What Do I Do With All Of This?

If your refrigerator is anything like mine, it's covered in your kids artwork. I think it's there mostly because I don't know what else to do with it. My little girl is definitely artistic and constantly wants to paint, color, draw. Then, every week, she comes home from Sunday School with another piece of artwork or two. I feel guilty tossing it but, really, I'm running out of room! So, what to do with it?

• Frame it. Places like Wal-mart and IKEA have so many cheap options, it's hard to go wrong. And, it's not like once it's in a frame its there forever. Swap the art every few months or so. 
• Make it into a book. Now, since I can't frame every piece of paper my kids draw on, another option is to get a photo album and store them that way. It'll keep the papers from getting thrown away or destroyed and could make a wonderful present to a grandparent. 
• Check out this from IKEA:  

Picture Source

 It is a curtain rod with clips set. For only $5.99!! How awesome is that? You could also use a                                   clothes line and pins. 

• Take photos of the artwork and put them all on a CD or USB. That way you can have them stored away easily with waaaaaayy less clutter and it will be so easy to share with relatives that maybe don't live nearby or just don't see too often. Just try not to upload every picture onto Facebook. 
• Have your child decide what will be kept and what needs to be tossed. I do the same thing when my kids' toys seem to be running the house. I ask my daughter what she is not willing to part with and what can be donated (in the case of artwork, recycled if it can be). That way there is less guilt about getting rid of that masterpiece. 

Let me know if you have any other great ideas for dealing with the artwork clutter!

~Rachel

Gift Wrapping Ideas

With only 4 days until Christmas, it's about time to get those presents wrapped. Instead of using the traditional store bought wrapping paper this year, I thought I'd get a little crafty. Since I do have two little ones, I wanted to make some memories along the way. I involved them by letting them decorate brown postal packaging paper. We used sponge stamps with acrylic craft paint and rubber stamps and ink pads. Besides a minor melt down from the two year old, the kids has so much fun painting and stamping.

Kids Creating

I also made some fun gift tags to match. I used the kraft paper along with a stamp that says, "Enjoy Today" which I thought was perfect for Christmas. I punched a hole in the corner for some ribbon, and tied it to a candy cane. What fun! 

Candy Cane Gift Tag

Finished Present

What's great about the kraft paper is that it can be personalized. Add names, so you don't need gift tags, add stickers and stamps, the sky's the limit! It adds so much extra thought and sentiment to the gift. People will appreciate that you took the extra time to make the wrapping. Also, this paper can be recycled unlike traditional wrapping paper. 

Another option for super quick wrapping is buying decorative boxes. Obviously, right now you can find Christmas themed boxes but another great option is buying one that isn't just for Christmas. 

A Gift Box used all year

I used this option for my mom. I have two teenage brothers that are still at home so my mom lives in a house of men. I wanted to get her something feminine that she could sit out as decoration and also be functional. I packed it full of girly things :) Nail polish, mud masks, makeup, body lotion and wash. All the things a woman needs, especially one that is in a houseful of men. 

To make the box more festive, I picked up a holiday floral stem from Michael's and tied it up with another handmade gift tag. I think these would be great wrapped up on any present. It gives it a fun touch. 

Easy DIY Gift Tags

One last option, is to make your own gift boxes. I got a template for a DIY Chinese take-out box here. There are complete instructions on the site but basically, you print and cut out the template (you might want to re-size it to fit your needs), use the template to cut out the paper or cardstock you are crafting it from, then fold. I just made mine pretty small and I think they would be great for party favors! Pour some M&M's or Kisses in there and ta-da! You could even attach them to presents as a little bonus. 

DIY Chinese Take-Out Box
I think when I do more I will make 'em fancier. Bows and such. But, you get the idea. 

Happy wrapping to all and to all a good night!

~Rachel