Tag Archives: Kid Crafts

May Day Pocket Full of Posies

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Baskets of sweets or spring flowers mysteriously appear on doorsteps as the traditional custom for May Day, celebrated May 1. Use old blue jean pockets to create the perfect holder for your May Day flowers or treats, then secretly surprise your neighbors, family, and friends.

Materials

  • Old blue jeans with pockets
  • Ribbon in color of choice, 3/8”, 18” length per pocket
  • Miscellaneous scrap items: fabric, felt, buttons, pearls, ribbons, jewelry, etc.
  • Silk flowers

Tools

  • Fabric paint
  • Needle and thread (optional)
  • Adhesives: thick craft glue, glue gun and glue sticks

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, pinking shears

Directions

(Note: Adult supervision is needed when using a glue gun.)

STEP 1

To cut out pocket, use pinking shears to cut jeans approximately 3/8” from sides and bottom of pocket and 1-1/4” to 1-1/2” from top of pocket. See photo.

STEP 2

For hanging loop, adhere each end of 18” length ribbon to top corners of pocket. Adhere (or sew) buttons to top of each hanging loop end.

STEP 3

Referring to photo as guide, decorate front of pocket as desired using miscellaneous scraps and fabric paint. To create heart and butterfly shapes, refer to Figure 1.

STEP 4

Fill pocket with silk flowers.

by Vicki Felix

Easter Magnet Fun!

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Simply recycle those Christmas goodie tins by spraying them with Design Master’s bright spring colors and let the kids (okay adults, too!) decorate them with Attitude magnets! 

Materials

  • Avatrex Magnet Attitude Inkjet Film and Magnetic Sheets, 8-1/2″x11″, two – three sheets each (Note: Magnet Attitude Package includes both film and magnet sheets.)
  • Metal tins: 3”-7” tall x approx. 4”-7” diameter, three
  • Digital images of spring candies, cookies, photos, etc.
  • Filler: spring-decorated cookies (in plastic bag), small gifts, green paper shred, & wrapped candy eggs

Tools

  • Computer and inkjet printer
  • Design Master: ColorTool Spray Color: White, Lavender, Coral, Robin’s Egg
  • Design Master Primer
  • Elmer’s X-ACTO Tools: 5” Precision Tip Scissors, Decorative Edge Scissors
  • Circle template (optional)
  • Elmer’s Multi-Purpose Spray Adhesive

Basic Supplies

large box for spraying paint, copy paper, pencil, newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

SizeS

Coral tin, 7”x4”; lavender tin, 6”x5”; blue tin, 3”x7”

TINS

1. Print digital images of spring cookies, Easter candy, typed words, or appropriate names, and 3” square photo of child on copy paper to check size.

 2. Read and follow Avatrex Magnet Attitude package instructions to print mirror image of digital photos and words onto glossy side of Attitude sheets on inkjet printer. (Note: Words must be backwards.) Do not remove backing sheet.

3. In well-ventilated, newspaper-covered area, lightly spray inside large box printed side of one Attitude sheet with spray adhesive. Turn over Attitude sheet and carefully position on white side of magnetic sheet. Press and smooth Attitude backing paper. Then remove backing paper and smooth. Set aside to dry. Repeat to attach remaining images to other sheets.

 4. Use scissors to cut around each magnet shape to separate, then carefully detail cut each shape. For face photo, trace circle shape with pencil and cut out. For words, use decorative-edge scissors to cut out. Set aside.

5. In well-ventilated, newspaper-covered area, apply primer to all three tins. Let dry. Then spray tins White. (Note: Spraying tins White will brighten colors grayed by primer.) Let dry. Spray two light coats for each tin in desired color. Let thoroughly dry before attaching magnets.

6. Arrange magnets on tins and fill with goodies.

by Craft Marketing Connections, Inc.

Sock Beanbag Bunnies

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Add some fun to your Easter décor with these adorable beanbag bunnies. They are sure to hop off the Bunny Trail right into your child’s heart!

