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Jun 23 2014

diy : dry erase family calendar

Posted by hayley
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diy dry erase family calendar | greyhouseharbor.com

For my cousin’s wedding last month, I gifted him and his new bride a dry erase family calendar. Having made one for my own house a few years ago, I know first hand how very useful it is for keeping track of everyone’s schedules. It’s the perfect place to keep all the details of school stuff, appointments, travel trips, birthdays and other activities in one central and easy to read place.

Want one too? I thought you might…

1. Purchase a large frame. I bought mine from Michael’s with a 50% off coupon. All the following dimensions are based on my preferred frame size of 24″ x 36″, but feel free to adjust these instructions larger or smaller as needed.

2. Disassemble the frame and use spray adhesive to cover the cardboard back-piece with fabric. I like to use light colored fabric so the rectangles show up better.

diy dry erase family calendar | greyhouseharbor.com

3. It’s always easiest to initially cut the fabric too big, then come back and trim the excess.

diy dry erase family calendar | greyhouseharbor.com

4. Find scrapbook papers in a coordinating color theme of your choice. Mix subtle patterns with solid colors, but I recommend not using any high contrast prints or dark colors, as it is difficult to read the writing on them. Cut the papers down to 35 — 3″ x 4″ rectangles ( 7 columns x 5 rows).

diy dry erase family calendar | greyhouseharbor.com

5. Use a craft punch, Cricut, or Silhouette machine to cut out 35 circles of white cardstock, all 1″ diameter. If you don’t have access to those things, you can also use the 3/4″ white price stickers they sell for garage sales.

diy dry erase family calendar | greyhouseharbor.com

6. Adhere the circles to the upper right hand corners of all your rectangles.

diy dry erase family calendar | greyhouseharbor.com

7. Before gluing anything to your large board, arrange the rectangles to get a composition of colors and patterns that you like.

diy dry erase family calendar | greyhouseharbor.com

8. To attach the rectangles, I used my Xyron sticker maker to apply permanent adhesive to the back each one. However, a glue stick or other craft glue will work, too.

diy dry erase family calendar | greyhouseharbor.com

9. Measure down 10″ from the top of the board and square a tape measure across. Glue your center paper with it’s midpoint at 12″, then glue your two outside papers 1″ from the edges. Eyeball the placement of the other four papers in between. Work your way down until all are attached.

diy dry erase family calendar | greyhouseharbor.com

10. Back at the top, add your family name and a box to write the month.

diy dry erase family calendar | greyhouseharbor.com

11. Use your craft cutter or purchase letter stickers to apply the month and days of the week.

diy dry erase family calendar | greyhouseharbor.com

12. At the bottom, I like to add lines for To Do’s.

diy dry erase family calendar | greyhouseharbor.com

13. Reassemble your completed calendar inside the frame. These adhesive pen holders are perfect for keeping a fine tip dry erase marker handy. Just stick it to the outside of the glass.

diy dry erase family calendar | greyhouseharbor.com

diy dry erase family calendar | greyhouseharbor.com

While smartphone calendars are nice, this is such a great way to keep visual track of your entire family’s monthly happenings!

diy dry erase family calendar | greyhouseharbor.com

diy dry erase family calendar | greyhouseharbor.com

diy dry erase family calendar | greyhouseharbor.com

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Tags: diy, diy home improvement, gift ideas, tutorial
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Apr 11 2014

the playroom : it’s always sunny in here

Posted by hayley
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Our kids playroom continues to be one of my favorite rooms in our home. Probably because, a year after moving in, it’s still the only room that is entirely done. Or because it’s the first time we’ve had a space solely dedicated to toy chaos (halleluiah!) and realize what a luxury that is.

Or maybe just because it’s really fun.

wpid3227-kbug / insect kids playroom  |  greyhouseharbor.comids-playroom.jpg

Technically, this is the formal dining room in our house, but the closest this family gets to formal dining is the rare sighting of fabric napkins. So, an entire room dedicated to play seemed much more our speed.

bug / insect kids playroom  |  greyhouseharbor.com

bug / insect kids playroom  |  greyhouseharbor.com

From the get-go I knew I wanted to paint a mural in the room. But I really didn’t want anything gender specific or immature. The space also has a large entry with no doors, so I needed something I wouldn’t grow weary of seeing every day. Thus, I drew inspiration from the simple idea of being very small (think, Honey I Shrunk the Kids).  The scenery and critters were painted from the perspective of someone just inches tall.

bug / insect kids playroom  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Two large windows fill the room with ample amounts of light.

bug / insect kids playroom  |  greyhouseharbor.com

bug / insect kids playroom  |  greyhouseharbor.com

No matter what the weather is doing outside, it’s always blue skies in here.

bug / insect kids playroom  |  greyhouseharbor.com

I spy with my little eye… a frog butler in a crimson tailcoat. Believe it or not, I bought that funny little side table 10 years ago (pre-kids) not knowing it would one day suit this space perfectly.  And the cardboard playhouse was constructed from an empty dryer box – but that’s a tutorial for another day!

bug / insect kids playroom  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Tags: art, home decor, kid stuff, murals, our home, painting, playroom
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Jan 13 2014

construction birthday bash

Posted by hayley
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construction birthday party

There really were no other theme contenders for Bug’s birthday this year. Diggers are on that boy’s mind all day, every day. Not sure if it’s the big tires, the dirt, the loud engines or just the manliness of it all, but he’s hooked.

construction birthday party

construction birthday party

construction birthday party

construction birthday party

Three times I attempted to bake his cake. First one was a loss due to a terrible recipe. The second bubbled WAY over the pan, onto the stove bottom, and sent smoke rolling out of the oven. At 11pm the night before the party, the third one imploded, and I finally conceded to buying one from the grocery store. We did, however, do the digger “embellishing” ourselves.

construction birthday party

What’s a party without a few games?

