A Corona-Era Back To School Supply Item: DIY Mask Lanyards For Kids (Adults Can Use, Too)

diy no-sew mask lanyard for kids

The kids started school this week. It’s so bittersweet. Summer is the best, and we hate to see it near it’s end. Plus, we love hanging out with our kids. But, we’re happy they get to see classmates again, get into a routine again (that went out the window in March, thanks COVID) and learn, learn, learn. We know it’s been a challenging time for everyone. Some people are choosing to homeschool, some are heading back into the classroom, and others are doing distance learning at home. We hope your navigating this new “norm” the best you can. We are rooting for you, and sending good (and patient) vibes to everyone.

We know the mask topic brings out everyone’s STRONG opinions. We should be able to listen to others opinions, and not hate one another for them. So, here it goes. We don’t think the kids should have to wear masks all day at school. It makes us incredibly sad and mad they have to try to connect to others (and learn) when their precious faces are covered up all day. We also believe masks should be a personal decision for individuals and businesses, not a government mandate. So, it was really hard for us to accept the fact that if we wanted our kids back in school, it meant they had to wear masks all day. We’ve done all we can to keep the kids outside all summer, where they don’t have to wear them. Now, it’s a huge reality check for us. Since masks are a giant pain in the ass, and the kids are likely to lose them, we made some last minute accessories to keep the masks around their neck and not on the floor, on their desk, on someone else’s mouth, or who knows where. They are so easy with absolutely no sewing skills or tools required (and a huge life-saver), so we just had to share!

We can’t take credit for the shoelace idea. Our family friends (shout out to Karen and Bill) came up with this simple, genius idea. They took it one step further, and added a bead in the middle of the shoelace (back of the head), so it fit like a glove around the head, and you don’t even have to use the mask ear straps. We didn’t make it that far yet, but it’s on our list of things to do.

diy mask lanyards for kids

DIY No-Sew Mask Lanyard with Shoelaces

diy mask lanyard with shoelaces for kids

Materials:

  • Shoe lace, flat (make sure the width of the lace is large enough for the snap closures. We found ours at Walmart, and also used the waist tie from an old pair of shorts.
  • Dritz Snap Fastener Kit
  • Hammer
  • Masks – we bought some from Target (Cat & Jack brand) and also supported a local company we love, Aksels

Directions:

Step 1: Cut the ends off the laces. My laces were long enough, that I cut the entire lace in half for two mask straps. The length you want is a personal preference, but mine were about 17 inches.

Step 2: Carefully burn the ends of the laces so they don’t fringe.

Step 3: Add the fasteners on each end, and hammer in place. You will create two little loop on each side of the lace that snaps, and you will put the mask straps inside each loop.  These can be easily removed when you need to wash the mask, and it’s comfortable on your neck.

diy mask lanyard with shoelaces for kids

diy mask lanyard with shoelaces for kids

diy denver broncos mask lanyard for kids

If you have a child that likes to craft, or wants a really colorful DIY mask lanyard, he or she might want to try the following method, a DIY Loom Mask Lanyard.

diy mask lanyard for kids

DIY Loom Band Mask Lanyard

Materials:

Directions:

The one and only step: Make a standard loom bracelet, except longer, about 17 inches. Then, add the key ring clasp on each end, and then attach to the ear straps for the mask. Voila. So easy to put on and take off.

diy loom band mask bracelet for kids

DIY loom band mask lanyard for kids

diy mask lanyard for kids

 

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Stay Gold DIY Pencil Pouch + Black Friday Deal

Happy Thanksgiving. May your heart be filled with gratitude today.

stay-gold-polka-dot-notebook--pen-ornament-star

It’s that holiday time of year when gold is everywhere, so start throwing gold sparkles on everything. It’s also that time of year when Silhouette America has an amazing BLACK FRIDAY sale. We couldn’t have made this DIY Stay Gold pencil pouch {nor could we have made other amazing things this year like thisthis or this} if it weren’t for our Silhouette cutting tool from Silhouette America.

black-friday-sale-silhouette-america-design-store-electronic-cutter

Shop the Black Friday sale today through Dec. 4, 2015. The amazing machine bundles are as low as $99.00 including Silhouette Mint for $99.99, Portrait and Mint for $189.99, CAMEO for $199.99 and CAMEO and Portrait for $289.99. Plus, almost everything in the Silhouette America store is up to 40% off. Use code SORELLE when you check out. For 20% off Silhouette Design Store subscription, enter BLACK at checkout. Oh my goodness, free shipping available to the contiguous United States, too.

