Crafts & DIY

Every year my sons beg to decorate for Halloween. I love it! However, I don’t love spending an arm and a leg on decorations…especially when they look like just that: a bloody arm and a bloody leg. They’re just...

As moms, we all have our different strengths. Some moms plan elaborate, fabulous parties, while other moms (like me) attend them. Some moms know exactly which details deserve full attention, while other moms (like me) can't quite figure out what it...

We are creeping through those long July days. I don't know about you, but the kids are starting to get a bit more restless now that the excitement of summer vacation and July 4th are OVER. If you are...

DIY Savings Bank Supplies Shoe Box Cardboard Scrapbook Paper Stickers Decorative Tape Packing Tape Glue Scissors (adults!) Step 1 - Find a Box We picked a sturdy preschool sized shoe box that was already pretty cute.             Step 2 - Make Cardboard Dividers Use...

If you’re looking for a simple and fun way to decorate your home on St. Patrick’s Day try this DIY windsock craft. This gold pot windsock will for sure bring your home some shine and luck. It’s an easy...

We’ve all been there. Driving in our air-conditioned cars, coming from or going to our air-conditioned homes, and we see someone on a street corner, holding a sign asking for help. One part of me is cautious, being a female...

Have you suddenly found yourself with kids home from school? Still need to get some work done during the day? Solidarity, sisters.  Here are 20 ideas to get you started. Have kids write and illustrate their own story. Or siblings...

Easy Brunch Ideas to make your next Sunday easy! One of my favorite things is to host friends {new & old} for meals at my house. Bringing friends together to eat, drink & catch up is such a great way...

The season of holiday parties - so fun, and yet so busy because 9 times out of 10 you will be asked to bring an appetizer. Below are links for fabulous party appetizers that will leave your hostess begging...

Easter is almost here and a great activity to do with your kiddos is making dye using everyday ingredients you already have in your kitchen. Last year I tried to dye our Easter eggs using natural everyday ingredients and they...

I don’t know about you, but my kids are notorious for making me work for their requested birthday themes. Seriously, just about every year one of them has an idea that requires me to get super creative. All I...

I am quickly learning is not really "Spring" in Arizona, since it's, oh, 85 degrees on my patio right now. (Being an Easterner who is accustomed to four seasons, I have dubbed Arizona's seasons "Pre-Summer", "Summer", "Post-Summer" and a...

This summer, we have been so fortunate to spend time with friends! We've been in town most of the summer, since my daughter Mary Alice made her debut in April. My kids have been welcomed into friend's homes for pizza and...

Growing up in the midwest, everyone knew that when winter rolled around it’s time to bring out your crockpots! I remember as a kid, my mom would make my favorite vegetable soup in a slow cooker and the delicious...

You’ve all heard of St. Patrick’s Day but what about St. George’s Day? Being from England I thought I’d share this special day with you. St. George’s Day is England’s equivalent to Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Day. It’s celebrated on April...

 It’s October, and while it may not feel like it here in Phoenix, the holiday season is upon us. (I know, I can’t believe it either!) Before we dive head-first into the demands of the holiday season by putting on our decorating-baking-DIYing-celebrating-crafting-photo-taking...

It is time for all things Halloween! These are some of our favorite posts on everything from DIY costumes and decor to scare free stories for kids.

If you're hosting a holiday party this year, consider an Elf theme! You can be as extravagant as you want with the decorations - just ask Pinterest! We kept it pretty simple, decorating with the Christmas decorations we usually...

Genius idea, worth re-visiting! If I just had more hours in the day, I would craft and play in the local hobby store all the time! But I don't, so I have to choose my favorite crafts and incorporate...

My daughter has built an empire of collected art projects from school. They are wonderful in the sense that she's proud of them and they also tell me a story of how she's progressed throughout her preschool year. (eg:...

When our daughter told us she wanted to be a "fancy pirate" for Halloween, I instantly pictured a tulle skirt, lots of pearls, and big gold earrings. For the last few Halloweens, she and I have loved creating her...

We are well into July and if you're like me your summer bucket list is just about complete. With another month 3 months of heat remaining, I thought it timely to share some of our favorite and fun water...

As a personal chef, I spend a lot of time preparing and serving healthy and delicious gourmet food to my clients. Since time is money, I have become extremely adept at preparing food in the most efficient manner possible...

Valentine's Day is right around the corner! What better way to celebrate with your kids than a fun craft that involves gardening, upcycling, and lots of sparkly Valentine's hearts? I am not usually a super-crafty mom but my love...

If you're looking for a way to add some color to your summer, a tie dye party is the way to go! This spring we hosted a virtual tie dye birthday party. (again, a huge thanks to my daughter's friends'...

Hi ladies! It's Sara, managing editor here at SMB. We didn't want you to miss this perfect Halloween Week gem from our archives, courtesy of Beth.  Here are three easy Halloween crafts for you to do with your little ones...

So, it's still hot out. (That's the jist of how I start every blog post for SMB. You're welcome.) Some of us have preschoolers who don't begin school for a few more weeks... The bigger siblings who might be marginally helpful at...

If you're looking for a fun process art project to do this spring break, consider a reproduction of Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night. If your preschooler is like mine and wants the facts, you can let them know: Van...

Arizona’s Super Bowl XLIX is right around the corner and die-hard football fans are already in search of the best game day recipes. Executive Chef Beau MacMillan of Arizona’s own Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, shares his two favorite recipes, Lobster...

Father's day is coming up and Dads love homemade and thoughtful gifts too. Here's 5 Father's Days crafts that are fun for children to make and Dad is sure to cherish. 1. Paper Tie: There are patterns online and even...