Old-Fashioned Learning Fun, Inspired by the Delaware Children's Museum

Last week, we went to the Delaware Children's Museum in Wilmington, DE.  It resides in a huge warehouse that used to be home to a bar / restaurant back when we were in college.  I will tell you - the museum is a GIANT upgrade.  At $10 a ticket with AAA, it was a GREAT value.  We were there for three hours, and we could've stayed for more.  Because my right shoulder seems to sag below my left shoulder due to the gargantuan weight of my pocketbook, I didn't bring my camera.  But, we got tons of good ideas for low-tech, old-school summer activities as a result of exploring the museum.

Make Your Own Soccer Ball Cake (or Tennis Ball Cake.. or Baseball Cake... or...)

So, now you know how to make the best ever chocolate cake recipe (from a mix).  It's time to decorate it, with no Martha Stewart skills or tools required!

To make a soccer ball, tennis ball, baseball, volleyball (you get the point!) cake, you have two choices... You can purchase a ball-shaped cake pan from somewhere like Jo-Ann Fabrics.  I used this Wilton Soccer Ball 3D Cake Pan.  Don't forget to google for a Jo-Ann coupon (at least 40% off). Plus, they frequently offer $0.97 flat shipping.   They also sell baseball cake pans, volleyball cake pans, etc., but any of them will do...  You're just going to cover it with frosting anyway, so the little details from the pan won't be visible.

Don't feel like ordering a cake pan?  I've heard that you can use glass bowls to bake a round cake.  Disclaimer:  I've never tried this, so proceed at your own risk!  Interested? Here's a tutorial from livestrong.com. 

Okay, now that we've covered the pan part, let's get to the fun, sweet stuff!!

Make Your Own Easy Soccer Ball Cake
(or Tennis Ball Cake or Baseball Cake or Basketball Cake or Volleyball Cake)

Upcycled Glass Jelly Jar - From Trash to Treasure in 15 Minutes

Sometimes, I clean and save empty glass jars.  I'm not sure why.  There's something inherently crafty about them.  However, there's nothing crafty about them if you let them sit on a counter, collecting dust (as is usually the case in my house!).

Sometimes, inspiration strikes.  I was looking for a container to hold Q-tips on my bathroom counter.  Using an old jelly jar (with a name like Smuckers, it has to be good), a scrap of fabric and glue, an upcycled apothecary jar was born!

Here's how to make yours...  This whole project took about 15 minutes, total. 

Upcycled Glass Jelly Jar - From Trash to Treasure

3 Easy Steps - Instant Personality for Your Plain Pot

The plant in my son's room came in a plain old brown, plastic pot.  Could I have switched it to another pot?  Yes.  But, the plant looked happy in there and I didn't want to tempt fate, so I left it.  But, the plainness (is that a word?!) was begging for a makeover.  Here's a quick and easy way to give any pot personality in three easy steps....  The whole project took an hour, from start to finish, and looks amazing. Plus, this is a great project for kids to practice their cutting skills!

Quick & Easy - Instant Personality for your Plain Pot 

Build Your Own Lego Man - Free Pattern!

My next post was created by a very special guest, my six year old son!!!  For St. Patrick's Day, we made a cool shamrock out of legos after seeing this pattern for it on Pinterest.

A few weeks later, my son ran downstairs one morning and was busy working for about an hour.  After which, he unveiled LEGO MAN.  LEGO MAN has been sitting on our kitchen table for two weeks, and has become part of the family.

If you'd like LEGO MAN to become part of your family (or are just looking for a simple project to do), check out our free pattern. 

Great deal on Photobooks - Get those pictures ready!

You might remember my earlier series of posts about how to transform your backed-up digital photos in actual albums (if not - relive the magic all over again by clicking below!!)