Materials

  • Fleece or furry sock: pink OR white
  • Dried rice, two cups
  • Pom-poms: one large white, two medium white, small pink
  • White chenille stems, two
  • Pink felt, scrap
  • Ribbon, 12” length
  • Wiggle eyes, two

Tools

  • Circle template, 3/4”
  • Aleene’s Fabric Fusion Glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, pencil, measuring cup

Directions

(Note: Materials and directions are for one bunny.)

1. Measure two cups of dried rice and fill bottom of sock. Wrap ribbon length around sock, just above rice; tie bow.

2. Measure 6” from ribbon bow to top of sock; cut off excess. Cut down center of 6” piece, forming two ears

3. Bend chenille stems into teardrop shapes; twist ends together. Adhere shapes on back of ears, wrapping sock around stems and securing on back side. (This makes ears sturdier.) Bend ears.

4. For nose, adhere pink pom-pom on center of face. Adhere eyes above nose. For muzzle, adhere two medium white pom-poms below nose. For cheeks, cut two 3/4” circles from pink felt. Adhere cheeks on sides of muzzle.

5. For tail, adhere large white pompom on back of body.

by Linda Valentino

Ribbon Tote Bag

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Doesn’t this bag just scream spring? This stylish tote is easy to make and the perfect accessory for any woman with a busy, on-the-go lifestyle.

Materials

  • White canvas tote, 8-1/2″x10-1/2″
  • Ribbons, 2/3 yd. each: 1/4″ hot pink gingham; 7/8″ floral print, hot pink, hot pink dot, lime green dot (two lengths); 1-1/4″ pink dot
  • Lime green rick rack, 1/4″-wide, 2/3 yd.
  • Hot pink/lime green embroidered flower trim, 1/2 yd.

Tools

  • Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler

Directions

STEP 1

Cut one each of floral print and hot pink ribbons to 23″ lengths. Cut two lime green dot ribbons to 23″ lengths. Cut one each of lime green rick rack, hot pink dot, pink dot, and hot pink gingham ribbons to 20″ lengths.

STEP 2

Adhere one lime green dot ribbon horizontally around tote, 1″ from top edge.

STEP 3

Starting below lime green dot ribbon, adhere pink dot ribbon vertically, 3″ from right side of bag; wrap around bottom and up back of tote to bottom edge of lime green dot ribbon. Adhere hot pink gingham ribbon vertically along pink dot ribbon left side. Adhere hot pink dot ribbon, then rick rack, in same way.

STEP 4

Adhere floral print ribbon horizontally, below lime green dot ribbon, and hot pink ribbon below floral. Tie remaining 23” lime green dot ribbon length into bow; trim ends diagonally. Adhere to tote as shown.

STEP 5

Cut two lengths of embroidered flower trim with five flowers each; adhere to front and back of tote along hot pink ribbon.

Tips

  • Substitute flower appliqués or silk flowers for the embroidered floral trim.
  • For a larger or smaller tote, measure around bag in both directions and add 2″ to measurements for ribbon lengths.

by Ann Krier

Beaded Watch Jean Charm

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Never be late again!! Keep track of time in style with this beautiful beaded butterfly watch charm for your jeans.

Materials

  • Silver watch face
  • Silver butterfly charm
  • Spring bracelet wire, 14” length
  • Assorted glass and silver beads

Tools

  • Chain nose pliers
  • Wire cutters

Basic Supplies

ruler

Directions

STEP 1

Gently bend one end of wire into small loop. (This will keep beads from slipping off wire.)

STEP 2

String one bead and butterfly charm onto wire. Continue adding beads for 5” of wire length.

STEP 3

Thread watch charm onto wire length. Continue adding beads until wire length is almost covered, leaving 1/2” at end.

STEP 4

Gently bend wire end into small loop.

STEP 5

Curl wire around belt loop.

by Chris Malone

God Bless America Pin

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Show your American spirit by wearing this patriotic pin this President’s Day. Kids can also create this pin for a fun school or scout activity.

