small + friendly

How Time Flies

Jude River, my sweet baby boy, today you are five years old!  These have been the most amazing years of my life; five years full of joy and challenge and worry and snuggles and giggles and growth.  I'm not sure who has grown more, you or I.  When you were born, the one dream I wished and wanted more than any other came true: I became a mother.  And what an honor it is to be your mama, I could not possibly love you more.  My whole body aches with love for you, and it always will.  I could not be more proud of you; you are kind, smart, funny, curious, driven, creative, and down-right wonderful.  Thank you so much for being you, and being mine.  Here's to many many more.  Happy Birthday!  All my love, Mom.  

Wishing You and Yours The Happiest of Holidays

I just wanted to pop in and wish you all a very Merry Everything and the Happiest of New Years.  I might sneak a few personal posts in before 2015 but in general I plan to slow down, unplug, and savor the season.  I hope you have a joyous holiday.  

P.S. - If you'd like to connect, I will no doubt be posting on instagram.  

DIY Kid Art Gallery Wall

When I found out I would be receiving a Sprout as part of my partnership with HP, I was super excited, and then a little stumped as to where to put it.  As I've mentioned before, we live in a very small (+ friendly) house, like less than 1000 sq ft small; and friendly in a cluttered, approachable kind of way.  

But with a bit of creative rearranging and Craigslist scores, I was able to carve out a sweet little spot in our bedroom.  First, I found a small vintage desk on Craigslist for $15.  It was an ugly shade of tan, but otherwise serviceable, nothing a coat of matte white spray paint couldn't fix.  Then I got this cute little chair (available at Target but also found on Craigslist) for 10 bucks, and I was all ready for my Sprout.  

I liked having a nice, quiet spot to work, except that the wall felt very empty and a little sad.  So I decided to create a kid art gallery wall.  I didn't want to just stick a few of Jude's creations in frames and call it a day; I wanted to elevate it and make it look at home in a grown up bedroom.  Sprout to the rescue!  I scanned a whole bunch of Jude's artwork, from doodles to paintings, and got to work combining them.  Abstract paintings became the backdrop for drawings of rainbows and robots.  I then printed and framed the final collages.  

It's seriously too easy to scan and save your child's artwork with the Sprout.  I no longer have any excuse for piles of preschool projects and triple layers of drawings on the fridge.  The preschool creations can be especially challenging to store, as many of them have three dimensional elements, such as cotton ball clouds, but now I can scan them and keep them forever without appearing on the next episode of Hoarders.  

Putting Jude's work on display in a beautiful way makes us both happy.  I love having the bright colors and sparkling reminders of childlike creativity where I work.  And Jude feels special that his creations have a place of honor.  When he saw what I'd done, he got right to work drawing me another picture, which I promptly scanned.  I plan to keep adding frames, but this is a great start.   

Here's to celebrating creative kids!

This post was sponsored by HP.  As always, all opinions are my own.  Thank you so much for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.  

Salt Dough Picture Frame Ornaments

Not only do I have the best salt dough recipe to share, but I've got a super simple idea for the perfect ornament to gift relatives.  Did I mention they cost next to nothing?  You've still got plenty of time to whip these up and it's a fun way to spend an afternoon.  I chose to leave them plain but you could always get wild with paint and glitter.  

Best Salt Dough Recipe (Note: this dough uses cornstarch instead of flour making it lighter, whiter, and gluten-free!) 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups water (divided)
• 1 cup cornstarch
• Special equipment: parchment or wax paper, rolling pin, cookie cutters, skewer, foil lined baking sheets

Directions:

