All of the crafting supplies needed for each project are in resource
links located just under the project.  You can always do a search at
the following site for ANYTHING and find it!  Warning!  It's really
fun over here! :)

 

Keep art supplies organized with a colorful, durable wooden caddy. It's perfect for cleaning up a messy play area or making any area more playful. Assemblies easily with the included tool. Comes with alphabet sponge shapes, 3-8oz poster paints, 3 paint brushes, paper scissors, 12 super jumbo crayons, and a pad of three assorted types of paper - tracing, doodling, and construction.
Art Caddy Set with Supplies

Other project ideas on sale.
Imaginarium 156-piece Deluxe Art Set with Wood Case
Blo-Pens 50-piece Creative Activity Kit
Crayola Model Magic Bucket: Assorted Colors (2 lb.)
108 Marker Set
 

THIS ISSUES FREE PROJECT

Learned Skills

BOOK COVERS

Now your children can make their own extra special book covers.  Made from fabric, these book covers can be easily embellished with appliqués that suit your child's own personalities. A great family project that everyone can join in and enjoy.

Materials: Makes One

Glue Gun/Fabric Glue AND All Purpose Glue Sticks
Paper-Back Fusible Adhesive (see step 2 for ydg.)
3/8" elastic (see step 5 for ydg.)
.006 gauge clear vinyl (see step 8 for ydg.)
trigger OR denim (see step 1 for ydg.)
pinking shears OR pinking cutter and mat
Deco Color™ Liquid Silver paint marker extra fine line (for pocket cover)
Appliqué/photo covers:

1/8 yd. additional Paper-Back Fusible Adhesive
medium green rickrack (flower stems)
medium or jumbo rickrack to match fabric
small pieces of fabric (appliqués)
paint markers (fine line)
skein embroidery floss (cat's ball of yarn)
photos

Directions:
1. Measure book from front edge across binding to back edge and top to bottom. Cut fabric cover 4" larger than measurements. If making a pocket book cover; use pattern piece cut pocket out of fabric.
2. Cut enough 2" wide strips of fusible adhesive to equal the top and bottom measurements of fabric cover. Following manufacturer's directions, fuse the strips to the wrong side of top and bottom, do not remove paper backing.
3. Pink close to all four edges of cover.
4. Fold top and bottom edges of cover to the wrong side along straight edge of paper backing. Lightly press fold. Remove paper backing and fuse in place.
5. Cut two pieces of elastic the length of book top to bottom. Apply fabric glue to 1/2" of end of elastic. Glue to the corner of a folded edge as shown in diagram, repeat with the opposite end. Glue the remaining piece of elastic to opposite side of cover in the same manner.
6. To put cover on book; lay it flat with the inside facing up. Center the book on top of cover. Fold the left (pinked) edge 2" to the inside. Open the front of book and insert the side edge between the elastic and cover having the edge along the fold. Repeat with the book back.
7. Appliqué/photo book covers: Trace your appliqué patterns onto the smooth side of fusible adhesive. Following manufacturer's directions fuse to appliqué fabrics, cut out. Remove paper backing and place on the front of book as desired. Tape or pin appliqués to cover and remove from book. Fuse appliqués in place.
8. Cut vinyl large enough to cover photo plus at least 1/2" extra on all sides.



9. Determine photo placement and place cut vinyl piece. Note: The top edge of vinyl should be left open for inserting pictures. Gluing 2" at a time apply all purpose glue along edge of vinyl centering glue bead over vinyl edge and fabric. Place the rickrack over glue turning the cut edge under 1/4" and mitering corners.
10. Decorate and/or write friends names on vinyl with the fine line paint markers.
11. Wind embroidery floss in a circle forming a 3/4" flat ball. Leave 15" of floss extending from ball and tie a knot at the end. Glue the ball next to cat appliqué. Randomly glue the extended floss in place.
12. Pocket Cover: Follow steps 1-6. Press the sides and bottom edges of pocket 1/4" to the inside. Press the top edge 1 1/4" to the inside. Using the fabric glue lightly glue folded edges in place.
13. Center pocket onto front of cover. For a divided pocket, fold one side over 1 1/2" and glue the fold line down. Glue sides and bottom down.
14. Draw stitching lines around the pocket with the extra fine line silver paint marker as desired. The pocket can be used for storing small items such as pens, pencils, rulers and paper clip

Previous Free Projects

Scroll down for more Recycling Crafts, Book Covers, Origami, Tin Punching, Wearable Art, Framing, Lesson Plans and much more!

Fingerprint cards for mom

Age
3 and up

This project is rated AVERAGE to do.

