Food, Recipes, Crafts,... - Made from Scratch

"I Have a Dream" Vision Board

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 14:08:00 +0000

Total Time afternoon or evening Ages school-age

This simple craft gives you a chance to talk to your child about a number of important issues. First and foremost you can introduce them to the great work of Martin Luther King Jr. Then you can help them imagine ways that the world could be better. Our children are the future, let's help them dream of one that is bright and shining.

For his vision board my son dreamt of a world where everyone was happy and loved each other. He also wanted to make sure that we took care of the earth and that everyone had enough food and clean water. His collage is full of smiling faces, nature, hearts, fruit and fresh water. I sure hope his dream comes true.

by Carla Wiking

What you'll need

Poster board
Marker pen
Old magazines
Scissors
Glue stick

How to make it

On a poster board, draw a picture of your child sleeping with a dream bubble above their head.

Share the "I have a dream" speech with your child. Explain to him/her the wonderful power of imagining a better world. Have them think of things they want for the future. Then, search for visual representations of those things in old magazines and cut them out.

Create a collage by gluing the clippings inside the dream bubble.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EfuM8tsN3szokM-0yWZKAK82LS0StNuJ?usp=sharing

Handpicked Just for Mom: How to Make a Pipe-Cleaner Bouquet

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 05:18:00 +0000

Total Time 30 minutes or less Ages all-ages

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and nothing says true love from kids like a handmade gift. These pipe cleaner flowers are mess-free, quick, and easy to make.

by Holly Homer

What you'll need

Green Pipe Cleaners
Pipe Cleaners in Various Colors

How to make it

1. Take a regular pipe cleaner in a fun spring color and bend it into a circle.

2. Twist the ends together so the circle is closed.

3. Twist the middles together in a figure 8.

4. Stick one end of the figure 8 inside the other, so you make an X shape like this. (It will sort of resemble a ball at this point.)

5. Squish the X down in the middle.

6. Now, twist the middle so your flower looks like this. You can mess with the petals a bit here to make them look more round.

7. Take a green pipe cleaner and pull it over the middle of the flower.

8. Twist the ends together under the flower.

9. Now, you have your flower is finished.

10. Make several different flowers in different colors to complete your fantastic Mother's Day pipe cleaner flower bouquet.

Handy Manny's Milk Carton Planter

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 01:10:00 +0000

Total Time 1 hour Ages 5 to 8

Manny brought a little green into his neighbor's home when he built her a flower box. Now Preschoolers can learn about being green with this eco-friendly craft.

by Miranda Becker

What you'll need

1-gallon paper milk carton
Duct tape
Scissors
Ruler
Red marker
Red construction paper
Mod Podge
Paint brush, or sponge
Red masking tape or duct tape
Red, self-adhesive craft foam
Yellow, self-adhesive craft foam
Unsharpened pencil
Hole punch
Black puffy paint
Stones or rocks
Soil
Seeds or plants

How to make it

1. To start, wash a milk carton with soapy water and let dry.

2. If your carton has a screw-on cap, leave it on and fold the top of the carton down to create a flat surface.

3. Secure using duct tape.

4. To create the tall ends of your toolbox, use a ruler to draw a straight line crosswise through the center of the carton (as shown). Then measure in 1.5" from each side, and draw two lines lengthwise. Measure 1.5" from the bottom and top of the carton and draw a line crosswise to create two rectangles.

5. Cut out the rectangles, and cut along the center line crosswise. Discard the cardboard rectangles and then cut along the seams to create the tall ends of your toolbox. Once you have created your ends, trim the tops so that they are the same length.

6. Use a red marker to draw long squiggly lines on the red construction paper, creating a wood grain pattern. Tear the red construction paper into long strips.

7. Spread Mod Podge on the outside of the milk carton, and attach strips of paper. As you work, spread layers of Mod Podge over the paper strips. This will make the paper water-resistant. Let dry completely.

8. Use red tape to seal the edges of the carton and cover imperfections. Use red tape to cover the unsharpened pencil -- this will be the handle of the toolbox.

9. Make holes in the tall sides of the carton using a hole-punch. You will insert your handle into the two holes. Use red self-adhesive craft foam to make the bolts that hold the handle in place.

10. Finish your planter with a yellow craft foam label. Write your child's name on the label.

11. Place stones in the bottom of the planter for drainage and top with soil. Now you're ready to plant seeds or plants!

Craft: Huey, Dewey and Louie Ghosts

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 07:35:00 +0000

Total Time weekend projects Ages 5 to 8

For Huey, Dewey, and Louie, Halloween is three times the fun. With matching ghost costumes, these famous triplet ducklings are truly identical. Even their uncle Donald and great-uncle Scrooge McDuck can't tell them apart. Made from stiffened cotton, these web footed apparitions make a real stand-up decoration.

Download Huey, Dewey & Louie Ghosts Template

by Cindy Littlefield

What you'll need

Aluminum foil
3 large drinking glasses or empty jars
Three 12-inch squares of lightweight white cotton cloth
Tape measure
Fabric stiffener (sold at craft supply and fabric stores)
Googly eyes
Glue dots
Black permanent marker
Template for Ducky Ghosts
Orange adhesive-back felt
Pipe cleaners (orange and white)
6 metal washers (for weights)

How to make it

1. Create a form for each of the three ghosts by balling up a piece of aluminum foil and placing it atop an inverted drinking glass or empty jar. Coat a 12-inch square of white cotton cloth with fabric stiffener, following the manufacturer's directions. Drape the saturated cloth over the form, letting the fabric drape around it much like a tablecloth. Let the cloth dry overnight or until it is stiff enough to hold its shape.