• Part 1 - Digital Photo Organization- How to Transform Your Backed-up Digital Photos into Actual Albums
• Part 2 - Ongoing Digital Photo Organization - Staying Organized and Stress-Free 

If you need some incentive to get rolling, Living Social is offering a great deal on photobooks from My Publisher.  You can get a $20 Photo Book for $5, a $36 Photo Book for $9, and so on.  It's usually about $5 for shipping.  

The Final Frontier - How to Organize Refrigerator Art

I've been through many phases in my life.... collecting magnets on every vacation, papering the fridge with every photo I have, decorating it with adorable art from my little man, hanging dry-erase boards, you name it.  Right now, I am craving a peaceful feeling when I look at my fridge, which is no easy thing.

When I googled and pinterested (Is that a verb?  It should be), I couldn't find too many ideas, besides very expensive fridge frame magnets (like picture frames, but with powerful magnets).  So, I headed to my happy place (JoAnn Fabrics) on a random shopping trip, and happened on the PERFECT thing in the clearance rack.  It was like divine intervention.  So, I whipped up:

Easy DIY Terrarium - Bring a little of the outside inside!

This next project comes to us from City of Motherly Love reader, Alison.  It is perfect for those of us who are itching for a little spring.  It's also a low-cost entry to the world of indoor plants and a craft wrapped up into one.

Easy DIY Terrarium How-To

Dirty Money Coin Activity - Great for President's Day (or any day)

We did a fun little project this weekend in relation to President's day, but you could do this anytime!  My son loves collecting coins, and throughout my Pinterest travels (ah, Pinterest, how I love thee), I saw a cute, easy project for us to do.

Dirty Money Coin Activity - Good for President's Day or Any Day!

Can You Feel the LOVE? An Easy, Fun Valentine's Day Decoration

My son has been super into arts & crafts lately (which is heaven for me!), and he's been asking me to come up with different projects for us to do together.  Last week, we were doing all things Valentine's Day and came up with this little ditty.  It's great because it helps hone cutting skills, uses things you have around the house, and can be as simple or complex as you want!  Also, coming from thecityofmotherlylove.com, I do love me some love-themed projects!!!

Feel the LOVE Banner

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallow Bouquet - Easy and Delicious for Valentine's Day!

Hello out there everyone!  I am so sorry I've been missing in action...  A stomach bug visited and took me down for a little while, but I'm back.  Unfortunately, I only lost a few pounds (and gained it right back), but I'm still going to eat and pretend like I need to get back to my fighting weight.  Indulge me!

Valentine's Day is almost here, and City of Motherly Love contributor, Wendy, has been at it again!  You may remember her Candy & Chocolate Covered Pretzels and her
Chocolate Covered Mini Pretzels.  Now, here is another recipe in her classic, easy, pretty, delicious style:


Chocolate Dipped Marshmallow Bouquet 
(better than flowers!)

Low-Tech Fun: Hand-Made Collages for ALL Ages

As I've mentioned before, we receive a million magazine subscriptions, thanks to the various rewards programs we participate in.  We read them, pass them on, keep them, recycle them... you name it.  It was snowing here last week and we were looking for something fun to do.  I spied a Better Homes & Gardens laying around and an idea sprang to mind.  It was collage-time!

This project is fun and simple, yet allows you to reap many rewards....

The Best Part of Waking Up is Small Sized Toys in Your Cup!

Before....

Here's a quick Monday post for you, as you prepare your morning cup of coffee.  Hold onto that Folgers instant container when you're done with it, because it is the perfect size and shape to...

Turning Lemons into Lemonade - What I Did with TWELVE Year Old Bottled Water!!!

Last week, my son and I were cleaning out our hallway closet and we made a discovery - Two 1 gallon bottles of water.  That doesn't sound bad, does it?  Well, they had been purchased in 2001!!  That's right, 12 years ago!  We were all still listening to N'Sync, watching Moulin Rouge, and loving Jack Bauer on 24.  I had purchased the bottles right after September, 2011, in an effort to be prepared.  Without realizing it, they endured two moves in multiple counties and were with me when I got married and bought a house.  Sniff sniff.  

