I couldn’t wait to try the pearlescent DecoArt glass stains I recently received. I paired them with DecoArt 3D Opaque Gloss Enamel Paint in silver for a cool stained glass effect.

Here are the exact DecoArt glass paints that I used:

• Shimmering Silver 3D Opaque Gloss Enamel Writer
• Glass Stain Pearlescent paint in red, orange, yellow, green, aqua, and blue

On my morning neighborhood walks, I have long been admiring a neighbor’s beautifully painted garden globe. I knew I could create a mini homemade version of this with a little creativity and some simple items paired together.

I started with a really inexpensive fish-bowl shaped globe vase and a bell shaped terra cotta pot. Both of them together cost me less $3. Paired together, they made the perfect garden globe shape I was going for.

First I started with painting the globe jar. I began with the silver 3D Gloss Enamel writer and created a random geometric pattern on the globe. This step needs to dry completely before adding the glass stains.

When my “stained glass” globe was dry, I applied the rainbow of color glass stains randomly in each shape. Keep in mind the glass stain paint is really thin, so a little goes a long way. While I was holding the jar in one hand, I would draw in the stain with the other. I used had Q-tips handy catch any excess drips that went beyond my silver lines. I love how it colored or “stained” the glass while still being see-through. I let that dry completely as I moved onto painting the terra cotta pot.

I love the outdoor Patio Paint from DecoArt which is weather and water resistant. I picked three colors that I thought matched the stained glass globe nicely.The exact paint colors I used were Marigold, Blue Bahama, and Geranium Red.

I started by applying 2 coats of the yellow marigold color onto the whole pot with a sponge brush. Then I used some painter’s tape to mask off the top edge and painted a stripe of the teal blue bahama color. I finished off the top edge of my pot with the brilliant geranium red paint color and let the whole pot dry.

You will need to let the paints set and dry completely for 72 hours to ensure that the paint is weather and water resistant.

To complete the garden globe craft, I filled the bottom of the pot with some beautifully colored decorative glass beads for extra flair and weight on the bottom of the pot.

Now, my only problem was figuring out the best place to display my homemade garden globe.

I tried a number of places, and it was really hard to decide. I think I may have to make more of these to go around our yard and garden.

I love how when the sun hits it just right you can get a glimpse of the pretty glass rocks inside too.

Try this simple summertime craft today, and spruce up any garden!

Happy crafting!

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The post Garden Globe Craft DIY appeared first on Tween Craft Ideas for Mom and Daughter.

When I think of Andy Warhol, I think of Campbell’s Soup Cans, Marilyn Monroe, Coca Cola – all bold brands and personalities who became even larger than life through Andy  Warhol’s talents and color contrasts.

photo credit: Thomas Hawk via photopin cc

Looking for a video tour of Andy Warhol’s life and works of art? Check out the Warhol: Art app from the The Andy Warhol Museum.

My tween really got into the Andy Warhol spirit through the Popstamatic Pop Art Creator on my iPhone. I had to tear her away from the app so I could get my phone back. (Does anyone else ever have that problem?) Her results are so fun – I might have to print and frame them.

For some laughs and inspiration – check out this video on how to paint a Warhol-inspired pop art portrait using acrylics:

To learn more about Warhol’s life, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts covers his life history and how he was influenced by the turbulent 1960′s and his advertising background.  I didn’t realize until reviewing Warhol’s biography that the concept of ’15 minutes of fame’ originates from Warhol’s quote, “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.”

Thanks to Andy Warhol pop art, my daughter found new inspiration for her art and I received a wonderful Mother’s Day gift.

How have you been inspired by Andy Warhol or pop art? I would love to hear your comments below.

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The post Totally Inspired by Andy Warhol Pop Art appeared first on Tween Craft Ideas for Mom and Daughter.

I’m posting over at OC Family today with a pretty printable that would make a great homemade graduation gift idea for anyone.

Jump on over to get the printable.

Go confidently and craft on! = )

The post Favorite Thoreau Quote and Graduation Gift Idea appeared first on Tween Craft Ideas for Mom and Daughter.

Here is a crafty way to make your own countdown calendar, by making your own countdown notepad.

What?!

Yes, I said “make your own notepad”. This may not sound revolutionary to you, but once I found out that this would work, I know I will use this crafty trick again and again!

Here is how you can make your own countdown notepad:

First, cut out numbered rectangles of the same size with a paper cutter.

I’ve provided you with a colorful printable with numbers up to 64 depending on how many days you may be counting down to.

Grab your free printable here:

Countdown calendar notepad printable

Next, you will need 2 binder clips, a spongebrush, and DecoArt Decoupage Glue.

