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Whattya need?
How do I make umbrella wall decorations?
Step 1: Fully open umbrellas, until they became convex.
Step 2: Snip umbrella stem as close to the canopy assembly as possible.
Step 3: Apply small ball of poster putty to cut end.
Step 4: Place on wall in desired arrangement.
Created by Dane Holweger
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To call Hudson a picky eater is a gross understatement. I can fit the entire list of Hudson-approved foods on one side of a business card...plus, he's a gagger. Just utter the phrase, "Please eat one more green bean," and sure enough, in goes the green bean followed promptly by a dramatic gag.
After a dreadful tear- and gag-filled meal, I hatched a plan--turn it into a game.
Here's how it works: I printed out pictures of different foods and had him choose one from each food group and put it on the fridge as our "menu." Every time he takes a bite from a particular category, he puts an X in the box. He's eaten celery, carrots, broccoli, cucumbers and spinach this week with no complaining and no gagging. Plus, he's engaged with checking off the boxes, and run off before he's full.
I'm sure the novelty of the "game" will wear off. But it has given me renewed hope. Hope that if I put energy and creativity into it, I can encourage him to eat better without making it a traumatic experience. So I'm giving you my placemat downloads for all the little picky eaters in your life. You can print them at your local copy shop, and have them laminated...all for a couple bucks. Pick up some dry-erase markers while you're out and see how it works. It's worth a shot, right?
Here are the links to the downloads:
Post by Christina Williams : justcallmechris.blogspot.com
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For our Spring 2012 catalog cover we partnered with husband and wife duo, APAK Studio. We love the dream-like quality of their work.
And we were especially drawn to the little worlds they create through the use of clay and felt.
Here’s what they came up with for our Spring cover.
Not sure about you, but it makes me want to wish away this snow and go dig in my garden!
By Danielle Kurtz
Danielle is the Creative Director at Nod and an over-protective mother of two. She’s also completely obsessed with Pinterest, Twitter and her Kindle, but not necessarily in that order. Danielle loves to craft, sew and crochet, but all her supplies have a layer of dust on them about 4 ½-years-thick, wonder if it's just a coincidence that her oldest kiddo is 4 1/2 years old?
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Here is another fun Valentines idea. I picked up bouncy balls at the party store for about a quarter each. My store sold them in packs of 12, but they also had the balls available individually, which I thought was nice in case your kiddo’s class has, say, 26 students, you won’t be stuck buying a whole extra pack.
I couldn’t decide whether I liked the “have a ball” or “make my heart bounce” saying better, so I decided to do them both. I was thinking the “have a ball” phrase might be a better Valentine for boys to handout in class since it’s not too mushy.
The packaging is simple. Pick up some of the mini (3×5 inch) zipper-top bags, often available at local craft stores in the jewelry section. Then print out our free Bouncy Ball Valentine Labels template on white or colored cardstock. Cut out each card, fold in half, then put each baggie between a card and staple.
Post by Aimee and Bettijo : www.supermommoments.com
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My girls' attend Walorf preschool and as a teacher apreciation gift, I organized a book for each of the two teachers.
My firend Anri, who is a talented illustrator, designed the pages. We included the beautiful school pictures taken by Brydget. Both mums of kids in the class.
Each Daisy, as our class is named, was given two simply and sweetly designed pages with their name, photograph, and a few lines for a special memory.
On Monday mornings we often make it outside a little early to pick flowers to take to class. It started with violets and we have moved through daisies and heather as our 'weeds' have changed. So it was fitting for the girls to draw pictures of them giving flowers to their teachers.
I am amazed at how well the girls are able to communicate their feelings in such and honest and unguarded way.
Next week Anri and I will collect all the pages and make each teacher a book filled with smiling faces, happy drawings, beautiful memories and exubing love. Perfect!
Post by Helen Bird : www.curlybirds.typepad.com
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Again, all props for this craft must go to my mom as she was the first person (and only really) that I’ve ever seen make these. I don’t know if she ever used them as Valentine’s Day cards but she made Christmas ornaments out of them and little framed pictures for our bedrooms. It’s a super simple craft to do with your kids and really, what’s more basic for our “back to basics” month than your finger-prints.
