February 07, 2023

Make Something Useful for Your Sweetheart: Easy Valentine Paperweights!

February 07, 2023/ jodi levine

I like to give something useful as Valentines, whether they are to my kids’ classmates (when we used to do that…sob!), friends, or family. “Useful” can sometimes be candy but, as there is already a lot of sugar at this time of year, we try to give out candy alternatives. I made these Valentine rock paperweights for The Week Junior, a super easy craft and a sweet keepsake that will remind your loved ones of you all year long!

January 16, 2020

Lovebirds for Your Lovebird: Easy Cardboard Valentines!

January 16, 2020/ jodi levine

After my last post, where I used recycled cardboard (a FAVORITE material) to make animals, I wanted to keep going! (And, I still had quite a few boxes leftover from the holiday packages waiting to be transformed!) Years ago, I’d made a few cardboard bird ornaments for a magazine story that never materialized and I thought I would make a few more and transform them into Valentines. Why bird Valentines? I dunno…because I like birds….because…lovebirds? (I know, I know, these don’t look like actual lovebirds!) You can cut any animal (or any shape) you want and give your sweetheart a little art from the heart! Also, don’t you love the way painted cardboard looks?

September 05, 2019

Back to School Crafts: Trick Out Your Supplies!

September 05, 2019/ jodi levine

New school supplies always helped to soften my childhood back-to-school blues. I loved decorating my pristine new notebooks, binders, and folders with stickers, doodles, and tape. In that spirit, I created some back-to-school crafts for Parents magazine! In the photo above are some fruit-themed items: tape and marker-decorated folders, stamped pencil cases, and washi tape-covered pencils. Super easy!

October 22, 2016

Easy Easy Cardboard Tube Halloween Decorations

October 22, 2016/ jodi levine

Paper towel and toilet paper tubes are some of my favorite materials to make stuff out of. Needless to say, I never throw them out! I pulled a few out for Halloween decorations this year and made some ghosts and a BOO sign. Super easy!

July 31, 2016

Pretty Personalized Party Cups

July 31, 2016/ jodi levine

One of my party pet peeves is setting a drink down and then losing track of which cup is mine. For a recent gathering I revisited a cup ID’ing idea I crafted a while ago for Martha Stewart Living. Set out markers, labels, paint, tape, stickers, or anything your guests can use to customize (and personalize) their cups. Bonus: the cups are a good conversation starter!

July 02, 2016

Bubble Printing: Fun Summer Craft for Kids!

July 02, 2016/ jodi levine

The best kind of craft activities are those that you can throw together last minute and don't require any special materials. Bubble printing fits the bill! Added bonus: you can use the results for gift wrap, cards, tags and more! I made these with my two sons for Martha Stewart Living a few years ago and we had so much fun.

February 05, 2016

Easy No-Candy Valentines for Family Fun Magazine

February 05, 2016/ jodi levine

If you're looking for some candy-free Valentines to send to your child's school, check out this DIY Valentines story that I did for Family Fun Magazine's current (February) issue! Each includes a little inexpensive gift found in the party favor section at Party City or US Toy (perfect for a class because they are sold in bulk)!
I made the tags for the Valentine pictured above by splat painting card stock and running it through the printer (after it had fully dried). I attached the tags to these little paint sets from Party City.

February 01, 2016

Watercolor Valentines That Anyone Can Make!

February 01, 2016/ jodi levine

As a painting major in art school I never quite felt like I got a handle on watercolors, working instead in oil or acrylic. Recently I was testing ideas for a handmade Valentines story and made some super simple watercolor cards and had a tiny breakthrough. Anyone could make these cards, simple painted hearts or stripes, but I finally practiced something that I remember a teacher telling me (and didn't listen to at the time). Let the watercolor do what it wants to do: pool up in some parts and remain dry brush-y (as the paint runs out off your brush) in others.

January 23, 2015

Handmade Charlotte

January 23, 2015/ jodi levine

Handmade Charlotte is one of my very favorite websites, so I am thrilled to have recently become a contributor. I'm sure many of you know the website already but if not, be sure to take a look. Tons ofbeautifully photographed and inspring crafts, kid's rooms, and recipes.

Below (and above) is a peek at some of my posts. Click on the links or photos for the full tutorials.

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