The Ballard Bunch

Monday, February 10, 2014

Saturday, January 25, 2014

{evie b photography giveaway}

0 comments Posted by Evie B. at 6:59 PM

Hurry on over to our Facebook page {www.facebook.com/eviebphoto}

to enter your name in our spring giveaway!

New blog, too!

eviebphotography.com

Labels: Evie B Photography, Giveaways

Monday, January 06, 2014

Monday, December 30, 2013

{2 years old - sawyer}

0 comments Posted by Evie B. at 12:00 AM

This little nut is 2 years old today.

I cannot believe it, can you?

Sawyer is the perfect little caboose

to this crazy-train family.

And we don't call him 'boynado' for nothing!

He is the busiest kid I know.

If he's not jumping off of something and gaining a new bump or bruise 

{did I mention fearless?}

he's exploring and making messes for mom to clean up.

And you know what?

I wouldn't want him any other way!

This sweet little face has brought so much joy

into our family and our home.

His older siblings absolutely adore him,

dad has finally found his own little buddy

{all three other kids didn't take to Beau at this age like Sawyer has}

and mom gets snuggles and kisses all day long.

We love you Sawyer!

Happy Birthday!

Tuesday, December 03, 2013

{christmas paper forest}

0 comments Posted by Evie B. at 11:06 PM

When the home that my husband's great grandmother raised her family in

was about to be torn down, a few of us were able to

snag up a few items for our personal sentiment.

I happened to end up with one of these amazing wooden boxes

found in the back of the property.  It has turned into one of my favorite things in my home

and I find myself using it all of the time to display holiday items and everyday treasures.

Christmastime warranted some new decor for my beloved box

and after some serious Pinterest browsing, I had a plan.

Supplies:

Scrapbook Paper (your choice)

Scrapbook Embellishments

(your choice - be creative, check your local dollar store for different items)

Hot Glue Gun

Wooden Skewers

Floral Foam Blocks

Moss ( or another covering - your choice)

If you're like me, you probably had most of this stuff at home!

And the items I didn't have, I was able to snatch up for super cheap.

There is no rhyme or reason to my exact display,

but I will give you instructions on how to make the paper

accordion flowers and the paper trees - the rest is up to you!

Paper Trees

I thought about attempting a step-by-step tutorial of these,

but why reinvent the wheel?  Krokotak has a flawlessly executed tutorial

on their blog - and posting a link is way easier

than doing the work, right?

{click on blog name above for direct link to the tutorial}

Paper Accordion Flowers

These, on the other hand, I want to give specific

instruction - only because I have tried other tutorials and kind of

pieced together the best way I know of how to make them.  

1) Cut 3-5 strips of paper (the toppers for my trees are made

from 1 inch strips, the larger at the bottom are from 2.5 inch strips).

Depending on the length of your paper, you may only

need 2-3 - the more paper, the tighter the folds will

end up on your finished product.

2) Fold each piece into accordion strips (this can take some time)

and hot glue the end of one strip the the beginning of the next.

3) After you have glued all of your accordion pieces into one large strip,

hot glue the two loose ends together to make a circle.

Please note, as you are gluing pieces together, make sure that your paper

maintains it's accordion pattern - you may have to

overlap pieces at the end to keep the folding continuous.

4) Once you have a full circle complete, you are going to gently push

one end of the circle inward to make the flower shape.

5) Using scrap pieces of paper punch {or cut} out a small circle to use as reinforcement.  

6) Add a liberal amount of hot glue to the small circle cut out

and place it on the back side of the completed accordion flower to keep it's shape.

7) Once the glue is dry, you can start with the fun stuff - embellishing!

Once you have the trees and accordion flowers complete,

glue a wooden skewer onto each one,

place your foam blocks in your container and go crazy arranging it all.

As you can see, I used the accordion idea throughout - even as tree toppers! 

The cute little presents wrapped are everyday small box items found in my home

{package of pudding mix, leftover Halloween candy, etc.}.

There really are no limits here - make it your own!

Merry Christmas!

Labels: Christmas, craft, Crafts, Holiday, Tutorials

Tuesday, November 05, 2013

{elf on the shelf planning 2013}

0 comments Posted by Evie B. at 10:10 AM

I am a serial planner.

I admit it, I own it, it's who I am.

We love our Elf on the Shelf Kit Kat!

Last year we had so much fun each morning

leading up to Christmas finding him

in precarious situations.

We're looking forward to it again this year!

