Block Printing Wall Art

Children's art projects, I am learning, can quickly pile up in stacks leaving you with the great debate; do I keep this or slyly throw it away. 

I'll admit, I am guilty of slyly throwing away some of Grace's art...though, if ever she discovers something in the recycle bin, I throw the blame on Mr. While Wearing Heels.  'I have no idea how that got in there, your dad must have accidentally thrown it away'. 

This block printing project, though, is one that was not destined for the recycle bin, instead, it became prominently featured and framed.

Block printing is so easy.  So, go grab some yarn and a block of wood and your own little artist.  Wrap the yarn around the block and, from the back, tape the yarn into place.

 

Pour some paint, in whatever color you like, onto some scrap paper.  Have your little artist dip the block of wood into the paint.

Then let them get creative and stamp an entire piece of card stock paper in whatever pattern or design that inspires them.

When it's done, I am sure you'd agree, it's worthy of being put on display. 

What do you do with your children's artwork? 

Paper Star Garland

Paper Star Garland a quick and subtle decoration for the 4th of July or Christmas {it's never too early to think about Christmas, right?}.

To make a garland of stars, gather the following supplies:  stars cut from white cardstock, thread and a sewing machine.

I thread my bobbin with red thread and used blue on the spool, to give my white stars a patriot feel.  Push the stars through your sewing machine, one at a time, until you have the length of garland you want.

When you've finished, hang it up and admire.

Superhero Mask

As most of you already know, I love felt. SO, when I saw a no sew Superhero mask tutorail from Kinderpendent, I knew I had to try it.

Not only was it easy but look at how cute...er, I mean, heroic they look.

*Don't worry, I don't have 2 more kids that I've been keeping secret from you...the boys are my nephews.

Specimen Art By Suburble

Looking for a quick, inexpensive fun project to get you in the mood for Spring?  Why not make an Egg-in-Nest Specimen Art piece.

Impressive Right? Sadly, I cannot take credit for this adorable project.  

The incredibly witty and very talented Tara, from Suburble, has graciously come to visit While Wearing Heels to share her Egg-in-Nest Specimen Art (which is one of many great projects  she has over at her new blog).

I guarantee she'll make you giggle.  

 
And, now, here is Tara and her Egg-in-Nest Specimen Art.

I was aimlessly wandering around the interweb the other day, and I came across a post on Balancing Home showing her spring mantle decor - featuring eggs in nests as specimen art. I loved the look, but Megan wrote that she had found her little nests on clearance - last year - at Target for $3. So I admired, bookmarked, and then said, "Well, unless Doc Brown drives the DeLorean onto my driveway, I guess that craft won't be happening this year!"

Then, I was strolling through the Dollar Store - like I do - and I came across these little beauties in the seasonal aisle. They were $1.50 (this particular dollar store has some things that are not just a dollar. Sigh.), but I picked up two packages. I can work with these! I feel craft-spiration coming on!

Then I opened them.

Holy crap. Is this where Big Bird's harem goes to lay their eggs? What kind of muppet atrocity is this?

Thankfully, the nests were easily "plucked". Ahhh... much better.

The original piece featured groups of eggs that were different colors (pink, blue, green). I looked at my speckled eggs and thought, "I can fix this!"

Because I didn't want the color to be opaque, I opted not to use my acrylic paints. Instead, I dug into the kids' craft supplies and came up with Crayola! I know - Martha could learn something from me, couldn't she?

Probably not.... but anyways...

I didn't really have a technique, per say. I painted with one color, and then dabbed on another color with a sponge brush. 

It requires a bit of trial and error. What's awesome is that because Crayola is washable, you can easily fix mistakes if you're a bit too heavy on one color.

And unless you have a pink paint handy, I wouldn't recommend trying out a red paint. I ended up creating something out of a vegan person's nightmare. Those eggs were promptly washed off.

I ended up with two bluish-green nests, which I quite liked. The sponge added a mottled quality to make the eggs look more realistic.

