Fleece Flower Pillows

  SUPPLIES:
Fleece (1/2 yard in the color of your flower, plus some coordinating scraps for the center and leaves) You could also use felt, but I think fleece is softer!
Scissors
Hot Glue Gun

DIRECTIONS:
1. Cut two circles out of your fleece. The size is up to you. I traced a large bowl and my circles were about 14". Sew (or hot glue) around the edges, leaving an opening for stuffing. Next, using a piece of chalk or marking pen, trace a smaller circle for the center of your flower and three additional rings to make a bullseye design.

2. Cut out four leaf shapes. I just eyeballed them. Then sew the leaves together along the outside edges and add stitched leaf veins. (You could also just hot glue the edges and draw the veins on with fabric paint or markers.)

3. Add stuffing to your pillow and stitch (or glue) closed the opening. I then used pinking shears to trim the edges of the pillow and leaves to make it a little more decorative (optional).

4. Using hot glue, attach the leaves to the edge of your pillow. The edges are "pinked" and the leaves are attached.

5. Cut out a bunch of petals. Again, I just eyeballed a petal-like shape. You could make them wider/narrower/more rounded/more pointed, etc. depending on what you want your flower to look like. I made them in two sizes, a larger one for the outer petals, a smaller one for closer to the center. I actually cut out and used a lot more, probably 50-60 or so.

6. Starting on the outer ring of the bullseye you traced, start gluing down your petals. I found it worked best to put a line of glue along the bottom of the petal, pinching the center to give it a little dimension, then attaching it.

7. Once the outer row is complete, start working on the next ring of petals. I added an additional drop of hot glue to each petal to help hold it down and cover the line where the first ring of petals were attached. Use an additional drop of glue on the inner rings of petals.

8. Keep adding petals until your flower is complete. I used the larger petals for the outer two rows, a mix of large and small for the next row, and all small petals for the inner row.

9. Cut out some circles to create the center of your flower. (I used pinking sheers again). For each circle, add a bit of hot glue to the center and squish it to form a little ruffle-y shape and attach them to the center of your flower to fill it in.

Source: http://cometogetherkids.blogspot.com/p/ideas.html

Ruffle Flower Onesie

SOURCE: http://mintnclandycreate.blogspot.com/2010/04/flower-ruffle-onsie.html


Materials:

Scissors
Ruler/Measuring Tape
Lighter/Candle
Bowl of water
Synthetic Fabric
Beads or buttons
Fabric paint with small tip (or q-tip)
Cordinating Thread
Onesie


Directions:

1. Begin by cutting various sizes of circles out of your synthetic fabric. You'll want Large, medium and small circles.

2. Light your candle, or grab your lighter. Make sure your bowl of water is nearby. Hold the circle of fabric just outside the flame, so that the fabric is melted slightly around the edges. Approach this as you would if you were roasting marshmallows & BE CAREFUL! You don't actually want to catch the fabric on fire. Using a synthetic material is also important - natural fibers won't singe.
3. Once your petals have all been prepared, arrange concentric circles. I used 1 large, 3 mediums & 3 smalls for the corsage on the front of the onesie and several large & smalls for the bottom ruffle. You can play with the arrangements. Some fabrics look better with more layers. For the corsage ruffles, this is the point where you would place your bead on top, and sew through the bead with your thread doubled. Knot it on the back of the flower and repeat until the bead is securely fastened.
4. Secure the flowers to the front of your onesie by hand following the same technique as above - through the bead. After all flowers are in place, sew through all layers from the wrong side of your onesie out through the flower layers to create anchor points to keep flower from wrinkling up after washing.

Step back & admire your handiwork! Your front is finished.
5. Measure up 3 inches from the edge of the leg on the onesie. Arrange your flowers in a straight line and across the onesie and pin in place. I chose to use only large and small petals at this point. Gradually move them through your machine, being careful to pull the pins out before sewing & make sure the petals are laying flat as you continue sewing in a straight line. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your line of flowers to secure them in place. (You could hand sew these if you are uncomfortable with a machine. Just be sure to secure your flowers in place). The sizes of the flowers can vary some, so don't worry if your circles are imperfect. These imperfections give it more personality. I used 7 flowers across the length of the onesie.
6. Using fabric paint, dob the center of each flower to bring them to life. I chose not to use beads on the back, to make it more comfortable & practical for little ones to wear.

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!

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.

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.

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.