Saturday, July 5, 2025

Things to do this summer instead of Doomscrolling : Make a DIY board game!

Looking for something fun and creative to do this summer? Are you, like me,  trying to reduce you screen time? What if you try making your own board game?! Seriously its' so fun!! Whether you're spending time with kids, friends, or just want a chill solo project, designing a board game is a super fantastic way to get your imagination going and enjoy hours or weeks of entertainment. ‼️


Pictured above are some board games my family has created. The Harry Potter one started off as a spin-off of Candy Land and then it just took of!! As we played we tweaked it more and more and added some slightly complex features! It was so satisfying to create and oh so fun to play. who knows what robes they'll get when they play each game will it be Professor Umbridge's robes, Hagrid's or even Dobby;s raggs. HAHA The other game my Dad made. It is a hex tile map building game with intricate rules and gameplay. It was a super fun family project to make and so fun and complex to play. ๐Ÿ“

Why Make a Board Game?

  • Time away from screens 
  • Creative outlet (my fellow creatives, you're going to love this project!!)
  • Fun time spent with friends and family (seroiusly a goof old board game is great fun but just imagine the fun had when its a custom game you made together!)
  • Project to get your brain moving (seriously if you love puzzles this is gonna be for you!)
  • Build your own world (does it need a monster, a fairy, or a teddy bear? You can control that!)

Board games bring people together—and making one is really just as fun as playing it! It’s a real life no screens activity that combines art, storytelling, problem-solving, and a bit of wholesome competition. ๐Ÿ˜œ Plus, you get to make up all the rules and build the world yourself!!

What You’ll Need:

  • Paper or cardboard for the board

  • Markers, crayons, or colored pencils (or paint in my case)

  • Dice (or make your own spinner!) (you can even make your own dice if you need it to be that custom!๐Ÿ’• )

  • Game pieces (you can use buttons, small toys, coins, or make some from clay, that's what I did.)

  • Index cards or scraps of paper for instructions or challenge cards. (I cut card stock into fourths when i ran out of index cards)

  • Tape, scissors, and glue (and a corner rounder for the cards if you're extra like me) 

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Choose a Theme
    Is your game about cute animals, space adventures, magical quests, or silly family challenges? Pick a theme to inspire your board design and your rules.

  2. Design the Board
    Create a path with spaces that players move along. You can draw it like a trail, a map, or a spiral. Add special spots: “go back 2 spaces,” “bonus turn,” or “pick a card!” (One time as a kid we patterned a game off of one we owned that had the board game open up to reveal a new board underneath! Everyone had to race to the hole in the board before it was too late!) 

  3. Make the Rules
    How do players move? What’s the goal? Is it a race to the end, or a mission to collect treasures? Keep it simple, and don’t worry if you change things as you playtest. Seriously, to start out keep it simple. Even if the game is for adults as you start out just go for basic little kids rules and add more complexity as you go and as your creativity strikes. 

  4. Add Cards or Challenges
    Make some fun “action” or “question” cards. These can be new items, silly dares, trivia questions, or magical effects depending on your theme.

  5. Playtest and Tweak
    Play with friends or family, and keep it open to adjust the rules. That’s part of the creative process! 
    The more you play the game the more you'll start to see any needs for adjustments. You'll be able to fill a dead space or clear out a chaotic phase as needed, but these are often only recognized as you play and play again. Honestly it is really fun part of the process.

Bonus Ideas:

  • Invite friends to create their own games and host a board game night.

  • Turn your game into a summer-long challenge—track wins and add new twists each week!

  • Make mini versions, or a simple card game, for travel or picnics.

Final Thoughts

Making a board game is more than a fun craft—it’s a memory-maker. It encourages creativity, collaboration, and lots of laughs. So gather your supplies, bring your wild ideas, and let the games begin! Let me know if you guys try this fun project in the comments I'd love to see what you make.


Monday, June 9, 2025

Making doodle stickers

PRINTABLE JOURNAL STICKERS!

    Ok, so lately I've been obsessing over the whimsy twee vibe that is full of colorful buttons, strawberries, apples, ladybugs, and so much magic. I feel so much nostalgia for my high school days in 1996-2000! LOVE it to death! It was something that was bound to show itself in my creative endeavors eventually. so here it is! Printable journal doodle stickers! (๐Ÿ‘ˆlink to my shop)
  As many of you may know I love journaling. I have many journals dating all the way back to 1994! What a collection! I may have do do a journal tour sometime. sharing my many journals. and maybe even a few fun or inspiring entries, but for now I'll share a cute doodle page I made. I made it with the intention of cutting each doodle out to glue into my journal. 

Pro tip: Doodling is a fun, affordable, and easy way to decorate in your journal. 

    I started off with a blank paper and some markers, and I just went for it. All the while thinking of cute things I'd like to see in my journal as decoration, and then I just kept drawing. 
    It was really fun time just chilling with my family and doodling in my sketchbook. I love pastimes that are portable like drawing in a sketchbook. Markers and pencils are the ultimate art tools for that. sometimes I wish I could have a cleaner more portable way to paint. Ok so maybe I should invest in a nice set of acrylic markers.๐Ÿ˜œ๐Ÿ„๐Ÿ…  

    I was so happy with my page of doodles! So happy that I took a picture and made it into a set of printable stickers to share them with you. They're listed up in my shop!

