Neon Painted Coral

 

One of my favorite things to do on weeks is explore our beaches and hunt for treasures with my daughter. Sometimes it’s for beautiful gifts from the sea, and sometimes we have a craft in mind. This time we were on a mission to collect white coral and rocks so we could put some old nail polish to good use!

Coral Bowl

We piled all our brightly patterned creations into a milk glass bowl, and it makes the perfect centerpiece!

Painting

We had so much fun painting away, it was just what the doctor ordered on a gloomy day!

coral and rocks

Painting Easter Eggs

Painting Easter Eggs, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

 

We finally painted our eggs! Instead of messing with natural dye again, or picking up the boxed kind, I opted to find something around the house to reuse instead. I can never seem to use my nail polish fast enough, and it always ends up goopy. So using some of my bright colors from last year worked perfect! I started by blowing out the eggs, and of course making some omelets.

Painting Easter Eggs, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Use whatever technique works best, I went with the ol’ pin and aspirator method. A straw can also be very helpful if you don’t have the aspirator.

Painting Easter Eggs, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Then, once the eggs were washed and dry, a little white spackling paste makes the holes vanish. I also created some little egg stands by cutting up all the sections in the egg carton, flipping them upside down, and adding pins to carefully cradle and hold the eggs in place.

Painting Easter Eggs, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Then I put some q-tips into the polish jars, and let Syd go to town painting. She opted for a drippy paint look.

Painting Easter Eggs, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

I went for my go-to black, white and gold palette, using sharpies & metallic nail polish.

Painting Easter Eggs, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

We cut strips of paper bags to create little nests for our pretty eggs. Here are Syd’s colorful creations:

Painting Easter Eggs, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

DIY Neon Animal Mobile

 

Last week I made a fun mobile to add to Sydney’s new reading corner!

DIY Neon Animal Mobile, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

I’m so excited to share it with you. It’s a very easy and inexpensive DIY. The first thing I did was pick up some toy animals at the dollar store.

DIY Neon Animal Mobile, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

I drilled a small hole in each animal, all the way through, (closer to the head to help balance out weight).

DIY Neon Animal Mobile, via www.thegoldjellybean.com
Then I painted them different neon colors. I used acrylic paints, spray paint, and nail polish.

DIY Neon Animal Mobile, via www.thegoldjellybean.com
I then added a glossy clear coat for extra protection.

DIY Neon Animal Mobile, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Next, using a needle and thread, I strung each animal onto a string, and secured them tightly with hot glue.

DIY Neon Animal Mobile, via www.thegoldjellybean.comI created the base of the mobile by simply using two wooden dowels, glue, and lots of string. Then I tied all of my threaded animals onto the mobile.

DIY Neon Animal Mobile, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

And that’s it! Sydney loves the fun, bright colors. The mobile is the perfect addition to her brand new reading nook!

Fun & Free Toy Storage for Kids

Shoe Box House Storage viawww.thegoldjellybean.com

 

Ever since Christmas, I have been working with Sydney to get rid of some old toys, and make room for the new ones. In doing so, I am also trying to make organizing her toys fun. She loves everything little, and has tons of tiny erasers, dolls, etc. So I took some old shoe boxes, paint, & markers, and made fun little homes for her favorite micro toys.

Shoe Box House Storage viawww.thegoldjellybean.com
These cute little houses are fun & free to make, will help keep rooms clean, and can even be used to play! Doesn’t get better than that…

Shoe Box House Storage viawww.thegoldjellybean.com2

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Throwback Thursday : Dinosaur & Animal Photo Holders

 

Today I’m bringing back an old post from last spring. I originally posted this project on my old site Sunbutter & Jelly, and I wanted to get it back up on my blog to share with you! This is a super easy dollar store DIY. Using some spray paint and an x-acto, I turned these little plastic figures into photo / place card holders. I love the finished product, they add playfulness and humor to our decor!

Pick out the plastic animals of your choice.

Use an utility knife or x-acto to cut a slit in the top of the animal.

Be sure to cut deep enough to hold a card or pic, but don’t cut all the way through.

In a well ventilated and protected area, spray color of your choice.

Let dry, and then they’re ready to use!

You can even use them for place card holders. How cute would these be for a kids birthday party!?

Dinosaur Card Holder, via www.thegoldjellybean.com


And don’t forget to stop by and vote for me COM Top 25 Creative Moms of 2013!

DIY: Making Handprint Christmas Ornaments

 

Today Sydney and I have an assembly line of handprint christmas ornaments going. I remember making one when I was a kid, and it still goes up on my mom’s tree every year. Now, we’ll have one to put on our tree every year!

We made a dough using 2 c. flour, 1 c. fine sea salt, and 1 c. water. Mix all ingredients together and knead for about 5 min. Then roll the dough out, about 1/2″ thick, and use a cup or bowl to cut out circles. Continue reading

10 Rainy Day Projects For Kids

 

After a very chilly night of tricks and treats, and a little too much candy, Sydney and I are feeling a under the weather today. As a result, we have decided to spend the entire afternoon relaxing indoors and getting healthy again. So, today I thought I would share some of my favorite rainy day craft ideas for kids. Enjoy!

