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Glitter Spider Web Placemats for Halloween

Sticking to the spider theme (make sure you check out our DIY spider egg sacs here) this week we’re working on the last of the Halloween decorations. Our costumes and outdoor decorations are finished so we took to the kitchen, and got baking some special treats and of course, got crafty!

Add a bit of sparkle to your dining table with these glitter spider web placements for halloween, plus coasters! With 3 supplies & in 3 easy steps, your dining room will be ready for a creepy Halloween meal!

>>> How To Make: Glitter Spider Web Placemats for Halloween

Ages: 4+
Time: 15mins + drying time

You’ll Need:

PVA Glue
Glitter
Baking Paper

To Make:

1 // On a piece of baking paper, pour the PVA glue into the shape of a spider web. This is easiest in a squeeze bottle with a nozzle.

2 // Cover in glitter and allow to dry.

3 // Shake off any extra glitter and carefully peel off the baking paper.

Add sparkle to your table with these #DIY Glitter Placemats & Coasters. #halloween @oliviasfoster

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These placemats & coasters will definitely be the talk of the table! Happy Crafting!

Want more Halloween craft? See our ‘how to’ for these super spooky Halloween Yarn Spider Egg Sacs here.

>>> Is your house showing off some spooky decorations?
Tag @oliviasfoster and #craftyliving or #nannyshecando in your photos!

__________

Olivia is a full time career nanny based in Sydney, Australia. She is passionate about children and child development. She uses creative and fun activities to develop teachable moments. Olivia shares an insight into her ‘nanny life’ on her social media accounts. You’ll find Olivia on Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest at @oliviasfoster, sharing Arts, Craft & Activities for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers. Up next for Olivia is the exciting launch of her website ‘A Crafty LIVing’, coming soon!

Halloween Yarn Spider Egg Sacs

With less than 2 weeks until Halloween, its time to start organising costumes, shopping for lollies & decorating the house!

Any other month, I would be horrified to have real spider egg sacs hanging around my house, as it would leave me no other option than to burn it down! However, the month of October means we have to make exceptions when it comes to decking out our house with creepy decorations.

Today I’m sharing a messy & fun craft, perfect for after-school! It’s inexpensive and totally spooky! Here’s how to make Creepy Spider Egg Sacs

>>> How To Make: Halloween Yarn Spider Egg Sacs

Ages: 5+
Time: 30 mins + drying time

You’ll Need

Water Balloons
White Yarn
Scissors
1 cup Flour
1 cup Water
Plastic Spiders
PVA Glue

To Make:

1 // Blow up water balloons to the size you want your spider sacs. We used an air pump, as water balloons are near impossible to blow up!

2 // Cut yarn to desired lengths. We cut ours in 25 – 35 inch lengths, dependent on how big the balloons were.

3 // Combine 1 cup of water with 1 cup of plain flour in a bowl and mix until smooth.

4 // Place yarn into the mixture & let them soak.

5 // Cut small lengths of yarn and tie to the tops of the balloons.

6 // Take a piece of wet yarn and squeeze out excess liquid and then start wrapping string around the balloon.

7 // Hang to dry with the short length of string.

8 // Once dry, pop and remove the balloon.

9 // Glue plastic spiders to the inside and outside of the yarn & allow to dry.

Any other month, I would be horrified to have real spider egg sacs hanging around my house #halloween

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That’s it! All that is left to do is hang your spider sacs amongst lots of fake spider web! Happy Crafting!

If your house is showing off some rather spooky decorations? Tag @oliviasfoster and #craftyliving or #nannyshecando in your photos!

>> Do you trick or treat on Halloween?

__________

Olivia is a full time career nanny based in Sydney, Australia. She is passionate about children and child development. She uses creative and fun activities to develop teachable moments. Olivia shares an insight into her ‘nanny life’ on her social media accounts. You’ll find Olivia on Instagram & Pinterest at @oliviasfoster, sharing Arts, Craft & Activities for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers. Up next for Olivia is the exciting launch of her website ‘A Crafty LIVing’, coming soon!

Shredded Paper Seed Starters

Over winter our veggie garden was forgotten. So we spent the first few days of the school holidays out in the sun giving it some much needed TLC getting it ready to sow some Spring seeds. We took a trip to our local nursery to pick out different fruit, vegetable, flower and herb seeds we wanted to grow.

These seed starters are a fun way to get school age kids into the garden, a perfect activity for the school holidays! The seeds are embedded into the shredded newspaper, which acts as a mulch, helping your seeds to grow. They also make wonderful gifts!

