Category Archives: DIY/Crafts

DIY/Crafts

Pinwheel Banner

2 Comments

I finally found a use for all those pinwheels I had laying around (failed project) after seeing this pinwheel wreath online!

I could make a pinwheel banner!

I knew I was not the first one with the idea so I googled it.

After seeing how several people hung theirs, I decided on just stringing it with twine.

I saw the idea here, she used a book. PLEASE do not use a book!!! I will be eternally grateful.

I am an avid book lover and can’t stand to see all these old books being cut up!

Some crafts stores carry scrapbook paper that looks very similar.

If you want to see more on my boys room, check out my post here.

To make a pinwheel you just need to cut a piece of paper in a square and make four cuts from the corners towards the middle.

The first couple I made I did exact measurements to make sure my cuts were perfect.

After about six or so I just started folding it and cutting…

I am lazy.

For the banner I just need to keep the pinwheel closed so I put a scrapbook brad in the middle.

It works best if you use a pin to poke a hole in it first.

Here are two I made that spin.

The one on the left has a scapbooking eyelet, a bead, and a pin.

The one on the right is just a push pin.

I have found the kind with the eyelet, pin, and bead to spin easier.

The dowel to mount it on can be bought at a craft store.

I really like it!

I hope my boys do not think it is something new to destroy…

DIY/Crafts, Personal

Car Ornaments

Leave a comment

I have been on a homeade ornament kick this year thanks to Pinterest.

With my limited craftiness I knew I needed to pick something that was not too difficult so I would actually finish it.

Enter Walmart.

I bought two of their $.97 wooden trucks in the craft section for the boys to paint.

I already had everything else I needed.

Which was:

1. Paint (I used Acrylic)

2. Paint Brushes

3. Eyelets

4. Twine (my new best friend)

My boys love anything messy or destructive.

These little guys fit perfectly on my mismatched thrown together tree.

Just the way I like my trees by the way.

I thought I would share these little guys also.

I have never had a tree topper on my tree.

My oldest was really concerned this year by the empty space on the top of the tree.

The reason I did not have one was that I had not found one I liked.

So I made one.

I tried looking for one online so I could see how someone else made one but I did not find what I wanted.This tutorial did help inspire me though.

I drew a basic star pattern in the size I wanted (I just happened to have a metal star ornament in a size that would work).

I roughly measured some wooden rods I had on hand (you can buy them at most craft stores) and cut them with a hand saw.

I laid them on my pattern and after I was happy with how it looked, marked with a pen where all the rods intersected.

Then I started the tedious (I actually liked it) job of wrapping the twine onto the rods.

I would have taken pictures and showed you how I kept it all together but it was not pretty…

This is probably the worst tutorial ever.

It did work though!

I just used more twine to tie it to the top.

The little ornament next to it is a sparkly one I had that I covered in mod podge and wrapped in twine.

Anyone else out there obsessed with twine?

DIY/Crafts, Personal

Gingerbread House

1 Comment

I decided on a whim (the way I make most of my decisions) to do a real Gingerbread house this year.

Last year we did the Graham Cracker House/Shack.

We were in the store and my son saw one of the kits to make a real one and asked if we could get it.

So, I said, sure.

My decision making process is really awesome to behold.

It STAYED together!!!

I was pretty much done after I had assembled it and it stayed together.

Score one for the craft impaired!

Before they even started putting it together they wanted to know when they could eat it.

I might be a little dense but I did not know if you were supposed to!

I knew that it was basically made of all edible products but I had never actually scene anyone eating one.

I evaded the question for a while until I finally figured out that if there was a nutrition data panel on the box it must mean you can eat it.

So in case you are like me.

You CAN eat it.

Don’t laugh.

Done!

I think it is a Gingerbread house worthy of Hansel and Gretel.

It was demolished the next day.

Since my boys are more into eating then decorating I think we will make the Graham Cracker version again next year.

It is easier to eat.

This was a fun thing to check off of my imaginary Christmas must do list though.