Floating Paper Mache Balls

August 19, 2012 by 2 Comments

Occasionally I come up with crafts for the boys to do in their free time.

If it is interesting enough they don’t ask to watch TV or play video games for at least 30 minutes.

A few of these include

Splatter Painting

Melted Crayons

Make your own Creeper

This week we made paper mache art and decided to hang it.

It was supposed to look like balls but because it was made on balloons they have an egg shape.

First Step:

Get your supplies ready.

 These included shredded newspaper, paper mache mix, and balloons. (Paper mache recipe: Flour and Water.  Get the consistency creamy. Not too thick and no lumps)

Second:

Dip the strips into the mache mix and layer on the balloon.  You do not want to see any balloon color peeking out anywhere.

Third:

Dry. Dry. Dry.  Make sure the ENTIRE thing is dry.

Also – DO NOT POP THE BALLOON.  If the paper mache is painted it will collapse without the balloon inside.

Fourth:

Once the balls are dry you can begin your base paint.

My boys and I did a white base coat.

Fifth:

After the base coat has dried then start the color painting.

We used simple craft paint that we had on hand.

I realize that he isn’t painting with the colors yet BUT they are in the picture…

Sixth: 

DRY DRY DRY.

Once it is dry either give it a coat of Mod Podge or Spray a coat on…There is Spray Paint Modge now and I LOVE IT.

Seventh:

After the craft has dried from the paint and Mod Podge, POP THE BALLOON.

Then figure out if you want to hang your art work.  We chose to hang ours and I decided to use buttons and hot glue them into the opening of the balloons.

Eighth:

Hang and admire.

I made my own yesterday because my children didn’t like my idea so I needed to quench my crafty craving.

My kids love them and my seven year old said that this was by far his favorite project that we have worked on.  I just think he liked the mess.

We had a lot of fun working on these and it encouraged my children to be more artistic.

 I do believe this craft probably isn’t the best for really young children.

Have fun!

Filed Under: Kid Crafts Tagged With: , , ,

Frame makeover on a budget

August 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment

This year, so far, has been a year of memories.   So much so that I decided that this would be the year that I would actually print out many of the pictures I took to capture said memories.

I chose the photos.

Got Online

Added strategically chosen photos to cart…and…

Clicked order now.

Viola, Pictures!

Then I realized why I had not ordered pictures before.  I have no frames to display them in.  None.  Zero.  In fact, I had gone through the house months before judging each and every picture to see if I really wanted to keep it in the frame.  Did I really still like this person enough to immortalize them on the wall?  Sadly, a few were removed and replaced with new fresh faces.

Anyways, I decided to hit up Goodwill in hopes of a good frame or two.   I was in luck and found one that would work after it had a makeover.

I found this gem….

Someone had purchased this white frame from Target and hot glued on various buttons.

I popped them all off with a flat head screw driver.

I then sanded most of the white paint off.

Then added a coat of grey primer that I have been using on a kitchen table I have been working on.

It took about 10 minutes.

I found some black paint and Mod Podge and went to work and…

New Frame!

This frame cost me about an two hours of work and 3.00 dollars.

I love successful a redo.

Now to find my pictures.

Supplies needed to redo:

Sandpaper

Mod Podge – Matte or Gloss

Paint color of your choice

 *All the how to instructions are in italics..

There you go. My most recent Do It Yourself.

Filed Under: DIY Tagged With: , ,

Thursday Link Up

October 13, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Thursday has arrived and it is time for Green Thumb Thursday.

Here is my most recent super simple project for pumpkins.

How to make pumpkins have a little sparkle

I wanted my pumpkins to have a little sparkle this fall season so I decided to make them sparkle rather than buying any.  I bought these small pumpkins for 2 dollars and then Mod Podged them with the Gloss variety.  I then sprinkled them GENEROUSLY with the Michaels brand of Extra Fine Glitter.  (I couldn’t justify buying Martha Stewart’s 8 dollar bottles of glitter)  After they dried I shook off all the excess glitter and they were done.  Now I have three beautiful pumpkins that I am going to use as a centerpiece.

Now it is your turn. Do you have a project, recipe, or idea that you would like to share with others.  Go ahead and link up!

 

Filed Under: DIY, Green Thumb Thursday, How to Tagged With: , , ,

Frame re-vamp

May 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment

I have a couple of frames in the closet that I never use.  They are mostly broken, have a discolorations, two of them were gifts that I didn’t like, and a few are just old.  However, for some reason, no matter how damaged or ugly these frames are I have kept them in hopes a crafty day will overtake me and I will re-purpose them.

Last night crafty inspiration hit me and it was coupled with need to make two frames look cute for Mom’s Nite Out. Necessity and Frugality are the mother of re-purposing.  (Feel free to stitch that on a pillow)

The Before Frame
Christmas Frame
I do understand that many of you probably think this frame is cute on it’s own. 
I, however, am not a huge fan of seasonal frames.  You can only use them for a limited period of time!
My “do-over”
Christmas picture frame with newspaper border
I am sure some prefer the old frame but this is just an example of what you can do to change up something that you already have. 
I love the newspaper collage and I was able to not only recycle my newspaper but also an old frame.
What you need:
Mod Podge
Paintprush
Newspaper or whatever medium you chose to work with
Frame
Now get to your re-creating!
Filed Under: DIY, Mod Podge Tagged With: , , ,

Eco-Magnets… Reuse that stuff guys!

May 12, 2010 by 3 Comments

I had about 8 tiles left over from a previous project.  I left them in the forefront of my closest because I knew that if I saw them enough I would eventually think of something to do with them… Well, I did.

 

Eco-magnets! 

The medium is:
Common kitchen/bathroom tiles
Newspaper
Craft paint
Mod Podge

Each tile has a separate article regarding the environment. I had painted the images on the newspaper and mod podge them on to the tiles.  After they were completely dry I painted the sides the same green as seen on the front.
After everything was dry I glued magnets on the back and Viola – Eco-Friendly magnets!

I really love them!

Stayed tuned for my next post.  I am really impressed with my garden and all the new life!  This summers’ harvest is going to rock.

Filed Under: DIY, How to Tagged With: , , , , ,

Rainy day and a Light Switch

January 27, 2010 by 21 Comments

When we first had children my husband and I both agreed to make sure that our house would be kid friendly.  It will of course change as they get older but as of now we are having a lot of fun doing things that our parents never wanted.

On that note, we have made our boys room a really cool place and there isn’t anything that we won’t try.  Today I finally got my hands on their light switch faceplate!  I had so much fun doing it!  Before I show you the project I got the idea for the story book images from Life With Little Ones and the magnet board she created for her boys.

 BORING
TA- DA!
On the wall!

Here is what I did -  We had two copies of the same Dr. Seuss book so I thought I would put one to really good use… I cut out a lot of pieces and Mod Podge them to the faceplate.  I waited for them to dry and added a Mod Podge top coat!

I love it!

Don’t forget the giveaway – just click HERE

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