2. Use glue dots to stick a pair of googly eyes to the face of each ghost. Then draw on high curved eyebrows resembling those of Huey, Duey, and Louie.

3. For each ghost, fashion a pair of duck legs. Begin by printing out the template and using it to cut duck feet out of orange adhesive-back felt (four for each duck). Then, twist together two orange pipe cleaners, leaving an inch at both ends untwisted, as shown.

4. Attach a foot to each pair of pipe cleaner ends by pressing the splayed lengths down onto the felt's adhesive. Press a washer onto the foot for weight, and top the assembly with another felt foot, placed sticky side down.

5. Next, attach a pipe cleaner frame to the top of the legs to provide support for the ghost's body. To do this, tightly twist the centers of two white pipe cleaners around the center of the legs.

6. Then twist two of the ends together to form a circle.

7. Bend the remaining two pipe cleaner ends up to sandwich the top of the first circle and twist them together as well to form a second circle.

8. Fit the ghost down onto the frame. Then stand the ghost up, bending and positioning the legs to balance it.

Pooh and Friends Paper Bag Puppets

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 03:38:00 +0000

Total Time 30 minutes or less Ages 5 to 8

Pooh and his pals from the Hundred Acre Wood find fun wherever they go. Craft your very own Pooh, Piglet, and Tigger puppets from colorful paper bags and cardstock. Put on a puppet show and create your own adventures for this silly old bear.

Download Pooh & Friends Paper Bag Puppets Template

by Miranda Becker

What you'll need

Print the templates and cut out the pieces.
3 paper bags (red, orange, pink)
Cardstock (golden yellow, dark pink, light pink, black, orange, cream)
Scissors
Glue stick
Black marker

How to make it

1. Print the templates and cut out the pieces.

2. For Tigger: Trace Tigger's template pieces onto the color cardstock specified. Cut out the pieces

3. Lay an orange paper bag on a flat surface with the bottom flap facing up. Glue the jaw just under the flap.

4. Glue Tigger's head to the bottom flap.

5. Now glue the cream-colored snout and eye-patch onto Tigger's head. Glue the pink nose in the center of Tigger's face, overlapping the snout and eye-patch.

6. Glue Tigger's mouth and tongue to his jaw.

7. Add details like eyes and stripes. Finally, glue on Tigger's expressive eyebrows.

8. For Pooh: Trace Pooh's template pieces onto the color cardstock specified. Cut out the pieces.

9. Lay a red paper bag on a flat surface with the bottom flap facing up. Lift the bottom flap and glue the jaw just underneath.

10. Glue Pooh's head onto the bottom flap.

11. Glue on details like Pooh's dark red mouth, pink tongue, and black nose.

12. Add details like eyes and a mouth with a black marker.

13. For Piglet: Trace Piglet's template pieces onto the color cardstock specified. Cut out the pieces.

14. Glue the ears to the top of Piglet's head.

15. Lay a pink paper bag on a flat surface with the bottom flap facing up. Lift the bottom flap and glue the jaw just underneath.

16. Glue Piglet's head, with ears attached, onto the bottom flap.

17. Glue on Piglet's pink snout and add details like eyes and eyebrows using a black marker.

Craft: Glowing Star Wars Jawa Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 03:16:00 +0000

One of my earliest memories was watching Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope in the theater with my dad and siblings. I about jumped through the roof when the lurking, hooded Jawas with yellow eyes aglow emerged out from behind the rocks and blasted R2-D2 with some kind of space taser. It's amazing to know six-plus movies and a few television shows later my children are versed in all things Star Wars and can probably re-enact that particular scene in its entirety without any rehearsals. So I set out to make some light-up glowing Jawa eyes to impress the young padawans. The picture above captures my 5 year-old's bliss at "fweaking" himself out as he puts it, by getting to actually be a Jawa. My oldest was thrilled too, but I have to admit the baby ran out of the room when he saw them on me. "Wait!" I yelled to him, "I'm your father!"

Download Glowing Star Wars Jawa Eyes Template

by Craig Mackay

What you'll need

brown or dark adult-sized hooded sweatshirt
scotch tape
black electrical tape
small needle nose pliers
small wire cutters
wire stripper (optional)
1 small pen-style soldering iron
lead-free solder (small amount)
2 button cell battery CR2032 holders (3 volt)
2 button cell batteries CR2032 (3 volt)
2 yellow or white 5 mm LEDs (NOTE: Make sure the minimum voltage is 3 volts and the maximum voltage is three 3 volts or more, or this project will not work! See the notes below about changing out your power source or LEDs)
4 5" inch hook-up wires (gauge 26-22) or other small and compatible wires. There should be 2 wires of one color and 2 of another color to distinguish polarity (+/-)
1 pair of cheap sunglasses or old glasses frames

Helpful Tip:

If you decide to switch up LEDs or want to use different batteries than what I've suggested, just know if the voltage is too low, the LEDs won't light up and if the power source exceeds the max allowed voltage your LED will either not light up or burn out very quickly. You may need to add a resistor to your circuit to print high voltage down to meet your needs. Make sure to check with your local electronic parts dealer for this type of assistance assistance or research online. I found a cool site called LED Center: http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz where you can input the LED and battery voltage along with a few other technical specs found on the LED packaging. It will generate a schematic that shows you how to wiring diagram that will tell you exactly what resistor to add if any or tell you if you aren't adding enough power.

