Petit collage

Allrightsreserved.

PublishedintheUnitedStatesbyPotterCraft,animprintoftheCrownPublishingGroup,adivisionofRandomHouseLLC,

aPenguinRandomHouseCompany,NewYork.

www.crownpublishing.com

www.pottercraft.com

POTTERCRAFTandcolophonisaregisteredtrademarkofRandomHouseLLC.

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData

Siminovich,Lorena.

PetitCollage:25easyhandmadeprojectsforaplayfulhome/byLorenaSiminovich.—Firstedition.

pagescm

(printedition:alk.paper)

1.Handicraftforchildren.2.Children’sparaphernalia.3.Housefurnishings.I.Title.

TT157.S5281852014

745.5—dc23

2013022415

ISBN:978-0-385-34508-8

eBookISBN:978-0-385-34509-5

DesignbySaraGillinghamStudio

PhotographybyThayerAllysonGowdy

IllustrationsbyNoraAoyagi

CoverdesignbySaraGillinghamStudio

CoverphotographbyThayerAllysonGowdy

Tomyparents,BarbaraandDaniel,fornourishingmycreativesidefromayoungage

Tomyhusband,Esteban,forhislovingpatienceandunconditionalsupport

Tomydaughter,Matilda,forbeingmymuseandalways-readymodel

TomydearfriendSaraGillinghamfordesigningthisbeautyofabook

Tomydesignteam,AnnieTsouandNoraAoyagi,whohelpedmakePetitCollage,withaspecialthankstoNora,whomadethisbookpossible

Tomyagent,AdrianaDominguez,forpushingmeintogoodthings

Tomyeditors,BettyWongandCamarenSubhiyah,whoguidedmethroughmyfirstcraftbook

TomydesigncommunityinSanFranciscoforinspiring,sharing,andexisting!

contents

CoverTitlePageCopyrightAcknowledgments

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

HOWTOUSETHISBOOK

MATERIALS,TOOLS,ANDTRICKSOFTHETRADE

VintageorRecycledPapers

NewPapers

MakeYourOwnPatternedPapers

TapesandAdhesives

BasicTools

1ROOMTOGROW

JustHanging:PaperMobile

HelloWorld:PersonalizedBabyPlaque

Knock,Knock:BabyDoorTag

UpandAway:BirdGrowthChart

MyNameIs…:PatternedLetters

LeanonMe:CityscapeWoodVeneerHeadboard

MoveonBack!:WheeledToyBin

AboutTime:BunnyWallClock

GameTime:PlayTable

OnceUponaTime:BookLedges

2FAMILYLIFE

LeafaMessage:FamilyMemoBoard

What’sCooking?Dry-EraseDinnerPlanner

ISeeYou:WindowFilmCutouts

NewHeights:StepStool

AllAboutMe:MemoryBox

Masterpieces:FamilyGallery

HangTogether:FriendsCoatRack

LighttheWay:CeilingPendant

3PLAYTIME

FromtheGroundUp:CustomBabyBlocks

Roar!:AnimalMasks

Rat-a-tat-tat:ToyDrum

AllintheFamily:MemoryGame

MiCasaEsSuCasa:PortableDollhouse

YouGotMail:FamilyMailbox

PeekabooHouse:CardboardPlayhouse

BasicTechniques

Resources

Templates

AbouttheAuthor

AboutPetitCollage

foreword

byHollyBecker,interiorsauthorandstylist,founder/editorofdecor8blog.com

Asastylist,interiorsauthor,anddesignblogger,mylifeisanonstopcreativeadventurethatleavesmefeelingdeeplynourishedandblessed.Itseemsincreativedisciplinesthereisaconstantflowofnever-endinginspirationtodrinkfrom;yetnomatterhowmanynewproductsI’mexposedtoortalentedmakersImeet,Inevertireofthebeautythatexistsintheworld.Whetherthisbeautyentersmylifefirst,orIhadtodigforit,Iimmediatelyknowwhatisfreshandunusualandcanspotamileawaythegemthatstandsoutfromthepackortheartistwiththatspecialsomething.Forme,onesuchartisthaslongbeenLorenaSiminovichandtheworkthatsheproducesthroughPetitCollage,hercompanyinSanFrancisco,andnowthisgorgeousbookthatyou’reholdinginwhichshesolovinglyproducedunderthesamenameasherfun-lovingbrand.IrememberdiscoveringLorena’sworkonlinein2006whenshelaunchedPetitCollageand

howinspiredIwasbyhercohesivecollection,overallvision,andcreativetalent.Hersweetpatternsandmotifs,withobviousmid-centuryflair,spoketomeasIfeltlittleonesandtheyoung-at-heartwouldbecaptivatedbythem.Shehasthatcertainsomething.Ialsorecallthedayin2007whenIlearnedthatAnthropologiecommissionedherworktobesoldintheirstoresnationwideandIwroteaboutitonmyblog,decor8.Ifeltsoproud;webothbeganourcompaniesinthesameyear(2006)andherrisingpopularityandsuccessinspiredmetokeepworkinghard,too.Sincethen,Lorenahasgrownherbrandbyleapsandboundstoincludeeverythingfromflashcardstobooks,prints,andpuzzles—allinherwhimsicalcolorfulstylethatissoveryLorena.WhenwehadthechancetomeetyearslateratAnthropologieformyownbooksigning,IimmediatelyfeltshewasakindredsoulwhohadtraveledasimilarjourneyasIandwe’dbothstayedoncourseandfollowedourdreams—twowomenwithapassionformakingthingsbeautifulandforbringingalittlemorejoyintotheworldthroughourwork.PetitCollageisclearlyalaboroflovecraftedwithcuriouseyesandlittlehandsinmind(withthe

helpofbighands,too!),evidentwitheachlovelyflipofthepage.Infact,themanyphotographsandcarefullyconsideredprojectsinspiredmetobreakopenmycraftcabinetandgettowork.Afterporingovereachpage,I’veconcludedthatit’stheperfectbookformothers-to-belikemeandalsoforchildren,parents,aunts,uncles,andevengrandparentswhowanttositdownandcrafttogetherwiththeirgrandchildren.Withababyduetoarrive,I’vedecidedtogivetheBunnyWallClockprojectatryalongwiththe

owldoortagforthenursery,whichIamcurrentlyintheprocessofdecorating.ThisbookmademestopandthinkthatIshouldusemyhandsmorebeforerunningouttopurchaseeverythingformybabybecausethehandmadeprojectswillalwaysbethemostspecial.MymotherandauntmadesomanythingsinmynurserywhenIenteredtheworldandlongafter,whichhadadirect

impactonmyowncreativityandhowIviewedtheworldaroundmealongwiththeprofessionthatIultimatelychoseformyself.IwasremindedthroughLorena’sbooktocontinuethetraditioninmyownlittlefamily—tocreatespecialthingsbyhand.Ilovethewhimsicalcombinationsofcolorsandmaterialsusedthroughoutmixedwithher

contemporarygraphicsandpracticalapplicationandeasyapproach.Forinstance,thewindowfilmcutoutsarejustperfectforaddingagraphictouchtoaspacewhileconcealinganot-so-perfectwindowviewandthefriendscoatrackistheperfectmixofpracticalandcreative.OnethingthatcametomindasIreadPetitCollageisthatwemustneverallowcraftingto

becomealostart,despitehowweliveinanagewheneverythingisbeingoutsourcedanddigitalized.Craftingwithourchildrenisnotonlyhelpfulfortheirownself-discoveryandself-esteem,butalsoshowsthemwhatgoesintomakingthings,whichbuildsagreaterappreciationforthepossessionswe’resurroundedbythatweoftentakeforgranted.Craftingtogetheralsoformsabondbetweenadultandchildandgivesbothachancetoexploreandplay.LikeLorena,Ibelievein“surroundingchildrenwithbeautiful,well-designedartwork,and

handmadeaccessories.”Thisapproachable,heartwarmingcraftbookwillallowyoutodothesame,helpingyoudrawnearertoyourlittleones,bringmorejoyintotheirlives,andaddaspiritofhappinesstoyourhomethroughobjectsyou’vemadeandinfusedwithyourownuniquepersonalities.Isn’tthatwhatfamilylifeshouldbeabout?PetitCollageisforfamilieslargeandsmallwhowanttomake,bond,showlove,enjoysimple

pleasurestogether,andbuildlastingmemoriesthroughtheartofcraftingbyhand.IhopethatyouenjoyitasmuchasIdo.Now,backtomakingmybunnyclock…

Happycrafting!xoHollyBecker

introduction

MychildhoodwasacolorfulcollageinwhichdifferentelementscametogethertomakemethedesignerIamtoday.

IwasbornandraisedinBuenosAires,ArgentinaintoafamilyofEuropeanimmigrantsfromdiversebackgrounds.WhenItracemyinfluences,theimagesthatappearinrapidsuccession—almostlikelookingoutthecarwindowonourlongsummerdrives—aretheEuropeanmid-centuryobjectsinmyhome,museumvisitswithmygraphicdesignerdad,andthelushLatinAmericancolorsthatsurroundedme.Iwasfortunatethatmyearlyinterestinartwasencouragedbymyfamily.ForaslongasIcanrememberItookpaintinganddrawingclasses,andthensculptureandprintmaking.MyearliestmemoriesofartmakingincludethejoyandprideIfeltcreatingsomethinguniqueandpersonalbyhand.Thesememoriesalsoincludethestruggleswhenmyceramicsbrokeinakilnorwhenmymomdidn’tknowwheretostoremylatest“masterpieces,”butthatdidn’tdimmyloveformaking.Yearslater,myloveofarttransformedintoapassionforgraphicdesign.Iwasworkingasa

creativedirectorforagiftcompanywhenmyhusbandwaspresentedwithawonderfulopportunityandwemovedfromNewYorktoSanFrancisco.LittledidIknowwhatthefuturewouldhold,but,astheysay,thingshappenforareason!Iwastelecommutingwithmycompany’sNewYorkoffice,spendingendlesshoursbehindacomputer,andalthoughIlovedmyjob,IwaslongingforthosedayswhenImadethingswithmyhands.Onenight,onlyminutesbeforemeetingapregnantfriend,Idecidedtoattackmysecretstashoffoundandvintagepapersandmakeheracollageofanowlfamily.AllIhadwerescissorsandglue,lovelypapers,andarepurposedvintagecardasthecanvas—nothingfancy.ButIremembertheexcitementofthecuttingandpasting,myheartbeatingalittlefasterinanticipationfortheresults,andthenthehappinesslookingatthefinalpiece.AndjustlikethatIwascraftingagain!Afewweekslater,hookedbytheintoxicatingfeelingofthehandmadeprocess,Icreateda

mini-collectionofcollagesonwoodplaquesandtookthemtoafewstores.Theyplacedordersandmycompany,PetitCollage,wasborn.Fastforwardafewyearsanditemsfromourlineofcollage-inspireddecorandplaythingsarefoundinhomesaroundtheglobe.Wehaveexpandedfromwalldecortomobiles,dolls,toys,andgifts—allinspiredbypaper,modernpatterns,andnaturalmaterialssuchaswoodandbamboo.ShortlyafterstartingmycompanyIdiscoveredyetanotheroflife’sgreatestjoys:motherhood.

Seeingmyownchildgrowandmyfriends’familiesflourishmademerealizehowmuchlifechangeswithkids,andhowimportantthespacewhereweliveis.Thehomewemakereflectsandextendswhoweareasafamilyandwhatwesurroundourchildrenwith—fromfurnishingstoaccessories,toystotextures—canhelpinfluenceandfueltheirowncreativity.Sothisbookisaboutseveralpassionsofmine,whichIhopeyoushare:meaningfulhandmadeobjects,well-

designedgoods,vintageandupcycledmaterials,andcolorfulandboldlivingformodernfamilies.Onthepagesthatfollow,youwillfindeasyaswellasslightlymoreelaborateprojects.Thereare

afewwhereyoucanevenenlistkidstohelp.Mostoftheprojectsrequireverylittlenewpurchasingandaresuitedtoreusingwhatyoualreadyhaveorcaneasilyfind.AndsinceI’mapersonwhoneedsquickresults,youwillfindseveralprojectideasthatofferafastturnaround.Ifyouarereadingthisatnight,yes,youcanstillmakeittothatbabyshowerinthemorningwithalovelyhandmadegift.Alloftheprojectscanbepersonalizedorcustomized,whetherthismeansaddinganameoran

initial,ormatchingaroom’scolorschemeorachild’sfavoritehue.Iencourageyoutokeepanopenmindaboutthematerialsyoumightuse,takeyourownapproachtotheseprojects,andmakethempersonalandrelevanttoyourfamily.I’mmoreexcitedaboutyouaddingyourownuniquespinontheseideas,ratherthanfollowingeverystepoftheseprojectsexactlythewayImadethem.Nowisthetimetofindthatoldmapyouweresavingforwhoknowswhat,theticketstothat

concertyou’vebeenholdingonto,thegiftwrapfromyourdaughter’sfirstbirthday,andeventhatsmalltableintheclosetthatismissingaleg.Nowisthetimetovisitfleamarkets,garagesales,andtodiscoveroldthingsthatarenowreadytobetransformedintosomeprettycoolnewthings.Happycrafting!

F I N D I N G I N S P I R A T I O NYoucanfindinspirationineverything(andifyoucan’t,lookagain).*

Muchofthisbookisaboutreusing,repurposing,andrecyclingmaterials.Itisalsoabout“re-looking”(yes,Imadethatup).

Lookatthepatterninsideanenvelopeoronapieceofwallpaperanduseitforfantastic(free!)newmaterial.

Pickcolorsfromabelovedpainting,orafavoritepieceoffabric.

Thinkaboutthefeelingyougetfromacolor,thenpairitwithaneutral,nowthinkaboutitagain.

Designawholeroomaroundonerandomobjectthatcatchesyoureye.

