The Violet Hours

Time for Upcycling Piñatas

Ok, it's one thing to make your own piñata, but it's another to pick up the scraps after it's been beaten to a pulp and continue crafting! Not something for the faint of craft. How cute are these piñata scrap bags from Giddy Giddy? And those piñatas? Bestill my beating heart...

 

Time for an Owl Party

Ok, here's the thing about me and owls...I collect them. And I swear, I've been collecting them for years longer than they have been the bird of the moment. Both of my grandmothers collected figurines, jewelry, tape dispensers, belt buckles...all with owls. So when my niece Grey asked if I would help plan an owl party for her 7th birthday, it was a no-brainer.

The party started with a hunt for gold rocks in the front yard, followed by this adorable owl craft. My sister-in-law Dena found a pile of magnolia branches on the side of the road and took them home to slice and seal them with polyurethane.

 

  

 

Here's how to make the owl:

1. We used Mod Podge to cover 3" styrofoam balls with tissue paper. (We saved ourselves the mess and did this step for them.) We put them on skewers so the girls would have something to hold.
2. We cut large feathers out of brown felt; they became the wings and feathers to cover the backs of the birds. They girls glued them on to their styro ball.
3. Dena pre-cut hundreds feathers from felt (yes, she's a little nuts). Starting at the bottom, we glued the feathers in rows to cover the ball. 
4. Once the ball is covered, glue a triangle pointing down in the front to the top of the head.
5. Then, glue two buttons on either side of the triangle.
6. Use hot glue gun to attach to a log or stick. 

Here are some pics of these adorable little girls having the best time!

   

   

Time for a 5-minute Homemade Toy

I've blogged about Made by Joel before...he's one of my absolute faves! Here, he made the simplest toy: he gathered sticks and twigs with his kids and then drilled a few holes in a sanded piece of wood. The kids inserted the twigs in the holes and voila, insta-forest! It doesn't beep, light up, or move. But it does entertain, in the simplest way.

Time for a Modular Dollhouse

I'm always on the hunt for a great new dollhouse. I came across this one today called the Stackhouse on Handmade Charlotte and I love how the kid can do her own (sub)urban planning.

Time for Moustaches

I love that a facial hair style has made a comeback everywhere but the actual face. 

I love the colors and design of Smitten Sticks, perfect for photo booths, party favors, or general sleuthing.

A lolly pop in cognito! From Dandee Designs.

I love this stack ring by Kristy Lin. Dress him up with a necktie, or disguise him with a moustache. Found via Poppytalk.

Moustache chalkboard napkin rings...naturally! Found via Modern Dose.

Test out the moustache of your choice with these mugs. Found on Tickle Kitten. 

Love the Western/bandit feel of these moustache handkerchiefs. Found via Poppytalk.

Time for the Cutest Homemade Drum Set Ever!

This is so cute, I didn't want to dilute it with any distractions! I love how cool and simple this DIY kids drum set is! Found on Emmas Design Blog, via Mara Greenaway's Pinterest board.

Time for Chalkboard Paint

Paint a wall of your kitchen or a section of your kid's playroom—been there, seen that. Here are some new ways to use chalkboard paint.

 

Kids can practice writing their alphabet or they can draw a picture puzzle on these chalkboard blocks by Naef. Found via Handmade Charlotte. 

Here's a new way to teach geography...paint a globe in chalkboard paint. Found via Say Yes to Hoboken. 

A chalkboard piano? Who'd have thought? Found via Please Sir. 

Chalkboards don't always have to be in boring wood frames. Found via Paper Tastebuds. 

Say something without saying anything...write a note on this brooch and then change your mind later. Found via Swiss Miss.

Time for a Kid's Interactive Globe

Just saw this adorable craft on Design Mom that Jennifer from Cup of Coco made for her child's room. It's made totally from wool felt and the little pieces are stick to the board with velcro. 

 

Her details are incredible...don't miss the little airplanes flying above! What a fun way for kids to learn geography!

Time for Simple Homemade Toys

Sometimes it's the simplest, homemade toy that thrills the most.

 

I could honestly construct this entire post from Made by Joel's blog. Here are simple (and safe) stilts he made for his toddlers.  

I love this DIY harmonica made from rubber bands and popsicle sticks! By Maya Made.

Yo-yos never get old! Check out this one made from a water balloon and a thick rubber band. Find the full tutorial at Skip to my Lou; made by Zakka Life. 

Time for the World Cup, part deux

To celebrate the US win yesterday, here are more fun soccer/World Cup finds...

If they asked my opinion, I think the World Cup ball should actually have a world on it! Found via Chroma Labs. 

Visit the New York Times for a cool interactive tool that takes you through a timeline of the World Cup balls. Found via Black Eiffel.

Bas & Daan designed this shirt in support of the Dutch soccer team. From the website:

A lot of football players celebrate by pulling the shirt over their heads. On the inside of our supporter shirt, we printed the heads of the 3 most popular players of the Dutch national football team. So now, when the Dutch team scores you can pull your shirt over your head and become a legend!

Found via Design Mom.