Are you still looking for your Valentine's Day gift? I have the perfect last-minute craft for children or for that special someone. It's this cute candy crate that is super affordable and easy to make. I randomly came up with this idea while searching for my Valentine's Day gift for my boyfriend. Keep reading if you want to find out how I made this adorable candy crate.
1. First, I started by painting this small wood crate with two coats of white acrylic paint. I got most of the supplies at Dollar Tree, including this tiny crate. 2. I painted the inside of the crate and let the paint dry for 3 to 4 hours. 3. After the paint had dried completely, I drew two hearts, one on each side of the crate with my pencil. 4. Then I took my light pink acrylic paint and painted both hearts. 5. After the hearts dried, I turned the crate on its side. 6. I got my jute twine and wrapped it around about four times. I only wrapped the top row of the crate on both sides and glued the sides with super glue. 7.This step is really up to you depending on which candy you like. I bought a large bag of the classic Lindt Lindor classic chocolate truffles and Brach's conversation hearts from Target. 8. Then I took a piece of light pink tissue paper and placed it in the crate. I placed a bed of red shred at the bottom for the candy. 8. After that, I just packed all the candy I could into the crate, and you are done. 9. You don't need much to make something adorable that comes from the heart. This is such an easy DIY for children or a great idea for teachers on Valentine's Day. This will be part of my Valentine's Day gift for my boyfriend this year.I can't wait to see his reaction and it's something unique that can't be found at any store. I would love to see others try and recreate this simple and affordable project. Websites
https://www.dollartree.com/wood-slat-crates-2375x5125x325-in/296698 https://www.dollartree.com/art-paint-brushes-5ct-packs/872808 https://www.dollartree.com/garden-collection-jute-cord-180ft-rolls/230550 https://www.dollartree.com/voila-red-foil-shreds-15oz-bags/160591 https://www.dollartree.com/rainbow-solid-color-tissue-paper-35ct/228785
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12/13/2019 0 Comments DIY: Cozy Gift Basket under $65
During this Holiday time, many people are wondering what presents to buy for their loved ones. Every year my sister and I brainstorm gift ideas for her boyfriend. It's so difficult shopping for a man, especially knowing what they like or what they will use. After many ideas, my sister decided to make a cozy basket for him.
1. THRESHOLD Solid Sherpa Throw Blanket
If you need ideas for your basket, a blanket is a definite must-have during these cold winter months. My sister bought the Threshold Solid Sherpa throw blanket at Target. These soft polyester blankets come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. These blankets are on sale on the Target website for only $8.50. Price: $8.50-17.00
2. El Alquimista/The Alchemist-Paulo Coelho
A book is a timeless gift that is perfect for everyone on your list. My sister wanted to include a book in the basket because her boyfriend loves self-improvement books. She decided to buy the paperback version of the popular book The Alchemist. Price: $13.49
3. Project 65 white mug / NEscafe Colombian Coffee
To fit the cozy theme, my sister bought Coffee and a mug. These are classic and simple gifts that everyone uses daily. My sister got a white Project 65 mug and the Nescafe Colombian Coffee. Other ideas for the basket would be hot chocolate, marshmallows, candy, chips, cookies, or any favorite snacks. Price: $1.99, $8.98
4. Threshold 6x12 Wicker Folio Bin
Now all you need is a basket, big or small you can find everything at Target. My sister got the Threshold 6x12 wicker folio bin for only $18.99. My sister and I went to Hobby Lobby and let me say the baskets were super expensive. Target is the way to go if you are looking for something more affordable. Price: $18.99
5. Voila Brown Shred/Offray Oatmeal SANmar & Silver Sanmari ribbon
If you want to go the extra mile and make your basket look beautiful, buy some shed and ribbon. We bought brown shred from Dollar Tree to lift all the items. To add the finishing touch, we made a bow on the basket handles. Price: $1.00, $2.39
It goes to show that you don't need to spend a lot of money to impress. The basket is so simple, classic, and aesthetic perfect for anyone on your list. You can make the basket a bit more colorful but, my sister decided to go for a muted color palette.
