Inspired by this post on Made by Joel, I thought Emily would enjoy a flower building toy of her own. There was just one small problem — I’m not skilled at woodworking…. yet! Though I have plans to explore that little hobby soon! But I didn’t let that stop me….
It’s basically a recycled cardboard tray with some pipe cleaners laced through for stems, then we cut colored paper cupcake liners for petals, and some leftover green paint chips for leaves. We added cut green straws, and a few pony beads. A recycled egg carton worked well to keep all the pieces organized!
And this is what most of the afternoon looked like as Emily happily built and re-built her flowers….
I managed to capture the look on her face when she discovered that she could turn the cupcake liners inside-out — this is what I love about open-ended free play!!
If Spring isn’t coming soon enough for you, sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands!
Have fun!!
I linked this post to:
A Marvelous Mess
February 23rd, 2011 on 6:34 pm
Dear Valerie,
Whenever you do get started with wood-working, I had better not come home to find the kitchen table re-purposed!!!
Love,
Mark
February 23rd, 2011 on 8:25 pm
Fine. But I make no promises about the bedroom doors.
February 23rd, 2011 on 6:42 pm
Awesome Val! I’m sharing this with my Facebook fans today : )
February 23rd, 2011 on 8:26 pm
Thanks, MaryLea! You rock!! xoxo
February 23rd, 2011 on 8:22 pm
Very fun! I like that you don’t need wood-working skills to do this one.
February 23rd, 2011 on 8:27 pm
It’s very easy — I even layered the cupcake liners so I could cut several of them at a time! Have fun!!
February 23rd, 2011 on 8:45 pm
I’ve seen a rather expensive set you can buy that does the same thing…….
February 23rd, 2011 on 11:25 pm
I did a quick search on Amazon, but haven’t found anything, though I thought I saw something similar awhile back too..??? Can’t place it, though.
February 23rd, 2011 on 8:56 pm
I saw that post by Joel and thought the same thing – I can’t make those! lol – I love your take on it. I wonder if I can make some build your own tractors… hmmm…. boys.
Jamie
http://handsonhouse.blogspot.com
February 23rd, 2011 on 11:26 pm
Oooo…. perhaps it will be a crafty challenge for me! lol
February 23rd, 2011 on 10:31 pm
Well, my husband might consider an original idea… perhaps I should show it to him. But your modification is awesome – the flowers look so bright and ready for spring.
February 23rd, 2011 on 11:27 pm
Thanks, Natalie!! Does your hubby like to do woodworking? Mark is up for it, but his time is pretty limited. I do think it would be fun to learn, and he even gave me a scroll saw for Christmas this year!! My hubby rocks!
February 23rd, 2011 on 11:07 pm
I love it. And a have some kids who would love it as well.
February 23rd, 2011 on 11:28 pm
Yay!! I’m so happy to hear that, Rose! Have fun! xoxo
February 24th, 2011 on 12:18 am
Wood? WOOD? We don’t need no stinkin’ wood when we have cardboard and pipe cleaners…
February 24th, 2011 on 4:46 pm
Ha!! I like the way you think!
February 24th, 2011 on 8:24 am
What a fun kit! I LOVE the look on Emily’s face with the inside-out cupcakes – fabulous!
February 24th, 2011 on 4:47 pm
Thank you so much, Maryanne!! She was so proud of herself!
February 24th, 2011 on 10:42 pm
Cute!! Love how these turned out
February 26th, 2011 on 2:28 pm
Thanks, Lindsay! They make me smile every time I look at them!
February 25th, 2011 on 1:04 pm
I just came across Made by Joel yesterday; he does some amazing stuff. I’m very impressed with your version too!
February 26th, 2011 on 2:29 pm
I know!! I’m inspired to start experimenting with wood working… looks like fun! I’m so happy you like our version too! xoxo
February 25th, 2011 on 1:08 pm
I am a Girl Scouts Leader in charge of the Daisies, who are Kingergarten and First Graders. I have been looking for a fun flower-related activity to do with them that uses items typically found around the house. I can’t wait to try this out with them… and they’ll learn completing their Green petal for Using Resources Wisely! Thanks!!!
February 26th, 2011 on 2:30 pm
Yay! I am so happy to hear that — have fun!!
February 27th, 2011 on 1:34 pm
Such a great idea!
February 27th, 2011 on 3:17 pm
We gave this a whirl and LOVED it. Thanks for the inspiration!
February 27th, 2011 on 3:17 pm
Here’s a link:
http://ladeladeda.blogspot.com/2011/02/cupcake-flowers.html
February 27th, 2011 on 6:24 pm
I LOVE it!!! I esp. love how you dressed up the cupcake liners with a bit of crayon — brilliant!
February 27th, 2011 on 9:44 pm
my daughter actually saw the made my joel post and asked “can I have one of those, mommy?” so THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
March 1st, 2011 on 12:26 am
Yay!!! Have fun!! xoxo
February 28th, 2011 on 11:51 pm
I could definitely do this with the kids at the library craft time I host. Perhaps it would inspire spring to get it’s butt in gear??
I would love it if you would link this project up to my Marvelous Mess party. Each party I pick one entry to feature on my sidebar for a week!! Here is the link:
http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com/2011/02/marvelous-mess-2.html
March 1st, 2011 on 12:27 am
So happy to hear that! I’ve just added the link — thanks for the heads-up!