DIY Ice Cream Garland

DIY Ice Cream Garland www.ohcreativeday.comWhen I went to birthday parties as a kid, you could pretty much predict where I’d be hanging out.
The food table.
Because PARTY FOOD!
When my bestie recently held an ice cream party for her little one’s first birthday, I was a bit excited by one detail.
There was going to be a free gelati cart present.
Immediately, the inner-child in me mentally calculated how much gelati was socially acceptable for me to consume on one day.
As a sign of appreciation for such a cool party theme, I made this garland to add to the festivities.
It would be perfect for summer parties!

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DIY Heart Bag

DIY Heart Bag www.ohcreativeday.comThere could have been so many alternative titles for this post.
When Pinterest Sets You Up With Unrealistic Expectations.
99 Reasons Why Not To Craft With A Toilet-Training Toddler.
In all honesty, there were a few times during this project when I thought I’d just give up on it.
It did not turn out at all like the perfect Pinterest-worthy product I had in my mind.
It became such a Comedy of Errors- at one point there was a near-naked toddler running around smeared in red paint- that I thought I would share it with you all in the interests of Keeping It Real. (more…)

DIY Christmas Gifts: Shibori Tie Dye Fabrics

Shibori1My sister is rubbish at being idle.
In her first week of uni holidays, she:
– created a website compiling all the research on our family’s genealogy;
– took my kids on an excursion to a wildlife park;
– planned a trip to Vietnam;
– organised a sisterly shibori session.

Shibori is a Japanese tradition that involves twisting and folding fabrics, binding the fabric and then dyeing it in indigo.
The best part?
There is no right or wrong way to shibori.

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DIY Christmas Gifts: Play Dough

This is our very favourite DIY play dough recipe as it is easy and no-cook. Package it up with some little toys and it is perfect as an economical, DIY Christmas gift. #playdough #christmasforkids #homemadeChristmas #DIYchristmasgiftsforkidsHere’s an economical and easy DIY play dough recipe that makes a perfect Christmas gift for little friends.

My go-to recipe has always been this one from K-3 Teacher Resources.

2 cups of plain flour
4 tablespoons of cream of tartar
2 tablespoons of cooking oil
1 cup of salt
2 cups of boiling water
food colouring

Whack all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix.
Add in oil and boiling water.
It will be quite sticky.
Scoop it out onto a floured surface and keep kneading until it comes together.
To colour play dough, I put portions in a zip lock bag and add the food colouring.
Zip lock the bag and massage the colour in.

I store play dough in plastic takeaway containers.

You can add some festive cookie cutters….
This is our very favourite DIY play dough recipe as it is easy and no-cook. Package it up with some little toys and it is perfect as an economical, DIY Christmas gift. #playdough #christmasforkids #homemadeChristmas #DIYchristmasgiftsforkids
Add some crafty bits and pieces…
This is our very favourite DIY play dough recipe as it is easy and no-cook. Package it up with some little toys and it is perfect as an economical, DIY Christmas gift. #playdough #christmasforkids #homemadeChristmas #DIYchristmasgiftsforkids
I have previously professed my love for my local dollar shop.
Peruse the aisles and add some little toys…
This is our very favourite DIY play dough recipe as it is easy and no-cook. Package it up with some little toys and it is perfect as an economical, DIY Christmas gift. #playdough #christmasforkids #homemadeChristmas #DIYchristmasgiftsforkids
Personally, I gift play dough with ulterior motives.
I’ve learned that if you encourage the giftee to open their present upon receiving it, they will often become enthralled in playing with the play dough, thus giving the adults at least 15 minutes of peace and quiet.
You’re welcome.

You could also try this Design Your Own Play Dough project.

Do you have any economical, go-to Christmas gifts for little friends?

Grab a copy of my "12 Oh Creative Days of Christmas" eBook. Creatively connect with your children through art, craft and play this festive season. 70+ pages featuring… 12 projects with detailed tutorials | Loads of tips, tricks and inspiration | 13 pages of templates, play dough mats and printable prompts.

If you’re after even more simple but FUN ideas to encourage your children to develop their important hand muscles, then check out the Happy Hands eBook.

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This is our very favourite DIY play dough recipe as it is easy and no-cook. Package it up with some little toys and it is perfect as an economical, DIY Christmas gift. #playdough #christmasforkids #homemadeChristmas #DIYchristmasgiftsforkids