Art and puzzle table

Our little play corner was begging for some TLC. I really wanted to have a space for the kids to sit comfortably to create art and work on puzzles--ideally something with some toy storage.

Look no further than IKEA for the basics, I say!

For under $60, I snagged a couple of ottomans, coffee table, wall lamp and some craft supply storage.

IKEA 365 44oz jar with lid (three for $2.99 each)

We keep the jars in a basket tucked away with paper and other art supplies in the adjacent cabinet.

LACK coffee table ($19.99) with Target's Sterilite Guacamole Green Plastic Basket (3 for $2.99 each)

SOLSTA PÄLLBO footstool (two footstools for $14.99 each). These have removable, washable slipcovers--perfect for cleaning up art messes.

SNÖIG wall lamp (green color was on sale for $7.99 in store; white and pink lamps are $19.99)

Budget
Stools = $29.98
Containers = $17.94
Table = $19.99
Wall lamp = $17.99
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TOTAL = $57.96 + tax

Painted canvas wall art

I picked up a canvas print from PierOne last season, attracted to the bold graphic hibiscus. The bright orange didn't fit my color scheme, but it occurred to me that I could take some craft paint and mix up a custom color to paint over the canvas.

Using the lines of the flower graphic, I just used a small paintbrush to guide the new paint over the existing. See progress in photo above. No prep needed!

Voila! New wall art in a custom blue shade.

Rainbow Art Collage

Looking for a rainy day activity with quick set-up and toddler/preschooler appeal?

I recently did an impromptu art project with my toddler using magazine clippings in all the colors of the rainbow. I drew the outline of the rainbow with the color names on the left and set out a pile of magazine clippings. My toddler sorted the clippings by color and used a glue stick to arrange them on the arc that matched the color.

Although she ran out of clippings to complete the rainbow, we hung it up anyway and have been working on it in stages as I have time to clip more magazines. By the way, the colors we used were: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple (a simplified version of Roy G. Biv).

Bee Mine Valentine

Here's your step-by-step for some adorable valentines that you can make with your toddler or preschooler.

1) You'll need a pack of medium tags and pink dye ink pad from a craft store (these are from JoAnn's Fabrics).

2) Have your child use their fingerprint to make a single mark on each tag. Disclaimer: this ink can be messy, so supervise your child closely.

3) Repeat, repeat! :)

4) Now, it's Mom's turn. Draw details on the bees using a thin-tipped black marker and write your "BEE MINE" message in pink. Tie to a small Juicy Juice box as a gift for classmates. Choose the Juicy Juice punch flavor for the pink packaging to match your sweet bees.

Monogrammed Nursery Artwork

With two weeks until my due date, my son's nursery is now complete. I opted not to do a themed nursery, instead choosing three colors to repeat throughout the room. The color scheme is anchored with homemade artwork above the crib.

Here are the steps for this monogrammed art project:

Supplies

- 12"x12" art canvas

- acrylic paints

- paintbrushes

- ruler

- stencil letter (or find a font that you can freehand)

- level

- painter's tape (optional)

- trim from hardware store

- spray paint

- wood glue

- wood filler

- picture frame wire and eyehooks

- mounting strips

Canvas

• Using a ruler and pencil, divide your 12"x12" canvas into three horizontal sections for the stripes (each would be 4 inches deep).
• Trace the letter with a stencil or eyeball it using a font you like as a template.
• Stipple (paint small dots) the three stripes with the acrylic colors you've chosen, making sure to continue stripes around the sides of the canvas. Let dry.
• Paint the letter with a contrasting color with a thin paintbrush or paint marker.

Mat

• Measure a 24"x24" square on your wall.
• Using the same color as the letter on your canvas, paint the square. (You can use painter's tape as a guide for best accuracy, but the trim should cover up any imperfections later.)
• Consider adding a second coat, especially if your wall is textured.

Frame

• Select a 2-inch trim/moulding style from your local hardware store (usually sold in long pieces by the foot).
• Cut into four 2-ft pieces with corners at 45-degree angles. Some stores have cutting stations that you could use without having to own a saw at home.
• Assemble with wood glue and filler at the seams, making sure that the end result is square (90-degree corners with no warping).
• Spraypaint the frame (two coats recommended) and let dry.

Assembly

• Attach mounting strips to the back of the frame and hang on wall. Screws or nails on the top corners could be added for extra reinforcement.
• Screw in two eyehooks to the upper back corners of your canvas and thread picture wire through the loops.
• Hang in the center of the painted mat with a nail.
• Step back and admire the results!