DIY Project

DIY: Seasonal Chalkboard Display (Interchangeable Embellishment)

March 13, 2013 By Debbie 1 Comment

Today, I am sharing a beautiful chalkboard paint project with you – a Seasonal Chalkboard Display (Interchangeable Embellishment). I love using chalkboard paint when creating DIY projects. It instantly transforms an item by a simple stroke of your hand with chalk. I decided to take this one step further. The middle of our chalkboard features an interchangeable embellishment. How fun is that?

My inspiration for making a Seasonal Chalkboard Display was Tatertots & Jello – Decorating a Wall for all Seasons and My Blessed Life – Interchangeable Wreath. In the past I have displayed many seasonal framed items – Fall Tree Scrabble Button Art, Christmas Scrabble Art, 3D Heart Decoration and Shamrock Button Art. I wanted something I could reuse to celebrate the seasons.

Now, I have one board that can be customized for several holidays. I am so excited to change this Chalkboard display for the different seasons and events. Every time I plan to change it, I get to be creative again.

Want to know how to make this Seasonal Chalkboard Display? Here’s our tutorial:

The materials I used for this chalkboard project are a Basswood Plaque – French Quarter Square 11×14, Martha Stewart Blue Chalkboard paint, chalk, foam paint brush, Velcro and glue.

The first thing I did to make this Seasonal Chalkboard Display was make sure my wood board/plaque was dust free and clean.

I then painted it.

I must admit I was hesitate about using a blue chalkboard color. I didn’t want black. I wanted a punch of color.

I initally thought of green but our family room walls are green. I am happy to say I love the light blue color.

I painted three (3) coats with at least 1 hour drying time between coats. After 24 hours, I lightly rubbed the entire surface with white chalk and wiped it off. This is called seasoning or conditioning your chalkboard. It’s an important step.

Next, I found the middle point of the board and attached Velcro. The featured embellishment will have the other side of the velcro attached to it.

Now, this is when the fun and creative part of our project starts. You can write any message or words on the Chalkboard. You can create and attach any embellishment in the middle.

In this post, I am creating a springtime theme. I made a flower embellishment to place in the middle.

To make the flower, I used light pink felt, dark pink felt, blue felt, green felt, blue flower, embellished button and glue.

I cut petals out of the felt in different sizes and glued them together. I glued the blue flower and pink button last on top.

I used pinks and blues because I wanted this flower embellishment to compliment our Blue Spring Yarn Wreath.

Don’t forget to attached velcro to the back of your embellishment. Here I attached some to the back of our flower.

I think the flower is beautiful. It looks stunning against the light blue chalkboard paint.

After making and attaching the flower, I wrote “SPRING” and other related “spring” words on the chalkboard.

This is my favorite project so far this year. What do you think of our Seasonal Chalkboard Display? I already have ideas for other seasons, events and holidays. I envision more posts on this in the near future.

Have you made any projects using chalkboard paint?

Happy Crafting!

See our other similar projects:

Find other Spring and Easter ideas HERE.

(I’m linking up to I’m Lovin’ It, Sunday Showcase Party, Tatertots & Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party, Tutorials & Tips Link Party and The Frugal Girls!)

Filed Under: DIY Project, Featured, Spring/Easter Ideas

DIY: Springtime Paper Hot Air Balloons

March 7, 2013 By Debbie 8 Comments

I love making fun paper crafts. I’m excited to share with you our latest creation – Springtime Paper Hot Air Balloons. We usually display our cute holiday themed projects by hanging them on our kitchen chandelier. These Paper Hot Air Balloons are no exception.

The bright spring colors of the paper balloons are cheery. I also love the print of our hot air balloon’s basket. It’s a mini cupcake liner.

The materials I used to make these Springtme Paper Hot Air Ballons are scrapbook paper, an egg shape template, pencil, scissors, glue, tape, mini cupcake liners, light green ribbon and white ribbon.

The scrapbook paper, cupcake liners and ribbon were purchased at Michaels Stores.

