Bean Mosaic

Source: http://www.theideabox.com/Bean_Mosaic.html

Bean Mosaic


•Assortate dried Beans (A package of soup beans works great)
•white glue
•plastic lid (deli container lids work great)
•soap and water (for clean up)
•yarn


Fill the lid with white glue--don't let it run over the sides or you'll have a big mess to clean-up and thats a whole different project. Place the varity of beans and seeds into the glue in a pattern of your choice to create a mosaic effect. Find a safe place for the project to dry--I find somewhere out of the way and hidden as a good spot. Forget about the project for several days--it takes a long time to dry. Once the glue is completely dry, remove the lid, find a spot to thread a piece of yarn though to hang this work of art.

Terra Cotta Pot Bird Feeders

Source: http://www.inspiremecrafts.com/inspireme_crafts/gotta-make-itwith-the-kids/page/2/

MATERIALS:
large terra cotta pot bottom
medium terra cotta pot
paint
2 medium sized wooden balls with holes
wire
paint brush
strong adhesive, glue gun

OPTIONAL: beads, paper, decoupage

HOW-TO:
1. Start by painting your terra cotta pots and the wooden balls. Allow to dry.
2. If you are a talented painter, or would like your children to do it, you can decorate your pots with designs. If you are like me and can't draw or paint, you may choose to decoupage some paper onto it. If you decide to take this route, I suggest cutting the paper into triangles or squares and overlapping them. Put the decoupage on both sides and keep overlapping until you have your desired look. Allow to dry.
3. Take your wire ( I used about 1 yard and cut off the excess after I was done with the whole process) and stick one end through the wooden ball. String the wooden ball all the way to the middle of the wire. Then take both ends of the wire and insert them into the large opening of the pot and through the little hole on the bottom of the terra cotta pot until the ball is up against the pot. (see picture for clarification). Then take the two wires and insert into the second ball. Bring ball down until it is at the bottom of the terra cotta pot. There should now be one ball in the inside of the pot and one on the other side all connected with the same wire.
4. Take your extra strong adhesive, or glue gun, and apply to the large open rim of the terra cotta pot. Quickly stick it to the center of the large terra cotta pot bottom. Let dry.
5. If you choose, add some beads to the wire and tie a knot at the top.
6. Add some bird seed and hang! Let the birds enjoy and start your bird watching.

Fishies

Mommy put some toothpaste in a Ziploc bag and I squished it all up. While I did that Mommy cut a fishbowl shape out of construction paper. We glued the Ziploc bag to a piece of construction paper then we glued the fish bowl on top of it. I stuck some of my foam fish on it and we were finished.



 
Source: http://www.internettoddler.com/category/arts-crafts

Toilet Paper Tube Poinsettias

Source: http://preschool2prek.blogspot.com/search/label/Arts%20and%20Crafts

Poinsettia ornaments out of toilet paper tubes. We cut five equal slits about 1 inch wide and stopped one inch before the end of the tube. The trimmed each slit on one end to resemble a petal. My youngest painted his with red acrylic paint on both sides (he was eager to paint and did not let me trim the petals on this one).


Before drying, we sprinkled red glitter all over the petals and laid them to dry in a box.

Handprint Turkey

http://busymomsblog.com/category/toddler-art-and-craft/

Plastic Spoon Flowers

Source: http://www.cool-kids-craft-ideas.com/plastic-spoon-flowers.html#lily

Water Lily
This one looks great sitting on your table. Place it on a blue mat or paper to simulate the look of water.



Supplies
14 Plastic Spoons
Decorative Button or Paper
Green Felt
Sturdy Scissors or Diagonal Cutters
Hot Glue
Thin Cardboard

How to Make a Plastic Spoon Water Lily
Cut the stem portion of the spoon off leaving about 1/4" for gluing.
Cut a piece of cardboard into a circle shape 3 inches in diameter.
Using the hot glue, glue 5 spoon bowls on the outer edge of the circle cardboard spacing evenly around the circle.
Take five more spoon bowls and glue these in between the first 5 spoons slightly in closer to the middle of the circle. For this layer, angle the spoons slightly upwards.
Glue the last four spoons onto the cardboard. Again angling the spoons higher and in closer to the middle.
Glue on a decorative button for the middle of the flower.
Tip: You can also use card stock or craft foam and decorate it anyway you want.
Lastly, cut out two leaf shapes with green felt. Glue these to the bottom of the cardboard.
Another flower craft idea for this one is to use colored spoons. You can alternate with white and your choosen color and make your water lily all one color.

Tulips

This one is fairly simple and the younger kids can give it a try. You will need an adult to help with the hot glue gun.

Supplies
1 Plastic Spoon per tulip
Permanent Marker or Paint
Green Pipe Cleaners

How to Make Plastic Spoon Tulips
Paint the back bowl side of the spoon the desired color for your tulip. Let this dry completely.
Using a complementing color, paint a triangle starting from the edge of the top of the spoon and come down to a point for the triangle. This will create the look of a tulip.
Paint the handle green to create the stem.
Fold a pipe cleaner into leaf shapes and wrap it around the stem.
Just stick your tulip in a styrofoam ball to display this cute flower. You can make a vase as well and use floral foam or clay to hold in place.

