you can make with Duck Tape®!  All links are listed under the picture.

 

1.Arrow Magnets

2. Rose pens

3. ID Card Holder

4. DIY Notebooks

 

5. Pencil box

6. Pencil case

7. Snap closed pencil case

8. Personalized school supplies

9. Organization/Memo board

 

I also found some fun fall and halloween ideas too! 

1. Deco balls

2. Modern tree art

3.Chevron pumpkin

4. Bat pumpkins

 

What will you creat with Duck Tape®?  It is not just for home repairs anymore! I hope that you truely are inspired!

 

Find more fun ideas by following Duck Tape on Pinterest!

First - First day of school!

I want to thank Participant Media for sponsoring this post, allowing me to help support teachers everywhere. 

Today my first born went to Kindergarten...All day kindergarten.  It was his official First first day of school!  He was so excited about it.  He could not wait to ride on the bus.  I was a little weepy at the thought of him being gone all day.  When I made his sign he told me it had to have stars on it "Because I am a star, mom." 

I can't help but think his teacher was so lucky to get him in her class this year!  I mean who doesn't want to hang out the this cute dude all day?!  

We had kindergarten orientation the day before to get me (and him) all ready for the big day!  

He could hardly contain his excitement.  This kid was made for school... he loves rules and schedules. 

He found his name for his hook - no problem!  

I totally missed him today and wanted to smother him when he got home.  When I asked him if he missed me he said "No- I knew you were at home."  Not even a little bit?  Nope!  He cannot wait to go back tomorrow! 

His school is known for having excellent teachers!  It is why we choose it!  A great teacher makes all the difference a child educational journey.  

TEACH, Academy Award-winning director Davis Guggenheim’s third documentary film about education in America asks the question: What Does It Take to Be A Great Teacher Today?  The Documentary airs on CBS at 8 PM (EST) on Sept 6th! 

How did your kids first days of school go! Talk to me! 

Butterfly Pumpkin DIY

My Daughter wanted a Butterfly Pumpkin:

I used the New Martha Stewart Decoupage butterfly papers with the Martha Stewart Matte Decoupage.

Here is how you can great this butterfly pumpkin:

1. You will need a foam pumpkin, Martha Stewart Decoupage and Butterfly papers, and a drill with a small bit (I think mine was 3/32)

2. Brush the decoupage onto the pumpkin first, then add your butterfly paper, then brush on more decoupage on the top of the butterfly.

3. Add more butterflies and let dry completely.

4. Use your drill to make little holes all around the butterflies and you can also add the flying path too.

I think she likes it! 

The Pumpkin Challenge: 2 Easy DIY Pumpkin Ideas

Michael's Craft Stores sent me some foam pumpkins to create some fun pumpkin crafts.  Right when I opened the box my son and daughter each claimed a pumpkin as their own.  So I sat down with each of them to create a personalized pumpkin for them.  They LOVED it! 

Here is my son's pumpkin:

Notice that he wanted his monogrammed.  He has been obsessed with writing his name or marking his things with the first letter of his name so we had to add the "K" to his design.

Here is an easy way to carve a pumpkin:

1. Have your child draw a design on a piece of paper.

2. Tape your paper to the pumpkin.

3. Use a pin and poke holes all the way around the design where you want to cut.

4. Trace around your pin holes on the pumpkin to make it easy to see where you are cutting.

5. Use a Hot Foam Cutting tool.  This tool is so great.  Let it heat up for a couple of minutes, and then let the heat do the cutting. Just go slow and it will cut the foam pumpkin like butter!

6.  You can also clean up the edges after you cut out the shape.

He is so happy with it!

My Daughter wanted a Butterfly Pumpkin:

I used the New Martha Stewart Decoupage butterfly papers with the Martha Stewart Mat Decoupage.

Here is how you can great this butterfly pumpkin:

1. You will need a foam pumpkin, Martha Stewart Decoupage and Butterfly papers, and a drill with a small bit (I think mine was 3/32)

2. Brush the decoupage onto the pumpkin first, then add your butterfly paper, then brush on more decoupage on the top of the butterfly.

3. Add more butterflies and let dry completely.

4. Use your drill to make little holes all around the butterflies and you can also add the flying path too.

I think she likes it! 

Here are some other fun Pumpkin crafts you can make:

Pumpkin Fairy House:

Glitter and ribbon stripped pumpkin:

• All Michaels locations are hosting a Great Pumpkin Event on Saturday, October 5 from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. For only $6 (which covers the cost of a 9” carveable pumpkin) kids can create their own pumpkin design and a free face painter will also be on hand. A great weekend event for the whole family!
•  Did you know that Michaels offers custom carved pumpkins that can be personalized with a variety of designs and names? Prices start at $19.99 and you can them order at all Michaels locations, just make sure to place your order by Oct. 13 so that it will be completed by Halloween. Visit www.michaels.com/custom-carved-pumpkins for more information.

Thank you to Michael's Craft Stores for supplying me with these awesome foam pumpkins!  As always my crafts and opinions are 100% mine.