Warning: This craft is intended to be created by adults only. Many of the materials listed in this project are choking hazards and must be kept out of the reach of children. Never leave a soldering iron on when not in use and always take necessary precautions to keep out of the reach of children. Never walk away while a soldering iron is on, even when it's cooling. Always wear protective glasses when working with solder and make sure you work on a surface you expect to stay beautiful. Also, do not leave batteries in when not in use as there is no off switch. Have fun creating but above all be safe!

How to make it

1. Cut two 5" inch wires of one color and two 5" inch wires of another color.

2. If available use the optional wire strippers on each end of the cut wires to remove around 1/8"inch of insulation off the ends. If wire strippers are not available then use your wire cutters by gently squeezing them to cut the wire insulation but not the wire and without opening your grip, rotate the cutters in a circular motion and then remove the excess insulation to expose the metal wire.

3. Use the needle nose pliers to twist the metal end of each color of wire around the two metal contacts on the back of the button cell battery holder. Make note of which color is touching the contact point marked "+" for positive or "-" for negative charge. (see schematic on instructions page).

4. Once you are certain the wire and contact are touching, use a tiny bit of solder to affix the wire ends to the contact points. When all the wires are affixed wrap the newly soldered area a few times with electrical tape and then twist the wires around each other and leave about an inch on the open end not twisted.

5. Before soldering the LED to the open wire, make sure you are attaching the LED's negative(-) lead (that's the shorter of the LED's two protruding wires) with the wire color you designated as your negative wire. Repeat steps 3-5 so you have two LEDs with battery holders when you are complete.

6. Use scotch or similar tape to affix the wires to the sides of your glasses positioning the LEDs to hang right in front of the glasses lens, near your pupil. This of course may impair vision so do not drive or operate any vehicle while wearing the glasses.

7. Slide in the batteries, don your hooded sweatshirt and you are ready to sell questionable pre-owned droids on the plains of Tatooine like the Jawa you appear to be.

Craft: Golden Sun Medallion

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 02:58:00 +0000

Ages 5 to 8

Team up a teenage girl with magical hair and a charming bandit. Add mystery and adventure, such as a great, and long overdue, escape from a tower for starters. And you've got the makings of a sensational story. Make that, sun-sational. This shiny pendant-style necklace is a replica of the distinctive sun emblem that's key to untangling the puzzle of Rapunzel's past.

Download Golden Sun Medallion Template

by Cindy Littlefield

What you'll need

Template for Golden Sun Medallion
Scissors
Ruler
Scrapbook paper (2 or more shades or prints of gold)
Yellow or gold faux gems and/or glitter glue
Glue sealer (such as Mod Podge)
Small paintbrush or foam brush
Beading monofilament
Sewing needle (to poke holes in the medallion for the beading monofilament)
Gold seed beads
Necklace barrel clasp or magnetic clasp

How to make it

1. Print the template.

2. Cut two 5-inch squares from one shade of gold paper and glue them back-to-back. Then use the template piece to cut out a circle of outer rays from the two-ply square. (Note: Using double-thick paper makes the medallion extra sturdy.)

3. Next, glue together two 4-inch squares from another shade of gold paper. Cut out a circle of inner rays from this two-ply square.

4. Glue the circle of inner rays atop the circle of outer rays. The inner rays should slightly overlap the left edges of the outer rays, as shown.

5. Cut a sun center out of gold paper and glue it atop the assembled rays.

6. Brush a coat of glue sealer on the front and back of the medallion, and let it dry.

7. Now your child can embellish the medallion with faux gems and/or glitter glue.

8. When the glitter glue is dry, use a needle to poke a pair of holes in the tip of the top ray. Next, slide a single seed bead onto the center of a 22-inch length of beading monofilament, and then insert the ends through the holes in the ray (from front to back), as shown. Pull the ends so that the bead comes to rest against the front of the medallion.

9. Gather the monofilament ends behind the medallion and insert both ends through another single seed bead. Then separate the ends and string beads on each strand until you have a necklace the length you like. Tie each end to one half of a necklace clasp, and the medallion is ready to wear.

Agent P Treasure Box Craft

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 02:17:00 +0000

Total Time 1 to 2 hours Ages 5 to 8

Phineas may believe that his pet platypus doesn't do much, but the truth is Perry has a very busy life - most of which he keeps undercover. Modeled after the trusty agent, this playful box is ideal for safekeeping all of your child's treasures and trinkets.