Websites:
https://www.target.com/p/solid-sherpa-throw-blanket-threshold/-/A-76556721
https://www.target.com/p/el-alquimista-the-alchemist-paperback-by-paulo-coelho/-/A-11340953
https://www.target.com/p/coupe-white-coffee-mug-16oz-project-62-153/-/A-17471571
https://www.walmart.com/ip/NESCAFE-TASTER-S-CHOICE-100-Colombian-Medium-Roast-Instant-Coffee-7-oz-Jar/610563655
https://www.target.com/p/wicker-folio-bin-dark-global-brown-6-x12-threshold-8482/-/A-14105213
https://www.dollartree.com/voila-natural-shredded-paper-2oz-bags/195264
https://www.joann.com/search?q=Offray%20Ribbon
10/8/2019 1 Comment DIY: DOLLAR STORE FALL DECORI went to my local Dollar Tree and found so many cute fall decor pieces. I bought a couple of wood pieces and ornaments that I wanted to DIY myself. If you are not a hands-on type of person and don't like to craft that much, this DIY is perfect for you. 1. I know not all Dollar Tree stores have the exact items in stock but, I got the Crafters Square Fall ornaments. They had some fall wood centerpieces that I just had to get. It all depends on what's available at your local Dollar Tree or Family Dollar. 2. For the centerpieces, I covered the bottom rim with blue tape or anywhere I didn't want the paint to bleed. I love doing this because there is no worry if you mess up or if your paint is super runny. 3. Now it’s time to paint, I used the Craft Essentials acrylic paint that is super affordable. You can find this paint at Joan's for only a couple of cents. If you can't find the Craft Essentials paint, you can always look through the crafting section at your local Dollar Tree. My Dollar Tree has a good assortment of different types of paints and brushes. 4. When you are finished painting all your wood figures, know it’s time to let them dry overnight. After they have dried, you can take off any of the tape to reveal your masterpiece. 5. After your ornaments have dried, take a piece of jute twine, string it through, and make a knot to complete. I loved how these ornaments turned out for less than two dollars. If you are a teacher looking for affordable fall classroom activities, this is it. Each student can paint their ornament and write their name on it. You can easily hang them up around your classroom, a wall, or even a small fake tree. It goes to show that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get cute fall decor. All I did was paint wood figures but, that changes the whole look of it and makes it your own. It's not the same cheap wood figure that everybody can get at the dollar store.
9/4/2019 1 Comment DIY: Pipe Cleaner Pumpkins
As fall approaches quickly, there are many fun crafts and activities to do. I wanted to share these mini pipe cleaner pumpkins that I made last year. This craft is super easy and perfect for children of all ages. It's an excellent classroom activity that takes less than ten minutes to make. They can be decorations or given as a cute gift for Halloween. I learned to make them by watching a YouTube video that I will have linked down below. The channel name is Paraligo if you want to look them up. It's such a simple craft that children will have fun making this autumn.
1. Grab your two orange pipe cleaners and twist the ends to join them together.
2. Take your marker and grab your orange pipe cleaner. Wrap your pipe cleaner around your marker and squeeze it tight.
3. Grab your green pipe cleaner and your orange pipe cleaner which, is now a small coil. Place your green pipe cleaner through your orange coil.
4. String it through again but only halfway and pull the ends of your green pipe cleaner.
5. Now that you have pulled the ends, you will see the pumpkin shape forming.
6. Take the long green ends of your pipe cleaner and place them upwards to make the stem. Twist them together and cut the excess off with your scissors.
7. Now you are finished! You will have cute mini pumpkins to share and decorate this fall.
Websites:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUyUuV8Mnp4&t=55s
8/16/2019 0 Comments DIY: Honey BEE PENCIL HOLDER
You might not know but National Honey Bee Day is this weekend on August 17. I wanted to make a back to school craft that would be useful and that teaches a lesson at the same time. I decided to make a honey bee pencil holder which is so easy and fun to make. Not only will children have a great time making this craft, but they will also learn the importance of honey bees in our lives. I am not sure if I will have this blog up by the 17th, but I think it’s never too late to learn something new.
Interesting Honey Bee Facts
1. First, take your toilet paper roll and your piece of yellow construction paper. Measure how long and how much paper you will need to cover your toilet paper roll. Remember to cut out a circle for the bottom of the toilet paper roll.
2. Now that you have cut the construction paper the right size, it’s time to glue it onto the roll and place the circular piece at the bottom.
3. Take your black piece of construction paper and make the stripes. I made two thick stripes for my bee, but you can make more.
4. Take your white paper and draw two wings and cut them out with scissors.
5. Grab your two googly eyes, your stripes, and your wings and glue them on.
6. Now with your black pipe cleaner, form two little antennas. Tape your antennas in the roll so, they can peek out at the top.
7. Now take a marker and draw on his smile.
8. Now you are done and ready to enjoy your new pencil holder while learning about Honey Bees.
Websites:
https://matteroftrust.org/20-amazing-honey-bee-facts/
http://www.utahcountybeekeepers.org/fun_facts.html
7/25/2019 1 Comment DIY: CHEVRON BRACELETS
After trying to come up with an easy summer craft, I stumbled on DIY friendship bracelets. I wanted to learn how to make a DIY Chevron bracelet because of the arrow design. I messed up about two or three bracelets until I got it right. After watching videos and reading blogs, I finally learned what I was doing wrong. I will link the videos and blogs that I used while learning how to make a chevron bracelet. I decided to write my blog post about DIY Chevron bracelets so others can learn from my mistakes. These bracelets are beautiful and are a great homemade gift.
