When I was a kid, one of my favorite activities at Grandma’s house was playing with her chalk pastels. They were like chalk, but more intense in color, a more serious art supply than we were accustomed to. She taught us a technique that amused us for hours every time we visited. Kids of any age can play with chalk pastels, but mid-grade school-aged kids will probably have the most fun with this technique.

Chalk pastels come in sticks and are commonly sold in the art supply section of big-box stores or craft stores. They range in price, but if you visit your local big-box store, you should be able to pick up a box of 12 for about $5. Be careful at the art or craft store, though, because they have boxes of chalk pastels that cost $50 or more! Also, don’t mistake oil pastels for chalk pastels. They won’t work for this particular project. You can probably substitute regular colored chalkboard or sidewalk chalk for this project in a pinch, but the colors won’t be nearly as dark because those types of chalks don’t have as much pigment in them.

Also worth noting: chalk pastels are pretty messy (but tons of fun)! Cover your work surface with newspaper if you value your table, and wash hands promptly after this activity!

Supplies:

• Paper
• Chalk pastels
• Tissue paper or paper towel

Technique:

You can use any type or size of paper. Older kids might get a kick out of using larger newsprint-type paper to make an oversized piece of artwork.

1. Tear first piece of paper across long side, varying the rip (so it’s not straight across).

2. Place torn piece of paper over a full sheet of paper, and draw a chalk line near the ripped edge.

3. Gently sweep your tissue paper over the chalk, across the rip, and onto the full sheet of paper.

When you pull the torn piece of paper away, you’ll have a delicate line of color, kind of an airbrushed effect.

Repeat the process with different colors, and using the opposite side of the paper, until you have a “landscape.” My sister and I spent endless hours creating art this way when we were kids, and we LOVED it.

To fix the chalk on these pictures, spray lightly with aerosol hairspray or clear spray paint.

When your child’s masterpieces are done, frame them in dollar store frames and hang them in her room, or cut them up into pieces and glue to cardstock to make cards (a set of four or six would be a great handmade gift for Grandma).

Heather Mann is a regular contributor at Make and Takes. She’s is the mother of two boys under age 3, and another boy on the way. She publishes Dollar Store Crafts, a daily blog devoted to hip crafting at dollar store prices, CROQ Zine, a print magazine devoted to hip crafting, and also CraftFail, a community blog that encourages crafters to share their not-so-successful craft attempts.

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]]> http://www.makeandtakes.com/fun-with-chalk-pastels/feed 5 http://www.makeandtakes.com/thanksgiving-crafts-from-the-past http://www.makeandtakes.com/thanksgiving-crafts-from-the-past#comments Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:00:49 +0000 Marie http://www.makeandtakes.com/?p=6016 Here’s a few fun Thanksgiving crafts we’ve done in the past. What fun turkey decorations are gobbling up your house this Thanksgiving holiday? Turkey Feather Countdown ~~~ Rice Crispie Turkey Treats ~~~ Tasty Turkey Table Favors ~~~ Thankful Feather Centerpiece ~~~ Singing Turkey Dinner (click for words) Share and Bookmark: Related Posts:Gobbling Turkey ApplesA Day of ThanksgivingRecycled Thanksgiving Napkin Rings]]>

Here’s a few fun Thanksgiving crafts we’ve done in the past. What fun turkey decorations are gobbling up your house this Thanksgiving holiday?

Turkey Feather Countdown

~~~

Rice Crispie Turkey Treats

~~~

Tasty Turkey Table Favors

~~~

Thankful Feather Centerpiece

~~~

Singing Turkey Dinner (click for words)

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3. Recycled Thanksgiving Napkin Rings

]]> http://www.makeandtakes.com/thanksgiving-crafts-from-the-past/feed 6 http://www.makeandtakes.com/have-a-safe-and-happy-halloween http://www.makeandtakes.com/have-a-safe-and-happy-halloween#comments Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:15:26 +0000 Marie http://www.makeandtakes.com/?p=6006 Share and Bookmark: Related Posts:Stay Safe This HalloweenHave a Happy Haunting HalloweenHaving a Handmade Halloween?]]>

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]]> http://www.makeandtakes.com/have-a-safe-and-happy-halloween/feed 9 http://www.makeandtakes.com/crafty-grover-hand-puppet http://www.makeandtakes.com/crafty-grover-hand-puppet#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:00:39 +0000 Marie http://www.makeandtakes.com/?p=5984 With the Sesame Street celebrating it’s 40th Anniversary, I’ve crafted this fun hand puppet into my favorite Sesame Street Monster: Grover. He’s just so silly and crazy, and isn’t afraid to be himself. He’s a waiter by day and “Super Grover” by night! And one of my favorite children’s books is The Monster at the [...]]]>

With the Sesame Street celebrating it’s 40th Anniversary, I’ve crafted this fun hand puppet into my favorite Sesame Street Monster: Grover. He’s just so silly and crazy, and isn’t afraid to be himself. He’s a waiter by day and “Super Grover” by night! And one of my favorite children’s books is The Monster at the End of This Book starring the lovable furry old Grover!

Supplies for Monster Hand Puppet:

• bright blue felt or fleece (these are good fabrics to use as the edges don’t fray)
• pink pom pom
• 2 googley eyes
• red felt or fleece
• glue – hot glue is what I used, but you could use a craft glue or even use a sewing machine
• scissors
• white pencil or black marker

With your white pencil, trace out the shape of your puppet. I just drew mine by hand, but here’s a pattern I found that’s similar you can print and copy: Hand Puppet Pattern. I folded my blue fleece in half when I cut it out, so both halves look the same. Then I placed the first cut piece on top of the second piece and cut it out.

Glue your two pieces of blue cut fabric together, leaving the bottom open for the hand to slip through. I used hot glue, but you could use a craft glue, you would just need to give it time to dry. Or you could even get out the needle and thread and sew Grover up.

Once the body is glued together and dry, you need to glue on Grover’s face. I used 2 googley eyes, a large pink pom pom nose, and a piece of red scrap felt for his mouth.

He’s ready for a hand to hold him up and wave him around. We’re shouting, “Super Grover” in his whiny up and down voice! Maybe I need to make him a little red cape and a helmet too! (This puppet could easily be crafted in Elmo too, red fabric with an orange pom pom nose!)

Happy Anniversary Sesame Street! We love you, Grover!

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]]> http://www.makeandtakes.com/crafty-grover-hand-puppet/feed 51 http://www.makeandtakes.com/happy-40th-anniversary-sesame-street http://www.makeandtakes.com/happy-40th-anniversary-sesame-street#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:57:49 +0000 Marie http://www.makeandtakes.com/?p=5982 To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street, I’m sharing a few of my favorite classic TV memories. Here’s my tribute to 40 years of Sesame Street! What’s your favorite memory? Share and Bookmark: No related posts.]]>

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street, I’m sharing a few of my favorite classic TV memories.

Here’s my tribute to 40 years of Sesame Street! What’s your favorite memory?

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No related posts.

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