6 Butterfly Projects to Make Your Imagination Flutter

I’ve been waiting all spring for wonderful winged things to start appearing outside our kitchen window – and I think it’s finally time! We spotted our first little white moth a couple of days ago, and I can’t wait to see what we’ll spy next! In fact, I just ordered some milkweed seeds so we can grow food for monarchs this year (get them for free here). If you or your little one have never seen a monarch, it’s definitely worth it! Those guys are the kings of the butterfly world.

Butterflies are visually stunning and there are so many ways you can add them to summer crafts. I’ve gathered up a collection of some of my favorite options to get you started. Whether it’s masks for the kids, a birthday gift for mom, or just a personal project on a quiet afternoon, time flies when you’re having fun making butterfly crafts :)

Butterfly Feeder
see tutorial at Growfglins

I would love to add one of these to our garden this year. It’s such an easy way to attract butterflies to the yard (all you have to do is fill it with sugar water!) and kids will be mesmerized watching them drink from your creation.

Butterfly Masks
see tutorial at Hattifant

Let’s see – kids love to color (at least every kid I know), and they also love to play pretend. So this quick printable looks like the perfect afternoon activity! It provides an afternoon of arts and crafts, and when they’re all done, they’ll have a dress up prop to use for future adventures!

Butterfly Tea Bag Tag
see tutorial at Craftberry Bush

I love the tradition of tea time. This whimsical tea bag tag is a super quick way to personalize a sweet gift for ladies and little girls, alike. Place it atop a teacup painted by the kiddos and your job is done.

Butterfly Canvas
see tutorial at Meg Duerksen

What a beautiful way to recycle extra paintings and all those little experiments the kids make. (We always have some things that – shhhhh – end up in recycling). However, every piece of art from your little one feels kind of special, so this colorful canvas lets you take those projects and turn them into something big and beautiful.

Paper Butterflies
see tutorial at DIY Green

Reuse magazine images, and even newspaper pieces, with a quick butterfly garden like this one. I know my girl would love to help with all of those accordion folds – and how cool would this look hanging in a window? A cool twist on the classic collage and a great project for the older kids!

Pictured at top: Butterfly Bell Jar, see the tutorial at Ruby Ju.

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Learn How To Line a Drawer Like a Pro

The party never stops at Handmade Charlotte! Especially when you’re joined by super talented party people like Barb Blair. Furniture designer, author, shop owner, and partner in crafty crime – I know I can always count on her for a good DIY time! With appearances from a few other friends throughout the day, what started as a single project turned into the craft party of the century (scroll down to see a snapshot of the entire gang!).

As you may recall, we recently spent an afternoon refinishing an absolutely stunning vintage dresser with Waverly’s new line of Inspirations Chalk Paint. Inspired by clear skies and summertime, we painted it a lovely shade of Agave blue. Once the outside of our dresser was complete, we were having too much fun to call it a day. We decided to keep the fun times going by making a beautiful fabric drawer liner, so that the inside of our piece packed just as much punch as the outside.

Lined drawers are an unexpected touch that can really liven up an entire piece from the inside out – and who doesn’t love a good surprise?! We chose this botanical fabric from Waverly’s new line available at Walmart (we thought the whimsy of it really made our dresser sing!), but Waverly has so many eye-catching patterns, you’ll have absolutely no problem finding one to perfectly fit your DIY needs. Pick our your personal favorite patterns at your local Walmart!

What You Need

• Waverly Fabric
• Craft Knife
• Mod Podge
• Waverly Inspirations Chalk Brush
• Squeegee
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Paint tray or dish

How-To

Step 1
Spread the Waverly fabric out over the top of the drawer in order to measure the length and width you will need to line the inside of the drawer.

Step 2
Using scissors, cut the fabric to size using the drawer as your guide. It is ok to leave excess fabric since you will be cutting and trimming, but just make sure the excess isn’t too much for you to manage.

Step 3
When the fabric is cut to size, apply Mod Podge to the surface of the drawer with a Waverly Paint brush. Apply liberally so that the fabric has plenty to stick to! Place the fabric inside the drawer and gently smooth it into place with your hands. Work from one side to the next to ensure that there are no wrinkles or bubbles.

Step 4
Once you have placed the fabric in the drawer and smoothed it with your hands, use a plastic squeegee to go over the entire surface for extra smoothing. Be sure to use the squeegee to push the fabric into the sides and corners of the piece.

Step 5
When the fabric is completely smoothed out and securely in place, apply a second coat of Mod Podge over the top of the fabric with a Waverly paint brush. You may use a squeegee after this as well if you would like to really smooth out the Mod Podge and make sure it gets in all of the cracks and crevices.

Step 6
When the Mod Podge is completely dry (a few hours) use a craft knife and a ruler to trim the excess fabric from the inside of the drawer. Push the ruler up as tight as it will go next to the drawer side that you are trimming, and slide your craft knife gently between the ruler and the side for a flawless cut. Be sure to freshen your blade after every cut in order to keep your cutting lines nice and clean.