I attached the eggs to a piece of cardstock and matted it. They're attached with double-sided tape, and so far, so good! They're housed in the same frame that my It's Raining Hearts Valentine's Artwork was in. I just removed the glass in order to give it a shadow-box quality.

I'm quite happy with how it turned out! $3 in Dollar Store nests, perhaps $.10 in cardstock, and the rest was already kicking around the house! This could be a great kids' project (especially the plucking of scary feathers from the nest), but I did this project solo.

Oh! And a P.S. to this post: I understand why it is called "Specimen Art", but ugh, isn't the most unromantic way of describing it? I wish I was called "Collection Art" or something else a bit less "I'm going to dissect this in Biology class and try not to dry heave".

____________________________________________________________________________

I want to say a big thank you to the fabulous Amy for letting me crash her pad. She is an awesome lady (as I’m sure you’re all very aware of) and I am so honoured to have the opportunity to share my eggy craft with you all.

I invite you to pop over to my own blog, Suburble, and check out what sorts of hijinx we’re up to. In honour of my very first guest post, I’m offering a giveaway this weekend! 

Click over for the chance to win the Labelling Package O’ Your Dreams: 14 adhesive chalkboard labels, 14 blue adhesive vinyl labels and two chalkboard pens: one white and one silver! These labels are cut (by moi!) from indoor vinyl and are perfect for the pantry, the playroom, the craft room, your linen closet… you name it! The chalkboard pens will write on both colours of vinyl, and the greatest thing is that a little water on a cloth wipes them clean – you can write on them over and over again!

The giveaway closes at midnight, Monday, March 25^th, and is open to American and Canadian residents. And because I’m a fledgling blog with a growing audience, your chances are quite possibly much greater to win!

I look forward to meeting you!  

Thank you so much Tara for visiting While Wearing Heels.  If you haven't already, go and visit her lovely blog, welcome her into the crazy world of blogging and leave her some comment love.

Felt Egg Holder AND Finger Puppet Tutorial

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

The egg, of course, or at least for this tutorial.

You'll need some brightly colored felt.

To crack your egg, you'll need pinking sheers or a pinking rotary cutter.

To sew up your eggs, you'll need matching embroidery thread.

Cut your felt egg out (1 full egg and 1 cracked egg).  Overlap the cracked top sections of the egg then layer on top of the full felt egg.  Using your matching embroidery thread, do a running stitch around the perimeter of your egg to close it off.

You now have a felt cracked egg holder.

You can fill it up with jelly beans OR...

You can make a felt chick finger puppet to fit inside your cracked egg.

You'll need to gather the following supplies:

First, make French knots for the eyes through one section of the yellow felt body.  Second, sew the beak into place, in the center so the mouth can still flap.  Third, place your yellow feathers between the two yellow felt body layers.  Finally, using a running stitch, sew the 2 pieces of the body together (leaving the bottom open).

When you're done, stick your chick in your cracked egg.

And now we can continue the debate, which came first the chicken or the egg.

Link Party Websites

{M} *Watch Out Marta Mondays *Pink Hippo Party  * Thrift Share Monday on The Apron Thrift Girl *Make It Pretty Mondays * Sharing Sweet Mondays * Busy Mondays at a Pinch of Joy  *Made Monday at Toastie Studio * *The Cure for the Common Monday * *Polly Want a Crafter * Craftastic Link Party * Brassy Apple, Make it Monday * Made By You Mondays * Between Naps On The Porch * Skip To My Lou *

{T} *From Dream to Reality Link Party * Thursday Linky Party at Osie Moats * A to Zebra Celebrations Link Party Tuesdays* Be Inspired by Elizabeth and Co.   * Tutorials and Tips on Home Stories A 2 Z   * I gotta try that   * Tips and Tricks Tuesday at Stringtown Home  * Delicate Construction * The Winthrop Chronicles  * Open Call Tuesdays on Salt Tree * Adventures of a DIY MOM * Take a look Tuesday at Sugar Bee Crafts * Blackberry Vine Tuesday To Do Party  *  Coastal Charm * My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia  * Tip Junkie   

