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April 27, 2017
Birthdays, Decor, Favors, Food, Gifts, Parties
Everyone has their own threshold when it comes to DIY’ing birthday parties…some want to start from a totally blank slate, while others choose one thing to craft to make the party special. I have run the spectrum with my kids, but I must say admit that it does get exhausting (even for a seasoned crafter like myself) to DIY everything!
In the May 2017 issue of FamilyFun, I got to explore tons of DIY birthday party ideas using balloons, paper party hats, streamers, and cupcakes. Here are four highlights, but be sure to visit FamilyFun to get 13 more awesome DIY ideas!
Pizza hat above: Cut out red “pepperoni” and green “C”-shaped “peppers” from red and green paper. Cut out mushroom shapes from gray paper. Attach to a yellow party hat with glue dots. Twist brown kraft paper and secure around the edges of the hat with hot glue to make the crust.
Using painter’s tape, plan out the shape of the number on the wall. Blow up a collection of 5” mini dart balloons and 11” party balloons, knotting each (we used about 50). Use loops of white gaffer tape (get it on Amazon) to attach them to the wall. Layer and tuck in extra balloons on top for a fuller look.
Attach a tabletop celebration arch (available at party supply stores) to your table. You’ll need about 80 fiveinch balloons. Inflate two balloons and knot the ends together. Repeat with another pair, then twist both sets together so you create a clover. Set aside and repeat with remaining balloons. To assemble the arch, twist each clover set onto the frame. Use doublestick tape to attach additional balloons.
Make It Yours: Go with black, gray, and red for Star Wars fans; yellow and blue for Minion lovers; or green and black for little Minecrafters.
On top of iced cupcakes, arrange Starburst Minis in lines with alternating colors. Swap in any favorite mini candy and colors.
Cut 60 strips of streamers about 54 inches long (for a three-color pattern, buy at least one roll per shade). Measure three equidistant points around a hula hoop and tie on three 2-foot-long pieces of fishing line. Knot them together about 18 inches from the top of the hoop, and hang it in your work area. Loop the end of a streamer around the hoop, and use double-stick tape to secure it. (Be sure to tape the loop to the paper and not the hoop so it slides.) Overlap each one slightly and alternate colors. To make the top, cut about 30 strips about 24 inches long. Tape each streamer to the outside edge of the hoop—but this time, use one strip for every two on the bottom, matching the colors if you prefer. Once you’ve attached four or five, gather and layer the ends and tape together; then secure to the center fishing line. Repeat all around the hoop. Tie a ribbon or short streamer around the top.
If you are looking for a new way to dye eggs with your kids this Easter, this is it. This egg dying technique passes every test that I can think of…
This marker transfer method has all of the above and more. Click here to watch my how-to video or read below…
What you’ll need:
1 Color on the paper towel in any pattern. You can do stripes, polka dots, plaid, etc. Make sure to color a large enough area that it will wrap around the egg.
2 With the paper towel on the plate, spritz it wth the vinegar/water solution.
3 Wrap the paper towel around the egg, and cinch in the back with a rubber band.
4 Spritz the egg again, and rub the surface of the paper towel to help transfer the ink.
5 Once it’s dry, about 20 minutes or so, unwrap the egg to reveal the masterpiece.
April 4, 2017
DIY Home, Everyday Crafts, Jewelry and Fashion, Nature, STEM
Like most of the internet, we haven’t been able to escape the recent slime craze. After trying out all sorts of slime recipes (which include everything from shampoo to yogurt) we came to the clear conclusion that Borax is the magic slime ingredient. But when you reach your slime limit before the box is through, what is there to do with the extra Borax? A lot actually! Borax is just as handy for making nontoxic cleaners as it is for crafting pretty crystals. Instead of leaving it in the back of your cupboard, get inspired by all the wonders it can work.
1. Borax can be used to create a super realistic geode that’s the perfect topper for a jewelry box. Though it was designed as a stylish DIY friend gift—you might just want to keep it for yourself.
(image via Style Me Pretty)
2. Allow flowers to have eternal life with a mixture of borax and cornmeal. Maybe the Beast wouldn’t have been in such a pickle if he’d followed these simple instructions from 20 Mule Team.
3. Give those toys from the quarter machine a run (or bounce) for their money with homemade glitter bouncy balls. Hello Wonderful shows you how to conduct this cool “science experiment” that your kids will want to make over and over.
4. Creating crystals has a similar science-experiment appeal and can be used with all sorts of fun shapes. One Little Project turns colorful pipe cleaners into rainbow stars, but you could also make hearts, snowflakes, or even words. Another more organic option is to use crystals to cover natural materials like stones, or seashells for a sparkly snowfall effect.
