Category: For the Kiddos

Box Step

Published on by Our Humble Abode7 Comments

Wanna see what we did with the plaster feet we made?  If you answered yes, keep reading.  If your answer was no, stop by tomorrow.  I decided these feet would look adorable framed in shadow boxes.  I had two sitting in my office, so I gathered other supplies.  Two pieces of foam core, cut to the size of the glass, a piece of canvas (left over from the drop cloth curtain in the laundry room.  I also used a few scraps to cover a lampshade), scissors, Mod Podge, masking tape, labels, Elmer’s glue, and epoxy.

I started by cutting my canvas to size, laying the glass down as a guide, keeping two inches of extra material on all sides.

Then, I Mod Podged one side of the foam core and placed the foam on the center of the fabric, pressing firmly for nice adhesion.

To eliminate excess fabric, I cut the corners of the fabric.  I added more Mod Podge to the back and pressed the fabric down.

With each side folded down, I added a strip of masking tape, just to prevent any shifting.  You could skip Mod Podge on the back and just stick masking tape.

A quick search through my scrap booking supplies left me with two label holders, with brad holders.  I cut two small pieces of cardstock to label each foot.

With my fabric in place, I found the center and marked the holes of the label holder.

Because the foam is 1/4 inch thick, I used a screw to make holes for my brads.

The only problem?  The brads are only 1/4 inch long.  Not long enough to go through the foam.  Rather than a wild goose brad chase, I opted for the easy way out, Elmer’s glue.  A little glue on the brad and another dab in the hole and everything worked out.

Now, it was time to glue the foot molds in place.  Elmer’s just wasn’t going to work, so I used an epoxy.

I didn’t want to clean epoxy off anything, so I scoured the kitchen for a plastic lid and fork to mix on and with.

With the epoxy mixed, I generously covered the highest areas of the back of each foot.

Some areas don’t touch the backing, but that’s just fine.

Other areas touch nicely, but a little of the epoxy oozed out.  Again, not a big deal.

Epoxy takes about 12 hours to set up, so I left the pieces out overnight, but I snapped a few pictures while they dried.

I like the look of the canvas backing, the grains of sand, and the official looking label holders.  Next step, framing and hanging.

So, how much did this little craft project cost?  The plaster cost $7.99 and I had the rest of the supplies.  And, I still have plaster left over for future projects.

What do you have in shadow boxes?  Have a favorite home-made art piece you made?

Rainbows and Me Red Balloons

Published on by Our Humble Abode11 Comments

Hearts, stars and horseshoes.  Clovers and blue moons.  Pots of gold and rainbows and me red balloons.  As I mentioned, Vincent’s fourth birthday is coming up.  The theme he requested was colored balloons, which made me think of the Lucky Charms commercials.  So I made an invitation to reflect that theme.

A bunch of rainbow-colored balloons, rainbow confetti and a number four with the birthday info.  When I asked Vincent what he thought of it, he said, “Huuuuhh (that was him sucking in his breath) It’s beautiful!”  I love that he’s still pretty easy to please.

For more fun and color, I gathered rainbow-colored envelopes with coordinating mailing labels.

I thought about adding confetti, but decided against it.  That might be annoying for unsuspecting party attendees to have to clean up off their floors.  Our guests have received the invitations and the response has been great.  Though, we have had a few questions about the no gifts policy and the time.  The reason?  Our boys have been showered with love, affection and toys, and don’t need anything.  As for the time, the 21st is Vincent’s actual birthday, but because it falls on a weekday, we decided to host a dinner party.

How do you decide your child’s birthday party theme?  Do you let him or her choose? Or the time?  Have you instated a no gifts policy?  Ever opened an invitation filled with confetti?  Did you think it was cute, or annoying?

Step by Step

Published on by Our Humble Abode2 Comments

Young House Love mentioned Tori Spelling linked to their blog in one of her posts.  I didn’t even know Tori had a blog, or that it had a lot of cute ideas, like making plaster feet.  I thought it was fantastic enough to give it a try.

So, I took a trip to Hobby Lobby for plaster of Paris, but didn’t find any.  I did find something that sounded like it would work, PermaStone.

On my way home from HL, I stopped by the park by our house to steal borrow a bucket of sand.  Then, I took out three shallow baking dishes.  One for Vincent, another for Everett and one more for my cousin’s 18 month old son.  With the wet sand firmly packed, Vincent stepped on his tray.  Nothing happened; it was too tightly packed.  So, I dug up the sand and had him step again, gently pulling his foot out.  The impression was okay, but not great.  So, we tried again.  This time, I pushed his foot down and pressed sand against the sides of his feet and toes.  Finally, a great mold.

