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Southern Made Simple

Keeping things simple with a smidge of Southern charm

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DIY Projects

4 Ways to Celebrate the Olympics with Kids + FREE Coloring Sheets

August 1, 2016 by Laura Tucker Leave a Comment

With the 2016 Olympic Games quickly approaching, excitement has started to fill the air as American athletes are putting a lifetime of hard work into the qualifying rounds to see who will take a coveted USA team spot and represent our great country in the Olympics in Brazil. I get chills just typing that, y’all!

The Olympics are truly something big and monumental to celebrate, not just something taking a time spot on your favorite TV channel. I hope to encourage you to start a discussion with your children about the Olympics and get excited about the games coming up in just a few short days. I’ve put together a list of 4 Ways to Celebrate the Olympics with Kids, plus I’ve included 3 FREE coloring sheets for you to help get kids interested and inspired about the events!

3 Free Printable Olympic Coloring Sheets + 4 Ways to Celebrate the Olympics with Kids

  1. Make Olympic Inspired Snacks

    • To get your kiddos excited about the Olympic games, whip up a few easy and fun Olympic-inspired treats to munch on while the games are on! I’ve been pinning ideas like crazy over on my Olympics Pinterest Board. Take a look and get your chef hat ready, because you’ll want to make them all! 😉
  2. Create an Outdoor Olympian Obstacle Course

    • What better way to celebrate the Olympics than to get active and play! Create a fun and challenging obstacle course related to your kid’s favorite sports, or bring the fun indoors and get creative! Relay races, laps in the pool, beach towel volleyball, noodle toss, etc. are just a few ideas that come to mind. You can even host a mock opening ceremony with music, dancing and singing. The possibilities are endless!
  3. Get Your Color On!

    • I’ve got 3 simple and fun coloring sheets that you can print for FREE! These are perfect to help children get excited about the upcoming Olympic games, to help keep little ones occupied while watching them on TV with the family, or just to color whenever/wherever! (If you decide to print them, would you kindly consider subscribing to my email updates? I work hard to create my content, so your support is incredibly valuable to me!)
    • Free Olympic Medals Printable Coloring Sheet
    • Free Olympic Rings Printable Coloring Sheet
    • Free Olympic Laurel Wreath and Torch Printable Coloring Sheet
  4. Learn the History

    • I remember learning all about the Olympics when I was a child in school. Did you know that the history of the games dates back to over 2,700 years ago?! I’ve found this website to be an amazing resource for kids to learn more about the Olympics and how they got to be where they are today. Encourage your children to learn more about this amazing historical event. Who knows, you may be raising your own future little Olympian!

 

What are some other fun and creative idea to encourage children to get excited about the Olympic Games? Will you be watching the games with your family? What is your favorite sport to watch? Leave a comment below and let’s chat!

Filed Under: DIY Projects Tagged With: free coloring sheets, Free Printable, free printable coloring sheets, Olympic coloring sheets, Olympics

How to Repurpose Old Formula and Snack Cans

June 27, 2016 by Laura Tucker 2 Comments

Do you find yourself frequently throwing away empty cans? We go through a ton of cans and containers in our house. It seems like my toddler is forever devoted to her beloved crunchy snacks (seen below), and we go through containers of them ALL the time. The crafty person inside me cringes every time I throw those empty cans away, because I know there are ways to repurpose them! Then I look around at how tiny my house is and toss them anyway. (We unfortunately don’t have a recycling program where I live, or else I would totally recycle!)

I’ve been waiting for a little inspiration to hit me before I kept a container to repurpose, and that bright idea finally hit me late last week. I love to change out the centerpieces on my kitchen table from time to time, so I thought I’d take a stab at throwing something great together with some craft supplies that I had lying around.

Turn old formula cans into something really great - and in less than 15 minutes! A great way to recycle and repurpose every day items in our life!…

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Filed Under: DIY Projects Tagged With: DIY centerpiece, DIY rustic, How to reuse tin cans, Repurpose cans, Reuse formula cans

Fourth of July Craft: DIY Patriotic Ribbon Wand

June 18, 2016 by Laura Tucker 1 Comment

With the Fourth of July right around the corner, I’ve been thinking about all of the fun and exciting activities that tend to take place around this time of year. Cookouts, barbecues, pool parties, fireworks, and the list goes on and on! While these events are always fun for grownups and older kids, it can be a little tricky keeping a toddler entertained and not overwhelmed with all of the things going on.

