Here is an easy craft project to make with your kids! Together you can create cute paper plate animals. Family craft time is bonding time, which means you have the opportunity to create memories while you complete this craft activity. This project is simple and fun, and the end result will be adorable. We hope you get photos of your family with the finished paper plate animals. But most of all, we hope you enjoy your time creating together. 

For this project you will need: 

• Paper Plates
• Construction Paper
• Non-Toxic Markers, Crayons, or Paint
• Kid-Safe Scissors 
• Glue Stick or School Glue
• Googly Eyes (optional)
• Cotton Balls, Pipe Cleaners, or Buttons (for added decoration)

Below you will find the image with specific instructions for these six project steps: 

1. Choose your animal.
2. Make the base design. 
3. Add special details. 
4. Attach the eyes. 
5. Decorate in your own fun way. 
6. Finish and show it off!

Today we are sharing some simple kitchen tips with you that will help you prepare food easier and give you great suggestions for ideal food storage.

Learn how to:

• Keep Cookies Soft
• Pit Cherries Without a Pitter
• Prevent Ice Cream from Melting Quickly
• Keep Brown Sugar Soft
• Peel Garlic Easily

Below you will see our five simple food prep and storage tips that you may wish you knew sooner!

Use bread to keep your cookies soft...

Use a chopstick to pit cherries...

Use bubble wrap to slow ice cream melting...

Use marshmallows to keep brown sugar soft...

Use a microwave for easier garlic peeling...

With only five supplies needed, you can make your own DIY pressed flower candles. Here we provide the simple directions for this easy craft project.

First, you will need to gather your supplies:

• Plain Pillar Candles
• Pressed Flowers
• A Small Paintbrush
• A Tea Light Candle
• Tweezers

You will use melted wax from a tea light candle to attach your flowers to the pillar candle. It is really easy to do!

You may make these beautiful candles for gifts or to use around your own home. They provide a handmade element combined with the beauty of nature. The flowers are naturally pretty, and they perfectly accentuate the warm glow of a candle.

Follow the instructions in the image below to decorate your pillar candles with pressed flowers.

Tip: If you are looking for directions to dry and flatten your flowers, check out the instructions in our "Pressed Flower Bookmark" tutorial on our Secret Sister Blog.

If you enjoy desserts that combine fruit with chocolate, this easy to make recipe may become one of your favorites! It is very simple to prepare and only uses two main ingredients: bananas and chocolate chips. Coconut oil is optional if you prefer a smoother chocolate dipped coating. And toppings like nuts, coconut, sprinkles, or sea salt may be added if you like that extra crunch.

Follow the directions in the image below to create a bite-sized chocolatey banana treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth cravings!

We have some free printable bookmarks for quilters! If you are a seamstress, quilter, crafter, or artist, you will appreciate these quilting-themed bookmarks. Use them when you cuddle up in your handmade quilt to read a book. Or share them with friends who admire your quilting skills.

You may print out these bookmarks on your printer at home. Just click on either one of the images below to access the free printable file for both of the pages of bookmarks. We recommend printing them out on white cardstock paper. If you only have copy-paper, that's okay, but you may want to laminate them for durability. Once you print out the bookmarks, simply cut them out with a paper trimmer or scissors, but do not use your fabric scissors! (Of course you wouldn't!)

If you want to add a little bit of crafty fun to these bookmarks, you may punch a hole at the top of each one and add a handmade tassel. Or glue them back-to-back for a two-sided bookmark. Another idea is to use a corner-rounder punch. Adding embellishments like stickers, glitter, handwriting, stamping, or embossing will add that creative touch.

Whatever you choose to do, we hope you have a fun time being creative with these printable bookmarks for quilters. We also hope you are able to take time to use them while reading a book. We know it's hard to stop quilting long enough to sit and read, so another option is to use these bookmarks in your quilting-idea pattern books.

Happy Quilting!

Enjoy an easy-to-make dinner tonight with this recipe idea. With just a few ingredients, you will have a quick and tasty dinner.

Cook salmon, quinoa, and steam your favorite vegetables, combining them for a delicious and healthy meal. See our recipe below.