Paper Snowflakes

The simple, but fun, winter craft - paper snowflakes! I like this method of folding because you can cut anywhere top, bottom, or any side and your snowflake turns out - the less rules the better right?!

You'll need a square sheet of paper. I like to cut a stack of papers into squares with my paper trimmer ahead of time.

First you fold the paper in half to form a triangle

and in half again

Next you're going to take the open end and fold it towards the other side about 1/3 of the way in

fold the other side over the top of that one

Now you're going to cut off the "tails" at the bottom. If you turn it over you'll have a nice straight guide.

Now the fun part - cut away! Cut triangles, squares, wavy lines - whatever you like

The fun part about folding this way is that you can cut whatever side, top, or bottom you like.

.When you're satisfied with your cuts - carefully unfold your masterpiece.

Ta Da!

The boys made a ton of snowflakes and wanted to know where I was going to hang them all. I think I found the perfect way and now they are itching to make more!

I'm sharing how I like to hang their snowflakes over at Modern Parents Messy Kids - come stop by!

DIY Paper Box

DIY PAPER BOX

Here is another activity you could do to incorporate your kids artwork into gift giving. These are also great for storage, organizing, and just for fun! 

You'll need a square of paper any size. Fold the paper diagonally both ways to make an "x" with the creases.

Then fold it horizontally both ways as well (unfolding in between)

You'll have a square that looks like this (this is upside down)

Fold each corner into the center

When those are all folded into the center, fold the top half - half way down

Do the same for the bottom - then unfold just the top and bottom half all the way

Turn the paper so the unfolded ends are pointing to the sides now

Now fold this top half - half way down to the center

Do the same to the other side

Now unfold these sides leaving the triangle at the bottom - these are your first 2 sides of the box

Next you're going to take the pointed ends and fold them in so it folds over itself making another wall

Do the same to the other side and you have yourself a box!

If your kids are anything like mine, it won't be hard filling them!

Make another box 1/2 - 1" smaller and you have a top/bottom!

We made a big one with wrapping paper so your paper doesn't need to be thick

The boys LOVED this project and already have lots of ways they want to use/give their new skill. Happy folding!

Linking up to Snap Show & Tell Wednesdays

Kids' Artwork Gift Wrap Garland

 KIDS' ARTWORK GIFT WRAP GARLAND

This is a fun way to incorporate kids' drawings into packaging that also doubles as a keepsake AND your kids don't have to draw them over and over.

I tend to shop in the remnants section in the fabric department of our craft store so my fabric was just chosen from whatever I had on hand! But first you'll want your kiddos to draw their best little holiday pictures. They don't have to make them small you can do that on the computer!

Next you'll scan their images into the computer.  You can resize the images in your choice of software - there are SO many choices with image software so I wouldn't be able to touch on all of them. Some of the things you may want to do is resize/cut out and place the images all on one page/increase the saturation a bit if they used crayons/ and if there are words written you'll want to flip the images at this point so they are backwards usually it's referred to as "flip horizontally" in the photo editing software. 

Print the images onto Iron on T-shirt transfer paper and cut them out.

I cut my fabric into little triangles to form a garland. Then I ironed the transfers on using a sheet of cardboard underneath and a kitchen towel on top to protect my iron just in case!

Last they all get sewn together (or you can iron them into some fabric binding as well). I used a black fabric binding for mine and sewed the triangles in. I just eyeballed the spacing - not much perfection here. And if you're like me you'll be sewing late at night when everyone else is sleeping!

Then you're done!

Cute little gift wrap that can double as a keepsake decoration for the recipient. 

We've also done something similar on the reusable canvas bags. Instead of the transfer paper I used the printable fabric for that one.

How do you incorporate your kids' artwork into gift giving? Kelle Hampton made some super cute ornaments

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Wooden City

I have posts started/planned but we've been passing around back to school germs over here so getting anything finished is just not happening this week! Good thing there is so much inspiration to be had around the internet!

I love this wooden chalkboard city by dandee. This would make a great DIY holiday gift for the little ones in your lives. I think this would even make a great cityscape for Super Heros or LEGO city!

The full tutorial can be found on Hello Bee

Collapsible Cardboard Playhouse

My friend Jenn from Ambrosia Creative has done it again. In her post over on She Knows she gives a tutorial to create the perfect collapsible cardboard playhouse. Pretty it up and give one as a gift or make one any time for your kids. LOVE this!

View the great step by step HERE

Independence Day Crafts or Activities

I wanted to post this before the weekend but we finally moved (in 113F weather) and had an evening pool party celebrating my little man with our close friends and family. So I'll share some today and hope that you can get around to doing some before or on the 4th!

Oh and Happy late Canada Day to our friends North of us. Hope you all had a fun weekend!

Paper sparklers for the younger ones from Say Yes to Hoboken

Noisemakers from Supermom Moments

Firework art from BHG - straws, glue, and sand? Count us in!

DIY Confetti Paper Rockets from AlphaMom

Fourth of July Printable Paper Badges from Ambrosia Creative

Red, White, and Blue crayons from Love Them Madly (I think we may actually do this but stick them in the car instead of the oven)

Printable Pinwheels from Skip to My Lou

Sandwich Pops from Living Locurto (a request from my youngest)

Qtip Fireworks from Busy Bee Kids Crafts

For this and some other awesome ideas see our roundup from last year!

DIY MAGNETIC TRAVEL ACTIVITY TRAY

While we are mourning the ending of our big summer vacation many of you are still preparing to leave on yours. Even if you aren't going on vacation this is a great activity to keep in the car.

A DIY Magnetic Travel Activity Tray from Craft, Interrupted.

When my boys were little we'd make little sticker scenes but with magnets and a cookie sheet for them to play with in the car and they loved it. I really love this more 3D version.

Go check out the post over at Craft, Interrupted for the how to, the other versions, AND printables!

Father's Day Roundup

This is your friendly (late) reminder that Father's Day is Sunday. Here's a roundup of some fun ideas I found!

This secret message + decoder from Jenn at Ambrosia Creative is brilliant.

A tray for Dad's "stache" from Modern Parents Messy Kids

A piece of art made with love by the kids from Baby Blackbird

An iDad card by Tip Junkie

I LOVE this book by Ashley Campbell on the Design Aglow blog

Something to make with mom's help - a DIY pillow from Dad's favorite old tshirt

Such a fun way to give a gift by The Gold Jellybean