Color Inspiration: Beautiful Blue

Ah, you’ve guessed, I’m feeling blue! I’m not down in the dumps, though. In fact, it’s quite the opposite! Spring is doing its thing and I’ve been busy making the most of the sunshine by working on our garden and home.

If you follow me elsewhere you’ll know that I’m usually more of a neutral interiors kinda gal, preferring white and grey in a typically French fashion. Well, that’s all about to change! Beautiful blue skies have me dreaming of the sea and summer holidays, so I’ve decided to add some variety with indigo, pretty cornflower, and inky midnight hues. Blue is fun, uplifting, reassuring and calming – no wonder it’s always popular in the kids’ design world. In light of my new mood, I’m pleased to share a few of my favorite recent finds!

Ocean Drop paper storage bags
$7.60 + from That Way, etsy

Let’s jump right in with some deep sea blues. I am a big fan of the fledgling Polish brand That Way. Their new collection of eco-friendly, reusable paper storage bags has me smiling from ear to ear. Hand-decorated (painted and screenprinted) with fresh, new designs called things like Splash, Sea Breeze, Shoal and Ocean Drop, these sturdy bags will add a modern touch of blue to any room.

Whale wood crib mobile
Approx. $56.42 from Miloshka, etsy

In keeping with our marine theme, Miloshka’s eye-catching whales would make an original addition to a nursery. Made from laser-cut Russian birch plywood, and silkscreened and assembled by hand, these funny fellows come ready to hang, swim, or bobble up and down.

Blue wooden truck
Approx. $22 from More & Co

What can be simpler and more beautiful than a little blue truck? Wooden toys like this never go out of style. They’re usually one of the first things a child plays with and are often kept out on display as they grow older. Made by German company Grimm’s, this adorable toy is built of pure wood, coated with natural oils, and stained with water-based color. You really can’t go wrong!

Wooden alphabet blocks
Approx. $37 from Lokal

I spotted this super set of wooden blocks a while ago and bookmarked them for a gift. Designed by Hannah Konola for Lokal, the 16-piece set is made from pine and comes in a canvas bag. I love the modern, graphic feel to these blocks and would be tempted to leave them out on display myself!

Houseboat cards 
Approx. $6.60 from Scout Editions

Ok, admittedly they’re not all blue, but I love the thread of water that flows right round these houseboat cards. I discovered these limited-edition designs on instagram and can easily imagine them framed in a modern, colorful child’s room. Check out their other prints and curios too!

Top image:
Peacocks and quail eggs via Studio Carta and Designskool.
Using quail eggs and Studio Carta’s tight weave ribbon in Peacock, this first joint creative project is simply stunning. I’m very much looking forward to their monthly collaborations from now on.

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Easy-Sew Chickadee Bonnet Basket

If you like hens and roosters and little baby chicks as much as I do, you’ll love this easy Easter project! All it takes is felt and fabric. It’s a cute, quick craft that doubles as a wonderful gift (and triples as an adorable tabletop Easter decoration!) Fill it with painted eggs or yummy candies, and once the holiday is over, reuse it as a place for keeping tools and crafts. Plus – who ever heard of a bunny hatching eggs?The Easter chicken is where it’s at :)  

What You Need

• Printable templates (download here)
• Thick Wool Felt (mine is in two colors)
• Orange felt
• Fabric scrap
• Ribbon
• Stuffing
• Marker for fabric /chalk
• Needle & pins
• Embroidery and sewing thread
• Scissors
• Sewing machine and iron (optional)

How-To

Step 1
Download the pattern. Scale to 200% and print. Cut out the template shapes and using a fabric marker, trace them onto your felt and cut them out.

Step 2
Take one wing and place it on one large body piece. Sew the curved part of the wing, leaving the top of the wing open. This will serve as a pocket. Repeat for the second body shape.

Step 3
Line the body shapes together so that the right sides are touching (it will look inside out to the eye) and sew the sides and all around the head, but leave the top and the bottom of the body open.

