Author Archives: Anj CP

Clay Slab Tutorial

I’ve been claying on weekends and so far have been really obsessed with making clay slabs. It’s a really simple way to make a lot of fun and funky earrings.

For this tutorial, I will teach you how to make a clay slab in bold colors.

For this slab, you will need:

polymer clay in glitter black, gray, turquoise, periwinkle and pink

mountain-shaped clay cutters

detail needles

clay blade

clay roller

What to do: 1. Flatten your main slab (black) into the number 3 setting on your clay roller.

2. Flatten your accent slab in the number 7 setting.

3. Get your clay cutters and punch out the shapes.

4. Arrange the shapes on the main slab and flatten using the number 2 setting.

5. Add texture by using a detail needle.

6. Cut into earrings, and then bake the clay following the instructions on the packaging.

I hope you enjoy making these super simple clay slabs!

Cookie Squishy from Used Makeup Sponges

My daughter and I love watching this Youtube craft channel, Moriah Elizabeth. One of her most popular series is her squishy makeovers.

We tried it out using my old makeup sponges and I’m happy to report that it actually works!

To make these cookie squishies, you will need:

3 pcs 3D Paint

Acrylic Paint

Paint brush

Popsicle sticks

Fabric glue

Scissors

Mod Podge (Optional)

What to Do:

1. Get one makeup sponge. Cut about ¼ inch around the sponge.

2. Slather a thin layer of fabric glue on top of the makeup sponge. Get another makeup sponge and put it on top of the sponge with glue.

3. Do the same on the other side so that the smaller sponge gets “sandwiched” between the two bigger sponges. Set aside to dry.

4. Once the fabric glue dries, coat the entire sponge sandwich with 3D paint. Set aside to dry.

5. Once the 3D paint dries, coat the entire sponge sandwich with acrylic paint.

You can decorate your cookie squishy any way you prefer. Optional: You can also coat the squishy with a layer of Mod Podge.

P.S. Moriah Elizabeth did discourage the use of acrylic paint because they tend to crack . I just wanted to be honest and let you know that I used acrylic paint because I didn’t have a wide color choice from my 3D paint. The paint on the squishy did eventually crack, but it took a long while, probably because I did do a first coat of 3D paint.

Eco-Friendly Dish Washing Net Cloths

I love finding ways of recycling everyday items, so when I watched how I can reuse my fruit nets and turn them into dish washing net cloths, I immediately had to try it out!

What You’ll Need

Fruit nets (about 6 pcs)

Elastic

Scrap ribbon

Scissors

What to Do

  1. Fold the ends of the fruit net at the center.
  2. Form into bow.
  3. Secure the bow with elastic (or you can also sew them up using a needle and thread).
  4. Do steps 1-3 for the remaining fruit nets.
  5. Stack the bows on top of each other and tie with elastic.
  6. Attach a scrap ribbon so that you can hang the net cloths on the faucet.

 

Craft Tutorial: Rainbow Polymer Clay Earrings

It’s been a while since I’ve shared a clay craft. But because of this quarantine, I’ve had more time to go back to clay-making. Here’s a simple tutorial on rainbow earrings that you can teach your kids how to make.

For materials, you will need:

  • polymer clay in rainbow colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet)
  • clay blade
  • earring findings
  • detail needle

What to Do:

  1. Roll out your rainbow clay into thin snakes.
  2. Starting from the violet clay, carefully bend the clay snake into a U-shape.
  3. Bend the successive colors, following the violet one, until all the colors have been placed.
  4. Use your clay blade to cut the excess clay.
  5. Get your detail needle and poke a hole at the topmost color.
  6. Bake the polymer clay following the instructions on the packaging.
  7. Attach the earring findings.

There you have it, a simple craft to make with your kids! You can also switch the colors up, using bolder colors, or lighter colors, depending on your mood.

Wash your hands and stay safe!

A Bath Time Protest

I know that look,

you can’t deny.

You’ve got that twinkle

in your eye.

And a towel,

I see it clear.

I smell the soap

a mile from here.

I run and run,

you can’t catch me.

I’ll hide in spots

where you can’t see.

You’re so unfair;

I’ve worked my best

to get this mud

across my chest.

And now you think

to clean me up?

To get me rid

of all this muck?

I will not yield;

I stomp and scream.

You come at me

with oils and cream.

Water hits me

and it’s the end.