Roses
The directions below are for the roses with a "slumped" petal which requires working with a candle and is intended for older kids with supervision. If your younger child wants to try this craft, you can do this without using a candle.

Supplies
8 Plastic Spoons
Permanent Marker or Paint
Sturdy Scissors or Diagonal Cutters
Hot Glue
Candle
Green Tissue Paper
Ribbon

How to Make Plastic Spoon Roses
To create a petal look (called slumping the spoon), light a candle and hold a spoon about 2" above the flame. The spoon should be bowl side down facing the flame.
Hold the spoon to where the tip of the spoon is receiving the heat. Hold in place until you see the spoon "slump".
Remove the spoon from the flame and press the tip against a hard surface (like the the table) to bend the tip back to create the petal.
Tip: For the first two spoons, bend back only slightly. These will be the center of the rose.
Paint your spoons the color you want (if using white spoons). Color the folded part of the petal (where you bent it back) a slightly darker matching color.
Hot glue your first 2 spoons together keeping the handle on the spoon.
Slump your next two spoons creating a slightly larger fold in the petal. Paint the spoons. Cut off the handle of the spoon leaving about 1/2" for gluing to the first two spoons.
Glue these two spoons to the first two spoons but place these so they are on each edge of the first two spoons (meaning facing each other but in the opposite direction of the first two spoons.
Repeat steps 6 and 7 for the remaining spoons creating a larger slump with each row of petals. Be sure to glue these on the opposite side of the last set of spoons.
Lastly, wrap the tissue paper around the stem and part way up the rose to cover all the edges of the cut spoons. Tie it off with a bow and give this to mom for Mother's Day or Valentine's Day.

If you want to do this rose craft without the candle and slumping of the petals, simply follow all the steps above skipping the slumping. You will still get a beautiful rose but it will be more of a rose bud without the petals opening. We placed a small pine cone in the center of ours to give it a different look.

Lid Wind Chimes

Source: http://www.cool-kids-craft-ideas.com/sensory-crafts-sound.html#wind_chimes
Supplies
3 large canning lids (the flat insert piece)
10 small canning lids (the flat insert piece)
1 large canning lid band (the part the twists on the jar)
Metal Paint (like Rustoleum)
Ribbon or String
Glitter Glue
Scissors
Hot Glue

How to Make Wind Chimes
Paint all the lids with rustoleum paint and let dry.
Using glitter glue, write out your message or decorate the lids as you want. Use the larger lids for the first letter of each word.
We used the words Peace, Love and Hope on one side and Faith, Life and Wish on the other side.
Cut 3 long strips of ribbon (long enough to hold all the lids for each word.
Hot glue the lids to the ribbon leaving enough of the ribbon to tie to the lid band and some to hang from the bottom.
Tie each ribbon to the lid band in different spots. Tie another piece of ribbon to the band for hanging.
Hang your wind chime somewhere outside to catch the wind and make some noise.

Pine Cone Hyacinth

Source: http://www.cool-kids-craft-ideas.com/flower-crafts.html

Supplies


1 Pine Cone (per flower)
Colored Tissue Paper
Green Construction Paper
Colored Aluminum Foil (or colored paper)
Plastic Tub (like from margarine)
Scissors
Glue
Pencil
Ribbon or Bow





How to Make a Pine Cone Flower

Place the tub on the aluminum foil and wrap the foil around the tub. Fold over the end into the inside of the tub to hold in place and cover the rim.
Tip: If you use paper instead of foil, just use double stick tape to hold it in place. Fold the end of the paper into the tub and tape in place.
Glue the pine cone into the plastic tub.
Tip: If you have a smaller pine cone, just build up the inside of the tub with flower foam and then stick the pine cone in a bit to hold in place.
Cut the tissue paper into 1 1/2 inch squares. Place the eraser end of the pencil in the middle of the square and twist the tissue paper by twirling the pencil.
Dip the pointed end of the tissue paper into glue and stick it between the pine cone petals. Repeat this until the pine cone is completely covered with colored tissue paper.
Cut leaves from the green paper and glue in place.
Wrap a ribbon or place a bow on the outside of the pot.

Odds and Ends . . . Sources Unknown!

Bubble Wrap Prints

http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/search/label/0%20grade

1. I cut panels of bubble wrap that were smaller than the journal pages so that the paint wouldn’t go all the way to the edges. The students were given a brush, acrylic paint and paper plate. After spreading the paint out on the plate, the bubble wrap was pressed into the paint (bubble side down) and then printed in the center of a blank journal page.


2. After a successful print was made, the students pressed a paper towel on top of the page to absorb any extra paint.

3. When the paint felt dry, the students used colored pencils to color in the bubbles. I love how they look like marbles all lined up in a row.

A Couple Cute Animal Ideas . . . . No Instructions Required :p

Source: http://blogs.familyeducation.com/parenting/14452/archive/200906?page=1

Handprint Caterpillar

Source: http://daycaredailies.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html
Supplies Needed:


Poster board white
Finger paint or tempera paints
Pipe cleaners
Wiggly eyes (or a marker to draw eyes)

Take the poster board and have child do three hand prints from the paints listed above.(see the sample on the left)

Make the head as a painted or finger painted circle attached to hand print. Let dry, cut out shape similar to above photo and attach (staple) pipe cleaners on top of head. Add wiggly eyes or draw them in.