5. If you’re someone who likes making homemade candles, creating wicks using Borax will help them burn longer with less smoke and ash. Latitudes 21 shares an infographic with the how-to, along with other Borax ideas. To craft the color-block candles shown above, check out the DIY from Brit + Co—it uses crayons!
(image via The Motherhood)
6. One of Borax’s useful properties is that it works as an anti-fungal and can actually be found in store-bought Foot Soap Soaks, such as Johnson’s. Leaf shares an easy recipe for a sweet smelling foot bath.
(image via Pop Sugar)
7. A sticky label that won’t budge is an annoyance that can easily take up more time than it’s worth. With a few drops of vegetable oil, borax will leave a formally gummy surface crystal clear. Find the recipe over on Creative Homemaking.
(image via Veranda Magazine)
8. For china that has lost its shine, a soak in Borax will bring back its luster—no scrubbing necessary. DIY & Crafts shares the how to.
9. Borax works wonders as an all purpose cleaner—there isn’t a stain that scares it! Mix up a lemon scented batch from this Pop Sugar recipe and use it to fight grime.
10. For an alternative to slime that’s less slippery and more sculptural, try floam. Parenting Chaos walks you through the steps that little hands will love helping with.
11. Finally, if your heart is still set on making slime, at least make a version that’s useful! Those hard to clean cracks in your keyboard are no match for cleaning slime. Solution Insider shows you how.
For the past month we’ve been up to our elbows in Easter crafts but with the holiday still two weeks away it was time to take a momentary break. It’s easy to get carried away with all of the egg decorating and basket filling but you don’t have to DIY everything! We’ve gathered an Easter wish list of holiday clothes and decor to compliment your crafts. Take some of the pressure off with easy ways to add festiveness from the night before, to Easter morning, through lunch and the egg hunt.
1. Your little one can start celebrating Easter eve with these adorable bunny pajamas by Vaenait Baby from Amazon.
2. The Victoria Embroidered Dress and Birdsville Buttoned Shirt, both from Tea Collection, are festive without being fussy. Click here to get 25% off girls’ clothes, and here for 25% off boys’ clothes!
3. No Easter outfit is complete without a pair of bunny ears. Boo and Bear Baby makes this stylish version which fits both kids and adults – which is lucky since you’ll probably want your own.
4. We can’t guarantee it, but your kids might actually be encouraged to eat their veggies on this pretty pink bunny dish set from The Land of Nod. #rabbitfood
5. Frooted Design’s table runner for Minted feels like bringing a spring meadow to your table – with all of the color and none of the bugs.
6. There is something so fun about fancy plastic cutlery and Oh Happy Day’s version is the perfect shade of Easter pink.
7. Meri Meri’s bobbly balloon bunnies are cute enough that you’ll want to make room at the table for these four extra guests.
8. No matter how you hold it, there’s no good way to decorate around an Easter egg. Flying Tiger comes to the rescue with a handy egg painter that even includes a palette.
9. Give your little treasure hunters a gentle nudge in the right direction with Meri Meri’s Egg Hunt Kit.
10. Paper Source’s surprise carrots would look sweet at place settings or could be hidden along with Easter eggs since they each include a prize!
11. Usually with toys the tinier the cuter, but this giant fuzzy chick ups the cuteness factor exponentially. I can imagine him as a cheery piece of table decor or maybe perched on the mantle.
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March 30, 2017
Animals, Easter, Everyday Crafts, Holidays, Spring
Add some Easter charm to a family portrait by turning everyone into bunnies!! These magnetic clips are as useful as they are cute—whether they’re holding grocery lists, post cards, or doodles. Add familial characteristics like glasses, freckles, or mustaches to make them even more fun!
Make it!
1. Trace teardrop shapes onto colored paper —one color for each set of ears—and cut out. Trim down paper to fit within wooden shape and attach with tacky glue. Repeat for other two pairs.
2. Use the black marker to draw faces on each of the round shapes. You can stick with simple features or add defining characteristics—glasses, freckles etc.
3. Glue the sets of ears onto the back of each corresponding bunny head.
4. Glue the head to the top of the clothespin – regular sized for the parents and smaller size for the kid(s)!
5. Create simple accessories by cutting out triangle for a hair bow or bow tie and use a hole punch circle for the center.
6. Make mom’s necklace with three hole punch circles and her flower with six circles. Attach accessories with tacky glue.
7. Glue a magnet to the back of each clothespin and let fully dry before arranging the family portrait on the fridge.