Shop printable journal stickers here

    I also added a bunch of plaid pages and other notepads, extra buttons, and cute tags just for you !! See my journal spread below, with all the goodies spread out on the table!
    I love me some journaling ephemera to add to my pages so I am really pleased with the journal spreads I was able to make using this printable pack! its so versatile. You can use these in so many ways.

AHH so cute!! I'm completely obsessed!!!


Shop printable journal stickers here

    Anyway, I hope you're all having a wonderful week and that you're staying creative and living gratefully. I was thinking the other day, if I could share one thing with people and especially my kids it would be to live with gratitude. Honestly I has gotten me out of some dark places. Weather you pray or even believe in God, gratitude is still a practice that can change your perspective for the better. But believing there is someone out there looking after you and taking care of you is life changing. Think a bout it. Your Father in heaven gave you a pulse today, He gave you a mind to think, a chance to choose. He gave you clouds to watch, flowers to smell, air to breath, & soo much more!! All that is good is of God. So, yeah,๐Ÿ’•"Live Gratefully!"❤️ Go try it!! And maybe even let me know how it goes. Or journal about it. But let God know how you feel about it, about Him.  Live Gratefully! Maybe it could be a mantra. Ooh it could become an art print or a t-shirt! Ooh what a fun challenge! Either way, it bears repeating, because it bears repetition in our daily lives, our habits, our every moment.
- love ya๐Ÿ“๐Ÿ’•๐Ÿป

Friday, October 25, 2024

Making a folk art papier-mรขchรฉ Halloween cat

Hello my friends I have been in the spooky spirit and thought it would be fun to make a little black kitty coming out of a pumpkin. I tried a new painting technique and it was really fun to kind of get a rustic look! I’m having a blast :-) I think I might have my husband make a mold of it for casting reproductions. We’re so excited because we just learned how to do silicon mold making! My husband and I enjoy making Halloween things together and if you are interested you can check out our Etsy shop frosthollowfarmco.etsy.com 
I’m incredibly excited to make more papier-mรขchรฉ in the coming months!



I’m here!

    Hello there, I have been meaning to post more often here on the old blog. I have been taking a break from all things social media and feel have found myself again! Social media is a blessing and a curse, when you misuse it or have the wrong mindset, it can be harmful to your mental health. Basically I was seeing what others were doing and I felt like I should be doing that too and  if I would try and then feel unsatisfied because it wasn't really what I wanted. I felt like I was late all the time and too pressured and in a hurry. But now that I've had a break I feel incredibly whole and I'm excited to share what I've been doing. 
    Lately I have been into papier-mรขchรฉ sculpture again :) those of you who have followed along in the beginning of this blog remember that papier-mache has been a staple in my life. I am happy to be at it again. 
paper mache witch, art doll, folk art, witch sitting on a pumpkin
paper mache sculpture, folk art , art doll, witch with a cauldron

I made these witches a few years ago but this blog didn't get the update so I thought I needed to share her here. :)
Another fun project I'm working on with my husband is Frost Hollow Farm ! We are both so passionate about beautiful old architecture and immersive whimsical art, so were beginning a new project on our 7 acre abandoned dairy farm, where were building an old world Dickensian downtown and creating a theme park with shops and hand made life size sculpted whimsical shop owners and all the details of their fantastical world. 


I am in the process of creating a shop to feature my cartoony style specifically, it'll feature printable downloads, coloring books, stickers, journals and merch in that same style. Much of it will be featuring the cat named Sebastian and his many friend who seem frequents that art style of mine. I call it Sebastian and Friends. :) when I have it all put together ill announce the launch.


Thanks so much four joining me on this fun update post!

 

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Making cute things again

Hi everyone, I'm excited to update you with some art I have been making this year
These cartoon-y animal characters are such a blast to create, I really have found a happy place in creating them!
More Halloween characters coming soon!
I have been showing my wares at the local gardeners market this year and I have enjoyed it so much! It great meeting people who are passionate about cute art, and making new friendships. I am sure to do it again next year!

 

Saturday, December 5, 2020

Benny Bear! Paper mache sculpted figurine!


This is Benny, my cute little bear OC (original character) and he's all cuddled up in his golden yellow hand knit cowl scarf! ^^ He is hand made by me with my homemade paper mache clay recipe! I love working with paper clay because of the rustic looking aesthetic but also because it is made from recycled newspapers!! I love his adorable little face!! ^﹏^ He would be the perfect addition to your office space or desk area.
 

Thursday, August 13, 2020

I'm Back In business and having fun!

Hello Hello!

It has been a while since i have given any updates on here. I thought it was about time I revive this blog and get it back to somewhat resembling of its former glory. :) I have always been obsessed with art and stationary and that is basically the theme of my Lorajean's Magazine shop. YAY! :)

 I have been having a blast creating art and using it to design art prints,  stickers, notebooks and various stationary items with it. My latest design it this "God Speaks to ME" journal for personal revelation. I just got my first inventory shipment yesterday and I am so exited!

I have added this journal and a few other things to my Etsy shop as kind of a soft opening. I am still getting my designs finalized and printed. I had been researching journal printers and sticker companies and I have finally found some companies I like and am thrilled with the quality of the products! Woo-hoo! I am so excited!

I have a lot of fun planned for the official shop opening like:

bookmarks

notebooks

paper mache' sculptures

clay pins

stickers

art prints

and, 

post cards

I will keep you updated when I finally know the date the official grand opening. Also, if you haven't already  subscribed to my blog by email, please do so and you will get these blog posts right in your e-mail in box! :)

SUBSCRIBE HERE