June 2015Occasionally Crafty: June 2015

Monday, June 29

Summer Pinwheel Banner Tutorial

The bright colors in all the stores are calling my name for summer! I knew I wanted to put together something for my mantel that would bring those bright colors into my house.
So, I made this Pinwheel Banner to display, and I'm going to share the tutorial with you.

To get the full tutorial, head on over to Kenarry: Ideas for the Home, where I'm sharing this today as part of the Contributor Team!
Have a great week!

DIY Puppet Show Theater: Helping Children Express Emotions Through Play

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #InsideOutEmotions #CollectiveBias

Have you seen Inside Out yet? We saw it as a family on opening weekend and absolutely loved it.
I may have (silently) shed a tear or two.
Riley, the main (human) character, is eleven years old, and is struggling with new emotions after a move to San Francisco.
I have a ten year old daughter who is also struggling with some very tough emotions. Seeing Riley struggle brought all those mommy feelings of worry and fear come out strongly as I thought of my daughter. I'm thankful that we have an open dialogue between us where we can talk about feelings and how to handle them, and Inside Out gave me a new tool to use with all my kids!
A few days later, we were shopping at Walmart (which is not exactly fun with three kids), when we spotted the brand new, exclusive Inside Out plushes.
I practically had to hold my kids back to keep them from diving headfirst into the bin! They each picked out their favorite and started re-enacting the movie! My daughter grabbed Joy and Sadness. My youngest son grabbed Disgust. And my middle child, always the diplomat, grabbed Anger and said "someone needs to hold Fear, too", and picked him up.

We headed home and put together a stage for them to use with their characters. You can make one too! Here's what you need:

Tri-fold cardboard display board (like you use for a science fair project) Paint and paintbrush Stickers Fabric for a curtain Brads or fasteners Jute or twine
1. Trace out where you want your stage opening to be. I wanted to make sure the plush characters would mostly fit into the window, so I used Fear as my guide. Lightly trace your lines with a ruler and pencil.

2. Paint your scenery on the display board. I wanted my kids to be able to use this for any "show", so we kept it simple- a sky and a field of grass and flowers. Poster paints would be perfect for this, but I just used some watered down craft/acrylic paint.

4. Use a box cutter to cut out your stage window. I place a ruler over the lines I had measured, then cut as I pushed the box cutter against the ruler to help keep it straight.
3. Add embellishments as desired. My daughter chose glitter flowers to represent the Inside Out characters.
4. Make a curtain. We kept this as simple as possible. Cut a length of fabric (I used burlap) to go from the top of the board to about 2 inches past the bottom of your stage window, and about 2 inches wider on each side.
5. Fasten your fabric at the top with large brads or other fasteners.
6. Roll up your curtain and tie with jute or twine pieces, fastening through the top of your stage window. This will keep the curtain out of the way for a long afternoon of play.

The kids jumped right behind this and started playing. Note- we did not make the plush into puppets- we just let them be the characters on the "stage".
They loved re-enacting scenes from the movie. Once that wore off, we started role-playing some different situations. They would sit behind the "stage" and I would go through a scenario with them.
"You are playing a video game. You're in the middle of a level that you've spent a lot of time on. Mom tells you that you have to turn it off and go to bed. Which emotion are you feeling?"
- My son would pull up Anger and re-enact his histrionics from the movie, and we'd all laugh.
"Good- it's okay to feel angry, but what would happen if you acted like that to me? "
"I'd probably get in trouble for being disrespectful," he said.
"That's right. So you can feel angry, but you still need to show respect to your parents. What should you do instead?"
" I could say 'Mom, if I quit now I'll lose my progress- can I please play until I hit a save point?'"
"That's a much better idea!"
That's just one example of how you can use these plush to help you talk about emotions with your kids. I have several very spirited children and one thing I have learned over the years is that it is SO important to be able to put feelings into words. It helps me be a better parent when I can understand what they are feeling, and it helps them to control their reactions better when they can understand some reasons behind why they are acting the way they are.
P.S. They love to do the same thing with their Inside Out fruit snacks. This is one time I don't mind if they play with their food ;)
My daughter is at that pre-pubescent stage where emotions are running all over the place. I'm glad that we can sit down and talk through the emotions and some reasons behind them. Knowing her emotions are "normal" helps her bring up her self-esteem, where otherwise she thinks there is something "wrong" with her.
"Puppet" shows are a great insight to see what your children find funny, tidbits of knowledge they have that you didn't realize they knew, and otherwise develop physical skills as well as emotional and language skills.