What You Need

• Construction paper
• Acrylic paints
• Crayon or marker
• Small paint brush

What you do

1. Use acrylic craft paints to paint a child’s pointing finger. Use this for the center dot of each flower. We used pink, blue and purple for our centers.
2. To make the petals, paint the thumb first, apply it to the paper. Next paint the pointing finger and apply it to the paper. Repeat this process for each finger so that there is a different finger for each petal. Repeat for each flower
3. Use a small paint brush to add the stem, then use child’s thumb to create the leaves.

Heart card

1. To make the heart card, begin by very lightly drawing a simple heart onto the construction paper.
2. Next, squirt out some paint onto newspaper or paper plate. Have child dip the tips of their fingers into the paint and press onto construction paper following the heart shape. Use a contrasting color to fill in the heart.
3. Use crayon or marker to write “Happy Mother’s Day” on the card.

Love card

• For the “love” card, have child hold their right hand in the shape of an “L”. Be sure it is their right hand and not the left. Paint the “L” shape portion of their hand and help them to press it onto the paper.
• Have the child make an “O” shape with their hand, paint it, then press to the paper.
• Paint the child’s pointing and middle finger for the “V” and press onto the paper.
• Using the child’s pointing finger, paint then press to the paper for the long side of the “E”. Paint the top part of their pointing finger to add the horizontal lines of the “E”.
• Use a crayon or marker to write “Mom is” above the word “Love”.

 Helpful hints

• Have a damp washcloth handy to wipe off excess paint from child’s hands when changing colors. When finished with this project, have child wash hands with soap and water.
• Get creative and use whatever colors you like. Just remember to use colors that contrast with your construction paper to be sure it shows up well.
• You may want to have the child write their personal message inside the card before starting the paint process. It can be done afterward, but if done before there’s no risk of accidentally messing up these cute creations.
   
  

   

   Handmade Books Lesson Plan brought to you by Dick Blick Art Studios.  Get your Free 480-page Art Supply Catalog TODAY!
   
  Make a Mother's or Father's Day book too!
  
  This lesson plan will introduce students to the basics of making books. Students can use their finished books as journals, sketchbooks, scrapbooks, or for writing a story or poem.
  Grade Levels approx. Grades 3 through 8.
  Objectives - Students will . . .
  Produce a simple side-stitched book.
  Describe and demonstrate the process of simple book making.
  One class period (45 - 60 minutes a period)
  Procedure -Cut the cover paper so that it's slightly larger than the pages. Place the pages on top of the cover paper and fold the materials together to locate the center. Punch three evenly spaced holes down the fold.
  Thread the needle and stitch the book. Go through the center hole from the outside first. Next, go through one of the other holes followed by the last hole and back through the first one from the inside.
  Tie the line together and add beads or tie it into a decorative knot.
  Assessment
  
  Each book will have at least eight pages (two sheets of paper folded as described in the lesson), a cover, and be stitched as described.
  Examine the quality of folding, cutting, stitching, and knotting.
  Determine whether each finished book demonstrates an understanding of the process and the tools used.
  Judge whether the student attempted to do more than the minimum requirements.
  Materials
  1. Decorative Papers for covers or a variety of colored construction paper.
  2. Two sheets of 9" × 12" drawing paper or copier bond paper for pages, which can be found in our Drawing Papers and Surfaces section.
  3. A needle is required for stitching the book together. Blick offers a variety of Needles. A plastic needle should be used when working with younger students.
  4. Yarns, String and Twine, Embroidery Floss, 6-Strand, Ribbons and Lacing, Jewelry Cord and Thread, or Pyrolace Plastic Lacing to stitch the books together.
  5. A Plier-Type Paper Punch or a hammer and nail.
  
   

Coffee Filter Angel Craft - These little angels are very simple to make and very inexpensive.

What you will need: Three coffee filters for each angel, one large bead for the head, a pipe cleaner, doll hair, and paint.

What to do:

1. Cut the pipe cleaner in half.  Gather up one coffee filter across the width and wind one of the halves of pipe cleaners around it to make the wings.
2. Cut about 10 strings of doll hair about 6 inches long. Wrap the other half of the pipe cleaner around the middle of the doll hair lengths leaving about 1 1/2” of pipe cleaner at one end.
3. Wind the 1 1/2” length around to form a halo.  Insert the other end of the pipe cleaner through the center of a coffee filter and then through the center of the bead and then through the center of another coffee filter. Bend a loop in the end of the pipe cleaner so the coffee filters and bead don’t fall off.
4. Bring the top coffee filter down around the bead and gather it around the bottom of the bead to form the neck of the angel. Attach the wings to the body just below the bottom of the bead.  Wind the ends of the pipe cleaner from the wings around to form the arm.
5. Paint the angel with watercolors or glitter glue and draw on a face.

Thank you to DaniellesPlace.com for sharing this with us.

