Personalized Art Set

My daughter loves to draw and paint so every year I've started giving her an art set. The ones at Michaels serve the purpose ($3.99 when on sale). I decided last year to personalize the set by covering it with scrapbook paper and Mod Podge. It's a very simple way to dress it up. I also buy the notebook and cover it to match. I just finished the set for Olivia this year. Makes for a nice kid's birthday gift too. And you will have less than $10 in it total!

 Another idea is to cover a clipboard with scrapbook paper and Mod Podge. Olivia uses this one to do her homework sheets on.

Cabinet Door Serving Tray

I've been wanting to do something with a cabinet door for a while and finally got my inspiration on Pinterest. Someone had taken a cabinet door, stenciled it and used it for a serving tray. I decided to use...you guessed it, scrapbook paper and Mod Podge instead. I found this door at Habitat Restore for $4. 

In the paint section of Home Depot they have what's called "oops paint" that people return. You can find some really good deals! I found this sample paint for $1.50 and thought I'd try it. After painting a few coats on the door I used Mod Podge to glue the scrapbook paper to the recessed area of the door. Once it was dry I covered the paper with several coats of Mod Podge, allowing dry time between each coat. I always apply Mod Podge with a foam brush and even applied the paint with one as well. I spray painted these old drawer pulls and drilled holes on each end to install them (they come with the screws you need). 

And here's the finished product! I'm so excited about this one!! I have it on our end table in the living room right now for a pop of color. 

Kids Table and Chairs

We've had this table and chairs from Ikea for a while. When we purchased it we painted it white. I decided the other day to add some color to it with scrapbook paper. I cut the pieces to fit the back slats on the chairs. Then used Mod Podge to glue the paper to the chair. Once it was dry I put two more coats of Mod Podge on top. I used the same paper that I covered the soup can with. Very cute and super easy!

Chalkboard Trays

I found these great silver trays at Dollar Tree. Using chalkboard paint found at Michaels for $.89 I painted the inside of the tray. First I outlined the edge with a small craft brush then used a foam brush for the rest. I found that doing a few coats in different directions worked best. Once it was dry I hot glued a bow on the top. The bow can be changed out with the holidays or to match your decor. I have my tray on an easel in the foyer with "Merry Christmas" written in chalk. Later I'll change the bow and write "Welcome". You could also display it in the kitchen with the weekly dinner menu.

Mixed Media Art

I am no artist, but decided to try my hand at making a mixed media piece. I found this great acrylic craft paint at Hobby Lobby that comes in metallic colors. I used Worn Penny to paint the canvas with. Then the kids and I went outside and found a few tree branches. I used needle and thread to sew and secure the branch to the canvas. Never really thought about stitching on canvas but it totally worked! I have this old dictionary and I cut out pages in the shape of leaves. Next I used (you guessed it) Mod Podge to glue the leaves to the canvas. Another layer of Mod Podge on the top sealed the paper. Across the bottom I used torn dictionary pages with the definitions of beautiful, creation, earth and faithful. I painted a thin layer of paint over the pages on the bottom. I had a few Scrabble tiles that I hot glued down the side to spell "Nature". Maybe I'll get better over time but I loved the finished product and it was perfect for my half bath.

Recycled Pringles Can

This week at MOPS our guest speaker spoke on budgeting. We also talked about the importance of teaching our kids how to save, give and spend appropriately. The craft we did was to make your own piggy bank. Since we operate on a budget at MOPS I try to keep the crafts to $1 per mom. Kroger was running a sale on Pringles so I stocked up on 50 cans. This was an interesting sight! I emptied each can and put the chips in Ziploc bags for the moms to take home, then washed out the cans. We used scrapbook paper and Mod Podge (love the stuff!) to cover the cans. We embellished with stickers and ribbon and cut a slit in the lid for the change. I decorated my bank with Disney stickers since we're saving for our Disney trip in February. Another idea for the Pringles can is to fill it with cookies and give at Christmas.

Chicken Wire Art Frames

I came across this idea on Pinterest and thought it was so cute! Every day the kids come home with art work and I don't have a place to display it all. I've made the mistake of throwing away some of my daughter's work only to have her dig it out of the garbage and ask me with such a sad face why I threw it away. Well here's the solution to my problem. Plus I love to find old treasures at yard sales and Goodwill so it was the perfect project for me. I gathered a bunch of frames in various shapes and sizes and removed the glass and picture. Then I spray painted them all the same color. Since they are going in the kids playroom I chose orange.

I then cut chicken wire to fit each frame and stapled it to the back. Since I wasn't sure if the wire would scratch the walls I covered it with duct tape.

Here's the finished product. It was an easy weekend project. The kids are so excited to have their artwork on display. The lamp in the picture was a fun art project I did with the kids. We took a plain lampshade and hot glued buttons on it. You can't see the from this picture but the playroom has polka dots on the walls so it went perfect with our theme.