Fun Art Pancakes

Source: http://brassyapple.blogspot.com/2009/06/crafty-thursday-w-kidscooking-art.html

I poured about a cup (maybe a bit more) into a mustard "squirt" bottle I snatched up at the $1 dollar store. Squeezed in some food coloring, gave it a good shake and ART pancakes here we COME!!


1. Stir up your pancake mix.
2. Pour a small-ish amount into a "condiment" bottle. I actually cut the nozzle down so more would flow out.
3. Add some food coloring and shake it up. (here is where the fun starts)
4. Now "draw" any fun shape - keep in mind you have to turn this baby over. Just draw an "outline" and then let that cook for a few seconds.

Snowflake Ornament

Source: http://www.inspiremecrafts.com/inspireme_crafts/gotta-make-itwith-the-kids/

Here's an easy one for you! Just a few supplies and your little ones will create some masterpieces to showcase on your tree. They will be so proud of their button snowflake ornament they'll want to make one for everybody. Hang them on your tree, attach them to the ribbon on gifts, or if you don't think you'll see real snow this year, just hang several from your windows!










MATERIALS:
Popsicle sticks (3 for each ornament)
Buttons (I chose white ones so I wouldn't have to paint them)
White glitter
Glue
Ribbon

HOW TO:

1. Glue the popsicle sticks together one on top of the other, attaching at the middle. Space them out to make the shape of the "snowflake". Let the glue dry.
2. Spread glue over the top of the popsicle sticks. Apply the buttons. Let dry.
3. Spread a light coat of glue over the buttons or use a spray adhesive. Apply glitter. Shake excess glitter off.
4. Glue ribbon in a loop at the top of one of the popsicle sticks.

Prayer Wall Canvas

Source: http://www.inspiremecrafts.com/inspireme_crafts/gifts/page/3/

The saying goes:

"Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Bless the bed that I lie on.
Four corner to my bed,
Four angels 'round my head.
One to watch and one to pray,
And two to guide me through the day."






MATERIALS:

Canvas
Paint
Foam paint brush
Cricut cut letters or stickers
Ribbon
Embellishments
Glue
Scissors

HOW-TO:

1. Start by painting your canvas. I started with a light blue, then added some depth with a little green and darker blue. I just blended them here and there until I found a combo that worked for me.
2. Cut out letters with Cricut machine or use stickers. I measured the canvas and counted out the letters in each line to make sure I chose the right size letters to use.
3. Lay out the letters on the canvas. Start gluing once they are in place. I used the Martha Stewart Extra Fine glue pen. It worked great.
4. Add any embellishments you would like. I cut out a cross and glued a brown bead to the center and then glued to the corner
5. Glue (I used glue gun) the ribbon around the canvas.
6. Cut two strips of ribbon to your desired length to use to hang. Its always better to go long and then cut them. Glue to the back of the canvas. Then bring the two pieces of ribbon together to tie a bow. Cut any excess ribbon off.

Photo Cube Puzzle

Source: http://www.inspiremecrafts.com/inspireme_crafts/fathers_day/

Its an easy project, however, be prepared to give it some time. I'm going to give you the detailed how-to for the actual puzzle, not the box. However, don't forget to give those puzzle solvers a little help by providing pictures of the different puzzles on the front. :)


This puzzle measures 6 x 6 inches. Each block I chose was 1.5 inches on each side. The blocks come in various sizes and you, of course, can essentially choose your own size and number of blocks for your puzzle. I'll give you the materials for the size of puzzle I chose to do.

MATERIALS:
16 - 1.5 inch wooden blocks
Black craft paint
Mod Podge
Sponge brush
Spray Adhesive
Ruler
Scissors
Up to 6 pictures printed on your computer


HOW-TO:
1. Paint all 16 blocks black, on all 6 sides. Let dry.
2. Choose your pictures that you will use for your project. Re-size them to 6 X 6 in. Print your pictures and let them completely dry. Cut the pictures out along the edges. TIPS: When choosing your pictures, try to choose close-ups or ones that won't be too hard to solve. Once you print it out, imagine where it would be cut into squares and make sure their are distinguishing marks that will allow your solver to put the clues together.
3. Turn your picture over. On the back, using your ruler, start to mark the measurements of where you are going to cut. Put a mark every 1.5 inches along the top and bottom, and then every 1.5 inches along each side. Connect the dots using a straight edge to give you your grid. Use a scrapbook paper cutter or scissors to cut along the lines. TIP: I wanted to see the finished puzzle and wanted to apply them in order so I put a number from 1-16 in each box on the grid on the back of the paper to help me keep them in order when applying in case they got mixed up. Repeat with all other pictures. I chose to only do 4 pictures and one note with stickers that read "I luv nana and papa" and then left the last side black.
4. Using your spray adhesive start to apply each picture square to the wooden block. Do all 16 squares of the picture. After you finish one picture move on to the next. Complete all 6 sides. Then allow to completely dry and adhere so no bubbles will pop up when you mod podge. Read your spray adhesives directions to find the time.
5. Next, using your sponge brush, mod podge over each photo square. Be careful to not have the blocks touching when you are having them dry so that they don't stick. Again, do all 16 of one side, let dry, and do another side. You most likely will have to do at least 2-3 coats of mod podge. This is the time consuming part!
6. You're done! While your blocks are drying you can work on your box.

