Childhood is a simple, magical time that goes by in a flash. As parents, we relish every moment.
We collect memories and keepsakes in an effort to freeze precious moments. The little things matter the most, marking the beauty of passing time. We save art projects, photo albums, and well-loved stuffed animals, but these special mementos often end up gathering dust or sitting in boxes.
Don’t let childhood trinkets get stowed away and forgotten. There are creative solutions that will allow you to appreciate these keepsakes without creating clutter.
Here are some imaginative ways to capture childhood memories and turn them into art.
Stylize Family Photo
We all have tons of photos saved on our phones, and there’s plenty of potential to turn these into family-oriented art. Birthday, vacations, and everyday photos will make heart-warming, authentic wall art that will remind you of your favorite childhood memories.
You have a number of options when considering what to do with these pictures. You can have them printed and framed in a style that matches your home. Print and frame a few and then arrange the frames in an off-center pattern to make them eye-catching and artsy.
Consider framing family photos from past generations. If you have access to your childhood pictures or your parents’ and grandparents’ photos, hang them with some current ones. This timeline of memories will add an interesting element to your wall art.
You can hang childhood art along with photographs to create a dynamic wall arrangement. Intermingle the art with the photos for a homey feel that’s warm and inviting. If you don’t have art projects to frame, make some memories and plan a painting day for you and your children. Create some art with framing service in mind and supply paint colors that will complement the rest of your decor.
Instapainting is another unique way to turn digital photos into crafty decor. You can order handmade paintings from professional artists. Brushstroke is a similar service that will turn photos into paintings or artsy prints.
Get Crafty with Holiday Art
Some of the best childhood memories are created around the holidays. Why not take this opportunity to make some art?
Baking cookies and decorating the Christmas tree are classic traditions, but consider adding holiday crafting to the mix. You can create homemade ornaments as a family and build up a collection over the years.
For other holidays, like Hanukkah and Halloween, you can make decorations to place around the house each year. Valentine’s Day is another chance to craft with your kids. Visit a local craft store to buy some holiday-themed trinkets to paint or put together as a family.
Quilting and Textile Art
We have a hard time parting with childhood stuffed animals, blankets, and even clothes. The good news is, we don’t have to discard these items even if we don’t have an obvious use for them. You can sew a creative quilt from textile pieces that represent important childhood memories.
Baby blankets and t-shirts that no longer fit can be cut into pieces and made into comfy quilts. We all have old t-shirts from childhood schools, sports events, and family vacations. Collect these memorable clothes and sew them into a soft cotton blanket.
Even stuffed animals could be torn open and reimagined to fit into a new design. This will allow those special memories to live on in a fresh new way.
You can also introduce your children to needle pointing. They can create simple designs that you can keep forever. Textile art can be made from old repurposed fabric and last for years.
Keep Your Childhood Memories Close
Making childhood memories into art is a fun way to capture special moments and create new ones. Family craft time brings everyone together and provides an expressive outlet.
Phases in life are fleeting, especially childhood. So capture the special moments and memories in a crafty way so that you can enjoy them for years to come.
