Kid's Art Gallery Wall

Kid's art work.  So much to display.  So little space.

Last year I didn't have a game plan to handle the massive amount of paper that came home from school with my daughter.  Therefore, paper ended up on my counter tops, taped to my cabinets, taped to the fridge, underneath the fridge, in the pantry, you name the space and there was paper.  #paperexplosion

I decided to tackle this project to help diffuse the #paperexplosion situation.

I began by locating a blank wall in my house.

I decided on this wall because it is right next to my kid's bedrooms.  It is a long wall and as you can see, well it's pretty bleak and blank.  You can see my first attempt at just taping the artwork to the wall in the corner.  Plus my sweet daughter making more artwork at the dining room table:)

I located my inspiration image on Pinterest.  Click here to view the image.  The easy route would have been to order a vinyl decal (for $25 or so), but our wall texture doesn't allow me to take the easy route.  Therefore, I got out my level, ruler, and a pencil and went to town. 

From Head to the Heart

What's the secret to taking head knowledge and turning it into heart knowledge?  How do we take eternal truths from the Word and turn it into a transformed, daily life?

By dwelling on it.  Remembering it.  Thinking on it when I sit and rise.  When I fold clothes and do dishes.  Allowing my thoughts to be centered on Scripture.

I wanted to create an easy way to think of eternal truths/thoughts I am learning.  As I geared up to study Beth Moore's Children of the Day Study this summer, I created this "take away" sheet.  I have LOVED using this!  It's colorful, bright, portable and A GAME CHANGER.  It has helped me to recount what I have learned each week and to have it at my fingertips.  I keep it close by so I can glance over and remember things I'm learning.

As I prepare to start the school year, I created a week-by-week "take away" page to use.  Then I thought, why not share it with you guys. So here it is!  You can do the week-by-week (click on image below).

Matters of the Heart: Children

Matters of the Heart.  I love that phrase.  But so hard to actually uncover, address and redirect heart issues.  Is it pride?  Is it a wrong friendship?  Lying? Jealousy? Impatience?

Finding a verse "on the spot" is hard to do and I often miss the moment of impact... until the Child Training Bible came into my life.  A friend gave me Children's Training Bible (CTB) a while ago.  My daughter has recently started reading on her own and has started using it.

Notice the tabs?  You start with the image below and highlight the Scriptures accordingly.

So whatever heart issue is involved, you can point your child to see what the Word says about it.  My"go to your room and think about what you did" statement has changed to "go to your room think about what you did and see what the Bible says about it."  Isn't that awesome?

DIY Gallery Picture Wall

We live in our Family Room.  It's well loved, and well used. It's also the entryway to the house from the driveway.  So in addition to the loads-o-play that happens in there, it's also the place where we stomp off feet, leave muddy/wet shoes and generally unload of all personal belongings.

Couch | Rug | Ottomans | Pillows

Today, I'm sharing how I make the DIY Gallery Wall.  This is a GREAT project to tackle and takes minimal supplies to make it happen.

Supplies Needed:
-Wood (we used 1.5" wide by 1" deep)
-Nails/Hammer (or wood glue)
-Black paint
-Picture Frames
-Black craft paint (for words)
-Command Picture hanging strips