Download Agent P Treasure Box Template

by Cindy Littlefield

What you'll need

Agent P Treasure Box Template
Hinge-style wooden keepsake box*
Turquoise craft paint
Paintbrush or foam brush
4 wooden thread spools
Straight pins
Orange felt for the tail, bill, and feet (stiff felt works especially well, but regular felt will do, too)
White and black felt scraps for the eyes (regular, stiff, or sticky-back)
3 pipe cleaners
Fabric pen or marker
Tacky glue or hot glue gun

Notes:

* You can find this style box in most large craft stores. The one shown here measures approximately 7 inches long, 4 inches wide, and 3.5 inches deep, but you can substitute one with similar dimensions. For a substantially different size box, enlarge or reduce the template pieces accordingly. Another option is to paint a cardboard box or cover it with colored paper.

How to make it

1. Paint the outside of the keepsake box and the four wooden thread spools turquoise. Let the paint dry completely.

2. Meanwhile, print the template and use it as a pattern for cutting the pieces out of the specified colors of felt.

3. For each hind foot, glue together two of the felt cutouts, one atop the other so it will be double thick. Then glue a painted thread spool atop each felt foot to create Perry's hind legs. Use the remaining two spools as they are for front legs. Glue all four legs to the bottom of the box.

4. Glue the pupils onto the eyes and attach them to the front of the box.

5. Glue the two bill pieces together, one atop the other as you did with the feet, except leave the peaked tops unglued. Spread the unglued tops apart and glue them to the box just below the eyes, as shown.

6. Create a flexible platypus tail by gluing three pipe cleaner lengths onto one of the tail pieces, as shown. Then glue the other tail piece on top, leaving a 1-inch unglued section at the base of the tail.

7. Use the marker to draw crisscross lines on the top of the tail. Then spread the unglued tabs apart and adhere them to the back of the box.

Craft: A Little Bottle Music

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 02:09:00 +0000

Blow across the top of a bottle, and you get a single tone. Fill a bunch of bottles with different amounts of water, and you've got yourself an instrument! We've calculated how much water you need in eight bottles to create a musical scale.

What you'll need

(8) 20-ounce bottles
water
blue food coloring (optional)
(8) small pieces of paper labeled 1-8

How to make it

1. Set up your instrument by filling eight 20-ounce bottles with water according to the scale below. If you like, add blue food coloring so that you can see the water better.

2. How to Fill the Bottles:

1. 7 ounces (Do)

2. 9 1/2 ounces (Re)

3. 12 1/2 ounces (Mi)

4. 14 ounces (Fa)

5. 16 1/2 ounces (So)

6. 17 1/2 ounces (La)

7. 18 1/2 ounces (Ti)

8. 19 ounces (Do)

3. Affix numbers 1 through 8 to the bottles.

4. Blow across the lip of each bottle and you'll hear a different tone depending on how full the bottle is. Blow across them in numerical order to play a scale. Now you're ready for a song!

5. Try "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."

- 1 1 1 2 3

- 3 2 3 4 5

- 8 8 8 5 5 5 3 3 3 1 1 1

- 5 4 3 2 1

Craft: Hot Cocoa Candle

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 12:20:00 +0000

Get a jump on April Fool's with this yummy (looking) treat. A simple technique creates the whipped cream; brown dye gives the cocoa its luscious color.

Remember, never leave candles burning unattended or near unsupervised children.

by Nicole Blum | Photograph by Joe Polillio

What you'll need

2 3/4 cups soy wax flakes
pouring container or heatproof measuring cup with spout
one third of a 3/4-ounce cube of brown wax dye
6-ounce glass mug made for hot beverages
9-inch-tall prewaxed wire wick with clip

How to make it

1. To make the cocoa:

Melt 1 3/4 cups of the soy wax flakes in a pouring container following these directions or in a heatproof measuring cup in the microwave according to the package directions. While the wax is melting, chop the dye into small pieces, then stir it into the wax.

2. Pour the wax into the mug and insert the wick. (If the wick tips, put a pencil across the top of the mug and lean the wick against it.) Let the candle cool, about 1 hour. The dye will lighten as the wax cools.

3. To make the whipped cream:

Melt the remaining wax and let it cool until it's opaque, about 5 minutes.

4. Whip the wax with a fork until it begins to form frothy peaks. If the wax is too thin, wait a few minutes and try again. If it thickens too quickly, remelt it.

5. Scoop the whipped wax onto the cocoa as shown. Let it cool, then trim the wick so that it extends 1/4 inch.

Craft: Tooth Fairy Tote

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 08:08:00 +0000

Total Time 1 hour Ages all-ages

This handy holder is just the thing for anyone expecting a visit from the Tooth Fairy.

What you'll need

White, blue, and purple felt
Scissors
Fabric glue
Fiberfill

How to make it

Cut 2 matching tooth shapes from white felt, 2 wings from blue felt, and a small pocket patch from purple felt.

Lay one of the tooth pieces flat and glue the wing shapes to the outside edges.

Outline the edge of the tooth with fabric glue, leaving the top glue-free for stuffing.

Press the second tooth shape on top and allow the glue to dry completely.

Stuff the pillow with fiberfill.

Glue the opening closed, holding the seam in place with a clothespin while it dries.

Glue the pocket in place, leaving the top open for toothy treasures and their rewards.

A Letter from the Tooth Fairy

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 07:56:00 +0000

Total Time 30 minutes or less Ages school-age

In the last 2 months, we have made friends with the tooth fairy. She first visited us this summer in England, and she has come two more times in the last few weeks. It is another joy of having identical twins – their baby teeth start falling out right around the same time!

