Aidan’s guest crafting post…

February 18, 2015November 3, 20162 Comments

Anyone who has ever come across my blog will know that I LOVE to make things…it’s my thing 🙂
But usually my making things has to have two important factors:
1. It has to be quick,easy and relatively mess free (I do not have time, people) and
2. It has to be functional (Not using my limited time to make something I can’t use)

kidscraft

Aidan has shown a lot of interest in the arty crafty side of things and wants to make and cut and paint, I now find myself having to make things just for the sake of making things, and making a mess while we are at it (This is NOT how I operate) he wants to paint and crumble the painting into the bin (could have so used that as wrapping paper, child) he wants to create and discard of his masterpieces (yes he is not two yet what do I expect)

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Baby under construction shower :)

February 4, 20157 Comments

As promised here are some of the things I made for my sister’s baby shower….

Mom-to-be, she is to tiny it’s sickening (jealous much)

Using a print of the internet I fashioned these, lanyard style invitations – just print, laminate, punch holes, put in string TADAH

Each guest got a game pack with pencil and print outs of the games we played
I used the usual games but put a construction spin on the look by using good old microsoft Paint

My good and trusty body scrub recipe came in handy as party favors

Some danger tape and hard hats made for quick and easy decor

Food glorious food

The overall look

Aidan’s truck delivered the favors, 😉

Popcorn is a must 🙂

Diy container 2 – playdough caddy and mat

January 30, 20152 Comments

So I figured out something to do with another of my four containers
I did the mini chalkboard HERE and now turned the second container into a playdough caddy and mat
The top of the lid is transformed into wipe-able gingerbread man play mat and you use the dough to “dress him”

There is no step by step as it’s pretty self explanatory

What you need:
play dough MY RECIPE
a print out or drawing of a gingerbread man
clear contact paper

How to:
You cut out the picture of gingerbread man to size
stick on lid using contact plastic
– the contact plastic needs to be bigger than picture for this to work

TAH DAH

My busy bags and boxes are quite a hit and means I can keep Aidan busy when we are out 🙂

Take along mini chalk board…repurpose

January 21, 20152 Comments

Because I make stuff, and people know this about me, I am often given items they think I might be able to use (bless them) which is awesome because I love turning things into other things 🙂
Recently my cousin gave me four chicken liver containers (not sure how popular the food is around the world but many people in SA love it) While having them stacked on top of each other I thought how awesome it would be to turn it into a take along set for a trip we are planning later this year… so here is my first idea for a take along… a mini chalkboard 🙂

What I needed:

– Chicken liver container, or any container with a nice fitting lid

– Chalk ( I bought a big box at a discount store, this kid loves chalk)

– Scrap of fabric

– Chalk board contact paper (Game and Macro both sell this, it’s normal contact paper with a chalkboard finish. Need to stock up next time I see it – it gets sold out pretty fast)

Cut contact paper to fit the top of the lid, this particular container is “fancy shaped” so I used a piece of paper to trace shape and used that paper as a stencil of sorts

You then stick down the chalk board sticker, you could also just paint with chalkboard paint but seriously this took minutes! and I’m thinking if you made a bunch it could be awesome party favor

The finished product 🙂 I just filled it with a few pieces of chalk and a piece of scrap fabric for wiping. You might need to use a damp cloth every now and again but I’m yet to find a chalkboard where this is not the case.

One down three to go 🙂

DIY baby shower prizes

January 14, 20153 Comments

I’m in the process of planning my sister’s baby shower… In my experience there are three types of baby showers
1. The come have tea and watch mom open gifts shower
2. The lets all play games and win little prizes shower
3. The humiliate the the mom shower

I never got number three, why would you want to make the mom feel bad? Why would you write on her, make her wear skimpy clothes and parade her around. Also what’s up with the drinking apple juice out of a potty with chocolate floating in and don’t get me started on smearing her head with a flour concoction. My sister and I had an agreement we wouldn’t let people subject us to number 3 and this weekend she threatened to host a random party just to humiliate me if I don’t keep up my end of the bargain. Needless to say I’m going with number 2….

Games and eats and prizes 🙂
Naturally I’m going to throw some DIY into the mix, here are some prizes I found through my friend pinterest, will see which of these I can make…

And here are some ideas from my own archives…

Playing the role of interior designer…

January 13, 20151 Comment

I love decor and I love being challenged so when the people over at US based modani furniture asked me to do a mock-up of a lounge I jumped at the chance 🙂
I decided to go for a dream lounge, as it’s international make your dream come true day and as I have a toddler and this much white and grey is currently JUST A DREAM… sooooo what do you think 🙂

PS. you can follow modani on both instagram and twitter

Just Ella Bella

Category: DIY and Crafts