I don’t remember where I first came across the quote “Please excuse the mess, the children are making memories”, but I knew immediately that I wanted it on a sign in my home somewhere. I decided to create an art wall for my kid’s paintings and drawings and put the quote above it.
For the kid’s art display wall all you need is:
- String, yarn or twine
- Clothes pins
- Push pins
The hardest part of making the display wall, is making sure that the push pins are in line with each other. Once they are lined up, tie the string around each pin, leaving a nice little half moon of extra string between the pins, so that you have room to hang the art! Last, you can use the clothes pins to hang up artwork as your kids create their masterpieces.
Our kids love seeing their artwork on display! I hung ours on the wall behind our dining room table, so we can look at all the latest creations while we eat. My son in particular likes to point out all of his work while we enjoy our meals!
While the “please excuse the mess” sign seems pretty straight forward, it actually took me several tries to get it just right.
You will need the following for this project:
- Finger paints
- Foam letter stickers
- Photo paper – (This is important!)
I originally tried using foam letters on card stock and regular paper but when I pulled the letters off it pulled pieces of the paper off too and you couldn’t read the words anymore, this is why the photo paper is so important!
I also experimented with different types of of foam letters. The target brand letters (used for the words “messy and memories”) stuck to the paper a bit and I couldn’t get the entire letter off, as you can probably see in the picture. I do like how it turned out, but if you don’t want that affect I would suggest buying the letters from Walmart or Hobby lobby. Both of those brands peeled off the paper with no problem.
You simply place the letters on the paper how you want them, and then let the kiddos finger paint over them. You can arrange the letters different ways until you get them exactly how you want them! Then, remove the sticker backing when you have all the letters in place. After the kids paint and it has dried, remove the stickers to leave the white spaces among the paint. We used tiny paint brushes to help get paint in all the crevices of the smaller letters.
I have done several other pieces with photo paper, foam letters and letting my son finger paint over them. It’s pretty fun. Little Man loves getting to use his fingers and brushes over the “bumpy” texture of the letters, and grandparents love receiving little notes and pictures from him.
As for the quote, I love having this in my home as a little reminder. It’s so easy to get stressed because my house is never perfectly clean. But seeing this little sign that I made together with my kids, reminds me to keep things in perspective. My little ones won’t be little forever, and I want to spend as much time living in the moment with them as I can. Even if it means that you have to step over a few toys as you enter my home, or there are goldfish crumbs being sprinkled in the carpet behind me as a vacuum.
My family doesn’t need a perfectly clean home. It needs a happy one, and by God’s grace our home is a happy one. We’re making memories together and loving life!
Orla Harrington says
Oh I love this, it’s so sweet. :) Thanks for sharing! You’ve given me some ideas.
futurehope says
yay for new crafty ideas!!! :) glad you enjoyed!
Ugochi says
Beautiful! This is sooo true, thanks for sharing, I love these words!
futurehope says
glad it was an encouragement to you! :)
Kathy says
Cute ideas!!
futurehope says
thanks!
futurehope says
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have fun trying these out! we had tons of fun with them!!!
visiting your blog now :)
Robin says
Awesome! LOVE THIS! Now I’ve got to make one for my home ;)
What Joy Is Mine says
Paula…how precious! I love the sign and how you display Little Man’s art. Pinterest does have its perks, huh? Thank you for sharing at WJIM.
Bethany says
Such a cute idea!
Jen Stults says
I love how you combined the two, Paula! :) I have similar posts pinned, but hadn’t thought to put them together in such a way. I know our four kiddos would love to see their artwork on the wall. You’ve inspired me to put this on my summer projects list! :)
Sarah says
I love that, too! It’s good to remember that the home doesn’t have to be perfect for the life to be good. :)
Parrish (Life With The Crust Cut Off) says
This looks awesome!!! We would love it if you would link up at our linky party:
http://www.lifewiththecrustcutoff.com/two-girls-and-a-party-link-up-22/
Live every Wednesday to Sunday.
Hosted by:
http://www.lifewiththecrustcutoff.com/ Parrish @ Life with the Crust Cut Off
http://thissillygirlslife.com/ Dana @ This Silly Girl’s Life
We hope to see you there!
Connie says
I love your sign, every home with children should have one hanging on their wall. To me it says, “Our children are more important than a few messes around our home.”
I’m a Mom and a grandma and to me, nothing is sweeter than the sound of happy children.
Deanna says
Love this! I might have to do something like this in my house. I think my daughter would love seeing her art work hung up.
ingrid@nowathomemom says
this is so pretty and I love these meaningful words; this sign would be great in my house too! I have a sing in our dining room with similar words and I love looking at it every day!
thanks for the inspiration
visiting from Its Overflowing
Ingrid
Gail @ BibleLoveNotes.com says
My grandchildren made one of the sticker/paintings at Christmas, and I had the same problem you had with some of the letters. I just did a little touch up with white paint and it looks fine. These are fun, aren’t they?
I Gotta Try That says
Love this sign. So cute and so true! So glad you shared.
Hugs,
Marcie
Jann Olson says
For sure Paula, there will be plenty of time to have a perfectly clean house when the children are grown. Enjoy these sweet times. They will be gone before you know it. I love clotheslines and this is perfect for displaying those treasures. Be sure and save some. My friend embroidered simple pictures that her kids had drawn growing up and put them into a quilt. It was so darn cute! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Natalie says
Very cute! Inspirational, pity my girls are much bigger, I would have definitely done this with them!
Thanks so much for linking up on Tutorial Thursdays Linky Party. Please take a moment to cast your vote on your favourite link from last week :) I look forward to seeing what you share with us this tomorrow.
x
Natalie
Marigolds’ Loft
Krista Low says
I really love this great piece that you made! And isn’t it the truth. I just can’t seem to get my house organized but at least you know that it is lived in and that the kids are having fun! This is being featured @ Great Idea Thursday’s! Krista @ A Handful of Everything
Tara says
Paula, this is great! I was wondering what size photo paper you used?
Paula says
I just used regular 8.5×11 paper and cut it down to an 8×10 for the frame :)
seo naheed says
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