Rainbow DIY Flower Mirrors Wall Art

by // Leave a Comment

It’s time to finally tackle those boring walls in your kid’s room without spending a fortune on wall art. Instead, head to your local Dollar Tree and grab the materials to make these awesome and bright rainbow DIY flower mirrors!

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

Collage of Rainbow Flower Mirrors on Bright Backgrounds with text overlay - Rainbow DIY Flower Mirrors Wall Art

 

[bctt tweet=”No more boring walls! Find out how to create fun and colorful wall accessories on a budget with this rainbow DIY flower mirrors wall art tutorial!” username=”diyadulation”]

 

My daughter is starting to get bored with her walls, so much so that she’s started hanging some weird things on it. As “pretty” as that juice bottle label is, I figured it was time to give her some unique wall art that didn’t come from a beverage or the million other strange places she’s finding her decorations.

Recently I saw these flat wooden flowers at our Dollar Tree and boom! Awesome wall decor idea. Since the centers of the flowers were empty, I wanted to add a little something more. You can always find small mirrors at the Dollar Tree because of the popularity for weddings and other events so I grabbed a few of those to add that missing element.

 

Close Up of Rainbow Flower Mirror

All that is left to make some fun and colorful pieces of wall art are some paint and Modge Podge. Within a day you have awesome new pieces of decor to replace that craziness happening on my daughter’s walls.

 

DIY Flower Mirrors Materials

Rainbow Flower Mirrors Materials

Step 1

First, remove any packaging and labels from your wooden flowers.

 

Orange Painted Petal on Wooden Flower

Step 2

Then begin painting your flower petals starting with your orange paint. Pretend there are invisible lines running down the petal indentations while painting. This helps you separate the petals.

 

Wooden Flower with Orange and Yellow Painted Petals next to Paint Pallet

Step 3

Next, paint the yellow petal on your wooden flower. It should be the petal to the right of your orange flower petal.

 

Wooden Flower with Rainbow Painted Petals next to Paint Pallet

Step 4

Continue painting the petals of your flower in the order pictured above (orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink).

 

Painted Rainbow Flower Drying

Step 5

After your flower is painted, set it aside and allow the paint to dry.

 

Rainbow Flower with Coat of Mod Podge

Step 6

Once your paint is dry, coat your entire painted flower in a layer of Mod Podge and allow it to dry.

 

Rainbow Flower next to Upside Down Mirror

Step 7

Next, remove the foam feet from the bottom of your mirror. Then adhere the mirror to the center of the dry rainbow flower with E6000.

 

Mirror Glued to Rainbow Flower

Step 8

Allow your glue to dry 24 hours before hanging your flower mirror.

Repeat these steps to make as many flower mirrors as you need. I only made 2 but I totally want to head back to the Dollar Tree to grab the materials to make a few more. My daughter loves them for her room!

 

Flower Mirrors on Pink Background with text overlay - Rainbow DIY Flower Mirrors Wall Art

These rainbow DIY flower mirrors are the perfect easy wall decor for a kids room or a play room. Of course, if you’re like me, they also look great in the living room to brighten it up. Instead of messing around with adding a hanger to the back of the flower, use a Command Picture Strip to hang them on the wall. The small size work fine because these aren’t very heavy even with the mirror attached. Clean them as needed with a slightly damp cloth and you’re good to go!

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Flower Mirrors on Pink Background with text overlay - Rainbow DIY Flower Mirrors Wall Art

 

More Ideas You’ll Love:

 

Make Chores Easy with a Picture Chore Chart

by // Leave a Comment

Are you looking for a way to streamline the chores and routine process for your kids without constant nagging from you? Now you can make chores easy with a picture chore chart. It is perfect for non-readers, visual learners, and kiddos who are just lazy and don’t want to read each task.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

Collage of Chore Charts with text overlay - Make Chores Easy with a Picture Chore Chart

 

[bctt tweet=”Struggling to get your kiddos to complete their chores and routines each day without frustration? Now you can make chores easy with a picture chore chart!” username=”diyadulation”]

I’ve had a ton of chore charts over the years. My oldest has always been really good about following them so I assumed the same method would work for my youngest kiddos. For many years I kept trying the same thing hoping for different results. Then I’d get frustrated at constantly having to remind and nag them about completing their chores and routines.

All it led to was a houseful of frustrated people and nothing getting done. Then one day it hit me how ridiculous I was being. I expected a one-size-fits-all learning and responsibility style of all of my kids. These picture chore charts change it up and make it simple for even my 5 year old to know exactly what is expected of him.

Every morning, they go through their routine and move the chores/activities over as they complete them. During the school year, they check them again after school and once again after dinner. During the summer, I structure the checks around meals because it’s the easiest to remember. Before bed each night, reset the chore charts so that they are ready the next morning.