1. Making Slime is always a fun time!
2. With $1 Birdhouses just break out some craft supplies and get creative!
3. Glow Jars are a reader favorite
4. Play pirates and Make your own telescope!
5. Stick People are a fun craft, and they promote imaginative play and story telling
6. With some oil and whole wheat flour, have an indoor beach day with Moon Sand fun.
7. And the classic homemade Playdoh is always a kid favorite!
8. Have some unmatched socks laying around? It’s Sock-topus time!
9. Make Pasta Necklaces with some dry pasta, food coloring, and rubbing alcohol.
10. Chances are you have all the ingredients for some homemade Puffy Paint art.

And, I will most likely be spending some quality time on Pinterest during nap time today, so be sure to follow me here!

Fall Artwork : Finger Print Trees

 

I am beyond ready for fall weather, so I think it’s time to break out the apple and pumpkin spice candles. And, time to decorate the house with some autumn artwork made by cute little hands, literally! Today, while Sydney is hard at work fulfilling my wishes, I wanted to share the first project of the day with you. We broke out the finger paints and rolled up our sleeves to make this cute little tree!

Her hand and arm create the trunk and branches…

 

and her little fingers are the leaves.

A squishy ball helped her create the grass to finish off her masterpiece.

Make It Gold

 

Good morning! This weekend went by way too fast! I spent some time working on new handmade items for my Etsy store. They’re almost done, and I can’t wait to share them with you! While I was working, I had the urge to break out the gold spray paint and give some of my tools a new look. Now my tape measure, seam ripper, scissors, tweezers, and xacto feel more like a pretty set. A few coats of clear enamel will keep them protected from scratching and flaking.

While I was working on my tools, Sydney wanted to transform something of hers as well. So, we gave a few of her hair clips a shiny new look.

Sometimes I wish companies would make household products simple with standard black, white, silver, and gold finishes. Like, why can’t tissue boxes just come in a solid black box? Oh, well… I guess that’s why I go through so much spray paint!

Jewelry DIY with Paint Dipped Coral and Gold Shells

 

I’ve had this DIY on my mind for quite awhile now, and finally got around to it last week. It all started when I saw, and fell in love with, these necklaces from Anthropologie. I immediately thought “I can make that!” I have had my shell collection stored away ever since we moved, and this was the perfect reason to sort through it. My collection is entirely made up of shells and coral my dad and I found over the years. So in the end all the necklaces I made have a special memory behind them!

Supplies:

I used nail polish to give the coral the paint dipped look of the inspiration necklace.

I was also inspired to transform the shells with a shiny coat of gold spray paint.

Then I used gold and other colored string to create necklaces.

Sydney even joined in on the fun! I assemble her necklace first, then let her paint away.

To finish off the necklaces you can either add a clasp to your string, or attach the coral or shell to a finished chain.

And that’s all there is to it!

Things I Loved This Week

I am so glad it’s Friday, and I wish everyone a wonderful weekend! Here are a few things I came across and loved this week that I wanted to share with you. Enjoy!

This crafty suitcase TUTORIAL FROM MOUSEHOUSE is not only cute for kids, but I want one too! Previously I made a dog bed out of a vintage suitcase, but now I’m on the hunt for a new one so I can get my sewing supplies organized.

This past weekend my sister brought Syd some TEMP TATTOOS FROM TATTLY, LOVE them. I appreciate anything and everything well designed, and that’s exactly what these are. Plus, they’re fun for both kids and adults!

These gold and white painted mason jars via THE BEAUTY DEPARTMENT are simply beautiful. I could see these used in several rooms around the house. It’s time to get organized!

 

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Dollarstore Craft : Decorating Birdhouses

 

This afternoon we are breaking out our paints and other goodies from the craft cabinet, and decorating birdhouses! This is a fun activity for kids of all ages, and can help with dexterity, learning colors, and promoting creativity. Plus, these cute little wooden houses can be found for just a buck each at either the dollar store or local craft store. Continue reading

Design Trends : Seeing Blue

 

There’s no doubt that when it comes to recent design trends, blue is in. I first fell in love with the color and brought it home when we moved to our current apartment last spring. We coated our 12 foot bedroom walls in the perfect shade of navy blue. The color has actually become one of my all time favorite paint colors, and I can’t wait to use it in another room!

The blue hue is the perfect color scheme if you’re looking to achieve a unique and globally inspired design. Earlier this summer Ikea launched their limited edition True Blue Collection. It’s an Indian-inspired collection, and, in my opinion, it’s to die for. I want to own it all, and have been eagerly awaiting a release of the collection in our local stores. Sadly, I have finally come to the realization that it probably won’t happen. Sigh.

Continue reading

Chevron / Herringbone Painted Wall Tips

 

I have gotten some questions about our chevron / herringbone patterned wall, and how we achieved the look, so I wanted to share my method with you. Unfortunately, it came before the blog, so I didn’t take step by step photos. But, I will do my best to explain and illustrate the steps. So here we go! Continue reading

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