DIY: Fingerprint Charms

While scrolling through Pinterest I saw a Pin for how to make your own fingerprint charms. It took me to eHow which, surprisingly, had some pretty basic but good instructions.

1. First the supplies you will need: oven bake clay (I used silver), paintbrush, metallic pigment, glaze, and some fingers!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. First you will need to roll out the clay to about 1/8''. Realistically think about what you would want on your key chain or bracelet. Next roll the finger smoothly to get a good fingerprint. (Warning: Children have very undefined fingerprints. My son (at 1) had practically none when we pressed his finger in clay, the 3 & 4 year old nephews and niece had at least a distinguishable fingerprint and my 11 year old sister was able to make a really great and defined fingerpritnt).  I still think that all of them were very precious!
    
3. Next you will need to cut the shape of the charm. I used a cap to a marker since I couldn't find a cutter anywhere at the craft store. I checked every department for something that could be used and turned up empty handed. Some stores may sell shapes specifically made for clay, but they only had a variety pack at Hobby Lobby for some $20. Take a pin and make a hole at the top of the charm where you can attach a jump ring.
4. (Optional): Write initials in the back of the clay. If you are doing multiple fingerprints it might be necessary so that you can differentiate after baking.
   
5. Allow the clay to sit for an hour.
    
6. Use the brush to apply the metallic powder while in a ventilated area and using a face mask. This is also optional but honestly it gives the charm the final touch it needs and also makes the finerprint ridges easier to see.
    
7. Bake. Follow the directions on the clay packaging. We baked at 275 for about 12 minutes.
    
8. Allow to cool. Than apply the glaze (any brush will do). You can also apply a second coat after drying for an hour (follow directions and use your own discretion)
    
9. Add a jump ring to the hole.
10. Enjoy! 

This is my sister's fingerprint charm. She is 11 so her fingerprint
was much more defined.

Kids Room: Space Theme



Quote painted on foam board.

My boyfriend requested a space theme for our sons room, he requested it at the end of my pregnancy when I had just finished 3 large paintings to match the safari theme of his bedding and all of the other decorations that we purchased. So when we moved into our new home I took the opportunity to change the decorations (with the inspirtaion from a few pinterest ideas).

My first project was creating some wall art. I had bought an extremely large frame from Hobby Lobby but I couldn't persuade myself to buy a canvas that large (I am extremely cheap and I don't mind admitting it!) so I just bought a foam board cut it to size and took a quote I found on Pinterest to make a space themed wall art.

Phase III of moon creation:
All over gray coat to cover
paper mache and hot glue.

Final Phase: The model is
hung next to crib.

The next project was creating some models for around the room. I wanted a moon, a rocket, and of course a jet pack (inspired by pinterest). I had a beach ball I had got on clearance at a dollar sale so I decided to paper mache it to create the moon. I didn't especially like how it turned out at first- it wasn't smooth. But I decided this was probably best. It's not like the surface of the moon is smooth so I got out the hot glue gun and put circles everywhere in a variety of shapes. At first I thought that these lines would be barely noticeable afer another layer of paper mache but it turned out really great and I think it makes the moon look much more realistic. I shaded different circles and hung it with string.

See the Crayon shape?

For the rocket I literally went to a couple stores to look for a cardboard tube (for mailing) and couldn't find anything and I didn't really want to go to the post office and pay for a nice one. I eventually stopped at the dollar store (where they didn't have a mailing tube) but as I walked around the store trying to be inspired I found a crayon piggy bank. What could be more perfect?!? It already had the nose shape of the rocket and everything. I cut some cardboard to make the "wings" and painted it. VOILA Rocketship!

Jet Pack!

Finally the jet pack, which is probably my favorite of all the projects. I bought 2 2-liter sodas. I liked the shape of the Coke bottles which in my house was a struggle to drink. I got out the white and black paint to give a gray base and than painted over with some metallic silver. I bought silver duct tape to cover the cups for the bottom (which were attached with the same duct tape), to make the arm straps, and to attach everything together. Finally I got some streamers and (suprise suprise!) I duct taped them to the inside of the cup.

The last project was a hoop tent. While browsing pinterest I saw a princess themed tent and was beyond inspired. It was the perfect way to create a rocket in his room. I should have gone and purchased plans (I think available at Jo-Anns) instead I just threw fabric together until it worked. The most difficult part was attaching wings. First I cut the shape of the wings from cardboard and covered them with matching fabric with a hot glue gun. I sewed blue stripes down the side of the rocket and attached the cardboard pieces to the fabric with binder clips. They stay in place well but whenever I want to take it down I can just unclip the wings! I absolutlely love when the inability to actually sew the pieces together leads to a kazy but brilliant idea.

 "Th-Th-Th-Th-Th-... That's all, folks." I put the projects around his room along with some of my paintings which I had laying around. When we purchase a home we will probably invest in a fiber optic star ceiling for his room and keep the space theme going. Maybe we will have a star ceiling in the master bedroom too! I can only hope....

The projects completed!

Christmas Project: DIY Play Kitchen

My DIY play kitchen on Christmas day!

Some of my play food I created.

The first project I would like to share is one that I finished at the end of last year. I wanted to get the little kids who come to my house (neices, nephews, neighbors) a play kitchen. I looked online for a very long time and found a few amazing kitchens but they cost upward of $200. I wasn't willing to spend that much. Instead I went to the local thrift store bought an old entertainment center and charged the power tools battery!

I ended up buying most of the material from thrift stores or from the local Restore. There really is no steps to share with you since it depends upon your materials and your desires. There are many great DIY play kitchens, search and see what "parts" you like from each. I will tell you a little about mine.

I bought a stainless steel bowl from Goodwill, and a faucet from Restore. I sawed/drilled the holes and secured it with epoxy caulk.
I bought silver contact paper from Lowes and used this for the dishwasher/oven.
I made my own pretend food (from felt- there are many tutorials if you need ideas). My favorite is the milk jugs. I found (at Walmart) some juices that came in mini-jugs and just painted the inside with acrylics paints. I also bought a lot of fruits/vegetables from a local thrift store!
I bought a clock and a phone to attach so that they could practice counting or saying their numbers.
I made the stove top from CD's (burners) and then dead bolts (stove knobs).