birthday presents – Mummy To Twins Plus One

DIY: Get Creative with Sharpies

This post was originally created for a Father’s Day tutorial. However this could be applied for Christmas gifts, birthdays and anything at all. Use it to create some great presents for Christmas.

I do have something organised for hubby for Father’s Day. However I thought it might be nice for the twins to do something creative for daddy themselves. I have had some friends do things with sharpie pens and I have always been curious. Online I saw that you can decorate a mug/cup with sharpie pens, then bake it and all good to use. How amazing and interesting. Will it work? The only way is to give it a go.

So I got the kids some sharpie pens from the shop and a white mug each and then each child had to decorate them. I told them that they can do whatever design they wished to. One child was very expressive and creative and wanted to colour the whole mug in and the other was trying to draw and write more on the mug. Interesting the difference. It did not matter what they created, it was an expression of them to their daddy.

What do you need?

1. Sharpie Pens. I purchased mine individually as this worked out a little cheaper. You can get a pack of 12 for about $20. Packs I saw for less varied between $14 or more.

2. A cup or a mug to decorate. I choose to have white mugs as then the colours from the pens will show up more

3. An oven to bake the mugs in

Concentrating on her creation for daddy.

What is the process?

1. Once you have all your materials ready you can then start.

2. Decorate your mugs

3. Finalise your decoration and once happy you are ready to bake in the oven.

4. Bake in the oven for 30mins at 180°C or 356°F

Once baked you are good to use the cup. Might need to wait a bit and hand wash carefully to make sure it is all clean to use. As I have never done this before I am keen to see how they go. I would not put in the dishwasher.

Happy creating and this is a great cheap last minute gift for Father’s Day. Have fun!

Note: Some colours after it was baked have changed. The gold seems to have turned into brown. Maybe I need to get different sharpies next time.

Birthday Surprises Sorted

I had to take the kids to the shop to get their mate a birthday present for his birthday party next week. While we were there both girls would not take their hands off toy story dolls, I have managed to get them some toy story plush dolls for their birthday however the ones in the shop were great, taller, spoke and were much more expensive, $69 each to be exact. I could not afford to get each kid a doll each and then all the stuff that came with them so I found the next best thing, Ebay and it was all sorted.

I was so happy that they wanted the dolls and hope they like the ones I have organized for them, I have got all the characters, Woody, Jessie, Buzz Lightyear, and Bulls Eye the horse. Before I got the Ebay toy story dolls I sourced Bulls Eye the horse from Target but I got 2 horses so that each child can have a character on a horse, now all characters will have a horse so has worked out well and has not cost the earth. I feel very proud of my purchase and the fact it was not as expensive as all the stores were selling them for. Is it strange to want to be super proud of this shopping purchase, and skill to find a cheaper price? Oh well, I am! I am sure this happens to others as well not just me. Let me know if you feel like this once you organise something wonderful.

While at playgroup yesterday the kids were playing with Lego and asking about the one that they wanted (Lego Friends), I told them if they are good they might get it but it is very expensive so probably not right away. This was met with upset faces, and maybe at Christmas mummy???? Little do they know is that we have organised (we got them a big set of Lego Friends) what they want but the family is all going to put in for it so not to make so expensive for one person. They will be so excited to find that they are getting things they would like and I must say they are to be very spoilt as they are getting what they have asked for, not spoilt as we are not getting many things, just a few.

Since I was very lucky to win the blogging competition from 1stAvailable.com.au I am able to take the kids to the Gold Coast for their birthday so we are not spending a lot here to maximize our trip in September.

Have you had moments in the shop where your kid/kids want the toy that you have already arranged for their birthday or Christmas? Have you had a secret smile on your face as you are getting excited to see their reaction, I know I am!

I am going to take the plush toys with us on our trip as the kids will celebrate their actual birthday while we are away. This way they will squish in the bag fine and they can have them to play with in the hotel room and on the way home from our trip. Plus it will be nice to give them an actual present on their real day.

What things have you organised secretly for your little ones?