>>> How To Make: Shredded Paper Seed Starters

Ages: 5+
Time: 40 mins

You’ll Need:

Newspaper
Tissue Paper
Water
Scissors
Seeds
Cookie Cutters
Piece of Cardboard

To Make:

1 // Shred newspaper and tissue paper, and then cut into small squares.

2 // Place in a bowl and cover with water.

3 // Mix with your fingers (tissue paper will bleed out and may stain your fingers and or clothing).

4 // When the paper is soft, drain out the water. (We used a mesh bag to squeeze out the water.)

5 // Press a small handful of the damp paper into a cookie cutter. Be sure to press down firmly into all corners so it holds its shape.

6 // Sprinkle the top of the paper with your chosen seeds.

7 // Top with a thin layer of the paper mix, continuing to press firmly. Remove the cookie cutter and place on a piece of cardboard. Allow to completely dry out in the sun. This can take up to 48hrs.

8 // Once completely dry you’re ready to get planting! Place the seedling starters into the ground or a pot as you would normally with seeds. Give it a good drink of water & wait! In a few months, you’ll have a garden of growing veggies!

Now to learn the art of patience whilst we wait for our seedlings to grow! Show us your Seed Starters; we’d love to see them! Tag @oliviasfoster and #craftyliving or #nannyshecando in your photos!

These seed starters are a fun way to get school age kids into the garden. #schoolholidays #ausnannylife #diy

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Happy Crafting! And don’t forget to keep watering your veggies!

>>> Are you excited for warmer weather and spring?

________

Olivia is a full time career nanny based in Sydney, Australia. She is passionate about children and child development. She uses creative and fun activities to develop teachable moments. Olivia shares an insight into her ‘nanny life’ on her social media accounts. You’ll find Olivia on Instagram & Pinterest at @oliviasfoster, sharing Arts, Craft & Activities for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers. Up next for Olivia is the exciting launch of her website ‘A Crafty LIVing’, coming soon!

Guiding Positive Behaviour Workshop

A workshop for nannies and parents in Sydney with Back On Track Consultancy.

If you’re planning on being in Sydney this Saturday, why not come along and join us at the funkiest little cafe and craft space on the lower north shore. Back On Track Consultancy are presenting their “Guiding Positive Behaviour” workshop this Saturday 19th September at Maker’s Loft, Cammeray.

The Guiding Positive Behaviour workshop will give you the opportunity to discuss issues and concerns you may be experiencing in your jobs, learn about age appropriate expectations from a developmental perspective and we will share lots of examples to demonstrate the impact we can have on young children in all our interactions.

Back On Track Consultancy are presenting their “Guiding Positive Behaviour” workshop this Saturday 19th September at Maker’s Loft, Cammeray.

To find out more about what you can expect from the workshop, and to claim your seat, click here.

________

>>> Will you join us on Saturday? p.s. there’s cake and good coffee involved!

DIY Sandpaper Crayon T-Shirt for Dad

Dads are best known for being king of the BBQ, telling embarrassingly bad jokes, and having a super-hero-like figure. With Fathers Day quickly approaching we decided to gift him a stylish new addition to his wardrobe with a cute & easy, original art t-shirt. A gift that he can proudly wear whilst we return the love and affection he gives to us daily.

>>> How To Make: A DIY Sandpaper Crayon T-Shirt for Dad

Ages: 4+
Time: 50 minutes

You’ll Need:

Fine Sandpaper
Quality Crayons
Cotton T-shirt
Paper Towel
Piece of Cardboard
Iron

To Make:

1. Draw a picture onto sandpaper. Go back over the image to create a thick layer of colour. Remember the image will be reversed.

2. Lay a piece of cardboard on the inside of the t-shirt so the crayon doesn’t bleed through to the back.

3. Place the sandpaper right side down onto t-shirt.

4. Cover the sandpaper in paper towel or a folded tea towel and iron for 20-30 seconds on the cotton setting.

5. Slowly lift paper from the corner and remove. Re-place paper towel over the image to set colour and then place in the dryer for 20 mins.

Don’t forget to thank your Dad for everything he does for you and maybe try to be a little more tolerant of his silly Dad-jokes this Fathers Day.

Let the kids make this DIY gift for Dad #fathersday #nannylife @oliviasfoster

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Happy Crafting & Happy Fathers Day!

>>> Tell us your best Dad joke below + join the Father’s Day crafty action by tagging @oliviasfoster in your photos or using the hashtag #craftyliving or #nannyshecando

________

Olivia is a career nanny of 5 years and craft extraordinaire. Having travelled Australia working with many families, Olivia now resides in Sydney and cares for 7 children aged 15 months to 1o years old. Craft + diy activities feature prominently in their daily schedule. You can follow Olivia on instagram {@oliviasfoster} for crafty ideas and activities.