As Covid-19 took over the news and media outlets, it’s been interesting to see the commonalities that have emerged across the country. Every family has embraced the changes differently, but I think a few trends ring true for all. Curbside pick-up, online shopping, carry-out meals and an odd shortage of toilet paper. Amiright??!!
I believe it is safe to say this experience will always be a prominent “remember when?” memory. One filled with grief, uncertainty, anxiousness – but hopefully also new memories and maybe a few smiles.
After just a couple weeks of quarantine, I recognized the plethora of shipping boxes and supplies, paper grocery bags, and other random items.
So like every good crafter, I started to ponder the idea of using the prominent items from this quarantine experience to create a keepsake that will always remind us of this time. A reminder of the good, the silly and the never-have-we-ever moments.
Our framed hydrangea painting uses all recycled materials that you have most definitely encountered in the last few weeks. All you need to add is some paint, scissors, and glue! It’s the perfect Quarantine Qeepsake to keep for yourself – or send to grandma as a homemade Mother’s Day gift since traditional celebrations may not be available this year.
Supplies
- 2 paper grocery bags
- 1 5×7 piece of cardboard (cut from recycled box)
- Bubble wrap (3×3 or smaller works!)
- Cardboard tube
- Plastic straw
- Craft Paint (white, green and your choice of flower color)
- Craft Glue (not pictured 😉 )
- Paper Plate, Paper Towel, Scissors (not pictured 😉 )
Disclaimer: I make all of our DIY projects in real time with a toddler. I think things through as we go along. After we started this project, I realized that a cardboard background with a kraft paper frame was kinda boring! So we went back and made another one with a painted white background. I forgot to retake allll of the photos, so some may have the brown background. Another case of Real > Reel!
Hydrangea Stamping with Bubble Wrap
1. Cut open one of the paper bags to create a workspace. (This is a great tip for any type of craft project!!)
2. Paint the cardboard white and let dry.
3. Cut a circle from the bubble wrap – approximately 2.5-3″ in diameter.
4. Add a small amount of white and purple (or your choice of color) to the paper plate. Use a paper towel to smear it around in a thin layer.
5. Carefully place the wrap, bubble side down into the paint and gently press to get paint on all the bubbles. You don’t want paint to go in between the bubbles!
6. Now “stamp” your bubble wrap onto the carboard to create a hydrangea flower!
7. Add a bit more of one of the colors, swirl and stamp for a second flower.
8. Add the other color, swirl and stamp for the third flower. At this point you can layer and stamp each another time if you choose! My little guy did!
9. Cut at least a 1″ section of the cardboard tube and flatten the sides to create a leaf shape.
10. Add the green paint to the paper plate and swirl around. Stamp the edge of the leaf into the paint and onto your “canvas”. Repeat for as many leaves as you’d like!
Now you could stop there, but every masterpiece needs a frame – and this is where the project really takes in alllll the quarantine memories 🙂
Make a frame with a recycled grocery bag
1. Cut open the second paper bag and remove the bottom. You’ll have one large sheet of brown paper.
2. With the printed side up, place you painting in the corner of the bag Position it so two corners of the painting are a 1/4″ from the edges of the bag to create a triangle as shown. You’ll want the triangle sides to be equal length.
3. Now using a straight edge (AKA a baking sheet like I did!) draw a straight line from the other corner of the painting. Keep it perpendicular to the edge of the bag.
4. Repeat on the final corner. You should have a {very square like} rectangle. Cut on your two lines and set aside the extra paper.
5. Glue the painting down to the paper. I used Aleene’s Tacky Glue but any kind of glue would work. Elmer’s will take a bit longer to dry. Hot glue will dry quick, but don’t use with kiddos around – ouch!
6. Using the plastic straw, begin to roll the bag from the corner about an inch. Add glue to the remainder of the triangle and continue to roll.
Roll the paper/straw up over the edge of the painting and remove the straw. If needed, add a thin bead of glue to secure to the painting. (Don’t worry, it dries clear!) Hold for a minute as it dries.
7. Repeat on the opposite side. Hold/fold in the two sides tightly as it dries for best results. I wish I could say I did a few lunges or squats while I waited, butttttt I didn’t.
8. Now repeat the roll/glue/hold process for the other two triangles.
8. You’ll see nice mitered corners where the sides meet!
Ta dah!!! A framed painting!
If it isn’t perfect, that’s okay – isn’t that appropriate symbolism for this quarantine experience anyway??
Write down the memories
Now you could stop right there, or take it a step further to preserve the memories of this unprecedented time. Flip over your creation and write down some favorite memories or lessons that have emerged because of this unique quarantine experience. Maybe family dinners, extra time outside, or a change in perspective you gained.
Years from now, I pray we look back on this time and say “remember when?” and choose to remember the good.
Not all sunshine and rainbows
Please don’t misread this project or positivity as oversight to the horror that has occurred for so many. I am fully aware that many have lost loved ones and jobs, cancelled weddings and special celebrations. My son and I pray every night for all of those individuals. During this time, we are all charged to do what we can do. For me at home with a toddler, this is the best way I can spread a bit of joy and share a fun activity with other moms also at home with their kiddos too 🙂