Recentlymydaughterfellinlovewithafluorescentpinkandredkoinobori,thoseJapanesefish-shapedwindsocks.Shewantedtohangitinherroom,soIseizedtheopportunity.Soonenoughthecolorsofthatfishbecamethecolorpaletteforherwholeroom.OfcourseIcouldhavechosenapaletteIsawatakidsstore,orinadecormagazine,butthefactthatwebuiltaroomaroundameaningfulobjectmadetheresultsalotmorepersonal.

Giveyourselfpermissionandtheconfidencetotakeyourdesigninstinctoryourinspirationoutofcontextandexecuteitinanewway.Ifoundtypefacesandfontsformynextcataloginarestaurantmenu,inspirationforanartprintinvintagetoypackaging,andpatterninspirationinatraydiscoveredinasummerhouse.

Manytimeswepushourselvestogosomewhereorlookatsomethingtogetinspired.WhileI’mabigendorseroffleamarkettrips,museumoutings,andbookbrowsing,therealityisinspirationcomesfromastateofmindandnotadestination.

Inspirationcomestoyouwhereveryouare,andifyouarepresent,shewillfindyou.Nowitisuptoyoutochoosewhatyoudowithit!

*ThetitleofawonderfulbookbyfashiondesignerPaulSmith,whichhasbecomemydesignmotto.

howtousethisbook

Everythingyouwantedtoknowbeforeusingthisbook.

ARETHEPROJECTSEASY?Absolutely!Mostoftheprojectsaresupereasyandhaveagreatratiooflittleefforttobigreward.Followthelevellabelsoneachprojecttodeterminewhichisrightforyourskillsandtimeframe.

EASYProjectsthatcanbemadein1to2hourswithwidelyavailablematerials.

INTERMEDIATEProjectsthat,althoughsimpletomake,mayrequiremultiplesteps,extradryingtime,oraspecialtoolormaterial.

ADVANCEDProjectsthatrequireeitherwoodcutting,dryingovernight,ormanystepstoaccomplish.

ARETHEMATERIALSEASYTOFIND?WHATABOUTTHEPRICE?Unlessyouareaminimalist,chancesareyouwillalreadyhavealotofthematerialsinyourhouse.Ifnot,mostmaterialsareeasytofindatgarageandestatesales,fleamarkets,oranypaper,artsupply,orcraftstore.Sinceyoucancreatemanyoftheseprojectsbyrepurposingmaterials,thecostcanbelittleornexttonothing.Afewofthelargerprojectsrequireatriptothehomeimprovementstoreforlumber.PleaserefertoResourcesforinformationonsourcingwood.

DOINEEDLOTSOFTOOLS?Youwillmainlyneedscissorsandacraftknife.Someprojectsalsomightrequireadrill.

WHATABOUTTHETEMPLATES?YoucandownloadaPDFofthetemplatesthatareinthebackofthebookathttp://rhlink.com/petit001.Theyareveryeasytofollow.Unlessotherwisenoted,theyshouldbereproducedat100percentbyphotocopying,scanning,andprinting.Thatsaid,manyofthetemplatesareinterchangeableandyoucanresizethemeasilytosuityourownneeds.

CANICHANGETHEDESIGNSORCOLORS?Yesandyes!Pleasedo!Themainideaforthisbookisthatyoucancustomizeandpersonalizemostprojectswithyourowncolors,textures,andnames.Evensomethingassimpleasmixing

andmatchingthepapersyouusewillresultinapiecethatisunique.

ANYTIPSONSTORINGDECORATIVEPAPER?Onebigtip:Ifpossible,keepitflat!Storeyourpapersinflatfilesordrawers.Ifyoumustkeepthemrolled,makesureyouflattenthemoutadayorsobeforestartingyourproject.Itwillmakethingssomucheasierandyouwillbehappyyoudid.

CANKIDSDOTHESEPROJECTS?Theprojectsinthisbookareintendedtobecreatedbygrown-ups,butthatdoesn’tmeanthelittleonescan’tjointhecraftingfun!InafewprojectsIaddeda“KidFun”boxwithideasforhowkidscanhelpyoucraftthatdon’trequireanyextramaterialsthantheonesalreadyusedinthisbook.

materials,tools,andtricksofthetradeIhavetoconfess,asacreativeandenthusiasticperson,therehavebeentimesthathavingtherightmaterialsortoolshasnotbeenapriorityforme.I’vegottensoexcitedwheninspirationstrikesthatIjustgatherwhateverIcan,andworkinmyown,sometimeschaotic,haphazardsystem.IfI’mdeterminedtomakesomething,awonkypairofscissorsisnotgoingtogetinmyway,right?Well,afterruiningsomemoreexpensivematerialsandendingupwithless-than-neatresults,Ihavelearned,ashardasitmaysound,thatbeingorganizedandhavingeverythinginitsplacecanactuallyhelpmycreativity.

AndI’velearnedIenjoythegatheringprocess,makingsurethatIhaveallthepapersanddecorativeitemsIwanttousebeforetheprojectgetsgoing.Afterall,Icheckthatalltheingredientsareavailablebeforemakingachocolatecake,sowhywouldcraftingbeanydifferent?

Followingarethematerials,tools,andsuppliesyoumightwanttokeeponhandtomaketheprojectsinthisbook.

vintageorrecycledpapersManyoftheprojectsinthisbookencourageyoutouseoldorfoundpapersorenvelopesthatyouprobablyalreadyhavelyingaroundyourhouse.Thismaybemyfavoritetopicinthewholebook—findinggreatnewusesforoldmaterials—butIwillcontainmyselfandsimplysay:Keepyoureyespeeled!Fleamarkets,garagesales,andthriftstoresarewonderfulplacestodiscoverinterestingvintagesheets,butpaperiseverywhere.Checkthemail,reusecerealboxes,upcyclescrappapersandmementos.Thesebeautiesarewaitingforyoutogivethemasecondlife.Herearesomefavorites.Ihopethisignitesaeurekamomentthathasyourunningtofindthatforgottenboxofoldephemera.

newpapersAsmuchasIsuggestrecyclingandreusingpaperyoualreadyhave,therealityisthatsomeprojectsrequireastrongcolororalargepiece,soyouwillfindyourselfbuyingnewpaper.Thebestchoicesincludescrapbookingandgift-wrappingpaper,artstorecharcoalandpastelpaper,andcardstock.Keepinmindalotoftheprojectsinthisbookrequiredecoupageglue,sothinorhandmadepaperswon’twork.Avoidthinriceortissuepaper,asthecolorscanbleedandtheycanwrinkle.Alsoavoidconstructionpaper,asthecolorscanfade.Andaslovelyassomeofthemare,heavilytexturedpapercanbehardtolayerandstick.Herearesomepapersthatwillworkverywellfortheprojectsinthisbook.

makeyourownpatternedpapersSomesimpletechniquescangiveyouone-of-a-kindpapers.Herearesomeideastotrytomakeexistingpapersextraspecial.

PAINTING: Toobtainaninterestingprintedsheet,paintoveroldbookpageswithdilutedacrylicpaintsoyoucanstillseethetext.

PHOTOCOPYING: Youcanphotocopyabelovedtextile(think:vintagescarforfirstonesie)tocreatesomenice,ready-to-usepatternedpaper.Pleasenotethecopyshouldbemadewithlaserprintingandnotinkjethomeprinters,asinkjetinkmaybleedwhenwet.

STAMPING: Stampsareagreatwaytocreatepatterns.Manyhouseholditems,suchasbubblewraporerasers,makeeasystamps;justuseaninkpadandpress.Thegreen

sampleismadewithlittlepiecesofarubberbandpastedonapieceoffoamboard.Theredsampleismadewithartisttapepastedwithspacingonafoundblockofwood.Thedotswerecreatedwiththeeraserattheendofapencil.

tapesandadhesivesHereisabriefguidetothemagicalthingsthatkeepitalltogether.Youwillfindreferencestothesegluesandtapesinmanyoftheprojects.Somearespecifictooneparticularproject,socheckbeforeyoustockup.

basictoolsMytrustworthytoolsofthetrade.Thesemakethejobeasier.Themust-havestocreatetheprojectsinthebookareagoodpairofscissors,acraftknife,apencil,andaruler.Othersarerequiredonaproject-by-projectbasis.

ROOMTOGROW

I believe in surrounding children with beautiful, well-designed artwork, and handmade

accessories.Kidsspendagreatdealoftimeintheirrooms,asdoestherestofthefamily,whichis

why thesedecorativeprojectshaveeveryone inmind.This chapter includesa collageonwood

thatwasthestartofthePetitCollageline,aswellasamobile,whichisasignaturepieceinour

collection.Bothof theseareeasygifts tocreateandgive.Other favorites includea toybinthat

makespickinguptoysasnap,andabunnyclockthatwillbeusedforyears,firsttellingthetime

fornapsandthenlaterforschool.

Thebeautyofkidsandtheirspacesisthattheygrow,change,andevolve.Assoonasyouare

relaxingbecausethenurseryisdoneandlooksgreat,you’llbereplacingthecribinfavorofmore

toddler-appropriate decor, making space for a play table, and not too long after, designing a

headboardforatwinbed.Itgoesbyfast,sokeepthisbookhandyandthecraftinggoing.

JUSTHANGINGpapermobile

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:9"×4½"×4½"(23CM×11CM×11CM)

Ihaveaspecialconnectiontomobiles.TheyareabigpartofmyPetitCollageline,andaremygo-

togiftsforbabyshowers.Mobilesprovidesuchentertainmenttotheyoungestchildren.Whether

hanginginthecornerofaroom,oraboveababy’scrib,thespinningbirdieswillcauseendless

fascination.Theinstructionsareformakingasinglebird,butonceyougetthehangofthings,itis

hardnottomakemore.

MATERIALS

PaperMobiletemplates

heavyweightcoloredpaper,suchasconstructionpaperorcardstock

decorativepaper,suchasassortedenvelopeswithpatternedsecurityinteriors

double-sidedtape

fishinglineormonofilamentthread

screw-inceilinghookormobilehanger

scissors

binderclips(optional)

⅛"(3mm)holepunch(optional)

instructions

1Usingthetemplates,cutout1birdbodyand1flowerstemfromtheheavyweightpaper.

2Cut4flowerblossomsand2birdwingsoutofthedecorativepaper.IusebinderclipstoholdthetemplatetothepaperforeasyprecisionwhenIcut.

3Punchoutthethreadholesonthepaperpieceswhereindicated.

4Foldeachofthedecorativecirclesinhalfwiththepatternsideofthepaperinsidethefold.

5Onceeachofthecirclepiecesisfolded,usedouble-sidedtapetoadhereonehalfofthebackofacircletohalfofthebackofanothercircle,makingsurethethreadholesalign.Repeatwiththeremainingtwocirclepieces.

6Oncethehalvesofyourflowerareassembled,tapetheflowerstempieceflatagainstthebackofoneoftheflowerhalves.Tapethesecondtwoflowerhalvestogethertomakeafour-sidedflowerblossom.

7Tapeawingtoeachsideofthebirdbody.Drawormakeasmallholefortheeyes.

8Useasmallpieceoffishinglinetothreadthebirdtotheflower.Makealoopandtiethetwo

piecestogethersecurely.

9Usealongerpieceoffishinglinetohangyourcompletedmobile.Threadthelinethroughthetopholeofthebirdbody,makingsureyouleaveextrastringifyourceilingishigh.

10Useaceilinghooktohang.

11Repeatsteps1–7tocreatemoremobiles.

12Hangandenjoy!

BIRDORNAMENTS

Usingthesamebirdtemplate,cutoneorseveralbirdsoutofcardstock.Useaholepunchtomakeacolorfulassortmentofconfetti,punchingpatternedorcoloredpapers.Setupacraftstationwiththecardstockbirdshapes,confetti,andglue,andletthedecoratingbegin!Forextracolor,providekidswithnon-toxicpaint,officestickers,orwhateversparksyourlittleone’simagination.Trythetipinthissectiontomakethebirdsmoreholidayorseasonappropriateusingdifferent

colorchanges.

Colorembroideryorsewingthreadcanbeusedasanalternativetothefishingline.

Customizethisbirdieforaspecialholidaybychangingthecolorpalette.MakeaChristmascardinalhangingfrombaker’stwine,oranEasterchickadeewithasubduedpastelpalette.Kidsofanyagewillenjoythissimplegift.

HELLOWORLDpersonalizedbabyplaque

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:8"×8"×½"(20.5CM×20.5CM×13MM)

Asimilarpapercollageonwoodwasmycompany’sfirstproduct.It’safantasticgift.Makethis

originalpieceofartasuniqueasyourfavoriteweeone.Itwillbecomeabelovedheirloomanda

brightspotinababy’sroom.

MATERIALS

PersonalizedBabyPlaquetemplates

Letterstemplates

assortedcoloredandpatternedpapers

8"×8"×½"(20.5cm×20.5cm×13mm)woodplaque

decoupageglue,suchasModPodge

artisttape

hanginghardware(optional)

scissors

1"–3"(2.5cm–7.5cm)flatpaintbrush

instructions

1Usingthetemplates,cutout1elephant,1elephantear,and3dropsfromanypapersyouchoose.IusebinderclipstoclipthetemplatetothedecorativepaperforeasyprecisionwhenIcut.

2Usingthelettertemplates,cutoutthechild’snamefromanypapersyouchoose.

3Brushanevencoatofdecoupageglueonthewoodplaqueandapplytheelephantpieces.Smooththepaperwithyourfingers,ifnecessary.Setasidetodry.

4Makesurethepieceisdry.Applyastripofartisttapehorizontallyonthewoodplaquetoestablishabaselinefortheletters.Applyanotherevencoatofdecoupageglueontothewoodplaqueabovethetapeandapplytheletters.Removetapeandsetasidetodry.

5Applyafinalcoatofdecoupagegluetotheentireplaquetofinish.

6Store-boughtwoodplaquesarereadytohangfromascrewinthewall.IfyouupcycledapieceoffoundwoodtocreatethisprojectIsuggestpurchasinghanginghardwareinyourlocalstore.

