Mom on the Run is our final featured blogger this month. Her name signifies that she is, of course, a mom, but also on-the-go to activities that her children do. “The downside of the name is that readers may think I am an exercise freak or a runner – nothing could be further from the truth.”
She’s also known as Musingsfromme on sites like twitter. “I did not think about calling myself: Mom on the Run. I may change my twitter name at some point.”
Mom on the Run blogs about anything and nothing, family stuff, giveaways, and reviews. “In my blog I muse on my life. I initially titled my blog “Writing my life one blog at a time” which is cute but long-winded. I now call my blog: “Mom on the Run Chronicles” – more of a connection between what I write about and my user name.”
*Now for the Crafting Part*
What is it about crafting that keeps you happy and addicted?
I have a creative side which most people don’t see. I don’t draw well or have particularly neat handwriting, but I can tell a story with the photographs I take and the way I lay everything out in my scrapbook. I like to tell a story in 5 or 6 photos or less for most events. I use more photos for a vacation.
What is your favorite craft(s) to do?
Scrapbooking, shadow box frames, and anything craft project with my kids that is not from Oriental Trading (OT crafts are not age-appropriate, require a glue gun, and frustrate the heck out of me).
Describe your crafting space (even if it’s not in one specific place).
I craft wherever I can. I like to sit on a chair in the family room and rest my materials on a large foot stool. If I am scrapbooking, I have enough room for my scrapbook, a pile of photos, some stickers, scissors, and markers.
What is the coolest Holiday craft you’ve ever seen and why does it earn this honor?
The coolest holiday craft was a handprint reindeer brought home by my children from preschool. The child’s hand was traced on to felt. The hand was pointing down so the fingers were legs, with the thumb as the reindeer’s nose. Eyes, nose, and jingle bells were added to complete the craft. The child’s name was written on the back with a short poem. This type of ornament takes pride of place on our Christmas tree, except that I cannot find it in my basement….grrrr.
Tell us about your favorite holiday craft that you have ever done.
My favorite holiday craft is a simple one. Christmas day is a busy day for us. We have 13 people over here (including us) for dinner. It may not sound like many, but to us this is a crowd.
My oldest was almost three when I started this Christmas craft tradition. I had just had my second child and my oldest daughter was showing signs of feeling neglected. I set up “Mommy and Julia” time where we would do crafts once the baby went down for a nap. Every day I would get out a craft that she loved. Some crafts were elaborate and some were as simple as a Playdoh hair cutting set. She loved the one-on-one time; so did I. Although it was a sacrifice since I had very little time during the day to get my freelance editing work done.
As Christmas approached the Christmas she was almost three, I began to run out of crafts to do. An after-the-children-went-bed-run to Michaels’ yielded some fun crafts. We set about making a Christmas ornament to give to each of our guests on Christmas Day.
Christmas Ornament Crafts for any age:
- Use a white fabric ball ornament. Have child cover with glue. Add gold or silver glitter or sequins. Tie string to top.
- Use a pre-cut wooden shape — star, sled, and reindeer. Have child paint it with Christmas paint colors only, green, red, white, so that you don’t end up with a pink Christmas tree. Let child have fun. See photo of painted gingerbread man and set of three stars.
- For older children, use modeling clay. Flatten clay. Cut in shape of gingerbread man. Have child draw on gingerbread man with toothpick to decorate. Bake in oven until hard. Don’t forget to leave a hole for hanging on the tree. See photo of gingerbread man and snowmen.
- For older children, cut short piece of wire. Have child thread green beads. Finish off with red bow to create a wreath ornament for tree. See photo of green beaded ornament.
I think Mom on the run is so much fun : ). I love her blog and all of her great ideas! Happy New Year!