Step 7
Place the finished drawer back inside the piece and fill it with treasures!

Paint + parties + pals = the perfect day :)

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DIY Coloring Placemats For The Food Loving Little

How many times have we heard (or said), don’t play with your food! Well, I don’t want to totally turn things upside down, but here’s a little secret: you can play with your food. Or at least with your placemat! Coloring Placemat Printables are every manner-minding mother’s dream – and a food-loving little’s best friend.

The beauty of printables is that you make as many as you want, right at your fingertips. You also can laminate them (I did!) to save paper and to enjoy them over and over again. Here are a couple of ideas of how to use them: as an everyday placemat, as a way to keep kiddos busy until the food arrives when eating out at a restaurant (these guys are super easy to tote in a purse/bag), or just as a coloring sheet to learn more about all the different foods!

Eggs, bread, fruits, fish, and more! These placemats pretty much cover the gastromical gamut when it comes to food groups. One of the biggest hurdles when it comes to raising kids is teaching them the importance of variety in their diet – and then on top of that, actually getting them to eat all those various foods! Paper placemats will not only introduce them to a well-rounded mix of yummies – but using crayons, colored pencils, or markers to color the different items will make the experience fun for the entire family!

Of course, I had to throw in a few sweet treats with the healthy stuff – because life is all about balance, right?!

Download your Printable Placemat here.

Bon Appétit!

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6 Cute Kid-Friendly Cactus Crafts That Won’t Hurt

The humble cactus is having quite moment these days. They’re popping up everywhere. At first I was a little meh about the whole phenomenon, but I can now see where it fits in along all of the southwestern-y geometric designs we’ve been seeing. A cactus is kind of the pug dog of the plant world: cute, adorable, and nothing like all the others.

Now, supposedly a cactus is easy to care for, but my black thumb would beg to differ. So you know, paper, cloth, and cupcake cacti may be the safer, more humane way to go! Try one of these adorable crafts for yourself – they are all such lovely, low-hassle ways to bring a little bit of the outside world into your home.

Cactus Pillow
see tutorial at Everything Emily

Because clearly square pillows are so boring, right? Seriously though, this guy would bring some much-needed whimsy to any living room. Or maybe to a porch! Who knew cacti could be so cute and cuddly?!

Painted Rock Cactus
see tutorial at Craftberry Bush

I’m always looking or ways to reuse the hundreds of rocks my girl brings home from her latest adventures. This project would be loads of fun, and could even hold their own sitting right next to some of our real plants – (the ones I haven’t killed yet!).

Knit Cactus Pin Cushions
see tutorial via The Knitter

I absolutely love knitting, but committing to big projects is often just too much when juggling kids and work and life. These little wonders can be whipped up super quickly, and will add some welcome softness to the typical prickly stereotype.

Houseplant Cupcakes
see tutorial via Alana Jones-Mann

I just can’t get over how real these cupcakes look! Once you see the tutorial, the mystery is solved – and guess what, it’s pretty easy!

Felt Cactus
see tutorial via Happy DIY

These little guys are so dang cute. I love the sign they added at the top – it just adds to the faux charm. This could be a fun project for bigger kids who like to sew, or even for younger ones who are just now entering the world of needle and thread.

Pictured at top: Paper Plants, see the tutorial via The House That Lars Built

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6 Cute Kid-Friendly Cactus Crafts That Won’t Hurt

The humble cactus is having quite moment these days. They’re popping up everywhere. At first I was a little meh about the whole phenomenon, but I can now see where it fits in along all of the southwestern-y geometric designs we’ve been seeing. A cactus is kind of the pug dog of the plant world: cute, adorable, and nothing like all the others.

Now, supposedly a cactus is easy to care for, but my black thumb would beg to differ. So you know, paper, cloth, and cupcake cacti may be the safer, more humane way to go! Try one of these adorable crafts for yourself – they are all such lovely, low-hassle ways to bring a little bit of the outside world into your home.

Cactus Pillow
see tutorial at Everything Emily

Because clearly square pillows are so boring, right? Seriously though, this guy would bring some much-needed whimsy to any living room. Or maybe to a porch! Who knew cacti could be so cute and cuddly?!

Painted Rock Cactus
see tutorial at Craftberry Bush

I’m always looking or ways to reuse the hundreds of rocks my girl brings home from her latest adventures. This project would be loads of fun, and could even hold their own sitting right next to some of our real plants – (the ones I haven’t killed yet!).

Knit Cactus Pin Cushions
see tutorial via The Knitter

I absolutely love knitting, but committing to big projects is often just too much when juggling kids and work and life. These little wonders can be whipped up super quickly, and will add some welcome softness to the typical prickly stereotype.

Houseplant Cupcakes
see tutorial via Alana Jones-Mann

I just can’t get over how real these cupcakes look! Once you see the tutorial, the mystery is solved – and guess what, it’s pretty easy!

