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Picture Ornaments
I'm really excited about this DIY ornament, not only was it cheap, but its fun and easy. There would be some things I'd do differently on the next ornament; but I'll list them at the end of this post.
So first I started by buying 3 wood blocks for 99 cents each at Michaels. I took those block and painted them black.(leaving one side not painted so it could dry on that side). Lay them on wax paper so they don't stick.
I then drilled a hole in them (okay, so maybe Junior drilled the hole for me...I was totally capable but he insisted). Make sure you make the holes as straight as you can. You'll want to be able to put 2-3 strands of THIN ribbon through, or maybe 1 strand of medium sized ribbon.
Choose 12 pictures, and resize them down to 1.5". I did 1.5" this time, and while they look nice, I'd probably do 1.3" next time to give it a black edge effect to it. You can do this in Microsoft Word, Photoshop or even Picnik.
I printed my pictures on gloss paper, but you can print them on regular paper then put a coat of gloss mod podge over them. To apply the pictures to the blocks, I spread a light layer of mod podge to the wood then placed the picture on. I let this dry for a day before I messed with it again.
I then just put threaded some ribbon through, making knots for each block to sit on then tied off on a bow.
How easy and cute is that??
THINGS I'D DO DIFFERENT: Downsize (vertical) pictures to 1.3"
Use beads to separate blocks,
thicker/more ribbon.
Let me know if you try it, I hope you do!!!
~Lauren
5 minute DIY headband
I am constantly complaining about Presley's hair being in her eyes. She refuses to let me put her hair up. So I think we absolutely needed something simple like this in our lives:)
This project takes two supplies I'm pretty sure you have laying around your house: ribbon and a hair band.
Here is how you make it:
1. Measure the ribbon around the child's head or your own head. Cut it to the approximate length.
2. Fold the ends of the ribbon around the hair band and either sew or use a glue gun to secure it in place and the end!!
Literally the easiest DIY project I've done yet!!
Leslie
DIY Picture Magnets
So, I originally planned to make these Polaroid Picture looking magnets that I saw on Pinterest... Until I went to print out my pictures and saw about 15 pennies shoved into my printer, that no longer works (Thanks Skyler!). Ohhh toddlers, she never ceases to amaze me!
So I worked with what I had so I could still have a sample of the project.
First, I went to Michaels and bough 1.5' rectangle wood cut outs (19 cents each), a roll of self adhesive magnets ($1.99)& some Matte Mod Podge ($3.49). You'll need paint or paint markers and a paint brush- which I already had.
I painted the wood cut outs white then left it dry for about 10 minutes. I applied mod podge onto one side of the wood with the paint brush, then carefully put a picture onto it (smoothing out any wrinkles).
(Back of the wood cut out, Magnet)
I only had to trim the edges of the picture just a smidge to make it fit perfectly. From there, I cut a piece of magnet and stuck it to the back of the wood cut out. And...WA LA! You have your very own Picture Magnets!
( Photo Magnet, on my fridge)
I still plan on making the polaroid magnets once I have that handy boyfriend of mine figure out what our little monster did to my printer.... but for now, I think these are super cute!
Try them out, these would be PERFECT for a small Christmas gift. Print your favorite pictures and give 5+ magnets in a small box for a family member or friend! Very personal and SUPER cute!!!
~Lauren
Marine Corps Sign DIY
ALRIGHT everyone, This is the project I am most excited to share!!!!! I don't think there are enough exclamation points to express my excitement :). I am so very proud of myself mostly because I hand painted the whole thing!! (well with the help of stencils but it was still no easy task!!!) It actually isn't all the way finished, but I couldn't find the right hooks at the hardware store and I really didn't have enough time to look around. The sign is actually is two separate pieces of wood (the blue and the red) If you couldn't tell. To finish it I'm going to put small hooks on the top sign to hold the bottom sign. Then paint another piece of wood that says Okinawa since it is our first 'real' duty station as a family and hang it under the red sign! I love it. I have always seen these and been so jealous, but now I have one of my own that I made which makes it ten times more special (at least I think).
(You have to admit I have the cutest model EVER!!!!)
The process (although it took me forever) was simple. I bought two pieces of wood painted them the solid blue and red. Then I found a font that I liked and print it out to fit the wood. I cut all the letters out and then I traced the letters onto the wood. Next, I started the filling in process with the different colors of paint. I probably did about 4-5 coats of each color. I especially had to paint the yellow a ton of times because the red was so dark. Then I used a clear wood coat to finish it off so it would be super shiny. I know the pictures aren't the best but you get the idea!
Let me know what you think!!
Leslie
Contact Paper Window DIY
These are mostly thanks to ideas I've found off pinterest.com ;) but I've still made them my own.
I have an old wooden ikea tv stand, we keep tons of junk in the bottom since there is lots of storage. Well, I was sick and tired of looking at the junk all the time so I decided to cover it up. My first try was a complete failure because I was going to use scrapbooking paper in the windows. It looked cute, but the cable box is down there and it totally blocked the signal, so while it was cute it was completely inconvenient!