We’re posting this prior to February so you have plenty of time to make these for Valentine’s Day cards if you want to. You can mount the fingerprint cards on different colored pieces of paper, blank cards, or leave them as is. I’ve included pictures for you to reference that detail a number of different ways the finished product could look. I don’t know about you but I think these would make adorable Valentine’s for your child’s school Valentine’s Day party—if your child is lucky enough to go to a school where they still do that! Otherwise, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, neighbors, and all kinds of special friends will love these.
What you need:
Step One:
If you’re doing this with someone as little as my Georgia….almost two….make sure you pick a very “agreeable” time of day…like one where she won’t mind getting her fingers dirty, sitting still for a few minutes, and not bolting out of her seat as soon as possible to touch other stuff with her inky fingers.
Cut your papers to size. Decide how big you want your Valentine’s cards to be and cut your colored papers appropriately before you ink them up.
Decide on a few thumb print ideas….love bugs, love monkey, love birds, hearts, etc.
Step Two:
I decided on four sayings for my cards and printed those on the paper I wanted to use. I made sure they were spaced far enough apart that when I cut the paper to size it would be a reasonable size for a card. And then…… I started the thumb-printing. This in no way was meant to be a topless craft, however, not ruining Georgia’s favorite “birdy” shirt necessitated it in the end. Also, please note….the finished products that I include below are not the ones that Georgia “helped” with. She ended up just playing with stickers. However, should you have kids that are a bit older they can take part in 100% of this craft….and will do just fine!
Step Three:
Once your thumb-printing is complete begin the decorating. Add whatever you need to to the thumb-prints to finish what they are; antennas, eyes, legs, polka dots, glitter of course… your choice. And then…mount them on a different colored paper to complete the cards! Happy Valentineing!
P.S. My finished product pictures are a bit dim…I thought it was a brighter day out than it actually was apparently.
Post by Maggie Terryn : Mom Colored Glasses
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I have had the unmitigated pleasure of managing The Land of Nod Merchandising department for the past 9 months. I know, serious dream job. Honestly, not really work at all, more like a dream where you get to play with dolls, sit in piles of gorgeous linens, and travel the world creating anything you can dream up and trust me I can come up with some wacky stuff. So, unfortunately for me my dream job is coming to an end, (don’t feel bad – my new gig at The Land of Nod is pretty good).
So, why am I so excited? In the last 9 months we have been putting together the most exciting product collection I have ever seen, (obviously I am biased). There has been so much creativity here, that at times I thought we might burst with the excitement. And I’m excited, because the initial assortment is available right now! It’s bright and bold and has a great sense of humor. The assortment is amazing and it will just keep getting better over the next year.
Some of my favorite items:
Grey Low-Rise Crib. My children no longer sleep in a crib, but this one is so good looking it makes me want to have another.
Rapsberry Jenny Lind Bed. It’s been a personal dream of mine to “color” our Jenny Lind bed, you better believe it was the first thing I did!
Watermelon Stripe Bedding. This is the anti-thesis to Chicago in January (where I am) – delicious!
Head in the Clouds Pillow. A smiling cloud – who wouldn’t be happy!
Woodgrain Ceiling Lamp. I love all things woodgrain.
I hope you enjoy the new product, as much as we’ve enjoyed creating it. Stay tuned for more to come.
XO
Michelle
By Michelle Kohanzo
Aside from being the Managing Director of The Land of Nod, mother to four kids (yes I said FOUR!) and a gourmet cook, Michelle is a retail junky. From Zara to Marc Jacobs, Target to Nordstroms, she doesn’t discriminate, there’s room in her heart and closet for them all. And the addiction doesn’t stop at fashion, she’s painted her dining room at least 5 times, and changes rugs like most women change their sheets. Retail isn’t therapy for Michelle, it’s more like oxygen.
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Hello fellow-LON-lovers. My name is Amy and I write about my sewing projects and my love of collecting vintage items at my blog, Diary of a Quilter. I especially love those great vintage finds at thrift stores. They are few and far between, but I love finding those rare vintage gems. One of my latest obsessions is vintage school books.
Oh no! Someone opened the chocolates, smashed the walnut shells on the table, left out the newspaper and their blue sweater! Those pesky kids! What should June Cleaver do?? (Are you glad no one expects you to wear a lovely dress, heels and pearls every day? Or do you wish you could?)