7Giveasagiftorhangonthewallandmakeamomhappy!

NAMEPLAQUE

Usingasecondwoodboardorafuncanvassuchasapaperplate,makeanextracopyofthealphabettemplatesokidscancutoutthelettersoftheirnamesanddecoratetheboardstotheirheart’sdesire.Thiscanbeafundoorplaquefortheirrooms.

Savesecurityenvelopesfromyourbills.Theseoftenhavegreatpatternsinside.

Ifbubblesappearunderthepaperasyouaregluingittotheplaque,useapushpintomakeatinyholetoreleasetheairandsmooththeareawithyourfingers.

KNOCK,KNOCKbabydoortag

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:4"×4"×¼"(10CM×10CM×6MM)

Newparentscanbeeasilydistinguishedfromothersbytheiralmostchronicshushingvoice,

fueledbythefearofwakinguptheiroffspring.I’mnotjudging,Iwasoneofthem.Ihavealso

received“thelook”whenbeingloudwhilesomebodyelse’sbabywasnapping.Letthissleepyor

awakeowldoortagalertotherswhenquietisneeded.

MATERIALS

BabyDoorTagtemplates

twoidentical4"-(10cm-)diametercorkcoasters

blue,yellow,white,andassortedcoloredpapers

assortedfoundpapers

ClearGeltackyglue

30"(76cm)lengthof¼"-(6mm-)thickflatcottonribbonorflatwhiteshoelace

pencil

scissors

blackorbrownfine-tippermanentmarker

measuringtape

instructions

1Usingapencil,tracethecircumferenceofoneofyourcoastersontotheblueandyellowpapersyouwouldliketouseasthebackgroundpieces.Cutthemout.

2Usingthetemplates,cutout1owlhead,1owlbody,and1owlwingnightfromvariousbluepapersforthe“asleep”side.Repeatwithvariousorangeandredpapersforthe“awake”side,usingtheowlwingdaytemplateinstead.Cutout4owleyesfromwhitepaper,and2owlbeaksfromyellowpaper.

3Coatonesideofeachcoasterwithdecoupageglueandapplythebackgroundpieces.Placeaweightontopofeachcoasterandallowtodrycompletely.

4Workingoneowlatatime,assembleandgluethe“awake”owlpiecesontoacoaster.Repeatwiththe“asleep”owlpieces.Allowtodrycompletely.

5Coatthebacksofthecoasterswithtackyglueandpressthemtogether.Allowtodrycompletely.

6Drawintheeyeswithapermanentmarkeronbothowls,usingthephotographsasavisualreference.

7Cuta30"(76cm)lengthofribbon.Runalineoftackygluearoundtheedgeofthecoasters.Startingjustbelowtheowls’heads,wraptheribbonaroundthisedge.Whentheentireedgeiscoveredinribbon,adheretheendoftheremaininglengthofribbontoapointoppositetheribbonstartpoint.

8Nowyouknowwhenitisshhhhtime!

UPANDAWAYbirdgrowthchart

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:54"×12"(137CM×30.5CM)

LookhowbigIam!Measuringalittleoneandmarkingtheirgrowthissuchachildhoodriteof

passage.GrowthchartsarestaplesinthePetitCollagecollection,soIcreatedthisonetobemade

ofvintagepapersandeasilyadheredtothewall.Letthesebirdswitnessyourchildgettingtaller

andtaller!

MATERIALS

BirdGrowthCharttemplate

assortedpatternedpapers

double-sidedrepositionableadhesivesheets

artisttape

adhesivenumbers

scissors

pencil

¼"(6mm)holepunch

measuringtape

instructions

1Enlargethenestingbirdtemplate200percent.Gatherpapersyoulikeandsetthemoutinthedesiredorder.Makesurethateachpieceofpaperislargeenoughtocomfortablyaccommodatethetemplate.Sinceyouwillbeflippingthetemplateforhalfofthebirds,youwillwantalotofwiggleroom.

2Cuttherepositionableadhesivesheetstofitthepiecesofpaper.Peeloffthebackingononesideofyouradhesivesheetsandaffixittothebacksideofeachofthechosenpapers.

3Cutout5left-facingbirdsusingthetemplate.Flipthetemplatetocutout5birdsthatfacetowardtheright.Usethe¼"(6mm)holepunchfortheeyes.

4Beforepermanentlyadheringthebirdstothewall,Ihighlyrecommendedthatyoufirstpositionthebirdpiecesasdesiredusingloopsofartisttapetoquicklymountthemtothewall.Thisisanimportantstep,astheywillbedifficulttorepositiononcetheadhesivebackingisremoved.

5Toplacethebirds,measure14"(35.5cm)fromthefloorandmarkwithartisttape.Thiswillbethebottompointforthefirstbird.Startwiththebottommostbirdfirstandworkyourwayup.

6Tomakesurethebirdsstackvertically,createaguidewithalongverticallineofartisttapeafewinchestotherightofthebottommarker.Usethelevelifnecessary.

7Startstackingthebirdsusingtapeloopsontheback.Makesurethebeaksoftheright-facingbirdslineupwiththeverticaltapeguide.

8Oncethebirdslookgoodandlineupnicely,onebyone,removethetapeloopfromeachandpeelofftheadhesivebackingtofirmlyadherethemtothewall.Removetapeguides.

9Toapplythemeasurements:Measure16"(40.5cm)upfromthefloorandmakeasmallmarkinpencilinthecenterofthegrowthchart.Usingameasuringtape,makesmallpencilmarksevery2inches(5cm)untilyoureachtheuppermostbird.Adherethenumberedstickersdirectlyoverthepencilmarks.Makesureyoustartyourmeasurementswith16"(40.5cm)andnotzero!

10Ta-da!Lettheflockdoitsjob!

DECORATEWITHDECALS

Youcanusethesedecalstodecoratefurniture,labeldresserdrawers,oradheretoblankcardstogiveasgifts.Haveyourkidsparticipateasafunafternooncraftactivity.

Youcancreateyourownstickerswiththechild’sagetouseasmilestonemeasuringdates.Takeawhitecirclestickerandwrite“TodayI’m1,”“TodayI’m2,”andsoforth,thenstickitontherelevantheightmeasurementonthatgivendate.Youcanalsocreateout-of-the-boxmilestonessuchas“TodayIatemyfirsticecream”or“Firstdayofpreschool.”

Ifthisisagift,youcanputalltheadhesive-backedbirdiesinanenvelope,andmakealittlenotewithhanginginstructions,oryoucanmakeacouponwith“freeapplicationincluded.”Ifyoudothelatter,youmayaswellthrowina“freebabysitting”coupontooinordertomakeaparentover-the-moonhappy.

MYNAMEIS…patternedletters

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:VARIESBYLENGTHOFNAMEANDSIZEOFLETTERSUSED

Ababy’snameissuchamagicalthingtome.Weoftennamethembeforeweevenknowthem,

althoughtheirnamewillidentifythemfortheirentirelives.Astheygrowchildrentakesuchpride

andownershipoftheirnames(itisoftenoneofthefirstwordstheylearntowrite),makingthis

projectgreatforanyagegroup.

MATERIALS

foundorpurchasedwood,metal,orcardboardletters

photocopierorscanner

pencil

scissorsorcraftknife

cuttingmat

instructions

1Spelloutachild’snameusingfoundorpurchasedletters.Createapapertemplateofthelettersbyplacingthelettersfacedownonaphotocopierorscanner.Drawaverticalorhorizontallinethroughsomeorallofyourphotocopiedletters.Cutouttheshapesandtheadditionaldrawnlines.

2Selectthepapersthatyouwanttousetodecorateeachletter.Bemindfulofcolorsandpatterns.Youcanexperimentmixingandmatchingpapersineachlettertocreateapatchworkeffect.

3Usingthetemplatesyoucreated,cutoutthelettersfromthedecorativepaperusingscissorsoracraftknife.Laythecutpaperpiecesonthefoundorpurchasedletterstoensuretherearenooverhangingedges.Trimanyexcess.

4Toadherethepapertothefacesoftheletters,brusheachletterevenlywithdecoupageglueandthengentlylaythecorrespondingpapercutoutontop.

5Oncetheedgesarelinedup,usethebrushtoaddanothercoatofdecoupagegluetothetopofthepaper,firmlyadheringthepapertotheletter.Allowtodry.

6Hanglettersfromscrewsinthewall.Ifusingvintageletters,buyhanginghardwareinalocalstore.

7Saytheirname,saytheirname!

Youcanfindvintagelettersinfleamarketsorwoodandcardboardlettersincraftstores.

Choosecolorstomatchtheroomorsimplyusethechild’sfavoritecolor.

Playwiththescaleoftheletters.Amismatchedarrangementwithdifferentfontsandsizesworksbest.

Usepaperswithmeaning,suchasamapofabirthplaceorphotocopyofabelovedtextile,foranextraspecialtouch.

LEANONMEcityscapewoodveneerheadboard

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:34"×36"(86CM×91CM)(TOFITATWINBED)

Storytime,snuggles,andtuckingin;bedtimeisabigpartofakid’sdayandthebedisthe

centerpieceintheirroom.Sleepingunderthecityskylineisachild’sdreamcometrue!

MATERIALS

CityscapeHeadboardtemplates

self-adhesivewoodveneer

artisttape

variousdecorativewashitapes

assortedroundandstarstickers(optional)

utilityknife

largeruler

measuringtape

pencil

instructions

1Usingautilityknife,cutoutpiecesofwoodveneertomakethecityscapebuildings:one12"×6"(30.5cm×15cm)piece,one16"×6"(40.5cm×15cm)piece,two20"×6"(51cm×15cm)pieces,andtwo24"×6"(61cm×15cm)pieces.Seewoodveneerheadboardguide.Ifpossiblefollowthewoodgrainforeasiercut.

2Usingthetemplatesenlargedat200percentcutouttheremainingpiecesofthecityscape.

3Withthebedinplace,markthewidthwithartisttapeonthewall.Alsomarktheheightofthemattress.Movethebedawayfromthewall.Thecityscapewhenfinishedwillmeasure36"(91cm)across.Measurethiswidthonyourwall,usingyourfirsttapemarkstoguidewhereyouwantthecityscapetobe.Markthislengthwithfreshpiecesofartisttape.Todeterminethebaseofwhereyourcityscapewillstart,measureapproximately2"(5cm)belowwherethemattresshitsthewall.Markthiswithartisttape.

4Toapplythecityscapepiecestothewall,Ihighlyrecommendedthatyoufirstpositionthepiecesasdesiredusingloopsofartisttapetotemporarilyandquicklymountthemtothewall.Theywillbepermanentonceaffixed.

5Usealeveltoensurethattheyareperfectlystraight.Makeanychangesasnecessary.

6Onceready,removethebackingfromtheveneerpiecesonebyone,andfirmlyadhereeachpiecetothewall,smoothingitdownwiththepalmofyourhand.Removealltapeguides.

7Nowthatthecityscapeislaidout,youcanapplythedetails.Forthewindowsandsignsyoucanusewashitape.ForthelightsandotherwindowsIusedcircledotsfromofficesupplystores.

Buildyourownworldandcustomizethislandscapetothecityofyourchoice!BroadwaylightsorSpaceNeedle,youcanbethearchitect.

Iusedwashitape,artisttape,andofficestickers,butanytapeorstickersyouhaveonhandwilldo.Becreative!

Thisdesignismadeforatwinbedbutcanbeextendedbyaddingadditionalwoodveneerpiecesformorebuildings.

MOVEONBACK!wheeledtoybin

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:LETTERSINPLACEMEASUREAPPROXIMATELY4½"(23CM)

Oneofmy(many)parentingfrustrationsismyunderdevelopedMaryPoppinspowerforcleanup.

Entertherollingtoybin!Puttogetherthisbeautyinnotimeatall,andmakecleanupevenfaster.

You’rewelcome!

MATERIALS

WheeledToyBintemplates

foundwoodencrateorbin

decoupageglue

artisttape

24"(61cm)lengthof⅜"-(9mm-)thickcottonrope,cutintwoequalpieces

four2"×3"(5cm×7.5cm)blocksofplywood(makesurethebaseofyourcastersissmallerthantheplywoodblocks)

carpenter’swoodglue

four2"(7.5cm)casters

sixteenscrews

assortedleftoverorfoundpapers

sandpaper

pencil

drillwithbits

scissors

instructions

1Gentlysandawayanyroughedgesonthecrateorbin.

2Coattheexteriorwithdecoupageglueusingawidebrush.Allowtodry.

3Onthesidepanelsofthecrate,mark2"(5cm)fromthetopedgeofcrate.Centera4"(10cm)pieceofartisttapeunderthislinetomarkwheretheropehandlewillgo.

4Drilltwo¼"(6cm)holesineachendofthepapertapefortheropetothreadthrough,thenrepeatontheotherside.Removepapertape.

5Thread12"(30.5cm)ropethroughbothholes,tyingaknotateachendintheinteriorsideofcrate.Repeatontheotherside.

6Attachingthecasters:Flipthecrateupsidedown.Placeaplywoodblockateachcornerofthecratejustfarenoughinfromtheedgesofthecratesothattheydonothangoutoverthe“walls”ofthecrate.Tracetheoutlinesoftheblockswithapencilandremovethem.Mostcrateshaveaverythinbottom.Theplywoodblockswillbegluedinsidethecrateforthescrewtogothrough.

7Flipthecraterightsideup.Usingcarpenter’swoodglue,gluethewoodblockstothebottomoftheinteriorofthecrateateachcorner.Allowtodry.

8Flipthecrateupsidedownagain.Workingoneatatime,positionthecasterswithinthepenciloutlineoftheplywoodblocksandmarkthemountingholes.Drilltheholesandattachthecastersusingthescrews.

9Usingthetoybintexttemplateenlarged200percent,cutoutthelettersfromthedecorativepapers.Applythepaperletterstothecrate.Useartisttapeasaguide.