Step 4
After both pieces are sewn together, lay the body flat on the table and and fit the oval shape into the bottom opening. Pin to fix the oval in place, then start marking and pinning center marks to the body seams. Pin the rest and sew all around.

Step 5
Turn the body right side out and stuff the head with polyfill (this hen’s head will remain open inside the basket, so try not to overstuff it!)

Step 6
Stitch your hen’s beak using backstitches and matching sewing thread. With a contrasting thick thread, make either star or cross stitches to embroider the eyes. Secure the thread underneath the beak to keep it hidden.

Step 7
Time to give our hen a pretty little bonnet! Cut out two bonnet shapes from template and transfer onto your fabric of choice. Pin the right sides together (so that it’s inside out to the eye) and sew around the curve. Turn the bonnet right side out and iron to flatten seams.

Step 8
Fold the bonnet in a half, aligning both open sides, and stitch together. Turn the bonnet right side out and iron the seam to keep it flat.

Step 9
With the bonnet still right side out, pin a ribbon (about 17 inches long) to the bottom edge. Place the bonnet on the chicken’s head to adjust ribbon to the right length and stitch along the bottom.

Step 10
That’s it, folks! Now fill your new feathery friend with candy and gifts (and don’t forget to hide some surprises in its wing pockets!) Keep her out long after the holiday has passed to store crafty treasures and sewing supplies.

Happy sewing and happy Easter :) 

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Make Your Own Milk Carton Birdhouse Village

“What do I do with all the empty milk cartons and juice boxes piling up in the recycling bin? There’s got to be something crafty I can make before sending them away never to be seen again!” Sound familiar? Here’s your answer: Make a birdhouse! And funny little birdies to go in it. Watching baby birds flutter around my yard and perch on the windowsill is one of my favorite springtime activities. This is the perfect way to bring some of that magic indoors.

What You Need

(Makes 4 birdies and 3 birdhouses)

 For the birdhouses

• 3 empty milk cartons (juice or creamer cartons will work, as well)
• 5 chopsticks
• Acrylic paint (white, orange, blue and brown)
• Painters tape
• Craft knife or small kitchen knife
• Reamer
• Scissors
• Permanent marker or paint pen (black and/or white)
• Pencil
• Paint brushes
• Bottle caps (palette)

For the birds

• 4 small plastic eggs
• Feathers
• Pipe cleaners (1 red, 2 orange)
• 4 clothespins (small)
• Reamer
• Scissors
• Black permanent marker

Know that there are a lot of small pieces to this project and that craft knives/reamers should always be used with supervision. 

How-To

For the birdhouses

Step 1
Cover your cartons evenly with white paint. Let dry and repeat 3-4 times or however many coats it takes until the surface is completely opaque. If it’s a sunny day, paint outside to speed up the process. (Tip: rub the boxes with sandpaper first so that the color will hold better.)

Step 2
Wrap one piece of tape around the top fourth of your carton (about 3/4 the way up), sectioning off the roof from the rest of the house. Paint these top sections with your orange, blue, and brown paints. Let dry. Remove the tape, slowly and carefully.

Step 3
With a pencil, trace your bottle cap where you want the opening of your house to be. Also make marks for the chopstick perches. Use your craft knife to cut out the circles with small stitches. Make holes with the reamer to fit the chopsticks. Slide the chopsticks completely through the packaging to create your perch (you may need to use scissors to shorten the sticks.) Draw on roof tiles with black or white marker.

Your houses are ready for birds to move in!

For the birds

1. Use your reamer to make four holes in the plastic egg: two for the beak (one right above the hinges and one right below the hinges – so that your birdie’s mouth can open and close); another hole on the very bottom for the legs; and the last hole at the back for the tail. Repeat for each egg.

2. Cut the red pipe cleaner into fourths and fold each of these pieces in half (these will become the beaks for your four birds). Stick one free end into the hole above the hinges and the other end into the hole below the hinges. Voila! Your bird has a beak. Repeat for each bird.

