Honest To Nod

Things to Make - Yarn Wrapped Sticks

This is possibly the easiest craft project I've ever posted (and I've posted LOTS of easy projects). Basically, look around the neighborhood for "good sticks" (not too frail, not too large), which is a fun way to occupy the kids during the "witching hours." Then use a glue stick to attach the yarn to the stick. I bought different colors of yarn, so that each stick would contain multiple hues. Originally, I placed the sticks in a vase. But when Land of Nod came to makeover the basement, they decided to attach them to the ceiling. Pretty, huh? For an extra special effect, add garland, like this one from Paper Source (Paper Source no longer appears to sell the garland pictured above).

Post by Darcy : bedtimemonsters.blogspot.com

TRY THIS: INDOOR RAINCLOUDS

Whattya need?

• Fabric
• Needle and thread
• Scissors
• Filling (polyfill, batting, cottonballs, etc…)
• Tinsel
• Glue
• String or rope

How do I make an Indoor Raincloud?

Step 1: Double over some fabric and draw a cloud shape onto one side.

Step 2: Cut out the cloud shape on both sides of fabric so you end up with an identically shaped front and back.

Step 3: Sew the two cloud shapes together 3/4 of the way around the edge.

Step 4: Use the remaining open section to stuff with batting or polyfil (or whatever you like), and sew the last 1/4 of the cloud closed.

Step 5: Take tinsel and glue it along the bottom of the cloud in strands.

Step 6: Sew a loop of string or rope onto the back of cloud to hang it from.

DIY Mosaic

By Trina McNeilly. Who blogs at la la L O V E L Y, a lifestyle blog with an eye for design in all areas of life. She started la la a few years back to keep track of this + that + everything pretty in between. And, it just so happened that la la Lovely is where the lovely things land.

Garland Mobile DIY

Supplies : A paint brush, wooden beads (sixty 3/4 inch wooden beads + one 1 inch wooden bead), a needle, wreath frame, battery operated twinkle lights (I purchased mine at Ikea but have seen similar sets at Michael's in the floral dept), this garland is shaping up, spray paint, craft paint, string and a hook for hanging.

Step 1 :  Spray paint the metal wreath frame. 

Step 2 : Paint the wooden beads in 3 gradual shades for an ombre effect.  I did 7 beads in the darkest shade, 5 beads in the medium shade and 3 beads in the lightest color.

Step 3 : String the flower lights onto the metal wreath, weaving in and out of the metal rows.  It's also a good idea to start each set of lights on opposite ends so the battery packs balance each side out.

Step 4 : Thread the beads onto the string leaving room on each end for tying up. Repeat until you have 4 strands of beads.

Step 5 : Tie the strands onto the base of the metal frame.  I find it a good idea to place a strand, evenly, on each side of a battery pack to, again, give balance.

Step 6 : Holding onto the 4 loose strings at the top, string on the larger bead to keep all of the strings together.  Then give about 3 inches of string above the large bead and tie a knot.  You can then use the slip through to hang onto a ceiling hook or wherever you like.

 

By Trina McNeilly. Who blogs at la la L O V E L Y, a lifestyle blog with an eye for design in all areas of life. She started la la a few years back to keep track of this + that + everything pretty in between. And, it just so happened that la la Lovely is where the lovely things land.

Try this: Skate Deck Shelf

Whattya need?

• Old skateboard decks (wheels & trucks removed)
• Four large eye bolts
• 14 gauge coated wire (200 lb. test)
• Wire snips

How do I make a Skate Deck Shelf?

Step 1: Screw first eye bolt to the ceiling 3" away from the wall. 

Step 2: Screw second eye bolt an additional two inches away from the wall. Doing so will match the spacing of the holes in the skateboard deck. NOTE: For second set of eye bolts, measure 19" from first set and repeat steps 1 and 2.

Step 3: Run wire through each eye bolt. 

Step 4: Run all four strands of wire through the outer holes on the deck. 

Step 5: Decide what length you want shelves to be. Once you’ve done so, tie the wires into knots underneath the deck.  

Step 6: Repeat steps 4 and 5 for all additional shelves. 