10Applyafinalprotectivecoatofdecoupageglueandallowtodry.

11Cleanuptime!

Bechoosyaboutyourcrates,theyneedtobecleanandfreeofnailsorsplinters.Youcoulddothisprojectwitholddrawers,too.

Ifyoumakemultiplesofthese(yes,itcanbeaddictive),youcannumberthemforanicegraphiceffect.

Ifyourcratehashandles,skiptherope.

ABOUTTIMEbunnywallclock

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:13"×9"(33CM×23CM)

Findanembroideryhoop,addsomewoodveneerandthrowinafewfeltdetails.Presto!Abunny

isborn.Nowaddtheclockmechanismandbringhimtohappytick-tocklife!Proceedtoconvince

thekiddositisbedtime.Bunnysaysso.

MATERIALS

WallClocktemplates

8"(20.5cm)woodembroideryhoop

thinwoodveneer

clockmechanism

corrugatedcardboard

assortedcolored,patterned,orfoundpapers

ClearGeltackyglue

decoupageglue

artisttape

strongglue

pencil

scissors

craftknife

¼"(6mm)holepunch

stapler

cuttingmat

medium3"(7.5cm)flatpaintbrush

instructions

1Beginbytighteningtheembroideryhooptoensurethatthehooppiecesarefirmlylockedtogether.Laythehooponthewoodveneer,andtracearoundtheexterioredgeofthehoopwithafinepencil.Cuttheveneerfollowingthepencillineusingscissorsoracraftknife.

2MarkanXatthecenteroftheveneerwithyourpenciltoindicatewheretomakeaholeforthenose.Thesizeoftheholewilldependonthesizeofyourclockkit.Usethenutoftheclockkittotracethediameterofthespindleoftheclockkitontotheveneer.

3Cutouttheholefortheclockmechanismusingacraftknife.

4Laythehooponthecardboard,andtracearoundtheinterioredgeoftheembroideryhoopwithafinepencil.Thispiecewillsitinsidethehoopbehindtheclockface,providingsupportforthethinveneer.

5Cutthecardboardjustinsideyourtracedlineusingacraftknife.

6Cutaroughly½"×½"(13cm×13cm)squareholeinthecenterofthecardboard,usingtheveneerasaguidetofindthecenterofthecardboard.

7Usinga¼"(6mm)holepunch,punchouttwoeyesfromanypaperyouchoose.

8Usingthetemplates,cutoutthe2rabbitcheeks,1rabbitnose,and2bowtiepiecesfromdecorativepaper.Besuretouseasturdierpaperstockforthebowtieandnose.

9Usingthetemplates,cut2rabbitearsoutoffelt.Witheachear,foldthebottomedgesintowardthecentertoadddimension.Useastaplertokeeptheearsfolded.

10Adheretheveneertotheembroideryhoopusingtackyglue.Flipthehoopoversotheveneersideisonthebottom.Pushthecardboardsupportfirmlyintothebackofthehoop.Itshouldfitsnugly.Weightthehoopandletdrycompletely.

11Oncedry,flipthehoopover.Orientthehoopsothattheembroideryhoopscrewmechanismsitsatthebottomedgeoftheclock,whereitwillbehiddenbythebowtie.Coatthewoodveneerclockfaceevenlywithdecoupageglueandapplythepapereyes,cheeks,andbowtie.Oncedry,stapletheearstothebackofthehoop.

12Oncedry,inserttheclockmechanism.Tofinish,gluethenosetothetopoftheclock

mechanismwiththestrongglue.Makesurethereisenoughgluetosecurethenose,butnotsomuchthatitwillrundownbeyondthetipofthemechanism.

13Hangtothewallonanail.

14Seetimegoby!

Bychangingearshapesandaccessoriesyoucanchangethisclockintoanotheranimal.

Everynurseryneedsaclock,butthiswillmakeagreatgiftforakidofanyage.

GAMETIMEplaytable

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:16"×30"×30"(40.5CM×76CM×76CM)

Fingerpainting,Valentinewriting,puzzlebuilding,andcraftinggalore;everykidneedsaspecial

tablejusttheirsize.Thishandsomemid-century–inspiredpieceissoattractive,itmayevenearn

aspotinyourfamilylivingroom.

MATERIALS

One30"×30"(76cm×76cm)pieceof¾"-(2cm-)thickplywoodboard,preferablyhigh-quality,suchasmaple-apple12-ply

four16"(40.5cm)woodenlegs

decoupageglue

largescrappaper,suchasabrowngrocerybagorbutcherpaper

largesheetsofassortedheavyweightcoloredandpatternedpapers(i.e.,wallpaper,thickerwrappingpaper,etc.)

water-basedpolyurethanevarnish

sandpaper

drillwithbits

10"(25.5cm)dinnerplate

pencil

largestraightedgeorruler

scissors

measuringtape

wideflatpaintbrush

small1"(2.5cm)flatpaintbrush

instructions

1Sandtheedgesandsurfaceoftheplywoodpiecesothatitissmooth.Wipeoffanydust.Decidewhichsideyouwanttouseforthetopofthetableandlayyourboardfacedownonthefloororaflatworksurface.

2Drillholesforeachofthewoodenlegs2"(5cm)infromeachcorner.Addwoodgluetothebaseofeachleg,whereitwillmeetthetable.Screwthelegsinsecurely.

3Flipthetableover.

4Coattheentiresurfaceofthetabletopwithdecoupageglueandallowtodry.Whileitisdrying,selectyourpapers.

5Tobuildyourtemplate:Takethedinnerplateandtraceitscircumferenceontothescrappaperusingapencil.Measure7"(18cm)awayfromtheedgeofthecircleandmakeasmalldot.Drawstraightlinesfromthedotbacktotheedgeofthecircle,formingateardropshape.Cutthisshapeout,folditinhalf,andcutonthefoldline.Thiswillbeyourtemplate.Usingthetemplate,cutoutpiecesfromthedecorativepaperstomakefourlargeteardrops.

6Findtheexactcenterofthetablesurfaceandmakeasmallmark.Layoutyourpaperpieceswiththeteardroppointsmeetingatthetabletop’scentermark.Onepieceatatime,applythepiecestothetablesurfaceusingamediumtolargesizebrushtocoatitwithdecoupageglue.Allowtodry.Coattheentiresurfaceofthetabletopwithdecoupageglueagaintoensurethatallthepaperissealed.Allowtodry.

7Chooseawell-ventilatedplaceforthisstep,farfromkidsandpets.Usingawidebrush,applyonetotwocoatsofpolyurethanevarnish,waitingforittodryinbetweencoats.Thiswillprotectthesurfaceofyourtableandwillmakeiteasiertoclean.Coattheedgesofthetablewithonecoatusingasmallbrush.

8Letthegamesbegin!

Youcanusethesametechniqueanddesignandupcycleacoffeetable,ifyoudon’twanttobuildatablefromscratch.Bemindfulofthetable’sheightandtheageofthelittleonesmeanttouseit,sotheycansitcomfortably.

Customizethecolorsofyourpapers,orpaintthewoodasolidcolorbeforestarting,ifyouprefer.Ifyoudoso,allow24hoursforthepainttodryandsettlebeforeyoustartdecoupaging.

Foradifferentlook,youcanpurchaseorrepurposehairpinlegsinsteadofwoodenones.

ONCEUPONATIMEbookledges

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:3"×24"×1¾"(7.5CM×61CM×4.5CM)PERLEDGE

Youcanabsolutelyjudgeabookbyitscover.Kidslovetopicktheirstorytimefavoritesandfind

theirbelovedbooksatfirstsight.Thisprojectisveryfastandaffordable.Itmakesafunever-

changingdisplayinachild’sroomwhilestillbeingsuperpractical.

MATERIALS

Letterstemplates

artisttape

three24"-(61cm-)longpiecesofa2×2stripofwood(notethata2×2pieceofwoodhasanapproximatedimensionof1.5"×1.5"[3.8cm×3.8cm])

3"-(7.5cm-)longscrews,appropriatetoyourwalltype

three24"(61cm)piecesof3"-(7.5cm-)wideand¼"-(6mm-)thickbasswoodforthefrontoftheshelves

decoupageglue

variouscoloredorpatternedpapers

measuringtape

pencil

drillwithbits

scissors

instructions

1Determinewhereonthewallyouwouldlikeyourthreebookledges.Ifyouareusingthemforboardbooksorpicturebooks,useoneofthetallerbookstocalculatetheidealdistanceinbetweentheledges.Ihungmyshelves13"(33cm)apartmeasuringfromthebottomofoneshelftothebottomofthenextshelf.

2Useartisttapetomarkwhereeachshelfshouldbe.Usingthelevel,makeastraightverticallinewithtapetoserveasaguideagainstwhichyoucanlineupalltheshelvesvertically.

3Workingoneatatime,screwthewood2×2sintothewallfollowingthetapeguides.Usethreescrewstosecureeachpieceofwoodtothewall.

4Coatonesideofeachofthethreebasswoodpieceswithdecoupageglue.Allowtodry.

5UsingtheLetterstemplates,enlarged200percent,cutoutthephrase“OnceUponaTime”oranyphraseofyourchoosingfromthedecorativepapers.Adherethepaperletterstothepiecesofbasswoodwithdecoupageglue.Coatwithafinallayerofdecoupageglue.

6Usecarpenter’swoodgluetoadherethebasswoodpiecestothefrontofeachofthe2×2s.Useartisttapetowraptheedgesofeachshelfinordertopreventthebasswoodfrontpiecefromslidingwhiletheglueisdrying.Allowittodryovernightsothewoodpiecesarecompletelybonded.Removetape.

7Storytime!

Youcanrepurposeoldwoodforthisprojectaslongasyoufindanevenlysquarepiecetobetheledgeandaflatpiecetobethefront.

Rotatetheofferingsinthislibrarybyswitchingupbooksonceaweek,andchoosesomenewfavoritesfortheweektocome.

FAMILYLIFE

Thischapteraimstobringhandmade,practical,andfunideastoeveryroominthehouse.With

aneyeforsimplifyingandimprovingdailyroutines,mostoftheseprojectsofferusefulyetvisually

interestingresults,suretospruceupanyfamilykitchen,entryway,ordiningroom.

I’veincludedachild-friendlycoatrackthathelpsgetcoatsoffthefloor,anadhesivechalkboard

treefororganizingfamilymessagesandnotes,adry-erasedinnermenuplannerthatIuseevery

weekend to planmeals for the week ahead, and a step stool to welcome little helpers in the

kitchen.

Aswithmanyprojectsinthebook,thischapterencouragesyoutomaketheseitemsyourown,

allowing you to change the colors or the sizes to fit perfectly with your space and your family

lifestyle.

LEAFAMESSAGEfamilymemoboard

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:45"×34"(114CM×86CM)

Organizationandcommunicationisabigkeytothehappyfamily.Therearesomanymoving

partstoourdaysthathavinganeye-catchingsystemtokeeptheessentialsinoneplacewillhelp

makeyourlifealittleeasier.Andthechalkboardpanelsgivecreativekidslicensetowriteonthe

wall,withoutmakingamess.Bonus!

MATERIALS

rollofchalkboardcontactpaper18"(45.5cm)wide

artisttape

six7"(18cm)roundcorktrivets

assortedcoloredorpatternedpaper

six2"–3"(5cm–7.5cm)screwstohangtrivetsonwall

decoupageglue

multipurposesprayadhesive

scissors

largeruler

measuringtape

pencil

instructions

1Usingscissors,cutoutthefollowingpiecesofchalkboardcontactpaper:one36"×8"(91cm×20.5cm)piece,five20"×2"(51cm×5cm)pieces,andseven10"×2"(25.5cm×5cm)

pieces.Thelargestpiecewillbethetrunk.Setthisaside.

2Thesmallerpiecesarethebranches.Thesewillneedtobecutat45-degreeangleswheretheymeeteachotherorthetrunkpiece.Irecommendthatyoufirstlayoutthebranchpiecesonthefloorintheconfigurationyoudesirebeforecuttingtheangle.Thiswillhelpyoudeterminethedirectionofyourangledcut.

3Beforepermanentlyadheringthetreepiecestothewall,Ihighlyrecommendthatyoufirstpositionthepiecesasdesiredusingloopsofartisttapetoquicklymountthemtothewall.Startwiththetrunk,thenaddthebranches.

4Usealeveltoensurethatthetrunkisperfectlystraight.

5Onceeverythinglooksgood,removethebackingfromthecontactpaperpiecesonebyone,andfirmlyadherethepiecestothewall.Smooththemdownwiththepalmofyourhand.

6Usingthecorktrivetsasaguide,cutmatchingpapercirclesfromanydecorativepaperyouchoose.

7Mountthetrivetsamongthetreebranchesusingascrewatthecenterofthecircle.Usesprayadhesivetoadherethedecorativepapercirclestothefrontofthetrivetboards.Thescrewsare

nowperfectlyconcealed.

8Grabthechalkandstartwriting!

Youcanalsodecorateyourtreewithchalkboardleavesforadditionalroomforfamilyreminders,events,andannouncements.

Ratherthanusingpatternedpaperforthebirdgrowthchart,tryusingchalkboardcontactpaper.Hanginplayrooms,kids’rooms,andnurseriesandhaveyourkidscustomize!

WHAT’SCOOKING?dry-erasedinnerplanner

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:14"×11"×1½"(35.5×28CM×3.8CM)

Nothingmakesmesadderthanoverripeproduceoraspoiledbunchofbroccolionitswaytothe

compostbin,victimofmylackofbettermealplanning.I’vebeendaydreamingaboutaneasy-to-

usedinnerplanner,andvoilà,hereitis,dry-eraseetal.Maythenextbroccolifinditselftoahappy

tummyandbefriendsomepastaontheway.

