Colorful Birthday Balloon Wreath!

Who says wreaths are just for Christmas? :) (P.S. This is my first craft post not using Mod Podge! Shhh!)

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All you'll need:

• a 12" straw wreath; leave the plastic on!
• 350 greening pins
• 350 balloons in assorted colors
• ribbon
• 3-4 hours, so find a couple Netflix documentaries you've been meaning to watch :)

Step 1: 
Amusingly, Step 1 tells what NOT to do. Do not take the plastic wrap off the straw wreath! It will make a giant mess and there's no need to remove it. I didn't think of this ahead of time, as you can see. Well, hindsight is 20/20, right?!

Step 2:
To affix the balloons to the wreath, simply place each balloon between the prongs of a greening pin. Easy! Although kind of hard on the thumb once you have done a couple hundred of them, so maybe try using a rubber mallet or similar? 

As a bonus to using greening pins, there won't be any holes in the balloons -- in case you have a balloon emergency and need them in the future. :)

I didn't leave very much space between each balloon, but you can experiment and see what you like. Also, I only covered the part of the wreath that would normally be seen; i.e., the front and sides. Don't waste your time and balloons and thumb-strength on the back if no one will ever see it, right?

Step 3:
If you want to hang your wreath with ribbon (i.e. instead of using a wreath hanger), leave a strip of non-ballooned space at the top.  Then double-wrap a piece of ribbon around the wreath, tie in a bow, and fill in the space with the last of the balloons.  The pins will help to secure the ribbon in place, too.

And voila, you're done! A splash of color for your door during your birthday month. :)

Friendly Monster Boxes

We made several of these friendly monster boxes to house the utensils and napkins at our friendly monster-themed birthday party!

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All you'll need:

• an empty tissue box
• spray paint
• assorted scrapbook paper, stickers, or whatever else you'd like to decorate your monster box with
• scissors
• paintbrush
• your trusty Mod Podge

Step 1: 
Spray paint your monster box.  Note: some colors, like red, have notoriously bad coverage, so keep that in mind if you are using a patterned box like these ones.

Step 2:
After the paint has dried, cut out the monster box's "mouth" with scissors.

Step 3:
Decorate your monster box!  Adhere teeth and eyes with Mod Podge.

And you're done! Fill with supplies for your friendly monster party -- forks, spoons, knives, napkins, ketchup packets, whatever! :)

Colorful Plastic Bag Dispenser

No more unruly plastic bags! :)   

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All you'll need:

• an empty, clean antibacterial wipes canister with the label removed
• paper trimmer or scissors
• scrapbook paper
• paintbrush
• your trusty Mod Podge

 

Step 1: 
Trim your scrapbook paper to the correct size.  If your canister is a perfect cylinder, this will be very easy -- but if it tapers, this will require some extra thought! 

Step 2:
Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge with the paintbrush; then attach your paper.

Step 3:
Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge over the entire canister to seal the edges and give it some shine!
 

Let it dry, add your plastic bags, and you're done! Voila!

Pirate's Treasure Chest

I created this treasure chest to fill with small toys, treats, and stickers for my speech therapy clients. :)
 

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All you'll need:

• an unfinished wooden box (this one was $5 at Michael's)
• a ruler
• a pencil
• sandpaper
• paint (I used brown, black, and metallic gold)
• assorted paintbrushes
• a brown Sharpie (not pictured)
• your trusty Mod Podge

Step 1:

Using a pencil and ruler, sketch out the treasure chest design you are going to paint.  For mine, this meant creating wooden slats and three gold bands to encircle the chest.

Step 2:

Paint in your brown!  The edges don't have to be perfect yet.

Step 3:

Add the gold paint!  Create nice, even edges against the brown sections.

Step 4:

Add your details.  For mine, this meant a little bit of black paint between the slats of wood and small circles drawn onto the gold bands with brown Sharpie.  Then I roughed up the edges a little bit with sandpaper.

Step 5:

Cover the entire thing with Mod Podge to seal it and give it some shine!