Step 7: Trim excess wire. 

Try this: Branch Shelf

Whattya need?

• Tree branch
• Hand saw
• Screw gun
• 4" screws
• 3/16" drill bit
• Phillips head bit

How do I make a Branch Shelf?

Step 1: Find an appropriately sized and shaped branch. Carefully trim any oversized knots from the back of the branch with the hand saw (Grownups only).

Step 2: Find your wall studs. Drill pilot holes into branch that match up with the position of the studs (use drywall anchors if no wall studs are available). 

Step 3: Use the screws to mount branch securely to wall. 

Try this: Feather Wall

Whattya need?

• Feathers (any color you like)
• Hammer
• Nail
• Ruler
• Pencil 

How do I make a Feather Wall?

Step 1: Determine the size and shape of your feather wall. Use the pencil to mark the corners and edges of your shape. 

Step 2: Grownups only. Starting at one of the corners, use the hammer and nail to create a ½" deep pilot hole. 

Step 3: Within the shape, measure and mark additional points at 2" intervals. 

Step 4: Grownups only. Make a ½" deep pilot hole at each new point. 

Step 5: Insert feathers quill first into each pilot hole until the shape is filled. 

Try this: Miniature Enchanted Forest

Whattya need?

• Miniature animals
• Spray mount
• Glitter
• Glass jar
• Clear glue
• Fake moss
• Model tree (available at most hobby shops)

How do I make a Miniature Enchanted Forest?

Step 1: Grownups only. In a well ventilated area, lightly spray your tiny animal with spray mount.

Step 2: Toss the animal in a small bowl or baggie of glitter until completely coated.

Step 3: Squirt clear glue into the jar to coat the entire bottom portion.

Step 4: Add fake moss around the perimeter of the jar. It may be helpful to use a small dowel rod to position the moss in place.

Step 5: Place the tiny animal into the jar and position towards the middle. Press down to be sure it adheres well to the glass.

Step 6: Place the model tree next to the animal. Again, press down to be sure it adheres to the glass.

Step 7: Fill in any empty spots with more moss.

Step 8: Leave the jar open overnight to allow the glue to dry completely.

*To see a full size enchanted forest, visit our Pop Up Toy Shop in New York City at 136 Prince St. Opens November 2.

Try this: Paper Mache Moon

Whattya need?

• Newspaper
• Glue
• Paintbrush
• Paint
• Chicken wire or similar wire mesh
• Wire cutters
• String
• Paint tray

How do I make a Paper Mache Moon?

Step 1: Start by slightly bending your piece of chicken wire into a curved side on one end and an “open,” unbent side at the other. 

Step 2: Crease the individual wires at the bottom of the curved side towards the middle so the curve is narrow at the bottom and wide in the middle. 

Step 3: Grownups only. Cut the piece of wire at the middle along the width. Start from the open side and stop a few inches before reaching the curved side. Don’t cut all the way across.

Step 4: Pull the two halves apart slightly to separate all of the cut ends. Leave connected at the bottom.

Step 5: Bend and fold the two halves of the wire into a crescent shape, with narrow ends and a wide middle. 

Step 6: Grownups only. Cut off any excess pieces of wire. 

Step 7: Tie a piece of string tightly around an individual wire near the top of the crescent. This string will be used for hanging, so make sure it’s never obstructed and isn’t too long or too short. 

Step 8: Tear up the newspaper into long, thin strips. Pour a generous amount of glue into the paint tray and dip the strips into the glue. 

Step 9: Adhere the strips onto the wire crescent until it is covered completely. You may want to cover it with more than one layer. 

Step 10: Wait for the glue to dry completely, preferably overnight. Then, paint, decorate and hang however and wherever you’d like.  

 

Try this: Sparkle Rainbow Animals

How do I make Sparkle Rainbow Animals?

Step 1: Spray paint each animal entirely. Wait for paint to dry. 

Step 2: Once spray paint dries, dip different sections into different colored paint. 

Step 3: Or, use the paintbrush to create a variety of paint effects like dribbling, dotting and more.

Step 4: Or, gently blend two colors and dip animals in for a swirl effect.