Spooky Spider

This eight-legged creepy crawler is guaranteed to cause shrieks - of delight - when he decides to drop in and hang out with the kids on Halloween. Be careful not to step on him though; he'll pop! Otherwise, he should last a good 10 days. For ages 4 and up with adult help. (Be cautious with young children - balloons pose a choking hazard.)

Thank you to http://www.todaysparent.com for sharing this Halloween Project with us. This eight-legged creepy crawler is guaranteed to cause shrieks – of delight – when he decides to drop in and hang out with the kids on Halloween. Be careful not to step on him though; he’ll pop! Otherwise, he should last a good 10 days. For ages 4 and up with adult help. (Be cautious with young children – balloons pose a choking hazard.) You’ll need: 2 round, black helium-quality balloons (usually available at dollar stores), black construction paper, black string or yarn, transparent adhesive tape (not invisible tape), large white self-adhesive labels, shape stickers or hole reinforcements, scissors, markers, large bowl. 1. Have an adult blow up the balloon, one full-sized for the body and a smaller one for the head. Tie a string securely around the knot on the second one so the head and body are joined. You may need an extra pair of adult hands for this. 2. Get 8 pieces of tape ready in advance. Meanwhile have your child cut 8 strips of construction paper approx. 3 cm (1 1/8 in.) wide (and the length of the paper). Hold the spider body steady while your helper tapes on the legs. Or, gently wedge the bottom half of the spider body in a large bowl to keep it steady. Tape 4 legs to each side of the body, 2 towards the front and 2 towards the back. Bend the legs as desired. Note: Once tape has been stuck to the balloon it cannot be removed without causing the balloon to pop! 3. With markers draw eyes and a tongue on a label. Cut these out and stick them to the spider’s head. Decorate spider with stickers or hole reinforcements. Tape a length of string to the top of the spider’s body so he can be hung from someplace high or bounced along the floor.

Picture Perfect Notebook Personalize your notebook with your favorite photo.

WHAT YOU NEED • Notebook • Self-adhesive vinyl photo pocket • Favorite photo, postcard, or piece of artwork Time needed: 30 Minutes or Less

Thank you to familyfun.go.com for sharing this with us.

Freedom Frames
From the Better Homes and Gardens book, Celebrate the Red, White & Blue
Patriotic postage stamps add personality and history to purchased mats and frames.

What You Need: This frame is perfect for stamp collectors. New or cancelled postage stamps (not self-stick, available in crafts stores and hobby shops) Frame or picture mat Decoupage medium Paintbrush

Instructions:

1. If necessary, remove paper backing from the stamps.

2. Arrange the stamps on a picture frame or mat. Using a paintbrush, apply decoupage medium to the back of each stamp. Glue the stamps on the mat or picture frame until a desired look is achieved. Let the glue dry.

 

Patriotic (or other) Scented Door hangers-ornaments for everyday! They will scent your house and lift your spirits daily, as you see (and smell) your little treasures dispersed through your home. 4 cups of all-purpose flour 1 cup salt 1/4 cup cinnamon 3 TBS nutmeg 1 1/2 cups warm water 2 TBS ground cloves Directions: Add water to the dry ingredients and stir until the dough is the consistency of softened modeling clay. Shape with hands or use cookie cutters (we have used stars for Patriotism theme) of your choice and place on an non-greased pan or pan lined with parchment paper. *Remember to poke a hole in the top before baking if you plan on hanging the ornament. The resulting hole will be nearly half the size after baking. Add beads or simulated jewels for extra pizzazz, by pushing them gently into the dough.  Bake at 200 degrees for one hour. These ornaments may be left natural or painted with acrylic paints, then sealed again with the varnish after drying. See more Patriotic Products Teacher Created-Patriotic Projects! Costumes & Accessories Peace Frogs and other Americana T-Shirts Patriotic Visors

Kite flying season, here a quick start idea and lots of fun to make!

Easy Paper Kites!
It is Kite flying season so enjoy this wonderful project from SavingChildhood.org
You will need:
1 sheet of copier paper
sewing thread
stapler
hole punch

- Fold a sheet of paper in half, but crease it only a little more than half way. If your paper is rectangular fold long-ways. This fold makes the basic keel. Mark two points, A and B, on the folded edge of the paper. Point "A" should be 2 1/2 inches from the end, and point "B", 3 1/2 inches. Fold the top corners of the page to point A.
- Loop the two front corners down to point "A" (don't crease), and a little back, and staple through and to the keel.
- Punch a hole at point "B" about a third of the way back on the keel. Attach thread through the hole.
- Smooth out the aft section of the center fold and open up the curled over folds up front, attach your thread and fly it! Younger children enjoy it if you tie the thread to a short stick of wood, they like to run with the kite flying out behind.
You can make them with 8 1/2" x 11" paper both portrait and landscape, or with 11" square paper.