To make a paper balloon, cut out six (6) egg shapes from scrapbook paper. My egg shape is about 5.25 inches in height. An oval shape would work also. But I like the look of an egg shape for a balloon. Note: The eggs are actually upside down when put together as a hot air balloon.

I used different paper patterns for each balloon – 2 green, 2 blue, 2 flower pattern – totaling six (6) egg shapes. I folded each paper egg in half.

I took two folded eggs and glued (using a glue stick) them together back to back. I then glued another folded egg onto it so there were 3 folded eggs glued together.

I repeated again with the rest of the 3 paper eggs. I had 2 sets of glued-together eggs. We shall now call them 2 halves of the paper balloon.

See pictures for a better visual.

To attach the basket – I cut a strip of light green ribbon. It measures about 6.5 inches long.

I carefully poked holes through two opposite sides of my mini cupcake liner. I used a pencil point to make the holes. I stuck the ribbon through the holes.

I attached one end of the ribbon to the bottom back of one of the paper balloon halves. I used tape to attach it. I taped the other ribbon end to the other side of the paper balloon.

I then glued the other half of the paper balloon on top. See pictures for a better visual.

The last step I did was use a hot glue gun to attach white ribbon to the top middle of the paper balloon.

So what do you think of our adorable Springtime Paper Hot Air Balloons?

Have you made any paper crafts lately?

See our other similar projects:

Find other Spring and Easter ideas HERE.

(I’m linking up to I’m Lovin’ It, Sunday Showcase Party, Tatertots & Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party and The Frugal Girls!)

Filed Under: DIY Project, Paper Crafts, Spring/Easter Ideas

DIY: Mini Party Cup Chick and Bunny Craft

March 1, 2013 By Debbie 7 Comments

I recently made an adorable, fun and easy Easter craft project with my kids. There is something cute about chicks and bunnies using googly eye (wiggle eyes). Maybe, that’s why I keep making similar projects like last year’s Paper Chick, Bunny and Carrot Cones. This year we made Mini Chick and Bunny Party Cups.

This kid friendly Easter craft project was inspired by an egg carton chick. It reminded me of our Halloween egg carton bats. Although the egg cartons worked great for our Halloween bats, I had an issue figuring out how to cut my egg cartons for the chicks.

The grocery store eggs I normally purchase come in egg cartons which are shaped in a way where I would not be able to get a nice clean cut of one individual cup. The egg carton cup would have been too short after cutting. I did not have this problem with our egg carton bats because they use 3 cups and are cut with wings.

So instead of using egg cartons, I came up with the idea to use mini party cups. You can purchase mini party/nut cups at a craft store or party supply store in their baking section. Mine came in a pack of 36 cups. They measure 1.25 diameters.

You know how one idea leads to another. Well, I remembered our Thanksgiving Turkey Cups. You could also flip the cups and use them to hold goodies. That would be fun for a kid’s Easter party.

The materials I used to create this super cute Mini Party Cup Chick and Bunny Craft are Wilton White Mini Party Cups, scrapbook paper, cardstock paper, googly (wiggle) eyes, scissors, yellow marker, hole puncher, fine tip back marker and glue.

For the chicks, we cut out wings, a beak and feet from orange with white polka dot paper.

For the bunnies, we cut out ears and feet from pretty plaid paper. I used a hole puncher on pink cardstock paper to make the noses.

For the chicks, we colored the mini cup with a yellow marker. You could also try yellow paint.

For the bunnies, we left the cups as is because the bunnies are white.

We glued on the googly eyes and beak on the chicks. For the wings, we folded a small part of the wings and glued it to the sides.

We glued on the googly eyes and pink nose on the bunnies. I drew whiskers using a fine black sharpie. We glued the ears to the back.

To glue the feet for both the chick and bunny, we glued them on the inside of the cup and then bent them out.

If you’re making these as mini cups to hold goodies, then glue the ears and feet on the other ends. You know what I mean.

Will you be making any springtime or Easter crafts with your kids?

See our other kid-friendly projects made with googly/wiggle eyes:

Find other Spring and Easter ideas HERE.

(I’m linking up to I’m Lovin’ It, Tatertots & Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party and The Frugal Girls!)