Felt Cactus
see tutorial via Happy DIY

These little guys are so dang cute. I love the sign they added at the top – it just adds to the faux charm. This could be a fun project for bigger kids who like to sew, or even for younger ones who are just now entering the world of needle and thread.

Pictured at top: Paper Plants, see the tutorial via The House That Lars Built

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Win a Beautiful Quilt from Hanna Home

I love quilts for so many different reasons. Firstly, anything cozy gets quick points in my book. There’s also so much variety and personality you can see from one quilt to another. Lately, I’ve been obsessing over the quilts at Hanna Home. What’s not to love about something that’s beautiful, baby-proof, and made from super soft cotton? Plus, choosing is a lot easier when all the quilts are fully reversible. I wanted to share my list of favorite Hanna Home quilts and even give one away to a lucky winner! I would love to add an extra piece to my little maniac’s room and thought you might like to as well.

Just hop over to Hanna Home, do a little looking, then comment on this post with your favorite pick and you’re automatically entered!

Heart Aflutter Quilt 
For me, this adorable appliqued quilt takes the cake! The way that some of the hearts flutter is just lovely. Little details like that always make my heart flutter!

Rugby Stripe Quilt
Talk about a double hitter! Both the graphic and the striped sides of this quilt would look fantastic in my little guy’s room. Plus, there’s nothing not to love about a quilt that’s tough enough to withstand some active littles!

Port Town Quilt
This one covers all the best blanket bases: one side bursting with bright, bold colors and the other featuring a sleek, minimal design. If you look closely, there’s even a special surprise detail: the quilt stitches make little cloud shapes! Take me to Port Town, please!

Cloudy Day Quilt
The magic’s in the details on this sweet and simple starry quilt! Appliques, hand stitching, and embroidery all combine to make it a true work of art, while the combed cotton gives all those details a smooth, soft finish. The lighter, spring weight makes it perfect for all the rainy days that have kept us inside lately.

Maude Quilt 
Anyone who knows me knows that I love Swedish designs, like the print on this gorgeous European-inspired quilt. This particular piece is made of organic cotton: extra soft and cuddly. And it’s been tested for over 100 harmful substances, meaning it’s perfectly safe for baby.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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DIY Shaggy Dog Is The Easiest Pet Ever

Not a week goes by without my 8-year-old daughter bringing up the “can I PLEASE have a dog” conversation. She would be a wonderful dog-mother and would absolutely love to have a little guy to love on and take care of, but sadly our work/life balance just won’t allow for it right now. In the meantime, we’ll just have to make our own four-legged friend! Allow me to introduce the newest member of our family – DIY Pom Pom Puppy!

The best part about Pom Pom Pup is that you can dress him (or her) up however you please! We of course put ours in a cape, because everything is better in a cape, but you can really add anything to your little guy – buttons charms, ribbon leashes, even little handmade outfits! It requires very few materials and takes no time at all – Pom Pom Puppy is the easiest pet ever!

What You Need

• Soft fluffy wool yarn
• Pom pom makers (cardboard circles or store bought)
• Various sized store-bought pom poms (small/medium, available at craft stores)
• Felt (for ears and accessories)
• Scissors
• Quick-drying fabric glue

Step 1
First, make 2 large and 1 smaller pom pom using your yarn and pom pom makers. The two large pom poms will will be the “head” and “body” pieces, and the smaller one will eventually be the “snout.”

Step 2
Select one of these and wrap a long piece of yarn around a generous portion of the pom pom to tie it off (this tied-off tuft will eventually be the face).

Step 3
Hold the pom pom by the tuft you’ve just created and trim around the back of the pom pom to clean up the wool ends. Think of it as giving the puppy a haircut! But make sure to leave the wool long and fluffy around the tuft in your hand – or what will become the puppy’s “face.”

Step 4
Trim the two other pom poms into nice, neat spheres. Leave the string on the “body” pom pom long (white in image above), as you will need this to tie the head and body pom poms together later on.

Step 5
Time to assemble! Start with the “head” pom pom (the one from Step #2). Remove the yarn you used to create the face (mine was pink) and spread out the long hairs of the tuft to create a deep hole in the middle. Squeeze some fabric glue into the very center of the tuft, then take your smaller pom pom and press and hold it into place. This will be your snout.

Step 6
Next, glue on the mini store-bought pom poms (mine were black) for the eyes and nose. To do this, you will again separate a desired section of the pom pom, squeeze in a drop of glue, and hold the pom poms in place until the glue takes hold.

Step 7
Tie the “head” and “body” pom poms together. You can also use glue to make sure they stay in place.

Step 8
Ok, now your puppy needs some floppy ears! Grab your felt and cut out two ear-shaped pieces. Again, separate the yarn on the pom pom, squeeze in the glue, and hold the ears to set in place.

You can even add a little strip of felt and a button for a collar – or a cape for exciting Super Pup adventures! After all, even puppies like to dress up.

Woof woof! Congrats – your shaggy pup is ready for cuddling :)

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