 

How to make a Shamrock pattern

• each of the petals of a shamrock is the shape of a heart.
• cut out one pattern (heart shaped) then use it to trace each of the petals for a 3 leaf shamrock or a 4 leaf clover.

 

3D Shamrock

Materials green paper scissors glue stapler ribbon or string

1. make a pattern for the large and small shamrocks (see above).
2. cut out 5 large shamrocks and 10 small shamrocks.  Fold each one in half and them open again.
3. glue the ribbon or string to the center of one large shamrock.
4. neatly stack the 5 large shamrocks with the string on top.  Put two staples through the center of the shamrocks (and the string).  Let dry.
5. glue each small shamrock to the sides of 2 large shamrocks.

We would like to thank Creativekidsathome.com for allowing us to learn with them.
 
Halloween Treat Recipes

Ants on a Log Recipe
Deviled Eyeballs
Edible Dirt
Edible Finger Recipes

Our pick for Columbus Day Crafts this year are at Enchanted learning.com  They have a wide variety of FUN LEARNING projects this year.

Fourth Of July Wreath Materials: 11 yards 1" wide red-white-and-blue ribbon 20" grapevine wreath Three 4" x 6" American flags Floral wire

Instructions: Weave 2 1/2 yards of ribbon through the grapevine wreath. Glue the ends of the ribbons together; this is the bottom of the wreath. Arrange three flags at the bottom of the wreath in a fan shape so they slightly overlap; glue the flags in place. Use a small amount of glue to secure the edges of the flags where they overlap. Cut two 36" lengths of ribbon and fashion a small multi-loop bow from each piece; tie with floral wire. Glue a bow to each side of the wreath. Use the remaining ribbon to make one large multi-loop bow. Glue bow to the bottom of the wreath to cover glued sections of ribbon and flags

Summer Solstice.  What is that?  How do you teach it to your kids so they learn in a fun way , then remember it because of that.  Ok, some are saying , "Wait" there are unhealthy practices associated with it.  And I say, don't stop there, find out for yourself what Christians have to do with it too.  After you take this lessons, you will understand how to explain this holiday to your kids. http://www.religioustolerance.org/summer_solstice.htm

We have come up with a list of sites where you can get in some FUN LEARNING!!
http://familyeducation.com/quiz/0,1399,22-7128,00.html
http://teacher.scholastic.com/researchtools/articlearchives/space/solstice.htm
http://familyfun.go.com/parenting/learn/activities/feature/dony67summsolstice/

Lessons on Summer Sun.
http://solar.physics.montana.edu/YPOP/Classroom/Lessons/Sundials/summer.html

Summer Solstice Animation-Energy and Matter. Earth-Sun Geometry:
http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/6hsummer.html

KidZone Fireflies--DID YOU KNOW?
http://iris.biosci.ohio-state.edu/projects/FFiles/

June 5th is World Environment Day, here is more information and what to do for that day.
Free Coloring and fun pages for Father's Day!!

Plant A Tree for International Youth Day!


Start your own chapter of  Kids F.A.C.E. Its' free!

 

The Bag Book: Over 500 Great Uses and Reuses for Paper, Plastic and Other Bags to Organize and Enhance Your Life
 

Ladybug Box Designed by Robert Heath. Tiny treasures are safely stored while a plush ladybug stands guard atop this versatile children's 7x7x3" paper Mache box. Your kids will love putting this together.	Brought to you by crafts at              Joann.com

Tacky Glue Soda Can 1" Sponge brushes Scissors   Step 1 Paint the outside of the box and the lid with Wicker White. Let the paint dry.     Step 2 Paint the box with Poppy Red.   Step 3 Paint the lid with Tangerine.   Step 4 Trace a circle out of the red foam using a soda can.   Step 5 Cut a sliver out of the red circle about half way to its center, then cut a flat edge out of the top of the circle. (the opposite side of the wings).   Step 6 Cut an egg shape out of the black foam that is a little longer than the red circle. Then cut two small black slivers for antennae and cut four small black circles for spots.   Step 7 Glue the red wings onto the egg shape, then glue the black spots onto wings.   Step 8 Glue the ladybug onto the top of the lid. Glue the antennae slightly in front of the head.

 

Father's Day Give Dad a Pat On The Back!!
Materials:  Men's T-shirts and Fabric Paint
Directions:  Have the children make handprints on the back of the T-shirts, then write, "This Dad Needs A Pat On The Back."
Do you know the history of Father's Day?

