Browsing CategoryCrafts & DIY

Make Chalkboard Wall Frames

This is such a cute idea! My sister-in-law made these cute chalkboard frames and I just had to share them with you. Not only do they look amazing, they are easy to make.

She got some large frames at a garage sale for cheap. Next, she painted some thin boards with magnetic primer paint and then chalkboard paint. The paint is really where all the cost is. They cost about $30 total. You could always just do the chalkboard paint to save some money. Chalkboard paint comes in all sorts of colors, so you can match a playroom, or kids bedroom. Lastly, she used a staple gun and some brad nails to attach them to the walls.

I can’t wait to try this!

How to Make a Hooded Towel for Kids

How to Make Hooded Towels

I received some hooded towels as a gift when my oldest was born. I fell in love with them and now they are all I use. When it was time to get some new ones, I realized it is much cheaper to just make my own.

NEED:

  • 1 bath towel
  • 1 hand towel (matching)
  • scissors
  • pins
  • thread and sewing machine

Step 1: Cut the hand towel in half, long ways

Step 2: Put a pin on the edge, in the middle of the hand towel and body towel length wise and line them up. Pin the rest together.

Step 3: Sew the two together

Step 4: Fold the hand towel in half to form the hood and stitch the top together

Nifty Tip:

Since you only use half of the hand towel, I bought 2 bath towels to easily make 2 hooded towels. Target and Wal-Mart frequently have towels on clearance. I got these for $3.00 each.

 

Mother’s Day Gift Idea – Handprint Flower

Finger Paint Handprint FlowerIf you are looking for something cute to do with your toddlers or kids for Mother’s Day, this is easy and there are so many things you can do with it! Use pink or red finger paint for the ‘flower’ and paint a stem/grass (this was the best I got out from my 22 month old). I always use card stock instead of copy paper, because it is thicker and shouldn’t warp from the paint.

Here are some different ideas you can do for gifts for Moms, Grandmas, etc.:

  • Make a card with the flower on the cover
  • Attach a picture of your little one next to the flower and frame it
  • Do some ‘flowers’ on wrapping paper for the present or on a gift bag

Nifty Tip:

I always take a picture of the artwork and upload it on my computer. Then not only is it forever saved, but you can use it to print copies, make photo gifts (mug, shirt, mouse pad, etc), or use it in a photo book.

***Click here for another finger paint gift I did with my son.

***Or you can make a Handprint Sun or Footprint Butterflies.

UPDATE: Check out the Handprint Tote Bags we made!

 

 

Father’s Day Gift Idea – Framed Finger Paint Picture

I came up with this idea for a gift for my husband last Fathers Day. Our son was 11 months old at the time and I decided it was time for him to do his first artwork and finger paint. It was so much fun and so easy to do!

NEED:

  • Crayola Washable Fingerpaints
  • Poster Board
  • Waterproof mattress protector ($10-$15 at Target) – Easy clean up, a great back drop, & reusable
  • Camera
  • Picture frame
  • Tape

I draped the sheet over a table so it was a background and covered the floor area.

I put down one paint color at a time and let him paint. And after it was all done, I was very happy with his artwork! It was perfect to use as a picture mat. *Nifty Tip: Take a picture of the finished artwork. This way you can use it as a digital background or just have a copy of it.

I picked my favorite section and cut out the size of the frame I was using. *Nifty Tip: Take the frame (with the backing and inserts removed) and hold it over the artwork to see what it will look like before you start cutting.

I then picked my favorite picture (which was not easy, there were too many good ones!) and cut it to down, allowing more room to see the painting. Tape to picture anywhere on the painting and put it in the frame.  Now you have a wonderful gift or decor you can keep for yourself!Other Ideas you can do with the left over artwork:

  • Make another frame or two
  • Use it as a scrapbook background and scrapbook the pictures you took
  • Use a section on a homemade greeting cards

Paint Color Ideas:

  • I used green, orange, and blue because it was for my husband
  • Use red, white, pink, purple for Mothers Day, Valentines Day
  • Use pastels for a spring picture
  • The possibilities are endless :)

***See the hand print flower I did with my son for more ideas.

 

“Make it” – No Slip Socks

My toddler is full of energy and runs around all over the place.  When he gets to the kitchen, he tends to slid around when he is wearing socks. So I decided it would help to have no-slip socks. It is super easy and can be fun to put designs that they like.

NEED:

  • Socks
  • Puffy Paints

Lay out a pair of socks so the toes are on top.  Then simply draw what you want on the bottoms.  Let dry as long as the puffy paint directs (4 hours normally).

 

NIFTY TIP:

If you need an outline to draw with, print a picture or outline of what you want (I.E. I did Blue’s Clues paw prints). Then with a pencil, trace the drawing pushing hard and going over it a bunch of times. Then put it face down on the sock. Use something hard and rub the back of the paper a few times pressing firmly. When you lift it up, some of the lead should transfer to the sock so you have an outline to trace with the puffy paint.