Toddler-made Christmas gifts: Hand- (and foot-) painted picture frames

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a toddler-painted photo frame is worth a thousand hugs.

That’s why Peeper and I crafted this gift for her Grandma and Grandpa this Christmas.

When Eric and I were discussing what to give his parents this holiday, he mentioned that what they’d really want was a photo of Peeper. Eric’s mom is big into family lineage, and her walls are lined with pictures dating back to Great-great-great Uncle Obediah. (Seriously.)

So I dug out some cheapie Ikea frames that had been sitting empty for too long for me to admit here, and we got to work. This is a fantastic last-minute gift and would work well for any occasion (or, heck, a project for a kid’s birthday party!).

Toddler picture frame - Ten Thousand Hour mamaToddler Picture Frame - Ten Thousand Hour mama

Really, the project is simple. I just took the white mats out of the frame, poured paint and let Peeper go all Picasso on them. If your kids are a little older, the craft will be a lit less messy. If you have toddlers, too, then here are a few tips: Read more

Jam hats [tutorial]

Not too long ago, I went to my friend Jeannette’s bridal shower. I’d never been to one before, and I was pleasantly surprised: We drank mojitos, ate cheese and arranged flowers bought from the farmer’s market. (Seriously, what a cool activity! If I ever host a baby or bridal shower, we’re doing some mother-effin flower arranging.)

Bridal shower - Ten Thousand Hour Mama IMG_20140621_141558_157

Even though I was a rookie at the whole bridal shower thing, I figured I was meant to bring a gift. But bringing her a bowl or a set of glasses from her registry didn’t seem very personal, and I felt awkward expecting her to open a box of lingerie in front of her mom and mother-in-law.

So what to give her?

Jeannette’s hubby-to-be, a good friend of mine since college, works for a local produce company delivering scrumptious fruits and veggies all over the city, and he brings home samples of what stores can’t sell. Faced with more carrots and cukes than any couple could possibly eat, they end up canning some of the summer’s bounty.

Thinking of this hobby (which, apparently, is on hold until after all wedding planning is finished), I made Jeannette a set of can toppers—or, as I like to say, jam hats.

Forgive the terrible lighting—I finished sewing these the night before the shower and had to make do with these pictures!
Forgive the terrible lighting—I finished sewing these from the ruban exquisite designs I found the night before the shower and had to make do with these pictures!

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Baby footprint crafts [tutorial]

I’m a big fan of craft projects in general, and I’d seen all those adorable baby footprint pins—butterflies, suns, flowers, you name it—but I had a rough time the last time I’d tried to make something cute with my kid’s feet.

I was an exhausted new mom with grand ideas of making gifts for all Peeper’s relatives. I had bought a big carton of plaster of paris, disposable bowls and straws. I set everything up. I had planned it perfectly: Peeper was as well rested as she’d get, so I was ready.

The result was a disaster. We got plaster all over the kitchen and mashed circles that looked more like a relief map than a Christmas decoration. Peeper was dunked in the bath immediately, and the extended Ryan Gregory clan got nothing under the tree from us. (Wah-wahhhhh.)

For Mother’s Day, a friend helped me recover from my fear of baby print crafts. The results were adorable—cute enough to make in triplicate. (One for each grandma and one for me, of course!) Instructions below

Ten Thousand Hour Mama

I’m going to scan one and make a greeting card of it, too.

These would make a great gift anytime. If you make one, take a picture and send a link. I’d love to see it! And comment below if you have any pointers on getting foot- or handprints. (I belatedly saw this link with tips.) As you can see, I have a bit to learn on that front.

Baby footprint tulip art 

Ten Thousand Hour Mama baby footprint art1. Squeeze red acrylic paint onto a plate and spread it out a bit. Dunk your baby’s foot in the paint and stamp it once or twice on a piece of cardboard to get rid of excess paint.

2. Holding the canvas steady (or better yet, getting someone else to hold it still), lower your baby’s foot onto the canvas. Roll it a bit back and forth to ensure you stamp the whole foot.

3. Repeat the process with the other foot, stamping them with the heels and balls of the feet touching and even overlapping a bit. Let the stamps dry.

4. Squeeze out some green acrylic paint. Put some on a brush and dip the brush in water. (This will give a pretty watercolor effect.) Paint a stem and leaf.

5. Swoon.

6. Sign the masterpiece on behalf of your little one. I wrote Peeper’s name and “Mother’s Day May 2014” on the side of the canvas.

Snap-on baby bow ties

My friend from grad school always looked snappy. Whereas I tended to teach in jeans and a sweater, Erica sported bow ties. So when she and her wife announced they were expecting, I knew exactly what I wanted to make them.

Their beautiful baby girl was born in December, but I just now finished her gift. Better late than never!

Behold—onesies with interchangeable bow ties!

interchangeable baby bow tie onesies Read more