Filed Under: DIY Project, Spring/Easter Ideas

DIY: Green Burlap Easter Egg Wreath

February 26, 2013 By Debbie 2 Comments

I have another springtime wreath to share with you. This one is Easter-themed. The green burlap with the colorful Easter eggs makes this wreath both adorable and beautiful. I love our Green Burlap Easter Egg Wreath.

To make this Green Burlap Easter Egg Wreath, I used a straw wreath form (12 inches), green burlap, brown/natural burlap, three (3)oval flat wood pieces (it came in a 4 pack bag), scrapbook paper, ribbon, pencil, scissors, Mod Podge, paint brush, white paint and glue.

I first wrapped my wreath form with green burlap I purchased from Michaels. I love these rolls of burlap in different colors. I also saw a blue color burlap.

One roll of burlap is 5 feet long. I needed 2 rolls of the green burlap to completely cover my wreath. I wrapped the burlap around the wreath securing with glue (hot glue gun) at the start and end points.

Next, I made the Easter eggs. I used oval wood pieces, covered them with pretty springtime paper and embellished with fun ribbon.

I first painted the sides and backs of the oval pieces with white paint. I let it dry completely.

I traced the oval shapes onto the scrapbook paper. I cut out the paper ovals.

I applied Mod Podge on the oval wood piece and placed the oval scrapbook paper onto it. I smoothed out the paper. I let it dry for 15-20 minutes.

I then applied Mod Podge onto the paper (already Mod Podge onto the oval wood piece). I let this dry for 15-20 minutes. NOTE: I used outdoor Mod Podge because I originally thought I would hang this wreath outside on my front door. I changed my mind. You could use the regular Mod Podge, Matte Finish.

The last step for the eggs was decorating them with ribbons. I purchased a pack of ribbon on sale at Michaels. I simply cut and glued strips of ribbon to the eggs.

I cut strips of burlap and glued them together to make a “nest” for the Easter eggs. I glued the eggs onto each other and then glued them onto the burlap nest.

I also used the brown burlap to make a bow for the top of the wreath. NOTE: The burlap strips used for the nest and the bow were from the burlap wrap but I cut the width in half.

I think our Green Burlap Wreath with Easter Eggs is gorgeous.

Have you made any Easter or Springtime Wreath?

See our other similar wreath and spring projects:

Find other Spring and Easter ideas HERE.

(I’m linking up to I’m Lovin’ It, Sunday Showcase Party, Tip Me Tuesday, Tutorials & Tips Link Party, Weekend Wrap Up Party and The Frugal Girls!)

(Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.)

Filed Under: DIY Project, Spring/Easter Ideas

DIY: Spring Blue Yarn Wreath

February 22, 2013 By Debbie 6 Comments

I’m sharing with you all a simple and pretty Spring Yarn Wreath. I can’t help think of spring when I look at it. The bright blue yarn with the pink flowers equals a colorful spring decoration.

To make this spring wreath, I used a 12 inch straw wreath form, blue yarn, glue, floral embellishments, pink felt, light green felt, buttons and scissors.

First, I glued (hot glue gun) a starting point of yarn to the back of my wreath form. I wrapped the wreath entirely all around. You may find you need to go around only once or twice. I did it three times. I wanted our yarn wreath to be thick.

I’ll let you in on a little secret. I was sick in bed – actually on a couch – when I wrapped the yarn around the wreath form. I don’t like sitting or lying around for long periods of time without doing something productive. So why not do something crafty.

To make the flowers, I used floral embellishments, brown buttons and pink felt. The floral embellishments I purchased at Michaels on clearance. It only cost $0.99 for a pack of 12 flowers.

I first glued each floral embellishment and button onto the pink felt.This made it easy to create the outer pink part of the flower and button. I simply cut around each floral embellishment and button.

I glued a button piece to the middle of each flower.

I also cut out leaves using light green felt.

The last step was to attach the flowers and leaves onto the yarn wreath.

I love our bright and cheery Spring Yarn Wreath. Have you made any Spring wreaths?

See our other similar wreath and spring projects:

Find other Spring and Easter ideas HERE.