Natural Dye Easter Eggs Hard Boiled Eggs When using dye for eggs cover your work surface well and your clothes also - the dye will stain! Many people like to blow out the eggs.  Here is how to do that.  Wash your egg well. Carefully poke a small hole in each end of the raw egg. Hold the egg over a bowl and blow into one of the holes. The egg liquid should slowly come out the other hole. Sometimes this is a big job, and kids should get an adults help and permission before trying this. Once the egg shell is empty, rinse it off and set it aside to dry. DYE Color: Pale Red: Fresh beets or cranberries, frozen raspberries Orange: Yellow onion skins Light yellow: Orange or lemon peels, carrot tops, celery seed or ground cumin Yellow: Ground turmeric Pale green: Spinach leaves Green-gold: Yellow Delicious apple peels Blue: Canned blueberries or red cabbage leaves Beige to brown: Strong brewed coffee To dye the perfect Easter eggs the natural way, here's what to do: 1. Put eggs in a single layer in a pan. Pour water in pan until the eggs are covered. 2. Add about a teaspoon of vinegar. 3. Add the natural dye appropriate to the color you want your eggs to be. (The more eggs you are dying at a time, the more dye you will need to use.) 4. Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. 5. Remove the substance you used to color the eggs. Put eggs in a bowl. If you want your eggs to be a darker shade, cover them with the dye and let them stand overnight in the refrigerator.

 

Bugs Lesson Brought to you by Dick Blink.com Many bugs in nature are very colorful and have interesting shapes. This lesson will let students explore shape and color by creating original and whimsical insect creatures. Students will tear colored paper into shapes appropriate to imaginary insects. Shapes will be arranged and glued to a background sheet. Procedure Begin the lesson with a brief class discussion of bugs. Ask students to name the various parts of a "typical" bug (examples: legs, head, eyes, pinchers, claws, feelers, fuzz, etc.). List them all on the chalk board under the heading "bug parts." Ask students about the shapes and colors they have seen on bugs (examples: round, oval, fat, skinny, red, green, black, etc.) List them all the board under the headings "shapes" and "colors." Distribute black background paper. Direct students to develop their own insect creatures by tearing (no cutting allowed) the various parts of their bugs from colored construction paper and glue them to the black paper. Ask students to arrange all the parts before gluing in case something will need to be repositioned. The lists on the board are to be used as references for students as they proceed. The students can use all or some of the items listed. Direct students to: Make their bugs large enough to fit on the 9" × 12" black paper. Make their bugs colorful. Use as many colors as necessary to complete their bugs Give their bugs a personality. Their bugs can be happy, funny, modest, clever or any have other personality trait. Give each bug a name (that can reflect the personality of their bug). Put the bugs on display with the name of the bug.

Lesson Objectives After completing this lesson, students would be able to: Discuss and demonstrate the uses of shape and color in the creation of an original visual image. Organize shapes and colors in an original visual image. Assessment Teacher reviews each student's work to verify that each project meets with the minimum lesson requirements. All shapes are torn. Each image fills the space. Each image utilizes color in an interesting way. Personality of each bug is emphasized through color and shape. Check craftsmanship, quality of gluing. Teacher may also wish to assess each student's level of participation during class discussion. Extended Lesson If time permits, or if an additional day of discussion is available, hold a class discussion during which each student talks about their bug, giving the name, personality, and any features that make each one special.

 

St. Patrick's Day Clip Art

 

 

Brought to you by Dick Blink.com After the fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth century, Europe underwent a series of cultural changes that lasted a thousand years. This period of time has come be known as "Medieval" or the "Middle Ages." It was time of knights, battles, and castles. The romanticism of the period is manifest in the literature, the history, and the number and variety of castles that sprung up like wild flowers in a field all across Europe. Castles, and the remains of them, still dot the European landscape and remind us of a time when chivalry , gallantry, and courage were the order of the day. Grade Level Elementary through Junior High Time Required 45 - 60 minutes Objectives To develop promote an awareness of history, and geometry. The explanation behind the project is a great way to get students interested in history. And the skills developed in creating the castles will help build an appreciation of spatial relationships. Procedure Discuss castle construction. As examples, use an assortment of visual images from books or pictures collected from the school library. Some items of castle construction include battlements, towers, gates, projections, flags, banners, arrow slits, and landscaping. Details include brick, stone, and wood. The finished castles will form a Medieval diorama. The finished castles are displayed standing upright. Ground details in front of the castles can enhance the presentation (stone walks, draw bridges, moats ,etc.). Fold one sheet of construction paper in half horizontally. Sketch a series of battlements (open spaces at the top of a wall) horizontally from the fold about half way across the folded sheet. Then cut along the sketched lines. Bend back and crease the paper from the end of the cut line to the bottom of the sheet. Open the sheet and lay it flat. Pull the "castle" upward reversing the folds. The castle should protrude from the sheet forming a central tower. Other details can be added by closing the sheet and cutting more towers along the new folds of the central tower. Brought to you by Dick Blink.com Assessment Teacher reviews each student's work to verify that each project meets with the minimum lesson requirements. The castle opens up correctly. The folding and placement of windows, walls, and doors makes sense. Check craftsmanship, quality and neatness of construction. Extended Lesson At this point, elementary students can decorate the castles with markers. Students can imply stone, brick, or block construction on the surface of the central tower and background details on the area behind. Junior high students can develop more detailed designs. Increase the level of difficulty and challenge by having them cut the castles from the background paper. Leave a flange along the sides of each tower that will be folded under and used to glue the castle onto another color of folded construction paper. Details can me added with colored markers and cut out colored paper shapes. Colored paper pennants wrapped around tooth picks form banners. Background details can include trees, hills, mountains, sky, clouds, etc. Brought to you by Dick Blink.com

