tiny lego gift

 when Ji's friend was visiting, he was admiring Ji's hanging legos, so i sent him a little gift :)

 

 

just:

 drill a hole in the center of the lego using a tiny drill bit,

string it and tie a knot at the end,

hang - individually or tie 2 onto a wooden dowel to make a mobile

 

just one piece of lego and some string

.....and it makes a lego kid so happy! :)

lego travel box

we had already been using these boxes for legos while traveling or keeping Ji busy at restaurants (or other places that involved waiting), but usually the lego creations were all over the place, so i came up with this lego board insert to help contain the legos in or near the container :) and for more fun!

the board was originally intended to attach 3d creations, but as soon as i had it flipped open, i realized it would be great for 2d also - letters/shapes, pictures, designs, games, etc!

 

what you need:

- these IKEA boxes

- lego board

- xacto or utility knife

- cutting mat of some sort

- metal ruler/cutting edge

 

 

tips:

- before you start cutting, make a layout so you can make the maximum amount lego board inserts!

- it's best to cut the bottom side....it's easier to cut through holes than over bumps ;)

- the more precise you cut the boards the better the fit! ...it's up to you if you want to glue the board onto the lid or not...if the kids get used to holding the board while taking the legos off, you don't need the glue - this way you can have it as a detachable board as well, but for smaller children it might be better to glue it on...

- the board is hard, so be really carefull while cutting! 

- after cutting the length and witdth, don't forget to cut the corners

- after finished, try it out yourself!.....i did ;)

 

 

fabric stamp designed by Ji

no, i'm not still on "vacation". we have been home for almost month already and i haven't posted because i have been busy with mainly...uh hum...spring cleaning (especially organizing winter and outgrown boys' clothing into boxes and then up into our attic).

we did this with Ji about a year ago and i use the bag for grocery shopping every week ;)!  

the idea came from this wonderful book: Printing by Hand by Lena Corwin.

you need:

- have your child draw a design,

- pen and paper,

- craft foam paper,

- piece of cardboard,

- piece of fabric,

- fabric paint

- roller or a sponge 

directions:                                                  

1. trace drawing onto craft foam paper    

- first trace the original drawing onto another

piece of paper, then trace onto the foam paper

making sure it indents through onto the foam, 

btw - the paper will tear...                                 

2. cut out and glue onto cardboard               

3. using roller or sponge apply fabric paint to the stamp

4. have your child do the printing (we used this IKEA fabric)

5. and you do the sewing ;)

p.s.  it's supposed to be a flower :)

at first he drew one stem, then he looked at it, drew another,

looked at it again and said "and now i need to connect it here..."

it was so cute to watch him draw it:)

it reminds me of a little cloud with a ladder.

christmas tree stirring whisk

this czech tradition is a wonderful way to upcycle your christmas tree - make some stirring whisks!!!...lovely and USEFUL christmas memorabelia, that you can use all year round! great for mixing thin or medium thin batters and sauces.

eventhough my grandfather was never much of a crafty person, he was very much a traditional person and this is one czech tradition he followed :) he made these over 30 years ago...and i stir crepe batter with them almost every morning :) but i wish he had carved the dates on the handles....

steps:
CUT,
PEEL,
SHORTEN,
let DRY

- i've never made one before, this year will be my first and we usually "put away" our tree late january (...i love having our christmas tree as long as possible!!!), so here are some straight forward photo directions i found, and when i make mine, i'll let you know how it turned out ;)
- if your tree will be dry like ours when you do it - my dad said he thinks my grandfather soaked it in hot water before carving off the bark.
p.s. to use - clasp hands flatly with the handle in the palms of your hands and roll your hands alternately forward and backward to make the whisk twirl!