Once you have sorted your numbered rectangles from least to greatest number, and stacked them neatly together making sure the top edge is straight, clip them together with 2 binder clips on either side.

Apply 2 coats of DecoArt Decoupage Glue on the top edge, letting each coat dry completely.

You have now made your own notepad!

Turn it into a cool countdown calendar by taping the last page of your homemade notepad onto the top of a 4″ x 6″ frame. I used washi tape both for decoration and ease of use. Once you have counted down to the last number, the washi tape can easily be peeled off to attach another countdown calendar.

In the free printable above, I also included a 4″ x 6″ printable to go under the frame with a blank spot to fill in with what you may be counting down. Use a dry erase marker on the top of the glass of your frame, and fill in the blank. The best part is that you can reuse this over and over and customize what you are counting down to.

For us, we have begun the countdown to summer! Hooray!

For every day that passes, simply pull off the top numbered sheet.

Voilá! Do you have a big event you are counting down to? Make your own crafty countdown calendar. = )

Happy crafting!

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Did you have braces growing up? Are you a child of the 70s & 80s like I was? Tell me you remember the episode where Marsha gets braces for the first time and she cries into the mirror screaming, “I’m so ugly” and devastated that the school dance is coming up and how could her date still want to take her now.

The truth is, that is one of the most vivid memories of braces that I had as a kid. I grew up in a household with 2 other sisters and none of us had braces when we were kids. To be honest, neither did many of my friends. I know more close friends and family today that have gotten braces as an adult. And I, myself, have considered the possibility of getting braces someday as an adult woman, not for medical reasons, but more for cosmetic purposes.

Since then, I have experienced hands-on what it feels like to have braces, from a mother’s perspective. My tween got her first set of braces when she was 9. I have had to educate myself so much more about braces, and had no idea that now it is common to go through 2 different phases of braces growing up. My girl is at the tail end of what is considered Phase 1. And braces for her were not for cosmetic reasons at all. In consultations and reviewing of her mouth x-rays with her Orthodontist, her mouth was actually not big enough for all of the adult teeth to come in correctly. She had to have 4 teeth extracted, a mouth expander put on, and a full set of wire braces. Those first few weeks of braces were tough! I sympathized with her, and wished I could help take away some of the uncomfortableness without truly knowing what is must have felt like. As a mother, don’t you always want to shield your kids from any pain?

Here is my daughter shortly a few months into braces. I’m so glad she could still confidently smile, and we didn’t go through any of the “I’m so ugly Marsha Brady” drama. One thing I know is that kids are resilient, and sometimes stronger than they might even realize.

Fast forward to today, my daughter’s wire braces are off, and she is wearing a retainer at night. We are still waiting for all of her baby teeth to fall out before the possibility of the Phase 2 for braces.

And since doing my research, I have to say that I am seriously considering Invisalign for her as an viable option. I recently had a lengthy conversation with her orthodontist about Invisalign. He brought a really good perspective and was full of knowledge about this clear braces technology. His perspective was that orthodontists can use Invisalign as a tool for their patients and even though it might not be for everyone, it can definitely be  a successful treatment and be easier for some teens and because of the innovative clear mouth aligner technology. One of the major benefits of Invisalign is that since the aligners can be removed, kids can eat, brush and floss as they would normally.

Today’s braces are more sophisticated than Marsha Brady’s time, for sure. As technology enhances our daily lives, it also continues to advance the science of Invisalign braces. As with anything, there is a learning curve with new technology. Did you know that Invisalign has actually been around or over 15 years? They continually work closely with orthodontists to train and educate them on this technology, and are constantly working to improve the product. Truth is, over 1.3 million patients have chosen Invisalign for their orthodontic needs.

Getting braces for your child or yourself is definitely a personal decision. When armed with all the information and technology offerings that are out there, you will be prepared to make the ideal solution for you and your family. We are ready for phase 2 yet for my tween, but I’m glad we have options for the next round of braces.

Go here for more details on How Invisalign Works.

You can also connect with Invisalign on Facebook or Twitter.

I’m curious, would you consider Invisalign for a clear alternative to braces for you or your child? Tell me below.

Have a great day!

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored post by Invisalign. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The post If only Marsha Brady had the option of Invisalign appeared first on Tween Craft Ideas for Mom and Daughter.

My daughter had some friends over this past weekend, and we want to turn it into a belated birthday celebration for them. I wanted to do something a little special for them—cue the Key Lime cookies! Today’s post features a few quick tips to turn plain cookies into celebration cookies.

I baked the Key Lime cookies from the mix, and let them cool.

The batter was definitely green, and it had some yummy lime cookie bits in the mix for extra texture.

