Mickey Mouse sun catcher

For the kids' birthday party we did a Mickey and Minnie Mouse theme.  One of the activities I had for the children to do was to make a sun catcher.

At the beginning of the party I almost scrapped the idea after watching all of the bigger kids running around and playing.  I grabbed my friend's daughter and helped her make one and then all of the other kids became curious and wanted to make one too.

They were a hit.  All of the kids enjoyed making them and some even made a couple.  The parents were even impressed with the creativity of it.  

So, how do you make one of these?  

Materials needed: 

Contact paper

tissue paper

construction paper

scissors 

Step 1. Cut out a border

             I cut out a Mickey Mouse head using my cricut.  You can use any shape though.  If you do not have a cricut simply cut out a shape and then cut that shape a little smaller, to give you the outline.  This can be as thin or thick as you want.

Step 2.  Cut contact paper slightly wider than your border and double the length

Step 3.  Peel back one side of the contact paper

Step 4.  Carefully lay your border on to the contact paper

Step 5.  Stick the contact paper back to the backing.
              This is where I stopped.  I prepped all of the pieces before the party.

Step 6.   Peel the contact paper away from the backing half way.  Then add tissue paper.

               I had some tissue paper cut for the kids, but mostly let them rip their own.   It is important to be careful at this step.  You do not want too much tissue paper on it to the point that when you peel the other half of the contact paper on to seal it that it sticks to a layer of tissue paper and not to the side that had the border.  

Step 7.  Adhere the other half of the contact paper to the side with the border.  Press heavily along the border to ensure it is completely adhered together.  

Step 8.  Cut around the border and hang in the window

DIY Hair bow holder

My wonderful daughter is almost eight weeks old has accumulated a bunch of headbands and they are EVERY WHERE!  I have searched Pinterest and could not find any that I really liked.  Most of what I found used an oatmeal container or a picture frame.

I went through the materials I had on hand and looked at tons and tons of pictures to try to come up with an idea.  I ran to the store to get hooks and saw a fabric memory board to hang pictures on and thought it would look really nice on the wall.  I was going to buy it and just put the hooks in the bottom of it, but it was EXPENSIVE!  Way more than I wanted to pay and I knew I could craft something myself for much cheaper.  The hooks were the most expensive part of this project, but 36 came in the pack, so it was not too bad over all.  The cost varies on what size you make it and also what materials you have on hand.  Many of the materials needed can be found at A.C. Moore and if you use a coupon you can get it really cheap. 

 Materials Needed:
Canvas
Fabric to cover canvas
Ribbon
Buttons or beads (I used beads)
Scissors
Staple gun
Drill and drill bit (size varies on hooks)
Hooks
Needle and thread

 Step 1

 Cut fabric to the size of the canvas leaving room to wrap it around.  Using the staple gun, staple the fabric in place.  Be sure to pull the fabric tight so there are no wrinkles.

Step 2

Measure and cut strips of ribbon.  Measure and mark distance between each ribbon.  (I did this originally but the ribbon moved as I was trying to staple it.)
**Tip** Tape ribbon in place before stapling.

 Step 3
Sew on buttons where the ribbons cross.


Step 4

Measure and mark where the holes for the hooks should be drilled.  Drill holes and screw in the hooks.

Add bows and headbands and hang on the wall.  Step back and admire your creation.  ;)

(Note: This project would also be easier using a hot glue gun or another type of strong glue.)