Bring the Outdoors In: Nature Collage
Posted Monday, April 09, 2012
By Christine of Belly Bear Baby Gear
Looking for a way to enjoy and capture the color and beauty found in early spring? Then this fun, simple activity will be a perfect experience for you and your children. Not many materials are needed. Clear contact paper (as a side note, this is not as easily found as I was anticipating. When looking for clear contact paper, do not go to your local grocery store, drug store or Staples as I attempted. After 5 miserable failed attempts, I finally found the apparently illusive contact paper at Home Depot of all places), items from nature: grass, flowers, leaves..., string or ribbon, a hole punch, and a basket to collect your nature items.
While outdoors with your children offer them a basket and often all you'll need to do is take a step back and watch. Children are natural collectors of beautiful, natural items and will make quick work of finding things to place in their baskets.
I was inspired to write about this by my 17 month old daughter. Upon arriving home recently, she climbed out of the car and immediately bee-lined for the lawn where she quickly plucked a tiny acorn lid from the grass. She was amazed by this beautiful item and insisted on bringing it indoors. This moment reminded me of the many nature collages I have made over the years with the preschool aged students in my class.
Once their baskets are full, this is where the clear contact paper comes in. You may now begin placing the natural items directly onto the contact paper. Flat items work best for this. Izzy's little acorn cap would be a bit challenging to use in this application.
If you are working with young toddlers as I was here, they will not only enjoy sticking items to the contact paper, but will want some time to simply enjoy the tactile experience of the paper itself!
Now that you have filled one piece of contact paper with your beautiful things, you can either place a new piece of contact paper on top to sandwich the items in between, or you could simply fold the paper in half as I did here.
This project is so open ended you can make any size collage you would like. Once your collage is complete, there are a variety of applications for it. If you made a small collage, punch a hole in the top, put a piece of string through and instant book mark!
These nature collages also make lovely window hangings. They truly are a sight to see when the sun shines through. Be creative and use your imagination (2 things young children are great at). The variety and beauty found in nature will provide brilliant works of art.
Christine can be found online on her blog Bellybearbabygear, facebook, and her etsy shop:
Looking for a way to enjoy and capture the color and beauty found in early spring? Then this fun, simple activity will be a perfect experience for you and your children. Not many materials are needed. Clear contact paper (as a side note, this is not as easily found as I was anticipating. When looking for clear contact paper, do not go to your local grocery store, drug store or Staples as I attempted. After 5 miserable failed attempts, I finally found the apparently illusive contact paper at Home Depot of all places), items from nature: grass, flowers, leaves..., string or ribbon, a hole punch, and a basket to collect your nature items.
While outdoors with your children offer them a basket and often all you'll need to do is take a step back and watch. Children are natural collectors of beautiful, natural items and will make quick work of finding things to place in their baskets.
I was inspired to write about this by my 17 month old daughter. Upon arriving home recently, she climbed out of the car and immediately bee-lined for the lawn where she quickly plucked a tiny acorn lid from the grass. She was amazed by this beautiful item and insisted on bringing it indoors. This moment reminded me of the many nature collages I have made over the years with the preschool aged students in my class.
Once their baskets are full, this is where the clear contact paper comes in. You may now begin placing the natural items directly onto the contact paper. Flat items work best for this. Izzy's little acorn cap would be a bit challenging to use in this application.
If you are working with young toddlers as I was here, they will not only enjoy sticking items to the contact paper, but will want some time to simply enjoy the tactile experience of the paper itself!
This project is so open ended you can make any size collage you would like. Once your collage is complete, there are a variety of applications for it. If you made a small collage, punch a hole in the top, put a piece of string through and instant book mark!
These nature collages also make lovely window hangings. They truly are a sight to see when the sun shines through. Be creative and use your imagination (2 things young children are great at). The variety and beauty found in nature will provide brilliant works of art.
Christine can be found online on her blog Bellybearbabygear, facebook, and her etsy shop:
Tutorial:: Faux Frosted Glass
Posted Friday, April 06, 2012
From Kayce of WorldofWhimm and On a Whimm.
Here's how to do it:
Materials:
- Contact paper (also called shelf paper - I used white)
- Scissors
- Exacto knife
- Cutting Mat
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Clip art, printed and cut around edges (optional)
Step 2: Measure your mirror and cut the contact paper to fit (for the Alice in Wonderland piece, I used two vertical pieces).
Step 3: Turn it over and on the back draw your design (in reverse). I recommend pencil for this step... I used pen so that you could see what I was doing. Either way, it won't show since the back piece of paper will be removed. I also drew my design freehand. If you aren't this confident, you can print some clip art on your printer, cut around the outside of them and trace the silhouette onto the back of the contact paper (I did this for some of the Alice in Wonderland design).