MATERIALS

Letterstemplates

14"×11"×1½"(35.5×28cm×3.8cm)pictureframewithglass

variouscoloredandpatternedpapers

double-sidedtape

ClearGeltackyglue

twosmallMightyMagnets

dry-erasemarker

craftknifeorscissors

cuttingmat

largeruler

instructions

1Usingacraftknifeorscissors,cutoutseven2"×11"(5cm×28cm)stripsofpaper.Choosepapersthatarenottooheavilypatternedordark.Youwantyourwritingtobelegibleoncetheboardisassembled.

2UsingtheLetterstemplates,enlarged150percent,cutoutthefirstletterofthedaysofthe

weekfromasolidcoloredpaper.

3Layoutyourpaperstripsverticallyinanappealingorder.

4Usethecardboardormatboardbackingthatcamewiththeframeandadherethestripsofpapertoitusingdouble-sidedtape.

5Oncetheseareallinplace,usedouble-sidedtapetoadherethepaperlettersforthedaysoftheweekalongtheleftsideoftheboard.Makesuretoleaveenoughroomontheleftedgeoftheboardsotheletterswillnotbecoveredbytheframeoncetheboardisplacedintheframe.

6Placetheboardintotheframeandreassembletheframeback.

7Usingtackyglue,adhereoneofthemagnetstothetopoftheframe,andtheothertothedry-erasemarkertoalwayskeepithandy.

8Startmenuplanning!

Thisprojectcanbeeasilyscaleduptoaccommodatemoremealsordays.Becreative!

Ifyouwanttokeepitsimple,alternatetwodifferenttypesorcolorsofpaper.

AdheretheMightyMagnettothedry-erasemarkercap;thatwayonceyouneedtoreplacethemarker,youcankeepthemagnetizedcap.Coverwithpapertocustomize.

ISEEYOUwindowfilmcutouts

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:16"×22"(40.5CM×56CM)

Thisisafunandsuperfastproject—whetheryouwantabitofprivacy,needtospruceupanot-

so-fantasticview,orarejustnaturallyinclinedtoliveinspringallyearround.

MATERIALS

WindowFilmCutoutstemplates

etched-glasswindowfilm

craftknifeorscissors

cuttingmat

¼"(6mm)holepunch

spraybottle

instructions

1Usingthetemplates,cutoutonestarburstflower,twotulipflowers,onedottedflower,twelvealmondleaves,fivedropleaf,andoneflowercenterpiecefromthewindowfilm.Thewindowfilmhasanopaquebacking,whichshouldnotberemoveduntilthepiecesarecut.Forthelargestflower,keepinmindthatthestarburst-shapedcenterpiecethatyou’llbecuttingoutwillalsobeusedinthescene,socutcarefully.

2Cut¼"-(6mm-)widestripsofwindowfilmforthestems.Youwillneedtwo6"-(15cm-)longstrips,two8"-(20.5cm-)longstrips,andone10"-(25.5cm-)longstrip.

3Onceallthepiecesarecut,cleanyourwindowthoroughly.Thewindowfilmwillonlyadheretoasmooth,cleanglasssurface.

4Spraytheglasswithasmallamountofwaterandapplythewindowfilm,smoothingitdownwiththeflatofyourhand.Spacetheflowerstemsroughly4-5"apart.Makesurenoneofyourpiecesoverlap,astheywillnotsticktooneanother.

5Enjoytheview!

FLOWERGARDENNOTECARDS

Anumberofthetemplatesprovidedinthisbookcandoubleasgreatcoloringpagesandartactivities.UseacopyoftheWindowFilmCutoutstemplate,andhaveyourchildcreatefunnotecards.Dependingonage,encourageyourchildtosimplycolorthedesignwithcrayonsorforamorechallengingactivity,collageorpaintonthem.

Makesureyouareusingawindowfilmthatclingstotheglasswithoutanadhesive.Aclingingwindowfilmiseasytoremoveandrepositionandisbestsuitedtothisproject.

Cutasmanyadditionalpiecesasyouwouldliketoexpandthesizeofyourscene.

Youcanfreestyleafewbirds,bugs,orevenyourentiredesign!

Withthisfast,easy-to-removetechniqueyoucandecorateotherglassitems,suchasmirrors,oryoucanuseitforholidayorpartydecor.

NEWHEIGHTSstepstool

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:APPLEBOXIS8"×12"×10"(20.5CM×30.5CM×25.5CM)

I’mthefaint-of-hearttypeofmamaandwhenatoddler’smightypowersknownoboundariesor

heightlimitations,Iworry!Ifoundthesturdiestandbiggestofstepstools:Anappleboxisa

woodenboxorcrateusedbyfilmcrewsandphotographerseverywhere!Sincemylittleonehas

alwaysbeenourassistantchef,Idesignedthisappletemplatetomakethishandystoolbecomea

prettieradditiontoourkitchenlandscape.Confession:Iuseit,too!

MATERIALS

StepStooltemplates

8"-(20.5cm-)tallapplebox

decoupageglue

assortedfoundpapers

water-basedpolyurethanevarnish

rubberorcorkadhesivedots(optional)

1"–3"(2.5cm–7.5cm)paintbrush

scissors

measuringtapeorlargeruler

instructions

1Usingapaintbrush,coatthesideoftheappleboxtobedecoratedwithdecoupageglue.Allowtodry.

2Usingthetemplates,cutout3applelefts,2applerights,1applebitten,6appleleaves,and3

applestempiecesfromanypapersyouchoose.

3Measuretheboxhorizontallytofindthecenterpoint.Withthepointasyourguide,applythecenterapplepieceandbrushwithdecoupageglue.Applyandbrushtheremainingpaperpieces.Allowtodry.

4Applyafinalcoatofdecoupageglueallovertheentiresurface.Allowtodrycompletely.Overnightisrecommended.

5Toprotectthestool,coattheentireboxwithpolyurethane.Letdryfor2hours.Repeat.

6Steponit!It’ssturdyenoughforthewholefamilytoenjoy.Hello,lostteapotontopshelf!

Customizethisstepstooltoyourheart’sdesire.Manyothertemplatesinthebookwillworkwellhere,includingthebird,theowl,orpersonalizeitusingletters.

Ifyourfloorsareparticularlyslipperyorifyouwantextragrip,addrubberorcorkdotstothebottomcornersofthestool.

ALLABOUTMEmemorybox

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:2½"×9"×12"(6.5CM×23CM×30.5CM)

Therearetraditionalbabykeepsakes,likefootprints,ultrasounds,hairlocks,anditsy-bitsy

booties.Andlesstraditionalmomentos,suchasnewspaperclippingsfromthebaby’sbirthdate,

ticketstotheconcertwheretheparentsmet,orevenafoodlabelfromsomethingmomcraved

duringpregnancy.Nomatterwhatyouchoose,thisisyourcatchallbox.Warning:Heartmelting

willoccurwhenboxisreopenedafterafewyears.

MATERIALS

MemoryBoxtemplates

Letterstemplates

decoupageglue

2½"×9"×12"(6.5cm×23cm×30.5cm)woodenbox

assortedcoloredorpatternedpapers,themoregraphicthebetter

4"×4"(10cm×10cm)photo

artisttape

scissors

craftknife

instructions

1Usingthetemplates,cutout1sunringand16sunraysfromanypapersyouchoose.Iusebinderclipstoholdthetemplatetothedecorativepaperforeasierprecisionwhencutting.

2Brushanevencoatofdecoupageglueontheboxlidandsetasidetodry.

3Usingthetemplateasaguide,cutthephotographintoacircleshapematchingtheinneredgeofthesunring.

4Brushdecoupageglueontothelidandapplythesunringandphototothebox.Applyanothercoatofdecoupageglueonthesunringandthenaddthesunrays.

5UsingtheLetterstemplates,enlargedifdesired,cutouttheinitialsyouwouldlikefromanypaperyouchoose.Markanevenlineontheboxlidwithartisttape.Applyanevencoatofdecoupageglueabovethetapeandapplyyourpaperletters.Setasidetodry.

6Applyafinalcoatofdecoupagegluetotheentireboxlid.

7Smile.Itisadorable,right?

COLLAGEART

Recycleawoodboardorchoosethickcardstockasthecanvasforchildrentocreatetheirownmasterpieces.Havepreschool-agedchildrenusechildsafetyscissorstocutcoloredpatternpaperstotheir

liking.Pourasmallamountofdecoupageglueinsmallbowlorlid.Dipasmallflatbrushintheglueandcoverasectionofthecanvassurface.Gluethepaperstothissurface.Whenthemasterpieceisreadyanddry,coverwithalastcoatofdecoupageglue.Forolderchildren,youcanencouragethemtocreateashapewiththecutoutsinsteadofan

abstractcreation,foranextrachallenge.

Youmaychoosetospellababy’sfirstname,insteadoftheinitials,withtheLetterstemplates.

Testthedecoupageglueonacornerofthephototomakesureitdoesn’tdarkenorbleed,notallphotopaperwillreactthesame.

Ifyouarethe“collector”typeandhaveheapsofsavedmementos,youcaneitherchooseabiggerbox,ordoseveral,andnumberthem.

MASTERPIECESfamilygallery

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:VARIES,SAMPLEPHOTOGRAPHEDIS12"×48"(30.5CM×122CM)

Thisprojectwasinspiredbytheendlessinfluxofmykid’sartandcraftprojects,familysnapshots,

andlovedpiecesofmemoriesthatIwantedtodisplay.Thisboardcanliveinanyroominthe

house,andcanbeadaptedinsizetoyourspaceandneed.

MATERIALS

Homasoteboard,cuttofityourwallspace

wallpaper,approximately2"–3"(5cm–7.5cm)largerthantheboard

multipurposesprayadhesive

two3"(7.5cm)bulldogclips

two1"(2.5cm)screws

twooversizedrubberbands

fourscrewsappropriateforyourwallandwasherstosize

thumbtacks

staplegunandstaples

instructions

1Atthehomeimprovementstoreorlumberyard,haveyourHomasoteboardcuttothesizeyoudesire.

2Cutasheetofwallpaperthatis2"–3"(5cm–7.5cm)largerthantheboard.Layitfacedownontheground.

3Taketheboardoutsideortoawell-ventilatedareaandcoveronesideofitwithmultipurpose

sprayadhesive.

4Laytheboard,adhesivesidedownandcentered,ontopofthepaper.Flipthepaper-coveredboardoverbrieflytomakesuretherearenobumpsorwrinklesinthepaper.Smoothoutanyimperfectionsandfliptheboardbackover.

5Pullthewallpapertautoverthesidesoftheboard,staplingasyougo.Atthecorners,foldtheedgesofpaperneatlyasyouwouldwhenwrappingapresent.Staplethefoldsintoplace.Oncethewallpaperisfirmlysecured,fliptheboardover.

6Measure3"(7.5cm)fromtherightedgeoftheboardforthefirstbulldogclip,and12"(30.5cm)forthesecondone.Bothshouldbe2"(5cm)fromtopofboard.Usethetwo1"(2.5cm)screwstoaffixthebulldogclipstotheHomasoteboard.

7Slidetherubberbandsontotheotherendoftheboard.

8Usingscrewsthatareappropriatetoyourwall,andwasherstosize,screwtheboardtothewall,onescrewineachofthefourcorners.

9Sortthroughpilesofartandphotosandpicksomewinners.Rotatetoyourliking!

Thisprojectcanalsoworkwellwithfabricinsteadofwallpaper.

Youcancustomizethenumberandlocationoftheclipsorrubberbandstothesizeofartworkorfutureuseoftheboard.

HANGTOGETHERfriendscoatrack

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:8"×24"×¾"(20.5CM×61CM×2CM)

Thisprojectlivesattheintersectionofcuteandfunctional.Ilovesurroundingmyfamilywith

wittyandfunobjectsthatwecanusedaily.Iguaranteethiswillproduceasmilefromanylittle

oneifyouhangthesefriendlyfaceswithintheirreach.

MATERIALS

FriendsCoatRacktemplates

8"×24"(20.5cm×61cm)pieceof¾"-(2cm-)thickplywoodboard

decoupageglue

assortedfoundpapers

four3"(7.5cm)screwsthatworkwiththewallanchors

threewoodknobs,1½"(3.8cm)indiameter

wallanchorsappropriateforyourwalltype

sandpaper

drybrushortackcloth

¼"(6mm)holepunch

¾"(2cm)holepunch

scissors

pencil

drillwithbits

level(optional)

instructions

1Sandanyroughedgesthatmaybeontheplywoodboard.Removeallsawdustwithadrybrush.

2Applyanevencoatofdecoupageglueononesideoftheboard.Allowtodry.

3Usingthetemplates,cutoutthebear,rabbit,andfoxpiecesfromanydecorativepapersyouchose.Usethe¼"(6mm)holepunchtocreatethesixanimaleyesusingadarkpieceofpaperforcontrast.Usethe¾"(2cm)holepunchtocuttwocirclesforthefoxcheeks.

4Toapplytheanimalfaces,firstmeasuretheboardtofinditscenterandmakeasmallmarkinpencil.

5Startwiththemiddleanimal(fox),usingyourmarkasaguideforthecenterofthefoxhead.Brushanevencoatofdecoupageglueontheboardandapplythefoxheadpiece,followedbythefoxmuzzlepiece,brushingovereachpiecewithanevencoatofdecoupageglueasyougo.Completethetworemaininganimalfacesinthesameway.Allowtodry.

6Applyafinalcoatofdecoupageglueovertheentiresurfaceoftheboard.Allowtodryovernightoruntilcompletelydry.

7Tocreateholesforthemountingscrews,drillaholeineachcorneroftheboard,measuring¾"(2cm)infromeachside.

8Marktheholesfortheknobswithpencilbeforedrillingtoensurethattheknobsarejustwhereyouwantthem,followingthetemplate.Oncetheholesaredrilled,screwintheknobs.

9Positionthecoatrackonyourwall.Remembertohangitwithinkids’reach.Marktheplacement.Usealevelifnecessary.Findwallanchorsthatareappropriateforyourtypeofwall.Ifpossible,findastudononeside.Onceyouinstalltheanchors,screwthecoatrackhangerontothewall.

10Justlikemagic,seethosescarfs,hats,andcoatsstayoffthefloor.

COLORITYOURSELFANIMALSTICKERS

MakeanextracopyoftheFriendsCoatRacktemplates.Havekidscoloranddecoratetheanimalfaces.Forextrafun,applydouble-sidedtape,adhesivedots,oradouble-sidedrepositionable

adhesivesheettothebackofthefinaldecoratedanimalfacessheet,thencutouteachanimalfaceforeasyandfabnewstickers!

IfyouhaveaGoldilocksfan,theanimalfacescouldeasilybecomethreelittlebears.

Vintageknobsofdifferentsizescanbefoundinfleamarketsandbuildingreusecenters.Usingupcycledmaterialsgivesthepieceadifferentfeel.

Alternatively,youcanaddpicturehanginghardwaretothebackofthecoatrackinordertoconcealthescrews.

LIGHTTHEWAYceilingpendant

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:13"×8"×8"(33CM×20.5CM×20.5CM)

Lampsaregreataccentstoaddcharactertoaroom.Designedtogoinanyspaceinthe

contemporaryfamilyhome,thismod-houseceilingpendantissuretobenoticed.

MATERIALS

CeilingPendanttemplates

14-plychipboard

2"-(5cm-)widegummedpapertape

assortedcoloredpapers

assortedfoundpapers

decoupageglue

cordkit

CFLbulb

scissors

craftknifeorutilityknife

cuttingmat

instructions

1Usingthetemplatesenlarged200percentandeitheracraftknifeorautilityknife,cutout2lampsideswithstarshape,2lampsideswithoutstarshape,1lampinteriorpanel,and4lamptopsfromthechipboard.Precisionisveryimportantforthisproject.

2Cuttwo7"-(18cm-)longstripsofthegummedtape,andfour8"-(20.5cm-)longstrips.Cuteachofthesestripsdownthecenter,making1"-(2.5cm-)widestripsoftape.Tousegummedtape,flipthetapeshinysideup,andbrushwithwater.Theshinysideisnowanactiveadhesive.

3Constructthepyramid-shaped“roof”ofthelamp,usingthe7"(18cm)gummedtapepiecestoholdthe4lamptoppiecestogether.Setasidetodry.

4Nowconstructtherectangularbasewithfouroftheeight8"(20.5cm)stripsoftape,makingsurethelampsideswiththestarshapeareoppositeeachother.Setasidetodry.

5Sitthe“roof”ontopoftherectangularbaseandconnectusingtheremainingfourofthegummedtapepieces.Allowtodrycompletely.

6Usingthetemplates,cutout4largedecorativetrianglesand12smalldecorativetrianglesfromanycoloredorfoundpapersyouchoose.Applythepapertrianglesusingdecoupageglue,brushingtheentireexteriorsurfaceofthelampasyougo.

7Toassemblethelamp,threadthecordofthecordkitthroughtheinteriorpanelpieceandthenupwardthroughthelampshade.Screwinthebulbandit’sreadytouse.

8Lettherebelight!

Youcantransformthisprojectforatraditionallittlegirl’sroom.Thinkscallops,flowers,andmaybeeven

usetheshapetocreatealittlehouse.Butifyouaregoingthisroute,pleaseaddsomethingunexpected,likesomefluorescentpink!

MakesuretouseaCFLorlow-temperaturelightbulb.

PLAYTIME

I’mafirmbelieverthatsomeofthebestgiftsforkidstodeveloptheircreativityaretoys,andifthe

toy is handmade and unique, that is even better. In this chapter youwill find great play time

projectsforgirlsandboys,andchildrenbigorsmall.Therearecustombabyblocksthataresure

to be a baby shower hit, a peekaboo house that will entertain toddlers for hours, and re-

envisionedclassicssuchasaportabledollhouseoracolorfuldrum,andanimalsmasksforthe

preschoolerset.

Whetheryousimplycustomizetheseprojectsusingachild’sfavoritecolor(insteadofred,why

notapurpledrum),orletyourimaginationsoarandtransformthedollhouseintoamagiccastle,

oracarwash,I’msureyouwillfindsmilesandendlesshoursofimaginaryplaytheresultofany

variationoftheprojectideashere.Andthat,inreturn,isthebestgiftforyou.

FROMTHEGROUNDUPcustombabyblocks

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:2½"×2½"×2½"(6.5CM×6.5CM×6.5CM)blocks

Thesekeepsakeblocksarelovelyforplayanddisplay.Spellingthechild’snameisanextraspecial

touch.Playfulmotifsfromourcollectiongivethisclassictoyamodernspin.

MATERIALS

CustomBabyBlockstemplates

Letterstemplates

Numberstemplates

fourormore2½"×2½"×2½"(6.5cm×6.5cm×6.5cm)unfinishedwoodblocks(atleastasmanyastherearelettersinthechild’sname)

decoupageglue

assortedfoundpapers

sandpaper

craftknife

cuttingmat

scissors

instructions

1Gentlysandawayanyroughedgesfromthewoodblocks.

2Coattheexteriorofeachblockwithdecoupageglue.Allowtodry.

3Usingthetemplates,cutoutallapple,bird,boat,crown,heart,tree,sun,andcloverpiecesfromanydecorativepapersyouchoose.Makesuretomixandmatchpapersandcolors.

4UsingtheLetterstemplates,cutoutthelettersofbaby’snamefromanydecorativepapersyouchoose.

5UsingtheNumberstemplates,cutoutnumberpiecesfromanydecorativepapersyouchoose.Includeanumberforeachblockbeingmade.

6Applythepapershapesandletterstotheblocksusingdecoupageglue.Allowtodry.

7Applyafinalprotectivecoatofdecoupagegluetotheentiresurfaceoftheblocks.Allowtodry.

8Spellyourname!

Youcancustomizetheiconsandcolorstoaroomtheme.

Ifyouwanttomakeafullsetofblocks,spelloutthechild’sfirst,middle,andlastname.

ROAR!animalmasks

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:owl:4½"×7"(11CM×18CM);tiger:6½"×8"(16.5CM×20.5CM)

Letyourownwildthingsshowyoutheirroarswiththeseeasy-to-makemasks.Theycaneven

helpyoucreatethem.Asmykidsays:Don’tbescared!It’spretend!

MATERIALS

AnimalMaskstemplates

thinneworrepurposedcardboard(suchasacerealbox)

assortedcoloredorpatternedpapers

decoupageglue

elasticstringorribbon

scissors

cuttingmat

rulerorstraightedge

bonefolder

craftknife

pencil

¼"(6mm)holepunchorlargeneedle

instructions

1Beginconstructingthemaskpieceswiththeanimalheadtemplates.Selectpaperforthetigerheadandtheowlface.Usingthetemplatesforthetigerheadandtheowlface,cutoutapieceofcardboardroughlythesameoutline.Coateachcardboardpiecewithdecoupageglueandlayfacedownonthebackofthechosenpapers.Smoothitoutwithyourhandandallowthem

todryunderaweight.Setaside.

2Usingthetemplates,cutouttheremaininganimalpiecesfromthedecorativepapersyouchoose.Pickasturdypaperforthetigerears,tigersnout,andowlbeakpieces.Creasethebeakandsnoutpiecesaccordingtothetemplates.Todoso,laythecorrespondingtemplateoverthesnoutorbeakpiece.Setarulerorstraightedgeonthecreaselinesandrunabonefolderalongthelines.Theselineswilltransfertothepiecesbelow.Setaside.

3Cuttheeyeholesoutofthetigerhead,owlface,andowleyespiecesusingacraftknife.Applytheremainingpiecesusingdecoupageglue.

4Forthetigersnout:Foldtheflapsbackfromthecentertriangleofthetiger’snose.Usingdecoupageglue,adheretheangledtabstogether,formingthethree-dimensionalsnout.Thetabsatthebaseofthesnoutshouldbefoldedinwardandwillbehidden.Applygluetothesetabsandadherethesnouttothetiger’sface.

5Fortheowlbeak:Foldbackwardawayfromthecenterdiamondshape.Applygluetotheangledtabsandadherethebeaktotheowl’sface.

6Oncedry,usetheholepunchtopokeholesfortheelasticstringorribbon,usingthetemplateasavisualguide.

7Threadthestringthrough,leavingenoughextratoknot.

8Letthewildrumpusbegin.Hearthemroarandhoot!

MAKEYOUROWNANIMAL

ChooseabasicAnimalMasktemplate.Usethetemplateandcutthemaskfromapieceofcardstock.Askchildrentoimaginetheanimaltheywanttobeorlookupaphotographoftheirfavorite

animal,andhelpthemdesignthefuncharacteristicsthatbringthisanimalmasktolife.Theycanchoosetheanimalcolor,coloringinstripesorspots,makeearswithdifferentpapers,whiskerswithstring,anddraw,paint,andcollageinthedetails.

Thisisagreatpartyactivitytodowithkids.Ifyoupreparethecutoutpiecesaheadoftime,theywillenjoydesigningandcreatingtheirownuniquemasks.

Thesametechniquecanbeusedtomakeotheranimals.

RAT-A-TAT-TATtoydrum

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:VARIESDEPENDINGONTHETINCONTAINER

Abigcookietinmayhaveinitiallysaid“yummy”toyou,butitwilldefinitelysay“noisy”inits

secondlife.Thisprojectrequiresveryfewskillstomake,butwillreceiveacheerfulstanding

ovation—orbetteryet,awell-deserveddrumroll.

MATERIALS

ToyDrumtemplate

largeroundtincontainer

sprayoracrylicpaint(optional)

wallpaperscrapbigenoughtowraparoundthecontainer

decoupageglue

2brassfasteners

assortedfoundpapers

artisttape

32"-(81cm-)long,thinleatherbeltortrim

coloredfeltforthedrumtop

ClearGeltackyglue

two12"-(30.5cm-)longroundwooddowels

twosphericalwoodbeadswithholeslargeenoughtoinsertthedowels

rulerormeasuringtape

scissors

pencil

hammerandnailordrill

cuttingmat

craftknife

leatherholepunch(optional)

instructions

1Dependingonyourfoundcontainer,youmaywanttofirstpaintitusingeitherspraypaintoracrylicpaint.Ifyouchoosetodothis,paintthelidandcontainerseparately.

2Startbymeasuringtheheightofthecontainer.Cutastripofwallpaperthatislongenoughtowraparoundthecircumferenceofthecontainer.Adherethewallpapertothetinusingdecoupageglue.Allowtodry.

3Determinewhereyouwouldlikethestraptobeattached.Marktwoholesroughly1½"(3.8cm)belowthetopofthecontainer.Ideally,youwanttomeasurethecircumferenceofthedrum,dividebythree,andmarktwoofthosethreemeasurementsforplacementofthestrap.Thiswaythestrapsendupclosertothechildandwon’tinterferewithdrumplaying.Punchholesintothetincontainerwhereyouhavemarkedusingeitheranailandhammeroradrill.Theholesshouldbelargeenoughforthearmsofthebrassfastenerstopassthrough.

4Usingthetemplate,cutout12to16drumtrianglepiecesfromthedecorativepapersyouchose.Feelfreetoadjustthetemplatetothespecificsofyourcontainer.Irecommendthatyoutemporarilyadherethepaperpiecestothecontainerusingsmallloopsofartisttape.Thiswillgiveyouachancetodeterminehowtospaceoutandarrangethepieces.Don’tworryaboutthetrianglesmeetingperfectlycornertocorner.Adjustthequantityoftrianglepiecesasdesired.

5Oncethepiecesarearranged,adherethemonebyonetothedrumusingdecoupageglue.Coattheentirecollagedareawithafinalcoatofdecoupageglue.Allowtodry.

6Cuttheleatherbeltdownto32"(81cm).Usingacraftknife,cutasmallslitateitherendofthebelt(orcutseveralononesideifyouwishtoaccommodatedifferentagedchildren.Youmaybeabletouseoneoftheexistingbeltholes.Thiswillbeyourdrumstrap.Attachthestraptothedrumusingthebrassfasteners.

7Putthelidon,andtouchupthepaintifnecessary.

8Topthedrumwithacircleofbrightlycoloredfelt.Tomake:Usethelidasatemplate,thencutoutafeltcircle½"(13mm)smallerallthewayaround.Adherethefeltwithtackyglue.

9Forthedrumsticks:Attachwoodbeadstodowelswithcarpenter’swoodglue.Allowtodrycompletely.

10Music,please!

Youcanusedifferentsizesofcookietins,smalleronesmaylookparticularlycharming.

Alternatively,youcanusearoundcardboardbox,suchasahatbox.Justmakesurethedrumsoundistoyourlikingbeforeyoustartcrafting.

ALLINTHEFAMILYmemorygame

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:2½"(6.5CM)RADIUS

Therewardingmomentoffindingamatchingcardpairingreachessky-highhappinesswhenthe

imageonthecardisofafavoriteauntieorcousin!Ourfamilyisspreadaroundtheglobe,soI

designedthisgametokeepalltheirfacesfamiliartomytoddler.Itworksgreatasflashcardsfor

weeones,too.

MATERIALS

4sheetsof8½×11"(21.5cm×28cm)patternedcardstock

double-sidedrepositionableadhesivesheets

twelve3"×3"(7.5cm×7.5cm)photosoffamilymembers,eachprintedtwice

round3"-(7.5cm-)diametertinorothersmallkeepsakebox

scissors

2½"(6.5cm)holepunch

instructions

1Pickafun,colorfulpatternedpaper.IusedcardstockthatIstampedusingtheeraserontheendofapencil.

2Printoutorphotocopythephotosofyourfamilymembersatasizesotheirfacescanfitcomfortablywithina2½"(6.5cm)circle.Agoodsizefortheoverallprintwouldbea3"×3"(7.5cm×7.5cm)square.Printtwocopiesofeachportrait.Cutouteachimageroughly,leavingplentyofspacearoundtheborder.