Materials

  • Craft foam: red, white, blue
  • Bar pin, 1”

Tools

  • Delta Ceramcoat Acrylic Paints: Blue Jay, Mendocino Red, Midnight Blue, Light Ivory, Black
  • Round paintbrush
  • Lowe-Cornell DES Stylus
  • Ultra-fine black permanent marker
  • Aleene’s FunCraft Foam Glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, transfer paper, pencil

Directions

STEP 1

Print and cut out patterns. (Note: The blue word “patterns” is a link. To access these patterns, select the link, then download and print.) Cut craft foam as indicated.

STEP 2

Drybrush edges of heart Mendocino Red, sign Blue Jay, and star Midnight Blue. Transfer lettering; trace with marker. Use stylus to dot letter ends Black and star Light Ivory.

STEP 3

Adhere pieces together as shown and bar pin to back.

by Karen Sippel

Parrot Clay Zoo Friend

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

A perfect playmate for any “little pirate”, this colorful parrot is sure to stimulate the imagination! Made from clay, your child’s new feathered friend will bring a ton of fun along with it.

 

Materials

  • Polyform Sculpey Bake Shop Oven-Bake Clay: Black, Blue, Red, White, Yellow
  • Black chenille stems, two 12” lengths

Tools

  • Parchment-lined baking sheet
  • Oven thermometer
  • Oven

Basic Supplies

toothpick, scissors, ruler

Directions

Size

3″ tall

Note

Adults, help kids when baking clay in oven.

parrot

1. On clean work surface, remove clay from packages. To condition, roll clay separately in hands until soft, bending and rolling until pliable. If clay cracks, keep conditioning.

2. For parrot, roll large Red oval (body) and two large Red balls (wings). Form one end of body into tail. Shape other end of body to create head. Shape and press wings on sides of body.

3. For feathers, roll Yellow and Blue logs and press on wings. See photo. Slide toothpick downward along wing to create feather details.

4. Roll two White ovals (eyes) and press on sides of head. Roll two tiny Black balls (pupils) and press on eyes. Roll two tiny Black logs (beak) and press on front of head.

5. For legs, measure and cut two 6” lengths of black chenille stem; fold in half and twist together to create 3” legs. Cut small 3” black chenille stem lengths; twist around legs, forming claws. Insert chenille stem ends into bottom of body.

6. Position parrot on parchment-lined baking sheet. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to bake in oven. Let cool completely.

for Polyform Products (www.sculpey.com)

Giraffe Clay Zoo Friend

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Creative play and working with their hands is a great way for children to develop and “stretch” their imagination. Always a favorite attraction at the zoo, just think of the fun your child will have “on a safari” after creating this adorable giraffe.

Materials

  • Polyform Sculpey Bake Shop Oven-Bake Clay: Black, Brown, Green, Tan, White

Tools

  • Old or promo credit card (for cutter)
  • Parchment-lined baking sheet
  • Oven thermometer
  • Oven

Basic Supplies

toothpick

Directions

Size

5” tall

Note

Adults, help kids when baking clay in oven.

Giraffe

1. On clean work surface, remove clay from packages. To condition, roll clay separately in hands until soft, bending and rolling until pliable. If clay cracks, keep conditioning.

2. For giraffe, roll large Tan oval (body), small Tan oval (head), and five Tan logs (neck and legs). Press head on neck, neck on body, and legs on body. Use photo as guide. Smooth clay. Roll four small Black balls (hooves); press onto bottom of legs.

3. For base, roll flat Green square. Press giraffe on square.

4. For spots, roll small irregular-shaped Brown balls; flatten and press onto giraffe.

5. For mane, roll Brown log; press along neck and part of head. See photo.

6. For ears, roll one small Brown oval. Cut in half widthwise; press to top of head on each side of mane.

7. For eyes, roll two tiny White balls and two tiny Black balls. Press Black balls on White balls; press eyes on head. For eyelids, roll one small Tan oval; flatten. Cut in half lengthwise; press over top of eyes.