1. First, take your four different colors of embroidery floss and cut four strands.
2. Cut your four pieces 65 inches long by using a ruler or measuring tape.
3. Place your four strands all together and fold them in half. Now make a large knot at the top, make a large loop, leave about three inches at the top to tie your bracelet at the end.
4. Take your clipboard or any hard surface and tape your pieces of string so they won't move.
5. Divide your strings in half, four on each side. They have to be a mirror image of each other.
6. Now it’s time to start knotting, you are going to make forward knots with all the strings on your left side. Take your outermost string and make the number four. In my case, it would be the yellow string and the green string. Place the yellow string over the green string to make the number four.
7. Take your outermost string and pass it under your second string.
8. If you placed tape to help you, now is the time to take it off your outermost string. I would recommend you tape the second string to avoid many mistakes. Trust me on this one I had to restart so many times because I didn't hold the second string down.
9. Now take your outermost string and pull up to make your first forward knot. Always remember to do this twice for each string. The mistake I made was pulling both of the strings to make the knot.
10. You can now move your green string to the side and now your second string is going to be the next color in line. In my case, it would be the dark pink string. Repeat the same steps to make a forward knot. In my case, it would be yellow string over and under the dark pink string. Remember hold the dark pink string and pull the yellow to make the knot.
11. Repeat the same steps until your outermost string is now at the end of the row.
12. Now you will see the row forming at the top of your bracelet.
13. Now it’s time to learn how to make backward knots. It's almost the same as a forward knot. The only difference is that you have to make a backwards four.
14. Then you do the same steps, over and under, hold the second string and pull the other. Always remember to do this twice for each string.
15. After you have completed all you backward knots, you will have both of your outermost strings at the bottom.
16. Take your string on the right and make a backwards knot. Do this twice while holding the left string down.
17. After you have done this twice, you will need to switch strings.
18. Now the left string will be on the right, the right will be on the left.
19. Now you will start making the second row, just keep repeating the steps over and over again.
20. Repeat the steps until you end up with your desired length.
21. Once you finished, now you will make a knot at the end.
22. Grab your scissors and cut the loop that we made at the top when starting the bracelet.
23. Now You're Done !!
You have beautiful bracelets to wear or to give as a gift.
These are just more pictures so you can see other colors and bracelet designs.
Websites:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNOioNDsg2s&t=20s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clI5fBPamOs
6/26/2019 0 Comments DIY: FOURTH OF JULY BANNER
Since the Fourth of July is just around the corner, I decided to DIY this cute patriotic banner. I didn't know if I was going to do another patriotic craft because I barely made one for Memorial Day. I made a popsicle stick American flag for Memorial Day but, you can make them for the Fourth of July too. You can easily find that blog post down below, keep scrolling down. These crafts are so easy to make and affordable.
1. First, choose two ribbons that are about the same size. You can choose any color or design you want.
2. Take your scissors and cut rectangle shaped pieces. Cut a triangle at the bottom to make the shape. Each piece I cut was (2.5 in x 1.3 in) or (6.5 cm x 3.5 cm). I decided to make a small banner but, you can make it any size you want. If you have trouble making the shape, you can look up a banner template to help you. Cut 6 to 10 pieces of each type of ribbon in case you mess up.
3. Take 3 of the burlap pieces you just cut, white paint, paint brush, and stencils. I used my stencil to paint one letter on each burlap piece to spell out USA. I messed up a couple of times with the stencil, that's why I cut extra burlap pieces.
4. Take 2 of the burlap pieces and star pins to decorate. You can paint them on or use a stencil if you don't have these pins.
5. Now take your jute cord and cut small pieces. Now glue the jute cord at the top of all the burlap/ribbon pieces you cut earlier.
6. Cut the excess jute cord from the sides of each piece.
7. Now string all your pieces together with jute cord. Flip all your ribbon pieces over and glue them to your jute cord.
8. Let your banner dry for an hour or overnight.
9. Now you are done and ready to hang your banner. Choose a spot, hang it up, and you're done.
Product Websites:
https://www.dollartree.com/floral-garden-burlap-ribbon-9ft-spools/207239
https://www.dollartree.com/search/go?w=jute+twine
https://www.joann.com/craft-ed-8oz-white/7984628.html#q=WHITE%2BACRYLIC%2BPAINT%2B&start=1
https://www.dollartree.com/tool-bench-assorted-foam-paint-brushes-8ct-packs/252561
https://www.dollartree.com/jot-self-adhesive-stencils-95x575-in/237411
6/15/2019 0 Comments DIY: tOy story 4 Forky
The movie Toy Story 4 hits theaters June 21 and is expected to break records. I have noticed the increase in popularity of Toy Story products everywhere. I feel that every child is going to want a forky after they see the movie. Forky is so easy to make even if you don't have all the materials you can improvise with what you have.