I *HEART* You Blocks

Source: http://www.inspiremecrafts.com/inspireme_crafts/fathers_day/

MATERIALS:

1 wood block ( I chose a 4x4 inch)
4 photos (need the letters you want to take the photos). I had photos printed at store for top quality.
Mod Podge or your favorite decoupage
Black paint
2-4 Foam brushes
Scissors

HOW-TO:
1. Paint your wood block black (or your chosen accent color) on all sides. Let dry
2. Cut your pictures to size.
3. Apply thin coat of Mod Podge to back of picture. Adhere to wood block. Smooth out bubbles by using a cloth over the picture. Repeat on each side. Let dry according to directions on decoupage. Usually 20 minutes.
4. Apply coat of Mod Podge over the top of picture and block. You may have to do a couple of pictures at a time, let dry and then do the others. Make sure to get the corners and sides of the pictures as well.
Note: It helps to rest the block on a cup upside down or something similar so the Mod Podge doesn't adhere to the newspaper you may have underneath for dripping.
5. Let dry overnight.
6. Give to a loved one. J

Mother's Day Puzzle

Source: http://www.inspiremecrafts.com/inspireme_crafts/dollar_diva/page/2/









MATERIALS

Scrapbook puzzle or regular puzzle
Paper
Pictures
Glue
Scissors
Ribbon
Hole Punch
Brad

HOW-TO

1. Print out photos to size.
2. Trace puzzle pieces onto various photos.
3. Cut out photos.
4. Adhere photo to puzzle piece.
5. Decorate front 'page'.
6. Punch hole in approximately the same spot on every puzzle piece.
7. Stick brad through all the pieces. Close brad on back.
8. Voila! An adorable photo puzzle collage for mother's day.

I Love You THIS Much Sign

Source: http://www.inspiremecrafts.com/inspireme_crafts/dollar_diva/page/2/







MATERIALS:

Wood base (mine was 5 x7 and found at Michaels for $1) - or you could use a canvas
Favorite paper
Construction Paper
Paint
Ribbon
Scissors
Glue
Stickers, or cricut cut letters, or print the saying on your computer.

TO DO:

1. Paint your wood a matching color to your paper. Let dry
2. Have your child make his/her own hand prints on the construction paper. Let dry. We did several so we could pick out the best ones. Have soapy water and paper towels right there to clean hands before he/she decorates your house :).
3. Cut paper to size to fit on front of wood. If paint has dried, adhere the paper to the front of the wood. I used a spray adhesive.
4. Use stickers, cricut letters, or print out the saying on your computer. Use "I love you this much". Adhere to front of wood.
5. Once the hand prints have dried, cut out around the hand prints and leave a little 'wrist and arm' when you cut so they can attach to the wood.
6. Add your child's name and date with a pen on the outer edge of the hand print.
7. Tape or glue the hand print 'wrist/arm' to the back of the wood so the hand print is facing the front. One on each side.
8. Glue some ribbon on the back so your child's dad can hang it up.
9. Add some photos, or if you child is old enough have them write the "I love you this much" message themselves.

Goldfish Mobile

Source: http://www.inspiremecrafts.com/inspireme_crafts/dollar_diva/

MATERIALS:


2-4 sheets of orange/red foam rectangles (purchased mine at DollarTree in pack)
Wiggly eyes
Beading wire
Glue Gun
Cotton balls or tissue
Glitter glue, markers, anything to decorate fish
Black Marker
Assorted Beads
Ribbon

HOW-TO:

1. Start by free-handing the shape of a fish on the orange foam. Or you could print out a fish to trace. Cut the shape of the fish out on two pieces of foam.

2. Have your children decorate the large fish by adding wiggly eyes, a mouth using the marker, glitter glue, etc. Let dry.

3. Cut out several smaller size fish. Cut out. Add wiggly eyes and mouth.

4. Take beading wire. Poke it through the top of a small fish and then twist the wire together. Start adding beads. Leave about an inch of wire at the top to attach to the larger fish later. Repeat for all your small fish.

5. Once your large fish is dry, connect the front piece and the back piece using the glue gun around the inner edges. Be sure to leave a portion unglued so you can stuff it with tissue or cotton balls. Stuff it with the cotton to make it 3-dimensional. Once stuffed, close the opening by gluing it shut.

6. Take the first beaded fish. With the top part of the wire left, punch it through the bottom of the large fish and twist the wire together to secure it. You now have a small fish hanging from the large fish. Repeat with all your small fish and beaded wire.

7. Cut ribbon to your desired length (I did about 1 foot). Glue each end of the ribbon to the back of the fish to allow it to hang.

8. Voila! You are done. Go proudly hang your hanging-fish-thing a.k.a. School of Fish.

If your child is currently infatuated with fish and under the sea creatures then this is one definitely worth trying. You could even do an octopus! On a side note, all the materials could be purchased at a craft store, but they are also ALL available at the DollarTree! Yay!

