Tag Archives: Kids Crafts

Father’s Day Card

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Greet your golf-loving dad with a handmade card this Father’s Day. The layered papers add great texture, as do the button “golf ball” and twig signpost.

Materials

  • White blank card, 5”x6-1⁄2”
  • Purple/Blue paper: checked, sponged, dotted
  • White embroidery floss
  • White button, 5⁄8”
  • Twig, 1⁄8” diameter, 5” long

Tools

  • White gel pen
  • Cutting mat
  • Needle
  • Paper adhesive

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, craft knife

Directions

(Note: Use photo as guide throughout.)

step 1

Open card; trim 3⁄8” from each front edge, except fold. Cover inside back of card with purple/blue checked and card front with purple/blue sponged papers.

step 2

Print and cut out patterns. (Note: The blue word “pattern” is a link. To access this pattern, select the link, then download and print pattern.) Cut grass border pattern from purple/blue dotted paper. Adhere grass to front of card.

step 3

Trace flag window pattern on front of card. Open card and use craft knife to cut out “window”. Outline window and front of card with white pen.

step 4

Using white floss and working from back to front, sew stick and button to card front; knot floss ends inside card.

step 5

Transfer lettering to inside back of card with white pen so only “Dad” is visible through window.

Tips

  • Modify patterns slightly to create sailboat window card, floating along on rolling, blue waves. Or, cut grass from green crinkle paper for added texture.

by Shauna Berglund-Immel

Dad’s Day T-shirt

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Kids will have as much fun making this special Father’s Day gift as they will enjoy the giant hug from Dad when he receives it.

Materials

  • Cotton T-shirt in appropriate size
  • Fabric paints in choice of color(s)

Tools

  • T-shirt transfer paper, 2 sheets
  • Shirtboard, cookie sheet, or newspaper

Basic Supplies

scissors, paintbrush, paper plate (for palette), iron and pressing surface, computer with printer 

Directions

STEP 1

Follow manufacturer’s directions to print and iron the following on one sheet of transfer paper for front of shirt: “Of course my kids don’t walk all over me. . .” Use remaining sheet of transfer paper to print and iron the following for back of shirt: “They just have me in the palms of their hands!”

STEP 2

To make the front of the shirt, place shirt board, cookie sheet, or newspaper inside T-shirt. Pour puddle of paint on palette. Have child sit in chair and paint bottom of foot and toes, spreading paint evenly. Repeat same for other foot. Help child place feet onto T-shirt; press across top of toes and feet for full impression. Lift child off shirt and wash feet immediately. Repeat same for each child, changing paint color for each child. Let dry completely.

STEP 3

To make the back of the shirt, pour puddle of paint on palette. Paint palm of hands, spreading paint evenly. Place child’s hands onto T-shirt and press firmly for full impression. Lift child’s hands off shirt and wash hands immediately. Repeat same for each child, changing paint color for each child. Allow paint to dry 24 hours.

STEP 4

Follow manufacturer’s directions to let paint cure before washing.

Tip

  • Turn this shirt into a keepsake by adding each child’s name next to their hand prints and the date to the bottom of the shirt.

by Alessa Giampaolo Keener

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

Potted Baseball Player

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Fill this Potted Baseball Player’s head with gift cards or treats and you’ll have the perfect coach’s gift! Or, use this fun little guy to hold silverware at your next baseball party.

Materials

  • Terra cotta items: 8” pots, two; 10” saucer
  • DecoArt Patio Paints: Geranium Red, Cloud White, Antique Mum, Sprout Green, Wrought Iron Black, Pinecone Brown, Citrus Green
  • Black craft foam, 2mm, 9”x12” sheet

Tools

  • Robert Simmons Expression by Daler-Rowney Paintbrushes: size 8 flat shader; sizes 12, 5, 3 pointed round; size 0 liner; sponge brush
  • Painter’s tape, 1” wide
  • Beacon Adhesives Kids Choice! Glue

Basic Supplies

paper, pencil, scissors, ruler, paper plate (for palette), paper towels, transparent tape, transfer paper, newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

STEP 1

  • Print and cut out patterns. Follow directions on patterns. (Note: Apply two and possibly three coats of paint to each surface, allowing paint to dry between coats.) For base, turn saucer upside down; use sponge brush and Sprout Green to paint bottom and outside surface of saucer on covered work surface. Use Cloud White to paint bottom and outside surface of one pot (body) and rim of other pot. For head, use Antique Mum to paint remaining portion of pot with white rim.

STEP 2

  • Paint the base by applying two coats of Citrus Green to saucer rim and rim ledge; allow paint to dry between coats. For grass blades, fill or load liner brush with Citrus Green; starting at rim ledge, pull brush up and away from rim. Continue to paint grass blades around entire saucer, applying strokes in different directions and overlapping into each other.

STEP 3

  • For body, turn white pot upside down on work surface. To create shirt stripes, apply painter’s tape vertically to body, spacing each piece approximately 1⁄2” apart; use pencil to lightly trace along edges. For shoes, place transfer paper between pattern and rim of pot; trace pattern onto rim so bottom edges are aligned. In same manner, transfer arm pattern onto body so arms are centered to shoes and aligned with top edge of body.

STEP 4

  • To paint the body, see photo. (Note: Apply two coats of paint as needed, allowing paint to dry between coats.) Paint Pinecone Brown mitt, Antique Mum hands, Cloud White baseball, and Wrought Iron Black shoes. Use Geranium Red and shader brush to paint stripes on shirt and sleeves; use liner brush to apply curve lines on baseball. Use Wrought Iron Black and liner brush to outline sleeves, hands, mitt, and baseball; apply stitch lines on baseball curve lines. Use Geranium Red and shader brush to paint a collar line around top of shirt as shown.

