Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts

Homemade Potato Chips Microwave Oven

Recipe for How to Make Potato Chips in the Microwave

Have you always wanted to make your own Potato Chips? Potato chips are extremely over-priced. Everyone knows that! So, how do you make potato chips in the microwave at home? This recipe for homemade potato chips is healthier, fresher, and cheaper than store bought. So, how many potato chips can you get from just one potato? Let's find out. Enjoy!


Homemade Potato Chips Microwave Oven
Homemade Potato Chips Microwave Oven.

If you've ever made fried potatoes, you know it is tempting to turn them into chips, but how does that work? Fried Potatoes are often greasy, slimy, and squishy. Baking potatoes dries them out, but they still aren't chips. If you want to make chips at home, the microwave is your best friend.

How to Make Potato Chips in the Microwave
How to Make Potato Chips in the Microwave.

We found a recipe at AllRecipes.com, but tweaked it to make our own version of homemade potato chips.



Homemade Potato Chips Recipe Microwave

1. Slice 1 potato very thin. We use a Pampered Chef Chip Slicer on the thinnest setting.

Make Potato Chips Microwave Potatoe Potatoes
Slice potatoes very thin.

2. Soak the potato slices in salt water for about 10 minutes.

Making homemade potato chips recipe.
Soak potaotes in salt water.

3. Arrange the potato slices in a single layer on a microwave safe plate.

Spray with cooking oil.
4. Coat the slices with vegetable oil spray.

5. Microwave the potato slices until golden and crispy. Our microwave requires about 7 minutes. Start with 5 minutes until you figure out what your microwave requires. Also, thicker slices will take longer.

Make microwave potato chips at home.
Make microwave potato chips at home.

6. Carefully remove the plate. It will be hot. Once it has cooled slightly, you can peel off the potato chips.

7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 until all the potato slices are cooked.


We got about half of a regular sized bag of chips from one potato! Plus they are healthier since they are not fried. You can dress them up with toppings like ranch dressing, shredded cheese, barbecue sauce, sour cream dip- whatever your heart desires... maybe some chocolate dip? Ketchup works too!


Try it with a Sprial Sliced Potato.




Recommended:

Pampered Chef Sprial Chip Slicer*

Applesauce Like Grandma Used to Make

Scoops Appetizer Ideas

Easy Tuna Salad Ring











ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


Amazing Crafty Artist: Meet Debra Davis and her Handmade Gemstone Necklaces. Did you know gemstones have meanings?

Handmade Gemstone Necklaces and Safety Pin Lapel Pins: What does it mean?

Each week, we feature an amazing crafty artist or blogger. This week, I'd like to introduce you to Debra Davis. Debra is a local artisan from my home state of Indiana. She's been handcrafting beaded necklaces, lapel pins, and other jewelry for fifteen years. If you live near Michigan City, you can contact her to design something special just for you. 219-879-1429 Did you know gemstones have special meanings?

Handmade Gemstone Necklaces and Safety Pin Lapel Pins: What does it mean?
Safety Pin Lapel Pins with precious gems.


Handmade Beaded Necklace Precious Gemstones
Handmade Beaded Necklace with Real Gemstones.

Gemstone Meanings

Amethyst:  Aids in calming the mind and obtaining wisdom. It is said to ease obsessive compulsive behavior.


Aquamarine: Gives courage and aids in mental clarity.

Emerald:  Aids in fertility, gives psychic powers, believed to lift insomnia and depression.

Jade:  Serenity and prosperity.

Garnet:  Passion and devotion. Good Luck in business ventures.

Sapphire:  Peace and happiness. May help in predicting the future.


Handmade Bracelet with real gemstones
Beautiful turquoise and cobalt gemstone handmade bracelet.

If you are looking for a unique, thoughtful gift for a special occasion, Debra's handmade jewelry is a perfect choice for a one-of-a-kind original. Most necklaces are priced at $14.99! Although she's been crafting and selling for years, she's only recently introduced her work to the online community. She'd be tickled if you popped over to take a look.


Handmade Macrame Bracelets.
Handmade Macrame Bracelets.
Debra handcrafts every jewelry item, so you'll be sure you've 

got a one-of-a-kind. 


Each piece is crafted with love in honor of her late son, Jasyn. 

I especially like the macrame bracelets.  

What's your favorite piece?

You might also like Fair Trade Jewelry.

