Beach Bum Art {Quilt Art}

I loosely call this quilt art.  Just for the fact that it isn't a quilt and it is hanging on a wall.  Other than that?  I do not pretend to be an amazing quilt artist like some of my blogging/instagram friends I follow!!

This project came about because I had an empty spot in the boys' Jack and Jacks bathroom.  The center toilet/shower area has an Under the Sea  theme.

I'd be lying if I didn't admit that the embroidery appliqued crab I designed?

Is based on this crab!

Hey.  Imitation is the best form of flattery, right?

I tried to have a little fun with this.  I wanted it to be a beach scene because the boys love body surfing and watching the surfers when we have gone to the beach on vacation.

My rule was scraps only. 

At some points, I felt like I was doing a school art project.

But now, I am happy with it.  It isn't a Picasso, that's for sure.  But there is an afternoon's worth of work involved.  Entirely made of scraps.  Leftover piece of mat material cut to size so it could hide that I made my "quilt" a tad short on all sides (mat tutorial here).  A frame from a previous project covered with a slate. Zero pain on the pocketbook!

Button points and talks about it every time he is in the bath....and that is what really matters!!!

Wondering

Wondering how I hung up Button's Name Art?

I was wondering if my plan was going to work out, but it did.

I first measured the length of the wall space.  I then laid it out on the floor exactly how I wanted to look on the wall and measured that length.  I subtracted the two and then divided the difference of six inches which was 3 inches in my case. 

 I then started the "J" three inches from the left edge of the door.

How did I hang them? 

 I found small gaps between the buttons and used some sturdy nails.

Just be careful as you start hammering it closer to the buttons.

 Chipped buttons can occur!!!!

When I added the "A", I grabbed my level to make sure I was staying straight!

I was missing the "M" until I realized my little cohort had confiscated it and had decided it needed to go on the door instead.

This continued, me leveling each letter, finding the next one missing, wrestling it away from Button, until I had them all up...and sure enough, I had three inches left to the right corner!  

Perfect!!!

Or not so perfect?!!? 

 I went a little overboard with the nails, but I did not want any accidents considering that I was hanging it above the crib.

But, no worries....

I grabbed my glue and just covered the nails.  Make sure you get enough glue on the button and use large enough buttons so that the button can stick to other buttons.  

It did not stick so well to the nail all by itself.

Overall, I am thrilled with the results.  

His nursery is really coming along!

I am still contemplating moving it over the dresser instead, but I am not sure Mr. Boss will be to happy with the holes that are now in his nicely painted wall...OOPS!

Bouncy Ball Fun

I think I might actually be getting motivated to "do" Christmas.  Decorations are in full swing.  Christmas photo cards ordered and Christmas letter in rough draft mode.  Santa shopping today (shhhhh!).  

And I actually turned on Holiday music yesterday!?!??!

I cannot confirm nor deny that I may have been jamming to Bruce Springsteen's "Santa Claus is Coming To Town" full blast in the car?

And since I am shopping today....

I wanted to share this fun craft kit that the boys absolutely love.  

If you are like me, I am always looking for crafts for them to do that keep them interested in a short period of time.

Make your own Bouncy balls anyone?!?!?

The apparatus goes together in a snap.  The kit comes with several colors including green, blue, yellow, white, orange, pink, and purple and comes with two molds.

You simply snap the mold to the "arm".

 And fill the mold with one or more colors.

Bunny was tickled that I captured the powder going through the tube!

When it is filled...you simply swing the "arm" and dunk the mold in the water container for 2 minutes.

The waiting is the hardest part.

Unless you have some entertainment brought to you by Button.


Because when you take it out of the water....you have to wait another few minutes for the ball to dry in the mold.

But the wait is so worth it to see this in the end.

The smile...not the bouncy ball that creates havoc in my house!

But in all seriousness, I bought this kit awhile ago for a birthday party and it kept seven boys VERY entertained. 
And they had a really neat party "favor" to take home made exclusively by them!


And we still take it out for those times when the boys are bored (like the other night) and want to do something fun in my Studio!