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5 Minute Project:  Popsicle Holders

7/24/2014

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Popsicle holder made from waterproof mattress cover -- great repurposing!
Popsicle holder made from waterproof mattress cover -- great repurposing!
I've experimented with several different fabrics, and I've found that my repurposed waterproof mattress cover worked the best for these popsicle / frozen yogurt holders.  I sewed the shiny part on the inside, quilted part on the outside.  
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Blog Crush: Handmade Charlotte

12/10/2013

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Have you met Charlotte? She's got a fabulous blog at www.handmadecharlotte.com, full of DIY, décor, and toddler ideas.  Here are some of my favorite posts from her site:


Read More
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Easy Toddler Project:  A Garden for Grandma

8/18/2013

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Scrapbook paper, old magazine, flower paper punch, glue stick
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Alphabet Blocks

2/26/2013

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My daughter loves alphabet games, so I decided to repurpose some old Jenga blocks to make her a new game.

Supply list:
Scrapbook paper or designs printed on paper (see dryicons.com or allvectors.com for free designs.)
Wooden pieces of idential size
Scissors or cutting board
Small foam brush
Mod Podge glue -- matte or glossy
Sandpaper
Mod Podge sealent -- matte or glossy
  
Instructions:
Cut paper design to fit block size (Jenga blocks are 7.5 cm x 2.5 cm).  Use a foam brush to apply a thin layer of Modge Podge glue to the block and adhere the paper.  Let dry for several hours.  Sand the edges of the blocks -- this will make them softer, will remove any excess paper, and give them a more homemade look.  Lightly spray each block with Mod Podge sealent.  Let dry for several hours.  

You are welcome to the patterns I used for my blocks.  Download the PDFs below.
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Pattern blocks


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ABC 1
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ABC 2
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Zoe Project #4: SLIME!!

10/24/2012

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I found this great link via Pinterest at Science Cafe for SLIME! 
See other three Pin-Tested projects here.

I made enough to share with friends with children.  It made a great Halloween gift. 
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See other Halloween projects here.
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Four Pin-Tested Projects for Zoe

9/26/2012

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One of my goals for 2012 was to do 4 projects from my Pinterest board:

*a toddler sewing kit   DONE  Link to project
*a mess-free finger painting  DONE  Link to project
*a color recognition and sorting box  DONE  Link to project
*homemade S L I M E  DONE  Link to project

Feel free to send me your ideas!
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Zoe Project #3: Mess-Free Finger Painting

9/26/2012

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http://pinterest.com/pin/150307706283929517/
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This worked great!  When she was done "finger painting", she used a Q-tip to make reverse designs. 

SUPPLY LIST FOR THIS PROJECT:
Ziplock bags
Paint (I picked up some cheap acrylic paint at Joanne's for 59 cents each)
Plastic placemats (look on the seasonal aisle at Target -- $1.50 each)
Strong tape -- I used duct tape
Q-Tips

See other three Pin-Tested projects here.
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Zoe Project #2: Color Recognition and Sorting Box

7/26/2012

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Second project from Pinterest board completed!  Yahoo!  Zoe had a bit more fun trying to peel the labels off than sorting the objects in the dividers!  But she did sort them pretty accurately on her first try, and stayed with it for 15 minutes or so ... which in toddler time is, like, 4 hours, right?

Supplies needed for this project:
Any container that has dividers (I used fruit container from Whole Foods)
Color labels (here's the PDF I created)
Objects to sort: buttons, small toys, pieces of colored felt, etc.

See other three Pin-Tested projects here.

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Zoe Project #1: Toddler Sewing Kit

7/15/2012

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I always wished that I had learned to sew.  I mean, I know how to replace a button or patch a tear, but I always drool over the homemade items on Pinterest.  Well, maybe Zoe and I can learn together, if she takes to it.  

I started with a toddler sewing kit idea that was orginally based on a post I saw on Pinterest from Childhood 101.  I've adapted it with some ideas of my own. 
    
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First idea is a toddler-friendly embroidery set.  I used an embroidery hoop and a non-slip shelf mat for the "fabric", and a plastic embroidery needle and yarn for the needle and thread.  I provided her with two small yarn balls to start.

RESULT: I helped her thread the needle and demonstrate the first stitch, and then she loved it!  The holes are big enough for her needle to easily push through.  (I had to got to several stores to find shelf liners that had large holes - found at Target.
 
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The second element is a beading activity.  I found a parmesan shaker at World Market, and pipe cleaners and beads with large holes at Joanne's. 

RESULT:  Zoe lost interest after about 5 minutes, but I think she'll want to do it again.  Soon she can make her own necklaces!

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Next, how about a toddler quilt?  I simply cut pieces of felt into squares and triangles, and let her put down patterns on a felt board to make her own "quilts."

Before we started this activity, we looked at some of the quilts in her room and in my room, and pointed out squares and triangles.  I also printed photos of a few quilts on a piece of cardstock to keep with the activity.  The PDF is here.

RESULT:  She loved it!  I think she'll do this on over and over!


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I organized all of the supplies in this box I found at Joanne's. 

If you have ideas to share, please do!  Leave a comment below!
    
SUPPLY LIST FOR THIS PROJECT:

Embroidery hoop
Non-slip shelf mat with large holes (Target)
Plastic embroidery needle
Yarn
Parmesan shaker
Popsicle sticks
Electrical tape
Pipe cleaners
Beads with large holes
Felt
Felt board
Container to store all supplies

See other three Pin-Tested projects here.
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