Craft Cupboard Cleanout

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKFLad-3gy0jda7HzVbYconLL9Kn3Dc1v-ZNq2hnrnYu_wguYr8Bf6CtXaOUXSbamv3cpuPs4RVmDaCqyP40BcqsHjnQwikCCdzQmSBVVxhVjE-uigaAxKwhKkoKde-bTun6it7aGkBM/s1600/IMG_0232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKFLad-3gy0jda7HzVbYconLL9Kn3Dc1v-ZNq2hnrnYu_wguYr8Bf6CtXaOUXSbamv3cpuPs4RVmDaCqyP40BcqsHjnQwikCCdzQmSBVVxhVjE-uigaAxKwhKkoKde-bTun6it7aGkBM/s1600/IMG_0232.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Saturday afternoon Oscar and I organized our craft cupboard. I've never posted it before because it looked like a bomb went off in it, and no one could go in except I, as only I knew how to take things out, like Jenga - so nothing would fall out. I decided the cupboard was originally designed for Oscar - Part of the reason we extended the counter into the eat in kitchen was to gain extra storage space for things like this. Anyways, I needed to address making it more easy to find things. I added in more shelves from Ikea, went to the dollar store and stocked up on more craft supplies so the cupboard was stocked better and, emptied it all out so I saw what we were working with.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9ngAO-uVlC7EBWqCdtIjvNEu02a1TB0xfz4Q9o1USnR9ZFS6r3nmX1CEZ0EDMi9_k5dBwf4jk-GLG6dFO9IUN9B-A2EN20F_A_5yqTRkGsx9pwEVkbuak1ZMIdan4aSkOAqBGC2sLVs/s1600/IMG_0222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9ngAO-uVlC7EBWqCdtIjvNEu02a1TB0xfz4Q9o1USnR9ZFS6r3nmX1CEZ0EDMi9_k5dBwf4jk-GLG6dFO9IUN9B-A2EN20F_A_5yqTRkGsx9pwEVkbuak1ZMIdan4aSkOAqBGC2sLVs/s1600/IMG_0222.jpg" /></a></div><br />I collect jars - Jam jars, pickle jars (the best) as they are awesome for storing items in. Although I prefer big plastic bins for markers and crayons, as you have to sort to find the best colours - jars are great for dollar store craft items like wood balls, sticks, pegs and glitter. On one of the doors I cut a page protector in half and taped it to the door, so it was a clean pocket to hold Oscar's sticker collection. In plain sight - more likely to get used.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicifSwF3S1TzoJFkZeFDR58Xc_WP7sNB2Uga5_r5yhQ3IpGreaBm88N25lmWGYrcj-eNEqJJ9ZOZC4U60rPhdvNaF7v5fu7B_hbIv_KI7y4Da2BDkL7rG9Pa0zycp1YJSt1K3jqUcqfkQ/s1600/IMG_0214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicifSwF3S1TzoJFkZeFDR58Xc_WP7sNB2Uga5_r5yhQ3IpGreaBm88N25lmWGYrcj-eNEqJJ9ZOZC4U60rPhdvNaF7v5fu7B_hbIv_KI7y4Da2BDkL7rG9Pa0zycp1YJSt1K3jqUcqfkQ/s1600/IMG_0214.jpg" /></a></div><br />We do a lot of crafts on the floor. I find it more fun than at the table, you can spread out.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1GQt8kVoQaNinhZyYyIb5wD-kgQquFgWrEX3s0crt1BlZNgFWZGstujvll_8Ty1uxNPS8V4MFuL_UTv3Uq1JWU08jC0zKVU_UvbhzhJMM3l8SJiFJqPvRvlsvt3CmADn6Jz9Cfi4yK8/s1600/IMG_0249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1GQt8kVoQaNinhZyYyIb5wD-kgQquFgWrEX3s0crt1BlZNgFWZGstujvll_8Ty1uxNPS8V4MFuL_UTv3Uq1JWU08jC0zKVU_UvbhzhJMM3l8SJiFJqPvRvlsvt3CmADn6Jz9Cfi4yK8/s1600/IMG_0249.jpg" /></a></div><br />Cleaning the cupboard led to painting in the kitchen, and then a big bubble bath afterwards to clean up the boy. ;) Anyhow, if this post is about anything, it's to encourage you to save those pickle jars and also, to buy a bunch of random craft supplies to have on hand, even if you have no immediate plans to use them. That leads to the best creative projects.

Craft Cupboard Cleanout

Saturday afternoon Oscar and I organized our craft cupboard. I've never posted it before because it looked like a bomb went off in it, a...

