Mix and Match Clothespin Mermaids



I have a two year old who loves mermaids.  We've been enjoying the book Mermaid Dreams about a little mermaid who is getting ready for bed.  When I saw Red Ted Art's mermaid dolls, I was inspired to make my own.  I had the pinchy kind of clothespins, but it worked out great because my daughter can switch the tails.






These would be cute in done in the rainbow, especially if your little one is still learning colors, but I know my girl and any mermaid not clothed in red or pink would not get played with.  I chose some scrapbook paper in her favorite colors and made the tails.  I laminated them so they'd be a little more durable.


I also used construction paper for the mermaid heads.  I added crowns that matched the tails and laminated these too.


I used homemade mod podge (half glue and half water) to cover the clothespins with a strip of coordinating paper.  The bikini tops are two circles made with a paper punch.

I added ribbons knotted on the ends for the arms.  I hot glued these behind the front of the clothespin.

Finally, I hot glued the heads behind the arms.


Ready to mix and match!


Pin It!

27 comments:

  1. My 8 year old adores mermaids and loves making puppets. I think she would enjoy making these.. too cute. Thanks for sharing.

    Jen

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  2. I think I see this type of design first time.Anyway it looks so charming.Appreciate your total activities.

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  3. What a great project using clothespins. The mermaids are so cute and fun. I'm sure your girls had hours of fun with the mermaid puppets. Too cute!

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  4. Oooh your pins are ADORABLE!! Love that your daughter can switch the tails. How fun! Love love love!!

    Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty :-)

    Maggy

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  5. Such a sweet and creative idea. It's probably not a macho enough craft for my typical boys but if I ever have a niece I am soooo doing this with her.

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  6. These are awesome! This idea opens up so many more possibilities for me using clothes pins. :)

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  7. Really, really, really CUTE! I'm so inspired!

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  8. I am fairly in love with this idea! How cute!

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  9. I absolutely love these and my 7 year old would just be in love with them too. Very Creative and look simple to make. Found you on Ginger Snap Crafts link up. Joined your GFC and facebook page so I don't miss anything. You can find me at http://www.onecreativeprocrastinatinggal.blogspot.com

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  10. These are awesome! Do you ever have trouble with the pins popping apart when they are played with? I have several crafts I would like to make with them, but can't seem to find any sturdy enough to be trusted in toddler hands...

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    1. I found some at Michael's that are holding up fairly well. I think the brand is Creatology. They do wiggle but haven't come apart.

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  11. Mermaids are huge in our house and this would encourage some much need fine motor play. Pinning this! Vicky from www.messforless.net

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  12. This is a really cute idea!

    We'd love for you to link up at our Finished Friday blog party.

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  13. These are tooo cute! I would LOVE to have you share this at my link party!
    http://www.pincushioncreations.com/2012/08/homemade-by-you-27.html

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  14. How adorable! My girls would love this! Thanks for linking up to the Keep Calm & Link Up party - hope to see you again next week :)

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  15. These are super cute! My daughter would love them!

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  16. these are so creative! my little girl would love these

    would love it if you could share this on my linky party Serenity Saturday, that runs from sat-thurs @ www.serenityyou.com

    Natasha xx

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  17. So cute. That would make a great matching game if you made 2 of every pattern. Thanks for sharing at Mom's Library!

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  18. Oh my gosh, these are so cute and creative. LOVE them!! Thanks so much for sharing it at last week's For the Kids Friday link party at Sun Scholars! I'm featuring YOU at this week's party! Feel free to stop by a button to show off to your friends! :)Rachel

    http://sunscholars.blogspot.com/2012/09/for-kids-friday-79.html

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  19. these are the stinkin' cutest things I've ever seen!!! I am SO making these for my Sweet P this week! She will be in love!! these will be great for our upcoming roadtrip! LOVEEE!!!! can you tell i'm excited about these?

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  20. Popping back over to let you know I featured these today at on The Sunday Showcase!

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  21. These were featured today on Serenity Saturday Link Party @ www.serenityyou.com

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  22. I'm the Editorial Assistant for Fun Family Crafts and I wanted to let you know that we have featured your project! You can see it here:

    http://funfamilycrafts.com/clothespin-mermaids/

    If you have other kid friendly crafts, we'd love it if you would submit them. If you would like to display a featured button on your site, you can grab one from the right side bar of your post above. Thanks for a wonderful project idea!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!