Craft

St Patricks Day Crafts for Kids

We’re not huge St. Patrick’s Day celebrators in our family. This is surprising to me because I love rainbows, four leaf clover hunting and shamrock shakes. I wanted to find a few easy St Patricks Day crafts for kids to try out with Sophie so I’m sharing them here with you. These are simple, last minute crafts, many of which are made with supplies you’ll already have on hand.

St. Patrick's Day Crafts for Kids

St Patricks Day Crafts for Kids

Rainbow Twirler by Michelle

Shamrock Shirt by Jessica

Rainbow Chain Necklace by Michelle

Lucky Charms Treats by Jenny

Window Shamrock by Tammy

Rainbow Mobile by Jennifer

Glitter Play-Doh by Crystal

Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s day in your family? What are some of your favorite traditions?

For more St. Patty’s crafts, recipes and decor, check out my board:



Valentines Day Heart Garland

As I’ve said before, I’m a sucker for Valentine’s Day. I gave Valentine’s to my nieces before February because I was too excited. This year we’re having someone watch Sophie so we can have a proper Valentine’s date. I’m positive this has never happened before and I’m as giddy as a school girl. I also get excited to show my love through treats and decorations. I was feeling festive this afternoon so Sophie helped me make this 5 minute Valentines Day Heart Garland.

Valentines Day Heart Garland
Valentines Day Heart Garland

Valentines Day Heart Garland

Materials:

  • Watercolor paint
  • Watercolor paper (not necessary but the hearts lay flat with the thickness of this paper)
  • Paint brush
  • Cup of water
  • String
  • Tape (for taping the heart to the string)
  • Heart punch or scissors


Valentines Day heart punch

Valentines Day Heart Garland
Valentines Day Heart Garland

I let her paint a bit on her own and helped her draw the hearts, X’s and O’s. I usually hang her crafts down low on the fridge but this garland got prime real estate above her bed. We’ll definitely be pulling this little guy out each year.


Valentines_Heart_Garland_Cut (1 of 1)

Valentines_Heart_Garland_Cards (1 of 1)

We’d also attempted some watercolor resist art the other day which didn’t work out so well but I wanted to share how we turned it into a thoughtful gift. I’d drawn white hearts with a colored pencil and Soph helped me paint over the paper. Although the hearts barely showed up, I still think these make the perfect Valentine’s cards to mail out to our family.

I’m tickled pink with how simple and fast this craft was to create with my toddler. How do you share your love on Valentine’s Day?

Valentine's Day Heart Garland

Home Office Inspiration

When we first moved into our Indy home in August, we’d originally thought my home office and craft space would be in the front room as you walk into the house. We had anticipated me staying at home with Sophie and needing to have her near while I worked. I’d envisioned a space that was light and airy with all of my craft supplies hidden behind white storage. I dreamed of having a mini desk for Sophie with easy access to her craft supplies. I would craft, photograph and write in that room while she would happily do arts & crafts beside me. I was so young and naive.

We’ve since decided that Sophie needs more than just me to learn, socialize and thrive. She’s attending a Montessori school a block away giving both of us the time we need to thrive. I thought it selfish to take up that large room on the main floor and decided I’d enjoy a more confined space for my mess. Taking the extra upstairs bedroom was exactly what I needed to feel like I belonged. I had my own space with my own stuff that I could decorate however I wanted. Although I make the majority of the design choices in our home, I know that painting pink on the wall would be shut down by my husband in any other room of the house. Which brings me to where I’m at today.

I wish I would have shared the design, building and decorating stages of our previous house but realize it’s not too late for me to share our progress on this house. I’ve got an entire office + craft room Pinterest board dedicated to designing my work space. I noticed that I was torn between having a ton of bright, happy, busy colors or simply white. When looking at the board as a whole I realized I was most drawn to the crisp feel the well organized white rooms possessed.

Home Office InspirationHome Office Inspiration

Home Office Inspiration

Home Office Inspiration

Home Office Inspiration

Swoon, right?? Here was my space when we bought this home:

Office Before

Yes, I had the white walls but it was a dingy white that had teeth and claw marks everywhere indicating they kept their dogs locked in here while they were away. It smelled like dog and was incredibly dark, despite the white walls.