Forky is a fun summer craft you can do with your child. It's the perfect activity you can do before or after you watch the movie. I will list all the materials I used and where I got them. I will also have the movie trailer down below if you haven't seen it.
1. First, take your spork and your two red pipe cleaners. You can use one pipe cleaner like me or two.
2. Grab your spork and wrap the red pipe cleaner around it.
3. Leave a reasonable amount of pipe cleaner to make the hands.
4. Now take your googly eyes and choose two different sizes. Place and glue the googly eyes on the spork.
5. Take your red string and cut a small piece for his brow. Take the blue string and do the same thing to form his mouth.
6. Now you glue his brow and mouth.
7. Take your white play-doh or clay to make the base.
8. I took a small ball of play-doh and formed a base so forky can stand.
9. Grab your popsicle stick and cut two small pieces to make his feet. I had an extra popsicle stick in case I messed up.
10. Now you stick his feet you just made into the play-doh.
11. You can glue his feet in the play-doh so they won't fall out.
12. The last step is to personalize your forky with stickers. You can write your name at the bottom of his feet like Bonnie and your done!
Product Websites:
https://www.walmart.com/c/kp/sporks
https://www.dollartree.com/crafters-square-plastic-googly-eyes-125ct-packs/177528
https://www.dollartree.com/bulk/Pipe-Cleaners
https://www.dollartree.com/bulk/Popsicle-Sticks
https://www.target.com/b/play-doh/-/N-5p6kd
Since Father´s Day is coming up, I wanted to share this DIY origami Father´s Day card. This card is easy to make, it's a great last minute card. You can make this card in 5 minutes but, it looks like you took an hour to make. Children and adults can both make this card and can easily personalize it. I was inspired by a youtube video that I will link down below. I decided to place my personal touch and used jute cord to make a tie.
1. You will first need a white or colored sheet of paper.
2. Next, fold your piece of paper in half hotdog style.
3. Open up your sheet of paper and fold both sides hotdog style again.
4. The sides will face inward towards each other when you are done.
5. Flip your paper to the other side and measure about an inch at the top. Fold the top part of the paper towards yourself.
6. Now you are going to flip your paper once again
7. You are going to repeat step 5.
8. You are now going to open the flap you just folded and take the corner, fold it inwards on both sides. Use the line made by the fold as a guide to know how far to fold.
9. Know that you have the collar of the shirt done it's time to make the sleeves.
10. Take the bottom flaps and fold them outwards. Fold both flaps the same size, making a triangle in the middle.
11. Take the bottom section and fold upward, under the collar. Now you hold and make a nice fold at the bottom to make the shirt.
12. Now you are done folding and making the shirt.
13. It's time for the fun part, now you can personalize it. You can add buttons, draw a tie, or other designs.
Youtube Video: How to fold an origami shirt-Art For Kids Hub:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONEbYSfnyG8&t=294s
5/22/2019 0 Comments DIY: mEMORIAL dAY aMERICAN fLAG
As we all know Memorial Day is just around the corner Monday, May 27. Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War Soldiers. There are many traditions and activities you can do to reflect and honor all our heroes. I wanted to do a DIY popsicle stick American flag, which is a great activity for children and helps them learn about this special day. You can place these flags anywhere from grave sites and veterans´ homes/hospitals.
1. POPSICLE STICK AMERICAN FLAG
This is a very easy craft that anybody can make and it's great for children. All of the materials are very affordable( I will link where I got all my materials below.) I had seen this DIY many of times and thought it was the perfect time to try it out myself, adding my own personal touch (where I got inspired link below.)
1. Take one popsicle stick and paint it completely white
2. Take two popsicle sticks and paint them completely red
3. Now take two popsicle sticks, paint half of the stick white and the other half blue
4. Repeat step three but with red and blue paint
5. After all the popsicle sticks dry, now you can glue them together with regular glue or craft glue.
6. After you have formed your flag and it has dried, you can add the stars. You can paint the stars on or buy star stickers(I didn't have white star stickers and ended up painting the stickers with white paint.)
7. This last step is optional, you can leave your flag just as it is or you can add a flag pole. Grab another popsicle stick, paint it, and place it on the back, alongside your flag.
8. Your Done!!! You can place it outside your house or give it to someone special as a way to say Thank You.
Blog Inspo:
https://apumpkinandaprincess.com/popsicle-stick-flag-craft/
Product Websites:
https://www.dollartree.com/bulk/Popsicle-Sticks
https://www.joann.com/craft-essentials-8oz-acrylic-paint/zprd_07980618a.html
https://www.target.com/p/elmer-s-craft-bond-tacky-glue-4oz/-/A-75000460
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