"CONFETTI" GREETING CARDS

Em and I made these fun, and super easy to make confetti-inspired cards.

 
I carved out (with an exacto knife) tiny geometric shapes from a stamp carving block...but these work really great too.

For Em's "kid-friendly" stamps I cut out tiny shapes from a styrofoam take out container and used two-sided tape to adhere the shape onto a wooden peg.  Tape works great because you can easily peel off and tape on a completely different shape-- then you'll only need one wooden peg.

If I were to do it over again, I would use something thicker for Em's stamps...like fun foam to eliminate those rings around the image.  I'm okay with the imperfectness though, and had to work with what I had.  Still, I think they came out pretty cute...

Reminds me of this pretty soap:

(from a slice of delight)

I also came across an inspiring post with "confetti" images at my life as a magazine.  A blog I've been love, love, loving lately!

DIY MINI ZINES TUTORIAL

Make Mommy and Me Mini Zines!

Em and I had lots of fun this weekend making little fashion mini magazines.  Making a mini zine is super easy to do, which makes it a perfect activity for kids. 

Except for the part where your toddler decides to dig all of the glue out of the gluestick and smear it on the table. And after telling her to use the glue correctly, or not at all says-- "mommy why are you scolding me, why?".  Sound like I'm speaking from experience? Oh, yes.

Other than that little bump in the road though, the rest was smooth sailing.  And tons of fun. It's amazing how therapeutic simple cutting and pasting can be for an adult.

MATERIALS:

• 2 sheets of copy paper-- one for mommy, one for child
• old magazines
• glue
• scissors
• pens for doodling
• color copier
• other collage items (optional)

How to make a Mini Zine




When your zines are folded, it's time for the fun part.  Cut out images you are drawn to or that match the theme of your zine.  Zines can be about anything.  We did a fashion-ish one, but you could do dinosaurs, cars, animals, recipes, poetry, all pictures, or all written word, things to do in your town-- anything goes.
All of our images came from an old (2008) issue of Sweet Magazine from Japan. 

Em picked out all her images, I helped her with the cutting.  Then I let her go at it with the glue.

After you complete your little book, open it up and let it dry.

When completely dry, run it through a color copier and fold the copy into a mini zine for a clean, smooth version of your book. Make lots of copies, and give them away. Leave them in random places for people to find!

Em Jay's pages...

Mommy's pages...

STAR WARS CRAFTS

I came across this craft book the other day on amazon...

Then I browsed flickr for some star wars craft inspiration...super cute!

1. Chewbacca Sock Puppet, 2. Star Wars Glitter Globe Craft, 3. Star Wars Pet Rocks, 4. Star Wars Easter Eggs, 5. princess leia cupcake, 6. Yoda Cookies, 7. Star Wars TIE Fighter Printers Block, 8. Star Wars Napkin Rings Craft, 9. AT-AT Planter

WAIT! BEFORE YOU THROW AWAY THOSE ENVELOPES...

Why don't you make some D.I.Y. photo corners...

You'll need: junk mail envelopes, a ruler, scissors, pencil, assorted rubber stamps, ink

I measured about 3/4 of an inch in, and marked with a pencil

Then I snipped off the corners along the pencil mark, stamped away...

And Voila!  Your very own recycled photo corner.

HAPPY EARTH DAY, EVERYONE!



RECYCLED CEREAL BOXES

I've been saving Em Jay's cereal boxes, not knowing what I was going to do with them... I finally crafted last night, and made this teeny tiny notebook.

FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS... FOR ADULTS

remember those friendship bracelets we used to make when we were kids? I'm loving them again... especially modern ones like these...

 from brooklyn thread

from thief and bandit

from erban fiber

from anaosgoodjewelry

from ayofemijewelry

from plume and bloom

from lucky brand (zappos)

from juicy couture (revolve)

here's one I made...I was inspired by the summer of love class by kara haupt--we used them as book bindings!

and here's a great website full of tutorials!   

p.s. going to announce the winner of my kind-hearted blogger giveaway tonight or tomorrow morning.  sorry for the delay, also still waiting for one of the prizes to arrive.  be back soon!

FOIL COLLAGE

it's been quite awhile since I've done an art project with em jay. we finally spent some artsy time together.

MATERIALS:

• thin cardboard (I used a cereal box)
• aluminum foil
• tape
• various collage items (tissue paper, sequins, yarn, string, ribbon, glitter, etc.)
• elmer's glue
• water
• paintbrush

prepare/gather collage materials.  fold foil over thin cardboard (for a sturdier surface) and tape down.  mix elmer's glue with water to create a very thin consistency.  paint thinned glue onto the foil surface.  add tissue paper pieces.  paint more glue.  add more tissue.  keep adding glue over each layer.  add sequins, ribbon, and other items.  after a final coat of glue.  finish with glitter.

80's ATC

for swap bot... I went with CYNDI LAUPER!!!!

I have always loved cyndi lauper-- she has helped to pave the way for so many musicians and youth.  colorful hair, and stand out clothing is now much more widely accepted and admired.  she's like the O.G. lady gaga. haha.

and by the way... here is my favorite cyndi song...




and even after all these years she still rocks it...

simply ArTistiC challenge #2

VINTAGE ALICE for Simply ArTistiC:

I was so excited to use the cute little kit that I recently purchased from the sequined shoe:

more creating to come...

also some fun things in store for my fellow kind-hearted bloggers (possibly in a few weeks or so??). stay tuned!! make sure to take a look at all of the fabulous bloggers participating in the campaign.

ATC overload

I recently had a ton of ATCs to make for swapbot deadlines. here are just a few of them...

beatles

 eric from true blood

 bella and edward

and just a few more to go...

SCRAP PAGE

It's been awhile since I've done a real scrapbook layout...but I fell in love with kitschy digitals new calico dream kit.

I printed the digital files on 8.5 x 11" matte photo paper.  I cut up the patchwork paper and turned them into paper flowers.

I also wanted to share my jessica hamby (from true blood) ATC I made for a swap...

We've got lots going on this weekend, and tomorrow is a holiday in Hawaii.  Hopefully I'll have some fun photos to share.

THINGS WITH WINGS

Made this for the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge Blog

PARTY!!

I've been obsessed with colorful flower sequins lately.  My sister pretty much bought me a lifetime supply.  I decided to experiment with a baby food jar...

All I did was wrap it in japanese tape so a little color would show in between the sequins.  Then I glued on random flower sequins with my favorite glue and let it dry overnight.

And if you love parties as much as I do... check out Lindsay's blog Pixies and Bears.





She's having a fabulous blog party today featuring 20 posts from wonderful ladies all over the globe.  I am excited to be a part of it...I did a post on even more flower inspiration-- and a GIVEAWAY!!! take a look!!