Once you receive your amazing electronic cutting tool that will change your life for the better, make this DIY pencil pouch.

When we spotted this gold pencil pouch during back to school shopping in August, we knew it would come in handy some day.

stay-gold-diy-pencil-pouch-gift-star-headband-robert-frost-poem

The reference of “Stay Gold” comes from the book, The Outsiders. The quote in the book stems from the famous poem by Robert Frost.

Nothing Gold Can Stay
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower,
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf,
So Eden sank to grief.
So Dawn goes down to day,
Nothing gold can stay.

stay-gold-robert-frost-quote-pencil-bag-diy-gift-star

This quote is powerful in our own lives. Our hope is that our children can remain young and innocent forever. As we age, our view of the world ‘hardens’ and we forget to play, imagine, and believe in the goodness in ourselves and people around us. We must always remember and teach our children to Stay Gold – stay good, and stay true!

DIY Stay Gold Pencil Pouch
Silhouette Vinyl
Gold Pencil Pouch, Target
Frog’s Tape
Credit Card or straight-edge

Directions:

Create a stay gold design on Silhouette software.
Print the vinyl according to package directions.
Remove the vinyl backing, and lay front side-down onto rows of Frog’s Tape {you can also use transfer paper, which we didn’t have handy}.
Use a credit card to make sure all bubbles are out, then pull the vinyl paper up. Your words should be face-down on the tape.
Pick up the tape, and place carefully on your pencil pouch. Your words should be legible now, right-side-up. Use a credit card to get out all the bubbles.
Carefully pull up each piece of tape. The vinyl should stay in place on the pencil pouch, and you’re done.

stay-gold-diy-pencil-pouch

stay-gold-diy-pencil-pouch-holiday-gift

Now, eat some turkey and pie. Hug family and friends. Rest. Sleep. Wake up. Shop.

DIY Hanging Wall Art

Words to live by…

do-your-best-diy-hanging-wall-art-back-to-school-ruler-frame-diy-teacher-gift

See all the details on how we made the back to school-inspired DIY hanging wall art on Momtastic.

Thanks Fleur de Lis, a paperie for the adorable printables!

Back to School Ideas

noteworthy year_jsorelle

It’s time for back to school. No more lazy mornings and pool days basking in the sun…until June rolls around next year. I know, so sad. Jessica’s oldest son starts Kindergarten this year, which is also a sad reality of ‘letting go’ just a little, adjusting to a new norm of waking up early and getting out the door in a semi-organized fashion everyday and the realization that no matter what we do, they still grow up.

To make the first day of school even more fun for the kiddos this year, we made easy, DIY favors for the kids and teachers…and it was a great activity for our kids to practice writing their names.

noteworthy year_jsorelle

All you need is college ruled paper, a printer, Elmer’s Glue and Crayola crayons.

Follow the photos above if you’re a visual person, and read the instructions below if you need it in words:
1. Use Microsoft Word to print your personal note on the top-right side of the paper. We typed, “It’s going to be a noteworthy year. your friend,”
2. Fold the paper in half with text visible on top.
3. Fold the paper in half again.
4. It should look like this.
5. Cut the top two layers on the top blue line.
6. It should look like this.
7. Cut a curved arch on the back two sheets of paper.
8. Use Elmer’s Glue to glue the edges together. You will have extra edges on the back flap and front flap, so add a little glue there too.
9. Add Crayola Crayons and sign name.

noteworthy year_jsorelle

{images via j. sorelle}

DIY Teacher Gift Ideas

When you shop for your school supplies this year, think outside the backpack, and be inspired by them for future favors and gifts. Some very talented people came up with some very adorable DIY ideas…

Gumball Pencil, Paisley Petal Events

Hi-Liter Teacher Gift, One Charming Party

Crayon Favors, One Charming Party

Milk and Cookies Recipe Card {Report Card}, The Sweetest Occasion
{free printable here}

Crayon Art, Apartment Therapy


Pencil Vase
{a lovely teacher gift filled with fresh flowers}, Love of Family and Home

{images via Paisley Petal Events, One Charming Party, The Sweetest Occasion, Apartment TherapyLove of Family and Home}