How to Make Borax Snowflakes and other Crystal Ornaments

A close up of borax Christmas ornaments

   We were first introduced to pipe cleaners and borax crystal ornaments when my older children were in elementary school. We made borax snowflakes for a science experiment and had so much fun. In fact, they made so many snowflakes and other crystal ornaments that they sold them for .25 each at a craft fair … Read more

Fabric Gift Bags Tutorial

homemade fabric gift bags with homemade jelly

A  few years ago I started making fabric gift bags to use for Christmas. I love making these bags, they are so simple and just take a few minutes to whip up. We mainly use these within our family so we can use them year after year, but I also make some each year to … Read more

Thumb Print Pumpkin Patch T-Shirt

Thumb print pumpkin patch t-shirts are a super fun and easy way to get into the fall spirit. We literally did this while cooking dinner.

I know it’s a little early to be sharing pumpkin crafts but it was 105 degrees here today and thinking of fall is one of my survival techniques. Plus this thumb print pumpkin patch t-shirt is such a fun and easy craft I just couldn’t wait for a more “appropiate” time to share it. Esther … Read more

Crayon Tote Bag Tutorial

"Colorful crayon tote bag hanging on a door handle. It features a star and polka dot design with crayon slots. Text above reads 'Crayon Tote Bag Tutorial,' and the bottom text says 'SchneiderPeeps.com.'.

It’s interesting living in two worlds – one being the world of teenagers and adult children and the other being the world of preshoolers. In some ways, the worlds are so very different and, in some ways, remarkably similar. I’ve also noticed that the preschool world that Esther lives in is different than the preschool … Read more

How about a Messenger Bag?

A child holds a vibrant orange and pink patterned messenger bag, adorned with lace flowers and buttons. The image showcases text reading "Messenger Bag Tutorial" and "SchneiderPeeps," set against a cozy patio with potted plants in the background.

It’s been a while – a long while – since I’ve done fun sewing. Not to say that sewing drama costumes and mending ballet performance costumes isn’t fun, it’s just not that same as spending some time doing a quick project that brings happiness to your daughters. I recently recently purchased some fun fabric thinking it … Read more

Finger Twister…with game instructions

A wooden board with a DIY Finger Twister game, featuring four columns of colored dots: blue, green, yellow, and red. A small wooden cube with matching colors is next to it. Text reads "DIY Finger Twister Game and game instructions.

If you’ve been a reader of SchneiderPeeps for very long you probably know that we like to make things and we also like to play games. Josiah combined both of those likes into one gift for Christmas last year. He made each family a game of Finger Twister. Never heard of Finger Twister? I hadn’t … Read more

Make a tire swing for some frugal family fun

A child plays on a tire swing hanging from a tree. Text on the image reads, "Reduce Reuse Recycle... and make a tire swing." The website "www.SchneiderPeeps.com" is visible at the bottom.

We had to get new tires for our 12 passenger van. Normally, I’m not real excited about that but I’ve been hoping we’d need to soon so we could make a tire swing. We had one of these in another house and it was much loved – by kids of all ages. Wanna see how … Read more

Make your own bug magnets

Two hand-painted bug-shaped magnets are displayed on a surface. One is red with black dots resembling a ladybug, and the other is multicolored with googly eyes. Below them is a decorative label reading "Bug Magnets.

One of the fun things about having older children and a younger child is that I’m getting to revisit all those fun preschool crafts that I did with my older ones. For Christmas my children make their gifts to give to extended family and this year Esther made bug magnets. To make the bug magnets you … Read more

Valentines cards and crayons

Colorful heart-shaped rainbow crayons are scattered on a wooden surface next to white cards with red heart patterns. A text overlay reads, "Heart Rainbow Crayons with printable cards www.SchneiderPeeps.com.

We celebrate Valentine’s Day at our homeschool co-op each year. It’s really fun since the teenagers participate, too. The younger children look up to them and love including them in the celebration. The teens usually don’t do  cards, they  just start dropping candy in everyone’s bag – you know because that is the important part. … Read more

Make Your Own Cribbage Board

wooden cribbage board with a deck of cards on it

Every year for Christmas we encourage our children to make gifts for their gift giving needs. It’s really fun to see what each one comes up with. This year Gabriel made cribbage boards for each family in our extended family – and us, of course. I’m going to share how he made the boards in … Read more

Make Your Own Pick Up Sticks (plus game instructions)

A scattered pile of colorful pick-up sticks lies on a white surface, their vibrant tips creating a textured pattern and adding playful charm to the random arrangement.

