Creative Kids : Storytelling

DIY Storytelling

 

Good Morning! The last couple weeks we’ve had fun practicing storytelling with Sydney, all thanks to Elmer’s Early Learners Academy. As soon as our fun box filled with supplies arrived, Syd couldn’t wait to open it up and get crafting! Continue reading

DIY Spring Felt Flower Box Craft

Spring Flower Box Craft for Kids, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

 

 

Good morning! I hope everyone is set and ready for a great weekend!  I am really excited to share a DIY feature I did for Delighted Magazine! Sydney and I had so much fun with it.

Spring Flower Box Craft for Kids, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Spring Flower Box Craft for Kids, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

You can check out the full tutorial in the online publication by clicking here.

Spring Flower Box Craft for Kids, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Springy Spring Spring : Yarn Wrapped Candles

Yarn Wrapped Candles for Spring, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

 

These yarn wrapped candles are the perfect way to add a bright & cheery touch of spring to your table!

And they couldn’t be any easier to make. You just need candles (I picked up mine at Target for under two bucks a piece), colorful yarn, and some glue.

Yarn Wrapped Candles for Spring, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Start by glueing one end of your yarn to the candle, then get to wrapping. Make sure you wrap tightly, and add a dot of glue every so often. If you’re using hot glue like I did, be sure  to just use a little dot. If the glue builds up it creates bumps under your yarn.

Yarn Wrapped Candles3

Switch up the colors to make different designs.

Yarn Wrapped Candles for Spring, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Then they’re ready to display! As always use caution when working with hot glue, and make sure you keep the yarn far enough away from the tops of your candles!

Yarn Wrapped Candles for Spring, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Felt Shamrock Plant For St. Patrick’s Day

DIY Felt Shamrocks, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

 

Good Morning! I have been so busy working with a few different clients, helping them to refresh and update their homes. But, yesterday I finally found some time to break out my glue gun again! I made this cute little shamrock plant to add a festive touch to our window sill. All I used was green & white felt, wire, scissors, and glue.

DIY Felt Shamrocks, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Cut out some hearts. Use glue to give them a little dimension. Then, glue the heart shaped clover leaves to your wire. I also made larger clovers by turning my hearts upside-down. Get creative with it.

DIY Felt Shamrocks, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Then stick them all into  a cute little cup or pot with some foam in the bottom. And done! A super quick afternoon craft!

DIY Felt Shamrocks, 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!

DIY Valentines Featured On Shutterstock Today!

DIY Image Transfer Valentines, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

 

Check out how to make these fun Valentine’s I made for Shutterstock! My tutorial is featured on their blog today. With this DIY tutorial you can make personalized homemade cards, and there are no special talents required! It’s a super easy way to create custom Valentines with printed artwork or photographs.

Click Here for the full tutorial.

 

DIY Frames

DIY Art Frames For Kids, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

 

We finally trust that Sydney won’t use her paints, crayons, and markers to decorate the walls, floors, or furniture. So, we moved her workstation into her bedroom. In doing so, it was totally necessary to hang some masterpieces on her wall. I made a few quick frames using cardboard, markers, and twine. It’s super easy. Check it out!

DIY Art Frames For Kids, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Cut a frame shape out of cardboard.

DIY Art Frames For Kids, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Decorate it with markers.

DIY Art Frames For Kids, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Attach some twine to the back.

DIY Art Frames For Kids, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

And hang!

DIY Finger Print Valentines

DIY Fingerprint Valentines, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

 

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and this year is Sydney’s first Vday at school. So, we have been hard at work on some DIY Valentines!

DIY Fingerprint Valentines, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

All we used was an ink pad, card stock, pen, and her cute little fingers.

DIY Fingerprint Valentines, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Syd tackled the first step, using two thumbprints to make a heart.

DIY Fingerprint Valentines, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Then, I added some black ink to create a heart balloon and sweet greeting.

DIY Fingerprint Valentines, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

I wrote Sydney’s name in pencil, then let her trace over it in pen.

DIY Fingerprint Valentines, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Now these cute little cards just need some candy and they’re ready to give!

DIY Fingerprint Valentines, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

DIY Kids Valentines Day Peter Pan Collar

Kids Peter Pan Collar, Perfect for Valentines Day, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

 

I did this project with Syd, but it can be done by anyone, big or small!
It just takes a few simple supplies:
– paper, pencil & scissors to make a pattern
– felt or other fabric and ribbon
– pins to hold things in place
– fabric glue, and/or hot glue (not for kiddos!)
– various sequins, jewels, etc. for embellishment

Kids Peter Pan Collar, Perfect for Valentines Day, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Then, just follow the simple steps pictured above.