Then, we tried this with the smaller kids.  This proved to be much more difficult.  They squirmed more and didn’t really like having their feet pressed in the sand.  We originally planned to cast both feet of each boy, but it just didn’t seem worth the effort.  After getting a clean impression of each foot, I mixed up the plaster.  This plaster calls for three parts plaster mix and one part cold water.  I mixed three-quarter cups of plaster and one-third cup water because one-quarter cup of water was really thick.

I carefully poured the mixture into the sand mold, filling to the top, but not overflowing.

Luckily, the plaster sets up quickly, but we left to dry for a few hours.  When I took the feet out, they were covered in sand.

I gently brushed the sand off, then washed the rest off with water.  A few larger rocks stuck in, like the one at the top of this picture, so I pulled those out, too.

Vincent’s foot is gigantic, but it looks so cute.

Surprisingly, a lot of detail remained.

I over poured Everett’s box foot a little, but it’s close to the real thing.

His pinky toe smooshed slightly when I pulled his foot out of the sand mold, so I pressed the sand down with my finger, hence the slightly outset toe.  I showed Everett, and he thought the little foot was fun.  He wanted me to press the mold against his foot repeatedly.  I have big plans for these little feet, so check back soon to see what happens.

Meanwhile, I would like to know if you make baby keepsakes.  If so, what?  Paintings?  Inked foot or hand prints?  Framed a small outfit?  Lock of hair?

Pinterest Party Planning

Published on by Our Humble Abode9 Comments

Vincent’s fourth birthday is less than a month away, which seems crazy.  He’s growing up so fast.  When I asked him what kind of party he wanted, he said he wanted colored balloons.  So, I took that theme to Pinterest to get inspired.  I found rainbow, balloon and sprinkle ideas galore.

Spelling out FOUR with cheap letters from the craft store and tying balloons is a fun welcome.

Maybe I’ll add a balloon wreath for extra pizzazz.

A balloon banner would also be a really cheap decoration.

For the dining room, a balloon and tissue paper pom-pom hanging bouquet is fun.

Sprinkles are another way I plan to add pops of color.  Sprinkles around the rims of chocolate milk?  I’ll take that.

Cake pops decked out in sprinkles and drizzled icing.  Cute, but might be too difficult for a non-baker such as myself.

Oreo pops, however, seem right up my alley.

Zig zag paper streamers in a variety of colors is an easy (maybe V can help?) decoration.

Fresh fruit skewers are a simple, healthy and pretty party food.

I’ve seen a few cakes I think would be fitting for a four-year old and adults.  Maybe a polka dot cake?

Or maybe a candy cake?

If we knew more little kids, recycled crayons could be a cute party favor.

That’s the direction we’re headed.  Invitations will be sent out soon.  As soon as our guests receive them, we’ll share the details.

Do you choose the party theme, or let your kids?  What are your favorite themes?  Your kids?  Any party planning tips or tricks?  Favorite cake recipe?

4th of July Inspiration and Winners!

Published on by Our Humble Abode4 Comments

We’ve gathered some red, white, and blue decor inspiration.  For ease, we’re breaking this inspiration into time sensitive categories.

A few days before the nation wide celebration, get in the mood with some or all of these projects:

A patriotic wreath is a simple way to add charm to your exterior.

String paper garland in the trees, a fence, the food table or anywhere else.  Stars are cute.

Though so are circles.

Two or so days before the party:

Mmm, cupcakes.  Even cuter with star toppers.

Corn on the cob-esque cupcakes follow a bbq and real corn on the cob wonderfully.

Make firework look-alike table decorations.

A super simple centerpiece of colored water and candles.  Ambiance and simplicity.

Seersucker napkins are easy-going.

And, for last-minute flare, try these:

Add a festive touch to drinks by making star and stripe ice cubes.  Check IKEA for star and stripe molds.

For another fun splash, add a few drops of food coloring to make even ice water fun.

Make a fresh treat in a snap.  White chocolate and sprinkle dipped strawberries.

Make chocolate and sprinkle dipped pretzel sticks while you have the mess supplies out.

Decorate your lawn with sifted flour stars.  Fun for the whole family.

Nothing says summer more than a gooey s’more.  And food is always more fun on a stick, right?  Hence the lure of the state fair.  Combine the two for a cute treat.  I would probably alter this recipe by dipping the marshmallow in chocolate, then graham cracker, then chocolate again, and finally sprinkles.

Also, we have two winners of Jessica Alpern store credits.  Number 69, Sarah is the $30 credit winner.  Laura J, number 87 has a $45 shop credit to spend on Jessica’s fantastic work!  Congratulations!

In all honesty, we’ll probably only do one or two of these.  We’re more of party goers, not hostesses.  Which are you?  Other than displaying a flag, do you decorate for the fourth?  If so, what are your tricks?