3Usingdouble-sidedrepositionableadhesivesheets,removeonesideofthepapercoveringandapplyittothebackofthepatternedpaper.Peelawaytheothersideoftheadhesivesheet

andlaythephotosfaceupontotheexposedadhesive.Thismaytakeseveralsheets,dependingonthesizeofthepatternedpaperandthequantityofyourphotos.

4Punchoutthephotosusingthe2½"(6.5cm)holepunch.Irecommendlayingthephotosidefacedownsothatitisvisiblethroughthepuncherwindowbeforeyoupunch.Thiswayyoucancentertheimage.Dothiswiththe24pieces.

5Storethecompletedmemorygamepiecesinatin.Youcandecoratethetinwiththesamepatternasthecardstock.

6Letthegamesbegin!

Thisprojectwouldbefunusingclassmatesinsteadoffamilymembers.

ForthetinIusedacandytin,butanyroundcontainerscanwork,suchastheonesusedforspicesor

officesupplies.

MICASAESSUCASAportabledollhouse

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:14"×20"×20"(35.5CM×51CM×51CM)

IftherewasawayofcountingthenumberofhoursIspentinmychildhoodplayingwithdollsand

mydollhouse,I’mprettysureitwouldprovetoberatherastonishing.Iusedspoolsfortables,my

sneakersbecamecars,andforawhileIlookedateverythingforitspotentialofbecoming

dollhousefurnishings.Thisniftypaperconstructionwilleasilybethehappiesthouseonthe

block.Itfoldsupforeasyportability.

MATERIALS

two14"×20"(35.5cm×51cm)piecesof14-plychipboard

birchwoodveneersheets

4sheetsassortedwallpapers

mountingspray

scrappaperandcardboard

pencil

utilityknife

cuttingmat

smallbrush

instructions

1Cuttwopiecesofchipboardmeasuring14"×20"(35.5cm×51cm).Oneachpiece:Measure10"(25.5cm)uponbothsides.Markwithpencil.Findcenteronthetopedge.Markwith

pencil.Drawalinefromeach10"(25.5cm)markuptothetopcenter.Thesetwolineswillformthepeakoftheroof.Cutonthelinestocreateapeak.

2Drawaverticallineupthecenterofeachpieceofchipboard.Markthecenterofeachverticalline.Thesetwopieceswillbenotchedtogether.Ononepiecemeasureupfromthebottom7"(18cm).Markwithpencil.Ontheotherpiecemeasuredownfromthetop7"(18cm).Followingtheselines,cutoutanarrowstripofchipboardroughlythewidthofthethicknessofthechipboard.

3Tryoutthenotches.Deepenasnecessary.

4Cutfour10"×10"(25.5cm×25.5cm)piecesofthinbirchplywood.Attachfloorpiecestohousepiecesfollowingthediagram.Makesureyouapplythetapetotheundersideofthefloor.

5Oncethefloorpiecesareattached,setupyourhouse.Onceassembled,determinewhichwallpapersyouwantforwhichrooms.Markthenamesofthesecolorsorpatternswithpencilonbothwallsofeachroom.Thiswillhelpyourememberwhichwallpapertoadherewhereonceyourhousehasbeendisassembled.

6Cutoutthewallpaper:Cutouteightpiecesoffourdifferentpapertypesthatmeasure14"×10"(35.5cm×25.5cm).Pairupthefourdifferentpaperstyles.Determinetheleftandrightsidepiecesandcuttheroofpeak,measuringdown4"(10cm)tocreatetheangle.

7Disassemblethehouse.Layonehousepieceflatonapieceofscrapcardboard.Coverthefloorpieceswithadditionalscrapcardboardtoblockthemfromthemountingspray.Applymountingsprayoverthewallsectionofthehouseandapplythewallpaperpiecesaccordingtoyournotes.Setasideandallowtodry.Repeatwiththeotherhousepiece.Trimoffanyexcesspaperthatextendsbeyondthechipboard.Flipthemoverandrepeattheprocessontheothersides.

8Cuttingdoorsandwindows:Cutthewindowsinonepieceofthehouse,andcutdoorsintheotherpiecesothatwhentheyinterlock,eachroomwillhaveonedoorandonewindow.

9Createawindowtemplatebycuttingoutscrappaperorboardthatmeasures3½"×3"(9cm×7.5cm).

10Takethepieceofthehouseyou’vechosenforthewindows.Measure2½"(6.5cm)infromtheouteredgeofthehouse,and3"(7.5cm)upfromthefloorofthehouse.Placethecornerofyourwindowtemplatehere.Traceyourtemplatewithapencilandthencutalongtheselineswithautilityknife.Usearulerorastraightedgetoguideyourblade.Repeatfortheothersideofthehousepiece.

11Createadoortemplatebycuttingoutapieceofscrappaperorboardthatmeasures6½"×3"(16.5cm×7.5cm).

12Takethesecondpieceofthehouseandmeasure2½"(6.5cm)infromthesidetomarkwherethedoorwillbe.Placethetemplateatthispoint,traceit,andcutitoutwithautilityknife.

Repeatfortheothersideofthehousepiece.

Youcanalsofreehandthedoorsandwindowsorcutoutyourownshapes.Justmakesurethatneitherdoorsnorwindowsaretooclosetotheedgesofthehouse,asthiswillcompromisethestrengthofthewalls.

13Areyoureadytomovein?

Youcanuseleftoverwallpaperandmakeanenvelopetokeepthehouseflat,forstorageoronthego.

Thehousewasmadefordollsapproximately3"–4"(7.5cm–10cm)high,butyoucanresizethetemplatesasnecessaryforbiggerorsmallerdolls.

YOUGOTMAILfamilymailbox

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:7"×7"×11"(18CM×18CM×28CM)

Snailmailisunfortunatelygettinglostinourfastpaced,e-mailculture.Ourlittleones,however,

seemtoappreciatetheexcitementofthehandwrittenword,thethoughtfulnote,theanticipation

ofopeninganenvelope.Withthissimpleproject,helpnurtureandcherishthisbeautiful

traditionandsaveitfromextinction.

MATERIALS

FamilyMailboxtemplate

single-plygrayboard

recycledenvelopes,touseinteriorpatterns

decoupageglue

onetonguedepressor

redacrylicpaint

redfelt

ClearGeltackyglue

twobrassfasteners

thinelastic

onemedium-sizedbead

craftknife

cuttingmat

scissors

small1"(2.5cm)flatpaintbrush

drillwithbits

instructions

1Usingacraftknife,cutarectangleofgrayboardthatis11"×17"(28cm×43cm).Thiswillbethe“roof”ofyourmailbox.Grayboardhasgrainsoitiseasiertobendinonedirection,ratherthantheother.Beforecutting,gentlybowtheboardtoseeinwhichdirectionitbendsmoreeasilyandmakethatthelonger(17"/43cm)side.

2Cutanotherpieceofgrayboardthatis7"×11"(18cm×28cm).Thiswillbethebaseofyourmailbox.Thedirectionyoucutthisboarddoesn’tmatter,asitwon’tbebent.

3Laythepiecesofboardnexttoeachotherwiththeir11"(28cm)sidesjustslightlyapart.Tousegummedtape:Flipthetapeshinysideup,andbrushwithwater.Theshinysideisnowanactiveadhesive.Layapieceofgummedpaperovertheseamtoconnectthesetwopieces.

Allowtodry.

4Oncedry,gentlybendthe“roof”piece,formingaUshape,andattachittotheothersideofthebasewithanotherpieceofgummedtape.Allowtodry.

5FlipthemailboxonitsendandtracethisUshapeontoanotherpieceofboard.Repeat.

6Cutthesetwoshapesout.Theywillserveasthebackofthemailboxanditsfrontdoor.

7Toattachthebackpiece:Startbyattachingthebottomofthebackpiecefirst(theflatside)witha7"-(18cm-)longpieceofgummedtape,andcontinuetoattachtheroundededgeswithsmallerpiecesofgummedtape.Allowtodry.

8Inthemeantime,cutoutmedium-sizedpiecesofpaperfromyourenvelopes.Adherethemtothemailboxusingdecoupageglue.Apatchworkapproach,mixingandmatchingpatterns,worksnicely.

9Covertheunattacheddoorpiecewithdecorativepapers.Fortheroundeddoorandthebackpieces,feelfreetoadherepapersthatextendbeyondtheedgesofthepiece.Thesepartscanbetrimmedofflater.Allowtodry.Trimoffexcesspaper.Coattheentireexteriorofthemailboxwithdecoupageglueasafinalprotectivelayerandallowtodry.

10Laythedoorpiecewiththedecoratedsidedownatthemouthofthemailbox,setjustslightlyapartfromit.Applyastripofgummedtapeacrosstheseam,intheinteriorofthemailboxsoitwon’tbevisiblewhenthemailboxisclosed.

11Tomaketheflag,paintthetonguedepressorredwiththeacrylicpaint.Setasidetodry.

12Cutapieceofredfeltusingthemailboxflagtemplate.Cutthemailboxheartoutofpaper.Adherethehearttothefeltusingtackyglue.

13Drillaholeatoneendofthedepressorlargeenoughtopushthearmsofabrassfastenerthrough.Ontherightsideofthemailboxmeasure2½"(6.5cm)upfromthebaseand1½"(3.8cm)backfromthedoor.Thiswillmarkwhereyouareattachingtheflag.Makeasmall

markanddrillahole.Useabrassfastenertoattachtheflagtothispoint.

14Tomakethelatch,atthepeakofthebox,measure¾"(2cm)backfromthemouthofthemailbox.Drillasmallhole.Threadyourbeadwiththeelasticandputtheendsofthethreaddownthroughthehole.Knotsecurelyandtrimlooseends.

15Onthedoorofthemailbox,measure¾"(2cm)downfromthetopatitspeak.Drillasmallholelargeenoughtostickthearmsofabrassfastenerthrough.Makealoopofelasticthatislargeenoughtoreachfromthispointtothebeadnowaffixedtothetopofthemailbox.Threadendsoftheloopthroughtheholeatthetopofthedoor.Placethebrassfastenerinthishole.Knottheloopoverthearmsofthebrassfastener

16Letthefanmailpourin!

MAKEYOUROWNENVELOPES

Usetheenvelopetemplatetomakemini-envelopesoutofanypaper!Enlargeit200percent,thenchooseyourfavoritepaper,cut,andfold!Weusedshapedscissorswithadecorativeedgetoconvertanyfoundimageintostamps.YoucouldusetheLetterstemplatestowriteyourfamilynameonthemailbox,forinstance

“theSmiths.”

PEEKABOOHOUSEcardboardplayhouse

LEVEL: FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS:36"×24"×24"(91CM×61CM×61CM)

Halfplayhouse,halfphoto-op,thisprojectgivesanewlifetoaplainshippingbox.Thisfunand

fastprojectbecomesthelittlehideawayorthehomeawayfromhomethatmosttoddlersneedat

onepointoranother.

MATERIALS

CardboardPlayhousetemplates

24"×24"×24"(61cm×61cm×61cm)cardboardbox

variouspapers

varioustapes

largepieceofwallpaper

craftknife

scissors

instructions

1Placetheboxonthefloor.Determinewhichsidewillbethetopandwhichwillbethebottom.Cutoffthefourbottomflaps.Setflapsaside.

2Forthedoor:Onthefrontofthehousemeasure6"(15cm)fromthetopand6"(15cm)fromeachside.Drawarectanglewithapencil.Cutthetophorizontalpartofthisrectangleandtherightverticalside,leavingtheleftverticalsideuncut.Forthissidemakealightcuttoscorethehingeofthedoor.Twoinchesfromthetopofthedoorcenterthedoorwindowtemplate.Tracethisshapeandcutitout.

3Forthepeekaboo:Placethelionfacetemplate9¼"(23.5cm)infromeachsideand5"(12.5cm)fromthetopofthebox.Cutout.

4Twoofthetopflapswillmeettoformtheroof.Fortheothertwosides,thebackwillstanduprighttosupporttheroofatthebackofthehouse,andthefrontwillbetrimmedandfoldedinwardtoprovidestabilityatthefrontofthehouse.Determinewhichflapwillbethebackofthehouse.Withthebackflapextended,markthemiddleat12"(30.5cm).Tracealinefromeachofthetwobottomcornerswheretheflapstartstothemiddle,formingatriangle.Nowcutwithacraftknifefollowingtheselinessothatyouhaveatrianglethatwillsupportthewingedroof.Forthefrontflap,cutitdownsothatitis6"(15cm)inheight.Foldthispieceinsidethehouseforaddedwallstrength.

5Nowtaketwooftheflapsthatyoucutfromthebottomofthehouseandtapethemontoyourroofsidessothattheyoverlapandmeet,restingonthetriangleattheback.Makesuretotapefromtheinsideandtheoutside.

6Cutarectangleofwallpaperthatis17"×15"(43cm×38cm).Thiswillbeyourlionbody.Onthebottomoftherectanglemeasurea6"×8"(15cm×20.5cm)piece,centeringitlengthwisesothefrontandbacklegsofthelionareeach4½"(11cm)wide.

Asyou’recutting,roundthetoptwocornersofthiscutoutandalsotheupperrightcornerofthelionbody.

7Onthesideofthehousewiththecutoutcircle,adherethelionbody,aligningtheleftsideofthelionbodywiththecenterofthecutoutcircle,andpositioningitsothatthelegsarenearlytouchingthebaseofthehouse.

8Usingthetemplate,cut6lionmanepiecesoutofdecorativepaper.Adherethepaperpiecesaroundtheedgeofthecutoutcircletoformamane.Finishoffthehousewithfuntapeandstickerdetails.

9Peekaboosmile!

Youcanadaptthisprojecttoanyoversizeboxyoufind.Justmakesureyourchildfitsinitsittingdownandthereisanopeningordoorbigenoughforhimtoeasilygetinandout.

Youcancustomizethepeekabooanimalorevenmakeadifferentoneontheotherside.

BASICTECHNIQUES

Althoughcuttingandpastingseemsfairlybasic,therearefewtricksofthetrade.

