Sometimes a small craft  using common materials, such as clothespins, will give you the most joy…

While organizing my crafting space, I found many photos from previous years. These were not only pictures, but special mementos, birth announcements and one ultrasound print. I knew right away I should display these in a special way, and this is why I began working on my ombre clothespins project. Half way into my project, I was inspired to take a few photos of my children and print a picture of each child while capturing this Summer’s past events.

These photos are highlights from our Summer. I took the first photo just a few days ago, late in the morning. All three kids had their bears and were playing with them. They were not being too loud, which is far from the norm, so I took the opportunity to snap a few candid photos while they laughed away.

Many years from now, when I stare at these photos, I know for a fact I will be missing my children like crazy. I’ll forget the fights, tantrums and whining. All I’ll remember will be their laughter, how much they loved their bears.

Once an “older” mom with college-age kids said to me: “Your arms will ache to hold them until you see them again.”

I’m tearing up while I write these words… As a “younger” mom, raising three children ages 9, 6 and 5, I’m very tired and can’t wait for the evening time when I get to spend time with my husband, write my blog or craft.

I’m spent by the end of the day, sometimes feeling weary, wondering why the kids were out of control and how can I better guide them towards being nice and respectful to each other.

But once I take a look at these pictures hanging in my little crafting corner at home, I smile, thankful for my family and joyful with my finished craft. Please take a look at a brief tutorial so you can make your own ombre clothespins.

TutorialThe  materials I used are two mix media paints in white and black by Tattered Angels.While mixing both inks, I created the ombre effect, combining a total of four shades of  grey.When I mixed the inks, I began with the darkest color, in this case dark grey and worked my way to the lightest grey.I painted a total of twelve clothespins, two clothespins per shade of grey. The ink dried pretty fast, in 30 minutes or less.Once I was satisfied with the shades of grey from black to white, I began painting the first two clothespins with white ink and worked my way up to the color black.Doesn’t this look pretty? It is key that you spend a little bit of time mixing both black and white inks to come up with the number of shades you’d like to have. The number of shades depends on the amount of clothespins you are using for your craft.

When I compare last summer’s photos with the ones from this Summer, I noticed a big change in the kids. Little chubby faces became elongated. My youngest’s growth was the most drastic; I don’t have a toddler anymore but one sweet little girl.

How do you keep your photos and keepsakes? Do you scrapbook? I’ve been making “Shutterfly” albums for a while, but I need to be better at framing a few pictures, though I’m making progress with my ombre clothespins ;)

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I'm submitting this post to a gorgeous new publication called: "Bella Grace". You can view more information for "Bella Grace" magazine by Stampington & Company here.

I’m linking this post to the following blogs:

I Heart Naptime
Just a girl and her blog

Sugarbee Crafts

Whipperberry

Craft-o-maniac