{W}*Riverton Housewives Round Up *In Bloom Link Party *Adorned from Above * All Star Blogging Party *Well Crafted Wednesdays *What I Whipped Up Wednesdays * Homemade by You Wednesday * Whimsy Wednesdays  * Blue Cricket Design  * The Fun In Functional * What I learned Wednesday *   Home Happy Home * Someday crafts 

{TH} * Delightful Order* A Glimpse Inside  *  The Crafty Blogstalker * Made In a Day  * A Little Knick Knack * House of Hepworth's  * 52 Mantels *
 

{F} * Pin Me Link Party*The Create and Inspire Link Party*Craftionary Link Party *  Financial Friday Link Up with The Grant Life *  Sharing Saturday  *  The Chic and Crafty Party *  Fab Not Drab Fridays *  Shine on Fridays with One Artsy Mama  *  Friday Favs Party at Nap Time Crafters *  French Country Cottage * Serenity Now  * Tatertots and Jello * Chic On A Shoestring *  Decorating

{Sat}*Your Great Idea, Or so She Says *Saturday Show and Tell *Saturday Showcase *Overflowing With Creativity *YOU Inspire Link Party *Be Different Act Normal * Nifty Thrifty Things * I heart naptime * The Sweet Talk Shop * Funky Junk Interiors *  Twigg Studios * 

{Sun} * Setting For Four Link Party*  Nifty Thrifty Things Sunday * DIY Showoff * The girl creative * By Stephanie Lynn * My 1929 Charmer Blog * Embellishing Life Everyday * Alderberry Hill * Homemaker On A Dime * Delectable Home * Everything Under The Moon * 

Groundhog Day

Did you know, Groundhog Day is this weekend.  February 2nd, to be exact.

{Image via The Washington Post}

Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow bringing 6 more weeks of winter?

Grace and I were inspired to make our own groundhog, a shadow painting groundhog to be exact.

We did a quick google search for groundhog silhouettes. It made me sad that one of the only decent silhouettes I found had a target on its belly.

We cut our groundhog out of a thick advertisement piece and glued him {very lightly} to some brown card stock. With a sponge and some white paint, we dabbed him lightly around his perimeter.

When his shadow dried, we carefully lifted up our groundhog pattern and admired his shadow.

This groundhog saw his shadow, you'll have to wait until Saturday to see if Punxsutawney Phil does too.

Happy early Groundhog Day.

Felt Hearts Headband & Garland

 

My love affair with felt continues.  This time, instead of being in the form of fake food, it's in the form of hearts.

Heart head bands first and heart garland to follow.

To make a heart head band, grab a few felt hearts and some fold over elastic.

Then line the hearts up on top of the fold over elastic

Sewing

Sew the ends of the fold over elastic together and you have a quick and easy Valentine's day accessory.

With the rest of my hearts, I made 'the easiest heart garland' from Made by Rae. 

And easy is an understatement.  This is the perfect sewing project for first time sewers.  You don't even need to make sure your lines are straight, as long as they connect one heart to the other, you've succeeded.

Heart head band and heart garland...though, if you ask Grace, she'll tell you the garland is her beautiful scarf. 

Pipecleaner Crown

Princesses are a very big deal in our house, at the moment. Grace lives in her very own fairy tale where her daddy is the Prince and Riley is the witch {poor Riley}. Grace, of course, has cast herself as a princess.

So what does every princess need besides for a fairy Godmother or two...

A crown, of course.

Using these tinsel pipe cleaners from Hobby Lobby, Grace and I crafted our {her} own crown.

I started by twisting 2 of the pipe cleaners together, making a halo shape, for the base of the crown.

Then, by twisting and bending the pipe cleaners, the crown started to take shape. I used 8 pipe cleaners, cutting some of them to fill in and give structure to the sides and middle of the crown.

The finishing touch...jewels.

Grace happily glued some pink and blue 'sapphires' to her crown.

I think it's a crown truly fit for a princess.

The fairy tale continues. Do you think by default I get cast as the evil queen?