Tulle Ruffly Skirt

Source: http://pinkpicketfence.typepad.com/pink_picket_fence/2009/04/her-tulle-skirt-the-new-fave.html

Specifics:

The skirt base: I made this skirt less full than usual -- the tulle makes it full enough. Wait to add the elastic at the end.

The ruffles: The tulle strips are about 2" wide. I think I used a half yard, total.

I attached all the tulle strips together before gathering, so it went quickly. I didn't worry about backstitching or anything.

I made a long stitch (you'll have to experiment) down the middle of the strip and it gathered itself. At first I had it on 'basting' stitch, but it was actually too gathered.

Attaching the ruffles: I started at the top of the skirt. When I got to the end of a row, I overlapped the ruffle a half inch, cut away, backstitched, and then eyeballed the next row and started sewing again. The ruffle really doesn't come undone.

Care: In my experience, you can wash tulle just fine (a lingerie bag works well), just don't put it in the dryer. I wasn't too bright and used linen for the skirt, so I am going to have to iron this one from the inside out, very carefully. Oops. Good thing these are fast in case I have to make a replacement. (Know what would work nicely? A no-iron percale sheet. I'll have to remember that for next time.)

Ruffly Skirt

Source: http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/search/label/kids?updated-max=2009-08-12T16%3A05%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=20

Basic Ruffle Instructions

Make this skirt:
http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/08/lazy-days-skirt-free-pattern.html

Then, before adding the elastic waist to the skirt, I marked the skirt in 1 ½ inch intervals to help me see where to sew on my ruffles. I then took a contrasting fabric and cut them into 1 ½ inch pieces, selvage to selvage (about 44 inches). You need about two of these pieces per ruffle tier on your skirt. I then used my serger to finish the edges of my ruffles so they won’t fray. If you like the frayed look you may want to skip this step. If you don't have a serger, you can either zig zag or overcast stitch your ruffle pieces with your sewing machine.

Next, using my sewing machine and some tweezers, I scrunched up the ruffles as I sewed them down to the skirt using my marked lines. (This keeps your fingers out from under the needle!) Once the ruffles were on, I added the elastic. I made this skirt a little big for my girl because I want her to be able to wear it longer than a month—kids grow so fast!

Princess Wand

Source: http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/search/label/kids?updated-max=2009-08-12T16%3A05%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=20

What you'll need:
*5 or 6 Dowels (we used 12" dowels)
*Hand-held drill
*Wood clothespins
*Cookie sheet and oven
*Assorted ribbons
*Wire
*Extreme Glitter Paint from Plaid

Step One: Drill a small hole in one end of a 12" dowel. With the remaining dowels, use a clothespin to clip one end of ribbon to the end. Tightly wrap the ribbon around the dowel and use another clothespin pin it in place. Wrap all of your dowels with your ribbon.

Step Two: Place on a cookie sheet and bake in your oven for 20 minutes at 275 degrees.

Step Three: While your ribbons are baking, paint the dowel with the hole in it with glitter paint. We like Plaid's Folk Art Extreme Glitter. It's a transparent paint full of fine glitter that gives your project a little sugar. We painted it directly on the wood, but you could also paint your dowel with an acrylic paint and then finish it off with a layer or two of Extreme Glitter on top.

Step Four: Slowly unwrap the ribbon and cut to your desired length. Apply Fray Check or similar product to ribbon ends to prevent fraying. You can also heat set them with a heat gun or a flame (be careful not to burn yourself or start your ribbon on fire though!).

Step Five: Lay the ribbons out evenly and use a clip (I used a large salon clip from the beauty supply store) to hold them all in place. Take another thin piece of ribbon or string and tie all the pieces together. Double knot it.

Step Six: Run a piece of wire through the hole in your painted dowel. Then run the wire under and around the thin ribbon you used to hold the spirals together. Wrap the ends of the wire around the dowel so it will not move. If you want, you can also use glitter spray to spray the ribbons to make it even more dazzling.

Easy Tie Dye Shirts

Source:  http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/search/label/kids?updated-max=2009-10-06T00%3A00%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=20

Did all of you see the fabulous dollar store tie dye post on Make and Takes a while back? If you happened to miss it, click here to check it out. As soon as I saw the idea I was pumped. I knew my boys would love to try their hand at making their own tie dyed shirts and I also knew it would be a fun, cheap craft that we could do together. Winning idea all around!


Following the simple instructions posted at Make and Takes, my boys were really excited to make their shirts. I found these plain white shirts at Walmart for $2! After pulling out my very large stash of tissue paper, pouring vinegar into an empty (but clean) cleanser bottle, and covering my table with garbage bags....we were ready to start!

I gave my boys some scissors and let them have at it. They chose various colors of tissue and cut it into all different shapes and sizes. They had fun positioning them on their shirts.

After they had covered their shirts, I sprayed vinegar all over the tissue paper. More is better in this situation because you really want to make sure all of the tissue paper is wet.

We then let the shirts sit out and soak up the vinegar over night. When the vinegar was dry in the morning we peeled off the tissue paper and dried the shirts in the dryer to set the dye. The color comes out very pale, but my boys were thrilled with the results. It was such a cheap craft and they were so proud of themselves for making their own designs!