One thing we do every year for Independence Day is celebrate with good food and fireworks at our church’s annual 4th of July celebration. My husband is usually one of the men in charge of setting up and detonating the fireworks (which freaks me out a little,) but everyone always has a fabulous time and the fireworks and sparklers are a huge hit with the kids. However, my 1 year old has never been around fireworks and sparklers, and I’m honestly not too pumped about her being near them. So the wheels started turning in my head trying to find a fun alternative for her that would allow her to enjoy the festivities along with everyone else without involving, ya know, explosives. 🙂

4th of July Craft: DIY Ribbon Wand - the perfect alternative to sparklers!…

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Filed Under: DIY Projects Tagged With: DIY ribbon wand, Fourth of July, Fourth of July craft, Independence Day crafts, ribbon wands, toddler crafts

Submerged VBS Craft Ideas

May 29, 2016 by Laura Tucker 6 Comments

Affiliate links may be included throughout this post at absolutely no cost to you. I love sharing VBS craft ideas and supplies to help your VBS go as smoothly as possible! Submerged VBS Craft Ideas

School is officially out for the summer here, and many of our local churches are gearing up for Vacation Bible School! I have such vivid memories from my childhood of attending VBS at the church I grew up at. The people at my church always made a big to-do out of the decorations, skits, crafts, etc. I can even remember a few different jingles from the various VBS’s I attended!

It’s funny that I can remember things like that, but I am certain that I couldn’t even tell you what I ate for breakfast this morning. That’s just the way it is, I suppose! But on that same note, I get excited with all of the different ways VBS touches the lives of children and adults in our communities. I mean, if I can remember the things that I did when I was 9 at Vacation Bible School, who’s to say that others wouldn’t remember it for years to come, too? Did you know that every year, VBS is hosted by over 25,000 churches and reaches more than 3 million people across the US? That’s something to really get excited about, y’all!

This year, the Lifeway VBS theme is called “Submerged.”  It’s all about submerging yourself in God’s word and discovering that Jesus doesn’t just see what’s on the outside of people, he sees deep down on the inside.

15 Craft Ideas for VBS Submerged Lifeway Theme #submerged #lifeway #underthesea …

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Filed Under: DIY Projects, VBS Resources Tagged With: Ocean crafts, Submerged, Submerged crafts, under the sea crafts, Vacation Bible School, VBS, VBS 2016, VBS crafts, VBS decor

A Price is Right Themed Birthday Party – Come on Down! (Our Baby Girl is ONE!)

May 7, 2016 by Laura Tucker 11 Comments

Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! We warmly invite you to a spectacular little party that is sure to amaze! Start brushing up on your pricing skills and step up your Plinko game, because a very special little girl is finally ONE!

Are you ready, folks? Then COME ON DOWN! You’re the next party participant at Taralynn’s Price is Right birthday party!

Price is Right Themed Birthday Party…

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Filed Under: DIY Projects, For the Kids Tagged With: Free Printable, party printables, Price is Right, Price is Right party, Price is Right printable

The 5 Love Languages: A Pallet Project

April 27, 2016 by Laura Tucker 1 Comment

When my husband and I married almost 4 years ago, we took part in 3 or 4 premarital counseling sessions offered by our officiant, Bro. Rick. We really didn’t know what to expect the first night, and when we left our first meeting were surprised to find ourselves walking out with a stack of books to read (aka homework). Bro. Rick told us that we’d be learning a new language during our sessions, and we’d be fine tuning the way we talk and communicate with each other.

At first I was caught a little off guard, because I really didn’t think Kyle (my husband) and I needed any “fine tuning”.  We truly felt like we knew each other inside and out, backwards and forwards and in all areas in between. After all, we had been dating for 7 years before we said our vows, and we felt certain that life would not really be any different once we were married. Everything would just continue as it always was, but we’d now get to experience the blessings and privileges that husbands and wives share together. We certainly didn’t consider that we’d be learning a new language – especially when it came to love. We were pretty confident that we had that figured out – or so we thought.

Then we opened “The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman, and we quickly started learning things we never knew we didn’t know.

5 Love Languages Pallet Project…

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Filed Under: DIY Projects, My Favorite Things Tagged With: Love Languages, Love Languages Project, The 5 Love Languages

How to Whitewash Wood: Step by Step Tutorial

April 25, 2016 by Laura Tucker 1 Comment

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon a pile full of treasures at one of my Granddaddy’s old storage sheds. Much to my surprise, there were piles of old doors, window frames, pallet boards and even a chalkboard that was salvaged from an old school house.

Basically, I hit the Pinterest DIY-er’s jackpot. My mind instantly started brainstorming of ways I could re-purpose some of these pieces and use them in my home. I’ve always loved the “farmhouse” look, so I was absolutely beside myself knowing I’d get to give a new life to these old wooden pieces!

