Easy Key Fob Tutorial

It's summer and I am itching to do something creative.  Like really bad. . . not just the index cards of the day (that I am so behind on) or doing directed drawing with my kids.  But, starting from scratch and creating something start to finish.  Things are a bit different with the kids home and I am working on finding that new groove that comes with summer schedules.  Also, I have been staying up way too late.  I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not, but it's the one time I get the house to myself. . . it's just so peaceful.  Also, Hallmark movies are really sucking me in right now.

So, I thought that I would quickly share a fun easy project that might help spur your creativity (and maybe give mine a little jump start!). This project is super quick, start to finish project that will live you satisfied and possibly wanting to make more.  I made these for the kids teachers this year and both of them didn't hesitate to put them on the key chains.  Mine was several years old and was so worn out that I needed a new one and so made myself one.  The first one I made took me a little longer, but once I figured them out, they each took less than 30 minutes.  Seriously.  Easy, few materials, and a project finished just like that.  Definitely a winner on a hot summer afternoon when you just don't want to go outside.  (It's really hot today!).

Here's what you will need:
2 coordinating fabrics
fusible interfacing
key chain swivel attachments (I found mine at JoAnn's)
Thread

Here's what you need to cut out:
Cut out of each fabric a rectangle 2 3/4 inches by 13 inches.  You can go shorter or longer, depending on your preference.

Cut out 1 smaller rectangle about 2 inches by 3 3/4 inches.

Cut out 2 rectangles of fusible interfacing that are 3/4 inch by 12 inches. 

Step 1:  Cut out fabric.

Step 2:  

 Sew your 3 fabric rectangles (2 longer and 1 shorter) together wrong side out.  Iron the seam out like above and then flip right side out.  I recommend getting caught up on your favorite show or put on one of those cheesy, ever predictable Hallmark movies to watch while you flip right side out.  Iron flat with seam in the middle and not on the side.

 Step 3: 

Iron each piece of fusible interfacing onto each long rectangle's seam side.  If you are using thicker fusible interfacing, you might want to put it on one side.  I used Pellon Fusible Midweight interfacing (931td) that I found at my local JoAnn's store.

Step 4:

Lay your two coordinating fabrics on top of each other with the interfacing and seams facing inward. 

Pin together in a few places so it stays put, while you sew. 

Step 5:

 Sew down the long side of your rectangle sandwich.  Sew as close to the edge as possible, but not all the way.

Step 6:

 Place key chain attachment through the fabric.  Place it in the middle for the time being.

Step 7:

 Sew the two ends together a couple of times using the zig zag feature on your machine.  It will look ugly, but you are going to cover it up, so no one will ever know! 

Step 8:

Remember that little piece of fabric you sewed, flipped right side out and ironed nice and flat?  Adjust your now loop-de-loop of fabric so that the ugly part that you just sewed is close to the key chain piece.  Wrap the fabric around tucking the two ends in on the same sides.  Pin and sew together. I sewed it shut and then sewed a square, making sure it was secure. 

And ta-da you have your very own key fob.  I will warn you, you will want to make a ton for all your friends, whether they need them or not.  This is a great way to work on that stash you've collected, but never done anything with (ahem. . . speaking to myself here) or a great way to learn a new way to use your machine. 

I found this cool printable back when we gave fobs for teacher appreciation here.

Summer Stem Challenge {Foil Boats}

 We are one week into summer and I am loving it.  I have stayed up way too late, slept in, read books, watched tv, and enjoying my kids.  I have high hopes that this just might be the best summer yet.  So, sweet mom friends who still have littles running around you in circles, I promise that in just a few short years, you will hit a sweet spot.

Last year, we spent the summer conquering Pinterest Pins each week!  Some of them were science related, others, just fun.  We had so much fun that we decided to challenge ourselves to a Summer of Stem activities.  Each week, we will do some sort of STEM activity and then I will blog about it.  I will share what we did, how we did it, what I would change. We did our first challenge this week, and it is was so much fun getting a little wet in the process. 

This week, we took advantage of the cool of the morning on one of our hottest days this week, and brought out the baby pool and picked a STEM activity that would result in getting a little wet.  Nothing like a little science and engineering in the water to start out day and cool off!  Weston even gave his boat a little pirate he had made from his quixels the day before. 

All you need is some aluminum foil, some pennies, water, and maybe you're own pirate.  Have your kids crunch up a a couple pieces of foil and shape into the boat of their liking.  Ethan's resembled a bowl and Weston's was more rectangular in shape. 

 Test to see if they float.  We didn't have any problems with them floating the first time, but if your's don't float, they might need to be lighter, so fewer pieces of foil or the shape might need some change.  But, foil is pretty light, so I don't think this will be a problem. 

 Have the kids slowly start adding coins until they float.  I just grabbed our penny jar, which was a hodge podge of coins and maybe a few medals from my high school cross country days may have surfaced.  The kids thought that was super cool. 

 Keep filling it up until they sink. 

 Then take it out, and count out the coins.  We put ours on a paper towel covered paper plate so they could dry quicker.  Both boys boats were super strong and held over a hundred coins each.  I should have had them try building a weaker boat so they could compare, but that's something I just thought of as I was typing.

Then get into the water and cool off!  Even I sunk my toes into the cool water.  Plus, these smiles get me all the time! I just want to enjoy every minute of it over the summer!

Want to join us this summer?  Pick a STEM activity to try at home or try out the ones we do.  Take a little picture and post it to Instagram using the hashtag #OOTRBsummerstemchallenge.  I can't wait to see what you all come up with!   

If you want to see what Pinterest activities we did last summer.  Click here to the link that has them all. 

Summer is Here! {How we deal with video games}

 Ahhh, Summer is officially here! We are in our third day of our Summer Vacation routine and it is just awesome.  I don't know if it has something to do with this mom gets to sleep in every morning while the kids watch TV and help themselves to a easy breakfast or that we are just in a sweet spot with the stage of parenting we are in.  Actually, it might be a little of both.

We are making every intention of ditching our busy schedules for the quiet, lazy days of summer.  Which is great, because I don't know about my kids, but I am exhausted.  I even took a bit of a nap this afternoon while my kids rested up for another night of Vacation Bible School.  The school year always packed with sports and school activities, homework, and more so, I really push to make sure our summer is not overly packed. I want to enjoy my kids.

 If you've visited this blog last summer, I have a lot of ideas for surviving summer and while we are still following a routine, there is a large chunk of time where the kids have to figure out for themselves what to do.  I really do think it's good for them to solve their own problems of being bored. However, we had to solve the problem of video games. 

Both of our boys LOVE to play video games, computer games, and games on their handheld devices.  We have found that too much time spent zoning on these devices creates a sort of monster, if you will.  I know that I can't be alone, because there are a ton of research articles out there on the impacts of screen time on our kids.  (Also, note that I didn't lump TV into that because i feel a little differently about that).  The general rule at our house has been screen time is a weekend only thing and that has worked out nicely.  But, during the summer, there is more time and it's okay.  So, this year we implemented the screen time checklist.  We are in day 3 of it and it is working amazingly!  So amazing, that no one has felt the need to earn extra time.  30 minutes is working.

 Basically, they have to do their daily chores, read, some summer review (we use the Brain quest books and I pulled out some of my file folder games I made way back when I actually taught!), they have to play, build or craft something (this has been fun to watch!), spend some time in God's Word (they have devotionals that come home each week from church, but also some neat books that work really well), and they have to write in their journal that we are working on this summer. 

I know a lot of people might argue that reading shouldn't be put on there, but my kids love to read, and I want to teach them that those things are priorities over video game usage.  They area working on two reading programs this summer and need that motivation to finish so they can earn free books! 

 One of my favorite things is that when we upgrade our Xbox last fall, we put the old one in the office, so now if they don't want to play together, they can play on two separate devices.  So far, they both have been playing the older games and just waiting til the other one's time  is up and it's been great. 

The checklist is available here if you would like to download and use it. 
Please remember that it is for personal use only. 

How are you handling screen time at your house this summer? 

Oh and before I forget, let me explain why I don't lump TV into the screen time category.  First of all, it doesn't effect them like playing a game does.  I love watching TV and while we only watch it during certain parts of the day, there might be a day or two this summer where that's all we do.  I'm okay with that. 

And I better get going, the kids need to eat some dinner before heading off to church.  Have a great day!

Finding Time For God's Word in the summer

 We made it.  Summer has officially began at our house and I am jumping up and down with joy.    It has been a wild and crazy month with a full calendar and  I think we are all done.  I know I am not the only one because I see your posts, sweet friends. I know you are tired of getting up and and going through the morning routine and hoping and praying that you make it to school on time. . . with shoes on. Everyone is tired.  Teachers, students, parents.  Summer is here.  (If you are already on vacation. . . Congratulations, you made it!). 

With summer here, so many things come to an end.  Whether you are a working mom or not, there is a sweet change of pace once summer vacation hits.  Pool days, late nights, adventures, camps and binge watching tv or cozying up to a good book are a warm welcome change of pace from the hustle of the school year. 

During the normal school year, I love the consistent time in God's word that comes from being involved in a Bible Study.  However, once summer hits and our normal routine and accountability comes to an end, I tend to find it more difficult to take that time to open God's Word up.  I think that's why I love She Reads Truth Bible Studies. 

The goal of She Reads Truth is to get women into the word every single day.  I love that!  I don't know about you, but I am a much better person and a much better mom when I am in the Word daily.  There is no way I would survive summer without my time in God's Word.  I love that you can pretty much do this Bible Study for free or for a minimal cost through the app.  (the books are a little more, but so worth it if you are doing it in a group!)

It is the simplest thing.  Read some scripture, take some notes and journal, and read a devotional that goes along with the scripture.  It is completely relevant and does not graze the surface which makes it perfect!  The best thing about the summer one is that that you can grab some friends together and talk about what you learned or were challenged by.  Add coffee and it's one of my favorite things about summer. 

This summer, She Reads Truth has put together a wonderful 6 week study through 1st and 2nd Corinthians.  It has technically started already, but since schools are just now getting out around here and we have vbs next week, we are starting in a week.  It's super flexible and I love the opportunity to get together with some of my favorite people and dig into God's word over coffee.  I should also mention that it is beautifully designed and there are even recipes.  All things that make my heart go pitter patter! 

Staying in God's Word during the summer is essential to my sanity.  My attitude is way better and my patience is a lot higher.  I'm pretty sure I am much better person when I am spending time with God.  That being said, I am also a better mom.  Which is good because it's summer vacation and the kids are home all day long. 

Wanna know something cool?  They also have a 1st and 2nd Corinthians study for men and kids!  How cool is that!  You can check it out here.

I know there are lots of other options out there.  Let me know how you are digging into scripture by commenting below.  Let's keep each other accountable, grow closer to God, and keep our sanity over the summer! 

(please note that this opinions are completely my own because I really, REALLY love these studies!)