1. In a small pot combine salt and 1/2 cup of water and heat over medium heat until hot.
2. Place cornstarch a separate bowl and slowly add remaining water until you've formed a loose paste (you might not need all the water).
3. Add you cornstarch slurry to the salt, stir constantly and cook until a solid dough ball forms.
4. Turn dough onto a parchment or wax paper covered surface. Allow dough to cool slightly.
5. Place another piece of parchment over the top and roll until about 1/4" thick.
6. Cut out shapes with your cookie cutters and add holes for pictures with a pairing knife.
7. Use a skewer to poke holes for hanging. 
8. Heat the oven to 250 degrees and bake on lined cookie sheets until completely dry, about 2-3 hours.  
9. Allow to cool and add a string for hanging.
10. Optional: add paint and/or glitter

To finish off your picture frame ornaments:

1. Print small photos and trim them to be slightly larger than your opening.
2. Place Glue Dots (affilitate link, this stuff rules!) or small dabs of glue on the corners of your picture.
3. Lay your frame on top and allow to dry.
4. Last on the back side use a marker to write the name of the person in the picture and year.
5. Adorn your tree and give with glee! 

This post is part of 12 Days of Handmade Christmas.  Be sure to check out all of the other awesome posts in the series.  There are so many fun, simple, affordable holiday crafts!

December 1 - Rustic Wooden Chalkboards with Living on Love
December 2 - Fabric Candy Cane Ornaments with Crafty Mally
December 3 - Cookie Jar Snow Globes with Tag & Tibby
December 4 - DIY Bath Caddy with Down Home Inspiration
December 5 - "You Are Home" US Ornament with Natalie Creates
December 6 - Fat Quarter Cloth Napkins with That Moxie Girl
December 7 - Painted Decor Blocks with Classic Play
December 8 - Footprint Reindeer Aprons with The Caterpillar Years
December 9 - DIY Hostess Gift with Buzzmills
December 10 - Emoji Onesies with Frock Files
December 11 - Dried Fruit Ornaments & Garland with Maker Mama
December 12 - Salt Dough Frame Ornaments with Small + Friendly

An InLinkz Link-up

Free Printable Wrapping Paper and Gift Tags

I've been known to wrap presents in brown paper from grocery bags, my toddler's scribbles, and gift bags that have been used no less than ten times.  But this year I found myself longing for wrapping that would be as exciting as the gift.  And yet, who wants to blow their present budget on wrapping?  Not I!  So I partnered with HP to bring you three bright, festive (and free!) printable wrapping paper designs complete with matching gift tags!     

 

I created this super cute printable wrapping with the help of my newest creative tool, Sprout by HP.  This computer has some pretty rad capabilities.  It boasts a gorgeous touch screen that pairs with a touch mat and built-in scanner.  All this adds up to a creative space that blurs the lines between physical and virtual.  

Get your paper right here: Download Free Printable Wrapping Paper and Gift Tags  And read on to learn how I made it.

Printing Note: These can be printed on standard paper (8.5" x 11") for small presents or decorative bands. Just click "fit to printable area" in the print dialogue box.  It is also possible to get them printed tabloid size (11" x 17") at a copy shop for just over one dollar a sheet.  Print the gift tags on cardstock or photo paper for best results.  

If I wanted to create this paper design without my Sprout I would have had to:

1. Take pictures of the ornaments.
2. Load them on the computer.
3. Use a photo editing program to cut out the background, duplicate, and resize the images with a mouse. (Read: tedious)  
4. Switch to a vector-based program to write my script with a mouse or stylus. (Read: awkward)

With the Sprout I was able to lay the ornaments on the touch mat and scan them (which automatically captures them without a background). I could then manipulate the images with my hands; easily resizing, grouping, and duplicating.  In the same space, I could add my hand written detail and save as a pdf. I could even email them without ever leaving that creative space.  Easy peasy lemon squeezy.  

As you can see, I've got a little helper who loves the Sprout.  Its got some really cool apps for kids, and Jude loves using it to draw and take pictures of his treasures.  I still have a lot to learn, and I imagine as the software continues to improve I will be creating with my Sprout more and more.  In fact, I've got a really cool project planned for next week, so stay tuned!    

This post was sponsored by HP.  As always, all opinions are my own.  Thank you so much for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.  