I really wanted to jump right off the deep end and paint everything right away, but I decided for the sake of my husband’s sanity that I’d just start one project at a time. The weather has been absolutely beautiful this weekend, so I decided to take advantage of that and break out the paint buckets.

My first project is going to be a piece of wall art for our bedroom made from pallet board. To match the theme of our room, I knew I wanted this piece to be white, but I really wanted it to look weathered and rustic. After I did a little bit of research, I decided whitewashing the wood would be the perfect option to achieve the look I was going for.

A simple step by step tutorial on how to whitewash wood for pennies on the dollar - Southern Made Simple…

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Filed Under: DIY Projects Tagged With: DIY whitewash, How to whitewash, Whitewash tutorial, Whitewash wood

DIY “Starter Fluid” Emergency Coffee Kit

April 12, 2016 by Laura Tucker 2 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DunkinCreamers #CollectiveBias

Imagine this: You’ve made it to work, half awake and nearly late. You make your way to the break room to pour yourself a cup of much needed coffee. I mean, let’s face it, nothing good will come from this day until you’ve had your coffee.

You fill your cup only to find that some horrible, horrible person has swiped the last of the creamer, sugar, etc. The thought of taking your coffee any other way than exactly how you like it makes you want to curl up in a hole and cry. A parade of cuddly kittens could not even cheer you up at this point.

Sounds AWFUL, right?! But when you think about it, a scenario much like this happens in public places everywhere on a daily basis. (Let’s take a moment of silence for those poor, poor souls that went without their cup of beloved coffee made perfectly to their liking this morning.) Godspeed, my friends!

DIY Starter Fluid Emergency Coffee Kit + free printable #ad #DDCreamers…

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Filed Under: Breakfast, DIY Projects Tagged With: #DDCreamers, Coffee, DIY, Dunkin' Donuts, Dunkin' Donuts Creamer, Emergency Coffee Kit, Starter Fluid Coffee

Sharing a Blissful Moment with Others – DIY Bliss Bouquet

March 17, 2016 by Laura Tucker 3 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BlissfulMoments #CollectiveBias

Just ten short months ago, my beautiful baby girl made her debut into this world. I dove right into the deep end of motherhood for the very first time, and my eyes were opened to things that only becoming a mother could prepare me for. It’s been an incredible journey, but it did not come without several major adjustments to my life.

One of those major adjustments was the loss of quality “me” time. All of a sudden, I had this tiny little human that depends on me for everything. I am there for her every moment she is awake, and in those very precious moments that she closes her eyes to take a nap, I tend to everything else around me that needs to get done. Very little of that time is spent on myself.

If fact, in 10 months I have only had 3 successful naps! While having a baby is amazing, it can definitely be mentally challenging sometimes. I know every parent out there can certainly relate to this in some way. “Me” time usually doesn’t happen, and when it does, it’s probably not about me anyway!

DIY Bliss Bouquet Tutorial - It can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of life, but it's important to make sure you take a moment to treat yourself {and others} to something special. Creating a bliss bouquet is a fantastic way to share #blissfulmoments with others who could use a reward!…

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Filed Under: DIY Projects, My Favorite Things Tagged With: #blissfulmoments, Bliss Bouquet, Candy Bar Bouquet, DIY

Palm “Sundae” Dessert

March 11, 2016 by Laura Tucker 6 Comments

Sunday is, without question, my favorite day of the week. I spend a large portion of the day with my church family, and in the morning I have the privilege of teaching a handful of 10-12 year old kids during Sunday School. After learning that using Elmer’s school glue without getting it all over the place is a gift not everyone has, I cut back the amount of craft projects we do together. And by cut back, I mean that we just do not do them, period.

But with Easter quickly approaching, I decided to make an exception. And besides, this isn’t exactly a “craft” as much as it is just an opportunity to put together a fun little ice cream treat while sharing about Jesus! (I don’t expect it to be any less messy than them using glue, though!) 😉

Palm Sundae Ice cream treats - A perfect Sunday School Activity for Palm Sunday!…

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Filed Under: Desserts, DIY Projects Tagged With: Palm Sundae, Palm Sunday, Sunday School craft, Sunday School food

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"Hi there! I'm Laura, and I'm a child of God, a wife, and a mother of two. My roots are planted deep in rural Alabama. Monograms, crafting and Southern cuisine - yes, these are a few of my favorite things! Join me as I grow my family in the beautiful South where the tea is sweet, the accents are sweeter, & someone's heart is always being blessed." [Read more...]

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