Silver Lining: a little naptime crafting

April 28, 2015

a little naptime crafting

You know that phrase, "So easy a kid could do it!" or "So easy a dog could do it!" or "So easy a blindfolded 104-year-old could do it!"? Well, I'm convinced the real phrase should be, "So easy it was on Silver Lining!" Haha. Some DIY bloggers post the crazy, tricky, $110 in supplies alone, fancy schmancy crafts. I like to focus on super easy (but still cute and useful) DIYs that don't require a trip to a craft store, a trip to a hardware store, and someone with a background in carpentry to complete. I'm all for a project I can start and finish during afternoon nap time. Also, I get intimidated whenever I hear fancy words like glass bit or reupholster.

Here are two easy and cute decorations I've made lately.


First up: DIY Instagram fridge magnets! I made some magnets a few years ago (post here), but without any pictures of Claire and only a few pictures of Jason, I was in need of an update. This time around I cut my costs almost in half, and my start to finish time was dramatically shorter. So without further ado, here's how!

DIY Instagram Fridge Magnets

Materials:
  • Printed 3x3 or 4x4 square pictures (You used to have to go to a specialty print store for square photos, but now you can order them almost anywhere! Walmart was the cheapest place I found, but I heard from a friend that the quality wasn't great, so I got mine at Walgreens.)
  • Laminator and lamination sheets
  • Scissors
  • Magnets with a stick-and-peel side (I got mine at Hobby Lobby)
Procedures:
  1. Reinforce your prints. I tried a few different methods to see which was the best for my Instagram pictures. The picture alone was too floppy and started curling at the edges. I also tried mod podge on one of them, and it turned out fine, but the gloss taints the quality of the photo a little bit (also, mod podge is the most time-consuming method). Next, I tried laminating them. This was the winner because it was super easy, super fast, and it preserves the glossy shine of the photos without adding a lot of weight to them, so I could still use my small magnets.
  2. Cut out the lamination around the photos.
  3. Peel and stuck a magnet to the back of each photo. Press and hold for 5 seconds each.
  4. Done! Stick 'em on the fridge and let the compliments pour in!
Seriously, we love these. Sam and Jason are always stopping at the fridge to admire a picture and reminisce about the memories behind it. The fridge kind of turned into a shrine to our baby.... but honestly, we're okay with it!


DIY Herringbone Paint Chip Art

There's been a blank 12 X 12 frame hanging in our second bathroom for about two years now - oops! One day I decided to finally do something about it. And of course my mind jumped to paint chips (Remember how much I love paint chips? Nursery mobile here, and paint chip calendar here.). 

Materials:
  • various colored paint chips
  • frame of any size
  • blank paper to use as a backing (you can use the paper that comes in the frame if it's not too flimsy)
  • ruler or something to measure with
  • scissors
  • glue (I used Elmer's)
Procedures:
  1. Cut out a rectangle from each of your paint chips. I couldn't find my ruler, so I actually used two Tylenol PMs in their break-away capsule holders as a template for my rectangle. The rectangles were about 3/4" by 1 1/2", but you can make yours any size you want. Obviously bigger rectangles mean a more bold, chunky look, and smaller rectangles mean a more detailed look and a little more work.
  2. Start gluing your paint chips to the blank paper! To be honest, I'm a little design-challenged, so I googled "herringbone pattern" at first to help me figure out the configuration. Lay down a few without glue to be sure you have it right before you commit! 
  3. Make sure your pattern goes all the way to the edges of the paper (I had paint chips hanging off all sides at the end). Technically you're supposed to let it dry overnight, but mine was fine right away.
  4. Cut off excess paint chips hanging over the side. Put your artwork in its frame and enjoy!
The colors in these pictures turned out a little weird (that gross brown color you see is actually a gorgeous olive green!), but I really like the way it looks in our bathroom. I placed my paint chips randomly, but it would also be fun to do an ombre pattern.


And there you have it! Another few days of naptime crafting success

What have you made recently with paint chips?
I'm admitting that I have a slight addiction and need more ideas...

17 comments:

  1. I didn't even seen you making this. You are so.....
    *puts on sunglasses*
    ....crafty.

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  2. I love this idea. Thanks for sharing your awesome craft!

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  3. Love this idea. I'm going to try it. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. You're welcome! Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. You're welcome! Let me know how it goes!

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  6. I love the instagram magnet idea! Super simple and cute :)

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  7. I love the fridge magnets, and how you've made them into squares arranged in a pattern too!

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  8. I so love DIY! Thanks for sharing these crafty ideas!

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  9. How fun! I've been wanting to add some decor to our home and this is perfect!

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  10. So cute what a great idea!! We need more of tangible photos these days, in this digital world. I am sharing this on one of my pages! Www.Facebook.com/diycreativitygathering

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  11. Thanks! I'm kind of weird about patterns. I've arranged the magnets in three different ways in the past three days hahaha. Whatever works, right? :)

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  12. No problem! Thanks so much for commenting!

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  13. Thanks! It's the cheapest way to redecorate! :)

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  14. Thanks so much for sharing in on your FB page!

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