giddygiddy

DIY: Twirly Toy

I have a new DIY and this one can be set in motion. Its a paper/wire toy that is simple to make and might even impress your kiddos. Mine were plenty amazed, making me the coolest mom for about 45 minutes. (These phases don't last too long.)

A 18 second video clip is below.  Give it a Twirl:

 

TWIRLY TOY DIY:

The materials you need are:
*wire (18 gauge is best but 19 gauge is easier for kids to work with because it is easier to bend)
*pencil
*wire cutter/plyers
*cork
*paper
(nail and hammer)

Step 1
Wrap wire around a pencil. Two inches around the pencil is sufficient.

Step 2
After you remove the spiral wire from the pencil, you can start to pull and stretch the wire so that each coil is about 1 cm apart. Although it is necessary to experiment with the distance in order to make it work for you.

Step 3
Cut  a piece of wire (approximately 3 1/2 inches long) and loop ends into small circles, then bend wire into a semicircle.

Step 4
Insert the spiral into the looped ends of the newly formed semi-circle.
Step 5
Insert one end of the spiral into a cork base. Tip: Create a pilot hole in cork with hammer and nail first.

Step 6

Now you can create a little character out of paper to twirl around the spiral. I also thought of monkeys, acrobats or spacemen for this project.  And then you use a glue gun to sandwich the semi-circle with your paper character.

Step 7
Bring the character to the very top, give it a little nudge and watch it twirl down!
Final tip: If character does not twirl down, slightly spread coils apart. If character slips down without twirling, slightly squeeze coils together 

I do hope you try it. ENJOY!

You can also check out this DIY as my craft contribution on BKIDS!  (Thank you so very much, Irene!)

DIY - Mini Stamp Collecting Book

Here is a new DIY that I put together for BKIDS!

We're big stamp collector's over here, but have been storing our collection in a sorry little shoebox.  We needed to ditch our primitive ways and replace it with a lovely storage / display solution.  After much experimentation, I finally came up with a handmade book for my girls that is as lovely as it is durable!

THE DIY:

The materials you will need:
*Cardstock paper
*2 paper maps 
*Glassine envelopes 
*Leather scrap
*White masking tape
*Rubber cement glue (acid free) ** Do not use white glue (or rubber cement that is NOT acid free) as this will discolor the paper over time.
*Thin cord (leather, cotton or synthetic)
*Scissors or preferably a paper cutter.

Step 1:
Cut cardstock paper desired size.
For my example, I used 3 inches by 3 inches cardstock pages.
Step 2: 
Cut map into long strips which will be used to cover the cardstock pages.  
I used a paper cutter cut 3 inch strips the entire length of the map.
Step 3: 
Tape pages together using white masking tape. 
Step 4:
Brush rubber cement onto cardstock and adhere precut map onto the pages. 

Step 5: 

Now you can glue the glassine envelopes on each page using rubber cement. I cut the envelopes to size and then oriented them so that the envelope opening is facing the center binding.
Step 6:
Using a leather scrap, I cut a little jacket for my book and sewed long strap onto it.
Step 7:
Attach the leather jacket by wrapping cord around the center and knotting on the exterior.

DONE!

Hope that was clear! Now you can brag that you are a certifiable Philatelist!

DIY: Fashion Paper Dolls

I've got a new DIY for little fashion designers. This version is a bit of a twist on traditional paperdolls and allows quite a bit more creativity. The beauty of this idea is that it only requires 3 readily available materials that you already have in your home: paper, magazines and scissors (or xacto knife). 

 DIY for FASHION PAPERDOLLS:

Step 1: 8x12 white card stock paper. (60 pound to 90 pound paper works just fine). Fold paper in half.

Step 2: Draw the silhouette of a fully dressed doll/girl on 1/2 of the paper. The idea is to create a dress that is large enough to serve as a blank canvas. 

Step 3: Now using an xacto knife (or scissors) cut out the dress, legs, shoes and even hair. Those shapes essentially become negative-space windows.

Step 4: Next, hunt for patterns and colors in magazines that can then be chopped into squares, rectangles and strips. Fashion magazines and photography magazines are a great source for interesting patterns and color combinations. See examples below:

Step 5: Now experiment and start to arrange the bits of paper inside the folded window and see what incredible fashion ideas peek through the "windows".  TA-DA! You are fashion inspiration!!

My daughters had a blast coming up with their own combinations. Here are some additional combinations:

Hope you have lots of fun with this!

And by the way, you can see this and other DIY ideas featured on BKIDS blog, where I'm now a regular craft contributor. (I'm so very thrilled to be part of the BKIDS team! Thank you Irene for giving me this exciting outlet for some of my crafty ideas.)

DIY : Long Reach Gizmo

Another DIY project for BKIDS BLOG  - but this time, its a toy employing simple mechanics to achieve fantastic results!

DIY: LONG-REACH GIZMO

Materials:

Cardboard

Brads (from office supply store)

Scissors or x-acto knife

Acrylic paint

________

First, I cut cardboard into 8”x2” strips and poked 3 holes in each strip.  For hole placements, put one in the center and the other 2 on each outer side.

(To spark ideas, we started brainstorming toothy animal, robotic arm, and animal claws.)

We ultimately turned our “gizmo” into a crocodile and an angler fish by re-fashioning the upper and lower strips into the animal’s head. To do this, I sketched the upper and lower jaws on paper and cut them out first. I had to refine the design until the upper jaw and lower jaw fit together nicely when you pivot the two pieces from the center fulcrum. The final drawing of the animal’s head was traced onto cardboard and then cut with the x-acto knife.

Next, I painted on both sides of the cardboard.  

Finally, I assembled “x” shapes together and fastened each cardboard strip together with brads.

You see just how easy it is? Its also great for little engineers who can get hands on with the concept of leverage and fulcrum. Isn't that what every 2 year old is asking for these days??

DIY Wall Hooks

Recently, I created This DIY project for the ever so wonderful and always inspiring BLOESEM KIDS BLOG! Its such an honor to be a contributor to Irene's fantastic site! Lucky for me, I get to share my ideas on Bkids regularly from now on!

Well...If you've got kids, then you've got STUFF! And in our little home, we're often tripping over kid's backpacks, winter coats, library bags, robes, lunch bags, etc. (My kids seem to think they belong right smack in the middle of busy walkways!)

So I started making some wall hooks- the quirky and colorful variety to suit our personality.

HERE IS THE DIY:

Materials needed: 

1) a roll of thin wire, preferably 22 gauge.
2) roll of thick wire, preferably 16 to 18 gauge.
3) white glue or elmers glue
4) scrap paper
5) wire cutter and bender
6) acrylic paint
7) washers

1. Shape the 18 gauge (thick wire) into desired form, keeping in mind to have long lower appendages. these will then be bent to form a U shape hook.

2. Use the thinner wire to run throughout the shape. This reinforces the basic form.

3. Twist 22 gauge wire around a washer and integrate this into the wire form. This will be where you can drive a nail through when attaching to your wall. placing this near the TOP of the shape works well.

4. Apply masking tape directly on top of some of the wire. This gives the papier mache something to adhere to.

5. Make papier mache paste from 1/2 part elmers glue and 1/2 part water. Dip pieces of scrap paper in the paste and cover front and back of wire form.

6. Apply 4-5 layers making sure to allow the paper to dry in between layers. The wall hook will become rock hard!

7. Using acrylic medium, paint to your hearts desire.

8. Remember the washer? Well hammer a nail through the washer when attaching your wall hook on your wall.

Here's hoping your floors are clutter-free!