Here’s how to make pomander balls, which are simply oranges pierced by cloves. As the orange dries, it will release a yummy citrus and spiced fragrance.

How To Make Pomander Balls

Supplies Needed:

• Oranges
• Whole cloves

Step – by – Step Directions:

Follow this simple set of directions to make your own pomander balls. If you’re making simple designs, each ball will take only a few minutes to make! Have fun and enjoy the process!

1. Stick the Clove in!  It is as simple as that. Use the sharp end of the clove to puncture and push in to the orange. Creating a design makes these beautiful, fun and even relaxing to create. Getting the kids involved in the pomander ball process can be a fun Christmas tradition to add to your holiday decor. There are really no rules to this besides to ENJOY the process and aroma as you make them.
2. Create designs.You can try designs such as  swirls, shapes, hearts and more. My kids liked putting their names in them and crosses for Jesus too.

How to Use Pomander Balls

Once you have created your pomander balls place them in places that spread their yummy smell and look beautiful. You can place them in a centerpiece on your dining room table with fairy lights, some greenery and candles.

You could also make ornaments for Christmas with them or even put them in a wreath or garland! They give such an organic, vintage and beautiful touch to your home. Where are you planning to put yours? I would love to know!

Drying Your Pomander Balls

To get the longest and best life out of these hang them up to dry a bit. As they dry they will become more aromatic and also it helps reduce any mold formation. The best time to create these is at the beginning of the Christmas season if you are making them for that otherwise enjoy them whenever you wish- that is what we do!

I hope learning How to Make Easy DIY Pomander Balls was a simple and fun DIY your family and YOURSELF will enjoy year after year!

Dovidenia. XO

If you like this DIY you may also like these:

Simple Fall Embroidery Hoop Wreath

Tied Fleece Blanket DIY

You also may love this fun DIY you can do with your kids!

The post How to Make Easy DIY Pomander Balls appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

You have may have seen these before and wondered how you can make an embroidery hoop wreath yourself. It is quite easy!

This is what you what you will need:

• wooden embroidery hoop
• fake florals and pumpkins and foliage
• burlap ribbon
• wooden letters
• hot glue gun and glue
• scissors

First, you want to cut the ribbon to the length you would like for it to go across your soon to be wreath.

Once cut, glue the wood letters onto the center of the ribbon. Allow to dry and set 3-5 minutes.

While the ribbon is drying, you can now arrange and hot glue the foliage onto your door wreath.

Once your foliage has been glued on the embroidery hoop and dried you can now add hot glue to the back of the ribbon where it will attach to the hoop.

In just a few short minutes and simple supplies you have a nice fall embroidery wreath you can hang on a door or wall! If you love DIY decor or gifts I have several other things you may love to make!

Check out this cozy blanket you can make in minutes! It is one of the warmest blankets we own.

Another great fall project is decorating pumpkins! These painted pumpkins are beautiful on a porch or in your home.

Here is one more modern take on a Fall wreath!

Happy Fall! I hope you enjoy all this season brings and this embroidery hoop wreath DIY!  Dovidenia. XO

The post Simple Fall Embroidery Hoop Wreath appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

This post contains affiliate links.

If you have little ones that want to create something special or you yourself like getting creative for your own mom this list of ideas is perfect!

10 Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day

1. A gift that is useful but also perfect for getting creative is this tote. These totes are fun, simple and can be made so unique.

Handprint Tote Bags by Nifty Mom  (You can purchase the canvas totes here for your project.)

2. Photo Cube by Crafts by Amanda

3. Chocolate Bouquet by Tikkido

4. Handprint Wall Sign by the Idea Room

5. Natural Coasters by Garden Therapy

6. Jar Gift by Lil’ Luna

7. Fabric Covered Vases by i Heart Naptime

8. Does your mom like to relax with an evening bath and a book? If so these DIY bath bombs are a perfect handmade gift!

Lemon Bath Bombs by a Pumpkin and a Princess

9. We LOVE art around here and painting is my utmost favorite thing. If you know a mom who loves to paint these inspired mugs would be perfect and a fun project to create.