I made my girls each a tooth fairy pouch and here is a simple tutorial to make a glittery letter from the tooth fairy. I suggest making a whole batch so you’ll be ready to write little letters to sleeping children…

by Helen Bird

What you'll need

Glitter – of course!
Card stock
White Glue
Wax paper

How to make it

1. Take a piece of card stock and write a teeny tiny letter from the tooth fairy. Cut the card down to size.

2. Dip the side of the card into white glue and then gently dip it into glitter. Repeat for each side.

3. Lay the letter on wax paper to dry.

4. Once the letter is dry, blow on the card to remove access glitter (put can also use a clean paint brush to brush away glitter.)

5. Cut a small envelope to fit the letter - decorate.

6. Don’t forget to glitter the tooth!

Homework Central

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 05:02:00 +0000

by Debra Immergut

The challenge: getting kids to settle down to homework in the midst of the evening hubbub

An ingenious solution: turn display boards (available at office supply stores) into study carrels that can be set up in a flash, with all the necessary supplies close at hand. Easily stowed in a corner or a closet, these customizable stations keep kids focused on learning by providing a fun home base for tackling their assignments. And a single display board makes two carrels, so each sibling can have his own.

What you'll need

Tri-fold display board (48 by 36 inches; makes two stations)
Yardstick and pencil
Craft knife
Con-Tact paper or paint (optional)

How to make it

1. Cut the board in half horizontally. Set one half aside if you plan to make just one carrel. Lay the other half facedown. To make the carrel easy to fold even when stocked with hanging supplies, pencil a vertical line parallel to each existing fold, 2 inches closer to the center. Using the yardstick as a guide, score the lines, cutting through only the top layer of the cardboard.

2. Fold along the scored lines. Cover the carrel's back with Con-Tact paper or paint, if desired.

3. Add the supplies: Use glue dots to affix clothespins to one side for holding important papers and notes.

4. Adhere magnets with hot glue to scissors, the back of a stapler, and other frequently used supplies. Line them up along a ruler/magnet strip, with more magnets and a magnetic clip.

5. Use adhesive-backed Velcro dots to attach supplies that need to be easily removed: the ruler/magnet strip, a clock, a calculator, a sticky-note dispenser, and a pencil box.

6. Hang a zip-close binder pouch from an adhesive hook to hold small supplies.

7. Affix a small cork square for displaying photos or notes, using hot glue or the adhesive supplied with the square.

Craft: Homemade Witch Costume

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 04:28:00 +0000

Ages school-age

This easy witch costume is more sassy than scary. No magical spell needed to conjure up this ensemble in a jiffy. Using a few simple things found at your local craft store, you can put together the pieces for a traditional Halloween good time.

Download Homemade Witch Costume Template

by Tamison Rose, as told to Laura Young

What you'll need

1 yard black fabric suitable for a cape
Sticky-back felt
1 yard black organza (we got ours in the remnant section of the fabric store)
3 yards orange netting
Iron-on adhesive tape (recommended: Stitch Witchery by Dritz)
3" black satin ribbon
1" black elastic waistband
Colorful hose, tights, or leggings
Black witch's hat (from craft or fabric store)
Colorful high-top sneakers or cowboy boots
Long sleeved orange shirt
Black tank top
Iron
Fabric scissors
Needle and thread
Hot glue gun
Pattern

Helpful Tip:

1. Low-heeled boots or sneakers are best for trick-or-treating.

How to make it

Get dressed: Dress your witch in fun, colorful tights and orange shirt with black tank top over it.

To make the two-piece skirt: Measure your child's waist. Cut the 3" black ribbon to a length at least 3x longer than that measurement. Mark your child's waist measurement in the middle of the ribbon – you will be attaching organza inside those lines. Measure from your child's waist to the length you would like the skirt.

Cut out 10 pieces of black organza according to the pattern provided. (Note: You may need to cut more based on your child's waist measurements.) Cut iron-on adhesive to ¼" wide and iron a ¼" hem around the sides of the organza.

Measure the top edge of the piece and mark the center and the quarter points. Fold the quarter point to the left and the right of the center mark toward the center. Use iron-on adhesive to secure folds in place and then to attach five pieces of the organza to one side of the 3" black ribbon. Use the remaining five pieces of cut organza to overlap and fill in the spaces between pieces.

When all your organza pieces are attached, lay more iron-on adhesive over the organza pieces, and attach a piece of ribbon to cover up the exposed edges of the organza.

Take orange netting and cut in half the long way (up the 3 yard length). Lay the two pieces one on top of the other and fold them in half the long way. Cut a piece of 1" elastic waistband material to your child's waist measurement plus at least 2" for overlap. Lay the elastic waistband along the inside of the fold in the netting and baste the four pieces of netting together along the elastic on the side opposite the fold.

When you reach the end of the netting, gather the basting stitch so the netting bunches up. Use two safety pins to secure the elastic waistband around your child's waist. To give the netting fullness you can scrunch the under layers up toward the waistband.

Tie the organza and ribbon skirt around the netting skirt and make a bow.

To make the cape: Use a roll of ribbon to trace circles on the sticky-back felt.

Cut the circles out and stick them on one side of the cape fabric, avoiding the top and bottom 4" of fabric. The polka-dots will be on the inside (or "wrong" side) of the cape.