3. Cut the orange pipe cleaners in half, then fold each piece in half again. Stick the center fold of one pipe cleaner into the bottom hole of one egg. These are your bird’s feet. Repeat for all birds.

4. Open up the egg and lay a long feather across the opening so that an equal amount of feather is sticking out on either side. These will be your bird’s wings. Add a smaller feather for the tail and close the eggs so that all feathers stay in place.

5. Wrap the free ends of the pipe cleaner legs around one side of a mini clothespin and twist to secure. The bird will now be able to sit pretty up on its perch!

Time for your birds to decide on a home! I cut a door on the side of each house so that the birds can get a better look inside when house-hunting (and so that you’ll have a place to store your feathery friends when not using.)

Happy playing :)

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Traditional French April Fool’s Fish Game

I’m sure most, if not all of you are familiar with April Fool’s Day and all its associated shenanigans. But I’ve got one that I bet you don’t know about! “Poisson d’avril” is the French word for a joke made on April 1st. On this day in France, children try to stick paper fish on their friends’ backs. When the joke is discovered, they shout “poisson d’avril!” Pretty cute, huh?! I’m French, but I wanted to share this tradition of ours with everyone everywhere through this fun April Fool’s fish craft.

What You Need

• Construction paper (the more colors the better!)
• Goggly eyes
• Color coding label stickers
• Scissors
• Masking or any variety of thin tape

How-To

Step 1
Grab your construction paper and cut out as many fish shapes as your heart desires.

Step 2
Cut your color coding labels in half and dive into decorating! Make sure to add the googly eye (so that your fish can see anyone sneaking up.)

Step 3
Add a strip of masking tape to your fish’s nose. Just like that, you have the perfect “Poisson d’avril” prank! 

You’re now ready to celebrate April Fool’s Day in true french fashion.

But watch your back – someone may be sneaking up on you!

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Recreate Your Family as Custom Wooden Eggs

Looking for something unique to fill your family’s Easter baskets? Great news – the hunt is over! Personalize this year’s Easter morning madness with cute customized wooden eggs, painted to look just like each member of your roost! Peggheads are perfect for year-round play and decoration, and will continue to spark imaginations big and small long after the holiday has passed. Recreating your family into handheld art is the new and improved family portrait!

What You Need

• Wooden eggs (pictured here are 2 3/8″ eggs, available at most craft stores)
• Pencil
• Paint brushes
• Non-toxic acrylic paint
• A polyurethane sealant (your choice of finish – matte, satin, or gloss)
• Favorite photo of your family

How-To

Step 1
Choose a photo where the family is wearing bright, colorful garb. The more colorful the clothing, the more fun you’ll have transforming your family into Peggheads!

Step 2
Begin by lightly sketching an outline onto the bare wooden egg. We suggest starting with the face and moving outward to clothing and hat/hair details. This will be covered by paint, so it can be a pretty rough sketch. We prefer to leave faces blank to allow for completely pretend play, but feel free to add any expressions you like!

Step 3
Grab your brush and paint and start filling in the spaces. You’ll likely need a thin brush for the details, but a little paint goes a long way on such a small surface. Don’t be afraid to mix colors to match the family photo!

Step 4
Once finished and dried, it is your choice whether to leave the pencil marks for a more detailed look or to erase them. Coat your eggs in 2-3 layers of the sealant, allowing each layer to dry in between. Give them an hour or so to dry then play away! And these are not just for kids! You may just find your imagination is still young at heart :)

You can also get made-to-order customized family pegs from Sweet Whimsy Designs. Place all orders by March 27 to receive them in time for Easter!

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Welcome Spring with Birdie Balloon Garland

The sound of chirping birds is one of the first signs I look forward to every Spring. With just a few party balloons, you can make your own darling string of Spring Chick Balloon Garland. These little guys are my family’s go-to Easter decorations and never fail to make me want to throw a spring baby shower or a little one’s birthday party! I love being able to take everyday balloons from the local grocery store and transform them into rows and rows of sweet little feathery friends.

