Tag Archives: Kids

Earring and Necklace Holder

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Easily locate jewelry at a glance while avoiding the hassles of lost earrings or tangled necklaces. Both kids and adults can create this quick-and simple holder to beautifully display and organize their jewelry.

Materials

  • Three yellow jumbo craft sticks
  • Black plastic screen, 4-3⁄4” x 5-3⁄8”
  • Heart-shaped brads, six
  • Wire, 24-gauge
  • Yellow satin ribbon, 1/4″ wide, 24″ length

Tools

  • Drill or hand drill with 5⁄64” bit
  • Wire cutters
  • Transparent tape

Basic Supplies

pencil, scissors, ruler, old magazine

Directions

STEP 1

For top craft sticks, use pencil to make a mark 3⁄4” from each end of two craft sticks, 3⁄8” from one long edge. Place sticks on top of magazine and drill holes through mark. (Note: Adult supervision is needed when using a drill.) For bottom craft stick, use pencil to make a mark 1-3⁄16”, 2-1⁄4”, 3-11⁄16”, and 5” on remaining craft stick, 1⁄4” from one long edge; drill holes.

STEP 2

For necklace holders, wrap an 1⁄8” section of wire around shanks of four brads just behind heart. (Note: This allows space between brad and craft stick in order to hang necklaces.) Center screen to back of bottom craft stick, covering holes. Push brads through front of craft stick and screen; open brads to secure in place.

STEP 3

Center screen to back of one top craft stick, covering holes; tape in place. Align remaining top craft stick, so screen is sandwiched between and holes are aligned. Push brads through holes; do not open brads at this time. Tie ribbon ends into a 2” wide bow with 2” long tails; cut ends at a slant. See photo. Place ribbon between brads and adjust so bow and loop meet as hanger. Open brads to secure in place.

by Barb Chauncey

Quilled Baby Frame

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Floral vines and whimsical quilled ducks accent this adorable handmade baby frame for your special little bundle of joy.

Materials

  • Papier-mâché frame, 8”x10
  • Cardstock: pink, blue, light green
  • Quilling paper, 1/8” wide: light green, medium yellow, orange
  • White pearls, 4mm, 12

Tools

  • Slotted quilling tool
  • Embossing tool
  • Paints: mint; dimensional: white, black
  • Gesso
  • Flat paintbrush, 1/2”
  • Paper punches: leaf; medium daisy; small flower; round, 3/16”
  • Beacon Adhesives Zip-Dry Paper Glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler

Directions

STEP 1

Follow manufacturer’s instructions to apply gesso to frame; let dry. Basecoat frame mint. Add white dimensional dots to frame front.

STEP 2

For vines, cut ten 3”-long light green quilling strips. Use fingers to give slight curve to each strip. Place slotted quilling tool into one paper end and curl five to six times. Gently remove tool. Adhere three vines together for left and top sides of frame. Adhere two vines together for lower right and bottom of frame. Adhere vines to frame as shown.

STEP 3

Cut ten 5”-long yellow quilling strips. Roll two strips into loose 7/16” circles (ducks’ heads) and remaining strips into 7/16”-long teardrops (buds). Adhere buds to vines.

STEP 4

Punch out five light green leaves; use embossing tool to make veins. Adhere leaves to vines on bottom right corner. Punch out seven additional leaves, emboss veins, and adhere to vines on upper left corner.

STEP 5

Punch out five pink medium daisies. Use embossing tool to make dimple in centers. Adhere pearls to flower centers. Adhere three daisies to upper left corner and two daisies to lower right corner.

STEP 6

Punch seven blue small flowers. Embellish flowers in same way as pink flowers. Adhere five flowers to upper left corner and two flowers to lower right corner.

STEP 7

For duck’s body, roll two yellow quilling strips into 3/4”-long teardrops. Adhere bodies to top right and bottom left frame corners. Adhere heads to bodies. Cut three small 1/2” orange strips for each duck; fold in half. Adhere two on body for legs and one to face for bill. Punch two blue circles for eyes; adhere to faces. Use black dimensional paint to dot pupils; let dry.

by Sandy Rollinger

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

Dog and Cat Pots

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Not only is this the cat’s meow, but it’s perfectly fine that this project has gone to the dogs. Create the perfect treat container to reflect your special pet’s personality.

