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Mar 13 2015

precision engineering (aka : leprechaun traps)

Posted by hayley
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Last year Songbird built this golden leprechaun palace. And this year she absolutely remembered that the wee lil’ green guy escaped because he was able to cut through the trap door entrance. So we have literally spent a week discussing every facet of how to improve this year’s design.

Leprechaun Traps for Kids  greyhouseharbor.com

Each suggestion I made (mostly because it’d be easy) was immediately rejected on the likelihood of escape. Instead she dreamed up a contraption with multiple layers, sneaky deception, and several design features.

Leprechaun Traps for Kids  greyhouseharbor.com

 Bug, on the other hand, was happy to go along with a simpler mom-directed design. He’s basically on-board with anything that involves going to town with a paintbrush.

Leprechaun Traps for Kids greyhouseharbor.com

Leprechaun Traps for Kids greyhouseharbor.com

Songbird’s version includes attractive signage,

Leprechaun Traps for Kids  greyhouseharbor.com

clever activities,

Leprechaun Traps for Kids greyhouseharbor.com

and even a bed for the poor prisoner to rest until he can meet her demands for gold.

Leprechaun Traps for Kids greyhouseharbor.com

I would explain to you just exactly how these ingenious inventions work…

Leprechaun Traps for Kids  greyhouseharbor.com

… but I’ll leave that to the master (and somewhat long winded) engineers.

Tags: crafts with kids, holidays, Leprechaun traps, our life, St. Patrick's Day
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Nov 11 2014

veteran’s day card for kids

Posted by hayley
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Today we pause to thank those who have worn the uniform in service of our great nation. I designed a couple Veteran’s Day cards for kids to color to say Thanks. Get the free printables over on Project Nursery today.

Free Printable Veteran's Day Card for Kids  //  greyhouseharbor.com

Tags: holidays, kid stuff, military, project nursery, Veteran's Day
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Jul 7 2014

independence weekend

Posted by hayley
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Not even Hurricane Arthur could stop some Independence Day fun from happening here this weekend! Morning rain on Friday gave way to blue skies and sunshine by afternoon. So the kids put on their stars and stripes to celebrate America’s 238th birthday.

wpid420Independence Weekend 2014  |  greyhouseharbor.com7-Independence-Weekend.jpg

Independence Weekend 2014  |  greyhouseharbor.com

That night we were invited over to a friend’s bonfire to shoot bottle rockets and small fireworks. This was the first 4th of July in a long time that we didn’t have front row seats to Ohio’s biggest fireworks show at my parents home in Columbus. Songbird was near tears when she realized that “going to see fireworks” this year was not what she had envisioned. But a few sparklers managed to lift her spirits.

Independence Weekend 2014  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Independence Weekend 2014  |  greyhouseharbor.com

The bonfire was epic and reached nearly 30 feet in the air at it’s peak.

Independence Weekend 2014  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Independence Weekend 2014  |  greyhouseharbor.com

The earlier storms brought unusually lovely weather the rest of the weekend. Low humidity and sunny skies had us dining outdoors with Grandma L and learning new jokes.

Independence Weekend 2014  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Independence Weekend 2014  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Plus lots of swimming in the pool with friends.

Independence Weekend 2014  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Independence Weekend 2014  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Our Independence weekend was capped off with a day trip to Colonial Williamsburg. These buildings were the place from which George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, James Monroe, James Madison, George Wythe, Peyton Randolph, and others molded American democracy. Sometimes the best way to appreciate today’s freedoms is to walk in the footsteps of those who gave them to us.

Independence Weekend 2014  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Independence Weekend 2014  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Independence Weekend 2014  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Independence Weekend 2014  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Independence Weekend 2014  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Tags: fourth of july, holidays, our life
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Feb 5 2014

diy valentine pouches

Posted by hayley
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DIY Valentine's Pouches

Procrastinator Extraordinaire – it’s on my resumé.

I will never be a blogger who is awesome about posting holiday ideas a month out. The mere fact that we made something for Valentine’s Day a week before is a miracle in itself. These little pouches are so awesome that I couldn’t help but make them early and share. You know, in the event that you need a last minute idea too!

Supplies:
– 8.5 x 11 cardstock (you can also use just printer paper)
– printed Valentine’s messages – click HERE to print the one I created
– tulle
– scrapbook paper
– paint chips
– filler

DIY Valentine's Pouches

Cut the letter sized cardstock in half.

DIY Valentines Pouches

Cut the paint chips, tulle, and messages down into strips. Cut heart shapes from your scrapbook paper. We used flocked red paper for a velvet effect. Sign all the message tags.

DIY Valentines Pouches

Give your child the cardstock pieces to decorate one side as they wish. Handmade goodness at its finest!

DIY Valentines Pouches

Bend the pieces in half (hamburger style) and straight stitch down the edge. You can do this in one continuous string to save time, then just cut them apart.

DIY Valentines Pouches

Next, sew one short side closed.

DIY Valentines Pouches

I let Songbird do all the short sides. My sewing machine as a very slow setting and she was giddy at learning to sew. There is something magical about the pride instilled in a child when they learn a new skill. She’s already pumped at the thought of telling her classmates she sewed them herself.

DIY Valentines PouchesDIY Valentines Pouches

Fill the pouch with goodies, stopping a couple inches below the top. We chose candy, but it could be anything – crayons, stickers, small toys, etc.

DIY Valentines Pouches

Fold the top edge in the opposite direction as the bottom edge.

DIY Valentines Pouches

Layer your decorative elements and position them along the top edge.

DIY Valentines Pouches

DIY Valentines Pouches

Straight stitch closed, being careful to catch all the do-dads.

DIY Valentines Pouches

A little handmade love ready to share. These would be fun to hand out around the office and to neighbors as well.

DIY Valentines Pouches

Tags: diy, diy crafts, handmade valentines, holidays, kid stuff, paper crafts, sewing, Valentines Day
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I'm Hayley. Wife and mother by day, DIY enthusiast by night. Fueled by sweet tea and jelly beans, I own power tools and know how to use them. Consider yourself warned.

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