Picture Chore Chart Printables with text overlay - Grab Your Free Chore Charts

 

Picture Chore Chart Materials

 

Printed Pink Chore Chart Next to Laminating Folder

Step 1

First, print out your chore chart. Get it free when you sign up right here:

Printed Pink Chore Chart Inside of Laminating Folder

Feeding Pink Chore Chart into Laminator

Step 2

Next, place your chore chart into a lamination folder and feed it into your laminator.

 

Printed Sheet of Chore Squares

Step 3

Set your laminated chore chart aside and pull out the chore squares.

 

Cut Out Chore Squares

Step 4

Cut all of the chore squares apart, including the blank ones. You can laminate these blank to update with a dry erase as needed, or your can personalize them with pictures of your own for any chores and activities not included in the picture chore squares.

 

Cut Out Chore Squares Placed on Laminating Folder

Step 5

After all of your squares are cut out, open up a lamination folder and carefully align them on the sheet. Be sure to include space between each one so that they remain sealed when you cut them out later.

 

Step 6

Again, feed the sheet through your laminator but do so very carefully. Until they are laminated, the squares can shift inside the folder.

 

Cutting Laminated Chore Squares

Cut Out Laminated Chore Squares

Step 7

Next, cut out your laminated chore squares with a paper cutter or scissors. If your rows are not very straight, I recommend using scissors so that you don’t accidentally slice through one that isn’t in line with the others.

 

Package of Hook and Loop Fastener Dots

Step 8

After all of your laminated chore squares are cut apart, pull out your package of adhesive hook and loop fastener dots.

 

Hook and Loop Fastener Dots on Back of Chore Squares

Step 9

Place one loop dot (the soft ones) on the back of each laminated chore square that you are adding to your chore chart.

 

2 Hook and Loop Fastener Dots on Back of Each Chore Squares

Step 10

Then attach the hook dots to 10 of the soft ones carefully so that they are stacked with the sticky side facing out.

 

Chore Squares on Laminated Chore Chart

Step 11

Place the chore squares on the “To-Do” side of the laminated chore chart lined up so that you have to columns of 5. Carefully pull off the chore squares so that the hook dots stay attached to the chore chart. Press firmly back over the hook dots to further secure them to the chart.

 

Hook and Loop Fasteners Attached to Chore Chart

Step 12

Repeat steps 10 and 11 on the “Done” side of the chore chart.

Step 13

Keep seasonal chores/activities such as sports or practicing an instrument in a resealable bag taped to the bottom of the clipboard.

 

Plain Clipboard next to Rolls of Washi Tape

Step 14

Set your chore chart and chore squares to the side and pull out your clipboard and washi tape.

 

Colorful Striped Clipboard

Close up of Striped Clipboard

Step 15

Remove any packaging from your clipboard and use the washi tape to create a design on the clipboard. I went with colorful stripes for my daughter’s clipboard but used comic book patterned duct tape on my son’s clipboard. Kids are more responsive to a new system when you customize it to their tastes.

 

Pink Chore Chart and Chores on Clipboard

Step 16

Lastly, clip your chore chart on the clipboard and attach the chore squares to the “To-Do” side. Write your child’s name with a dry erase marker on the top of the chore chart.

 

Picture Chore Chart Printables with text overlay - Grab Your Free Chore Charts

How to Hang Your Chore Chart

Most clipboards lend themselves to being hung on hooks, nails, or push pins easily. If you have these already available, simply use them. If you worry about kiddos taking the chore charts off of the wall then I recommend using Command picture strips to hang them on the wall. This still gives kids access to the chore charts without fear that they’ll run off and lose them.

 

Pink Laminated Chore Chart on Clipboard with text overlay - Make Chores Easy with a Picture Chore Chart

If you’ve been struggling to get your kiddos to complete their chores and routines each day without frustration, then give these a try. You can make chores easy with a picture chore chart that can be customized by child and also by season. Don’t forget to incorporate resetting them each evening into your bedtime routine. Click here to get access to the free printable chore charts and chore squares. There are 2 colors sets available: pink and purple or orange and blue. Don’t worry, you’ll get both so you can make charts for all of your kiddos.

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Pink Laminated Chore Chart on Clipboard with text overlay - Make Chores Easy with a Picture Chore Chart

 

More Ideas You’ll Love:

How to Make a Half Sphere Beach Ball Cake

by // Leave a Comment

How many times have you bought the stuff to make a cake and then procrastinated about making it only to end up buying one from the store? Creating a beautiful cake seems intimidating and we put it off because of that. Guess what! It isn’t as hard as you think. Find out how to make a half sphere beach ball cake easily for your upcoming summer party with this simple tutorial.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

Collage of Photos of Beach Ball Cake on Sandy Platter with text overlay - How to Make a Half Sphere Beach Ball Cake

 

[bctt tweet=”Creating a beautiful cake is easier than you think. Find out how to make a half sphere beach ball cake easily with this simple tutorial!” username=”diyadulation”]

Store bought cakes are delicious, don’t get me wrong. When you’re trying to save money, though, the savings of making a cake yourself is so worth it. A box cake mix and a couple of container of icing are roughly $6.00. Compare that with the $20-$30 of a store bought cake with a few plastic baubles on it. No thank you.

