Mom Behind the Curtain

every mom wants to be an all-powerful wizard

  • About
  • Books for kids
  • Education
    • homework
    • college
  • Teens & Family
    • Family Movies & TV
    • Seasonal & Holidays
    • homework
    • college
    • Gift Idea Lists
  • Family Trips
    • Disney trips
    • Hawaii
  • Holidays & Crafts
    • Crafts
    • Recipes & Cooking
    • Entertaining
    • Thanksgiving
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
    • Seasonal & Holidays
  • Writers & Bloggers
    • Blogging
    • WordPress tutorial
    • Image Editing
    • Facebook tutorials
    • Scrivener Tutorials
  • Privacy Policy

Make Your Own Valentine Fortune Teller

This post may contain text and image affiliate links. You pay the same price, but I may receive a small commissions for purchases through those links.

January 18, 2021 by ES Ivy 2 Comments

Kids doing remote school from home because of the pandemic might have more time for DIY crafts this Valentine’s Day. What could be better than this Valentine Fortune Teller you can play with after you make it? Get the tutorial!

Valentine 8 ball top Valentine 8 ball answer
…

Read More »

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Crafts, Seasonal & Holidays Tagged With: Family Fun Magazine

Homecoming Mums – How to make a Homecoming mum (with pictures) and save money

This post may contain text and image affiliate links. You pay the same price, but I may receive a small commissions for purchases through those links.

October 26, 2020 by ES Ivy

DIY Homecoming mum tutorial. Make your own Homecoming football mum, tips to make yours special and save money!If you don’t live in the South, I’m told that Homecoming mums might be new to you. I wouldn’t know. 🙂 I grew up in the south, so I don’t know any different. In fact, I’ve always thought Homecoming mums were the best part about football!

On the other hand, even when I was in high school, Homecoming mums started getting bigger and bigger, and fancier and heavier. And that was before battery operated lights! And feather boas. Oh, my. And you wouldn’t believe how much those Homecoming mums cost!

You can save a lot of money making your own, and end up with something prettier and unique….

Read More »

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Crafts, Teens & Family

Easy and fast DIY Athena Costume your girl will love!

This post may contain text and image affiliate links. You pay the same price, but I may receive a small commissions for purchases through those links.

October 23, 2020 by ES Ivy

The books I write for kids are fantasy, so it’s probably no surprise that we’re big fantasy readers around this house. When my daughter was in middle school she finally discovered the Percy Jackson series and tore through them. (Can you call it “discovered” when her brother has been begging her for years and she only read it because her English teacher put The Lightning Thief on  a reading list?)

I made this Greek goddess costume for my daughter to be Athena from the Percy Jackson books. It's super easy, no sewing required! It would also make a great Book Week or Book Character Parade costume for lots of books, including Goddess Girls.

Some parents would be appalled that English teachers are encouraging kids to read something as commercial as The Lightning Thief. I think it’s great! To me, the main reason for assigning books is to turn kids into readers. The depressing books that most teachers assign discourage kids from reading….

Read More »

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Crafts, Growing Readers, Halloween Tagged With: costume

Trick or treating alternatives for 2020 Halloween

This post may contain text and image affiliate links. You pay the same price, but I may receive a small commissions for purchases through those links.

October 23, 2020 by ES Ivy

This Halloween might be difficult if you have kids who want to go trick-or-treating. Turn things on their head, and take the opportunity to make this Halloween different from all the others! Instead of being disappointing, the Halloween of 2020 and other pandemic Halloweens can really stand out as a special childhood memories.Make this Halloween a unique memory with Halloween ideas for alternatives to trick or treating - Halloween food & crafts to make with kids.…

Read More »

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Crafts, Halloween, Recipes & Cooking

High school Homecoming mum tutorial

This post may contain text and image affiliate links. You pay the same price, but I may receive a small commissions for purchases through those links.