Little Chick Tutu Costume

Source: http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/search/label/kids?updated-max=2009-11-30T08%3A53%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=20

Little Chick Tutu Costume


Supplies:

*One or two rolls of 6" wide yellow, white, or blue tulle, depending on what kind of bird you want to make (found in the wedding section at your local craft store)
*Feathers to match your tulle
*Hair clip
*No-roll elastic
*Hot glue gun and glue
*Sewing machine and thread

Okay, let's get started!

1. First, measure your child's waist. Subtract one inch from that number and cut your elastic that length. For example, if my child's waist is 12 inches, then I would cut an 11 inch piece of elastic. Sew the elastic together at the short ends so you have a ring like below.

2. Next, cut your tulle. I used two whole rolls for a toddler sized tutu and only one for a baby (10 month old) size. Measure the length from the waist to where you want your tutu to stop. Double that number and that is how many inches you will need to cut your tulle. For example, I wanted the tutu to be 15 inches long for my toddler daughter so I cut 30 inch pieces. When I made the baby tutu, I only wanted it 8 inches long so I cut the tulle 16 inches long.

3. The easiest way to make the tutu is to put the elastic on your leg like a garter. Then start tying your tulle around the elastic. Make sure you double knot the tulle. Continue tying the tulle around the elastic until you are happy with how full it looks.

4. Now, get out your hot glue gun. Very carefully place hot glue on the double knots of your tulle. This is where you will stick your feathers. You will need to be patient and go slow.

5. Once you have a dot of hot glue on the knot, carefully place your feather on it. You may need to trim the tips of your feathers. A lot of the feathers I used had sharp pointy tips. I just snipped them off before sticking it to the hot glue.

6. When you are done your tutu will look like this. Next, hot glue some feathers to your metal hair clip or hairband and you have half the costume done. Find a matching onesie or shirt and add some orange leggings. Ta-dah! One little chickadee or blue bird or swan or whatever suits your fancy.

Old Board Book into Personalized Baby Book

Source: http://katiesnestingspot.blogspot.com/2009/01/altered-baby-board-book.html

The first things I do is make sure the binding is intact. You don't want to put a lot of hard work into your creation and then have it fall apart after a few uses, trust me this is from experience! Most board book pages have a shiny coating on their pages. I sand the pages using a scrap of sand paper and then wipe off all the little bits. I read somewhere that this gives the glue something to hold onto and ensures better adhesion. Next I plan out my pages, choosing which pictures to include, papers and ribbons, what embellishments to use, etc. A note on embellishments: try to use as many flat embellishments such as stickers and die-cuts if you want your finished book to close and be somewhat flat. All the fancy 3-D embellishments will add to the bulk of your book and prohibit it from closing.


It's all a matter of preference, because I've made some with bulkier embellishments and I think the finished book looks pretty with the pages fanned out on a table. In that case, I display mine standing up, so the front cover looks like a frame.

The pages reveal a little bit of what's inside and I think it makes your guests want to pick it up and look at it. Also, if you are using 3-D embellishments keep them toward the outer edges of your pages, the idea is to have a slight fanning of the pages, not to have them completely open. The design phase is also the time to plan for any extras such as, shortened pages, windows, or flaps. A shortened page is just that, when you cut part off, so that a little of the following page can be seen. A window involves two consecutive pages; you cut a shape out of one page, I found a square to be the easiest one. Place a photo behind the opening and glue to either the back of that page, leave a border around the print for glue, or glue it to the following page so that it can be seen through the opening. Adhere both pages together, I like to use really strong double sided tape to do this as it's quicker, but you can also use mod podge.

You will need to apply the glue, then use clamps or clips to hold the two pages together overnight. A flap page is similar to a window, but when you are cutting out the shape cut out three sides and score the last one so it will open. Glue the first page to the second, being careful to not glue the flap. You can place a picture or patterned paper and embellishments in the opening of a window or flap.

Okay so now you've prepped your book by sanding and wiping it clean, planned out the pages, and made any necessary cuts to pages for extras. To assemble. Cover each page, one at a time with a thin layer of mod podge. Cut decorative paper to slightly larger than the page. Attach and smooth out any wrinkles with your fingers. Continue until pages are all covered. Let glue dry. Cut around each page with an x-acto knife. Sand away any excess paper so edges are smooth. Now you can decorate and embellish to your heart's content.

I save the cover for last, because if bulkier embellishments are used on the front it can make it harder to complete the inside pages if the book will not longer lay flat. If you choose to use flat embellishments on the inside, the front cover is the place to go crazy, I've even attached bigger items with hot glue.

Cover the front and back using the same method as the inside pages. Measure the spine of the book's height and width. Add an inch or so, so that the binding will be covered as well as some of the front and back. Using a coordinating scrap of paper, cut binding cover and hold up to your book to check that you like how it "fits" and make adustmentss as necessary. Cover the binding by, attaching first to the front of the book, folding it and gluing as you go around the spine, and then gluing it to the back.

I like to cover the seams on the front and back with ribbon. Cut to lengh and use glue dots to attach, fray check the ends before attaching. Or attach with mod podge, I haven't needed to fray check the ends as the glue does that for you. When you are finished you may want to apply a thin layer of mod podge to the covers to protect it from fingerprints and smudges.