Recommended Reading:

10 Ways to Make and Sell Hand Made Jewelry: Quick and Easy Methods Anyone Can Use Today!

Felt Snowman Lapel Pins Buttons

Call of Duty Medal Pin

Earth Day Multi-cultural Button Lapel Pins

Make Your Own Storybook Block Puzzle: Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse_Little Golden Books

Learn How to Make a Storybook Puzzle from Old Blocks

In this addition of, Things to Make at Home, we recycle children's books. Your kids' story books can grow up with them. Use those old foam baby blocks and worn out Little Golden Books to make a fun puzzle for the kids. The pages trim to fit a 3x3 block pattern. Enjoy!


How to make a storybook block puzzle

Recycle old books into puzzles and toys for children.

Use glue to adhere the pages to the aligned blocks.
Let dry completely- up to an hour.
Trust me, patience is not only a virtue but a requirement.
If you don't wait for it to dry, it will turn into a disaster.

When the first page is dry, take an Exact-o knife and cut through the block seams.







Cutting through the paper.

Once row is separated flip it, and align again.

Repeat until all side are covered. 
Don't worry if the paper edges aren't even.











Things to Make at Home

Trim the paper edges after each paste.


story block 6 sided puzzle

Completed Story Block.


Turn you old books into 6 sided puzzles

Blocks are ready to Modge Podge, let set, and play!

Some blocks stuck to the board and ripped, but this is easily repaired in the final step with the Modge Podge. Even if some of the image is removed, it still makes a nice picture. If you're stuck on perfection you can take an extra step and cut the squares out before pasting to the blocks. If you cut them out individually, make them slightly smaller than the face of the block. This leaves a nice outline around each image and gives the puzzle a more professional feel when complete.


Recommended Reading:

Recycle Scrabble Games

Recycle Plastic Bottles

Recycle!: A Handbook for Kids by Gail Gibbons*











ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)



7 Homemade Christmas Ornament Craft Ideas

Heirloom Ornaments and Decorations from our Family Tree

Our tree has lots of beautiful ornaments, expensive ones, antique family heirlooms, and decorations celebrating the kids' first Christmas. The best Christmas ornaments are those we make ourselves. They don't have to be embarrassing! These homemade ornaments are craft projects you can do as a family, and they will last for years to come. Enjoy!


This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.*

7 easy homemade handmade Christmas Ornament Decorations for the Tree



Fimo Clay is easier than salt dough, and it lasts longer than play dough. Many craft stores carry it. Just open, create, and insert hole in top with a straw. Voila! Quick, simple, holiday ornaments or package tie-ons.


7 Homemade Christmas Ornament Craft Ideas
One year, my niece made everyone beautiful 
homemade gift ornaments from Fimo clay.

Legend of the Christmas Tree Cardinal Decoration.
Christmas Tree Cardinal Legend.


The cardinal is considered the Christmas bird and is a reminder to Christians of their faith in Christ. This one is an old family heirloom, but you can make a homemade no-sew new one with felt and tacky glue. Cut two layers of the cardinal, stuff with scrap fabric or tissue paper, glue the seams together, and use Sharpies to draw the features.

Ever since I can remember, we've had a cardinal near the top of our tree.


Winter Snowflake Crochet Craft for Tree Ornament.
Handmade Winter Snowflake Crochet Craft for Tree Ornament.


Crochet a beautiful snowflake like my Grandmother did, then paint it with a glue/water solution or Modge Podge. You can also use Fabric Starch. Make a solution, place snowflake into bag, pour in liquid starch. Find How to DIY here.


Old-fashioned cookie cutters make awesome Christmas Tree ornaments.
Old-fashioned cookie cutters make awesome 
Christmas Tree ornaments. Just insert a ribbon.

Ski Craft for Kids
Homemade Craft Stick Snow Ski Ornament Craft.
Perfect After-school or Scout project.

My Mother and Aunt used to make an ornament for all the cousins every Christmas. My Aunt made lots of crafts in 4-H programs. This one is a favorite that stood the test of time. 

Just paint two craft sticks with acrylic paint, hot glue them in the mid-point forming an "x", apply fake snow or white glitter paint to each end, and decorate with a bow. Holiday Snow Ski Ornament is a great Christmas craft idea for kids.




Christmas Tree Craft Stick Fridge Magnet or Holiday Puppet.
Homemade Christmas Tree Craft Stick Fridge Magnet or Holiday Puppet.