Positive and Negative Space Lesson Plan Brought to you by Dick Blink.com Does a negative space have shape? In this exercise, the students will explore the relationship between positive and negative space. After all, one can't exist without the other. Lesson Objectives To develop promote an awareness of shape and space. Students will create an original visual image using colored construction paper that will demonstrate that all spaces within a work of art have their own unique shapes. Procedure Space and shape, two of the elements of design, work together to form a finished work of art. There are two kinds of space: positive and negative. Positive spaces are those occupied by the main subjects of the work. The Negative spaces are the areas around and behind the positive spaces. Negative space can also be referred to as the background. It is no mystery that the shapes of positive spaces are determined by the shapes of the main subjects of the work. However, negative spaces have shapes as well. If one removes the subjects from a work, the negative spaces are left with a blank in the shapes of the parts removed. Therefore, the shapes of the negative spaces are determined by the shapes of the positive spaces. Select one color of construction paper and cut to 9" × 6". Distribute one color of 9" × 12" and the contrasting color of 9" × 6" construction paper to each student. Using the half sheet (9" × 6"), students draw and carefully cut out half of a picture or design along the 9" length. The full sheet (9" × 12") can be folded in half along the 9" length to determine the center of the sheet. The parts cut from the half sheet are arranged along the fold forming half the design. The remaining parts are placed on the opposite side of the full sheet in locations opposite those from which they were cut. Glue the parts down. The final project will have a positive image on one side of the full sheet and a negative image on the other. An optional approach would be to "hinge" everything down the center using transparent tape. This will produce an image that is at first simply two contrasting vertical rectangles. When the design is "opened" the positive-negative images appear.

Materials 1. 9" × 12" sheets of construction paper of two contrasting colors per student. 2. Scissors, Trimmers, and Shears. 3. Glues.   In summary, the images can be as simple or as complex as the age level of the students will allow. Positive-negative images are interesting in that nothing is wasted. Everything that is cut from one side is used on the other. The resulting visual images are challenging and stimulate the imagination of students. Assessment Teacher reviews each student's work to verify that each project meets with the minimum lesson requirements. All shapes have been placed symmetrically. Check craftsmanship, quality and neatness of line and fill Extended Lesson If time permits, or if an additional day of discussion is available, experiment with different colors and shapes. Once may not be enough for this project, it will stimulate their imagination, and they'll want more!   Take another FREE Dink Blink Art Class.  Do the all time favorite craft-Pastel Glue Pictures!

 

12 Days of Christmas Card

12 Days of Christmas accordion book card

Here's what the card looks like when opened.

Materials:

Rubber stamps, cookie cutters and anything else that can be used to add colorful shapes.
heavy card stock (a deep holiday color) cut to 30" x 2-1/2"
two pieces of matching card stock cut 2-5/8-inch square
12 pieces of white card stock cut to 1-1/2" x 3", and scored in half
one piece of white card stock cut to 1-1/2-inches square
36-inch length of 1/4-inch wide sheer ribbon
craft knife
ruler
pencil
scoring tool
double-sided tape or paper crafting glue
You may do gold pigment stamp pads and gold embossing powder, you would then need "Watermark"-type clear ink stamp pad, heat tool

Steps:

1. Make the long body of the book. To do this, cut colored card stock to 30" x 2-1/2", then score equally at 2-1/2-inch intervals to create 12 equal panels. Cut two cover pieces slightly larger from this same card stock (figure A).

2. Cut and score 12 pieces of white card stock to 1-1/2" x 3", score each piece in half to make small fold-over cards 1-1/2-inches square.

Figure A

Figure B

3. Cut an extra piece of 1-1/2-inch square white card stock.

4. Stamp your chosen  design on each panel of one side of the long card using the watermark pad. Stamp the image 12 times (figure B).

5. Stamp and emboss your chosen  design in gold on the two cover pieces.

6. Stamp the words "On the first day..." with gold ink onto the single square of white card stock.

7. The inside panels of the book will alternate between opening on the right (like a book) and on the left. To make this easier, separate the matching picture and word stamps into odd and even sets (one, three, five, etc. and two, four, six, etc.) ( figure C).