Step 4: Cut out your design. If you have pieces that are islands, be sure to keep track of them when you cut them out, or don't completely cut them out - leaving it attached to the larger piece with a thin strip (see my letter "A" and "R"). I used scissors for the larger parts and an exact knife for the details and inside pieces. I also used a hole punch for the bird eyes.
Step 5: Clean your mirror. Then start on the straight edge of your contact paper, if you have one, and fold it back so that only an inch is exposed. This will make it easier for you to line it up and make sure it's straight before you peel it all off.
Step 6: (I recommend having two people for this step - one to peel, one to smooth) Slowly peel away the back as you press the sticky side of the paper against the mirror, doing your best to push out all bubbles. I found it difficult to get rid of all bubbles - but I didn't have a helper. Beware that if you pull the paper off, do it carefully as it will stretch slightly which will only add to the number of bubbles you have.
Step 7: Clean the mirror one more time if you have fingerprints all over - and your done!
The contact paper comes off fairly easily when you are ready to remove it. I did have to pull it off in several pieces and it left some glue in a few spots. However, the glue washed off easily with a mixture of vinegar, lemon, dish soap and water. I'm sure a glass cleaner would work as well.
Happy Spring!
Kayce can be found online on her blog On a Whimm, facebook, and her Etsy Shop:
The contact paper comes off fairly easily when you are ready to remove it. I did have to pull it off in several pieces and it left some glue in a few spots. However, the glue washed off easily with a mixture of vinegar, lemon, dish soap and water. I'm sure a glass cleaner would work as well.
Happy Spring!
Kayce can be found online on her blog On a Whimm, facebook, and her Etsy Shop:
Introducing Marissa V
Posted Thursday, April 05, 2012
Today We Introduce You To Marissa of Marissa V
Q: What motivated you to start your shop?
I started my company, from marissa v., in London in 2005, because I wanted to start my own business, and my hobby was making clothing. Initially it was just women's apparel. I had my own online shop as well as selling to stores. After I moved back to the US in 2008, and had my first daughter, I added a baby line. I subsequently found out about Etsy and created my Etsy shop. My Etsy sales soon surpassed my personal website sales so I closed my online shop. It's great that you don't have to pay a monthly fee on Etsy!
Q: What is the story behind your shop name?
My company's full name is 'from marissa v.' It's a bit awkward to say and write! But I wanted a sort of personal feel to the name - from marissa v. to you.
Q: Do you have a favorite Etsy Shop (non-child related)?
I like looking at the weird, intricate art of Lisel Ashlock http://www.etsy.com/shop/liseljane
I started my company, from marissa v., in London in 2005, because I wanted to start my own business, and my hobby was making clothing. Initially it was just women's apparel. I had my own online shop as well as selling to stores. After I moved back to the US in 2008, and had my first daughter, I added a baby line. I subsequently found out about Etsy and created my Etsy shop. My Etsy sales soon surpassed my personal website sales so I closed my online shop. It's great that you don't have to pay a monthly fee on Etsy!
Q: What is the story behind your shop name?
My company's full name is 'from marissa v.' It's a bit awkward to say and write! But I wanted a sort of personal feel to the name - from marissa v. to you.
Q: Do you have a favorite Etsy Shop (non-child related)?
I like looking at the weird, intricate art of Lisel Ashlock http://www.etsy.com/shop/liseljane
Q: What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
It takes a long time to dispatch orders, unless you have a bunch of orders at the same time! I don't have enough room to leave out all my packing/tagging/etc supplies so it takes a while. I don't really build that time into my prices.
Q: What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
That there is so much stuff on Etsy, I feel like it's hard to get potential customers to notice you. Once they do find me, I get a lot of repeat customers!
Q: What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
The products reflect my modern, often minimalist aesthetic. Many of the baby items are unisex, which reminds me of a more Scandinavian way of dressing children.
Q: How would someone (other then you) describe you?
Motivated but lazy. My husband thinks I'm disorganized, but then he's never cleaned a bathroom.
Q: What music do you have on while you are creating?
Music? I'm so out of touch with what's going on in music! My two girls are listening to an album of Australian kids' songs.
Q: What do you do when you aren't working?
Reading, jogging and crossword puzzles! During holidays, my husband and I torture ourselves by taking our 1 and 3-year-old daughters camping. We also go to England for long periods to visit my husband's family.
Q: Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
I'm thrilled to appear on the blog!
Tutorial:: Bunny & Egg Garland
Posted Tuesday, April 03, 2012
[This craft makes an excellent after school activity for older children .]
