Turn Your Favorite Book Series Into a Unique Set of Miniature Dollhouse Books {Easy Craft}

 About a month ago, my 8 year old daughter decided she wanted to begin collecting dollhouse miniatures.  Our local craft store has a small section devoted to them and they've caught her eye on more than one occasion.  She has begun a variety of different collections in the past . . . buttons, rocks, fortunes, and Pokémon cards, to name a few.  Unlike the others, this is a collection I can wrap my mind around.  Dollhouse miniatures are works of art when done well and they don't take up very much space.  They're also available for a wide range of prices and could certainly fit an 8 year old's budget.

I admit that I find it fun to look for unique dollhouse miniatures in stores and online.  Although I swore I would not fund my daughter's collection for her, I did purchase one or two that struck me as being special.  Then I got the idea for surprising her with miniatures that are truly unique, ones that I make just for her.  That's how I came about making this super-easy dollhouse miniatures book series craft.  My daughter is an avid reader.  Among her favorites are the historical fiction American Girl book series.  I've found many of the 6-story volumes used in fantastic condition on Amazon.  I suppose you could say she collects those too.  That's why I decided it would be extra special for her to own a miniature set of American Girl books.

EASY CRAFT:  DIY Set of Dollhouse Miniature Books

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

miniature dollhouse books (plain)

printer
printer paper

white glue

scissors

Step 1.  Measure the size of the front cover of your miniature books.

Step 2.  Find the images of the front covers of the books from your or your child's favorite book series.  Save them to your computer.  If you're able to find images of the back covers, save those to your computer as well.

Step 3.  Using any graphics program, reduce the size of each cover to fit the size of your book covers.  It's best to do this in high resolution (300dpi) so that the images can be as crisp as possible when you print them out.

TIP #1:  If your book cover is slightly larger than your books, you can always trim them at the edges.  For best results, try to avoid making your cover images smaller than the actual books.

Step 4.  Print out all your front and back covers.  Then carefully cut out each one with scissors.

TIP #2:  To save paper, paste all your covers onto one 8.5" x 11" image prior to printing.

Step 5.  Position the first back cover image over the back of the book with the binding to the right-hand side.  Trim the image if necessary.  Then apply a very thin layer of white glue to the back cover of the book and apply the back cover image.  Be sure to smooth out the cover and press down to secure.  Repeat this with the back cover images for the rest of the books in the series.

TIP #3:  It is important to use a very thin layer of white glue.  This allows the glue to dry within minutes.  It also helps to avoid any spreading or dripping of the glue, which could be messy and unsightly.

Step 6.  Position the first front cover image over the front of the book with the binding to the left-hand side.  Be sure the front cover image matches the back cover image.  Trim the image if necessary.  Then apply a very thin layer of white glue to the front cover of the book and apply the front cover image.  Repeat this with the remaining front cover images for each book in the series.

When I presented this set of miniature books to my daughter, she was delighted.  These books were made just for her and she knew she would never be able to find them in a store.  I think they would look precious displayed in a miniature dollhouse bookcase.

If you'd like to try this easy craft, Pin It for later . . . 

What book series would you use in this dollhouse miniatures craft?

Countdown to Christmas with Refillable DIY Chalkboard Advent Calendar Ornaments

This is an easy Christmas craft I had thought about making two months ago.  I actually purchased all the supplies at Michael's Arts & Crafts several weeks ago.  Unfortunately, I didn't have time to sit down and make this advent calendar craft until two days before December began.  Even though you won't be able to countdown for the whole 24 days, you could still countdown the remaining 12 days or 10 days this year and start at the beginning of December next year.  That's one of the things I love about this advent calendar, it is completely refillable and reusable!

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

(24) chalkboard ornaments with clips and twine

(24) small burlap drawstring bags

(24) 10" pieces of festive ribbon (approximately 3/8" wide)

small candies or toys (to fill the bags)

white anti-dust chalk

TIP #1:  If you cannot find pre-made chalkboard ornaments like the ones shown, you could easily make your own with chalkboard ornaments, mini clothespins, a roll of twine, and some glue.  Likewise, if you cannot find printed burlap bags, you could use rubber stamps to decorate plain ones.

