Sharpie Tie Dye

During Fox and Cash's nap time today we decided to try out some Sharpie tie-dyeing.


We took two old shirts (Jet's was actually a new white shirt just waiting to be decorated. Marvel's was a shirt with berry stains we've been using as a PJ shirt). We also used Sharpies (any colors you want) and rubbing alcohol.



We slid large plastic plates into the shirts and gathered the back of the shirts up with hair bands.



Then we placed them on top of mixing bowls. This gave the kids a sturdy work surface and kept any mess contained and off the table.



Then the kids just got to coloring.





Jet drew a "time machine portal".




Marvel drew a girl and some polka dots.



We tried a few different methods of applying the alcohol.

We started with straws.





They were a bit of a challenge for the kids and were taking a long time for any progress.

Then we tried a medicine dropper.



Much better!



The kids loved seeing how the designs morphed as they added the alcohol.





Once they were well blended they poured out the rest of their little bottles of alcohol on the shirts to really soak them.



We left them alone to dry. It took about an hour.





They loved the results! I think this will be a craft we repeat often. It was so fun and easy! There was very little mess to clean up.

Monkey-Proof Curtains

What you need:

Handful of screws
Sturdy tab-top curtain
1x4
Flat board (big enough to cover the 1/4)
Accent fabric (enough to cover the flat board)
Duct tape


First, you screw the curtain onto the 1x4 through the tab tops (we did one screw through each tab).

Then you screw that board securely to the wall above the window. Use as many screws as needed to get it really on there. We were able to screw it into studs.



Then you cover the thinner board with your chosen accent fabric (I duct taped it in the back).



Then screw that over the ugly 1x4.