Category Archives: Savvy Project
Fantastic Plastic
In early August, the Museum of Discovery hosted the first TinkerFest, featuring interactive “tinkering” exhibits for all ages. The following project was brought to TinkerFest from The Exploratorium in San Francisco, and is a great way to create while learning about plastics and polymers. This activity is an example of a chemical reaction, encouraged by the fusing of molecules. Continue reading
Wall of Achievement
With school back in session, your kids will be coming home with all sorts of art projects and graded papers. Show them how proud you are of them by displaying their good grades and exciting works of art by creating a Wall of Achievement on a blank wall in your home. Continue reading
Customized Flip Flops
Flip Flops are by-far the favorite kid kicks of summer. With this project, your kids can customize their own pair in just a few easy steps. Looking for more fun flip flop designs? Check out our Pinterest page: Pinterest.com.
What you will need:
- Pair of Flip Flops
- Decorative Embellishments (we used silk flowers, but you could also use butterflies, jewels, bows, etc.)
- Glue (try E6000 Craft Adhesive)
Directions:
Start by cleaning your flops (if you are decorating an old pair), paying extra attention to the thong area as this is where you will be applying the glue. Next, get your embellishments ready by making sure the backs (where you will be applying the glue) has a nice, flat surface. Since we used silk flowers, we trimmed off the leaves and stems. Next, add glue to both the center of the “V” of the flip flops’ thong and the back of your embellishment and place the two together. Hold your embellishment in place for a few seconds to set in place. Allow the glue to dry completely before wearing.
Have you customized your own pair of flip flops? Share your pictures with us at Facebook.com!
Make Your Own Baby Sling
Savvy Kids partnered with Cynthia East Fabrics (1523 Rebsamen Park Rd., Little Rock; 501-663-0460) to make this months’ Savvy Project. Stop in to find trendy fabrics, get tips from their experts and become inspired!
Supplies:
- 2 Yards of Fabric (should be at least 44 inches wide)
- Matching Thread
- Sewing Machine
- Measuring Tape
- Fabric Marking Pen
- Iron
- Scissors
1
Prior to making your sling, you will need to get some measurements from the person you are making it for. Measure from the right shoulder to the left hip bone, where the baby will sit. Unfold your fabric and cut it lengthwise. It should measure 2 yards by 22 inches. Put one piece aside for future use or another sling.
2
Next, fold your fabric lengthwise once, then fold it in half widthwise. Make sure the open sides are facing up and to the right.
3
On the top, open side, measure from the fold to your hip to shoulder measurement. You will want to ad a ½ inch to this measurement.
4
Now measure along the bottom from the fold to the next measurement and mark. Take the original measurement and add three inches to it. After marking both measurements, you will want to cut from the bottom to the top with a curve.
5
Unfold your fabric and heat up your iron. Measure a ¼ of an inch fold using your measuring gauge on the length of your fabric. Iron this fold down on both sides.
6
Fold this over again and iron down an additional ¼ of an inch on both sides.
Step 6A
Sew down the fold on top and bottom.
7
With the sides sewn and finished, fold the fabric in half widthwise with the right side of the fabric facing up. Make sure you adjust your stitch width to a tight stitch. This will increase the strength of the seam.
Step 7A
Sew along the curve a ¼ of an inch in.
8
Turn the sling inside out. You are going to sew along the curve above the seam you just made. This will encase the previous seam.
9
Finally, open up the sling and sew down this encased seam to the front or back of the fabric.
Pictured above is the finished baby sling! Drop by Cynthia East Fabrics to browse the many available patterns, ask any questions about this project, or just get to know the staff and store!
Visit Cynthia East website at their official website, on Facebook, or Twitter.
Savvy Project: Birthday Crowns
A really cute way to accessorize your little birthday prince or princess is a handmade, reusable felt birthday crown. I have seen these all over the place in the past few months, and while simple to make, they are sure to be a lovely keepsake that you’ll cherish forever. Even moms who don’t consider themselves “crafty” should be able to whip up one of these in less than an hour. Continue reading