Last weekend was my mom’s birthday and I wanted to give her a super special cake. She loves the beach and since her birthday falls in the summer, I thought this beach ball cake would be the perfect idea. Even better, it’s super easy to make so I was able to get it made and decorated even with tiny tyrants running around my house.

 

Sandy Beach Ball Cake

Note:

You may need to invest in a ball cake pan but the possibilities of fun cakes you can make with it are so endless that it’s totally worth it. Don’t be fooled into thinking it always has to be a sports ball. I’ve used it to make a ball of yarn for a Lalaloopsy party and animal heads for kids parties. Seriously, it’s one of the best cake pan investments.

Beach Ball Cake Materials and Ingredients

Step 1

First, pre-heat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit and mix up your cake mix according to the package directions.

Step 2

Then spray your soccer ball pan with cooking spray and pour your mixed batter inside.

Step 3

Bake your cake at 350° Fahrenheit for 50 minutes or until cooked through. Use a toothpick in the center of the cake to check if it’s baked. If the toothpick comes out clean, your cake is done. If not, continue cooking in 2-3 minute increments until it is. Use a fresh toothpick each time you check your cake.

 

Soccer Ball Cake on Cooling Rack

Step 4

After the cake is baked, flip it onto a cooling rack and let cool.

Step 5

Once your cake is cooled, place it on a plate and toss in the freezer for about an hour.

 

Soccer Ball Cake Cut in Half

Step 6

Next, pull your cake out of the freezer and in half at the middle of the dome.

 

Dollop of Icing on Cake Half

Step 7

Spread a layer of icing on the bottom piece and then top with the remaining half of cake.

 

Icing Spread on Sphere Cake

Step 8

Then spread a layer of icing over the entire cake. This is not a crumb coat so don’t be stingy. I used an entire container of vanilla icing to completely cover the cake.

Step 9

Again, pop the iced cake back into the freezer. It it easier to layer when it’s frozen because you’re using store bought icing.

Step 10

Once the icing on your cake is frozen, pull it from the freezer and divide your 2nd container of icing in half. Reserve 1 half to keep the original color. Divide the remaining half into thirds in separate small bowls.

 

Close up of Gel Food Coloring

Close up of Teal Icing in Bowl

Step 11

Color one of each bowl of icing teal, violet, and yellow.

Step 12

Next, add your teal icing to a small resealable sandwich bag, press out the air, and cut off the tip.

 

Teal Icing Piped on Cake

Step 13

Pipe a small circle in the top center of your cake to act as a guide and then pipe one section of your beach ball teal as pictured.

 

Teal Icing Spread on Cake

Step 14

After you pipe on the icing, smooth and spread it with a small rubber spatula.

 

Purple Icing Spread on Cake

Step 15

Repeat steps 12 and 14 with your remaining 2 colors on your beach ball. Make sure to leave a white/off-white section in between each color.

Step 16

Once your colored sections are on the beach ball, fill in the remaining sections with the additional white icing (reserve 2-3 tbsp of white). Adding the colors on top of your cake makes the icing levels uneven which is why you want to fill in the white sections with additional icing.

 

Center of Beach Ball Iced

Step 17

Lastly, color the 2 tablespoons of icing you saved black and pipe it over the circle at the top of your beach ball.

Step 18

Again, pop your iced cake into the freezer and leave it there until you’re ready to serve or transport.

 

Beach Ball Cake on Platter next to Cookie Box

Step 19

Once you’re ready to serve or transport, place your frozen cake on a tray. Place a dollop of leftover icing on the tray before putting your cake on. This will help hold the cake in place.

 

Plastic Travel Cover on Beach Ball Cake

Side View of Plastic Travel Cover on Beach Ball Cake

Tip:

 

Close up of Cookies in Plastic Bag next to Meat Tenderizer

Crushed up Cookies in Plastic Bag

Step 20

Lastly, create the sand around your beach ball cake by emptying a sleeve of shortbread cookies into a gallon sized resealable bag and crush them up with the flat side of a meat tenderizing hammer. You can also use a food processor to crumble the cookies but I really enjoy beating the cookies with a hammer. It’s cathartic.

 

Crushed up Cookies on Cake Platter next to Beach Ball Cake

Step 21

Spread your crushed up cookies around the edge of your cake and you’re done.

 

Close Up Sandy Beach Ball Cake

Beach Ball Cake on Sandy Platter with text overlay - How to Make a Half Sphere Beach Ball Cake

This half sphere beach ball cake is so much fun and absolutely perfect for your summer celebration. Whether you’re throwing a pool party or a summer birthday, this cake is sure to be a hit. No one has to know how totally easy it is to make.

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Beach Ball Cake on Sandy Platter with text overlay - How to Make a Half Sphere Beach Ball Cake

 

More Ideas You’ll Love: