DIY The Snuggle is Real Stenciled Sweatshirt

on December 1, 2016

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Break out the sweatshirts and boots, winter (or what passes for winter) is finally upon us in LA! Yes folks, sweater weather is here and the snuggle is real. So much so that I decided I MUST make one this year. And you can too! Honestly, I’m a bit obsessed with this idea and will probably end up making a mommy and me version for all of my mom friends. Is anyone else excited to snuggle up with a good book, cozy slippers and your best furry friend?

As much as I love to freezer paper stencil things, I fell in love with these woodland stencils from Plaid and Handmade Charlotte. I only used the letters for this project, but the designs and the modern retro feel in the package gave me a ridiculous amount of inspiration for one of my nanny kid’s birthday parties.

DIY The Snuggle is Real Stenciled Sweatshirt
Time: 1 hour or less
Cost: $15 or less (depending on whether you have the sweatshirt on hand)
Cozy/Cuteness level: 12

ByChelsea

DIY an Infinity Loom Knit Scarf

on November 7, 2016

Now is around the time of year that Do-It-Yourself-er in all of us is getting super ambitious about making all of our own Christmas presents. I know I am. But the closer and closer the parties and subsequent big day get that ambition seems to dwindle and we find ourselves at starbucks or target shopping for gift cards and random tchotchkes. So much for those half finished scarves and hats we were making. They’ll just sit in a corner until next year.

But you know what you guys? You can still make really awesome hand made scarves that don’t take forever to knit. Let me introduce you to the knitting loom. The answer to all of your scarf making woes. So sit down, kick up your feet, turn on netflix and let’s make a loom knit scarf!

Time: 2 episodes of Gilmore Girls (or 2 hours)
Cost: $15 or less
Skill level: Beginner/Easy

ByChelsea

DIY Stamped Holiday Napkins

on October 31, 2016

The holidays are upon us you guys and I could not be more excited! I’m also not quite ready. Seriously you guys, I’m hosting my annual Friendsgiving and I haven’t even sent invites. Welcome to my life you guys. Some stuff is super organized the rest is well…. it is what it is.

Anyway! One of the things I’m not stressing over is the table setting because DIY-ing that stuff is totally my jam. This week, I’ve been cranking out some really fun stamped holiday napkins and grabbing the kiddos to help. The best part is that I am using things that I already had in the house so I really only had to purchase the napkins. Can you say WIN! I’m sharing 2 ways to stamp your holiday napkins so hit the jump to see what we used!

Time: 20 minutes or less
Cost: $15 (or cost of napkins)
Festive level: 5

ByChelsea

How to Make DIY Mini Journals

on October 27, 2016

I don’t know why, but every year during back to school time I end up with at least 5 new notebooks that I probably didn’t need. In fact, I have half a shelf of notebooks that I haven’t even cracked. I can’t help it! Lately, I’ve been toying with the idea of keeping a traveler’s notebook. One that I can shove all of my random photos, notes, people, places, things, etc. into to keep track of things. Ya’ll know I don’t update facebook enough, so what am I gonna have when everything is said and done? I don’t even have digital posts to back it up?

Okay, so check out these super easy diy mini journals I made for that express purpose. There is nothing worse than lugging a huge book around with you and finding something and these diy mini journals are perfect for trips, seasons, or (if you’ll be going to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) the magical creatures you see. These also make really wonderful Christmas presents and gift tags!

Time: 20 minutes
Cost: $20 (or less if you already have some items on hand)

ByChelsea

How to Make a Mermaid Trinket Tray

on June 20, 2016

Let’s talk mermaids shall we? Yes, mermaids. I’m talking Ariel, Peter Pan’s friends that live in the lagoon, Daryl Hannah in Splash, MERMAIDS. (I’m choosing to ignore the Cabin in the Woods Merman (Not Safe For Kids) because…. reasons). Like any baby of the 80s/child of the 90’s I grew up during the Disney Renaissance. Meaning that Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Lion King (to name a few) were on heavy rotation at my house. We’re talking constantly. And now, as I take care of little girls, I get to experience that all over again…. and it’s AWESOME! Seriously, dress up and princess pretend with 5 year olds is amazing.

Okay, so recently I got to see the Little Mermaid performed live to screen at the Hollywood Bowl. For those of you that don’t know what that is, its basically the movie playing with stars or original cast coming out and singing the songs while the movie is playing. I’m not gonna lie, it was pretty awesome. I’m gonna make you a little jealous here and say that it was Sara Bareilles (Ariel), Titus Burgess (Sebastian), and Rebel Wilson (Ursula)….oh, and Uncle Jesse as the Chef. Yep. You missed it. Get jealous. So, as I was saying before I got super excited about this experience, I saw the production and was inspired to make this super simple Mermaid Trinket Tray. Well, that an the original little mermaid in Denmark (which is suuuuuper tiny, just sayin). Now you can collect all of your own gadgets and gizmos a plenty, thingamabobs and more in your own Mermaid Trinket Tray!

ByChelsea

Bubble Painting Note Cards

on June 15, 2016

It’s all about the bubble…paint note cards. I’m not sure there is any child that will tell you they don’t like blowing bubbles in their milk. It’s probably one of my favorite past times personally. Especially when it’s chocolate milk because then it mixes everything up even more. YUM!

Okay, so this craft is not about milk, but it IS about blowing bubbles and making art with them. Bubble painting note cards are a great project for kiddos as it allows them to be a bit messy and they make something really really cool.
Continue reading

ByChelsea

DIY Queen of Hearts Magnets

on May 30, 2016

Making Perler Bead magnets are a fun activity for children ages 6+. These DIY Queen of Hearts Magnets are sure to keep them busy and create something fun!

I’ve started writing the intro to the post probably 10 times and kept going down the rabbit hole. How appropriate that this post should be about Alice In Wonderland!

If we’re being honest, which we are, I’ve always been in love with Alice in Wonderland. As a book, it’s beautifully written. As a film (cartoon, movies, etc), it is a classic. I’m also a huge fans of the book re-imaginings. I think it speaks to Carroll’s legacy that his characters keep coming up in various forms and people are still inspired by his works of fantasy today. My favorite book iteration has got to be The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor.

So, with Alice Through the Looking Glass coming out this weekend and Allavelle’s Beautiful Children’s Book DIY, I was inspired to create these DIY Queen of Hearts Magnets!

I especially like working with perler beads with the older kiddos because it keeps them busy, helps them with motor skills, and teaches them about patterns and shapes.

ByChelsea

DIY Animal Necklace

on May 5, 2016

Sometimes I buy craft supplies. Well, a lot of the time I buy craft supplies, and a lot of the time they just sit there waiting to be used. Once I got the idea for a blanket and bought all of the yarn and then didn’t make it. I had another project that I needed to finish and by the time I had actually finished said project, I had a million other ideas and a Jo-Ann coupon that needed using. As it stands right now, there is a corner of my room that is like the Labyrinth of craft supplies. HELP! Anyone else have this problem?

Sometimes though, I buy supplies that I end up not using for one reason or another. In this case, I bought these cute plastic animals with the intention of using them for my Animal Butt Magnets, but alas, they were too tiny. So what is one to do with all of their extra tiny animals? Make necklaces of course!

ByChelsea

DIY Sleep Mask

on April 28, 2016

How to ROCK your Bedtime Routine, fall asleep fast, (and make a pretty killer DIY Sleep Mask)

Throughout most of my adult life I have had problems getting to sleep. Staying asleep? No problem (usually). But since high school I found myself pulling un-needed all nighters. Not like I needed to finish a project, but literally couldn’t get to sleep.

I read all of the articles on what to do but couldn’t seem to quiet my brain down. I’d taken medications that got me to sleep great, but left me drowsy in the morning. (what I like to call a sleep hangover) It was only recently that I found something that actually worked for me without medication of any kind.

No one ever tells you that adulting means you essentially have to treat yourself like a child. You create a bedtime routine for yourself. Try to give yourself healthy food. Set up playdates with your friends and family. And sometimes you do things that you don’t want to do even though you know its good for you.

Anyway, back with the sleep thing. I had to start creating a bedtime routine for myself. It really helps set me into the flow, and I can honestly say for the last 2 months I have not had a problem falling asleep or getting out of bed the next day.

ByChelsea

DIY: Watercolor Coffee Mug Tutorial

on March 2, 2016

I took a huge step this week in my journey. I quit a part time job that I’d had for almost 2 years… but it was time. Anyone else have experience with this? Quitting a job to pursue something else? Creatively or otherwise? Leave me a comment! I’d love to know!

For those of you that know, I took a break from the social media agency world to work with kids. It has been insanely rewarding and I’ve made so many friends. Some that I now consider family.

But it was time. I knew that if I kept this job, I’d always be scared to move forward. I would keep burning myself out. I would become resentful of everything that I was doing, and that’s the last thing I want. So I took the step. I’m not sure how everything will work out, but I feel like this was the best decision for me.

So, when I left I wanted to thank all of the wonderful women I worked with. I wanted to give them something special to tell them how amazing they had made my last few years and how much I appreciated the work that we all did (and they continue to do).

ByChelsea

hostess gifts

Making Perler Bead magnets are a fun activity for children ages 6+. These DIY Queen of Hearts Magnets are sure to keep them busy and create something fun!

How to ROCK your Bedtime Routine, fall asleep fast, (and make a pretty killer DIY Sleep Mask)