What was your favorite part of Inside Out? Or, if you haven't seen it yet, do you plan to?

Thursday, June 25

The Handmade Hangout #54 + FEATURES!

Welcome to the Handmade Hangout- where you can link up all things made by YOU!

This week I'm featuring three of my favorite projects from last week's linky.
1. Industrial Farmhouse Table Makeover by Anderson + Grant

2. Ombre Dresser from Divine Lifestyle

3. Peanut Butter Chocolate Trifles from Three Kids and a Fish.

Now, on to this week's link-up. Just a few easy rules:

1. Become a follower of the blog where you linked up. Of course we'd love it if you follow all our hosts on whatever platforms you use most!

2. Share our button or party link in your post or wherever you share your linky parties

Link up your projects!

An InLinkz Link-up

Wednesday, June 24

Draw Rainforest Animals with Chalk Pastels

Has boredom set in for your kids yet? Are you looking for a new activity to do with your kids? Your kids will love the art activity I'm sharing today: Draw Rainforest Animals with Chalk Pastels.

I'm all about finding fun and inexpensive ideas to keep my kids entertained in the summer. When they learn something along the way, it's even better.
Read the rest of this post over at The Crafting Chicks, where I am guest posting today as part of their Endless Summer Series.
(P.S.- that boredom thing? Totally cured by checking out all the Endless Summer Posts!)

Monday, June 22

Sugar {Maroon 5} Printable

Do you ever hear a song once, and it's stuck in your head for the rest of the day? Apparently those are called "earworms". Which I think is a disgusting name for something so fun. But Maroon 5's Sugar is definitely an earworm for me. I love it- it is just a fun song, and the video is awesome (even if it's not all real!) I've been meaning to sit down and make a fun printable to with the song for some time, so I finally did it.

This would be cute for a card for your sweetheart, or as a fun sign to display, especially around Valentine's Day. I don't know why I made it now- in June. But I did. So enjoy ;) This is an 8x10 that will print on normal 8.5x11 paper. Just trim at the bottom and right side, and display!

Click here to download your Sugar print.

Sunday, June 21

When Life Gives You Lemons Vinyl Sign

Today I made a cute summer sign featuring my favorite summer drink--lemonade-- and I'm sharing it with you!

I love these three-dimensional wood plaques you see at stores everywhere with cute designs on them. I've asked around a ton of times where to get blank ones to make. Everyone would tell me they just buy them from stores on clearance and paint over them. But finally, I found what I was looking for!

To read the rest of this tutorial, head over to The Love Nerds, where I'm a new monthly contributor! What do you think?

Summer Kickoff Giveaway- $375 Paypal Cash and a Kate Spade Watch

Hey all! I don't normally post on Sundays, but I HAD to get in on this fun giveaway with some other awesome creative bloggers! You're going to love what we have for you:

This watch is GORGEOUS! It is rose gold in a leather band with pave-set crystal bezel, stacked crystal hour markers, and spade logo at the 12-hour mark.

In addition to the beautiful watch, you'll win $375 Paypal cash to help make your summer amazing! I'm kind of jealous I can't enter.
Enter to win via the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, June 18

The Handmade Hangout #53 + FEATURES!

Welcome to the Handmade Hangout- where you can link up all things made by YOU!

This week I'm featuring three of my favorite projects from last week's linky.
#1- IKEA Trysil Dresser Makeover by Techie's DIY Adventures
Blue Dresser, blue and gold dresser, Ikea TRYSIL Dresser makeover inspired by One Kings lane dresser, Ikea TRYSIL Dresser makeover

Blue Dresser, blue and gold dresser, Ikea TRYSIL Dresser makeover inspired by One Kings lane dresser, Ikea TRYSIL Dresser makeover

2. Sea Salt Caramel Bars from The Rebel Chick:
Sea Salt Caramel Bars Recipe

3. Liberty Plaque from The Happy Scraps
Independence-day-july-4th-b

I can't wait to see what you all have come up with this week! Please, just follow a few little rules when linking up. 1. Become a follower of the blog where you linked up. Of course we'd love it if you follow all our hosts on whatever platforms you use most!