STEP 5

  • To paint head, see photo. For face, place transfer paper between pattern and side of pot; trace pattern onto pot. To paint hair, turn pot upside down. In same manner as grass, fill or load liner brush with Pinecone Brown; starting at rim ledge, pull brush up and away from rim. Continue to paint hair strands around entire pot applying strokes in different directions and overlapping into each other. Let dry. Turn pot right side up. Paint eyes Cloud White. Use Wrought Iron Black to paint pupils and inner mouth. Let dry. Use Geranium Red to paint nose and tongue. For cheeks, load #12 round brush with Geranium Red and tap brush straight up and down a few times on paper towel to work paint into bristles; gently tap brush to each end of smile. Use Cloud White and liner brush to highlight dot eyes, cheeks, and nose. Use Wrought Iron Black and liner brush to outline eyes, nose, smile, and chin line.

STEP 6

  • To assemble, turn head pot upside down. See photo. Place hat brim on pot ledge, centering brim to face; use pencil to mark ends of brim on pot. Remove brim. Apply glue to pot ledge between pencil marks; allow glue to set for a minute or two. Adhere brim in place. Let dry. Turn head right side up. Apply glue along bottom edge of body; adhere bottom of body to top of base. Apply glue to top of body; adhere bottom of head to top of body.

by Annie Lang

Bead and Craft Foam Flag

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Celebrate the Memorial Day holiday! Here’s a quick-and-easy project to make that’s great for any patriotic celebration.

Materials

  • Craft foam: blue, white
  • White iridescent cording, 112” length
  • Pony beads: 49 red, 42 white

Tools

  • Hole punch, 1/8”
  • Beacon Adhesives Craft Foam Glue

Basic Supplies

paper, pencil, scissors, ruler, transparent tape

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.) Follow directions on pattern.

STEP 2

Cut blue craft foam to 2-3/4” square. To make the flag, see Figure 1. Use hole punch to punch nine holes in blue foam where indicated by dots. Cut seven 15” lengths and one 7” length from cord. Wrap a small piece of tape around each cord end and twist tape into points. (Note: The tape makes it easier to thread cording through holes and beads.) Thread both ends of each 15” length through bottom holes of square from back to front, then thread ends through loop formed by cord, and pull cord ends tight. See photo. Thread seven red beads and six white beads onto each cord group alternating colors, beginning and ending with red beads. Repeat same for remaining cord groups. Remove tape. Knot ends of each cording group 4” from bottom edge of blue foam square.

Figure 1

STEP 3

For hanging loop, thread each end of 7” cord through top holes of blue foam square from front to back. Knot cord ends at back to secure. See photo. Adhere star to center front of blue foam square. Let dry.

by Mary Ayres

Beaded Safety Pin Jean Charms

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Kids can express their personality while adding a bit of flair to their wardrobe with these fun-and-easy safety pin charms.

Materials

  • Darice 2-1/4” safety pin: gold or silver
  • Gold or silver charm of choice
  • Large beads

Directions

 (Note: Materials listed are for one charm.)

STEP 1

Open safety pin.

 STEP 2

Add beads and charms as desired.

STEP 3

Attach charm onto belt loop.

by Chris Malone

Straw Flowers

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Kids, surprise Mom this Mother’s Day with a special garden of flowers to let her know how much you care!

Materials

  • 2-1⁄2” clay pot
  • 2” plastic-foam ball
  • Crazy straw in choice of color
  • 3-1⁄4” pre-cut craft foam flower and flower center in choice of color
  • Green felt, scrap
  • 1⁄2 cup of deer moss

Tools

  • Thick craft glue
  • Acrylic Paint in color of choice (optional)

Basic Supplies

scissors, pencil, ruler

Directions

(Note: Materials listed are for one flower.)

1. Press plastic-foam ball into bottom of pot, securing firmly in place. Adhere deer moss to top of foam ball. Let dry.

2. Adhere flower center to flower. Adhere 1” of top end of straw to back of assembled flower.

3. Freehand cut leaves from green felt and adhere to each side of straw as desired.

4. Insert bottom of straw into center of moss and foam ball.

Tip

  • For extra pizazz, paint flower pots in bright colors!

by Julie Streapy

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

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

Garden Glove Turtle Puppet

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Kids can turn a glove into a turtle and use their imaginations for endless hours of fun!

Materials

  • Brown jersey work glove or garden glove
  • Self-adhesive felt, one sheet each: kelly green, cocoa brown
  • Wiggle eyes, 10mm, two
  • Polyester batting, 3/4” loft, 5” scrap
  • Polyester fiberfill, scrap

Tools

  • Red dimensional fabric paint
  • Liner paintbrush
  • Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive

Basic Supplies

scissors, paper

Directions

STEP 1

Print and cut out patterns following instructions listed. (Note: The blue word “patterns” is a link. To access these patterns, select the link, then download and print patterns.) Cut spots apart where indicated by dashed lines on pattern.

STEP 2

For top shell, remove paper backing from spots; place spots on one side of shell. See photo. Turn over. Place 5” batting scrap on shell pattern; trim batting 1/4” smaller than outside edges of shell. Remove paper backing from shell; press batting onto adhesive in center of shell, leaving 1/4″ around all edges. For bottom shell, remove paper backing and press over batting so shell edges line up (see photo). Pinch edges together tightly.

STEP 3

Adhere shell onto top of glove. See photo for placement. For head, firmly stuff small amount of fiberfill into tip of middle finger. Adhere eyes to head. Use fabric paint to paint squiggly mouth below eyes.

by Sandy Parpart