CRAFT IDEA: Apples Boxes to Book Totes

If you are like our family, you may have spent a day at a local orchard picking apples this fall. The royal galas were amazing this season! We picked more than 15 pounds of apples, and made homemade applesauce and apple crisps.

But, after the fun we were left with two, sturdy apple boxes. What's a mom to do? I noticed that we had a number of books that just didn't fit on the shelves anymore, so I decided to remedy that clutter issue by making book totes.

EASY DIY BOOK TOTE CRAFT 

I used leftover paint from our girls' rooms and puffy paint to do the lettering. These super cute totes cost nothing to make other than my time. 

My oldest daughter just loves Alice in Wonderland and the baby is a fan of Winnie-the-Pooh. If you are interested in making something similar, consider picking a quote from a favorite book or your favorite author.

Places in the Lehigh Valley for Fall Family Portraits

Fall in the Lehigh Valley is gorgeous! (Though, as I am writing this it's about 84 degrees outside.) With the natural beauty all around us, fall makes for a great time of year for family photos and capturing special moments.

GREAT PLACES FOR FALL PHOTOS

Fall in the Lehigh Valley 2013, Jordan Creek (c) Smedstad

Here are few places around the Lehigh Valley that make for great photo backdrops.

1. Lehigh University: With the big trees and beautiful, old buildings, the university is a great place for candid and posed portraits. 
2. Jordan Creek: Upon exiting the Lehigh Valley Zoo, you can forge the Jordan. This area is filled with fall foliage, a picturesque bridge and the water. 
3. Ontelaunee Park: If you haven't traveled this far north on 309, it's worth it. I think this park would be a great place for outdoor shots. 
4. Hawk Mountain: What could be more amazing than a family shot with all of fall's splendor behind you. The view and your photos would be amazing! 
5. Strawberry Acres: A friend of mine had family photos taken here and they were so cute (and there was no charge to for them to do so).
6. Bridges: How about near one of the Lehigh Valley's covered bridges? That could make for a beautiful photo with a local-feel. 

TIPS FOR TAKING FAB FALL FAMILY PHOTOS

I've seen local photographers charge from $75 - $200 for 1.5 - 2 hour photo sessions. If you can do this, I would recommend it. Ask the photographer to take a mix of posed and candid shots. Often it's the candids that make for the best pictures.

1. Coordinate: I love when families take photos in outfits that coordinate, yet aren't too matchy. Creams, browns and oranges. Jeans, boots and sweaters. Fall is usually a season filled with comfy,  warm and stylish clothes. 
2. Be natural: Just be yourselves ... let the kids play ... hug, kiss and be together. Ask the photographer to capture those real family moments. 
3. Time it right: The natural light of early morning or late afternoon is often fantastic for photos. Avoid the outdoors when the sun is highest in the sky ... it'll make for unwanted shadows. I recommend morning, while the kids are "fresh" or after nap time. 

When deciding whether to use a photographer, ask about how they deliver the final proofs. My favorite way to receive photos is on a CD, that way I receive all of the files and can upload (and order) from Shutterfly. Ask about getting exclusive rights to use the photos for personal use.

What other tips or advice do you have about fall photos? Are you planning a family portrait day in preparation for the upcoming holiday season? 

Witch Craft for Kids that Moms Will Love (Dads, too)

We have been in the Halloween spirit at our house! It's such a fun time of year for silly crafts and time well spent with the kids. I've been into footprint paintings with my girls ... they grow up so fast and this particular craft also creates a special keepsake.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

1. Stretch canvas
2. Acrylic paint
3. Puffy paint

I painted the canvas orange and let it dry over night before painting the girls' feet and stamping it. I used puffy paint for some of the hair, the lettering and border art. All together, this project cost $4.99 (we had the paint at home already).

I've also seen a version of this craft on Pinterest that included arms and boots, as well as a decorative ribbon to hang it up.

(c) 2013 Smedstad

Not-So-Spooky Halloween Craft for the Entire Family

What's more fun than decorating for Halloween? Actually making decorations for Halloween! Well, at least that's how we feel at our house. How about you? What sort of Halloween crafts do you have in mind for your family this fall?

PINTEREST INSPIRED GHOST FAMILY

Like many moms, I troll Pinterest for ideas. Here is a ghost family painting that we did; it was inspired by some of the Halloween crafts that were pinned by other moms. Our last name is "Smedstad" which, obviously, we altered to be funny. A friend recommended the Deadstads, but that was a bit too morbid for our two and six year olds.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE THIS PAINTING

1. A large canvas; I bought ours BOGO at Michael's in Whitehall.
2. Acrylic paint, we used brown and off-white. You might consider pure white and black, too.
3. Puffy paint for lettering.
4. Circle sponge for polka-dots.
5. Paper towel for creating textured background.

4 EASY STEPS TO CREATING YOUR BOO-TIFUL MASTERPIECE

1. Paint the background, while still wet, take a dry paper towel and blot the paint to make a textured background. Let it dry for a few minutes.
2. Paint your border. Let it dry.
3. Paint your feet, your kids' feet and even your hubby's feet (if he'll let you). Press everyone's tootsies onto the canvas and let the prints dry.
4. Use your puffy paint to draw on the ghosts' faces and additional lettering.

(c) 2013 Smedstad

CREATE & SHARE YOUR GHOST FAMILY

If you and your family make a ghost painting, we want to see it! Post it to the Lehigh Valley Family Fun Facebook page.

Happy Halloween!
Be safe & have a ghoulish season.