Then, I frosted them with the Key Lime frosting. But, to add that extra little celebration flair, I topped them with fresh strawberries, and made some cute flags with washi tape and toothpicks.

It was instantly a party treat!

Perfect for an afternoon summer BBQ or party.

Try this quick trick next time you want to jazz up cookies for a celebration—add some fresh fruit or extra special toppings, and make a cute washi tape flag.

Enjoy! Happy crafting!

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The post Key Lime Cookies Dressed Up for a Party appeared first on Tween Craft Ideas for Mom and Daughter.

It’s been a little crazy on the homefront since Grandma (my mom) returned home to be with my dad in Illinois. We had a fabulous 3-week visit with her and are all now missing her so much! My big plans of sharing a fun new dessert did not come to fruition as we figure out how to tackle school, work, activities, laundry, cooking without the loving hands of my mom in the house.

So….

I am kicking things back into gear and drawing strength from a collage my daughter made for me reminding me that “girls can do anything!”

Happy Mothers Day to all of the wonderful mothers and grandmothers out there. You are so special!

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Do you still have one of these vintage hot plates? I found mine at a local thrift store, and couldn’t wait to use it for a fun kids art activity.

Check out the full post on OC Family today.

I’m telling you, your kids will be hooked on this super simple boredom busting craft idea.

Check out the full instructions here.

Happy crafting!

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The post Melted Crayon Art Fun for Kids appeared first on Tween Craft Ideas for Mom and Daughter.

A few years back, we went to a family costume party. My husband was a crayon box, I was a red crayon, and my daughter was a blue crayon. True story–last week she was playing in the neighborhood with some of the other kids next door, and they were all rollerblading and skateboarding in costume! Her and her friends had pulled out our old costumes and were rolling around the cul-de-sac as crayons and my girl was the crayon box. That’s when I knew we could turn the crayon box costume into something fabulous for her upcoming costume party with a little homemade craftiness.

Fast forward to yesterday, an old headband, 2 packs of 64 Crayola crayons, a glue gun, a cardboard engineered headdress spray painted yellow, and this is what you get:

Yes, I did hot glue a rainbow of Crayola crayons onto a headband. I went there. = )

It was so cute, but pretty heavy. When my girl tried it on, we realized we needed to add a little more support so that she could dance with it on. I attached it to a yellow baseball cap and added some rainbow colored pipe cleaners for extra decoration.

The point is, she had fun with it, I had fun with it, and it was a hit at the party.

Next time you want to add a little personal touch to something, just put your creative thinking cap on. Sometimes just adding a little extra homemade flair is all you need.

And, in case you want more homemade costume inspiration, check out this previous post here.

Happy crafting!

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The post Transform a Store-bought Costume into a Crafty Masterpiece appeared first on Tween Craft Ideas for Mom and Daughter.

This Mother’s Day is a little bittersweet for me this year. We lost one of our beloved Grandma’s a few months ago. I still get the urge to pick up the phone on Sunday’s to call her and update her on all the cool things going on in her granddaughter’s life. Sundays were our day to catch up and stay in touch. She lived in the Midwest, and hadn’t been able to come out and visit for quite some time because of health issues. Her spirit was so bright and colorful. One of my favorite memories is when she took my girl shopping at her local Justice store. They had a blast trying on some of the sassiest things. I think she is rockin’ the pink fuzzy hat, don’t you?

I’m thankful for everything she did for my daughter and myself. Grandma Jule, you are missed every single day!

Today’s post is making sure the Grandmas out there are represented this Mother’s Day. Becoming a mother is one of the most rewarding and challenging things I can ever fathom. And I think becoming a grandmother is when it becomes really fun. I can see the joy my Mother gets from being a playful and loving Grandma to her grandchildren. Now she gets to play with the kids without the pressure of trying to raise them. There is a special bond between grandchild and grandmother, for sure.

Here is a fun and easy homemade gift idea for Grandmas this Mother’s Day.

I created a printable that can easily be cut out and put into a 5″x 7″ frame.

Grab your free printable here:

Mother’s Day Free Printable for Grandma

Print it out onto white cardstock paper, trim out with paper cutter, scissors, or an X-ACTO knife and place into an empty 5″ x 7″ frame.

For a little extra flair, decorate or personalize the frame. I added some cute pink and white baker’s twine around the edges of mine.

It think this would make a great gift idea paired with a yummy cupcake for Grandma to enjoy.

Looking for another great printable gift idea? Make this “Best Grandma Ever” medal with free printable and DIY included.

And, remember to give all of the Grandmas in your world an extra hug from me.

Happy Crafting, and Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers and grandmothers out there.

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