Idea Book: Boy Edition

It is so easy - way too easy -
to make pretty sparkly things for myself or my girlie.
I am on a never-ending quest to make things - or try to make things - 
that an eleven year old boy will think is "OK" enough to use.
Well, with this project, I may have done it.
It is simple, purposeful, and not sparkly.

My son's head is FULL of ideas (hmmm...wonder where he got that from?).
He is always asking...

"Can you make a note of this?"

"Can you remember...?"

"I'd like to...?"

"I have an idea for...?"

I am tired of sticky notes everywhere...and they get lost...so now,
he has his own personalized notebook to keep track
of his many brilliant ideas, thoughts, and whatever!

I used a simple three ring binder...and wait for it...
the coolest product (EVER) to create this notebook 
 - Shape N' Tape sheets from Lifestyle Crafts.

You know us bloggers and crafters love our tape...
well now we can get it in 6" x 12" sheets - yes SHEETS!

 Shape N' Tape Sheets

"Decorative rolls of tape just got a full size make over! With 6”x12” Shape ‘n Tape sheets, you have the freedom to cut out any shape using cutting dies or scissors. Have unlimited options to shape your creativity. Look for Lifestyle Crafts Tape It cutting die kit (sold separately) which includes 18 cutting dies designed specifically to cut out Shape ‘n Tape sheets!" (Lifestyle Crafts)

Of course using this in a die cutter is amazing...
but just to show you that you do NOT need a die cutter
to use the Shape N' Tape, I traced letters onto the sheets
and cut his name out by hand  - we can all do that, right?

I then pulled out the Epic to cut some shapes- I had to test it out! I simply used the nesting circles to play with. I played with placement a bit.

For this project, I eventually used only one circle
and cut strips of the Shape N' Tape Sheets.
I then simply peel the backing off and applied my design to the notebook!

We filled it with lined paper and now Joe has a cool
(at least in my opinion) place to organize his thoughts.

Now, I cannot wait to create more with Shape N' Tape! FUN!
It comes in great colors, including
PINK, ORANGE, NAVY, and YELLOW.
I think I need all of the colors!

Shape N' Tape sheets work perfectly with the Tape It Die Kit,
"18 tape dies perfect for creating tags & cards, party & wedding details,
scrapbook pages, school projects, journals, home decor and more!" (Lifestyle Crafts)

Be sure to use the code "504Main"
to take advantage of the 20% discount! 

 This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

disclosure: dies and shape n tape were provided to me. I am a lifestyle crafts affiliate and I LOVE their products.

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Baseball Diamond Chalkboard!

It seems like it is so easy for me to come up with girl projects -
hearts, flowers, dresses, sparkles…all the things I like.
When it comes to boy projects I have a harder time...
maybe it is because my boy is in that tween stage.
Well, finally I have the opportunity to make something for my son.
(hubby thinks it is too "young" for him...but he likes it)

He loves baseball and I have been promising a room makeover for awhile (but now we are waiting until we move)…but I can add a few things to liven up the place.

What was super fun about this project was the opportunity to use DecoArt’s Clear Chalkboard Coating. It can turn just about any surface into a chalkboard – how cool is that! I mean, who does not love chalkboards!?

The chalkboard coating can be brushed on over so many surfaces and turn them into a unique one of a kind chalkable surface!

SUPPLIES

• Wood baseball (optional) about $3.00 from craft store, unfinished
• 1/4” plywood or basswood, cut into a square (turn it on the diagonal for a baseball diamond!), dimensions 16” x 16”
• Saw for trimming wood to appropriate size for baseball diamond – or a friend with a saw or have it cut at the hardware store (if they offer the service)
• Rockler Sanding Bug
• DecoArt’s Clear Chalkboard Coating
• Paint Brush (I use a designated purdy “craft” brush)
• DecoArt American Acrylic Paint in Citron Green, White Wash, and Cherry Red
• (NOTE: I had an OOPS! My first board was Citron Green and Lemonade mixed together and I loved it – kind of white washed and ombred…but late night crafting got me and I wrote my bases the wrong way so I was out of paint and ditched it, then used DecoArt Crafters Acrylic in Grasshopper Green)
• Foam Brushes
• Gorilla Glue Wood Glue
• DISChangers, 3”
• Elmer’s Painters Markers, Medium Tip, White*
• Elmer’s Painters Marker, fine tip,  Blue*
• Thin paint brush or Elmer’s Painters Marker in Red – fine tip (for baseball stitching)
• Stencil letters – bought mine at Aaron Brothers
• Ruler or L-Square
• Pencil

 

MAKE IT!

Head on over to The DIY Club

to see the full tutorial.

This is super easy to make....I promise!

CUT AND PAINT

MARK THE BASE PATH

POSITION AND GLUE

APPLY THE CHALKBOARD COATING.

LET IT DRY AND CURE

Now, write your sweet boy a message

(reminding him to floss is sweet isn’t it?)

and hang it up!

 

I love this Chalkboard Coating and will be using it to convert a magnetic paint section of a door that is not so magnetic anymore to a chalkboard!

So, what do you think…

how will you use a cool product like Clear Chalkboard Coating?

I have tons of ideas (and not enough time!)

DISCLOSURE: Some products were provided to me via my affiliation with THE DIY CLUB

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