And last, but certainly not least, another fabulous vintage school find from the thrift store. I LOVE IT! I got it for $14. It's not in mint condition (has anyone ever seen a school desk that was?) But it looks good. I gave it a good Lysol job when it got home. I'm now trying to decide whether to spray paint the metal or leave the 'aged patina.' I wonder what the Keno brothers would tell me to do. They'd probably say leave it.
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We've hit the "dark ages" as we call them around here. While it's not terribly cold here in South Texas, it does get dark pretty early & we are forced to get creative with inside activities. Imaginary play is one of our favorite ways to pass the time & what better way than to play princesses! :) We like props--especially DIY props--so here is one of my favorites! I took these pictures back on Halloween, but have recently made tutus in every color of the rainbow--pink, purple, orange...they are well loved & a breeze to do! They just take a little bit of time. Here's how!
SUPPLIES
*If you are more of a "watch it" not "read it" kind of gal, there is a video at the end. ;)
1) Begin by making a knot about a foot into the piece of ribbon. Measure the ribbon around the little girl's waist, tying another knot to mark the circumference of her waist, leaving another foot of ribbon at the end. Knot to knot should wrap around the child's waist perfectly, with a foot of ribbon on each end to tie a pretty bow.
2) Next, take your spool of tulle & use the bread knife to cut it in half.
3) Wrap the tulle around the piece of cardboard until you run out. My cardboard piece was 10 inches long. You can make yours shorter or longer, but this will be the length of your tutu, waist to knee.
4) Cut the tulle that you have wrapped, which will produce a bunch of pieces that are the same length. I like to cut mine at an angle, resulting in a pointy edged tutu, but you can cut it straight across if you'd prefer.
5) Next you are going to tie the tulle pieces to the ribbon. Take one strip of tulle & fold it in half.
6) Feed the tails of the tulle through the loop, around the ribbon. & pull tight. Repeat. If you need a visual, watch the video--it's much easier to show than to photograph.
7) Continue to tie the tulle to the ribbon, sliding the pieces as tight together on the ribbon as you like.
Other things you can do:
Here is our finished spider princess tutu. :)
glitter tulle is not the easiest to work with & it does get sticky (as in, it does not really "float" or lie flat) but it sure is pretty!
We had quite a battle to get if off on Halloween...so I do believe there will be more of these in our future, just for everyday play around the house! :)
Do you need to watch instead of read? Well here's a video tutorial showing you how to make a no-sew tutu. Enjoy! & if you are feeling like putting on a show (or delighting in the imagination of your kiddos) I think these would pair SO nicely with the Home Sweet Play Home.
I would have LOVED this as a little girl! My own stage! & tutu! DREAMY!
Source: landofnod.com via miss shawna on Pinterest
Post by shawna of styleberryBLOG.com
Despite days full of washing diapers & messy fun, Shawna is determined to make mommyhood a stylish adventure. Married to the military & mother to one feisty girl, she is a passionate DIYer & loves sharing how to make the complicated simple. Shawna talks creativity, style, food, decorating, green-chic living & mommyhood at styleberryBLOG, a daily-ish dose of something fab..
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Valentine’s Day, in my opinion is the very best day for crafting. The color palette bursts with poppy reds, hot pinks, juicy oranges and purples…from grape candy to dark plum.
Then there is the heart, which in this project will symbolize the love of “getting crafty with it!” These waxy creations look stunning when the light shines through. They are so easy, you’ll fall in love!
Supplies
Wax paper (12 x 16” sheets)
Crayons
Sharpener
2 large paper bags
Iron
Pinking shears or scissors
Hole punch
Yarn or String
1. Remove the paper from your crayons, and determine your colors.
2. Sharpen a small handful of different colored crayons and distribute evenly on one side of the wax paper.
3. Fold the wax paper over, creating a “sandwich.”
4. Lay down a brown paper bag on your ironing surface. Then place the wax paper “sandwich” on top of it.
5. Protect your iron by using the 2nd paper bag to cover everything.
6. On medium heat, carefully iron in a circular motion, but not too long!
7. Set the iron aside and slowly peel back the brown bag. Check to see if all the shavings have melted. Repeat to make several sheets.
8. After the sheets have completely cooled, cut a heart shapes with your pinking shears or scissors.
9. Punch a hole and string yarn through.
10. Hang your beauties in the window!
By Cara Reche
When young, Cara had two imaginary friends. As their friendship grew, so did her imagination. Cara loves to “get crafty with it” and is the Associate Art Director at the Land of Nod.
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