Saturday 25 August 2012

Hair Clip Organizer

Today I finally made a hair clip organizer for my daughter! I don't think I got this idea from Pinterest (though I'm sure it's been posted there somewhere too) but I do remember seeing things like this at various trade shows I've attended and I believe also from a couple people on Facebook.

Basically, you need a couple shapes that your child would like (I chose a lion and giraffe for Annalise as she loves those kinds of animals, especially lions, and it fits the theme of her room), then a coordinating colour of ribbon and of course some super strong glue to attach them to each other (I used Modge Podge). You also need a picture hook or nail to hang it on the wall.


So, measure out however much ribbon you want/need based on how many hair clips you have to store. Then make a loop and glue it down so it stays as a loop. Then glue your first shape (you should also use the child's initials) at the spot where the loop was glued down. Then glue your second shape at the bottom of the ribbon. When it's all dry, it might be good to add an extra layer of Modge Podge to seal it and make sure it will stick. Then you nail your hook into the wall and attach the hair clips and you're done! :)

Modern Art Toddler Style

So, this past week my little girl has been dealing with Hand Foot Mouth Disease and it has been a bit of a challenge finding activities at home that would keep her distracted and happy. Thankfully I remembered we have paint. And then I remembered some of the painting activities I saw on Pinterest. I decided we should try a bit of modern art. So, the supplies you need are paper, paints, containers to hold paint (like lids of plastic containers or plates or something similar), clean empty jars (mason jars, pasta sauce jars, etc.) I only had one empty jar so we also used clean, empty pop cans. :)


So basically you just pour some paint into the lids and then, turning the jars/cans upside down, dip them in the paint and then stamp them on the paper. Oh, if you're wondering, those are those lovely vinyl outdoor table clothes that are under the table to protect the rug and floor. :)


Annalise gets very intensely involved in activities like this and it's very hard to pull her attention away from it. :) This might be a good thing, and it might prove yet to be a not so good thing. :)


This is mine (but I forgot to flip the picture so you're getting the wrong view). :)


Very intensely stamping the can ... you can see she added her own touch to it too by adding a bit of finger painting.  :) Whatever works! :)


This is a finished product. She made about 4 of them! :)

It was a very fun time, painting with my daughter. Of course, I forgot about the clean-up involved and the scrubbing of paint of her hands which, when you have Hand Foot Mouth, does NOT feel good!

This is the original blog that was linked to Pinterest: http://salsapie.blogspot.ca/2011/09/mod-dot-art.html

Thursday 9 August 2012

Animal Collage

This was not recent, nor was it something I found on Pinterest (it was found through Living Locurto) but it is an example of some creativity that keeps me sane so I figure it's applicable. After all, I did say that sometimes I'd post about other creative things I've done, not just Pinterest ideas. :)  This was done in early July and it was quite enjoyable. It's a great, creative way to re-purpose canvas art that just doesn't fit with your home's decor. :) It started with an old canvas painting I found at Value Village a few years ago when we needed some not so pretty decorations for my husband's 70's themed 30th birthday party. Really, what am I going to do with a nasty, outdated painting that doesn't match ANYTHING in our house? I was going to donate it back to VV but then I saw this idea in a Living Locurto newsletter and thought I'd try it. So, you need canvas (old and used or brand new ... although old and used is much cheaper), scrapbooking paper in coordinating patterns/colours, and templates for the animal (or plant or shape) of your choice. Oh, and modge podge and a sponge brush to apply it.

Here's the picture, then I'll explain how I did it. :)


So, you take your base coloured/patterned papers (and I think next time I will use a less busy base pattern at the top). Modge podge the back of it and apply it to the canvas, keeping in mind that you want to go over the edges (so that if you're using a used canvas, you don't have the ugly art showing at the sides). I started with the solid colour at the bottom and the I added the patterned background (overlapping the solid bottom slightly). Next, you cut out your templates (I found the giraffe and elephant on Martha Stewart's site - she's got some pretty awesome creative resources there for free!). I first cut out the giraffe shape, traced it on the back of the scrapbook paper I wanted to use, cut it out of the scrapbook paper, modge podged the back and stuck it on the canvas where I wanted it. Then, using the same template, I cut out the giraffe's spots on another coordinating colour and modge podged them on, one at a time. Next I did the elephant, similar method. Once you have everything modge podged onto the canvas and it's relatively dry, you need to go over the entire picture with modge podge, spreading it evenly. This will ensure that is stays stuck. :) Do this 2 or 3 times, letting it dry between each application. Once the last application is dry, spray it (outside or in a well ventilated area) with clear acrylic sealant spray. This will preserve your creativity much better and give it more of a glossy finish. It will also protect it a bit more from moisture.

Once all that is done, you're art is finished! :) Be sure you choose your colours and patterns wisely. You can see that my background is a bit too busy and, as I said, I'd have chosen a different pattern if I'd do this one over. So, the next time I do this, I will choose more wisely. :)

Footprint Butterflies

Our 2nd Instalment of Pinterest creativity is all about painting. I discovered that 15 minutes of painting with an almost 2 year old is about all I can take. It's exhausting! :) But we had lots of fun making butterflies with our painted footprints on Tuesday. This time, I just painted various colours on Annalise's feet and then stamped her feet on the canvas. Next time I think i will get and ice-cream pail lid or something similar, squirt paints in there, let her step in the paints and then step on the canvas (although, due to the potential mess that could create, I might wait with that method until next year)! Hey, if we do this every year, it could be quite the interesting development - seeing how her feet grow every year. :)  So, here are pictures of her feet and mine (yes, I made a footprint butterfly too as Annalise insisted that Mommy do it too). :)



It was lots of fun and I think Annalise really liked the ticklish feeling of having her feet painted. :)