8. Start with the stack of odd days. Stamp or hand write the words onto the left panel of a little fold-over card.

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

13. On the opposite end of the book, attach the center of the ribbon horizontally across the middle of the back of this end panel. Glue the remaining cover piece to this panel (figure F).

13. Fold the book up, wrapping the ribbon around it twice and tying in a bow to fasten closed.

 

 

Martin Luther King Day- (Celebrated) Jan 17th, 2006
Have your child make a MLK card for this holiday.

 

SPECIAL VALENTINES PREPARATIONS:

Start now and you the kids and crafts will have everything perfect by Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Spelling Words
Valentine's Day Definitions
Valentine's Day Matching
Valentine's Day Scrambled Words
Valentine's Day Correct Word

 

The Valentines Free Craft is brought to you by Willie Ripple the author of Valentine School Parties: What Do I Do? Willie's book is chock full of ideas for Valentine's Day- all kinds of goody ideas like cupcakes and sugar cookies - craft and game ideas like valentine's Tic-Tac-Toe and Valentine Boxes. Her Heart Pinwheels are perfect for the younger set and can be done at home, during a party, in school, or in any other group setting.

Heart Pinwheel
Supplies

• Pencil
• 2 1/2 inch square of red construction paper
• White construction paper
• Scissors
• Red-colored pencil
• Red push pin
• Straw
• 1/2 inch square piece of cork

Directions:

1. Trace the following pattern pieces (click here to see full size picture) onto the construction paper and cut out: one red heart (pattern piece #1), one white pinwheel design (pattern piece #2).
2. On the pinwheel design draw the dotted lines, dots in the corners, large circle in the center, and hearts as shown on the pattern piece. Flip over, and draw only the dotted lines and hearts on the other side.
3. Color in all the hearts with the red-colored pencil.
4. Cut on the dotted lines, inward, toward the center, stopping at the large circle.
5. Take one dotted corner, curve it toward the large center circle ad hold it with your other hand. Repeat with the other three dotted corners. Now your pinwheel has taken shape.
6. Place the red heart over the corners in the center, push the push pin through all, then through the end of the straw, and finally into the cork.
7. Slightly bend the front of the pinwheel forward from the center. This will allow it to turn better.

 

 

VALENTINE MOBILE

This will be a string of hearts suspended from a wire ring covered with red bias binding. Hang it in a doorway to catch each breeze. Start with a piece of 12-gauge wire about 26" long. Form it into a circle and secure with a piece of tape. This will be about 8" across. You may use a wire hanger for a triangle mobile. Please be careful with any wire, it has sharp edges. Cover the ring with red ribbon or binding tape. Secure that with glue. Attach 3 - 8" long pieces of black thread at equal distance points from each other to balance it. This will be to suspend it from ceiling. The hearts on the strings are double pieces of construction paper. We used two shades of red and pink. The threads are running and glued in between them. Only a touch of glue is needed. Use a big heart on 3 strings, 6 little hearts each on 3 strings, and medium size hearts on the other stings. Tie them onto the ring. Remember to start with the large hearts first equal distances, and work around.

 

New Year Angel http://akidsheart.com/angela/angcolor010.htm New Year Games http://www.kidsdomain.com/games/newyear.html New Year's and Father Time http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/new_years/color2.htm New Year's Baby http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/new_years/color1.htm

 

Punched Holiday Cards Make your own holiday cards to show your friends and family how much you care! Materials You can do a search for any of these products here. Punches Bag of spangles Black marker - fine point Tacky glue Cardstock

To create snowman, use large white sequins from spangle bag and glue in place to crate snowman shape. Decorate as desired with other items from the spangles bag. Draw in arms with black fine point marker. To create the tree, draw a freehand tree on paper or cardstock. Decorate as desired with items from the spangles bag or shapes made by using the punches. To create ornaments, select large sequin circles from spangles bag and attach as desired. Add sequin caps by cutting wedges from a silver crimped sequin. Draw a fine line from the top of the silver cap to the top edge of the card so ornaments aren't floating on the paper.

 

These log candle holders are not only quick and easy to make but can be used year 'round if left plain. Just change the garnishments to suit the season! Supplies: Tea Lights 4" diam. white birch logs (or any other nice straight logs) Wood Chisel or drill with hole cutter the size of the tea lights Optional: paraffin wax and glitter for dripping greens in silk or fresh trims and or ribbons optional garnishments (small berries or poinsettias)

Christmas Log Candles Directions A word of caution..... ONLY use tea lights in tins with the real logs and never leave burning candles unattended! Cut your logs into different lengths. Make sure they are smooth and flat on both top and bottom. If not, sand or file them. They should also stand level. Next measure across the diagonal and find the center, with your chisel or drill with hole cutter remove a circle the size of the tea light tin - wide and deep. Insert your tea light (with tin!). Repeat for each log.