Get preschoolers and elementary kids crafting with this simple holiday decoration. I cut out two of various holiday shapes: Triangles, Circles, Stars. Then, place a popsicle stick between the layers and glue the edges together. 

Collect old advertiser fridge magnets, cut them up and repurpose them. You can attach to the back with tacky glue or glue between the layers to hide the magnet. 


A red triangle and pink circle make a great Santa Face. Let the littles decorate the ornaments with glitter, star stickers, and pipecleaners. Place low on fridge and let the little use them to make a holiday puppet show or give as gifts to the Grandparents!  :-)




Homemade Christmas Decoration Fridge Magnet
Homemade Christmas Decoration Fridge Magnet.

DIY Handmade Paper Pulp Heart Christmas Tree Craft Ornament
DIY Handmade Paper Pulp Heart Christmas Tree Craft Ornament.

Here is a fun link explaining how to make these ornaments or plantable paper seed cards. Great gift idea! My high school Art teacher (the spark of my creativity) gave these as gifts one year. 


Recommended Reading:

Christmas Party Games 

Heirloom Ornament Ideas for Tree

Little Christmas Decorations to Knit and Crochet*







ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


Jake's Art - Homeschool Weaving Lesson - Make your own Loom - DIY Arts and Crafts

How to make a loom for weaving scrap fiber: A Homeschool Art Lesson

Jake's Journey in Art goes under the sea in this DIY weaving Homeschool Art Lesson we learned to Renew. Enjoy!


How to weave for elementary make your own loom
Our loom has both warp and weft framework to better illustrate 
the concept to young children.

To weave a textile, threads (or scrap fabric) are woven on a frame called a loom. The first vertical threads on the loom are called warp threads. Threads that are woven horizontally in and out of the warp threads are called weft threads.



Cut notches in the cardboard frame to keep yarn in place.

Recycle a piece of cardboard from a cereal box or a foam tray to make your loom. You might also like Native American Paper Bag Dress

Cut small notches into the top and bottom of your cardboard(ours are about 1/2", but 1" works well). Make them about 1/2" inch apart. Alex Toys has a great PDF on weaving here.




Spongebob Fabric for Toddler bed tent.

Warp your loom with yarn or string by taking the thread and taping one end to the back middle of your board.  Now, starting with your first notch on the left, begin wrapping through each top and bottom notch without skipping a notch until you get to the right side of the board.  Only the warp frame is required.

Now your are ready to weave your weft. Cut or tear scraps of fabric into strips. Your strips of fabric should be about 1" thick and at least 12"  long. You will need about 20 strips. 




The cat enjoyed the tearing of fabric strips so much 
he needed a nap after playing with them.

For extra ease for smaller children, we added a weft frame as well. Now the scraps of fabric can be pulled through the little squares for guidance. Pull your scrap fabric under the first warp, over the next, and so on. The yarn guide will help younger children see any mistakes made.

When you have completed your weaving tie off all scraps in groups of two at the edges of your cardboard loom, then you can cut your your thread/yarn framework.




How to make a loom - Elementary Weaving Lesson Scrap Fibers Make your own
Spongebob has his eye on you.

This is an easy way to get littles started in weaving. It is also helpful to cut a piece of cardboard about 1" by 3" with a notch in the end. Attach your scrap fabric by inserting it in the notch and use as a tool to weave the fabric through the loom, this is called a shuttle.




Alex Toys Native American Bead Loom Kit for weaving bracelets.

Once you advance your skills, you can weave many beautiful projects. Alex Toys has a Native American Loom for weaving bracelets.  It is a professional quality loom that makes incredibly authentic bracelets.  We are working on our patterns and will share them soon.



Kid's room cartoon character theme (that way we don't have to worry about matching or new fads).Check out the automobile sun visor we used as a headboard. 
It is simply nailed to the wall.

Jake loved the idea of using his toddler tent cover as scrap fabric for this project. We renewed an item that was dear to his heart. It had been ripped from rowdy play and was no good as a tent, but we saved it anyway in hopes to repair it or transform it into a pillow or some other creative endeavor. The SpongeBob fabric was the perfect accent for his room. 



Yep, we need a hanging stick, but the kids love it.  
Use favorite t-shirts, pillow cases, or doll clothes for your scrap fiber.