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rock monsters

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNtOf3ChqOoW9JIWDVnYryef5mWtukApgm6L63DjJiKstBA2zmIKsK5bwLdSW9LTnERblHoiBtC2t9If6eLMHrP-tUz-fQCMIr_LQVHpf6a010gNamsm5Er9BhqIABl4kqsg35aqO5g0/s1600/rock3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNtOf3ChqOoW9JIWDVnYryef5mWtukApgm6L63DjJiKstBA2zmIKsK5bwLdSW9LTnERblHoiBtC2t9If6eLMHrP-tUz-fQCMIr_LQVHpf6a010gNamsm5Er9BhqIABl4kqsg35aqO5g0/s1600/rock3.jpg" /></a></div><br />Friday I decided to make <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=rock%20monsters" target="_blank">Rock Monsters</a> with Oscar. The project filled the better part of the day and became <i>slightly </i>addictive.<a href="http://instagram.com/p/jAeYlUQsq3/" target="_blank"> Oscar's rocks can be seen here </a>- They weren't available for the photograph above above as Oscar had since hidden the rocks throughout our house. (I found one in my closet this morning)<br /><br />I took Oscar to Lowes and we picked up some paint sample pots ($5.00) in colours we wanted*. You can use more child friendly paint - but I wanted the coverage that the wall paint would give.  We were using it in such small amounts that for this project it worked for us. I really don't think you need any instructions other than the encouragement to do it. It's fun - has a lot of different steps makes it a day long project with your little one (going to find rocks, washing them, painting them, picking how many eyes and teeth they should have) Plus - they end up being <i>ridiculously </i>cute.<br /><br /><a href="http://instagram.com/p/i9RT_0wsiL/" target="_blank">*Have you seen these Pantone paint chips? They are gorgeous!</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_M-8jw7iHMIKIIbjVl2zzwbl5NAPelDiQGeN2K_Zc5KqCEk9y3ZUKa0uUMXYQh7ORxCDx1ZQXGUlo2PF-oNSdTFcjtTyS9e1aFabHKCbKohphYUGZWBh57iHVlSBGCaO02uF6om5t1-Q/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_M-8jw7iHMIKIIbjVl2zzwbl5NAPelDiQGeN2K_Zc5KqCEk9y3ZUKa0uUMXYQh7ORxCDx1ZQXGUlo2PF-oNSdTFcjtTyS9e1aFabHKCbKohphYUGZWBh57iHVlSBGCaO02uF6om5t1-Q/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a></div><b>Body</b>: Paint 1 colour, let it dry (maybe an hour) and then paint a second colour should you wish<br /><b>Eyes</b>: I used a black sharpie for the eyes.  <a href="http://instagram.com/p/jAeYlUQsq3/" target="_blank">Oscar used googly eyes. </a><br /><b>Mouth</b>: Black Paint<br /><b>Teeth</b>: Once the mouth has dried, I used white paint for the teeth<br /><b>Inspiration</b>: <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=rock%20monsters" target="_blank">Pinterest</a><br /><br /><br />

rock monsters

Friday I decided to make  Rock Monsters with Oscar. The project filled the better part of the day and became slightly addictive. Oscar...

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kids / rocks + paint

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebNs5P6tzDbQoKxQAJtHn4CXs5kFGki0uXkROAezi_-a7x9dSLrc5mpw3p44mBW3NpXtQZo7VnOrDgt5s06YDOaynFsElkdHZokBUVVaHKe4gOZkcYBaAdbMKiwLtQC8V61zk7Tdudwc/s1600/IMG_1567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebNs5P6tzDbQoKxQAJtHn4CXs5kFGki0uXkROAezi_-a7x9dSLrc5mpw3p44mBW3NpXtQZo7VnOrDgt5s06YDOaynFsElkdHZokBUVVaHKe4gOZkcYBaAdbMKiwLtQC8V61zk7Tdudwc/s1600/IMG_1567.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcUdikGzZl2McWzbQ5W52dSIebZ8qRAdLjVHcQyn2YosAwNbp5d7_gJFKUgZgGtIr2_Az8z2CoY9OfqeEAMizXLguTldQ8Cr4IwpZyFxEPETsXyyn7x3vVmWyVltNLd_oAn5jgoURj4s/s1600/IMG_1557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcUdikGzZl2McWzbQ5W52dSIebZ8qRAdLjVHcQyn2YosAwNbp5d7_gJFKUgZgGtIr2_Az8z2CoY9OfqeEAMizXLguTldQ8Cr4IwpZyFxEPETsXyyn7x3vVmWyVltNLd_oAn5jgoURj4s/s1600/IMG_1557.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrQS0WppJ_D4VaI-8bbo7929dzREF3FXcWxZ_7GvHh3td3B_nuGsIjrNRQ3yD1OmAPiRR-iwTuqbzNTHWmLLtDOUH_UeS3jsEdy7Ojz7WxXKj3HLQ1IymK3WErxEW89S8sLi6MVZSu8Y/s1600/IMG_1549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrQS0WppJ_D4VaI-8bbo7929dzREF3FXcWxZ_7GvHh3td3B_nuGsIjrNRQ3yD1OmAPiRR-iwTuqbzNTHWmLLtDOUH_UeS3jsEdy7Ojz7WxXKj3HLQ1IymK3WErxEW89S8sLi6MVZSu8Y/s1600/IMG_1549.jpg" /></a></div><br />I'm all over the place. NFL videos, bathroom renos, photo shoots of Valentine's Day stamps. I guess that is reflective of the fun times over here this week. Anyways, this is such a<i> ridiculously simple</i> craft for kids I resist posting it but I think sometimes the simplest of projects are overlooked. This turned out to be a huge hit with Oscar and resulted in a few days of fun. Collect rocks at beach. Awesome adventure. Bring home the rocks and paint them. Get messy - super fun. While painting talk about mixing colours. Educational. When the rocks dry, you shellac them and the little one now has cool treasures. A lot of "I made that!!" is said by the toddler. End result - awesome, cheap craft. Yup. I just posted about painting rocks.<br /><br /><i>Ps., Oscar gave Aubrey a rock that he painted and that I shellac'd for his desk at work as a paper weight. They make the cutest gifts.</i><br /><br />Ps., Truthfully I thought it was over his head to talk about mixing colours, but a few days later I overheard Oscar was telling family how when you mix red and blue you get purple. I don't give him enough credit sometimes - little ones soak it all in.<br /><br />

kids / rocks + paint

I'm all over the place. NFL videos, bathroom renos, photo shoots of Valentine's Day stamps. I guess that is reflective of the fun ti...

Read more »