Marbled Mugs by DIY Candy

10. Dishes are always fun to make, use and display. These fun dishes were made by some of my friends at Lolly Jane.

Polka Dot Ring Dishes by Lolly Jane

Whether you plan to give your mom a card and flowers or a hand crafted gift its the love that matters most! I hope the 10 Mother’s Day gift ideas help inspire you. Wishing all the moms out there an amazing day! Dovidenia. XO

Here are a few BONUS ideas for gifts!

DIY Wood Burned Appetizer Tray

Tied Fleece Blanket DIY

How to Make Painted Rocks

The post 10 Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

This article is a collaboration of projects that will hopefully suite your interests with all it’s variety.

Here is an Easy to Make Valentine’s Day Love Sign from Centsible Chateau

Valentine Mason Jar Luminaries from Mom Spark

Valentine DIY Lotion Bars from That’s What Che Said

Valentines Day Jewelry from Faithfully Free

If you like the looks of these I am sure you will also enjoy making some of these other Valentine’s Projects:

DIY Valentine’s Day Candy Jars from Eat Move Make
DIY Cupid’s Arrow Valentine Decor Craft from Thrifty Jinxy
Valentine’s Day Door Wreath DIY from Oh So Savvy Mom
DIY Mason Jar Candles from Happiness is Homemade
Handmade Valentine’s Day Pennant Banner from Lady and the Blog
DIY Vanilla Love Sugar Scrub for Valentine’s Day from Happy Mothering
DIY Valentine’s Sharpie Mug Life is Sweeter by Design
DIY Valentines Day Mantel Decor from Close to Home
DIY Rustic Valentine’s Decor from Family Focus Blog
Valentine’s Day Felt Topiary from Simply Designing
XOXO Valentine’s Day Decorations from Play Party Plan

Whether you are making a gift or just wanting to spruce up your home for the Valentine’s season I hope you enjoy creating some of these ideas! Dovidenia. XO

If you are looking for a few other inspirations for this holiday you may enjoy making these Valentine’s cookies:

Heart Valentine Cookies

These watercolor Valentine’s banners are also beautiful and easy to make!

Paper Valentine’s Banner

If you need a last minute and affordable Valentine’s mail box here is an idea:

Homemade Valentine Card Bags

Lastly, If you are looking for Valentine’s activities for the kids this is another great collaboration of 9 ideas for your kids.

https://mamainthenow.com/valentines-day-kids-crafts/

The post 15 Valentine’s Projects You Can Do Yourself appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

Fall is the season of changing leaves, beauty in nature all around us and ample opportunities to create lasting memories with family. Living on a farm encourages a life in the present. Many factors cause this from the responsibilities that our farm entails to the space and nature that surrounds us and calls us through its beauty and calm whispers. I am really focusing on that ever constant need to be present and slow down time with my children. It seems when I can succeed at being present I can savor so much more of what life is truly about. I hope you will continue to follow along with me in this journey as I share our story of fall memory making and my Up-cycled Watercolor Fall Tree Art tutorial.

As a mom and artist, savoring all the special moments life offers always involves some creativity in my neck of the woods! Lately, I have been combating the busyness of life’s demands with intentional quality time with my loved ones. We have taken time out before school to take the little ones for homemade donuts! See more of that here.

Princesses like donuts with colorful sprinkles don't ya know?!??

A post shared by Stefanie at Simple Acres (@simpleacresblog) on Oct 3, 2016 at 12:55am PDT

We have went downtown to our local farmers markets tasting delicious seasonal produce and flavored vinaigrette and enjoyed small town cuisine and pumpkin patch fun!

We had a girls day. Among all the stressful things life offers …being present takes intention and effort… At least that's what I tell myself. So this week I took my kids to the local donut store, we went to the farmers market one night and today I had a girls day with my mom and daughter. These moments are what matter to me…quality time matters to me. And I'm fighting and sometimes failing for more of it!???❤️ What are you doing lately to savor life more?

A post shared by Stefanie at Simple Acres (@simpleacresblog) on Oct 1, 2016 at 4:51pm PDT

We are taking in the beautiful and warming colors God paints in the nature around us and it ALL FEELS SO GOOD! These simple activities in life are OUR SMILE WORTHY moments that I pray leave a lasting imprint on my children’s hearts.