8. Use toothpick to make holes in front side of head for nostrils.

9. Position giraffe on parchment-lined baking sheet. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to bake in oven. Let cool completely.

for Polyform Products (www.sculpey.com)

Lion Clay Zoo Friend

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Roarrrr in the new year with fun activities for the kids. Your kids can create this lovable lion from clay in no time at all, but will have hours of fun playing with it. Watch for more clay zoo friend creations in your upcoming Crafts ‘n things Craft-of-the-Day projects.

Materials

  • Polyform Sculpey Bake Shop Oven-Bake Clay: Black, Orange, White, Yellow

Tools

  • Parchment-lined baking sheet
  • Oven thermometer
  • Oven

Basic Supplies

toothpick, paintbrush with rounded end

Directions

Size

4″ tall

Note

Adults, help kids when baking clay in oven.

Lion

1. On clean work surface, remove clay from packages. To condition, roll clay separately in hands until soft, bending and rolling until pliable. If clay cracks, keep conditioning.

2. For lion, roll large Yellow ball (head), two small Yellow balls (ears), four Yellow logs (legs), five small Yellow teardrops (paws and mouth), and skinny Yellow rope (tail). Press legs together as shown in photo, rounding at top to create body. Press tail to back of body. Press head on body and ears on head. Press one teardrop to head for mouth. For paws, press one teardrop to each leg. Indent ears and mouth using rounded end of paintbrush.

3. Roll large Orange ball (mane) and wrap around head. Smooth edges. Roll one small Orange teardrop (bangs); flatten and press to top of mane. Use toothpick to add details to mane and bangs. Roll small Orange ball; press to end of tail.

4. For muzzle, roll two small White balls; press together, then press to head above mouth. For nose, roll small Black ball; slightly flatten. Press nose on muzzle. Use toothpick to add eye, muzzle, and paw details.

5. Position lion on parchment-lined baking sheet. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to bake in oven. Let cool completely.

for Polyform Products (www.sculpey.com)

Snowman Cocoa Hugger

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

This whimsical snowman can’t wait to wish someone a Merry Christmas with a scrumptious chocolate hug! After all, who doesn’t like a nice warm cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter’s night.

Materials

  • Glass pint jar with lid
  • Craft foam: white, one sheet; brown, green, orange, scraps
  • Fabric of choice, 2”x18”
  • Cocoa mix

Tools

  • EK Success Zig Memory System Millennium Markers: Pink, Blue, Green, Brown
  • Black fine-tip permanent marker
  • Small stencil brushes, four
  • Beacon Adhesives Kid’s Choice! Glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, pencil, ruler

Directions

Size

6-1⁄2” tall

Snowman

1. Cut out patterns. Cut craft foam as indicated. (Note: Use long, smooth strokes when cutting foam and turn foam instead of scissors as you cut.) Remove jar lid and trace onto white foam; cut out.

2. Use bullet tip of pens to shade edges of foam. While ink is still wet, use stencil brush to blend and shade toward center. Shade snowman with Blue, nose and trunk with Brown, and tree with Green. Drybrush cheeks with stencil brush and Pink pen.

3. Transfer details to face and lettering to foam circle. Use black marker to draw details. Fill in eyes, draw eyebrows, and outline foam pieces with wiggly lines. Trace over lettering as shown.

4. Adhere foam circle to lid. Adhere nose to snowman and trunk to back of tree. Place rubber band around jar. Position snowman’s arms under rubber band. Slide tree in between snowman’s hands. Spot glue hands to tree using rubber band to secure until glue dries.

5. Tie fabric around neck, knot, and cut fringe at ends. Remove rubber band and fill jar with cocoa mix

Other Options

Use brown craft foam to make a gingerbread jar hugger. Fill with gingerbread mix and a cookie cutter or mulling spices.

by Barbara Matthiessen