Crafts

Summer Fun Bubble Paint Tea Towels

June 8, 2017 by Bre 4 Comments

Looking for a fun summer kids craft idea? Here’s a unique one: bubble painting!

Well, it’s been a minute or two since I’ve posted, friends. What can I say – end of the school year craziness combined with Memorial Day fun and work projects left me a little pressed for time! You know how it goes.

Anyway, my kids are off of school now (yay?), and I’m going to have to figure out how to get some projects done while they’re home (short of locking them in their bedrooms for an hour or two each day. (I kid, I kid.)).

To help with that, this week I got my little guy involved in helping make some fun Bubble Paint Tea Towels for the kitchen!

Turn your kids' bubble solution into bubble paint and make these adorable bubble paint tea towels for your kitchen! Bubble paint tea towels are easy to make and a great project to have the kids help with!

I needed a new set of tea towels for the summer months (my most recent set said “Hello Spring,” so clearly they had to go), so we decided to make some together.

And what says summer more than bubbles (OK, probably a lot of things, but bubbles is high up on the list!)?

This was a perfect project to have kids involved with!

Supplies Needed to Make Bubble Paint Crafts

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

For the project shown in this post, we painted with bubbles by using plain white tea towels as our canvas. Other ideas for bubble painting include paper, blank canvases, t-shirts, and more!

Plain white tea towels
Bubbles
Multi-surface acrylic paint in colors of your choice
Large piece of cardboard
Masking tape
Decorative fringe or trim
Fabric glue
Plastic cups for mixing

How to Make Bubble Paint

Learn from my mistakes and don’t do what I did! I tried to make my bubble paint by using dish soap, but I couldn’t get the consistency right to actually make bubbles.

Skip that and go straight to the good stuff – your kids’ bubble solution. Pour some into a cup and add multi-surface acrylic paint to it.

Stir it all up and you’ll have beautiful bubble paint! Just mix until you get the color saturation you want.

This project gets a little messy, so I recommend heading outside.

Bring a foam board or piece of cardboard with you and tape a white tea towel to the board so that it lies flat.

More Summer Fun for the Kids!

Sand Shapes Art

Beach in a Bottle

Then have fun with your kids (or by yourself – no shame!), blowing paint bubbles all over the tea towel!

You’ll probably have to move around a lot, depending on how the breeze is blowing, and you may even run after some good bubbles with your tea towel board. It’s okay; embrace the crazy.

We figured out that it works best if you get really close to the tea towel and blow the bubble right near it. Less chance of escaping; better chance of popping.

Let the tea towel dry thoroughly before bringing it inside. Once it’s dry, embellish with fringe or other trim of your choice. I just glued it on with fabric glue so it was a super easy addition!

After the trim glue dries, hang up your new tea towels and add a summery touch to your kitchen!

And remember: you don’t have to paint with bubbles on tea towels only. You could try bubble painting on paper, a canvas, a white t-shirt: whatever!

I feel like bubble painting on canvas could result in some cool modern art for your home!

-Bre

DIY Egg Cup Planters

May 10, 2017 by Bre 4 Comments

Since April showers bring May flowers, let’s talk about a clever flower pot idea: quirky and adorable egg cup planters!

I have been seeing cute face planters all over the place – in magazines, at my hair salon, and in the shops – so I knew I had to try and make some for myself!

Supplies Needed to Make Egg Cup Planters

Some of these links are affiliate links. To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

White egg cups
Sharpies or other permanent markers
Rubbing alcohol & cotton ball
Colored pebbles or gravel
Mini faux succulents (or you could use real ones if you have a green thumb!)

How to Make Egg Cup Planters

Before you get started drawing on your egg cups, make sure to wipe them down with rubbing alcohol! This step is really important because it removes any fingerprints, smudges, or weird residues from the surface, which could prevent your permanent marker from sticking.

Once the rubbing alcohol has completely dried, make cute little faces on your egg cups! I drew out some ideas on a piece of paper before drawing directly on my egg cups, and this helped me not mess them up.

Once the drawings have dried, fill the egg cups with colored pebbles. These pebbles seem like the kind of stuff you might put in a fish tank.

Don’t hold me to that though because I only had one fish for a pet and it didn’t live very long. My memory of fish tank pebbles may be skewed.

Plop some tiny plants into your egg cup planters and giggle to yourself about how cute these are. (You may also find yourself giggling because you think your egg cup planters have better “hair” than you do.)

Ten minutes invested and you have an adorable new planter!

I feel like this guy resembles Harry Potter. What do you think?

How adorable would these be as place card holders at a party? Since they’re small, you could really use them anywhere!

Please help spread the love for these little guys and pin them to Pinterest!

Air Dry Clay Garden Markers

April 12, 2017 by Bre 4 Comments

Looking for a cute and easy air dry clay craft? Look no further! These cheeky air dry clay garden markers fit the bill.

