Paper Wall Dots

So Alison's bathroom has stayed pretty bare for the past year.  I wasnt motivated to do much with it when we first moved in, then we decided to have another baby and I didnt want to make it too girly just in case we had a boy.  Well daughter #2 is on the way, so its time to girl up her bathroom.  I had bought this shower curtain last year, and figured I would do something to go with it.  However, I did not want to spend too much money, knowing that either her or I will decide we want something different in the near future.

Since I am cheap, I decided to use some boxes that I picked up from the post office.  I found different sized round objects and traced three of each size (I used three sizes) onto the cardboard.  I then used a box cutting knife to cut them out. 

After cutting the circles out I used electric tape to cover the edges.  This way you would not see the cardboard from behind the paper when it was hanging on the wall.  I thought about painting it but realize you would still notice it waas cardboard underneigh, electrical tape was the perfect solution.

I then traced the circles onto the wrong side of the scrapbook paper.  Remember that each cirlce will be slightly different because you cut them out with the knife.  It will be easier to trace each circle individually that way the paper fits each circle perfectly.  I then used Modge Podge to attach the scrapbook paper to the cardboard.  Then I put 2-3 layers of it on top of the scrapbook paper to seal it.  This is very important since I put it in the bathroom.

This is the finished product.  I wasnt sure how to hang them so it would not show, so I thought I would try to use the hanging wall puddy.. worked perfectly.  I put a couple pieces on each large dot and one on the small ones.  Stuck it up on the wall and her bathroom is feeling finished.  It does bother me some that the circles are not perfect, but I am ok with it.  If I were to do it again I would probably try to find a way to make them more accurate, but sometimes I think its a kids room/bathroom it is ok for things not to be perfect, it gives it personality.

Coloring Binder

I started with a black binder and cut some scrapbook paper to fit the outside of it.  Then used Modge Podge to attach the scrapbook paper.  I probably used about 3 layers of it on top to keep it sealed nicely and to make sure Alison couldnt peel the scrapbook paper off.

On the inside I used sticky velcro pieces.  I attached the scrachy ones to the inside of the binder, and attached the soft side to some colored pencils.  You could also use crayons of markers or whatever you would like.  Alison helped me with the modge podge so there is streaks of it on the inside of the binder.  My OCD doesnt like it, but I just reminded myself that it is her binder, she should help :)

The colored pencils stick right in there and I punched holes in some copy paper and left it at that.  I also figured I could print off coloring pages or you could just tear out pages from a coloring book and punch holes in them.

I realized that since I used coloring pencils, I should add a shapener to it too... I attached it with velcro too.

Alison gave it the seal of approval and used it right away.  My hopes is that it can go in the car to keep her occupied while are out and about.  Plus it should be easier for her to not lose the pencils.

Rosette Wreath

So what seems like a lifetime ago I was married without children and had my own show horse.  I spent most weekends during the spring summer and fall away at shows and have ended up with tons of ribbons just laying around in a box.  I wanted to make a special wreath to show off my accomplishments.

Wreath forms seemed way too expensive for me.  So I went to the hardware store and bought a 6' long piece of foam that is supposed to cover the pipes for $0.97.. I cut it in half and duct taped it together.  This was much cheaper and worked just as well.  I am always thrilled to be thrifty

 Then I started putting the ribbons on the foam. 

I simply adjusted the hangers on the back of the rosettes and stuck them into the foam.  So easy.  I just took time to adjust them to look nice from the outside. 

After the wreath was put together I put it face down on some newspaper and used some gorilla super glue on each of the hangers.  I figured this would keep it from falling apart as easily.

I tied a piece of ribbon around the top of the foam and hung the wreath from that.  The whole project took maybe an hour.  Quick, cheap and beautiful!  My favorite kind of craft.