Materials

  • Terra cotta pots: 2”, 3”
  • Polymer clay: dark brown, brown, grey, white, pale pink

Tools

  • Acrylic paint: dark orange, grey
  • Paintbrush
  • Glue gun and glue sticks

Basic Supplies

toothpick, baking dish, oven

Directions

 

General

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

1. Preheat oven to 275° F. (Note: When assembling clay pieces, be sure all pieces are pressed and stuck together.)

Dog

1. Paint dark orange on outside and inside top half of 3” pot. Let dry.

2. To make body pieces, use photo as guide. For head, roll brown clay into 1”x1-1/4” oval. See Figure 1. To shape head, use thumb and first finger to slightly squeeze one end of oval. For ears, roll two 1”-long teardrop shapes from brown. For nose, roll dark brown clay into 1/4”x3/8” oval; press nose onto front of head. Press ears onto sides of head. For eyes, use toothpick to poke two small holes into head above nose. For muzzle, use toothpick to mark slit below nose. For feet, roll four 5/8”-wide balls from brown; flatten one end of each ball for bottom of feet. Place bottom of feet on work surface, spacing feet so bottom of pot rests on top of each foot; press bottom of pot onto feet. Use toothpick to cut toe slits into each foot as shown. Remove pot. For tail, roll brown 1-1/8”-long tube. Bend tail as desired.

3. Place clay pieces on baking dish. Bake 1/2 hour. Remove from oven. Let cool.

4. Adhere back of head onto one side of rim. Adhere tail on back top of rim. Adhere feet onto bottom of pot.

Cat

1. Adhere back of head onto one side of rim. Adhere tail on back top of rim. Adhere feet onto bottom of pot.

2. To make body pieces, use photo as guide. For head, roll ball approximately 1” wide from grey clay. See Figure 2. Shape ball so head comes to slight point. See Figure 3. For muzzle, roll two 1/4” balls from white clay and slightly flatten. For bottom lip, roll tiny white oval. For nose, roll tiny pink ball. Press muzzle, bottom lip, and nose onto front of head. For ears, form two 1/4” triangles from grey. Press tiny ball of pink onto front of each ear. Press ears onto top of head. For eyes, use toothpick to poke two holes into head above nose. For feet, press white and grey clays together; roll four 1/2” balls; flatten one end of each ball for bottom of feet. Place bottom of feet on work surface, spacing feet so bottom of pot rests on top of each foot; press bottom of pot onto feet. Use toothpick to cut toe slits into each foot as shown. Remove pot. For tail, roll grey 1/8”x3/4”-long tube; flatten one end. Bend down tail.

3. Place clay pieces on baking dish. Bake 1/2 hour. Remove from oven. Let cool.

4. Adhere back of head onto one side of rim. Adhere tail on back top of rim. Adhere feet onto bottom of pot.

by Billie Ciancio

T-Shirt Pillow

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Rescue a favorite old t-shirt from the garage sale stack, then cleverly restyle it into a custom lounge pillow for your kid’s room.

 

Materials

  • T-shirt
  • Pillow insert, 14”x18”

Tools

  • Sewing machine and coordinating thread
  • Air-soluble fabric marker
  • Hook-and-loop tape (optional)
  • Beacon Adhesives Liquid Thread (optional)

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler or yardstick, straight pins

Directions

STEP 1

Place shirt flat on table, right side up. Use scissors to split side seams and to remove sleeves along seams. Cut across top of shirt just below neck, separating it into front and back sections.

STEP 2

Decide which way you want your artwork oriented, horizontally or vertically. Use fabric marker to draw a 19-1⁄4”x14-1⁄4” rectangle on front of shirt, encompassing artwork; cut for pillowcase front.

STEP 3

Draw 20”x15” rectangle on back section of shirt; cut for pillowcase back. Cut rectangle in half, creating two 15”x10” pieces.