Supplies Needed for Air Dry Clay Garden Markers

Thank you to ACTÍVA Products, Inc. for providing the air dry clay used in this post. The project and opinions are my own. Also, some links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no added cost to you if you purchase through them. Read my disclosure policy here.

Round dowels
Hearty Clay lightweight air dry clay
Clay text embossing tool
Acrylic paints in colors of your choice
Paintbrush
Triple thick clear glaze
Wax paper

How to Make Air Dry Clay Garden Markers

To begin, paint dowels in any color you like. To make painting dowels easier, I always stick them into a piece of floral foam so I can get every part of them without smearing the paint.

Once the dowels have dried, take two chunks of air dry clay and work some acrylic paint into them. Make sure your air dry clay accepts acrylic paints as a pigment or a finish.

I used Hearty Clay, which accepts acrylic paint prior to drying, because it is SO lightweight and I knew it would not be too heavy for the dowels – like making them fall over once they were in the flower pots.

Some air dry clays are really heavy once dry, so make sure you don’t choose a heavy clay for this project!

I kneaded the paint into the clay, and then joined the two pieces of clay together to create a marbled look.

Next, I formed a ball and stuck it onto one of the dowels.

I flattened the clay ball on a piece of wax paper, and then I used my clay text embossing tool to write cute little messages on my air dry clay garden markers.

I’ve seen a million versions of garden markers, but they’re all so descriptive – saying things like “basil” or “parsley.” Mine are funnier. 🙂

I let the garden markers dry for about 1.5 days, and then I sprayed them with triple thick clear glaze to give them a shiny look and to protect them if I use them outside.

Because the Hearty Clay is so porous, I sprayed about four coats of glaze onto the garden markers before I got a decent level of shine.

Once they dried, they were ready to go!

I love their marbled look!

They stand up just perfectly on their own – the clay is definitely light enough to work great on this project!

And can I just say that I’m so happy I had an excuse to buy all these pretty spring flowers? They smell ridiculously good!

I’d really appreciate it if you’d PIN this post to share this idea with fellow creatives!

Dollar Store Planter Stakes Makeover

March 29, 2017 by Bre 8 Comments

If you haven’t been to Dollar Tree recently, GET OVER THERE! They have so much cute stuff for spring and Easter! It’s one of the best times of year to stock up on craft supplies. Last week I showed you the cute wreath I made with an unexpected Dollar Tree supply, and this week I’m showing you how to upgrade some Dollar Tree plastic bunny planter stakes with a faux finish makeover! This dollar store planter stakes makeover is so quick and easy, and totally adorable!

Supplies Needed for a Dollar Store Planter Stakes Makeover

Some of these links are affiliate links, which means that I earn a small commission at no added cost to you if you purchase through them. To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

Plastic bunny garden stakes (from Dollar Tree)
Silver spray paint
Acrylic paint in dark gray, off white, and brown
Stencil brush
Paper towel
Decorative ribbon

How to Give Dollar Store Planter Stakes a Metal Makeover

I started with these cute bunny planter stakes. They come in two colors (pink and purple), and are pretty cute on their own! I just wanted a slightly different look for my planter stakes – one that looked like metal. The criss-cross pattern on these little guys reminded me of chain link fencing, so I went with a weathered metal finish!

I gave each planter stake a coat of silver spray paint that works on plastic. I didn’t photograph this step because it was freezing outside. But, the stakes were very shiny and space-age like!

I wanted to bring the high shine look down a bit, so I used a dense stencil brush (sometimes called a pouncer), to brush on dark gray acrylic paint all over the bunnies. I made sure to let some of the shiny silver spray paint show through though.

After this coat of paint dried, I dabbed some white acrylic paint onto certain parts of the bunnies. I then removed most of it with the paper towel.

Finally, I dabbed some brown acrylic paint on spots in order to give a slightly rusty look. I wanted my bunnies to look like junky bunnies – bunnies you’d find at a flea market.

Once everything was dry, I tied some ribbon into one of the bunnies’ hair, and a ribbon around the other’s neck. I wanted to give these bunnies a little style.

Then I took my bunnies outside and plopped them into the planters that flank my garage.

Do you want to know a secret about the plants that are in my planter?

Promise not to tell?

They’re FAKE! Yep! I ordered them on Amazon. They’re amazing and withstood the entire Chicago winter and are in perfect condition! I love that I have a little pop of green by the door all year round.

And I think these bunnies are the perfect spring addition to my fake plants. (Am I super tacky? Maybe. But hey, these things are the PERFECT solution for someone with a black thumb and bad weather.)

Jasper likes them, too (the bunnies and the fake plants). Side note: I swear he has eyes. He just needs a haircut.

Every time I look out the window and see my fake metal bunny garden stakes I smile. They’re such a cute way to welcome spring! Go grab some of these at Dollar Tree before they’re gone.

-Bre

You May Also Like These DIY Solar Light Planters

DIY Dollar Tree Easter Wreath

March 22, 2017 by Bre 10 Comments

There’s just something about springtime and Dollar Tree crafts – for me they seem to go hand in hand. I’ve made quite a few Easter crafts with things I’ve purchased at Dollar Tree, like my Spring Bunny Gumball Machines.