(I’m linking to Sunday Showcase Party, Tutorials & Tips Link Party, I’m Lovin’ It, Tatertots & Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party and The Frugal Girls!)

Filed Under: DIY Project, Spring/Easter Ideas

DIY: Shamrock Button Art with Rainbow Chevron Background

February 19, 2013 By Debbie 8 Comments

Here’s an easy St. Patrick’s Day craft project. It’s a simple framed decoration. When brainstorming ideas for this art project, I thought of the color green, shamrocks, four leaf clovers, leprechans, pots of gold and rainbows. So I came up with this inexpensive Shamrock Button Art with a Rainbow Chevron Background. It has the green, a shamrock and rainbow colors.

Do you ever visualize an art project and hope to have it look exactly how you pictured? This is how I felt about this Shamrock button art. I imagined the background to be a chevron pattern with rainbow colors. But I wanted the colors to be muted or in light shades. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any cardstock paper resembling this in stores.

So what did I do? I created one of my own and I am sharing it with you. Download the printable rainbow chevron background with shamrock clover template HERE.

To make this easy St Patrick’s Day button art, all you need are a frame, green buttons, cardstock paper and glue. You could use any pattern scrapbook paper as your background. But if you want, you may use our rainbow chevron background with shamrock template.

The frame I am using holds an 8×8 picture. I cut the chevron paper to size.

The buttons I bought at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft store using a 40% coupon so it only cost $3.59. Using the clover as my guide, I attached the buttons using a hot glue gun. I first laid out a few of the buttons to get an idea how it would look and then glued. If you look closely, there are buttons on a second layer to fill empty gaps.

I love the simplicity of our Shamrock Button Art.

Are you making any St. Patrick’s Day crafts?

See our other similar button or framed projects:

Find other St Patrick’s Day ideas HERE.

(I’m linking up to Sunday Showcase Party, Weekend Wrap Up Party and The Frugal Girls!)

Filed Under: DIY Project, Free Printables, St. Patricks Day

DIY: Just Write Valentine’s Day Printable Card

February 4, 2013 By Debbie 2 Comments

I have another fun and free Valentine’s Day printable card to share with you. It’s heart shaped and may be “just right” as a non-candy option for school valentines. They are adorable “You are just WRITE” Valentine’s Day cards.

All you need to do is print our “You are just WRITE Valentine’s Day” tag, cut the hearts out and attach a pencil.

I used a hole puncher plus I used scissors to create two slits for the pencil to go through.

You need to make sure the hole or slit is big enough to fit your pencil.

Download our “You are just WRITE Valentine’s Day” printable cards HERE.

So, are you ready for Valentine’s Day?

I hope you have a happy day!

See our other free printable Valentine’s Day cards:

Read about other homemade Valentine’s Day card ideas HERE.

Find other Valentine’s Day ideas HERE.

(I’m linking up to Frugal Girls!)

Filed Under: DIY Project, Free Printables, Valentine's Day Ideas

DIY: 3D Heart Decoration

January 28, 2013 By Debbie 4 Comments

Two years ago, I made cute little 3 dimensional hearts and placed them in picture frames. I am feeling sentimental about it. You see, I made those hearts because my youngest daughter wanted Valentine’s decorations and at the time we had none. It was also my first ever Happy Clippings DIY project. So in a way, you could say those hearts brought back my creative side and my love for do -it-yourself and craft projects. It also helped Happy Clippings evolve into the blog it is today.

Let’s get back to this 3D Heart Decoration. This time I made one big 3 dimensional heart with a cupid’s arrow. It is an easy and quick project to put together.

I already had beautiful Valentine’s Day themed paper left over from an owl project I recently made. I also had all the other supplies needed to create a beautiful Valentine décor.

The materials I used to make this framed Valentine decoration was scrapbook paper, red cardstock paper, pink cardstock paper, gray cardstock paper, scissors, pencil, glue, ribbon and a frame.

First, I cut out four (4) big hearts using 4 different scrapbook papers. I created a heart template and using the template I cut each heart.