STEP 4

Place pillowcase front on table, right side up. Place two pillowcase back sections on top of front section, right side down, lining up outside edges and overlapping edges at center. Pin fabric to secure.

STEP 5

Sew, or glue, layers together 5⁄8” from outside edge of rectangles. If necessary, let glue dry. Turn pillowcase inside out through center opening. Insert pillow. If desired, sew or glue small piece of hook-and-loop tape to opening to help keep it closed; follow package directions.

Tips

  • Sew a bunch of t-shirt designs together to make a comforter cover.
  • Use size L or XL t-shirts with center artwork for best results.

by Aimee Dolby

Easter Sheep

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

For a fantastic last-minute decorating idea, create this Easter sheep with your kids and fill with flowers, candy, eggs, and grass for an adorable Easter dinner centerpiece.

Materials

  • Recycled box
  • White cardstock or construction paper
  • White curling ribbon
  • Wiggle eyes, two
  • Blue/white checked ribbon, 6” length
  • Silver bell, 1⁄2”
  • White cord, 4” length

Tools

  • DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paints: White Wash, Baby Blue
  • Black markers: fine-tip, medium-tip
  • API The Ultimate! Glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, paintbrush, newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

STEP 1

Cut off top of box to desired height. (Note: Box height should be a minimum of 5-1/2” tall.) Round top edge with scissors.

STEP 2

On covered work surface, paint inside of box Baby Blue and outside White Wash. Let dry. Using fine-tip marker, outline rounded edges on top of box.

STEP 3

Print and cut out pattern. (Note: The blue word “pattern” is a link. To access this pattern, select the link, then download and print pattern.) Using fine-tip marker, draw outline and nose on head. Adhere wiggle eyes to head. Fold back flap on head and adhere to front of sheep.

STEP 4

Tie ribbon bow. Thread cord through bell and tie around bow’s center. Adhere bow with bell under head.

STEP 5

Cut curling ribbon into 3” lengths and curl using edge of scissors. Adhere pieces to sheep.

STEP 6

For legs, cut four 2-1/2”x3” strips from white paper. Use medium-tip marker to draw line on one long edge (hoof) of each strip. Roll strips into 3⁄4” tubes (legs) and adhere closed. Using scissors, make 1/4” snips around top edge of tube (side opposite of hoof) and fold paper down to create tabs for adhering to bottom of box. Adhere legs to bottom of sheep with black line on bottom for hooves.

Tips

  • Young kids can paint the sheep while you cut and curl ribbon. All they’ll have to do is glue!
  • Use a paper plate as a palette for paint or as an easier way for little kids to apply glue. Just give them a sponge scrap and have them blot glue onto ribbon ends.
  • Try cloud decorative-edge scissors to round the box top!

Another idea…

  • Pack your sheep with small travel items, candy, a deck of cards, mini perfume bottles, and other small gifts. Deliver to your local nursing home or to a local shut-in in your neighborhood!

by Mary Ayres

Lucky Clover Necklace

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Wear your luck around your neck! Kids, create this fun clover necklace to show your Irish spirit this St. Patrick’s Day.

Materials

  • Polyform Sculpey Oven-Bake Clay: Emerald Green
  • Green satin cording, 24” length
  • Large jump ring
  • Clear crystal gem (optional)

Tools

  • Heart cookie cutter, 1/2
  • Pliers
  • Clay-dedicated rolling pin
  • Parchment-lined baking sheet
  • Oven

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, toothpick, plastic knife

Directions

Adults, help kids when baking clay in oven.

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

2. Roll Emerald Clay into 1/4”-thickness. Use heart cookie cutter to cut out four hearts (clover) or use plastic knife to cut four heart shapes from clay. For stem, use plastic knife to cut tiny triangle.

3. Position four hearts and stem on parchment-lined baking sheet. Smooth edges. Flip clover over; smooth edges together. Use toothpick to poke hole on top of clover (for jump ring). Add details lines on clover. If desired, press crystal gem in center.

4. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to bake clover in oven. Let cool completely.