{yes, even mom and dad}

So instead of winging it like I kind of did last year,

I'm planning ahead.  

Did I also mention that I like to share?

Yup, I'm posting them all here.

We moms, dads and elves have to work together!

Keep in mind, these are only suggestions.

If you have a better idea, use it!  

And if you feel so inclined, share it in the comments

I'd love to see what you come up with!

{references to ideas noted if available}

Elf on the Shelf 2013

December 1 - Welcome Package & Letter

Last year our elf arrived in a wrapped package

{it was our first year}

with a letter attached.

{message me for the letter - I’m happy to email it to you}

I thought this idea was cute, too, especially for a return visit.

Idea found here.

December 2 - Cutting Out Snowflakes

Leave your elf on the table surrounded by

scissors, paper scraps and completed paper snowflakes.

Idea found here

December 3 - Playing Solitaire

Lay out cards as if in the middle of a game

with your elf positioned as the player nearby.

December 4 - Elf Joke (#1)

Very cute printable jokes found here.

December 5 - Making a Snack

Let your kids find your elf making himself

a snack  in their play kitchen {or doll kitchen}.

December 6 - Wrapping Toilet

Toilet paper your Christmas tree

{or another household item if your tree isn’t up and ready}

and position your elf to look as though he’s been caught in the act.

December 7 - Hiding in the Silverware Drawer

Make room in one of the areas of your

silverware drawer organizer for your elf to squeeze into.

Your kids will be in for a surprise when they open the drawer!

{no online source found to credit photo}

December 8 - Mini Pancakes

Make or buy mini-pancakes for breakfast and

position your elf to look as if he/she’s made them.

Bonus, breakfast is ready!

December 9 - ‘Sunbathing’

Lay out a washcloth {or a small cut strip of towel},

sunscreen, small drink with a straw, sunscreen,

Barbie {or make some out of paper}sunglasses and

a mini-book so that your elf appears to be sunbathing.

Idea found here.

December 10 - Elf Joke (#2)

Very cute printable jokes found here.

December 11 - Packing School Lunches

Another one that serves as double duty!

As you are packing your kids’ school lunches for the next day,

leave them almost complete with your elf nearby

positioned to look as if he/she’s made the lunch.

December 12 - Stacking Plastic Cups

Grab a stack of plastic or paper cups and

stack them up in a pyramid against the wall

with your elf sitting proudly on top.

{no online source found to credit photo}

December 13 - Fishing for Goldfish Crackers

Make a simple fishing pole with a Q-tip and dental floss,

sit your elf on a chair and have him fish for gold fish in a small bowl.

December 14 - TP Countdown

Write a countdown message on a long strip of toilet paper

and position your elf at the top of a shelf or cabinet

with message hanging down for the kids to see.

Idea found here.

December 15 - Roasting Marshmallows

All you need is a stick, a marshmallow and a fire

{we’re lucky to have a mini Barbie campfire from a playset}.

December 16 - Photobooth w/ Barbies

This is one I wanted to do last year, but found the idea too late in the process.

 

Idea found here.

December 17 - Paper Sack Races w/ Other Toys

{no online source found to credit photo}

December 18 - Rolling Down Stairs in Toilet Paper

Squeeze your elf’s body into the center of a toilet paper roll

{head out one end, feet out the other}

and roll him down the stairs,

being careful to keep a long strand of toilet paper

following him down for effect.

December 19 - Making a Marshmallow Snowman

This could be fun with those HUGE marshmallows that are sold at grocery stores now.

Pretzel sticks for arms, chocolate chips for eyes and buttons.

And, he’s edible when it’s time to clean up!

December 20 - Reading Books to Other Toys

This one is simple and sweet.

Just set up your elf with some of your kids’ other toys

for story time (with the elf reading to them).  

December 21 - Locked In

Wrap your elf in a tiny blanket and

place him in the freezer snuggled up to stay warm.

After all, he is from the north pole, right? 

December 22 - Elf Joke (#3)

Very cute printable jokes found here.

December 23 - Camera Pranks

This is my awesome cousin Cami’s idea!

While your kids are asleep, take silly pictures of the elf around the house

{even next to your sleeping kids}

and either print them or make a computer slide show

for the kids to see in the morning.

December 24 - Goodbye Letter

Last year our elf left a treat for the kids

{Kit Kat bars in honor of his name and their favorite treat}

This is another super cute idea I found on Pinterest.

{no online source found to credit photo}

Labels: Christmas, Elf on the Shelf, Organizing

Monday, November 04, 2013