Trash to Treasure -- DIY vanity tray from iPad box

I needed a tray to keep some loose items on my vanity table last weekend. When I was browsing Target website I came up with this idea of upcycle the iPad box.

I really like the quality of the boxes Apple products come in. They are white, easy to color. They are so sturdy. I used to box to keep all of my iPhone cases. I've been through some declutter process after my second daughter was born. I only use water proof + shock proof iPhone case now, so I gave all of my fancy cases to a friend. Now it is time to give this box a new look.

I've never had an easier craft project. Here is the box.

I used the white-out to cover the black(silver) letters.

And I chose one roll of washi tape. That was it.

Hey, I admit it is not a glamorous vanity tray but it is functional.

Do you keep your iPad box? What do you use it for? Leave me a comment if you have good ideas of upcycling these boxex.

DIY Paracord dragonfly

I spotted this Youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRvvl1zk2W0 a few months ago and knew for sure some day I'll make tons of these adorable dragonflies. This day has come-I'm making everyone a dragonfly. It can be for their back packs, diaper bag, key chain or luggages.

I am so lucky to have my parents staying with us this past 6 months. They fix dinner everyday and help me take care of the kids. They are leaving in three weeks. I already got them tons of gifts over the holiday but felt like I need to give them something handmade specially for them. 

I got the pony beads from local Dollar Tree and paracord from eBay. The green paracord is a spare shoe lace.

Please see the link above for the easy-to-follow tutorial.  

I chose the brightly colored rainbow paracord to make their luggages easier to spot on the conveyor belt.

Kid's Fun Wednesday - Balloon Animals

My husband got into making balloon animals recently. He said it is almost therapeutic. Our little one likes the squeaking sound. And our toddler likes to play with them.  

Here are a few cute ones he made.

Parrot

Elephant

Dog

Kitten

Flower

Weekend DIY - penguin pillow

I found this cutest penguin pillow on Youtube Ann Lee's channel. She's also got a cute owl pillow in that Youtube video. Go check it out and see which one you prefer.

I just sketched the pattern. I folded the paper in half, only drew the right side and cut.

In the original video, Ann used fleece which makes the pillow super soft and cozy. I didn't wanna run out to Joann in this cold night. So I just used the black and white felt fabric I already have at home.

Got the penguin outline done.

Fill in eyes and nose.

Sew it along on the wrong side.

I did leave a small hole so I could stuff the penguin.

More 3D looking now because of the stuffing.

Dress up the penguin the way you want. A pink bow?

Or a Christmas hat!

Wouldn't this make a great home decor piece for Christmas??!!

Kid's Fun Wednesday - DIY simple play mat tee shirt

My husband is out of town for a couple of days. I made this really simple play mat using his old (semi-old) white tee shirt to surprise him. 

I have all of materials I need to do this project. 

White tee shirt

Fabric pens. I got mine from Jo-ann a long time ago. I believe you can now find fabric pens from Dollar Tree. How awesome!

Pencil.

Outline the road first using the black fabric pen. Please ignore the unfinished pool.

Then add the details.

What are the places my daughter likes in town?

Playground, pool, Mcdonald's.

Daycare. We like La petite Academy.

We just recently bought her a bicycle. So I added a bicycle in front of  the house.

She just learnt the shape octagon and I've been pointing stop signs to her. 

Since we live in Arizona where there are a lot of saguaras, I added two saguaras.

And her toy cars (from Target dollar spot), toy motorcycle.

Before my husband got home, my daughter is having fun playing with it on the area rug.

Let me share with you these awesome posts that inspired me.

I got the idea of making the play mat out of my husband's tshirt from the blue basket.

Picture from http://thebluebasket.blogspot.com/2011/09/tutorial-car-shirt.html#more

The playground from how does she's road rug is really simple and cute.

Picture from http://www.howdoesshe.com/made-with-love-road-rug/

Cookcleancraft pretty much has everything you need to build your own town.

Picture from http://cookcleancraft.com/2011/02/felt-car-play-mat-house/

I had the road on my play mat zig-zaged just like this from agirlandagluegun's car mat.

Picture from http://www.agirlandagluegun.com/2010/05/car-mat.html

Organization Monday - DIY hair clip organizer/display

Gather an old photo frame (not shown in the picture below) and some ribbons to start this project.

 For the clips, leave the ribbons slightly loose. My frame is actually pretty beaten up looking, so I used two coats of white acrylic paint to cover it up.

 For hair bands, these loops created using just dabs of hot glue work pretty well.

Happy Halloween! Easy spiderweb cupcake

If you need some last minute Halloween treats for you kids. Go head and make this easy spiderweb cupcakes. No baking experience needed.

I found the receipe here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mjvjHsC2cA

Happy Halloween.