5. Use pliers to open jump ring. Insert jump ring through hole on clover; squeeze ring closed.

6. Measure and cut 24” length of green cording. Insert cording through hole on jump ring; knot ends together.

by Phoebe Doehring for Polyform Products

Turtle Clay Zoo Friend

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Take a hint from the turtle and slow down to enjoy some creative time with your kids!  This playful turtle is the last of the Clay Zoo Friends in Crafts ‘n things Craft-of-the-Day projects. Whether on a safari or a visit to the zoo, enjoy the trip to wherever your imagination may lead you.

Materials

  • Polyform Sculpey Bake Shop Oven-Bake Clay: Green, Red, Yellow

Tools

  • Parchment-lined baking sheet
  • Oven thermometer
  • Oven

Basic Supplies

toothpick

Directions

Size

2″ tall

note

Adults, help kids when baking clay in oven.

Turtle

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 turtle, roll large Green ball (shell), two small Green balls (eyes), and five small Green teardrops (head and legs). Press legs on bottom of shell and head on front of shell. Roll small Red and tiny Yellow balls (spots); flatten and press on shell. See photo. Press Green eyes to top of teardrop head. Roll two tiny Yellow balls (eyes); press on eyes. Use toothpick to add eye and nostril holes and details to legs.

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

for Polyform Products (www.sculpey.com)

Friendly Footprints Slumberbag & Cooler

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Going to a sleepover with friends is sure way to cure the winter blues. Sponge stamps make this sleepover set a quick-and-easy project for kids of all ages – and they’ll be the hit of the party!

Materials

  • Nylon sleeping bag, any size
  • Cooler, any size
  • DecoArt Patio Paints: Summer Sky Blue, Citrus Green, Petunia Purple

Tools

  • Compressed sponge, 5”x6”
  • Paintbrushes: liner, pointed round, round scrubber, deerfoot stippler

Basic Supplies

scissors, newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

STEP 1

Print and cut out pattern. (Note: The blue word “pattern” is a link. To access this pattern, select the link, then download and print pattern.) Cut sponge as indicated; expand in water and squeeze out excess.

STEP 2

For slumberbag, load top half of one sponge with Summer Sky Blue and bottom half with Citrus Green. Load remaining sponge, reversing color order. Use photo as guide to stamp slumberbag.

STEP 3

Let stamped footprints dry for one minute, then use scrubber brush to tap a second coat of paint on footprints, gently blending colors. Use liner to outline footprints and add toe lines. If desired, add movement lines and accent dots.

STEP 4

Stamp cooler in same way, using Citrus Green and Petunia Purple, and stippler brush to add second coat of paint.

Other Options

  • Use a fabric paint pen to personalize items with names.
  • Have sleepover guests “sign” items (using liner brush and paint or fabric paint pen) or write special messages.
  • Use same technique to decorate beach towels, tote bags, backpacks, blankets, or other surfaces.

by Annie Lang

Tiger Clay Zoo Friend

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Do you know a tiger’s roar can be heard over a mile away? Turn craft time into something educational for your kids! Discuss fun tiger facts while you spend quality time together making this cool clay cat.

Materials

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

Tools

  • Parchment-lined baking sheet
  • Oven thermometer
  • Oven

Basic Supplies

toothpick, paintbrush with rounded end

Directions

Size

3″ tall

Note

Adults, help kids when baking clay in oven.

Tiger

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 tiger, roll large Orange ball (head), two small Orange balls (ears), four Orange logs (legs), and skinny Orange rope (tail). Roll two small White balls (muzzle), four small White teardrops (paws), and one slightly smaller White teardrop (mouth).

3. Roll skinny Black ropes (stripes). Press stripes on legs and tail. Press legs together as shown in photo, rounding at top to create body. Press tail to back of body. Roll tiny Black triangles; press to ears and head; see photo. Press head on body, then ears and mouth on head. Indent ears and mouth using rounded end of paintbrush. For muzzle, press two White balls to top of mouth. For nose, roll tiny Black ball; slightly flatten and form into triangle. Press nose on top of muzzle. Use toothpick to add eye and muzzle holes.

4. Press paws on ends of legs. Use toothpick to add details on paws.

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

for Polyform Products (www.sculpey.com)