CUTTINGPrecisecuttingishalfthebattlewithalotoftheseprojects.Ofcourse,eachpaperpresentsitsownuniquechallenges,butchoosingtherighttoolsisessentialtothistypeofcrafting.Eachprojectinthebooknoteswhetheryourequireapairofscissorsoracraftknife.

Whenyouareusingscissorskeepinmindthatthepapershouldbemoving,feedingintothescissors—nottheotherwayaround.

Whenyouareusingacraftknifeforstraightcuts,chooseagoodmetalruler,andremembertoreplacethebladeoften.

CRAFTINGWITHDECOUPAGEDecoupageisacomplicatedwordforaneasytechniquethatrequiressimplematerials:paper,scissors,glue,andabrush.DecoupageiscommonlyassociatedwithVictorianflowersorsilhouettesofclassicnatureimagesappliedtofurniture,buthereIuseitinafreshandmodernway.Youcandecoupagejustaboutanything,butthisbookfocusesmostlyonadheringpaperonto

cardboard,wood,andtin.Althoughcuttingandpastingseemsfairlybasic,thereareafewtricksofthetrade.

Bemindfulofthepaperyourimageison.Papersthataretoothinmaywrinkle.Somecoloredpapersmay“bleed”whencoatedwithglue,sotestoutacornerorascrapofthepaperfirstifyouareuncertain.

OurdecoupageglueofchoiceisModPodge,apopularwater-basedtwo-in-oneadhesiveandsealant.Wefindittobeverystrongwithoutbeingwateryorgummy.Whenchoosingyouradhesive,besuretocheckthelabeltoseeifit’srecommendedforpaper.Anotherpopularoptionfordecoupageglueisanacrylicmattemedium.

1.Startbybrushinganevencoatofdecoupageglueontoyourchosensurface.Itisimportantthattheentiresurfaceiscoatedandthattherearenolumpsofadhesive.Thiswillensurethatthepaperstickscompletelytothesurfaceandthattherearenobubbles.

2.Laydownthepaperyouareadhering,thenbrushasecondcoatofdecoupageglueoverthetopofthepaper.Brushingoverthetopofthepaperwillhelppushthepaperdownsecurely,aswellassealitssurfacewithaprotectivecoating.Ifyouseeairbubblestrappedunderthepaper,tryprickingitlightlywithapushpintorelease

theair,thencarefullysmoothoutthepaperwithyourfingers.

3.Allowtodry.Youcanaddanotherprotectivecoatovertheentirepiece.Allowtodryagain.Ifextraprotectionisneeded,especiallyforanitemthatwillbeheavilyused,suchastheplay

tableorstepstool,addacoatofpolyurethanevarnishtoprotectthepiece.

4.Aswithmanythings,practicemakesperfect.

WORKINGWITHWOODANDMETALThePetitCollagelineusesalotofnaturalmaterials,suchaswoodorwoodveneer.Youcansourcewoodreadilyathomeimprovementstoresoryoucanusepiecesthatyoualreadyhave.

New,unfinishedwoodrequireslittlepretreating.Dependingonthetypeofpieceorlumber,itmayneedsomelightsanding,andyouaregoodtogo.However,sincethisbookencouragesrecyclingandupcycling,youmayfindpiecesofwoodthathavealreadybeentreatedorfinished.Ifthepieceispaintedandingoodcondition,youmaychoosetoleaveasisandadherepapers

ontoit.Ifthepaintisdistressed,youwillneedtostripawaythepaintwiththechemicalremoverappropriatetothatpainttype.Thereareseveraloptions:someliquid,somegel,someinsprayform.Seekadviceatyourlocalhardwarestoreontherightsolution.Ifthepieceiswaxedoroiled,youmayneedtotreatthesurfacewithmineralspiritssothatthe

water-basedgluedoesn’treacttoitandprovokepeeling(thelastthingwewant).Ifyouarebuyingavintagepieceoffurniture,makesureitisfreeofbugs(noholes)andthatthe

constructionissturdy.Tinandmetalareeasiermaterialstoworkwith,aslongasyoumakesurethereisnorust.

RESOURCES

Foundpapers,themainmaterialforthisbook,canbesourcedanywhere—fromyourveryownmailboxtofleamarkets,estateandgaragesales,andusedlibrarybooksales.Mostofthesupplieslistedbelowcanbefoundatyourlocalartsandcraftsshop,home

improvementstore,orofficesupplystore.Ihavelistedsomeonlineresourcesforitemsthatmaynotbeaseasilyavailable,butcheckyourlocalstorefirst.Andofcourse,checkyourlocalthriftstores,too.Whenyoucan,repurposeandupcycle.Youmayevenhavesomethingsathomejustwaitingtobeused.

GENERALARTANDCRAFTSUPPLIESDickBlickwww.dickblick.com

Michaelswww.michaels.com

HARDWAREANDLUMBERHomeDepotwww.homedepot.com

ONLINEVINTAGERESOURCESEtsywww.etsy.com

eBaywww.ebay.com

SOURCESFORSPECIFICMATERIALSPersonalizedBabyPlaqueThewoodpanelisavailableatDickBlick(www.dickblick.com).

Mostartstoressellwoodcradleboards.Foravarietyofsizes,checkwww.walnuthollow.com.

BabyDoorTagFindcottonribbonatyourlocalsewingsupplystore.Four-inch(10cm)corkcoasterswillbeavailableatacraftsupplystore.

BirdGrowthChartNumberstickerscanbefoundinanartsupplystore.

PatternedLettersSourcevintagelettersifpossibleorpurchasenewlettersfromacraftstore,suchasMichaels(www.michaels.com).

CityscapeWoodVeneerHeadboardAlargeselectionofwashitapeisavailableatWishyWashiTape(www.wishywashi.com).

WoodveneerwithadhesivebackingisavailableatWood-All(www.wood-all.com).

WheeledToyBinSourceavintagecrateatafleamarketorvintageshop.Findcastersatahomeimprovementstore.

BunnyWallClockTheembroideryhoopandfeltcanbefoundatanycraftorsewingsupplystore.Findwoodveneeratanartorcraftsupplystore.

PlayTablePlywoodcanbepurchasedandcuttosizeatyourlocalhomeimprovementstore.WoodlegsareavailableatHomeDepot(www.homedepot.com).

BookLedgesFind2×2satyourlocalhomeimprovementstore.

Thebasswoodpiecescanbefoundatanartsupplystore.

FamilyMemoBoardChalkboardcontactpaperisavailableatCon-Tact(www.contactbrand.com).

Corktrivetscanbefoundathomeimprovementstores,kitchensupplystores,orIkea(www.ikea.com).

Dry-EraseDinnerPlannerBuyaframefromanartstore,frameshop,orsourceaframefromyourlocalthriftshop.

WindowFilmCutoutsEtchedglassfilmisavailableatArtscape(www.artscape-inc.com).

StepStoolAppleboxesareavailableatmostphotosupplystores.FindthemonlineatCalumet(www.calumetphoto.com).

MemoryBoxAvarietyofwoodboxesareavailableatWalnutHollow(www.walnuthollow.com).

FamilyGalleryHomasoteisavailableatmostlumberorbuilderssupplystores.Bulldogclipsandoversizedrubberbandsareavailableatartsupplystores.

FriendsCoatRackPlywoodcanbepurchasedandcuttosizeatyourlocalhomeimprovementstore.Ifpossible,trytosalvagescrapsfromotherhomeimprovementprojects.Findknobsatahomeimprovementstoreorabuildingsalvagestore.

CeilingPendantCordkitsareavailablefrommosthomeimprovementstoresandsomehomedecorstores.Chipboardisavailableatartsupplystores.

CustomBabyBlocksPlainwoodblockscanbepurchasedatWoodworksLtd.(www.craftparts.com).

ToyDrumWooddowelsandballsareavailableatmostcraftstores.

MemoryGameRepurposeafoundtinorpurchaseanewcontainerfromahomeorganizationstoresuchasTheContainerStore(www.containerstore.com).

TEMPLATES

YoucandownloadaPDFofthetemplatesathttp://rhlink.com/petit001.

Letters

Numbers

PaperMobile

PersonalizedBabyPlaque

BabyDoorTag

BirdGrowthChart

CityscapeWoodVeneerHeadboard

WheeledToyBin

WallClock

WindowFilmCutouts

StepStool

MemoryBox

FriendsCoatRack

CeilingPendant

CustomBabyBlocks

AnimalMasks

ToyDrum

FamilyMailbox

CardboardPlayhouse

letters

numbers

papermobile

personalizedbabyplaque

babydoortag

birdgrowthchart

cityscapewoodveneerheadboard

wheeledtoybin

wallclock

windowfilmcutouts

stepstool

memorybox

friendscoatrack

ceilingpendant

custombabyblocks

animalmasks

toydrum

familymailbox

cardboardplayhouse

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

LorenaSiminovichisadesigner,children’sbookauthorandillustrator,entrepreneur,andmultitaskerextraordinaire.Shehaspublishedmorethantwentychildren’sbooksinmorethantencountriesandisthefounderofPetitCollage.Whatstartedwithahandmadecollageforafriend’sbabyshowerisnowamodernlifestyle

brandofdécorandplaythingsforyoungfamilies,foundinstorestheworldover.Amomherself,Lorenaispassionateaboutcreatingsustainablymadeandvisuallyappealingitemsfortheentirefamily.GrowingupinBuenosAires,shewassurroundedbyart,mid-centurygraphics,andalushLatin

Americancolorpalettewhichgreatlyinfluencedherwork.AfterafewyearsinNewYork,shenowcallsSanFranciscoherhomeandlivesinamid-centuryhouseonahillwithherhusbandanddaughter.

ABOUTPETITCOLLAGE

Startedin2006,PetitCollageisallaboutwell-designedgoodsformodernfamilies.Fromwalldécorandmobilestotoysanddolls,playfulnessimbueseveryproduct.LeadbyLorenaSiminovich,thestudio,locatedinanartistichubofSanFrancisco,isan

incubatorofnewideas,art,andillustrationwherecreatinggreatdesignandpushingtheenvelopewithnewformatsisthenorm.Strivingtohandcrafttheirgoodsinasustainableway,usingthebest-quality,mostforest-friendlymaterialsavailable,isequallyimportant.Suretodelightandinspirechildrenandgrown-upsalikeandfoundinhomestheworldover,thesegoodsareperfectforthenurseryyetsophisticatedenoughforanyroominthecontemporaryhome.PetitCollageiswelllovedbythemediaandhasbeenfeaturedonTheMarthaStewartShow,the

NewYorkTimes,TheWallStreetJournal,Dwellmagazine,andleadingblogssuchasDesign*Sponge,Decor8,andDesignMom,amongothers.

AboutTimebunnywallclock,1.1,bm3.1adhesivesAllAboutMememorybox,2.1,bm3.1AllintheFamilymemorygameanimalmasks,3.1,bm3.1artsandcraftsdisplayboards

birdgrowthcharts,1.1,bm3.1birdmobiles,1.1,bm3.1blocks,3.1,bm3.1bookshelvesbrushesbunnywallclock,1.1,bm3.1

cityscapeheadboards,1.1,bm3.1clocks,1.1,bm3.1coatracks,2.1,bm3.1craftknivescustomization,itr.1,fm1.1,3.1.Seealsospecificprojectscuttingtechniques

decoupagetechniquesdifficultylevelsdollhouses,itr.1,3.1doortags,itr.1,1.1,bm3.1drums,2.1,3.1,bm3.1dry-erasedinnerplanner

elephantplaques,1.1,bm3.1envelopes,3.1,bm3.1

flowercutouts,2.1,bm3.1FromtheGroundUpcustombabyblocks,3.1,bm3.1

GameTimeplaytableglue,fm1.1,bm1.1growthcharts,1.1,bm3.1

HangTogetherfriendscoatrack,2.1,bm3.1headboards,1.1,bm3.1HelloWorldpersonalizedbabyplaque,1.1,bm3.1holepunches

inspirationISeeYouwindowfilmcutouts,2.1,bm3.1

JustHangingpapermobile,1.1,bm3.1

Knock,Knockbabydoortag,itr.1,1.1,bm3.1

lamps,2.1,bm3.1LeanonMecityscapewoodveneerheadboard,1.1,bm3.1letters,1.1,1.2,bm3.1,bm3.2LighttheWayceilingpendant,2.1,bm3.1

mailboxes,3.1,bm3.1masks,3.1,bm3.1Masterpiecesfamilygallerymealplannersmeasuringtoolsmemoboardsmemoryboxes,2.1,bm3.1memorygamesMiCasaEsSuCasaportabledollhouse,itr.1,3.1mobiles,1.1,bm3.1MoveonBackwheeledtoybin,1.1,bm3.1MyNameIs…patternedletters

nameplaques,1.1,bm3.1NewHeightsstepstool,2.1,bm3.1numberstemplates

OnceUponaTimebookledgesorganizationornamentsowldoortags,itr.1,1.1,bm3.1

paintingpaperpapers,fm1.1,fm1.2PeekabooHousecardboardplayhouse,3.1,3.2,bm3.1personalization,itr.1,fm1.1.SeealsospecificprojectsPetitCollage,fwd.1,ata.1photocopyingpaperphotographs(memorygame)playhouses,3.1,3.2,bm3.1

Rat-A-Tat-Tattoydrum,2.1,3.1,bm3.1

resources,fm1.1,fm1.2,fm1.3,bm2.1Roar!animalmasks,3.1,bm3.1

scissors,fm1.1,bm1.1Smith,Paulstampingpaperstepstools,1.1,2.1,bm3.1

tablestapestechniquestemplates,fm1.1,bm3.1tools,fm1.1,fm1.2toybins,1.1,bm3.1toystreememoboard

UpandAwaybirdgrowthchart,1.1,bm3.1

What’sCookingdry-erasedinnerplannerwindowfilmcutouts,2.1,bm3.1

YouGotMailfamilymailbox,3.1,bm3.1

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