Yes, that says "EXPIRATION DATE: 2003"

Well, last week I realized that it was time to let them go.  But it seemed like a sin to waste that water!  What to do?

Tales from the DIY Junkyard: What You Can Learn from Scrapping Projects

Today, I'd like to introduce a new series of posts that I'll be writing from time to time.... Tales from the DIY Junkyard! 

Despite my best efforts, sometimes a project just doesn't work. It's okay to admit it. In a lot of ways, the internet and parenting magazines are empowering, because they offer new and creative ideas. On the other hand, they can get you down, because everything looks so perfect and simple. "Look... an heirloom afghan in two easy steps!" But, like we tell our kids, things are not always as advertised.

It's easy to get discouraged thinking that people are born Martha Stewarts.  Even Martha has had some DIY disasters, I promise you. Who knows? Maybe she had a few bad starts to those prison ponchos she made and had to turn them into washcloths, instead.

And, it's not just DIY projects that can go bust... Some home organization ideas can actually make things messier, new recipes can be awful, and birthday cakes can be accidentally dropped on the floor (true story). Instead of locking these stories up in the shame vault, let's be loud and proud! Sometimes, you can learn more from failed projects than successful ones.


On that note, may I present to you: "Bailing on the Recipe Binder"

City of Motherly Love Block Party - Week #1

<a href="http://cityofmotherlylove.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/motherlyloving/logo3_zpsb1ac6a7f-1_zpsb776d875.jpg"/></a>

Help Your Digital Pictures Shine - How to Transform Your Backed-up Pictures into Real Albums

A philosophical question - if your pictures are only on your camera or computer, do they really exist?

Seriously, sometimes I miss the old days... Do you remember finishing a roll of film, and then running to get it developed?  Sure, your thumb might've guest-starred in a picture or two, or you might've had some scary red eye, but it was physical photographic evidence that your vacation (or pageant or party) actually happened!

Don't get me wrong - I love my digital camera.  People run when they see me coming, because I snap pictures non-stop.  After my son was born, my condition took a turn for the worse.  Soon, I realized there were thousands of shots on my computer and no actual albums to show for it.  Something had to be done.  So, little by little, I implemented the following digital picture organization strategy, and I'd like to share it with you!

A Completely New Way to Look at Resolutions

Happy New Year to everyone, from the City of Motherly Love!  I hope your holiday season was filled with all good things (including an abundance of chocolate).

Now that the New Year is here, so is the pressure to make resolutions.  I used to make all of the standard ones, like "Lose weight", "Exercise 4 times a week", "Learn a New Language" or "Organize the House."  You know - very specific promises that ain't gonna happen, which results only in feeling bad about ourselves.

A few years ago, I read some awesome advice about to completely change the way we approach resolutions...

Easy Home Organization Craft for Kids (or Adults)

The New Year is coming, where we'll all make resolutions to get organized, get in shape, etc.  Well, I can't help with getting in shape, but I can help with getting organized (in a creative way, of course!).  Here's a fun craft you can do with your child, teenager, or just for yourself....

DIY Decoupage Organizer 

Here's how to make this easy, but useful craft!

You CAN Do This - Easy, Quick Fleece Winter Hat with Ear Flaps

The days leading up to the holidays are always packed, with everyone rushing around to get things done!  But, what about when everything's come and gone and your hands are still looking for something to do?

Here's the EASIEST, cutest project ever - A quick fleece winter hat with ear flaps, for kids or adults.  You can sew this ALL by hand if you are allergic to your sewing machine like I am, and it takes 1 - 2 hours maximum.

Confession time:  This project was actually my first completed sewing project that followed a pattern!  I haven't had much luck with patterns in the past, but this one restored my confidence!  And, it's sturdy.  I made it for my son about 6 weeks ago, and it's still good as new.  Plus, it gets tons of compliments.  It feels really good when son proudly says, "My mommy made it!"

Are you ready to get started?