The Blog

Posted in Lifestyle

DIY Valentine’s Backdrop

Posted on by Whimsically Angie

Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to create a warm, festive atmosphere in your home, and what better way to do that than by making your very own DIY Valentine’s backdrop? Whether you’re hosting a celebration, taking cute photos, or just want to add a little extra love to the room, this simple yet charming backdrop is both fun to create and budget-friendly. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make a beautiful heart-shaped backdrop using a sheet, a potato, and a toilet paper roll!

What You’ll Need:

  • A large white sheet (for your backdrop)
  • A potato (to carve stamps)
  • A toilet paper roll (for creating additional heart stamps)
  • Fabric paint (or washable paint if you’re using a regular sheet)
  • A paintbrush
  • Scissors
  • A marker or pen
  • A large plastic tray or paper plate (for paint)
  • Painter’s tape (optional, for hanging)

Step 1: Prepare the Surface

Start by laying your large white sheet flat on the table, making sure it is wrinkle-free and smooth. If you’re concerned about getting paint on the table, you can lay down some newspaper or paper towels underneath the sheet to protect the surface.

Step 2: Create Your Heart Stamps

Now it’s time to prepare your stamps. For the potato stamp, carefully cut the potato in half. On the flat side, use a marker or pen to draw half of a heart shape. Then, with a sharp knife, carefully cut along the outline to create your heart-shaped stamp. You’ll have a fun, textured heart shape ready to print!

Next, take your toilet paper roll and gently pinch the top to form a heart shape. Once it’s pinched, secure it with tape to hold the shape in place. You can also reinforce it with a little glue if needed. This makes a smaller heart stamp to add some variety to your design.

Step 3: Add Paint to Your Stamps

Pour your fabric or washable paint onto a tray or paper plate. Using a paintbrush, lightly paint the heart-shaped stamps. Be sure to coat them evenly but not too thickly to avoid excess paint bleeding onto the fabric.

Step 4: Stamp Away

Begin stamping the potato heart onto the sheet, pressing it gently to transfer the paint evenly onto the fabric. Repeat this process, spacing your hearts out across the sheet as you go. You can mix up the size and pattern by alternating between the large potato stamp and the smaller toilet paper roll stamp.

Try to vary the direction and spacing to create a playful and organic look. Don’t worry about perfection—some imperfect prints will add to the charm!

Step 5: Let It Dry

Once you’ve finished stamping, let the paint dry completely before moving on. This may take a couple of hours, depending on the type of paint you used.

Step 6: Display Your Backdrop

Once dry, you can now use your heart-filled sheet as a backdrop for your Valentine’s Day celebration! Whether you keep it on the table as a charming tablecloth or hang it on the wall for photos, this backdrop will bring a fun, festive vibe to any space.

Final Thoughts:

Creating a heart-filled backdrop with simple materials like a sheet, a potato, and a toilet paper roll is an easy and fun way to add some DIY charm to your Valentine’s Day celebrations. Not only will it set a sweet mood, but it’s also a creative project that anyone can enjoy. Happy crafting and happy Valentine’s Day!

Posted in Kid's Crafts, Lifestyle

5 Tips For Crafting With Toddlers

Posted on by Whimsically Angie

Prepare For The Mess

Work somewhere that you don’t mind getting messy. If it’s a nice day, you can work outside. If you’re crafting indoors, then you will need to protect your work surface. I use an old bed sheet to cover my table, but you can use plastic or newspaper just as easily.

You’ll also want to cover them up. There’s plenty of cute art smocks if you want to spend the money. They’ll look adorbs in their little artist getup, but I just use an old hand-me-down tee and call it good. It’s just going to get paint and what not all over it anyway.

Let Them Do It Themselves

Don’t get caught up in how things “should” look, let them do as much as possible on their own. This builds up their confidence and their motor skills. I know my two year old wants to be independent and this is a great way of letting him express himself.

Keep Cleaning Supplies On Hand

There’s bound to be a spill at some point, so it’s just easier to be prepared. It also makes clean up that much easier when craft time is over.

Don’t Push Craft Time

If your toddler is not in the mood, don’t force it. It will just stress you out and make them resent craft time. Just store your supplies until you are ready to try again– however long that may be.

Do Crafts They Already Love

There are so many creative projects out there. Find what your toddler enjoys and do more of that. For my 2 year old, “paint” is already firmly established in his vocabulary. I have to hide the paints because he will make his masterpieces on everything. So, any time we can do an activity that involves paint, he’s happy.

Gear your crafts around what you know your toddler likes. If you find your toddler uninterested in the craft, spice it up by adding something they like.

They will beam with pride when they see their creation complete.

Posted in Content Creation

5 Ways I Come Up With Photo Ideas

Posted on by Whimsically Angie

We all get creator’s blocks. So, how do I keep fresh creative content coming every week?

1. I keep a digital folder of ideas I find on Instagram in a folder right on the app. I save any ideas that inspire me. It could be a small element of the photo or the general feeling. If it speaks to me, I save it.

2. I pin ideas to refer back to on Pinterest. Same as before: if I like it, I save it.

3. I keep a journal of quotes that I refer back to every once in a while. I love words, but I don’t feel like I’m the most poetic wordsmith. I know I won’t recall the quote correctly later — and I love quotes– so I make a note of it.

4. I keep sketchbooks with possible concepts. Sometimes an idea will strike out of nowhere. Most of these ideas never see the light of day, but sometimes they lead to new ideas.

5. I ask my husband and kids for help when I’m stuck and need fresh eyes. My sis-year-old loves to be included in the creative process– see our heart mask post on Instagram to see one of his “great” ideas.

As you can see, most of these tips are about collecting resources ahead of time. That way you always have a well from which to draw.