How to Make Easter/Spring Pins with Shrinky Dinks

This DIY is totally inspired by a Youtube video I saw just a couple of days ago, DIY Tumblr Pins Using Things You ALREADY Have by JENerationsDIY. The video popped up in the recommended when I was thinking hard about what easy DIY I can bring you guys this week. Perfect timing!

READ THIS:
The DIFFERENCE is I didn't use the #6 type plastic I can probably find somewhere in the recycle bin.. During the research, I found out bloggers talking about baking #6 type plastic gives off FUME! I do use the conventional oven for cooking food so I'm not taking any chances to create dangerous chemicals in the oven. I went to Michael's and bought the Shrinky Dinks sheets. It only costs $4 for 10 sheets.

Materials you'll need for this project:
permanent markers
scissors
Shrinky Dinks plastic sheets
Hole puncher, optional

Before you jump into the tutorial video, I want to share with you some Fails and semi-fails.

This is the name tag I made for my daughter for her AWANA vest. I traced the brown bear image from her AWANA textbook and colored in brown. It was cute and I can see the details of the cubbie bear's eyes, nose and mouth (and its smile of course). After baking the piece, the color got so concentrated. The name turned out really great though.

I traced this Easter egg image from my doodle practice. I follow the wonderful DOODLES by SARAH on Youtube. The Easter/spring doodle is my Doodle with Sarah practice. I tried to have three eggs and the piece was quite long horizontally. The plastic piece sticked to itself(the one below) when I baked it in the overn. I was able to reheat it and pull it apart but the color got all messed up. The upper one I just drew two eggs and it turned out just fine.

  

Now without further due, here is the tutorial.

If you want the color to pop out a little bit more or you don't want see the metal pin from the front, you can paint the back side of the plastic piece white using acrylic paint. This is totally optional. Here is a picture of comparison.

If you want make plastics charms or earrings don't forget to punch a hole in the original piece before sending it to oven.

I can see so many possibilities in the future Shrinky Dinks projects. Make a successful name tag, charm bracelet, cactus pins, etc.

Please give it a try. If you have tried before please let me know what you made. Leave me a link so I can go check it out.

Thank you for stopping by my blog. See you next time.

5 Minute DIY - No Dye Easter Eggs

I didn't grow up celebrating Easter (religious or non-religious way) so I don't have to follow any tradition. I create my own tradition-our tradition with my family. 

I bought some dye-egg kit last year from their Easter clearance sale. I'm just not ready for the vinegar smell and stained fingers yet so I found three fun ways to decorate eggs without using dye.

1. washi tape

Can you tell my recent obsession? It's washi tape. 

The thin strip one is pretty straight forward. If you don't have a thin strip in hand, you can cut the standard washi in half with a X-acto knife.

I got the butterfly shape paper puncher from local Michael's. It costs around $5. If you are looking for a cheaper option, I believe The Purple Alphabet recently shared a kid's activity post in her Instagram where she showed a puncher that is from the Target Dollar Spot. 

2. Sharpie

No drawing technique needed. A google image stencil and dot the dots using your sharpies.

3. Temporary tatoo

This is the easiest way! The eggs turned out to be so so cute. 

Which no-dye method is your favorite? Or do you have other non-traditional ways to decorate Easter eggs? Let me know. 

Happy Easter!

Baby's First Easter basket

My younger daughter is 7 month old now. She likes rattle toys and books (chew on them, open and close them). I've got some very simple and cheap goodies for her first Easter. Hope you get some ideas and inspirations.


1. Fabric Basket

Basket was purchased from local Target, last year Easter clearance, 90% off. It is such a soft fluffy basket for this little girl who chews on everything.

2. Wind-up Bunny

got from Walgreens, $0.99 

big purple Easter egg is M&M Easter candy egg. I enjoyed the candy myself.

Just wind it up and let the little one watch the bunny hop.

3. Tiny boardbooks for tiny hands

She already got into the tiny books when I was preparing her basket. That is how you can tell she likes it.

4. DIY special Easter rattle/lightning eggs

 jingle bell is from Dollar Tree

washi tape is from Walgreens

Both of these eggs are rattle toys that make gentle but interesting sound.

finger flashlight is from eBay

This is how the lightening egg looks like when it is slightly dark.

Her small basket is full now. Can't wait for her too see the whole thing this Sunday.

Happy Easter and Happy Spring!

DIY Easter Wreath for under $5

Really easy DIY. I just took a look at what I have in my "easter" storage bin and made a trip to Dollar Tree.

Wreath form $1, Dollar Tree

Burlap ribbon, $1, Dollar Tree

Easter eggs, from last year

fabric bunny, from last year

Ribbon and washi tapes, already have them at home

Twine, $1, Dollar Tree

VERY IMPORTANT, HOT GLUE. It is not shown in the picture above, because I ran out of glue sticks when I made this wreath. I used thread instead. I just really wanted to get this done when kids were napping. Trust me, hot glue will make this project even easier. 

 The burlap ribbon started to fray a little when wrapping. I kind of like this "organic"/"natural" look.

 Bunny hopped in.

 The pink ribbon just added a little bit color to the burlap.

 Don't forget the Easter eggs.

The top part of the wreath looked empty so I added a tiny bunting using the washi tapes and the twine.

It goes to the front door.
Happy Easter!