Since I was going to fold the hearts anyways, I folded the scrapbook paper and placed the folded heart template on top. This made it quick and easy to cut the hearts.

I glued two of the hearts together back to back . Then I glued the other two hearts together back to back. Finally, I glued together the two sets of hearts creating a pretty 3 dimensional heart.

Using the same heart template, I cut one more heart out of red cardstock paper to be the backing of the 3D heart.

I also cut out an arrow using a template I made.

If you want to use my heart and arrow template, you can download it HERE.

I glued the red heart onto the back and then glued the arrow. I cut my gray cardstock paper to fit the frame. I glued another Valentine themed paper (6×6 size) onto the middle of the gray cardstock paper. Finally, I glued the 3D heart onto the middle.

One more finishing touch – a pretty pink ribbon tied onto the end of the bow. Now, our framed 3 dimensional heart is complete and gorgeous. It is even more lovely sitting next to a vase full of red tulips.

I hope your day is filled with happiness and love!

Find other Valentine’s Day ideas HERE.

(I’m linking up to Tutorials & Tips Link Party, Valentine’s Day Link Party, I’m Lovin’ It, Tatertots & Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party and The Frugal Girls!)

Filed Under: DIY Project, Paper Crafts, Valentine's Day Ideas

DIY: Valentine Paper Roll Owls

January 24, 2013 By Debbie 27 Comments

My 9 year old daughter inspired this sweet project. The other day she came home with a cute paper roll owl she made at school. I told her I loved it. My daughter suggested we make more but with a Valentine’s Day theme – “you know with hearts and we can hang it on our kitchen light.” My first thought – that’s brilliant.

My second thought was how awesome it is to have a creative daughter. I appreciate it because I love making creative crafts just like her.

So, off I went to Michaels craft store to find Valentine’s Day themed paper.

The materials I used to make these Valentine’s Day Paper Roll Owls are toilet paper rolls, Valentine’s Day themed scrapbook paper, red cardstock paper, orange cardstock paper, googly (wiggle) eyes, pencil, scissors, glue, paint brush, circle puncher, heart stickers and ribbon.

My daughter helped me make these cute owls.

First, I cut scrapbook paper to fit the paper roll. I glued the paper onto the paper roll. I used Mod Podge as my glue.

I found it easy to apply the glue using a paintbrush and hold the paper roll by putting a few fingers inside it.

To make the ears, push down slowly on one end of of the roll (see picture above). Repeat on other side.

I made the eyes by using googly eyes (size 14mm) and gluing onto red paper cut into circles. I cut a beak using orange paper. I glued the eyes and beak on.

I then made the wings. I cut out heart shaped wings and glue to the sides of the owl.

I attached ribbon to the top so we could hang our pretty Valentine owls on our kitchen chandelier.

I also placed one heart sticker on each owl to give them some extra love.

What do think of our Valentine Owls? I think they are adorable. Let’s give my sweet daughter a big cheer. She is thrilled to have her idea featured on here.

See our other kid-friendly projects made with googly/wiggle eyes:

Find other Valentine’s Day ideas HERE.

(I’m linking up to I’m Lovin’ It, Weekend Wrap Up Party, Sunday Showcase Party and The Frugal Girls!)

Filed Under: DIY Project, Valentine's Day Ideas

DIY: Wheelie Fun Valentine’s Day Card (Printable)

January 22, 2013 By Debbie Leave a Comment

I have a “wheelie” fun Valentine’s Day card to share with you. As you may know, I have three kids. Two daughters and one son. I have already shared our cute Valentine’s card ideas for my daughters. This “wheelie” Valentine printable card was created for my son to give to his classmates.

This boyish card was inspired by the I “Wheelie” Like You card which I featured in our Valentine’s Day Card Ideas for Boys.

We plan to put a die cast car in each bag, tie it up and attach our “Have a Wheelie Fun Valentine’s Day” tag. The dies cast cars we’re using was purchased at Party City (for $9.99 for a bag of 24 cars). You could pair this Valentine printable with any toy car, car shaped candies or Disney Cars Fruit Snacks.

Another idea is to use Life Savers Gummies since they look like tires.