Let the Mod Podge dry, fill this bad boy up with prizes, and you're good to go! :)

Personalized Shadow Box Bank

Never “break the bank” (haha) again -- with this personalized shadow box bank, just remove the back of the frame to retrieve your money!

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All you'll need:

• unfinished wooden shadow box frame ($4-$5 at craft stores)
• paintbrushes
• scissors (or paper cutter, or utility knife)
• scrapbooking paper
• stickers, markers, or anything else you’ll want to decorate your box
• your trusty Mod Podge
• sandpaper (optional)

Step 1:

Create a slot in the top of your box for the coins.  My handy fiancé helped me do this with a drill press, but I’m sure there are any number of ways to do it.

Step 2:

Measure the sides of your box, cut your paper into the correct dimensions, and attach with Mod Podge and a paintbrush.  (Optional: once it's completely dry, sand the edges for a neater look).

Step 3:

Seal the paper onto the box and add some shine with more Mod Podge and a large paintbrush.

Step 4:

While the box is drying, create the personalized background.  I used a piece of scrapbook paper adorned with a large glitter “M,” and then hand-wrote the rest of my niece’s name with a Sharpie (after sketching it out with a pencil).  

Step 5:

Reassemble the box, and voila! You’re done!

Dry-Erase "I Love You Because..." Frame

This is a sweet Valentine’s Day gift for a loved one! Use dry-erase markers to take turns completing the statement “I love you because…”

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All you'll need:

• unfinished wooden picture frame ($1 - $2 at craft stores)
• paintbrush
• pencil
• scissors (or paper cutter, or utility knife)
• scrapbook paper
• stickers
• your trusty Mod Podge
• sandpaper (optional) 

Step 1:

Remove the glass from the frame.  Lay the frame face down on the BACK of the scrapbook paper.  Then use the pencil to trace its outline onto the paper.  

Step 2:

Carefully cut out the paper shape you’ve drawn.  I used a small paper trimmer, but scissors or a utility knife against a hard edge will work too.

Step 3:

Use the paintbrush to Mod Podge the paper onto the frame.  Work out any large air bubbles with your fingers.

Step 4 (optional):

If you have rough edges (I did!), sand the inner and outer edges of the frame.  Only do this after the Mod Podge is completely dry! 

Step 5:

Again use the paintbrush and the Mod Podge to seal the paper onto the wood and give the project some shine!

Step 6:

I printed my “I Love You Because…” insert from the computer, but you could always write it by hand on another cute piece of scrapbooking paper.  Once Step 5 has dried completely, put your print-out behind the frame’s clean glass, add your stickers/embellishments, and you’re done!

 

 

Kusudama Paper Flowers

Kusudama flowers can be made in a variety of sizes, colors, and patterns.  Make just one, or make a whole bouquet!

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All you'll need:

• paper: 2”, 3”, or 4” squares (I buy 12” x 12” scrapbook paper and cut it myself)
• a ruler or other hard edge for making creases, especially if the paper is thick
• a small paintbrush
• your trusty Mod Podge
• buttons, beads, or anything else you’d like to use in the center of the flowers

  

Step 1:

Fold your square in half diagonally.  The “front” or main color/pattern (if there is one) should be on the outside. 

Step 2:

Fold each of the lower corners up towards the center.

Step 3:

Fold each of these triangles in half, back towards the outside.

Step 4:

Unfold each side and create two “squash folds.”  This is a common origami technique.

Step 5:

Fold down the two “points,” so that the edges are flush.

Step 6:

Fold each side in half along the already existing crease.

 

Step 7:

Your first petal is almost done!  Now you will gently curve your paper into the petal shape.  See where the paintbrush is pointing in the second photo?  Using your brush, apply the Mod Podge to that surface, curve the paper into a petal, and hold it for about 30 seconds (longer for thicker or textured paper) until it is dry.

Step 8:

Repeat steps 1-7 until you have 5-6 petals.  Then use a small amount of Mod Podge to glue all of the petals together into a flower – and voila!  You’re done!  A button or bead can add some pizzazz to the center of the flower. :)