Taking in all these things I wanted to create an art project we could all do that is a reminder of the beautiful season we are in our lives! My Up-cycled Watercolor Fall Tree Art is simple and something you can do while relaxing outside with a yummy snack. We ate Goldfish crackers and painted in our yard on our picnic table together as we reflected and had fun as a family.

Here is the free printable (tree-sketch) for you to use to either print onto paper or you can place it behind a watercolor paper on a window where light is shining in and trace the tree.

Up-Cycled Watercolor Fall Tree Tutorial

Materials

• free printable tree-sketch
• watercolor paint, brush and paper
• an old book or music sheets
• scissors
• glue stick
• yummy snacks

Directions

1. Once you have printed and traced your tree onto watercolor paper allow you kids to paint it how ever they wish.

2. Enjoy the moments and take in the season with simple snacks like these Goldfish crackers and fresh local apples we enjoyed. As a mom and Registered Dietitian I like that Goldfish crackers are always baked with 100% real cheese and have no artificial flavors or preservatives.

3. Snack a little more and paint a little more.

4. Attach the up-cycled watercolor book sheet leaves to the tree with a glue stick. *For a full video and tutorial scroll down.

Here is a full video that shows our Fall fun and this tutorial in full detail.

Smiles come in simple ways here at Simple Acres. We find them in the goofy things the kids say, the simple moments on the farm when we play “bull rider” like this little guy, when we laugh at our parenting imperfections and when we choose to love each other through the chaos and imperfection.

Smile worthy moments do not HAVE TO be created they just need to be allowed through slowing down and savoring them….and that my friends is the life journey I am on and slowly growing better and better (with a few hiccups along the way) at one small moment at a time.

Did you know that Goldfish brand sponsors a monthly themed social-entry contest? It is so FUN! The theme for October is SPOOKY. Use #GoldfishTalesPromotion when you share on twitter or instagram to enter. Head over to the Goldfish brand page to get all the details on their Goldfish tales campaign and the AWESOME PRIZES you could win here.

I hope my Up-cycled Watercolor Fall Tree Art finds you enjoying your Fall season and encourages you to slow down for a few moments and savor your family a little more. Dovidenia. XO

Here is some other Fall articles you will enjoy:

Simple Apple Pie Minis

Fall Pumpkin Makeover

Potato and Kale Soup with Sausage Meatballs

Fall things in my shop now:

Fall Watercolor Wreath

I have fall home decor in the Etsy shop! Who loves to decorate for Fall? It's my most favorite thing to do and I love creating things with watercolor!??? Find me on Etsy at Simple Acres

A post shared by Stefanie at Simple Acres (@simpleacresblog) on Sep 15, 2016 at 1:33am PDT

My favorite Fall find this week (affiliate link):

The post Up-cycled Watercolor Fall Tree Art appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

1.The first project involves using nature as your brush! You will have a blast painting with Nature Paint Brushes by Messy Little Monster.

2. Do you remember transferring patterns from nature as a kid? Now you can do it again while creating art with this Easy Leaf Art for Kids by Craftulate.

3. If you are a fan of all things pumpkins and watercolors then this Harvest Pumpkin Watercolor Art Project by Rhythms of Play will be a blast to create!

4. Create beautiful Fall luminaries with these Leaf Lanterns by Red Ted Art.

5. If you are a collector of crafts like me you will have spare paint and yarn to make this Yarn Art with Watercolors by the Pinterested Parent.

6. Get your kids outdoors and creating art with this Leaf Collage by Crafty Kids At Home.

7. I always loved making mosaics as a child! This Mosaic Acorn by Crafts by Amanda is beautiful and fairly simple for even the youngest artist!

8. Get creative with a unique medium with these DIY Clay Leaf Bowls by Emma Owl.

9. My good friend makes such beautiful art pages and unique kids crafts! You will love making this
Fall Collage Canvas Art by Arts & Crackers.

10. Get your kids learning while they create with Studying Rousseau Nature Inspired Process Art for Preschoolers by Playground Parkbench.

There you have it friends, fun art projects for kids that will help you soak in the beauty of my most favorite season of all, FALL! Dovidenia. XO

BONUS! If you loved those Fall art projects you may also enjoy this Fall Tree Watercolor with Up-cycled Leaves.