Fold over the top 3" of fabric (folding over to the "wrong" side) and hot glue it in place. Starting at the center of the fold-over and working out to the first edge, make a fold every 1" to 1 ½" and glue it in place (front and back) with hot glue. When one side is complete, return to the center and fold in the opposite direction toward the other edge, again gluing folds in place as you go. Try to make the number of folds even on both sides.

Flip the cape over to the "right" side and hot glue a piece of ½" wide scrap ribbon along the folds on what is to be the outside of the cape. When you tie the cape on your child, you can either leave the folds standing up, or fold them over the ribbon to form a collar.

To make the hat: Use scraps of the sticky-back felt to make smaller polka-dots to decorate the underside of the store-bought witch's hat.

Dress up the outside of the hat by tying some scrap netting with a big bow at the back to make a hat band (secure in place with hot glue) and for a finishing touch hot-glue a colorful silk flower at the front.

Craft: Glamour-licious Backpack

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 03:48:00 +0000

Ages school-age

Fashion is your passion. The classroom is your runway. And this oh so fabulous backpack is the must-have accessory for the well-dressed glamour princess. Just watch out for the paparazzi.

What you'll need

Backpack
Black fabric marker with a wide tip
Feather boa
Rhinestones
Earrings
Fabric glue
Embellishing glue

How to make it

1. Using a fabric marker, draw zebra stripes on the backpack. It really helps if the fabric marker has a fat tip so the coloring goes much faster. When drawing the stripes, vary their size and direction. They should be slightly curvy rather than straight up and down. But remember, they don’t have to be perfect, either. No two zebra stripe patterns are alike, so yours can be totally different as well.

2. Cut a piece of feather boa long enough to wrap around the top and sides of the backpack. Apply craft glue to the backpack first and then press the boa onto the backpack. The boa might move around a bit before the glue dries, so work a section at a time to make sure the boa is secure. With adult supervision, you can use hot glue, which will dry much faster, but don’t press down onto the boa with your fingers. They don’t call it hot glue for nothing. Instead, use a pencil or ruler to push down on the boa.

3. It’s looking pretty chic already. Let’s up the glam factor with some bling. Spell out a word like ‘DIVA” with rhinestones and apply them to the pocket of the backpack with embellishing glue. The good thing about this glue is that it’s permanent, but it also gives you time to adjust the rhinestones a little before the glue dries.

As if you don’t have enough sparkle, attach some earrings to the zipper pulls to complete your glamour girl look. Of course, don’t use expensive earrings here. It’s good to be cheap and chic.

Easy Last-Minute Photo Valentines

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 02:27:00 +0000

Nothing speaks to love and friendship like a personalized Valentine's Day card. Although it might take a little bit of extra work, I like to let my kids show their appreciation for their friends, teachers and loved ones with their creations.

I could have had them write on a piece of construction paper and call it a day, but having my printer has made it much easier to create personalized gifts on short notice.

This is what I did:

Right before the sun set, I photographed my kids while we played outside. The next morning, while waiting in the car line at school, I was able to send the picture to my printer at home. I picked up a few lollipops on the drive back, and we were all set.

The pictures were waiting for us when we got home. All we needed were a few supplies to finish decorating the cards during our after-school snack. And just like that, our personalized Valentine’s Day cards were ready!

by Denisse Icaza

What you'll need

Photo paper
Printer
Construction paper
Lollipops
Scissors
Tape
Precision knife (for an adult)
Markers, stickers and scrap paper for decorating

Helpful Tip:

If you’d like to make it look like your child is holding the lollipop, take a picture of him with a broomstick -- but don't show the ends. Also, feel free to use whatever you have on hand to decorate the cards! Stickers, markers, glitter or scrap paper make great additions (we used leftover gift wrap to cut out hearts).

How to make it

1. Print the photo you chose for your card (if you are able to use mobile printing, you will save time!).

2. Cut the photo and construction paper to the same size.

3. Fold the piece of construction paper in half. Trace a half heart and cut out. This piece can be glued on top of the picture to frame it.

4. Decorate the framed picture as you wish. Then, use a precision knife to cut a slit where the top of the lollipop is supposed to go.

5. Insert a lollipop and secure it in the back with a piece of adhesive tape. And voilà! Your valentines are done in five simple steps!

Gift Card Jewelry Craft

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 09:26:00 +0000

Total Time 1 to 2 hours Ages all-ages

Every year around this time, we end up with a stack of used gift cards. Being the crafty chica that I am, I like to find creative ways to use them, such as making recycled gift card jewelry! The cards come in bright assorted colors, and if not, you can always embellish with paints, markers or rubber stamped designs. They are fun to make and trade with friends, or even to give as gifts.

by Kathy Cano-Murillo

What you'll need

Assorted used gift cards
Scissors
Permanent marker
Jump rings
Needle nose pliers
Chain for necklace or bracelet
Gold paint pen
Small hole puncher

Helpful Tip:

For a Disney-themed bracelet, use Disney gift cards! Kids can have fun cutting out all kinds of shapes (using kid scissors), and mom or dad can punch the holes. Instead of chain, you can use yarn or cording.

How to make it

1. Collect your cards and add color to the back sides of them. You can do this with spray paint, enamel paint or rubber stamping with permanent ink.