Next, I went to Make-Man and did some snooping around and found some contact paper that I could put in the windows that gave it a blurred effect and I could most likely still get the signal to the cable box..bingo! I took it home and cut out some cute images on my Cricut then traced them on the contact paper, cut them out, and stuck them to the window!! Sooooo simple and it makes the doors look super cute!!!
(*NOTE: I tried the contact paper in the cricut and it was a no-go! The cricut pulled the paper and demolished the contact paper.:( )
Here are some pictures:
How do you like it?? Give me some feedback:)!!!
Leslie
I have an old wooden ikea tv stand, we keep tons of junk in the bottom since there is lots of storage. Well, I was sick and tired of looking at the junk all the time so I decided to cover it up. My first try was a complete failure because I was going to use scrapbooking paper in the windows. It looked cute, but the cable box is down there and it totally blocked the signal, so while it was cute it was completely inconvenient!
Next, I went to Make-Man and did some snooping around and found some contact paper that I could put in the windows that gave it a blurred effect and I could most likely still get the signal to the cable box..bingo! I took it home and cut out some cute images on my Cricut then traced them on the contact paper, cut them out, and stuck them to the window!! Sooooo simple and it makes the doors look super cute!!!
(*NOTE: I tried the contact paper in the cricut and it was a no-go! The cricut pulled the paper and demolished the contact paper.:( )
Here are some pictures:
How do you like it?? Give me some feedback:)!!!
Leslie
Small Canvas Name Craft
I used this as a prop during my maternity shoot. I think it turned out super cute!! I'm going to hang it on the outside of his door when I'm done with it:)
Here is how I made it:
The four squares are mini canvas' I found them at Crafty Things on Kadena (but i'm sure Michaels/ACMoore/Hobby Lobby have them as well). They are about 2X2 inches.
First, I painted them white. Yes, I know they were already white but not white enough if you know what I mean:)
Then I found a font that I liked online and printed the letters JACK out on regular computer paper I had to do this twice because I messed up the sizes, it takes a little guess and test sometimes.
I cut the letters out and transferred/traced them onto contact paper (sticky back) and cut them out.
I stuck them to the canvas' and then painted over the contact paper with the blue. I let it dry for a few minutes (maybe 5) I didn't want the stickers to get stuck onto the canvas.
I peeled the stickers off and did a few touch ups and there you have it.
I measured the outside of the canvas and cut little pieces of scrapbooking paper to fit. I used Mod Podge to make it stick.
Then after all of that was dry I cut a sponge and did the black around he outside to give it the "aged" look.Then put some more mod Podge to seal everything.
I then glued the ribbon on the back and cut it at the bottom of the K to make it even with the canvas.
I think it turned out really nice and once again was super simple to make:)))
Let me know what you think!!
Leslie
Leslie
"Do Not Touch!!!"- Reuse craft
So I'm sure for any of you who have kids have used the phrase "Do not touch!" or maybe its "NO! You may not have that!". Well I felt like I was using it DAILY with my (almost) 2 year old. I'd turn around and she'd be crawling on my desk, reaching for a pair of scissors...or un-rolling ALL of my tape.
I saw this idea on Pinterest and HAD to use it. I took our old Shower hanging Organizer, named it to the wall above my desk, and used it to organize/hang all the stuff that Skyzilla shouldn't touch. It's an easy "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" type of DIY thing- which is always the best because it means its cheap and handy.
Try this yourself, its super handy!
~Lauren
Queen of the Jungle
So, I did this awhile ago (actually almost 2 years ago) for my daughter, Skyler's, room. We chose a jungle theme when I was pregnant with her and we went to town on making these hanging letters.
First, I bought the letters from Walmart and Michaels. The reason I went to both is because Walmart didn't have some of the letters I needed. So the "Queen" letters are different from the rest- no big deal at all.
I chose to paint the "Queen" part first. I had to use 2 coats of pink paint but I used a darker shade of pink for the edges; which also needed 2 coats. We chose green and brown for the rest of the letters until we got to "Jungle".
We used the green fronts with brown edging for every other letter in the word JUNGLE. The ones that weren't green/brown we designed as different animal prints. It might look complicated but it was SO easy (and I literally have no artistic drawing ability). First I painted the base color of each animal print, 2 coats is a must for this too. I then went on to Google and just searched images of "Zebra Print" or "Giraffe Print"...ect.
Affter the base colors dried, I drew on the print (with a pencil) as best as I could. It doesn't matter if you mess up because animal prints don't need to be perfect! After I penciled on the lines, I then used a fine paintbrush to paint in the lines.
I let them dry for about a day (I know it doesn't take that long, but I wasn't chancing it!) before I brushed on a light coat of clear polyurethane. This protects the paint and gives it a glossy look.
The total project took about a week- this was in our spare time. But I believe it could probably be done in 2 days, if you work tediously!
~Lauren
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