   This is our second to last week of Handmade Christmas, it’s hard to believe, isn’t it? We’ve had some great ideas posted, so make sure and look over the last few weeks. We are a game loving family. We love hanging out and playing cards or board games, especially during the longer winter nights. … Read more

Blessing Others During Holidays

A close up of jars of homemade mustang grape jelly

As I flipped the calendar over to November last week, I felt it….pressure. Pressure to make the next 8 weeks amazing. Pressure to find just the right gift for everyone on my Christmas list. Pressure to make sure that all my I’s are dotted and my T’s are crossed for all of the events that … Read more

DIY Monogrammed Coffee Mugs

A collection of white and blue mugs, including some monogrammed coffee cups, is arranged on a table adorned with a festive poinsettia tablecloth. Some white mugs showcase large letters in various colors.

If you’ve been hanging around our little spot on the internet for very long, you’ve probably guessed that I love all things old, vintage and thrifted. I love giving new life to someone else’s cast off items. Monogrammed coffee cups are just the craft to give new life to all those lovely .50 cups at your … Read more

Homemade Decoupaged Christmas Ornaments

several decoupaged Christmas ornaments

The beauty of decoupage is that you can quickly and cheaply turn old things into new things with just paper and glue. Decoupaged Christmas ornaments are a great example. You can always find old Christmas ball ornaments at garage sale and thrift stores and give them new life. To make decoupaged Christmas ornaments you just … Read more

Gift Wrapping Ideas

A jar of homemade apple butter with a metal lid boasts a green label reading "Homemade Apple Butter." It is elegantly gift-wrapped with floral-patterned paper, tied with twine, and topped off with a charming paper flower embellishment—a perfect addition to your gift wrapping ideas.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret, althought I love making gifts, I’m not always the best at wrapping them so that they look pretty. I try but it’s just a gene that has missed me. So, I’m super excited to have Angel from Angel Navy Wife here to show us some … Read more

Easy Pillow Covers {a tutorial}

SchneiderPeeps - Easy Pillow Covers Tutorial. The easiest way to update a room is with pillows. Here is a way to just recover the pillows instead of buying new ones.

One of the quickest ways to brighten or update a living room is to change out the throw pillows. But throw pillows can be pretty expensive, even on sale. So I just recover them. And my favorite way to make a cover is with an overlapping back, so there’s no need for a zipper. I just … Read more

Painting on Fabric

A person is leaning over a table, using a pen to trace or cut out the stenciled letters "KAMP" from a piece of paper. Surrounding items include scissors, a cutting mat, and a mug.

No, that’s not the new name of our home. Although it probably fits right now. This is the week of the drama performance for Gabriel and Benjamin. Which means they have practice for 3 or more hours each day except Wednesday. Their play is called Kamp Kaos. So far, I haven’t seen any of the … Read more

ballet skirts

A woman and a child wearing ballet outfits are practicing a dance pose on a sunlit porch. The woman is helping the child balance on one leg. There are potted plants and a welcome mat beside them. The background features trees and a grassy yard.

One of the things about being sick on Christmas is that the small final details don’t get done until much later. Case in point, sewing the ribbon on one of Phoebe’s ballet skirts. I found this great pattern to make an adult size ballet skirt at The Selfish Seamstress, who, by the way, is really … Read more

heart crayons

Heart-shaped, multicolored heart crayons scattered on a wooden surface, next to small envelopes adorned with heart stickers.

One of the fun things about being part of a home school co-op is the social aspect. Our co-op is more than just classes, we’ve tried very hard to have a co-op where friendships are built. One way of doing that is by socializing together. We meet on Thursdays and this year Valentine’s Day falls … Read more

DIY Marshmallow Shooters

A structure made from white PVC pipes with red and green paint patterns, assembled on a wooden surface. The design features right-angle joints and straight sections forming an abstract shape.

Last weekend we were invited to a birthday party of  twins who were turning 4 years old. Esther has loved her marshmallow gun and she thought they would make a great gift. Instead of making them, I asked Gabriel if I could give them a couple of the ones he had left over from making … Read more