Kids And Teens
Go Gimp
0Whatever happened to GIMP bracelets? So many things from the 90′s have come back, but not these and I do not get why not! Gimp was so rad. If you have absolutely no idea what I am talking about, let me remind you. Gimp bracelets are strips of coloured plastic that you weave together to make cool designs and turn it into a bracelet or necklace. You can use two, three or even five depending on the design that you want to make.
So I’m bringing it back!! I remember sitting in summer camp, and everyone was making gimp friendship bracelets and it was such a good time. I think I might run to Michaels right after writing this post and grab myself some! Wait… I don’t remember how to gimp?
Ok – with a little bit of research, I found some awesome sites with directions on doing different patterns! Check them out. Some are extremely easy and you could probably teach a three year old it, but then there are some that I honestly believe you need a degree in computer science or something!! Honestly, some are pretty intense but I’m always up for a good challenge.
I’m going to do all three all together in one. It’s going to be one fabulous bracelet! Let me know what you guys decide to do with your gimp! What a perfect way to add some spunk to your fashion, or friendship as well!
DIY Personalized Mobile
0Whoever said mobiles were just for babies was wrong because I have a fabulously feminine do it yourself craft to share with you guys today! Well I guess it doesn’t have to be feminine as you can make it whatever way you’d like! The best part? You don’t need a project manager degree to complete this craft successfully, as you do with the difficulty of some of these DIY’s you find online. Luckily for us, this DIY idea is extremely easy and inexpensive but there is one thing I must inform you of up front.
It won’t sing a lullaby for you as you fall asleep.
Shoot, eh! I was a little disappointed as well, but I’m sure we can get past it. Okay, so if its easy enough for me – anyone can do it, trust me! Here are the supplies that you will need;
- a strong circle of some sort. I used a 16″ embroidery hoop which you can get at a craft store. The size depends on how big you want your mobile to be!
- 4 thin pieces of wood (not too heavy) from any craft store. Make sure that they are strong enough for what you want to hang. Also make sure that the length matches the diameter of the circle (if not a tad bit longer)
- construction (or stock) paper – your choice of colour
- acrylic paint (to paint the wood) – your choice of colour
- Nylon thread or fishing wire!
- different size of beads – your choice of colour
- a stencil(s) of animal(s), insect(s), shape(s)
- Magazine and Pictures
- glue gun and scissors!
Sounds simple enough, right? Okay, okay… I’ll stop talking now and just get to the project! You will have to excuse my horrible drawings. I am creative and crafty…. definitely not an artist!
- First, you want to set up your hoop. Taking the 4 pieces of wood, place them across the embroidery hoop (the diameter) so it looks like a pie! Using the glue gun, glue the web in their place.
- Paint desired colour.
- Cut 3 15″ pieces of the nylon(or fishing wire) thread. Once the hoop is dry, glue one end of each piece of nylon thread to it. Be sure to place the 3 pieces evenly apart so the mobile hangs straight.
- Taking the 3 loose ends of the nylon thread, pull them up from the hoop and together in the middle and glue together.
- Taking different lengths of nylon thread, decorate with the beads you have selected.
- Now you can take different lengths of nylon and hang them off of the hoop – be sure you only glue them when you are certain that you like their position.
- Cut out magazine clippings, family photos and your stenciled items from your stock paper.
- Add magazine clippings, family pictures, and stencil cuts (from the stock paper)
- Glue everything in place when you are happy with the look!
And tada!! There you have it! Your own personalized mobile!