What You Need

• Scissors
• Double-sided tape
• Oval balloons (I used yellow – but play around if you want more colorful birdies)
• 2 feathers per chick
• Orange crepe paper
• Black permanent marker
• Ribbon or string

How-To

Step 1
Inflate balloon to approximately 75%. Make sure the balloon is not too full with air or else it will pop when twisting it into sections. Flip the balloon upside down so that the knotted lip is facing upwards. Then rotate the top third of the balloon several times to create the chick’s head. (You may want to wrap a thin ribbon or string around the twist to make sure it stays in place.)

Step 2
Tear small pieces of double-sided tape and place them on either side of your chick. Stick one feather to each side to make your chick’s wings.

Step 3
Cut a tiny piece of crepe paper and twist it into a cone to make the beak. Place a small piece of double-sided tape in the center of the chick’s head and attach the beak. Draw on eyes with a black marker.

Step 4
Tie small pieces of ribbon or string to the top of the balloon to make garland decorations. If you’re making a banner out of your birdie balloons, tie these smaller pieces to a longer ribbon/string. Use them to decorate your deck, hang from branches in your garden, dangle on doorknobs, or string across the mantle.

Happy Spring!

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Use Old Sweaters to Make Upcycled Kitten Mittens

Yes yes, I know it’s the first day of Spring, but there is still snow on the ground in many parts of the country, so I thought I’d offer up a project to keep everyone warm until winter finishes melting. How about upcycling an old sweater into cute fingerless kitten mittens? Not only do they look super cool, but they’re also a great way to keep your hands toasty while still being able to use your fingers. It’s much easier than you think! You’ll whip these up no time at all and wear them every last day of this chilly weather.

Use any kind of sweater – wool sweaters are perfect because the edges won’t fray as easily, and you can wash and dry them. I used an acrylic knitted sweater. The edges frayed just a little, but I’ll admit, I love that look! Make all different sizes for friends, family, kids, and of course, yourself.

What You Need

• Mitten embroidery template
• Old sweater
• Wool thread
• Marker
• Scissors
• Pins
• Needle and coordinating thread
• Sewing machine (optional)

How-To

Step 1
Turn your sweater inside out and lay one sleeve flat on the table. I made a pattern with the embroidery design. Download it here or make your own by tracing one of your hands onto a piece of paper (or onto the sleeve itself), holding your fingers together and your thumb out to the side.

The sleeve seam must be on the thumb-side when you trace/transfer the pattern onto the sweater. Line up bottom edge of the sleeve with the bottom edge of your mitten pattern.
 Trace around your hand, adding a half-inch for seams.

Step 2
Cut off the bottom of the sleeve following the lines of the pattern. Then sew up the thumb-side to fit your hand, and sew a triangular seam between the thumb and the first finger. Trim.

Step 3
Turn your mittens right side out. Let the edges fray as I did, or finish off the borders with a seam or blanket stitches. It’s totally up to you! Trace the embroidery design following the pattern (notice that the face isn’t centered). You can transfer the design using tissue paper (click the link and see step 5).

Decorate the front of the mittens with an embroidered smiling kitten face. Start stitching the eyes using fly stitches and three long straight stitches.

Step 4
Now use two tiny horizontal straight stitches for the snout and three straight stitches for whiskers. Make the smiling mouth using another fly stitch. Finish the embroidery with some stitches on the inside of the mitten.

Step 5
Stitch a decorative border around the top of the cuff. Work a row of separated diagonal straight stitches from right to left to make a zigzag pattern. Continue stitching on the backside of the mitten.

Work a second row of the same stitches (except this time the ends of the stitches will meet) to create a continuous zigzag line.
Continue the border making upright cross stitches on the top and bottom of each zigzag.

Step 6
That’s it! Now slip on your new embroidered mittens and show them off around town.

Warm wishes and a happy Spring :)

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