The post 10 Best Fall Art Projects for Kids appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

The process of creating art began for me as a child. It was my way of reflecting the world around me as well as expressing what I felt like on the inside. Art was my voice to speak to the world about what mattered to me. The watercolor piece in this post was inspired by my oldest son who, unfortunately, follows after his momma at times with fear and worry. I found this quote and thought is was a great statement of encouragement from my heart to his. So simply, we can see how art can truly be a message to those we love as well as strangers alike.

The Process of Creating Watercolor Art

• I started this piece by free handing the lettering in varied styles. I proceeded with my teal base color, painting around the lettering with brush strokes from the center of the words out.

• I spread the paint fading the color with strokes from a water dipped brush.

• I layered and added a deeper blue to the piece to add depth.
• I added darker blue in the center and corners of my lettering to create a more dramatic difference in color to create more dramatic contrast in the lettering. I then blended and smoothed everything with a diluted watered down brush. I followed similar techniques for the arrows and feathers.

Once complete I matt and framed it in a barn wood frame. The process of creating watercolor art is simple, fun and RELAXING. I encourage you to give it a try while enjoying the process, stress release and personal expression. To my son,” Be brave, my little one!” XO

P.S. Prints and originals are available at my shop at Simple Acres.

The post The Process of Creating Watercolor Art appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Let’s start with what you will need to make your collaborative transfer art:

• watercolor paint
• watercolor paint brushes of varied sizes
• watercolor paper
• plain white drawing paper
• transfer paper
• pencil
• fine black ink pen

Don’t forget CREATIVITY!

1. First, encourage your child to express themselves through a simple drawing with pencil on white drawing paper.

2. Once your child is done with their drawing, place the transfer paper with the darkest black ink side down on your watercolor paper.

3. Trace your child’s picture onto the watercolor paper. When doing this what will remain is the ink from the transfer paper where you applied pressure through tracing.

4. Now you can watercolor your child’s drawing. This allows you to create a piece that is a little bit a part of each of you. (For techniques and inspiration review the posts at the bottom of the page.)

5. Lastly, use your fine black ink pen to add detail and nice line work to your Kid’s Watercolor Art Transfer.

It is so important to take those moments in life, slow down, savor your loved ones and create the life you long for! Dovidenia. Xo

If you love art and watercolors you may also love these tutorials:

Watercolor Resist with Masking Fluid

Up-cycled Watercolor Fall Tree Art

Up-cycled Watercolor Gift Cards

If you like art you will LOVE this article on the benefits of finger painting for kids:

7 Awesome Benefits of Finger Painting

The post Kid’s Watercolor Art Transfer appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

Masking fluid is an awesome art tool to create designs or text without any line work. For this piece I painted four leaf clovers and dots on a watercolor paper as a simple piece of artwork for St. Patrick’s Day that my child could finish with green watercolors.

Materials:

• watercolor paper
• different shades of green watercolor paints and a watercolor brush
• masking fluid

How to:

1. Paint what shapes, design or text you would like on your paper. The masking fluid goes on white and dries to a firm yellow texture.
2. Once the mask is dry to the touch you can paint over your paper and masking fluid with watercolor paints. For our piece we chose to use varied shades of green.
3. Paint your paper in different shades throughout. If you add a new color as your paper is wet it will allow bleeding which creates that beautiful watercolor most really like.
4. Allow painting to fully dry. Once dry rub the masked spots with your finger to lift off the dried fluid.
5. Mat, frame and display.

My grade schooler painted this. It is such a simple piece perfect for any entry level artist nearly any age.

I love hanging my kids art all over my house. To see their creations surround me makes me happy!

I LOVE putting my kids art all around my house! Learn how to make the St. Patties resistance watercolor piece with your kids… coming to the blog soon!☘️☘️☘️ @simpleacresart

A post shared by Stefanie at Simple Acres (@simpleacresblog) on Mar 2, 2017 at 11:02am PST

Create watercolor resist art and enjoy the reward of decorating your home with your own creations! You may also like to learn further the process of creating art for such projects as this watercolor tree or watercolor cards. Dovidenia. XO

The post Watercolor Resist with Masking Fluid appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.