2. Use a permanent marker to add doodled designs on the cards.

3. Draw shapes on the cards and use sharp scissors to cut them out. I used stars, hearts, circles, squares and flowers.

4. Trim each piece in the gold paint pen. This will tie them all together and make them look polished!

5. Set out all the pieces and determine where you want to punch the hole on each one.

6. Punch a hole in each piece using a small rotary tool or a hole punch. Insert a jump ring inside each hole.

7. Now is the fun part! Use the needle nose pliers to combine the pieces to make a necklace, earring set or charm bracelet.

To make the bracelet, add a charm to each link for a full bracelet, or less for the lighter look.

Craft: Ghoulish Traffic Signs

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 05:54:00 +0000

Every Halloween, there seems to be a wicked traffic jam of ghouls, goblins and witches in the house, so keep things orderly with traffic signs made especially for the visiting creatures. Hang them in entryways, bedrooms, or any closets that monsters might like to hide.

What you'll need

Construction paper of different colors
Adhesive letters and numbers
Craft glue

How to make it

1. Let’s start by making a stop sign, since it’s the only traffic sign that’s not square. After you’ve mastered a stop sign, every other sign is a piece of cake. Cut an octagon shape out of red construction paper, and then another octagon shape out of white construction paper that is about a half inch larger on all sides. The easiest way to make an octagon is to start with a square. Then cut off one corner of the square. Use that cut-off corner as a guide to cut the remaining three corners. And you’ve got yourself an octagon.

2. Glue the smaller red octagon onto the larger white one.

3. At this point, you can draw on the sign letters with a thick black marker. But if you’re all thumbs like some of the monsters hanging around, adhesive letters and numbers are much easier to work with. You just peel them off and stick them to your sign. To help apply the stickers in a straight line, place a ruler on the sign as your guide. Place the letters lightly along the ruler until you’re happy with their placement, and then press down firmly to keep the letters in place.

4. Other signs are made similarly. Just cut out a rectangle, square, or diamond out of construction paper, plus another piece that’s a little larger that will serve as the border. Then peel and stick adhesive letters and numbers onto the paper. Keep in mind that these traffic signs are really just for fun, as there is no guarantee that monsters can actually read.

Craft: Fringed Felt Duster

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 04:43:00 +0000

Ages 9 to 12

When Snow White and all the woods animals opened the door to the Seven Dwarfs' cottage and discovered how messy it was inside, they all joined forces scrubbing and cleaning the place from ceiling to floor. This easy-to-make felt duster is designed to let your little worker bee get a handle on helping to keep her own digs in tiptop shape.

by Cindy Littlefield

What you'll need

Yellow, red, and blue felt (one 9- by 12-inch piece of each)
Wide rubber band
Long handled wooden spoon
Sewing scissors
Tape measure
Ribbon

How to make it

1. Stack the felt rectangles on top of one another with the longer edges at the top and the bottom. Fold the stack in thirds so that the sides overlap across the middle.

2. Bunch together the top of the folded stack and wrap the rubber band around it to hold it.

3. Insert the handle of the wooden spoon up through the center of the folded felt and out the cinched top (the bowl of the spoon should come to rest right below the rubber band).

4. Fringe the felt, making the strips 3/4 to 1 inch wide and stopping your cuts 1 1/2 inches below the rubber band.

5. Finally, wrap a piece of ribbon around the rubber band to cover it, and tie the ends into a bow.

Evanora-Inspired Feather Hair Flair

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 08:38:00 +0000

While Evanora’s self-proclaimed title of Emerald City’s Royal Advisor may be a figurative feather in her cap, there’s no disputing her commanding sense of style. Inspired by Evanora's signature hairpiece, these whimsical barrettes are a snap to make and fun to wear

by Cindy Littlefield

What you'll need

Low temperature hot glue gun
Craft feathers
Metal barrette
Decorative button

How to make it

1. Hot-glue a craft feather to the top of the barrette, positioning the quill ½ inch or so from the end, as shown.

2. Layer a second feather atop the first, hot-gluing the quill to the uncovered ½ inch of the barrette.

3. Glue the button atop the quill, and the barrette is ready to wear.

End-of-the-Rainbow Loot Buckets

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 08:19:00 +0000

Total Time 30 minutes or less

No St. Patrick's Day celebration is complete without some gold at the end of the rainbow. Present treats to your kids in these stylish loot buckets.

by Amanda Formaro

What you'll need

Green paper cup
Rainbow duct tape
3 large green sequins
1 medium green sequin
Glue dot
Treats to fill the cup, such as individually wrapped butterscotch discs, Rolos® or Werthers® candies

Helpful Tip:

1. You can find green treat cups in the party goods aisle. An alternative is to cover plain white cups with green construction paper or paint them with green craft paint. 2. Instead of sequins, you can use shamrock foam shapes or create your own using construction paper.

Notes:

Instructions are for ONE treat cup.

How to make it

1. To create the handle for your treat cup, measure and cut a 10-inch long piece of rainbow duct tape.

2. Fold the length of the tape by one-third onto itself, leaving one-third of the sticky side showing.

3. Fold the sticky third down onto the first fold of tape so that no sticky tape remains.

4. Cut a small strip of tape and attach it to one end of the handle. Repeat at the other end.

5. Stick the handle inside the cup on both sides.

6. Cut another small strip of tape and roll it up, sticky side facing out. Put the three large sequins together to form a clover shape. Place the rolled tape in the center of all three to hold them all together.

