Easy-Peasy DIY Wall Art

I found this genius idea somewhere on the world wide web and had to use it immediately! We're slowly re-decorating our house and there was a perfect unused spot on the wall for these little gems. All you need are embroidery hoops and fabric. So easy, and so darling!

Homemade Stocking Stuffers Part 3: School-agers

 In Parts 1 and 2 of this series I covered homemade stocking stuffers for Toddlers and Preschoolers. On to the next: here are my ideas for the School Aged set. I wish I had more photos but I don't have a big kid yet!

School-Agers:

Make-your-own Goop: Put a cup of cornstarch with half a package of Kool Aid in a (sealable) bag and label it "Goop". When they're ready to make it, just add small amounts of water until it's in between solid and liquid. When they squeeze in their hands, or slap it hard, it turns solid!

Paint with Water Booklet: There is a very cool tutorial here for how to make your own paint with water designs! So cool! You can put them in a small folder or make them into a booklet.

Hemp Bracelet Kit: There are great instructions here, that you can print. Add a small ball of hemp, some beads in favorite colors and the instructions to a small box or tin.

Reindeer Poop: Put chocolate covered almonds in a cellophane bag and make a small paper label that says "Reindeer Poop".  Fold the bag over and staple the label on.

Soap Surprise: Chop up a bar of soap and add a few tablespoons of water. Melt it down SLOWLY in the microwave or on the stove top. Pour into a soap mold, or small sound/square container. Tuck a small plastic toy into the center of the bar. Let it sit for 3-7 days until fully dry. You can use clear soap to show off the toy, or opaque to make it a mystery!

Funny Magnets: You can turn just about anything into a magnet. A pad of paper, a carpenters pencil, wooden shapes, small toys or mini game key chains (just remove the key chain). Just add hot glue and a strong magnet.

Finger Puppets: There is a great tutorial, and patterns at Make Your Own Baby Stuff. Simple and fun!

Stuffed Animal Sleeping Bag: Make a sleeping bag for your child's favorite doll or stuffed animal. If you're good at sewing, make a liner and outer layer from cotton and sew together. If you're a beginner, use a single layer of fleece-it doesn't fray!

Hacky Sack:  Knit or crochet a hacky sack. These are especially popular with boys!

Tiny Needlefelted Animals: This is something that I'd really like to try my hand at! I just ordered a few for Daniel, and next year I may try to make some myself. There is a good Martha tutorial for beginners.

DIY Wall Art- First Post!

After slowly renovating our kitchen over the last 3 years, it's almost finished. Just those little details that fall between the cracks of a busy life are left. This huge bare wall has been begging for some art, but I haven't known what to do with it.

I had made some wedding plates as a wedding gift for some dear friends of ours, based on Mark Montano's silhouette plates from his Big Ass Book of Crafts. He uses clear glass plates and spray paint. After going through 4 sets of plates, I had enough and just went to the ceramic shop with photo stencils in hand. So that's what I did first this time. The trick to cutting stencils from photos is to black out the image (well...you don't have to, but I think it's much simpler) and cut out every detail, every eyelash and wispy hair.

I hung the plates on wall mounted plate-hangers and when they were on the wall, I wasn't quite happy. It just seemed too small. So, I looked at ordering some wall decals. But they were expensive, and I would have to wait. So I traipsed all around the mall looking for black contact paper to make my own, and there was none. Anywhere. Finally, about to cave and by pre-made
bird-shaped, mirror stickers I stumbled across peel and stick chalkboard paper. On sale! I snapped it up and ran home to cut out my little birdies and voila! My DIY wall art is complete!