Step 1.  Assemble the chalkboard ornaments, whether you purchased kits or are making your own, This includes cutting the twine into (24) 6" segments, threading them through each ornament, and tying them off at the top.  Trim off an excess to make the ends short and even.

Step 2.  Tie the ribbon around the twine right at the top of the chalkboard ornament.  Form a small bow and trim the ends to make them even.

Step 3.  Repeat Step 2 for the other 23 ornaments.

Step 4.  Use the chalk to number your ornaments from 1 to 24.

TIP #2:  The chalkboard ornaments I bought seemed like they had chalkboard paper on them.  As a result, it was not easy to erase the chalk, even with a damp paper towel.  If this is true for your chalkboard ornaments, I recommend that you use a chalk holder to hold the chalk so you can write more easily without making too many errors.  If you're confident enough, you could also use permanent white paint pens to draw the numbers.

Step 5.  Fill your bags with something fun for your children to find each day.  Every year, we include one small piece of candy for each child along with a handful of jigsaw puzzle pieces.  (This year, we upgraded to a challenging 400-piece puzzle.  It took my husband and I five hours to assemble it before we divided the pieces between the 24 bags.)

We hung our advent ornaments on a garland high up along the rafter that separates our living room from our dining area.  You could also hang them on your Christmas tree or make a calendar using a board and 24 nails.  If you have other ideas, I'd love to hear them!


If you like this advent calendar craft, be sure to Pin It for later . . . 

Easy DIY Personalized Duck Tape & Washi Tape Poly Bookmark Craft (Free Printable Templates)

The time has finally arrived when every member of our household is reading books that they cannot necessarily finish in one sitting.  In preparation of this, Santa put two bookmarks in each of our children's stockings last Christmas.  Unfortunately, most of those bookmarks have vanished into a black hole somewhere.  (I think it may be the same one that mysteriously makes single socks disappear from the washer and dryer.)  In any case, I came up with a fun and easy way to solve our problem of never having a bookmark around when we need one . . .

This easy DIY bookmark craft uses Duck Tape, Washi Tape, and Tapeffiti along with poly folders.  I chose to use poly folders because they are colorful, more durable than cardstock, easy to cut with scissors, and are fairly inexpensive.  I got mine on sale for $0.69 each and one folder can make up to 10 bookmarks if you remember to use the pockets inside too.  This craft would be a fun rainy day activity!  It would also be perfect for a classroom craft or birthday party activity, especially if you cut out the bookmark shapes and the ribbon pieces in advance.  You could even make these to pass out as end-of-the-year students gifts or as party favors.  What a fun way to promote literacy!

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

patterned and solid tape (both wide and narrow)

poly folders (in colors that work with your tape)

computer printer

scissors

pen or pencil

standard size single hole puncher (needed for 2 of the 3 styles)

1/8" wide ribbon, yarn, or twine (needed for 2 of the 3 styles)

thin permanent markers (optional)

Step 1.  Print out the bookmark templates I have created for you.  (To print, be sure your computer's printer is on and ready to go.  Then click on the image below to enlarge it.  Right click on the image and select "print."  Then use your browser's back button to return to this page.)

Step 2.  Carefully cut out one or more of the bookmark templates.  If applicable, using your single hole puncher, punch a hole through the black circle in the template(s).

Step 3.  Place the template on your poly folder and trace the shape with a pen or pencil.  Be sure to trace the punched out circle too, if your template has one.

TIP #1:  I started by cutting out the pockets from inside the folder.  They can be used to make one bookmark each.

Step 4.  Cut out the shape you've traced.  If applicable, punch out the circle you've traced with a single hole puncher.

Step 5.  After you've selected which tapes you would like to use for your bookmark, cut a piece of tape about 6" long.  Then position the tape on the front of your bookmark as desired and wrap the ends around the back of the bookmark.  (For a neater appearance, make sure the edges match up where the ends meet.)  Repeat this as many times as you need to create a design you like.  Be sure to experiment with other ways to use your tape, such as creating a frame with it.