Allison from A Glimpse Inside

Blog - Facebook - Pinterest - Instagram - Twitter - Google+

Christina from Christina's Adventures

Blog - Facebook - Pinterest - Instagram - Twitter - Google+

Becca from From Gardners to Bergers

Blog - Facebook - Pinterest - Twitter - Hometalk - Google+

Kim from Too Much Time on My Hands

Blog - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Google+ - Hometalk - Instagram - Bloglovin

Heather from Twin Dragonfly Designs

Blog - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Google+ - Instagram

Valerie from Occasionally Crafty

Blog - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Google+ - Instagram - Hometalk

Tracie from Cleverly Inspired

Blog - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Google+ - Instagram - YouTube - Food Gawker

Alli from Made with HAPPY

Blog - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Google+ - Instagram - Hometalk - YouTube - Bloglovin

2. Share our button or party link in your post or wherever you share your linky parties

Link up your projects!

An InLinkz Link-up

Monday, June 15

Fingerprint Wedding Table Numbers

Make your wedding extra special with a personal "touch"- make these Fingerprint Table Number Cards to bring extra sweetness to your wedding reception!

Whether you are having your table number cards printed or are making them from scratch, this idea can easily be incorporated in your design!
Start by including the names of the bride and groom at the top. Leave a space wide enough between the names for a fingerprint heart.
Include the table number in large numerals at the bottom of the card.
When your cards are ready to go, the bride and the groom should each ink up their thumb and apply their thumbprints- bride's thumb angled to the right, groom's thumb angled to the left and just overlapping at the bottom.

I used red for the fingerprint hearts but it would also be cute to use your wedding colors-- one for the bride and a different color for the groom.
Using your own fingerprints to sweeten up something that could be overlooked like a table number card will make your wedding stand out! And, it's simple and quick to do!

Enjoy your big day! Now click on the button to find out what everyone else has come up with for Craft Lightning: Weddings!

Thursday, June 11

The Handmade Hangout #52- Introducing Alli +FEATURES!

Hi everyone! Welcome to another edition of the Handmade Hangout! Link up today for a chance to be featured on EIGHT different blogs!

I'm featuring three of my favorite projects that were linked up at last week's party!
1. I love this Neutral Summer Mantel from Anderson+Grant:

2. These gorgeous Apple Rose Puffed Pastries from To Simply Inspire:

3. This DIY Rustic Arrow Growth Chart by Blesser House: I love the new spin on a popular project!

DIY Rustic Arrow Growth Chart | Bless'er House - Cute twist on the oversized ruler ones!

Now, let's meet this week's hostess.

Hello and HAPPY DAY! I'm Alli, the HAPPY maker behind Made with HAPPY, a creative lifestyle blog in pursuit of all things HAPPY. The left side of my brain is a skilled computer programmer, analyst, and statistician, while the right-side loves to be covered in glitter, paint, pizza and sawdust. My passion lies in creating simple HAPPY crafts, recipes, entertaining, traveling and DIY home projects.
Here are a few of my post that I think give you an idea of what you're going to find over at MADE WITH HAPPY

Last Summer, I build this Made with HAPPY Treehouse for my kids along with my Dad. I share all the steps to make this baby for yourself for under $300.

I threw my daughter a rainbow birthday party full of all kinds of beautiful rainbow decorations which included a Rainbow Punch Pinata that was a HUGE hit!

Two of my favorite things to make are food and drinks, and you're going to find lots of both. Here is the recipe for the Cranberry Ginger Cocktail as well as the 3 Ingredients Cookies. paper-windsocks-6

Lastly, if you're looking for fun crafts and activities with your kids, we've got you covered. We share fun and whimsical posts like this one on paper windsocks as well as some educational.
I absolutely love being part of the Handmade Hangout and do hope you stop by Made with HAPPY and say hello!! You can also find me at