7. Stick the rolled tape side to one side of the handle on the cup.

8. Press the medium sized sequin onto a glue dot and pick it up, then press it to the center of the clover. Fill your cups with toys, trinkets, candy and whatever loot you desire!

Craft: Ghost Disguised as a Pumpkin

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 05:59:00 +0000

Total Time 1 hour Ages all-ages

Inspired by a unique pumpkin variety, this clever camouflage job is a little surreal, and a lot of fun.

What you'll need

White pumpkin
Orange, black and yellow acrylic paints
Paintbrushes

How to make it

Paint an orange "face" on the front of the pumpkin. If white pumpkins aren't available, fake it by painting a regular pumpkin white first, leaving only the face area orange.

Paint black and yellow features.

Finish off by adding a big toothy grin. Boo!

Fozzie Bear Felty Ears and Hat

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 14:21:00 +0000

Wocka, wocka! You’ll have so much fun creating this felty craft inspired by your favorite joke-telling bear.

Download Fozzie Bear Felty Ears and Hat Template

by Kelly Delanty

What you'll need

Black felt
Dark brown felt
Brown felt
Mustard/orange felt
Copper felt
Headband
Scissors
Light-colored pencil for tracing
Hot glue or craft glue (only adults should use hot glue)

How to make it

1. Print and cut out the template pieces.

2. Trace and cut the pieces onto their designated felt color. You will cut 1 of each hat piece, but you will cut two ear backs, two ear fronts, and two ear outlines.

3. Glue the hat top, hat band, and hat bottom to the front of the hat back. Glue the ear front to the ear back. Glue on the ear outline. Repeat this with the other ear, making sure that it is a mirror reflection of the first ear.

4. Flip the hat and ears over and position them as if you were going to glue them to the headband. Place the headband over the pieces so you can see where you will need to cut a curve into the hat and ears. Trace that curve onto the felt.

5. Cut the curve into the pieces.

6. Glue the hat into place on the very top of the headband. Glue the ears into place on either side of the hat. Allow the glue to dry before wearing the ears.

Draw Your Own Fractal Pattern On Graph Paper

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 13:52:00 +0000

The fun bits of math are about simple rules that make beautiful patterns. In this craft, you start with a piece of graph paper. Then you faithfully follow some simple, simple rules, and watch an amazingly intricate pattern grow over the graph paper. It will happen in front of your own eyes, and beneath your very own fingertips.

You can use the pattern you've created as a basis for other craft projects, for example, greeting cards, or wrapping paper or scrapbooking. Or, just frame it up!

by Michael Hartley

What you'll need

Some graph paper.
Colored pencils, pens, crayons, paints or similar.

Helpful Tip:

The patterns you get could be used as the basis for other crafts, such as birthday cards, bookmarks, and so on.

Variations:

In step 2, I say to color the top row and left column completely red. Try mixing in some yellow squares as well, and see how that changes the final pattern. You could also try using more than two colors, and changing the "new color rules" in step three. Just make up any set of rules that takes your fancy - but write it down so you can be sure to follow it faithfully! To get the picture shown above, I used five different colors.

How to make it

1. Choose two colors. I'll imagine you chose red and yellow.

2. Get the graph paper, and color the all the squares in the left column red. The top row should also be colored completely red (unless you're trying one of the variations I suggested).

3. Here's how you color the rest of the squares. You can't color a square until you've colored the square immediately above it, and the one just to its left. Once you've found a square like that,

-> Use your yellow pen if the squares above and to the left are the same color

-> Use your red pen if they are different colors.

4. Keep going until you've colored in all the squares of the graph paper. As you color, you should see a pattern start to emerge. Triangles within triangles within triangles, in an intricate fractal dance across the page.

Flowers-and-Ice Fairy Friendship Bracelet

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 12:33:00 +0000

When Tinker Bell sneaks over the border into the mysterious Winter Woods and meets a frost fairy named Periwinkle, the two soon make an amazing discovery. Having been born of the same laugh, they are "all-weather sisters." As a tribute to the special bond that forms between them, this friendship bracelet combines elements of summer and winter — pretty purple flower blossoms and beads as clear as ice.

by Cindy Littlefield

What you'll need

For each bracelet, you'll need:
Purple felt, six 1/2- by 1-3/4-inch strips
Scissors
Embroidery floss or strong thread
Faux pearl or gem stickers
Hot glue gun
Clear pony beads
Clear stretchy beading elastic

How to make it

1. Tightly tie the center of each felt strip with a double strand of embroidery floss, as shown.

2. Use more floss to tie two of the cinched strips together crossways.

3. Trim the ends of the strips into petal shapes.

4. Then decorate the flower center with a faux pearl or gem sticker.

5. Create two more flowers from the remaining felt strips.

6. Hot glue a pony bead to the bottom of each flower.

7. String the flowers and additional beads onto a piece of stretchy beading elastic, creating a bracelet sized to fit your child's (or her friend's) wrist. Tie the ends of the elastic together tightly, using a bit of hot glue to secure the knot if needed. Then trim the ends an inch or so from the knot, and thread them back through the adjacent beads.