I painted the stripes on these play cones and secured a cut extension cord with orange duck tape to make the rings.

construction birthday party

Gotta love neighbors willing to donate moving boxes! Bug had a blast knocking over the big kids’ towers. This city *might* become a living room fixture for the foreseeable future. (See tutorials for the digger and dump truck)

construction birthday party

construction birthday party

construction birthday party

The cashier actually asked what I was making when I rolled up with a 20 lb bag of rice. Imagine her look of confusion when I said I planned to dye it blue and let my son dig in it!

construction birthday party

construction birthday party-construction-birthay-21.jpg

construction birthday party

construction birthday party

All 10 kids in attendance got a “hard hat” and safety vest.

construction birthday party

construction birthday party

Bug was not feeling the vest, but happily donned the hat for awhile to open gifts.

construction birthday party

construction birthday party

construction birthday party

Can Momma get a picture with the birthday boy? Pleeease?

construction birthday party

Please.

construction birthday party

Maybe I should have bribed him with cake.

Turns out the store bought cake was really moist and delicious. Bug voted with his fork – an empty plate/full belly approval!

construction birthday party

construction birthday party

construction birthday party

SOURCES: hard hats, safety vests (I added the orange duck tape), neon duck tape, rice tub (bought just one for $20 in store, not sure why it shows set of 4 online) , gel food coloring for rice, CAT mini machines, caution tape, tableware, platters, streamers (Dollar Tree), striped straws, beverage server (Home Goods), “2” candle, “2” dump truck shirt (directions here). I designed the large Happy Birthday poster myself and had it printed as an engineering print at Office Max. Then used spray adhesive to attach it to foam core purchased at Dollar Tree.

Tags: birthday, bug, construction party, party decor
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Jan 1 2014

freezer paper stencils {a tutorial}

Posted by hayley
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Freezer Paper Stencil

If you’ve been around the blogosphere awhile then freezer paper stenciling is probably old news. But, in the event that someone reading this has no idea what I’m talking about… prepare to have your mind blown! Ready?

You can make your own entirely custom stencils with a common kitchen item: Freezer Paper!

Typically used to wrap meats and what not for freezing, you can find it in the grocery store next to the wax paper and aluminum foil. I bought a $6 roll 3 years ago and still haven’t used half of it, so it’s a huge bargain.

Freezer Paper Stencil

One side is shiny like wax paper and one is matte.

Freezer Paper Stencil

For Bug’s upcoming birthday bash, I wanted to make him a special shirt to match the construction theme.

Start by ironing the fabric. If you’re stenciling a shirt, place a brown paper grocery bag or cardboard inside to prevent the paint from bleeding to the back.

Freezer Paper Stencil

I designed and cut my stencil with my Silhouette machine.
But if you don’t have one of those, print or draw your design on the matte side and cut with an Xacto or scissors.

Freezer Paper Stenciling

Position your stencil on the fabric shiny side down. Using an iron on hot with no steam, press the stencil gently. Don’t rub back and forth as this may rip the paper. Continue until all edges are adhered.

Freezer Paper Stencil

Use an art brush to paint inside the stencil. Fabric paint or Puffy Paints work great and are entirely washable. The Puffy Paints won’t be puffy if you brush them, but they will have a slight sheen when dry.

Freezer Paper Stencil

For this particular design, I actually made two identical stencils : one to do just the yellow and then one for the black outline. Next time I’d probably just do the outline and then freehand the yellow fill.

Freezer Paper Stencil

Continue painting over the entire design. You want solid coverage, so it’s ok to brush onto the matte side – it won’t leak through.

Freezer Paper Stencil

Freezer Paper Stencil

At this point it’s SUPER tempting to pull the stencil, but restrain yourself! Not only will the design pull cleaner when completely dry, but it’s also impossible to re-attach it if you missed a spot.

When it’s totally dry, slowly pull up the freezer paper.

Freezer Paper Stencil

Tweezers are helpful for stubborn small bits.

Freezer Paper Stencil

Beats free-handing every time!

Freezer Paper Stencil

Here’s a few other freezer paper projects from the past couple years. Songbird painted the strawberry herself!

Freezer Paper Stencil

Freezer Paper Stencil

Freezer Paper Stencil

Freezer Paper Stencil

Freezer Paper Stencil

Birthdays, holidays, family reunions, bachelor/bachelorette parties, baby onesies, banners, pillows… the possibilities are endless! Going to try it? I’d love to see what you make. Share a pic on the GreyHouseHarbor Facebook page here.

Happy stenciling, friends!

Tags: custom shirt, custom stencil, diy crafts, freezer paper diy, freezer paper stencil, freezer paper tutorial
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I'm Hayley. Wife and mother by day, DIY enthusiast by night. Fueled by sweet tea and jelly beans, I own power tools and know how to use them. Consider yourself warned.

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