When I first discovered this technique, I thought how cool it would be to make gifts for the kids’ grandparents. Just in case it worked, I took pictures during the process, so I could share it with you. And boy, did it work! The results were fantastic, and it was so rewarding for Ava to see her picture turned into a candle!
Ava didn’t actually draw on the candle. She drew on tissue paper, which we heated onto the candle. You’ll just have to try it yourself, and then you’ll understand! 🙂
How do you store your child’s artwork? Well, my brother, bless his heart, keeps all of Ava and Landon’s mail and artwork that they give him in a very special place…. on top of his microwave. 🙂 A pretty little stack of papers have been there since Ava was itty-bitty. It’s so sweet that he keeps his niece and nephew’s pictures and that he keeps them out where they can be enjoyed, but I thought that perhaps he would like a slightly more organized and attractive, yet still accessible, way to keep their artwork. So, I found this black Document Storage Box, and I just couldn’t pass it up. It’s the perfect size, and we chose to personalize it and give it to him as a gift.
Here’s a fun way to spend some time on a weekend. Throw your kids some clothes pins, magazines or scrapbook paper, paint & brush, scissors, and glue, and task them with making attractive clothes pins. You’ll be using them for years to come, and you’ll smile each time you use one.
Whip up a pouch with some felt, embroidery floss, and a needle. Personalize it with buttons or trim or other felt cut outs like our hearts. We made ours to hold a car air freshener, so it no longer has to dangle from the rear view mirror, and we will also be using it as a glove box organizer. Make it any size to accommodate a gift. It could be filled with candy, a sachet, a gift card, or whatever else you dream up.
Here is a fun family craft that knows no age limit and isn’t messy. We each made our own ornament to display on our back door. The tree is window crayon, but you can completely skip that part if you prefer, and just “hang” your pretty ornaments or lights alone. These really took on a three-dimensional appearance, and they look pretty at night-time! This activity would also be fun to use on another holiday – think Easter eggs, shamrocks, hearts, stars, etc. And if you do all the prep work, this project would be perfect for very little children, and could make a great Sunday School project simply by adding a message about Christ or by making a cross.
This idea is just too easy, versatile, handy, cheap, convenient, and cute to not pass along to you! One day I stumbled upon How About Orange‘s original tutorial for turning any sized envelope into a small gift bag, and I’m so glad I found it! We have found countless ways to use these incredible bags around our house and for gifts!!! In the photo above, are two bags we made. These were plain envelopes until I took decorative scissors and a black pen to one, and Ava got busy stamping hers with a cut sponge and tempera paint. So, if you are needing a cute little bag for any occasion, you’re going to love making one or two or more for yourself!…