Tip #2:  One of the perks about using these poly folders is that, with most types of tape I've tried, the tape can be removed and repositioned if it is not exactly as you would like it.

Step 6.  For the bookmarks with a hole at the top, cut a piece of 1/8" ribbon, yarn, or twine approximately 10" to 12" long.  Then fold it in half and thread the loop end through the hole in the back of the bookmark.  Pull the loop out the front of the bookmark, then feed the two ends through the loop.  Pull tightly to complete your knot.  Tie another knot right at the top of the bookmark for added security.

Tip #3:  You can get creative with this by using multiple colors of ribbon, adding beads, or making a tassel at the end.

Step 7.  Personalize your bookmark with a name, initial, or a monogram using tape or permanent marker.

This craft comes with a warning . . . I started out with a just few rolls of tape and now need to think of a way to store the many rolls I've purchased since.  I may be addicted, so look for more patterned tape crafts in the coming months!

DIY Candy Corn Flower Cuff Bracelet & More Easy Halloween Crafts to Try From Tori Spelling #StarburstCandyCorn

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Starburst. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Creating crafts involving candy is something I have done in the past for Halloween and Christmas, such as gingerbread or haunted houses and candy wreaths, all things I had created as something fun for our children.  Now having seen some of Tori Spellings elegant Halloween candy crafts, I no longer only associate candy crafts with children.  I must admit I was amazed at the creativity behind Tori's DIY decor, desserts, and party favors, all made with Starburst Candy Corn.  In addition to the candy corn bracelet craft I tried, below are some of my favorites of Tori's Halloween crafts . . .

Starburst Candy Corn Mum Balls, Napkin Rings, Place Cards, Party Favors, and Photo Frame

Not only are these creations elegant, but they are all very easy to make.  How cute would that candy corn photo frame look displaying a photo of your costumed child or pet from a past Halloween?

Starburst Candy Corn 'Boo' Door Hanger

In addition to the crafty items above, Tori also created some Halloween jewelry.  I decided to try my hand at making her 'Bewitching Bangle.'  It really could not have been any easier to make.  The most difficult part was selecting the perfect pieces of Starburst Candy Corn.  This bracelet was also inexpensive to make.  I just needed a metal cuff bracelet ($5 at Walmart), one gem, and one metal bead.  The metal bead was not actually part of Tori's design, but I prefer a little metal in my jewelry.

Today's Project:  Easy Candy Corn Flower Cuff Bracelet

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

20 Starburst Candy Corn (5 yellow, 5 pink or red, and 10 orange)

1 metal cuff bracelet

1 metal bead

1 clear gem

hot glue gun

Step 1.  Choose your pieces of candy corn in advance, avoiding any that are broken or have blemishes.  Then lay them out with their points towards the center in a circular pattern as shown in the photo above.

Step 2.  Using your hot glue gun, glue the candy pieces from Layer #1 to the top center of the bracelet.

Step 3.  Glue the candy pieces from Layer #2 on top of the first layer, positioning the tips of the candy as close as possible and making sure to position the pieces so that you can still see each piece from Layer #1.

Step 4.  Glue the candy pieces from Layer #3 on top of the second layer, making sure to position the pieces so that you can still see each piece from Layer #2.

Step 5.  Put a dot of hot glue at the center of your flower and immediately push the metal bead into place.

Step 6.  Put a dot of glue at the center of the metal bead and immediately push the gem into place.

That's it!  Could that have been any easier?  I was pretty pleased with how this project turned out.  Even my husband, who never notices anything I wear (especially jewelry), thought the bracelet was pretty cool looking.

The results of our project . . . 

This and any of Tori's Tasty Tips For Halloween Entertaining would make fun projects for a girls' night-in!  Personally, I think these colors would look beautiful during the spring and summer seasons too.  If you agree, you might want to buy some extra bags of Starburst Candy Corn to keep aside before they're gone for the season!  Which of Tori's crafty Halloween ideas would you try first?