October 21, 2020 by ES Ivy

It’s great fun to make your own Homecoming Mum. You can also save a TON of money if you know how to make your own. Homecoming mums can get outrageous, but they can also be pretty and lots of fun! If you have struggled with putting your own Homecoming mum together, or have ever wondered why some mums are prettier than others, than this tutorial is for you! I share all my tips I’ve learned making real flower corsages and making Homecoming mums for my daughters.Making Homecoming mums is lots of fun and saves money! In this DIY tutorial, I share all my tips learned making Homecoming mums for my girls.…

Read More »

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Crafts

Beginners tips and tricks for making Homecoming mum spirit braids

This post may contain text and image affiliate links. You pay the same price, but I may receive a small commissions for purchases through those links.

October 5, 2020 by ES Ivy

Here’s a great idea for making your Homecoming mum extra fun and pretty – make your own ribbon braids! You don’t have to learn how to make a ton of different braids. Read on for my quick tips to find out to add a lot of variety and fun to your mum, with only learning how to make one or two ribbon braids for your mum!Homecoming mum ribbons Beginner quick tips & tricks for how to make Homecoming mum ribbon braids & leis, money saving ideas for how to make football Homecoming mums.

My daughters had fun helping me make braids for their very own Homecoming mum. Making them ourselves, we knew they would be unique!

Braiding can take a while, so it’s a great time to watch a fun show or movie together. (Check out my posts about some of our favorite movies, Best Romantic Comedies for mothers and daughters to watch together. Or even have fun watching movies to improve your College Board SAT score. Or even check out my daughters’ favorite movie for us to watch together.

When you start trying to make the braids yourself, it can be a bit tricky at first, even after watching the best video tutorials about how to make Homecoming mum ribbon braids. So I pulled together some tricks and tips we came up with for making ribbon braids for our Homecoming mums.

Beginners tips and tricks for making Homecoming mum braids

    1. Use acetate ribbon. It’s plastic-y and stiff, but it also doesn’t crease easily. It can also be called “florist” ribbon.
    2. The length of the finished braid will depend not only on the length of the ribbon pieces, but the width of the ribbon and the tightness of the braid. You can cut off excess length, but once you cut the pieces you can’t make them longer!
    3. If you use the maximum number of different colors it will make it easier to see what you’re doing as a beginner. For example, use 2 colors for a 2 ribbon bread and 4 different colors for a 4 ribbon bread.
    4. Even if you only learn one type of braid, you can make it look like you made several different braids by using different colors of ribbon and different widths for the different braids. In the photo above, the checkered ribbon inn the middle is the exact same type of braid as the fat gold braid on the side. it’s just different width ribbon and different colors.)
    5. After you have practiced with the acetate ribbon, you can use metallic, glittery or edge laced ribbon to add even more bling and variety!

Tips and tricks for beginners for starting ribbon braids for Homecoming Mums

    1. Instead of starting the braids with just a staple (it’s hard to hold the ribbons in place.) Tape the ribbons together on the back with a flat piece of tape.
    2. Staple them together, through the tape.ribbons taped & stapled together, beginning homecoming mum braid tip
    3. Then tear the tape away.
    4. Before you start braiding, use a new piece of tape to hold the ribbons down on a table or other surface, if needed.

Tips and tricks for beginners for ending ribbon braids for Homecoming Mums

  1. Staple the end.
  2. Trim the ribbons.
  3. Then turn the end with the staple under and use a LOW TEMPERATURE hot glue to hold it in place. (That low temperature part? Why do I keep learning it the hard way when I just use the first hot glue gun I find?!)

More Tips and Tutorials to Make your Own Homecoming Football Mum

Homecoming Mums – How to make a Homecoming mum (with pictures) and save money

– for more ideas for types of ribbons, charms, and other homecoming mum decorations that will make your homecoming football mum unique and save you money.

The 4 Best How to Make Homecoming Mum Videos – save money!

– The best how to make football homecoming mum videos that I found helpful and got ideas from when making my own mums.

How to make Homecoming mum braids – the best tutorials & videos

– the best tutorials and videos for Homecoming mum braids and ribbon leis that my daughters and I used to learn how to braid ribbon for Homecoming mum streamers.