I am done for

Let’s not pretend

It’s cold and wet

but the suds are nice

I try not to smile

as bubbles rise.

I must admit

though I made a scene,

there are worst things

than being clean.

 

 

Free eBook: Pass the Message to Picaso

Hi guys! As we go through this pandemic together, I thought of what would happen to different industries and how each would be able to cope with what’s happening around us. I’m sure going back to normal seems like such a distant idea for us now.

As libraries, bookstores and schools closed quite abruptly, I felt the frustration of fellow parents like myself, having to deal with my own new work-from-home situation (which I’m grateful that I have), but also having the chores and my child’s education and well-being to think of.

Anyway, that’s the reason that I decided to make this book free to download. It’s not a groundbreaking solution, but for mothers who have to deal with their kids constantly, maybe a few minutes is all it takes for them to reset and gather their thoughts. I hope that this eBook gives you mothers out there a couple of minutes to just relax with your kids and read a book.

Hugs!

Free e-book: Pass The Message to Picasso

An Ode to My Working Mom

I do not like this hide-and-seek

I do not like this one bit.

You said to count to ten

You do this time and again.

I knew it was unwise

To close my eyes

And just like that,

You were gone.

No, it’s no fun

I sniff like a mouse

And go through the house

And peek in each room

Only to cry

Over your tricks.

You do this every day

From Monday to Friday.

And even if I would

promise to be good,

you’d still go.

Can’t you just say no

To this “boss?”

Or is she much cuter than me?

No, that can’t be.

Stay home today, please.

Summer Crafts for Kids #3: Gaudi-inspired Coaster

Since we’re always at the beach these days, we got to collect a lot of sea glass. At a certain point, we had one too many. So, we thought of another super simple craft to make use of these beautiful beach finds.

Level of Difficulty: Beginners

In this craft activity, you will need:

Used paper bowl (cleaned and dried)

Sea glass

Scissors

Silicon

Acrylic paint

Paint brush

What to Do:

  1. Cut the bottom of the paper bowl.
  2. Flip it and paint the sides with acrylic paint. Set aside to dry.
  3. Once the paint is dry, fill the bottom with silicon. (Note: silicon sets very quickly so your sea glass pieces should be on hand).
  4. Decorate with sea glass. Leave overnight to dry.

Summer Crafts for Kids #2: Bohemian Keychain

As a tourist in a foreign country, I found it very challenging to engage my child in crafts, while making sure that 1.) we don’t spend on too many craft supplies that we can’t bring home and 2. We also don’t create more garbage.

As a result of some creative thinking, we came out with this very simple and whimsical accessory.

Level of Difficulty: Beginners. This is literally a 5-minute craft. The only part that took long was for the glue to dry.

In this craft activity, you will need:

0.5 cm wide ribbons, cut into 8 cm strips  (the ones we had on hand were from clothing tags)

Jump ring

All purpose glue

Feathers (*optional. We picked these feathers on the beach)

What to Do:

  1. Get a strip and fold into half.
  2. Attach to the jump ring using a cow hitch knot.
  3. Continue to do this until you’ve covered about half of the jump ring.
  4. To achieve a more bohemian look, you can also glue feathers.

 

Summer Crafts for Kids #1: Aqua Beads

It’s summer once again and for parents, this means that a lot of time will be spent on thinking of what to do with the kids at home. Luckily, I’ve discovered that there are a lot of simple and relatively inexpensive crafts to do with the kiddos to make sure that their time is occupied on meaningful endeavors, and not just mindless play (eg. Internet surfing, etc.).

Level of Difficulty: Beginners

For this craft activity, you will need:

  • Aqua beads set (which includes templates, aqua beads, water spray, and layout tray)
  • Clean bottle with lid
  • Glue gun

What to Do:

  1. Put the layout tray on top of the bottle lid so that you can measure how big your design can be.
  2. Start putting the beads on the tray to make your design.
  3. Once you’re happy with the design, spritz the entire thing with water. Let it dry overnight as the beads will not attach properly if the water is not completely dry.
  4. Glue the pattern to the lid using glue gun.

The advantage of this craft is that the beads come in a variety of colors. They also sell beads by the pack. The disadvantage is that once the kids get a hang of making them, they can finish quite quickly. Challenge them to a game of making the most number of designs.

Watch out every Wednesday for a new set of summer crafts!