If you embellish the front with silk flowers or something along those lines do not put mod podge on top of those. In that case, apply mod podge on the unembellished cover, let dry, and then hot glue on bigger items. I usually also apply a thin layer onto of each inner page, allow for drying time. You can apply mod podge right over any embellishments and photos as it drys clear.

Sock Puppets

Source: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/kids/craft_zoo_puppets.html

What you need


• 1 empty gelatin box (or box that size) for each puppet
• An old, but clean, sock
• Scissors
• Glue
• Fabric scraps, construction paper, yarn, sequins, felt, pipe cleaners, etc.
• Tape

What you do

1. Tape the open end of the gelatin box closed. Lay the box flat, then start cutting the top across the middle. Cut all the way across the middle and down each of the sides, but don't cut the bottom that was lying on the table (look at the diagram). Now fold the box in half along the middle of the uncut side. If you put your thumb and fingers in the open parts, you can move it like a mouth. This is the puppet's mouth.

2. Take the sock and cut off the toe, about two inches from the end. Slip the sock over the box, so it creates a head and neck for the puppet, with a moving mouth. Glue the edges of the sock onto the box to keep it together.

3. Now you can use the fabric scraps and other materials to decorate the box and the sock to create any animal you choose. Felt teeth can be glued inside the mouth (square ones for herbivores or pointy ones for carnivores), and a pink oval (or a blue-black one if you're making a giraffe!) can be glued inside to make a tongue. You could make antlers or horns with pipe cleaners, a mane with yarn, spots or stripes, and different sizes and shapes of ears and eyes. You could make antelope or deer, big or small cats, foxes, pigs, giraffes, hippos...you name it!

Sea Turtle Marionette

Source: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/kids/craft_trash_puppet.html

What you need

(You can substitute anything you have that is similar to these items.)
•1 clear plastic deli container with a snap-on lid, like the ones that parmesan cheese comes in. This is the turtle's shell.
•4 plastic spoons to make the flippers. Carefully break off the handles of the spoons, leaving only about one-half inch of the handle and the scoop part. An adult could also snip off the handles with wire cutters, but don't try that yourself.
•1 plastic container from individual-size pudding cups. This is the turtle's head.
•4 wine bottle corks for legs
•4 buttons–2 for eyes, 2 for anchors for your marionette strings.
•1 piece of sponge for the turtle's tail
•5 twist ties
•2 popsicle sticks for your marionette control
•4 small screw eyes to connect the legs to the shell
•Thick white glue
•Nail
•Hole punch–the kind you hold in your hand
•Heavy thread
•Acrylic paints, if you'd like to paint your turtle

What you do

1. Legs and flippers: Cut a small slit in one end of the cork. You might want an adult to help you. Push the shortened spoon handle (flipper) into the cork. On the other end, twist the screw eye into the cork. Repeat for the other three corks.

2. Head: Use the nail to punch a hole into the bottom of the pudding cup. You will later thread a control string through here. Use the hole punch to punch a hole near the rim of the cup. This is where the head will connect to the shell. Now turn the cup over so the opening is downward. This is how the head will be placed. Glue two buttons to the front for eyes (the punched hole is in the back).

3. Shell: Take the lid off of the container. Use the nail to punch a hole in the center of the bottom of the container. This is for your control string. Now use the hole punch to punch five holes around the rim, one for the head to connect and four for the legs to connect. Keep the holes closer to the front than to the back. Now punch five holes in the container lid, in the same places as those in the container.

4. Tail: Cut a small triangle from the sponge. Glue it on to the back of the container, down near the rim.

5. Control: Glue the two popsicle sticks together in a T shape and let dry.

6. Paint: Paint each piece and let dry. Make the mouth pointed. Paint the "scutes," or sections of the shell.

7. Strings: Cut 6 pieces of heavy thread, each one about 18 inches long. Head string: Tie one end of a thread onto a button. Thread the other end up through the pudding cup until it rests on the button (it will kind of look like a bell on a string). Shell string: Repeat for the other button and thread it up through the small hole in the container. Now snap the lid on the container, making sure you match up the large holes you punched for the neck and legs.

8. All together: Use a twist tie and thread it through the large hole in the pudding cup, then the holes in the front of the container and its lid. Twist to secure, but not too tight. The head needs to be able to move freely. Next attach a leg and flipper by threading a twist tie through the screw eye, and then the large leg holes in the container and lid. Be sure the spoon is turned so the rounded part is facing up. Repeat for the other three legs/flippers. All the legs will point toward the back of the turtle.

9. Strings on the control: Tie a thread around each of the flippers where the handle of the spoon meets the cork. Now attach everything to the control. It's easier if you have someone to help hold the control as you tie on the strings. Tie the shell (body) thread to the crossed part of the T. Tie the head thread to the very end of the long center stick of the control. Gather the two threads for the flippers on the right side of the turtle and tie them to the end of one of the cross pieces of the T. Repeat for the left side. Be sure your turtle's legs are even with his body as shown, so it looks like he's swimming. Put a dab of glue on all your knots, and on the control to keep the strings from slipping off. Let it dry. Cut off any excess thread and you're ready to swim the seas! Tilt the control from side to side and watch what happens. With a little practice, you can make your turtle really look like he's swimming.

