Fall Craft Fail Turned Kid’s Artwork

See how my failed fall craft turned into a fun (and dirty) art project for my kids.

I’ve really been hit by the decorating bug. If you follow me over on Instagram you saw this weekend that we started decorating our front porch for Halloween. I let my boys go with me to the dollar store and pick out a few decorations. We got a few things for the kitchen, some fun foam shapes for a Halloween craft and stuff for the front porch and spent less than $10. Even though outside is decorated all spooky I wanted to add a few fall touches inside.

So when I saw Kraft Paper Banners in the Dollar Spot at Target I knew it would be perfect for adding a little Autumn to our living room. I also picked up some Craft Paint in Spiced Berry and Ripe Tomato.

The plan was to make a stencil using my Cameo and paint the word “AUTUMN” with two maple leaves on the banner. The first time I let the paper stay on to long and it stuck to the paint. Good thing the banners are reversible so I could try again. But the second time I used too much paint and it bled through the paper. So much for my cute fall banner…or was it?!

While I was making (or attempting to make) my banner my boys were doing a little finger painting of their own. And that’s when I had the idea; I could use the letter cut-outs from the stencils, glue them to a paper and let them paint over them. When they were done I could take the letters off and we could still have some cute fall decor. But this time it would be even better because it was personalized by my boys. I tried to use a regular 8.5″x 11″ paper but the letters were too big so I got out there Finger Painting Paper Pad and it was the perfect size. I used a glue stick to glue the letters on (They are Hobo Std font) and then put a little of the paint colors I was using on a plate for them to share. Last time I let them use my craft paint it got everywhere and was so hard to get off so this time they used brushes. 

Rohrl, my three year old, got a little carried away with the orange paint by the A but other than that I think it turned out perfect! Next time we go to IKEA we are going to get a big frame so we can frame it and put it over our piano. And even though I’m sad my fall banner didn’t turn out I love this picture so much more!

Have you ever turned a craft fail into something better? I’d love to hear about it!