To display your beautiful work of art weave a "weft" stick horizontally through the top row and hang on a wall.  Jake loved his creation and couldn't wait for the stick. He wanted to see how it looked right away, so we hung it by a nail. A little droopy, yes, but he loves it.

Did he love the process?  Not so much.  Much patience is a necessary requirement of weaving. So, Mommy made the loom, got it started and Jake weaved the inner pieces to gain an understanding of the process.  Mommy tied and cut it off making sure Jake watched and understood. This is somewhat time consuming, but the end results are worth it.


Mayhem saw the weaving on his wall and wanted it for her room. Score! This project journey ended on a very happy note.   



Recommended Reading:


Learning How to Weave*

Party Time: SpongeBob SquarePants*






ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


How to Make Salt Dough Recipe: Self-Portrait Ornaments

How to make Salt Dough Self-portraits as Ornaments

Did you ever wonder how to make salt dough? We made self portraits for a homeschool art project. I included how to make homemade clay and a few salt dough recipes. These mini-mes are a great companion project for a preschool or kindergarten learning body parts lesson. You can also make Christmas Tree Ornaments from Salt Dough. We played around with a variety of themes during our homeschool art lesson. Enjoy!


This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.*



How to Make Salt Dough Recipe Christmas Ornaments Decorations
Salt Dough Holiday Ornament Recipe.





Make a Halloween Tree with Homemade Dough Ornaments.


How to make salt dough self portraits Christmas Decorations
Self portraits from homemade clay and salt dough.





How to make dough Christmas ornaments
Make Christmas and Holiday ornaments by inserting straw to form a hole.

This recipe is for  how to make clay without cream of tar tar.


Salt Dough Recipe:




1 C. flour

1 C. salt


1/2 C. water


Mix together and knead.


When ready to cook, put on a baking sheet in 


oven at 100 degrees C/ 200 F for 2-3 hours.


Cooking is not necessary, leave your creations 


in a safe place to dry. We left these in a table drawer


and forgot about them.


When cool, paint or decorate with beads or candy.



Salt dough cookie faces.

You might also like how to make Homemade Clay with cream of tar tar.





We made these self-portraits about four years ago and forgot about them. They've sat in the end drawer of our dining room table ever since. They were never cooked nor painted.

Jake was about four years old and he hadn't met his elementary art teacher yet, but he still had an aversion to art. It was a sensory issue. He didn't like getting his hands dirty. He also worried about getting things on his clothes. If either of these happened, he would get very upset. I suppose this is where my love  of messy crafts was born.


I liked to be tidy as a small child too. I didn't play like the other kids on the playground, because I didn't want to ruin my leotards (today we call them tights) or get grass stains on my clothes. These things troubled me a great deal. So, I'd walk around the perimeter of the playground until the teacher blew the whistle. Little did I know, it was OCD. I've recovered, but some people don't appreciate it. The only way for me to stay sane is to embrace messy things. 


Yep, I didn't want Jake to struggle with the same wacky demons, so I encouraged sensory play.


Even now, he wants to hurry and complete the project so he can wash his hands. If we are mixing dough, he can't let it dry. You know, that crumbly, crackly feeling  on your hands? Mayhem and I like it. It's fun to let the dough dry and then scrape it off similar to letting school glue dry on your hands. I like seeing the fingerprints in the glue peelings. 


Jake? No way. I think this has a lot to do with his hatred of art, and then the teacher came along and made art a boring chore. 


He strives for self-inflicted perfection. He doesn't like the learning curve. He knows a lot. He is a gifted child. When he has to learn something new he is disappointed he didn't already know it. You can see the shame and the disappointment in his face. 


Recently, he had to take a Scantron test online, the test was smart. The more correct answers, the harder the questions. We told him to guess, but he refused. He labored over each question and made a very educated guess. In the end, he scored above average, but the test was torture. He cried with each question  for the first time aware he didn't have all the answers. 



Jake beginning his journey in art.


If only he could realize art works the same way, but it's better because there are no real answers in art. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I am the beholder here. I like his salt dough self-portrait the wavy hair and round face remind me so much of my happy, bouncy, little four year old.

Next week's journey, Animal Printmaking, proved very difficult for a neat freak. Smudges are a perfectionist's nemesis. Start here for Jake's Journey in Art 



Recommended Reading:

Air Dry Clay Projects

Minecraft Creeper Wood Carving Project

Christmas Dough Crafts

Salt Dough: More than 100 Projects! (American Girl Library)