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!

3 Ways to Use Washi Tapes

A week ago my BFF texted me asking how I use my washi tapes. I realized I haven't used any (except for my planner of course) recently. I thought it is time to gather some ideas and maybe make a video of it. 

I posted how I organize my washi tapes using a pant hanger last year. I'm very proud to tell you the collection hasn't grown. I've committed to BUYING LESS AND USING MORE. 

Here I'm sharing 3 ways to use washi tapes, decorating index cards, storage box and paper crown.

WHERE TO BUY WASHI TAPES?

Many of my washi tapes are from the brand "Scotch". They are called washi tape or decorative masking tapes. You can find this brand in Target, Walgreens, sometimes Dollar Tree.

Dollar Tree has their own brand of washi tapes. They are not as thin and sticky as the Scotch washi tapes.

Micheal's, they have a aisle full of washi tapes. Thin or thick, pattern or solid, you'll find yourself totally lost in the aisle.

Amazon and eBay are great places to find washi tapes, especially the seasonal ones. There are a lot of sellers from China sell washi tapes on eBay. It costs around $2 to get a unique pattern with good quality but the shipping usually takes 1-2 months.

1. Stylish index cards.

I use the index cards as reminders to sing a few songs with my kids in the car. The doctors say we should constantly talk to the kids when we do daily business. Let me just admit this, talking to a 18 month old is BORING! Especially in the car I'm not facing her and she is not talking back. I don't mind sing though. 

I believe singing is a great way to teach words. First I talk slowly when I sing. Second the words repeat and rhyme in the kids' songs. When I am driving I just can't think of songs I can sing with her except for Wheels On The Bus and If You Are Happy. 

Now I have the index cards with lyrics written down. I bring them to the car and I can sing the songs we like.

2. Washi tape covering vanity tray.

I posted this last January. Click HERE if you are interested.

3. Decorate Paper Crown

The neighbor's girl got a crown from Burger King. She looked so precious wearing that paper crown. Of course my 3 yr wants a crown now. I just cut out a crown template from a white poster board (Dollar Tree, $0.49) then decorated it washi tapes.

Now share your ways of using washi tape with me by commenting below. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

See you next week.

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!

DIY magazine folder makeover using Dollar Tree wrapping paper

I've got two ugly old magazine folders forever. They are totally functional-holding my Parents and Glamorous magazines well. They are in the corner of my shelf so I don't see them that much UNTIL TODAY.

I just couldn't tolerant!

To give it a new girly look. I used polka dot wrapping paper from Dollar Tree.

You'll also need knife, scissors.

I have read about homemade mod podge from Pinterest and now it is time to give it a try.

I used 2 parts of school glue and 1 part of water. It worked very well. Some containers to mix glue and water and the paint brush to apply the "mod plodge".

Now, here comes the new look

I used the cute bow tape to define the label area.

I got the tape from Ebay.The one I used is currently out of stock. :-(

picture and purchase from http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mix-Styles-DIY-Diary-Decorative-Stickers-Stationery-Lovely-Lace-Adhesive-Tape-/261455987421?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&var=&hash=item3cdffdc2dd

An easy 5-minute project. Give it a try.
See you next week.

Weekend DIY - Butterfly pens

 I saw this paper butterfly in Pinterest last week and immediately decided to try it.

The original post is Cute DIY Butterfly Ideas 

That post is full of diy butterfly ideas. Totally check it out!

Here is what you need to make the butterfly pen.

To make the paper butterfly, you need,

poster papers in various colors, dollar tree <$1/each

sharpie

liquid paper correction fluid 

To decorate the pen, you need,

wire

tape, I used washi tape, local Target, $2.5

a boring looking pen

  Here is how I made the butterfly.

 

You can use this to decorate anything you like or just put it somewhere on your desk. 

But I used it to decorate my pen.

 

There you go. You have beautiful pens that might make you want do some homework!