Toddler activities 系列 ::: 美工時間之大雨大雨一直下

最近南加州一直下雨，
沒錯，因為加州是地中海型氣候，所以夏乾冬雨，
（地理小老師不是白當的！）
我想起一個朋友給她的女兒做的活動，
（她超強，可惜還沒有自己的blog，以後有了再連她的blog）
經過一點改編，（她是用雨傘，我則是用餐桌）沒想到效果不錯呢！
（沒辦法，加州不太下雨，我連一把雨傘都沒有阿~）

Toddler activities 系列 ::: 玩媽媽手做品質保證無毒黏土

最近因為有些朋友跟我訂做帽子，
所以花好多時間在打毛線，
多到現在Baby J看到我拿起毛線，會大聲說：NO~~~
最近真是難為她了，每天看媽媽打毛線。

前一陣子，他看到電視上有一個人在捏黏土，讓他很想也要玩，
我因為擔心外面的黏土有毒，或是參雜一些有的沒的，
所以又決定自己做了！
其實真的不難呢！

Growth Chart (- on the process)

自從baby J會走之後，我總是想記錄她的成長過程，

小孩長好快，一轉眼就過去了，幾番考量後，也看了很多不同的ideas，

覺得Growth Chart大概是最不退流行的方法了。

本來也還不確定要不要自己做，但是，網路上那些比較別出心裁的，都好昂貴啊！

有些需要七八十塊美金，甚至上百塊都有，所以我決定自己做了！

而且以我自己能力範圍內能做得到的，大概又是樹了！

Earrings organizer

This was made by me around the end of the last year (or maybe in the beginning of this year).

It's very easy to made! I got this white wooden frame and the fabric from Joann for maybe less than 5 dollars. Remove the center picture/glass and attach the fabric. I attached two layers of the fabric to create smaller holes for my earrings.

As for how to attach the fabric? I believe you will have a better way than me!

At that time, I didn't have anything available in hand at my apartment back then, so I used some trash cardboard. In order to make it stronger, I clued one layer of the cardboard in between fabric and the frame. and one layer after the fabric. So the order is: frame, cardboard, fabric, and then cardboard. Oh, and by the way, regular clue can do the job!

After few hours waiting time for clue to dry....tada!

The ugly back look! I believe you can do a better job than me!

Baby shower favor

Final look.

It is not easy to have a baby shower when you'd never been to one. So I was quite worried about my own baby shower (in May, 2011). Not only so, I didn't know what to gift for my guests. Honestly, I didn't want to spend too much money, but I wanted the favor sweet, cute, and usable. They wouldn't trash them after the shower. Then, I got this idea from here. It's brilliant, right?

I bought a pack of clothespins (50 ct) from Walmart for less than $2. I used Acrylic paint that I bought years ago, several ads from all kinds of super markets, and magnets. 

Basically, I painted the clothespins with acrylic paint. Then I cut the letters down and stick onto the clothespins with glue + water. Using glue + water was not only to stick the letters, also to make the letters smooth. (I will have another post to explain it.) It could also create a nice coating to the clothespins.

To make sure the magnet sticks well, you can use the glue designed for wood or fabrics.

Finding the right font and letters was a hassle.

This favor could be a name tag for the event,
and could be attached to the refrigerator.

Counting number toys

Although it's still a long way for baby J to learn counting, I just can't wait to start this project. I had this idea when I was pregnant. I want something soft, washable, cheap, and meaningful. So I used felt (only cost me about $5 at Amazon) and used diaper adhesive tape (so it would stick on the background fabric). So far I finished 2, 3, 6, and 9. I will post more pictures when I got more done.

These were cut from baby J's dirty diapers.

The view of the back.