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Crafts, Teens & Family

How to make Homecoming mum braids – the best tutorials & videos

This post may contain text and image affiliate links. You pay the same price, but I may receive a small commissions for purchases through those links.

October 2, 2020 by ES Ivy

Looking for ideas to make your Homecoming mum even fancier without it costing a ton? Add your own ribbon braids! I’ve rounded up the BEST ribbon braid tutorials and best tutorial videos so you can make your own ribbon braids for your Homecoming mum. These are the ones my daughters and I learned from when we maid spirit braids to add to the Homecoming mums we made for them. It’s so much fun!Homecoming mum ribbon braids - make your own. The BEST ribbon braid tutorials and best tutorial videos so you can make spirit braids for your Homecoming mum - the ones I learned from.

…

Read More »

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Crafts, Teens & Family

Mermaid Birthday Party Favor Ideas

This post may contain text and image affiliate links. You pay the same price, but I may receive a small commissions for purchases through those links.

October 3, 2019 by ES Ivy

Need some favor ideas for a mermaid birthday party? It’s more fun to send the kids home with something they’ll really love. I’ve got 18+ mermaid party favor ideas – some easy DIY you can make and some you can buy – to get you started!18+ Mermaid Birthday Party Favor Ideas - Need some favor ideas for a mermaid birthday party? 18+ mermaid party favor ideas - some easy DIY you can make and some you can buy - to get you started!…

Read More »

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Crafts, Entertaining

Easy DIY Halloween Craft: Tissue box haunted house

This post may contain text and image affiliate links. You pay the same price, but I may receive a small commissions for purchases through those links.

August 16, 2017 by ES Ivy

Halloween Decor Idea - DIY centerpiece, a table top haunted house. It's cheap! You make it from tissue boxes, napkins, and tissues. A fun and easy Halloween craft to make with kids!

Here’s a Halloween craft your kids can help with that makes a great centerpiece decoration for your Halloween party. A Haunted House out of recycled boxes!

It’s fun when your kids can help you make your own Halloween decorations. This is an easy Halloween craft to make with your kids. It makes a great centerpiece for a Halloween party! I came up with this idea years ago and it was one of the crafts that I had published in Family Fun Magazine.  At the time, it was owned by Disney, and it was fun to deposit checks from Disney in the bank. :)…

Read More »

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Crafts, Halloween, Seasonal & Holidays

The 4 Best How to Make Homecoming Mum Videos – save money!

This post may contain text and image affiliate links. You pay the same price, but I may receive a small commissions for purchases through those links.

July 19, 2017 by ES Ivy

Get great DIY ideas from these videos about how to make Homecoming mums. Save money and make your Homecoming flower special by learning how to make a Homecoming mum. It's a Texas Homecoming tradition! Homecoming season will be here before you know it! Make your own homecoming mum to make it unique and save money at the same time. I’ve put together a short list of the best homecoming mum tutorial videos I can find!…

Read More »

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Crafts

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next Page »

Hello! from E.S. Ivy

Welcome! Ever wonder how another mom "makes the magic happen?" Look around and I'll give you a peek behind the scenes, to show you how to make family events magical - and even get your kids to read! Read More…

Find E.S. Ivy Around the Web

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Popular Posts

13 Best Books for Girls in Middle School – My Daughters’ Favorites
Making an 18th birthday special during Covid Quarantine
Best Romantic Comedies for mothers and daughters to watch together
Best Books for Girls in 1st Grade - my daughters' 7 favorite kids books
Best books for kids during Covid pandemic - childhood illnesses & quarantines
Easy and fast DIY Athena Costume your girl will love!

E.S. Ivy’s Websites

high school college success ES Ivy com 180x270
Pura Vida Bracelets

Affiliate Disclaimer

Please note that some of the links on this site are referral links, to places like Amazon and Target, which means I may get a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on them. You pay exactly the same price as you would if you made the purchase directly. I only link to products and services I personally recommend and also it allows me to show you images relevant to posts. mombehindthecurtain.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Copyright © 2021 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress