Custom Card/Invite Designer: Kara Boynton

Hi. I'm Kara, a military wife and mother of two. Soon after I became a Mom, I found myself in a whole new world of birth announcements, holiday photo cards, and birthday invitations. I wanted something cute, personalized, customized, colorful, yet affordable. I quickly discovered I could meet these demands myself. I've been designing invitations, cards and announcements for family and friends in the States and I'd like to offer my services to the families at Osan as well. Printing services are even available on base at Studio 51, which means you can have those invites ordered, customized, printed and in your hands in about one week!


I love to incorporate your ideas or if you find an invitation/announcement that you like online, just send me the link and I can include those elements in a design just for you!



Please take a look at some of my work:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/myaclairedesign



I look forward to helping you celebrate your blessings and milestones with family and friends.

email: klboynton@gmail.com

cell: 010-6873-6406

McPhereson Community Center Activities

Lots of fun classes and activities for adults and children going on at the Community Center!


Community Center site:
http://www.51fss.com/community.htm

Calendar of Events:
http://www.51fss.com/images/cc_cal.pdf

Nature Luminary Candle Votives

What you'll need: 

-leaves and foliage
-glass votive holder or jar
-white tissue paper
-white craft glue
-water
-paintbrush
-tealight candles


How to make it:

-Collect small leaves and other foliage from outside. Be sure there’s still some life in the leaves – they shouldn’t be too dry or crumbly. (Note: We found several of our leaves on bushes as their leaves are smaller.) Once selected, lay leaves in a single layer and place a large book on top to flatten them. Leave for an hour or two.


-Spread a layer of white craft glue on the outside of the votive holder. Stick the leaves to the glue and press into place. Let dry.

-Mix equal parts of water and white craft glue to create a decoupage paste.

-Tear tissue paper into squares about one to two inches in size.

-Use a paintbrush to glue the tissue paper over the leaves using the decoupage mixture. Overlap the tissue paper and make sure all of the glass is covered. Carry over the lip of the votive holder as well and be sure that the tissue paper is decoupaged against the inside of the glass.

-Allow the jars to dry overnight.

-Place a tea light candle inside each votive holder!

Origami Fun

 

Origami

I just recently found some websites on how to make origami to pass some time with the kiddos..  it was actually really fun.  I had picked up a box of square colored origami paper at a little store and since it only came with a few different examples, needed to search the internet to find more info.   Here are some great websites to check out.  Some are super easy and some can get quite complex!  But it's a great way to pass some time and be creative!

http://www.origami-fun.com/
http://www.origami.com/
http://www.origami-usa.org/
http://www.langorigami.com/art/artmain/artmain.php4

Make your own Play-Doh and other fun stuff

Here are some fun recipes to make with your kids.

Everyday Playdoh

Mix 1 cup of flour, 1/3 cup of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter in a bowl. Meanwhile, bring to boil 1 cup of water, one tablespoon of cooking oil and a few drops of food coloring. A little flavoring essence could be added, too. Pour hot mixture into flour mixture and stir. Add more flour if necessary.

Kool-Aid Playdoh

Add a packet of unsweetened Kool-Aid to boiling water in Everyday Playdoh recipe to strengthen the color and scent.

Self-Hardening Playdoh

Mix 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of flour, and add cup of water. Use the same day, air dry for about 48 hours, and paint if desired.

Peanut Butter Playdoh (edible)

Mix together 1-cup peanut butter and cup honey. Blend in powdered milk until mixture is not sticky, and a playdoh consistency. Double the recipe if necessary.

Fudgy Chocolate Playdoh (edible)

Mix together 4 tablespoons softened butter, 1/2 cup white corn syrup, 6 tablespoons cocoa, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 3 cups powdered sugar, and 3/4 cup powdered milk. Knead well.

Finger Paint

Pour about a tablespoon of liquid tempera on laminate surface or large piece of shiny paper. Add a few drops of mild dish soap.

Pudding Finger Paint (edible)

Add food coloring to prepared vanilla pudding, and finger paint on a paper plate.

Egg Yolk Paint

Separate the yolk from the white of an egg. Put the yolk in a small cup, and save the white for another use. Mix a few drops of food coloring and teaspoon water with the yolk. Make several colors with more yolks. Use a small brush or cotton swab to paint. This paint dries with a glossy finish on paper. It can be used to paint cookies before they are baked.

Buttermilk or Condensed Milk Paint

Mix drops of food coloring with cup buttermilk or condensed milk. This creates pastel colors. Corn Syrup Paint Mix drops of food coloring with a small amount of corn syrup. Mix in small glass cups to see the translucent colors. This is sticky and glossy.

Bubbles

Mix together equal parts of water and Joy dishwashing soap. Make a wand by twisting a pipe cleaner into a circle with a handle.

From http://www.everythingpreschool.com/recipes/index.htm

Heather, Guest Blogger

More Cold Weather Indoor Fun

Before we know it, even colder days will set in, and you might not be inclined to take (or let) your children outdoors to play. How do you keep them entertained during the interminable days that seem to run into one another?

Here are some suggestions (stock up quickly!):

Play-doh

Markers

Water colors and/or tempera paints

Crayons

Construction paper

Coloring books

Brown paper bags

Cardboard boxes (for coloring, cutting, or making forts)

Glue

Scissors

What to do with all that stuff? Try That Artist Woman (http://thatartistwoman.blogspot.com/) for both seasonal and general crafts.

For particularly educational board games, try Guess Who, Cadoo, Hullaballoo, and Guesstures, which require children to speak in full sentences. Puzzles, bead kits, and other handiwork are great ways to work on fine motor skills for younger and older children.

For some indoor physical activity, try Twister, Kids Yoga DVDs (just search at Amazon and you will find a wide variety), or even Wii Fit.

And, you may even want to allow pillow fights and plenty of blanket-and-dining-room-chair forts to break up the monotony.

Also, remember that when you do go outdoors, skin protection is still important. Don’t forget sunscreen on exposed skin (at least moisturizer with SPF for your face) and sunglasses, even in the winter!