I’m not sure I can replicate the popularity of that project, but I tried with this Dollar Tree Easter Wreath that I made with a deviled egg tray of all things!

Dollar Tree Easter Wreath Supplies

Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase through them. To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

Plastic egg tray
Faux eggs (I used foam eggs when I created this project, but it seems that Dollar Tree no longer sells those. The linked eggs are a great substitute!)
Craft moss
Ribbon
Spray paint
Hot glue and glue gun
Command hooks, mini size
Foam bunny floral pick
Twine
Washi Tape in patterns of your choice

How to Make a Dollar Tree Egg Tray Wreath

This Easter wreath or spring wreath is unique and really fun to put together! (And hey, you might like this other unique Dollar Tree DIY spring wreath tutorial, too!)

Step One: Paint the Deviled Egg Tray

Begin by spray painting the back side of the deviled egg tray. Be careful not to overspray (like I did), because spray paint will run over the edge of the tray and onto the front.

This will leave splotchy paint marks around the edges. They’re not too noticeable, but they’re annoying. 🙂

Step Two: Prepare The Decorative Eggs

While the deviled egg tray is drying, pull all of the foam eggs off of their wooden sticks, if that’s the type of faux eggs you’re using.

Tap your fingers and grow increasingly impatient as you wait for your spray paint to dry. (I detest waiting for paint to dry!)

Step Three: Attach the Eggs to the Tray

Once the paint has dried, fire up the glue gun and get to work attaching the faux eggs into their little spots on the egg tray.

Step Four: Decorate the Center of the Tray

Next, fill up the center part of the egg tray. Glue some moss at the bottom part of it, and then glue a foam bunny in there, too.

If you’re feeling ambitious, cut a piece of twine or string and attach it at the top of the center part of the tray. Then wrap some washi tape around it to look like little bunting pieces. So cute!

Step Five: Create a Wreath Hanger

Once everything is in place and fully dried, flip it over carefully and attach two mini Command hooks upside down to the back. Then you can run your ribbon through the hooks and tie it up for hanging!

And that is how you make an adorable Egg Tray Easter Wreath with Dollar Tree supplies!

It could not be easier (or much less expensive)!

DIY Travel Laundry Bag from a Pillowcase

March 8, 2017 by Bre 18 Comments

Next time you go on vacation, make sure to be prepared with a DIY Travel Laundry Bag. It’s the perfect solution for keeping those dirty clothes organized in your suitcase while traveling!

And, I have a feeling you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to make a travel laundry bag.

OK, now I know you’re excited to see how I made this laundry bag because laundry is such an interesting topic! 😉 Just kidding. But I promise you’ll love this project; it is so easy and turns out so cute! So let’s get started . . .

Supplies Needed for a DIY Travel Laundry Bag

Some of these links are affiliate links. To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

White cotton pillowcase
Wide ribbon (at least 1.5″ wide)
Fabric scissors
Needle and white thread
Safety pin
Optional: pinking shears
Optional: Silhouette machine and heat transfer vinyl OR inkjet printable iron on transfer sheets

How to Make a DIY Travel Laundry Bag

You guys will not believe how easy this project is to make!

Begin by unfolding your pillowcase and making two small vertical cuts in the top layer of the fabric and on either side of the seam, near the top of the pillowcase.

Next, use the needle and thread to sew along the inner edges of the cuts. You are doing this to prevent the fabric from fraying – not to sew the pieces back together.

Next, cut a piece of ribbon to a length long enough to wrap around the top of the pillowcase, with a little extra. Then pin a safety pin through the end of the piece of ribbon.

Guide the ribbon into one of the holes in the pillowcase, safety pin side first, and bring it all the way through the other side and out of the other hole.

If the seam on the other side of the pillowcase is sewn shut and you cannot thread the ribbon through, use the fabric scissors to make a small cut in the outer layer of fabric at the seam. Then loosen the inner seam so that you can thread the ribbon through. After you’ve gotten the ribbon all the way through you can sew that little hole.

And that is really all you have to do to turn a pillowcase into a laundry bag!

But, if you want to make your travel laundry bag even cuter, consider adding a design or pattern to the front of it. I found this cute design for my Silhouette Portrait (the most basic of all the electronic cutting machines, but it works like a charm!), and cut it out onto some purple heat transfer vinyl.

Then I ironed it onto the front of my laundry bag (this is really the only time I use the iron, friends), and that was it!

If you don’t have an electronic cutting machine, you could easily add a design with inkjet iron on transfers or iron on letters! Or grab a stencil and paint a design!

I honestly am so glad to have this bag! I usually forget to pack any type of dirty clothes bag and end up using a trash bag or grocery bag for my yucky clothes. This is so much cuter!

And I just love that most of the sewing is done for you, thanks to the use of the pillowcase! No need to get out that sewing machine!

If you’re a fan of easy projects like this, I’d love for you to ‘pin’ this post to share!