Decorating suggestions: Make a log cluster by standing three different height logs in a group then tie some natural type roping tightly around them. Garnish with greens and or cinnamon sticks and berries at the knot. These look super nice placed on the fireplace hearth. You may also........... Melt paraffin wax, add some glitter and stir while slightly cooling, drip slowly over top edges to look like snow. Let cool overnight. Making these as a gift? Add some scented extracts to the wax while hot. Make them unique and use your imagination! This craft brought to you by:  Personality-creations.com

Come see more FUN on our Christmas Fun Pages!

Snowflake Ornaments Brought to you by Joann.com Sparkly tree accents are easy enough for the whole family to make! Materials If you do not have them, you can find any of the following items by doing a search for the link name. Silver chenille stems Blue iridescent pony beads Tacky glue Thread Wire cutters Directions Cut two chenille stems in half, leaving one half slightly longer than the other. Twist the long half around the short half in the center, creating a "+." Create a second "+" and glue them together, forming spokes. Slide a pony bead onto each spoke. Clip short lengths of silver chenille stems and bend into a small "V." Glue into place about halfway up each spoke. While glue is still wet, slide pony bead up to nestle against base of "V." Glue a blue pony bead on tip of each spoke and tip of each "V." Attach a loop of thread for hanging.

Apple Wreath Brought to you by: hgtv.com Figure A--Slice apples into 1/8-inch thick slices, then dip the slices into a solution of equal parts lemon juice and water. Place them on a rack and bake in a 175-degree oven with the door ajar and bake for about three to four hours.	Figure A
Figure B--Paint a cardboard circle with plain white glue, and press the apples onto the circle.	Figure B
Figure C--Continue adding apples in layers until reaching the desired level, such as this three-tiered design accented with a ribbon.	Figure C

Fabulous Fall Centerpiece & Floral Ribbon Runner
brought to you by: Joann.com-see all the Holiday items-Reduced!

You'll make the most gorgeous table on the block when you decorate with these lovely fall accents.

Fall Centerpiece:

Materials

12" grapevine wreath
2-4 pkgs. dried leaves (we used 4 different colors)
1 bunch gerbera daisies
3-wick candle
Tacky glue
Wide ribbon (we used sinamay ribbon; measure length of table & add 15")
Garland of autumn leaves with acorns
Gerbera daisies
Dried leaves

Directions

1. Separate & trim leaves. Glue leaves into bunches of 4.

2. Glue bunches of leaves on grapevine wreath as desired.

3. Glue gerbera daisies on top edge of wreath.

4. Insert candle in center of finished wreath.

Floral Ribbon Runner:

Directions

1. Separate leaves & acorns as desired.

2. Fold ends of ribbon to center to make a point & glue in place. Glue acorns & leaves to each end of ribbon.

3. Arrange gerbera daisies & leaves in small clusters. Glue in place. Allow to dry.
    

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   Door Cone
   Brought to you by:
   Joann.com
   
   Choose your favorite spooky face and add some simple trimmings to make a truly unique door accent that's sure to earn compliments!
   
   Materials
   
   Halloween door cone 
   Floral foam
   Twigs, berries & other
   dried materials
   Sheet moss
   Hot glue gun & glue sticks
   All materials are available at
   Joann.com
   
   Directions
   
   Trim floral foam to fit inside cone & glue in place.  Glue moss to cover top of foam.  Push twigs & other dried materials  into foam as desired.  If you don't have these materials at ome you can substitute very easily.

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Angel Costume Brought to you by: MakingFriends.com Great for church plays, Halloween, or dress-up. No sewing required! You need: White Queen-Size Pillow Case 2 Yards of Sheer White Fabric 1 Yard Gold Cord Scissors For Beaded Halo: Tinsel Pipe Cleaners Glow-in-the-Dark Beads Instructions: Cut three holes in the pillow case, one for the head and one for each arm.  A 3" slit down the back from the neck hole will make it easier to get on and off. Wrap gold cord around the waist cinching in the waist and tie. Fold sheer fabric in half lengthwise. Drape it over the shoulders and pin at neck. For Halo: Hold two tinsel pipe cleaners together and slide them into one glow-in- the-dark yellow bead. Push the bead to the middle. Put eight white glow-in-the-dark beads on each of the ends of the pipe cleaners. Slide one glow-in-the-dark yellow bead on to each side (both pipe  cleaners) as shown. Continue until you have enough to form a halo. Twist ends together hiding the ends under beads.

Running out of ideas for cookie shapes? With this set of Cookie Cutters, you're more likely to run out of cookie dough first. The next time you bake, skip the round shapes and add some fun to your home-baked goodies! Only $9.95
click here to buy.

We use them for thousands of projects!    Some include, Clay, paint, stamping, math, science, holidays, learning shapes, animals, plants...they are all in there, plus MUCH MORE!

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