Here are a couple sneak peeks of what my home office space currently looks like:

Peg Board Workspace

White Office Inspiration

White walls, check. White desk and chair, check. Pegboard, check. My work space is slowly evolving into the images I see in my head when I imagine my perfect studio. I’ll be back with the reveal once I’ve finished (and likely another to show my organization of making one room work as an office and craft studio).

What’s your work space style? Do you have a space that’s completely dedicated to you? A corner of the room with a DIY desk, your own room or even your own off site studio? Do you like having tons of inspiration up on the walls and your supplies at easy reach or do you focus better with a clean slate? I’m a bit of both as you’ll see in my office reveal.

workspace inspiration sources: photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4

Design Brings Joy

People ask me where my craftiness comes from all the time. It’s my second most asked question after the age of my daughter, Sophie. I am not only lucky to have creative parents but am surrounded by inspirational friends and family. It’s astounding how creative actually. I specifically wanted to introduce you to my cousins Ian and Edana today because they’ve started a design company called Mustardstrip LLC as they’re entering their 30s. Not only are they an inspiration for new entrepreneurs but their requirement for design bringing joy is sensational. I’ll let Edana share their passion.
Mustardstripe LLC
Mustardstripe was surprisingly not a planned venture and stemmed from me (Edana) seeking a creative outlet outside of my 9-to-5 Fashion Design job. I didn’t really know where to start, and to be honest, I got really lucky by finding some really great graphic design gigs online that served as a temporary outlet for me to explore and test my talents and design something other than clothes.
The extra cash flow was also nice because I had gotten engaged in the meantime and we all know weddings aren’t cheap.
Mustard Stripe Graphic Design
Mustard Stripe
From there, my gigs took a back seat and I used the wedding planning process as my creative source. I found myself creating and designing every detail of our big day and sharing sneak peeks on social media. Fast forward a few short weeks, I had multiple friends and family approaching me to create custom pieces for their personal events, organizations and businesses. Consequently, I knew I was onto something and decided to make Mustardstripe official with the help of my fiancee, now husband, Ian. He was the business and marketing brain child who not only encouraged me to seek my passions in a professional manor, but he also helped me figure out the financial and business aspects behind it. From there, Mustardstripe LLC was born and has quickly become more than just a business to me… it’s evolved into a passion.
Mustard Stripe
Mustard Stripe
Mustard Stripe
I love building and supporting brands and personal projects that encapsulate the human experience via
art and design. It is extremely fulfilling to create something that connects people through self-expression, visual identity and custom designs. Plus, my job is never the same from day-to-day or client-to-client, which is pretty sensational.
 Mustard Stripe
Mustard Stripe
Looking back, I think this business was always meant to transpire, whether it was planned or unplanned. When my dad passed away a few years ago, I couldn’t bear the thought of choosing between the painfully ugly memorial cards that the funeral home was offering. The designer in me wasn’t about to damper his memory and spirit with a tacky dove flying out of some clouds. Instead, I opted to design custom memorial cards and thank you’s that reflected him, his personality and our family. Not only did it do that, but it welcomed a lot of smiles and funny stories into the otherwise dreary room. To this day, I still have people reference those cards and tell me I should make a business out of them and I’d say I am on the right track. Making people and their businesses feel fulfilled and bright is the whole reason I am doing what I am doing.
Mustard Stripe
Mustard Stripe
 Now do you see why I’m creative? I have great inspiration all around me! If you want your branding, wedding or memorial cards to be something special to you and your family, send a message to Edana and Ian. They’re good people. You won’t regret it.

Thanksgiving Kid Crafts

Thanksgiving is right around the corner! That means lots of delicious comfort food, football, playing in the leaves and lots of kids running underfoot. If you live in the Midwest, you’re never sure what the weather will be like on Thanksgiving day. It could be 75 degrees and sunny or snowing here in Indiana. Having crafts that can be made inside or outside is a must, so I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites for this year. DIY Thanksgiving Kid Craft Ideas

Thanksgiving Kid Crafts

Photo Sources (from top left)

  1. Toilet Paper Roll Pilgrims by Misty
  2. Pilgrim Hat Crayon Cups by Kristyn
  3. Gathered Leaves Wall by Bar
  4. Handprint Turkey Crown by Jen
  5. Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispies Treat Turkey Pops by Beth

Let me know what your plans are for Thanksgiving! How will you keep the kids from running through the kitchen?



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