Your crafty decorator is baaaaaaack….. with another fun project to replace those adorable Shamrocks that hung from your windows for St. Patrick’s Day. Today we’re making bunnies and eggs! The concept is the same as the Shamrocks, so go gather up a few simple items and we’ll be hopping down the bunny trail.
Materials needed:
- Bunny and Egg clip art or draw your own to suit your taste.
- 2 sheets of paper or cardstock. Cardstock works better.
- Scissors. For this project I used pinking shears because it looks cuter.
- Hole punch or awl. I have a punch with a very small hole, which is better than your average hole punch.
- Glue
- Fabric marker or permanent marker
- Yarn – white
- Felt or Craft Foam. I like the “natural” look of felt over foam. I chose pastels and ecru. Darker colors don’t show up as well from the street as pastels.
- Craft pompoms, large and small sizes. Coordinating colors for your bunny nose and tail.
- Tape
Now, let’s get started:
1) Copy or trace the Bunny & Egg shape onto the paper/card stock. Cut them out. I have 2 sizes of bunnies on mine.
2) Trace bunnies & egg onto Felt or Foam. If your bunny shape is symmetrical, you can fold the shape in half, fold the felt and place the shape on the fold before cutting it out – see picture on right, below. Don’t cut the fold.
3) Cut them out. Pinking shears give a more festive look to these shapes instead of straight-edge scissors.
4) Glue a pompom on one side for the bunny tail. I used small pompoms for my little bunnies and large ones for the big bunnies.
5) Glue small pompom on the OPPOSITE side for bunny nose.
6) Cut TWO very SMALL holes with hole punch or awl, evenly
spaced about an inch from the top and bottom of shape. I chose
to make them right at the tail and nose of bunny shapes.
7) Cut yarn to desired length for windows or doors. I wrap a piece of tape on the end of the yarn so it doesn't fray and is easier to slip through the holes.
8) Slip yarn thru holes in bunnies & eggs. Tie a knot at the bottom so the bunny doesn’t slip off.
9) Hang with tape on windows or doors. TA DA!
If you are REALLY creative, add glitter or other adornments to your “egg” shapes. You can cut circles or other shapes from the felt and glue onto the eggs. I think I’ll be embellishing mine for next year!
So now you have these for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter. I’ll be back with another one soon. I’m considering creating a kit to sell and/or taking orders for completed decorations. Let me know what you think. Would you rather go the craft store to buy all the materials and make this yourself (with your kids), or open up a box with a set for your favorite holiday?
Now I’m going to break into the speckled eggs and celebrate a little early! Happy Easter!!
Keep up with ComfyCozyKeepsakes on facebook and at her Etsy Shop:
Book Nook: Inner Perfectionist Beware!
Posted Monday, April 02, 2012
From Cherice of InnerPiecesGallery.
I believe that within each of us lives at least a hint of perfectionism. After all, who among us really WANTS to make a mistake?
Apparently, Barney Saltzberg does. In his delightfully creative book, BEAUTIFUL OOPS!, he shows us how to use our mistakes, mishaps and blunders (yes my friend, we ALL make them) as opportunities to set our imaginations free!
From the very first page you know that you’re in for a special treat. This book is clearly exciting and mature enough for an older child yet feels as sturdy as an infant’s board book. That’s important because you’ll want to explore these artistic pages again and again. Secret fold-always throughout the book show inquisitive minds just how beautiful a smudge, a stain, or a spilled blob of paint can become.
Inner perfectionist beware. Once you read BEAUTIFUL OOPS!, you and the kids may find yourselves searching for excuses to make more oopses!
Find InnerPiecesGallery online at their blog, twitter and Etsy Shop.
InnerPiecesGallery, EtsyKids Team nor Etsy is affiliated with the books author(s), illustrator(s) or publisher. This review is provided simply for the joy of sharing good books and for supporting the work of inspiring authors.
I believe that within each of us lives at least a hint of perfectionism. After all, who among us really WANTS to make a mistake?
Apparently, Barney Saltzberg does. In his delightfully creative book, BEAUTIFUL OOPS!, he shows us how to use our mistakes, mishaps and blunders (yes my friend, we ALL make them) as opportunities to set our imaginations free!
Inner perfectionist beware. Once you read BEAUTIFUL OOPS!, you and the kids may find yourselves searching for excuses to make more oopses!
Find InnerPiecesGallery online at their blog, twitter and Etsy Shop.
InnerPiecesGallery, EtsyKids Team nor Etsy is affiliated with the books author(s), illustrator(s) or publisher. This review is provided simply for the joy of sharing good books and for supporting the work of inspiring authors.
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