toddler crafts

I Heart Stamping (AKA Making Cardboard Tube Heart Stamps With My Toddler)

February 1, 2013 By Kayla Aimee

Scarlette is learning about hearts right now so I’ve been collecting some activity ideas for the month of February. I saw this cute project on Pinterest about using cardboard tubes to make heart shaped stamps and thought it would be fun to try.

Plus, then I could be all “See! We are TOTALLY using all of the toilet paper tubes!” to Jeff because I might be a bit ridiculous about collecting them for our craft projects. He’ll try to throw one out and I’m all “NOOOOO!!!” as I dive in front of the recycling bin to intercept it. Probably I should be playing in the Superbowl this weekend. I’m very good.

Honestly, it was a bit hard to make the heart shape transfer as well as the example I saw (I’m totally convinced that there is a pinterest conspiracy where people make stuff and pass it off as the work of a toddler) but Scarlette loved this craft (no pun intended) so all is well. In other news, we’re pretty sure that Scarlette is a lefty.

We did things a little bit differently than the original instructions so here is what worked for us:

I really need to invest in some tempura paints because my making memories paints aren’t washable, although they are super cute. You just bend the cardboard tube into a heart shape and then use some tape to hold it in place. I also use the tape to keep the paper on the table because someone who shall remain nameless likes to throw freshly painted paper on my floor, SCARLETTE.

Also, vintage SIStv gaffer tape for the win!

I made a heart shape on both ends of the tube because Scarlette kept flipping it around and dipping both ends in the paint.

Then I just let her stamp like crazy. Also, it is impossible to do a craft like this one without singing “My Heart Will Go On” if you are me. I was all “Every day in February, we’ll stamp things, with pa-int. That is how we will learn about hearts. Near, far, right where you are, you will stamp with these hearts and these hearts will go onnnnn and onnnnnnnn.” I’M TEACHING HER VERY IMPORTANT THINGS, Y’ALL.

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Ziplock Baggie Painting | 1st Art Project

February 16, 2012 By Kayla Aimee

Thank you so much for all of the suggestions on indoor activities, it is so nice to have new things to add to our routine. Yesterday we did Scarlette’s very first art project and I was so excited!

A few people recommended ziplock baggie painting and I decided to try that first because I had everything on hand for it. And also? It totally validated all those years I spent hoarding 367 bottles of making memories paints.

I had never heard of this but it is genius and turned out to be a super easy project. You just add some drops of paint into a ziplock bag! I figured that I’d want to include it in my Project Life album this week so I slipped a couple of the 3×4 cards in a ziplock bag along with some paint (pink, to celebrate Valentine’s Day!)

I taped the ziplock bag to the tray on the high chair because this is my child we’re dealing with and I’m pretty sure she could figure out how to open a ziplock bag full of paint if given the chance. And since we don’t actually own any washable paint, that seemed like something I might like to avoid.

Apparently we also don’t own any normal tape and that’s why I taped it down with washi tape. This is what happens when you marry a scrapbooker. You are all “honey, where’s the tape?” and that’s how you end up with pink flowers holding together the tear on your tennis bag. He’s a lucky man, my husband.

Needless to say, this project was a total hit. Scarlette laughed and smeared the paint around for at least half an hour. I discovered that taking the paper out early on and then giving the bag back to her with just the paint in it was the best way to keep the paper from getting torn. Thanks so much to those of you who recommended this, it was a bright spot in our cold, foggy day!