Magnet Bookmarks

Source: http://www.inspiremecrafts.com/inspireme_crafts/2009/06/gotta-make-it-magnet-bookmark.html

This project takes 5 minutes, so squeeze a little time in and whip-up some eye candy for your summer reads.


What You Will Need:

Paper (photo, card, ticket, postcard, etc)
Adhesive Magnets
Scissors
1. Fold your paper in 1/2. You can use any size you want.
2. Cut your magnets to size if needed. Remove the adhesive protector from your magnets. Place one magnet on each end of your paper so that when you fold it they attract.
3. Start using the magnet bookmark in your book

Chalkboard Game Table

Source: http://www.plaidkidscrafts.com/ProjectDetail.aspx?projectID=3048

2538 - FolkArt ® Chalkboard Paint - Red, 8 oz.
2539 - FolkArt ® Chalkboard Paint - Orange, 8 oz.
2542 - FolkArt ® Chalkboard Paint - True Blue, 8 oz.
2543 - FolkArt ® Chalkboard Paint - Purple, 8 oz.
901 - FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Wicker White, 2 oz.
938 - FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Licorice, 2 oz.
Masking tape
¾" Paint brush
Graph paper
Pencil

1. Basecoat the bottom on table with licorice.

2. Divide the top in 4 squares. Tape off with masking tape and paint each square with chalkboard paints, true blue, purple, red and orange. Allow to dry.

3. Using the graph paper, mark where you would like the dot for the dot game to go. Poke a hole where you have made your mark on paper. Center the dots onto one of the squares and with a pencil mark where each hole is located. Using the end of the paint brush or the end of the pencil add white dots where pencil marks
were made.

4. For the tic tac toe game tape off 1/4" stripes in the center of the square that is diagonal from the dot game. Allow to dry.

Paper Plate Goldfish

Source: http://www.plaidkidscrafts.com/ProjectDetail.aspx?projectID=3233

Paper Plate Goldfish

by: Martha Johnson

225 - FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Pumpkin, 2 oz.
44219 - Apple Barrel ® Brush Sets - Wood Brush Set, Flats
938 - FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Licorice, 2 oz.
2 paper plates
1 Styrofoam cup
Craft glue
Wax paper
Scissors
2 large black buttons

1. Cover work area with wax paper.
2. Cut out fins and eyes from second paper plate.
3. Glue fins in place on other plate – refer to photo.
4. Cut bottom off of Styrofoam cup so it measures 3”. Glue on paper plate lower than center. Let dry.
5. Paint entire project with Pumpkin. Let dry.
6. Glue white paper eyes in place. Glue buttons in middle.
7. Using small brush, paint eyebrows and fish-scales as shown.

Another Monogram Wall Letter Idea

Source: http://www.inspiremecrafts.com/inspireme_crafts/wall_art/

MATERIALS:
Wood Letter
Paper
Ribbon
Stickers or Cricut cut letters
Embellishments
Mod Podge and foam applicator
Glue
Glue gun
Spray adhesive
Scissors


HOW-TO:

1. Trace letter onto piece of paper. Cut out. Ink edges
2. Using spray adhesive adhere paper letter to wood letter
3. Apply stickers (or other letters to spell name) to background paper and cut out desired squares. Ink edges.
4. Adhere small name letters to the large letter.
5. Apply Mod Podge or some finishing product.
6. Using glue (I prefer glue gun) apply ribbon to the outside of the letter. Start at the bottom where it won't be very visible.
7. Adhere ribbon to the back of the letter to create your hanger
8. Add any embellishments.

Handprint Keepsake Box

Source: http://projectsforpreschoolers.com/handprint-craft-keepsake-box/

Handprint Keepsake Box


Hand prints made for some wonderful craft projects you can give as gifts or keep for yourself and cherish for years. This handprint craft project is easy to make for preschoolers and takes very little as far as supplies. You can easily adjust what you do with the finished clay hand print in this craft to use in a variety of different ways.

To make this handprint keepsake box…

You will need:
Soft molding clay (I use Crayola’s Modeling Magic clay)
Paints – watercolor or craft acrylics work great
Hot glue
Clear acrylic keepsake box frame
Photo
Thick cardstock or cardboard for backing


How to make it:
1. First make your handprint by taking some of the molding clay, kneed and flatten to about 1/2″ – 1/4″ thick. Gently press your child’s hand into the clay so that it creates an impression of their hand. Carefully remove their hand so as not to damage the resulting handprint. Let dry or bake as directed. If you have purchased a hand molding kit, follow the directions included in the kit to make the handprint.
2. As the hand print is drying, prepare the cardboard backing. with whatever paper or extras you’d like included behind the handprint. Most keepsake box frames have cardboard in them, you can use this to cover or paint as your backing as well.
3. After the hand print is dried and set, have your preschooler paint the handprint as they’d like. Let dry.
4. Once the paint dries, carefully hot glue the handprint on to the cardboard backing that fits into the box frame.
5. Include any other embellishments, photos, etc. to complete the framed creation.
6. Carefully attach frame as directed.