Kids Peter Pan Collar, Perfect for Valentines Day, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Here are just a couple that we did on a rainy day. The pink one Sydney made to wear for Valentine’s Day!

Kids Peter Pan Collar, Perfect for Valentines Day, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

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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Testing Out DIY Sharpie Mugs

 

The Sharpie mug DIYs have been done several times, and I always see them and love the idea, but don’t believe they actually hold up. So I put them to the test!

DIY Sharpie Mugs Tested, via The Gold Jellybean

I picked up some inexpensive mugs & bowls, and some Sharpie permanent markers. I grabbed the typical black, a couple metallics, and a pack of silver & gold oil based markers.

I doodled away, popped them all in the oven at 350 for 30 min, let them cool fully, then soaped up a sponge and got to washing. Here are the results….

Typical black marker: Fail

DIY Sharpie Mugs Tested, via The Gold Jellybean

Mix of typical black and metallic: No good

DIY Sharpie Mugs Tested, via The Gold Jellybean

Oil based metallics: ding ding!

DIY Sharpie Mugs Tested, via The Gold Jellybean

We have a winner!

DIY Sharpie Mugs Tested, via The Gold Jellybean

One little tip, if you’re nervous to try this out because you might make a mistake… have no fear! Just put a little rubbing alcohol on a cloth and wipe away your booboos. As long as you fix it before baking, it’s all good! I found this to work for both the regular and oil based sharpies.

DIY Sharpie Mugs Tested, via The Gold Jellybean

** I would never recommend using the markers on any surface that will come in contact with food or your mouth. I was sure to keep my designs away from the lip of my mugs, and I highly suggest you do the same!
** With washing I thoroughly scrubbed my mugs, but was sure to be more on the gentle side when washing over top of my designs.

Personalized Wine Gift Bags, A Free & Easy DIY

Easy Thank You Gift Bags for Wine

 

Sydney and I are still working on a fun DIY today, something that will add a little sparkle to her wardrobe. While we finish that, I want to share these super easy and free personalized gift bags for giving bottles of wine, champagne, etc.

Easy Thank You Gift Bags for Wine

The only supplies you need are the brown bag the bottle came in, string or twine, and a sharpie. Feel free to doodle and get creative, perfect handwriting not required! But if you’d like a little help, you can always print something off and trace it!

Easy Thank You Gift Bags for Wine

 

Creative Gift Wrapping: What to Pack in Your Suitcase

Creative Gift Wrapping, Essentials to Pack in Your Suitcase, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

 

If you’re anything like me, then you still have Christmas shopping to do. Actually you’ve barely done any shopping thus far, so you’ll have to do it once you get to your final Christmas destination…. and so you may be wondering how you can make your gifts pretty without spending a fortune on new supplies while you’re out of town for the Holidays. Well, I have planned ahead for just this situation, and Continue reading

Christmas Gift Wrapping : Re-using Boxes

 

I’ve had a busy month thus far, and am finally getting around to gift wrapping. Once I got started, the first thing I did was take a good look around the house for items I could reuse. I ended up with some leftover gift boxes and a few empty brie containers. With a little paint and a few embellishments, I completely transformed Continue reading

Creative Christmas Wrapping : Personalizing Gift Cards

 

Good morning! I am excited today is day one of the Coca-Cola Balanced Living Workshop! I’m looking forward to a day jam packed with healthy information! While I’m off learning with other Chicago moms, please enjoy some thank you gift cards I wrapped Continue reading

Things I Loved This Week: Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

Happy Friday! I hope everyone had a great week. Today I am making my Christmas gift list, and thinking of some creative diy ideas. While I do that, I wanted to share a few great ones I came across this week. Enjoy!

I love this embellished pencil block spotted on Design Sponge. What a great idea, and a fairly easy diy.

These diy stick horses from A Beautiful Mess Continue reading

How to Make Borax Crystal Snowballs

 

These borax crystal snowballs are a fun and festive science experiment, plus they make for beautiful decorations and gift toppers. To make the snowballs you need white craft pom poms in various sizes. Tie one or two pom poms to a string. Continue reading

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

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