Petit collage
description
Transcript of Petit collage
Copyright©2014byLorenaSiminovich
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
v3.1
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
Index
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.
1
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
TOOLS
scissors
binderclips(optional)
⅛"(3mm)holepunch(optional)
pen
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.
tips
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)
TOOLS
scissors
binderclips(optional)
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.
tips
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
decoupageglue,suchasModPodge
ClearGeltackyglue
30"(76cm)lengthof¼"-(6mm-)thickflatcottonribbonorflatwhiteshoelace
TOOLS
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
TOOLS
scissors
pencil
¼"(6mm)holepunch
measuringtape
level
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.
tips
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
assortedcoloredandpatternedpapers
decoupageglue,suchasModPodge
TOOLS
photocopierorscanner
pencil
scissorsorcraftknife
cuttingmat
1"–3"(2.5cm–7.5cm)flatpaintbrush
instructions
1Spelloutachild’snameusingfoundorpurchasedletters.Createapapertemplateofthelettersbyplacingthelettersfacedownonaphotocopierorscanner.Drawaverticalorhorizontallinethroughsomeorallofyourphotocopiedletters.Cutouttheshapesandtheadditionaldrawnlines.
2Selectthepapersthatyouwanttousetodecorateeachletter.Bemindfulofcolorsandpatterns.Youcanexperimentmixingandmatchingpapersineachlettertocreateapatchworkeffect.
3Usingthetemplatesyoucreated,cutoutthelettersfromthedecorativepaperusingscissorsoracraftknife.Laythecutpaperpiecesonthefoundorpurchasedletterstoensuretherearenooverhangingedges.Trimanyexcess.
4Toadherethepapertothefacesoftheletters,brusheachletterevenlywithdecoupageglueandthengentlylaythecorrespondingpapercutoutontop.
5Oncetheedgesarelinedup,usethebrushtoaddanothercoatofdecoupagegluetothetopofthepaper,firmlyadheringthepapertotheletter.Allowtodry.
6Hanglettersfromscrewsinthewall.Ifusingvintageletters,buyhanginghardwareinalocalstore.
7Saytheirname,saytheirname!
tips
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)
TOOLS
utilityknife
largeruler
measuringtape
pencil
level
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.
tips
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
assortedcoloredandpatternedpapers
assortedleftoverorfoundpapers
TOOLS
sandpaper
1"–3"(2.5cm–7.5cm)flatpaintbrush
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!
tips
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
felt
ClearGeltackyglue
decoupageglue
artisttape
strongglue
TOOLS
pencil
scissors
craftknife
¼"(6mm)holepunch
stapler
cuttingmat
medium3"(7.5cm)flatpaintbrush
ruler
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!
tips
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
carpenter’swoodglue
decoupageglue
largescrappaper,suchasabrowngrocerybagorbutcherpaper
largesheetsofassortedheavyweightcoloredandpatternedpapers(i.e.,wallpaper,thickerwrappingpaper,etc.)
water-basedpolyurethanevarnish
TOOLS
sandpaper
drillwithbits
medium3"(7.5cm)flatpaintbrush
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!
tips
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
carpenter’swoodglue
TOOLS
measuringtape
level
pencil
drillwithbits
scissors
medium3"(7.5cm)flatpaintbrush
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!
tips
Youcanrepurposeoldwoodforthisprojectaslongasyoufindanevenlysquarepiecetobetheledgeandaflatpiecetobethefront.
Rotatetheofferingsinthislibrarybyswitchingupbooksonceaweek,andchoosesomenewfavoritesfortheweektocome.
2
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
chalk
TOOLS
multipurposesprayadhesive
scissors
largeruler
level
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!
tips
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
TOOLS
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!
tips
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
TOOLS
craftknifeorscissors
cuttingmat
¼"(6mm)holepunch
ruler
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.
tips
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
assortedcoloredandpatternedpapers
assortedfoundpapers
water-basedpolyurethanevarnish
rubberorcorkadhesivedots(optional)
TOOLS
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!
tips
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
TOOLS
scissors
binderclips(optional)
craftknife
1"–3"(2.5cm–7.5cm)flatpaintbrush
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.
tips
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
TOOLS
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!
tips
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
assortedcoloredandpatternedpapers
assortedfoundpapers
four3"(7.5cm)screwsthatworkwiththewallanchors
threewoodknobs,1½"(3.8cm)indiameter
wallanchorsappropriateforyourwalltype
TOOLS
sandpaper
drybrushortackcloth
1"–3"(2.5cm–7.5cm)flatpaintbrush
binderclips(optional)
¼"(6mm)holepunch
¾"(2cm)holepunch
scissors
pencil
ruler
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!
tips
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
TOOLS
scissors
craftknifeorutilityknife
cuttingmat
1"–3"(2.5cm–7.5cm)flatpaintbrush
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!
tips
Youcantransformthisprojectforatraditionallittlegirl’sroom.Thinkscallops,flowers,andmaybeeven
usetheshapetocreatealittlehouse.Butifyouaregoingthisroute,pleaseaddsomethingunexpected,likesomefluorescentpink!
MakesuretouseaCFLorlow-temperaturelightbulb.
3
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
assortedcoloredandpatternedpapers
assortedfoundpapers
TOOLS
sandpaper
1"–3"(2.5cm–7.5cm)flatpaintbrush
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!
tips
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
TOOLS
scissors
1"–3"(2.5cm–7.5cm)flatpaintbrush
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.
tips
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
assortedcoloredandpatternedpapers
assortedfoundpapers
artisttape
32"-(81cm-)long,thinleatherbeltortrim
coloredfeltforthedrumtop
ClearGeltackyglue
two12"-(30.5cm-)longroundwooddowels
twosphericalwoodbeadswithholeslargeenoughtoinsertthedowels
carpenter’swoodglue
TOOLS
rulerormeasuringtape
scissors
1"–3"(2.5cm–7.5cm)flatpaintbrush
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!
tips
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
TOOLS
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!
tips
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
2"-(5cm-)widegummedpapertape
scrappaperandcardboard
TOOLS
ruler
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?
tips
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
2"-(5cm-)widegummedpapertape
recycledenvelopes,touseinteriorpatterns
decoupageglue
onetonguedepressor
redacrylicpaint
redfelt
ClearGeltackyglue
twobrassfasteners
thinelastic
onemedium-sizedbead
TOOLS
craftknife
cuttingmat
scissors
small1"(2.5cm)flatpaintbrush
ruler
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
TOOLS
craftknife
scissors
ruler
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!
tips
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.
INDEX
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