Three Perfect Thanksgiving Pies

I am well aware that Thanksgiving has passed, but I just had to share these recipes with you.  Pin them for next year, I promise you won't be sorry. 

I've been in charge of Thanksgiving Day pies for a several years now and each year I have gotten closer and closer to what I consider the perfect pecan, pumpkin, and apple pies.  This year (if you'll forgive my gloating) I knocked it out of the park.  Simple, delicious, decidedly autumnal: the trifecta of Thanksgiving baking perfection.  Oh, and they can be made the day before!  Now while I was working on these I didn't know I had stumbled on such a share worthy list so please forgive the lack of photos.  Sometimes you must create and devour without all those pesky pauses for glamour shots.    

Gift Guide: Top Toys for 4-5 Year Olds

It's that time again!  Everyone's making lists and checking them twice.  And since I'm always looking for good recommendations for affordable, high quality toys I wanted to share what was most loved by Jude this past year.  Below are our very favorite toys for four to five year olds, plus one item I still haven't invested in but wish I did years ago.      

Note: As Jude ages I've noticed this list leans a little "boyish".  However, while I may have missed the perfect "girl" toy I feel all these suggestions would be enjoyed by both genders.

This post contains affiliate links, if you shop at Amazon after clicking I receive a small commission.  As always I encourage you to support your local toy store, however if you need things at Amazon I sure do appreciate the support!

Cardboard Pirate Ship - Last year Santa brought Jude a colorable cardboard castle that provided hours and hours of fun.  I found the castle at Michael's (much cheaper) but this pirate ship one looks super cool.

Stomp Rocket Jr.  - This toy is so fun!  You know those days when your kid's energy level is through the roof?  It usually coincides with you being exhausted.  Grab this toy, head to a park or open field and sit back while they jump and run and jump and run some more.    

Cube Puzzle - Puzzles are always a win in my house.  I really like the cube ones because they are challenging without tiny pieces strewn all over your floor.  

Kid Galaxy Robot  - This was the best $20 bucks I spent all year.  (Correction, that my parents spent all year, thanks Na & Pa!) I don't usually go in for the battery operated toys but this one is super cool.  Jude named his Marble and he's practically a member of the family.  He's super easy to control so this isn't one of those toys that require your help (I need more of those).

Ed Emberley's Drawing Book - I'm not sure who has more fun with how to draw books, Jude or I.  We are both the kind of people who get frustrated when we aren't instantly good at something (I struggle a lot!) so these types of books help up create and actually enjoy drawing.  I adore Ed Emberley but Ralph Masiello's Robot Drawing Book (or any of his) are great too!

Klutz Book of Paper Airplanes - I am a huge fan of Klutz books and you can find one for just about anything your child is interested in.  Jude needs help creating the more complicated planes but it has brought him hours and hours of fun.  

Connectagons® - Jude has a very similar toy that was a hand-me down.  He loves this style of building and I think your little one will too.  Plus, unlike most building toys these take up very little storage space, score bonus!

Schwinn Bicycle - This is a big ticket item, but four to five is a great age for your first real bike.  We found one on Craigslist, but this seems like a very good quality at a fair price.  

And lastly, do you ever look at heirloom quality toys and think "Those are so beautiful but I really can't justify the price."  For me there is one that really stands out, the Grimm's Large Four Elements Building Set. I can't tell you how many years I've wanted these for Jude but skipped them due to price.  Then I was recently cleaning out his room and after about the fifth peice of junk toy I added to the garbage bag it hit me.  If I added up all the one, two, and five dollar impulse toy purchases I've made in the past five years I could have bought these twice over.  So if I can swing it I think the boys might find these under the tree this year.

I hope these suggestions help you find the perfect gift for the little ones in your life.  

You can find my other gift guides here:  Top Toys for 1-2, Top Toys for 2-3, and Top Toys for 3-4

Now I need your help.  Any favorite toys for 5-6 year olds?