Valentine's Day Art Project for kids (or adults...)

It has been a hefty winter, so art projects have definitely been MY saving grace while we're cooped up indoors! I happen to love Valentine's Day, so this is our project for this week. I apologize for the lack of a "finished product," but I'm saving this puppy for after lunchtime tomorrow.

Photo Credit: Just something I made (flower tutorial here)

Remember these tissue paper flowers we all made back in grade school? It was usually the go-to craft for Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, etc. Remember how you'd cut squares out of tissue paper, shape the square over the edges of a pencil eraser, and whala, you have a beautiful fluted flower? Yup, those are the ones. Easy peezy, lots of fun for the kiddos, and they look pretty gorgeous when they're all bunched together. Add those to the tree portion of this free printable and you have yourself a charming little valentine for someone special (like mum or dad) or some memorable holiday art you can pull out each year.

Go here to download the .pdf. It works best printed on white cardstock, but plain computer paper will be just fine also.

Do you have clever ideas on keepin the kids happy inside? I'd love to hear them!

Happy Valentine's Free Printable

Hey everyone! Well, I know I posted months ago that my computer would soon be fixed and I would be up and running in no time. But, my amaaaawzing computer guy kept finding problems with the dear little imac. So, patience was a forced virtue and today was my first day back in the design studio (that is my itty bitty apartment).

The day of love is fast approaching, so I wanted to gift a sweet little printable to all of you. Consider it a thank you for sticking around despite my absence the past few months.

Click here to be redirected to the high resolution PDF version.

Happy January!

Barefoot Summer

It's official! My stamp set, Barefoot Summer, was released at Practicing Creativity Designs over the weekend! I am so excited to see one of my designs in production! I am new to the world of stamping, but what fun! And so many possibilities to play with!

Here are a few cards that were made using this stamp set. You can check out more here.

It's raining in Idaho.

Makes me want to snuggle up with my husband and watch a movie with the lights off.

Cozy, cozy.

Reader Tip Tuesday - Mothers Day Gift Idea

I don't know if any of you are familiar with Miss Elizabeth with To Be Charmed, but it really is one of my favorites. I kinda think Elizabeth and I could be kindred spirits because everything she posts makes me drool. From inspiring projects she's found elsewhere to items she's conjured up in that genius mind of hers, I love it all. Now, I know Mothers Day is coming and Elizabeth forwarded me this lovely, feminine spin on packaging a gift. I adore those gorgeous tissue paper flowers! And to pair them with a nicely scented candle. Perfection. I can NEVER have too many candles. These flowers make me want to make some GIANT ones and hang them over the crib of my little Lady "P." This is the final feature for Featured April, so be sure to get all the details for this project here.

Thanks to everyone who submitted tips! There are some ladies out there with some wicked good ideas. Happy Tuesday, everyone.

Reader Tip Tuesday - Tile Coaster

Hey everyone! Meet Jordan! She is the genius behind the featured blog of the week, Blue Print Crafts. I love when you find something at a store, laugh hysterically at the outrageous markup in price, and say to yourself in total confidence, "I can make that, better and cheaper." And that is precisely how Jordan rolls. See these DARLING tile coasters? She saw some at Tarshay (aka Target) for $15 and had her own "I can make that" moment. Get the lowdown on how to make these goodies here. I'm adding this project to my next girly weekend. Love it.

Paper Mache Grass Bowl

Sorry guys! I've been kind of M.I.A. with the projects lately! I've been a busy little bee with some design jobs and rehabbing a few craigslist finds. But, I'm back! And, I've got a fun one for you today! Easter is coming and I needed a little art project to enjoy with Buster "J." I remembered seeing this project in a magazine a while back and thought I'd give it a whirl. It's super simple, fun to do with the kiddos or on your own, and just in time for the upcoming holiday.

Shred some lightweight paper using either a paper shredder or just cutting strips with scissors. I did mine in varying colors of green, but any bright color would be fun!

For the glue, mix 1 part water to 2 parts glue. Cover the outside of a bowl with saran wrap and tape inside to hold it in place. Paint a thin layer of glue over the saran.

Lightly sprinkle the strips of paper with water to moisten, and start layering paper over the bowl.

Once finished layering on the paper, apply a coating of glue over the paper. Let sit undisturbed until it's completely dry and hardened. Mine took about 36 hours.

Gently separate the bowl from the saran, then the saran from the paper strips. Take your time and whala! DONE! I can't wait to fill this with some dyed eggs. More pictures to come. I just didn't have anything exciting to fill it with yet.

P.S. Speaking of dying eggs, I have some FREE labels and tags coming to help you host an egg dyeing party. Stay tuned for those little goodies.

Embellished Knobs

Here's the inspiration, folks. Isn't it a gem? I love this little knob from Anthropologie. But, the $12 a knob didn't exactly fit into my budget. I bought a dresser this summer for $20 that I have been waiting to ravamp for Lady "P," but I have not found the whimsy and color I've been looking for in a knob. But, then I stumbled upon these anthro knobs and fell in love. So, what was I do to? Attempt a copy.

I'm still searching for a nice bird print. But, I did find a floral paper at the scrapbook store. If any of you know of a black and white bird print, puh-lease steer me in that direction.

1. Paint the knobs to the color of your choice. I did mine white. No worries about getting the surface perfect, it's going to be covered with paper anyway.

2. Paint the surface of the knob with a layer of modpodge glue. Let it get a little tacky. The paper will stick better if you let it sit for a sec before slapping the paper on.

3. Lay a square of paper onto the surface of the knob and pull tightly down.

4. You can use a bone folder for this step if you have one. Buster "J" has triangular-shaped Melissa and Doug colored pencils. So, I just used the flat edge of one of those. Rub it across the surface, smoothing out the paper and adhering it to the knob.

5. Let the glue sit for a few hours so it's nice and stiff. Using sandpaper or a modpodge sanding brick, start sanding around the edge, removing the excess paper.

6. Paint a layer of modpodge glue over the surface of the knob. For added durability, continue adding multiple layers of the glue. Ta-da! Done. Can't wait to find a home for these beauties.