bookhoucraftprojects

Project #98: Paperbag Wreath

Paperbag Wreath by Teri from Giddy Giddy

It's time to start decorating the house with holiday cheer! Here's a simple and colorful holiday wreath you can make with kids. This only requires recycled paper bags and a little bit of cardboard - materials that are easy to find and entirely eco-friendly.

What you'll need:
*Cardboard
*paper bag,
*water based acrylic paint
*scissors
*tape

Step 1:
Cut a circle wreath out of cardboard and paint if desired.
Step 2:
Now paint paper bags with various colors / let dry / cut strips in various desired widths.
Step 3:
 Place strip on wreath, making sure to bow it out so that that an arc is formed by the paper. Tape it in place on the underside of the wreath.
Step 4:
Repeat this process until you cover the entire wreath.
Step 5:
Now your wreath is almost done; You can add a personal touch by adorning it with paper flower, paper ribbons, buttons, or a written message.

..Giddy Giddy..

Project #97: Feed the Ducks

Feed the Ducks by Helen Bird from Curly Birds

Feeding ducks is such a simple activity that has been loved for generations – make the day extra special with a sweet ‘Feed the Ducks” bag.

What You’ll Need:
*Pre-made cotton bag (available at craft stores)
*Felt and contrasting fabric
*Fusible fabric paper (I used pellon)
*Iron
*Cardstock
*Pencil + Permanent Pen
*Scissors

Step 1:
Draw a simple picture of cute ducks – cut out the drawings to make a pattern
Step 2:
Using the directions, iron the fusible fabric paper on to the fabric
Step 3:
Put the pattern face-down on the attached fabric paper and draw around the design
Step 4:
ut out the fabric design and use the directions to adhere the fabric design to the bag
Step 5:
Use a permanent pen to add eyes to the ducks
Step 6:
Fill with bread and spend a fun afternoon outside.

 

.. Curly Birds

Project #96: Vellum Paper Mache Igloo

Vellum Paper Mache Igloo by Jennifer Kirk from Ambrosia Creative

With cooler weather coming upon us, I'm ready for some winter themed crafts with the boys. This project involves one of my favorite mediums, vellum paper. With its translucency, applications are almost endless and this project was an experiment to see if it would paper mache well. As a forewarning, this project is very messy, but my kids enjoyed the tactile experience of getting their hands dirty! So be prepared to make a bit of mess and to work on this project over the course of a couple of days.

What you'll need:
*All-purpose glue
*Glue gun
*Balloon
*Vellum paper torn into strips, various lengths
*Oatmeal canister wrapped in plastic wrap (optional)

Step 1:
Create paper mache glue by mixing entire contents of glue bottle (I used a 4oz bottle here) with 1/4 cup of water in a bowl. Set aside.
Step 2:
Stabilize inflated balloon in another bowl. Use a couple pieces of tape to make it extra secure. Draw outlines for the bottom of the igloo and for the doorway.
Step 3:
Dip strips into glue mixture, making sure to completely saturate paper. Slide off excess glue and lay strips over surface of the balloon. Try to keep to one layer -- makes for a quicker drying time -- and aim to have the pieces criss-cross and overlap. Optional step: If you're feeling ambitious, make a doorway to the igloo. For the mold, I used a round oatmeal canister wrapped in plastic wrap. Allow everything to dry until hard (I had to wait overnight).
Step 4:
Slowly deflate balloon. It will stick a little to the inside of the igloo, so do this step carefully!
Step 5:
Trim off the marker lines.
Step 6:
If you made the igloo doorway, attach using a glue gun and trim off any excess. While gluing, it helps to use a bowl again to hold the igloo steady.

I found a small string of battery-operated lights at the store that we used to illuminate the inside of the igloo which gave it that extra cool factor for the kids.

..Ambrosia Creative