bookhoucraftprojects

Project #74: Kid's Totem Poles

 

Kid's Totem Poles by Khali from Little. Lovely.

Your children will have a magical time playing make believe with these totem poles crafted from postage tubes.

You'll need:
*Postage tubes in various sizes
*Masking tape
*Paint
*Paint brush
*Coloured card
*Coloured pens or pencils
*Glue

Step one:
Decide the number of colours you wish to have along the length of your postage tube. Place strips of masking tape around the width of your postage tubes to mark the borders of each colour.
Step two:
Paint the sections of your postage tube in different colours and allow to dry.
Step three:
Use coloured pens and pencils to draw designs (such as faces) for the front of your totem pole onto coloured card.
Step four:
Cut out your designs and attach to the front of the paper tubes with glue. Then create imaginary games around them!

.. Little. Lovely...

Project #73: Valentine Scratch Cards

Valentine Scratch Cards by Khali from Little. Lovely.

What’s better than receiving a note that tells you just how special you are? One with a hidden message that is revealed after you scratch away the surface.

You’ll need:
* Red card
* Gold pen
* Clear contact paper
* Scissors
* Gold paint
* Dishwashing liquid
* Paint brush
*Envelope

Step one: Draw a love heart on your red card and write a message to someone you like inside the heart. Repeat if required.
Step two: Cut out your hearts and cover them with clear contact paper. Cut off the excess contact paper from around the edges of the heart.
Step three: Mix one part dishwashing liquid to two parts gold paint. Paint over the inside of your heart using light strokes. Allow to dry and reapply a second coat, if required to cover your message.
Step four: When your heart is completely dry, place in an envelope. The person you love will be able to scratch off the gold paint using a coin or fingernail to reveal the message underneath.

.. Little. Lovely...

Project #72: Love Bug Valentine’s Cards

Love Bug Valentine’s Cards by Helen Bird from Curly Birds

Handing out Valentine’s cards at school is a time-honored tradition – class mates and teachers alike will feel especially loved with these kid-made love bugs.

What you’ll need:
*Card stock in red, green and shiny black
*Transparent bags
*Googley eyes
*Flower stickers
*Glue and brush
*Scissors
*Black marker

Step 1: If you are making a lot of cards, use any kind of card to make a pattern of the love bug and heart. Cut out a love bug, 6 hearts and grass for each card.
Step 2: With a black marker, draw a head and wings on the love bug. Turn the card over and write your Valentine’s message.
Step 3: Glue eyes and hearts on the love bug.
Step 4: Arrange the bag with grass and the love bug – close with the flower sticker.

Tips for making many cards:
Start EARLY
Involve your child in decisions
Pre-cut card components
Be patient and remember to have fun!

..Curly Birds..

Project #71: Custom Wall Hook

Custom Wall Hook by Teri from Giddy Giddy

In our household, we require lots of wall hooks. we've got backpacks, lunch bags, winter coats, hats, scarves, purses, and sweaters  --- all this would otherwise end up on the floor if we didn't have wall hooks galore! I thought about marrying the idea of both wall art and wall hooks and created these custom wall hooks for our home:

Materials you’ll need::
1) a roll of 22 gauge wire
2) roll of 16 to 18 gauge wire (thick wire)
3) elmers glue
4) scrap paper
5) wire cutters and benders
6) acrylic paint
7) washers


Step 1: shape the 18 gauge (thick wire) into desired form, keeping in mind to have long lower appendages. these will then be bent to form a U shape hook.
Step 2: use thinner wire to run throughout the shape. this reinforces the basic form.

Step 3:twist wire around a washer and integrate this into the wire form. This will be where you can drive a nail through when attaching to your wall. placing this near the TOP of the shape works well.

Step 4: apply some masking tape on top of some of the wire. this gives the papier mache something to stick on to later.

Step 5:make papier mache paste from 1/2 part elmers glue and 1/2 part water. dip pieces of paper in the paste and cover front and back of wire form.

Step 6:apply 4-5 layers making sure to allow the paper to dry in between layers. the wall hook will become rock hard!

Step 7:using acrylic medium, paint to your hearts desire.

Step 8:remember the washer? well hammer a nail through the washer when attaching your wall hook on your wall.

..Giddy Giddy blog..
..Giddy Giddy..

Project #70: Paper quilling

Paper quilling by Khali from Little. Lovely.

I love paper art and am especially enamoured with Yulia Brodskaya’s <http://www.artyulia.com/ > work. I haven’t done any quilling <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quilling> for quite a few years, but decided to dust of my supplies and try to create a special craft project for a first birthday present. Here’s how you can create pretty three dimensional numbers for cards or to frame and give as gifts.

You’ll need:
*Quilling paper
*Quilling tool
*PVA glue
*Coloured paper
*Plain paper or blank card

Step one:
Cut out your number from coloured paper and glue to the front of your card or sheet of plain paper.
Step two:
Create a quilling design to cover your number. The two basic designs used for quilling are coils and scrolls that can be made either loose or tight to create different effects. These designs can be bent or creased to create other shapes. You can find detailed instructions for creating different shapes here. Remember to glue your shape together with glue to prevent it from unrolling.
Step three:
Use glue to attach your design to your number and allow to dry.
Step four:
Frame as we did, or place card in an envelope to give to someone special.

..Little. Lovely...

Project #69: Photo Ornaments for Christmas

Photo Ornaments by Helen Bird from Curly Birds

Turn an old paper bag into pretty holiday keepsakes to hang on your tree or slip them into Christmas cards.

What you’ll need:
*Photo
*Paper bag
*Ribbon
*Double-Sided Photo Stickers
*Scissors
*Pen
*Stencils

Step 1:
Draw a frame on the paper bag with two circle stencils and decorate it with a fun design.
Step 2:
Cut around the inside and outside of the frame.
Step 3:
Attach the frame to the photo and cut the picture around the outside of the frame.
Step 4:
Cut another paper bag circle for the back of the ornament (if the paper has a design on it, attach the design to the inside of the frame so the plain side is facing out). Record the date on the back of the ornament.
Step 5:
Cut the ribbon to size and twist it to make a loop. Insert the loop between the photo and ornament back, attach with the double-sided tape.

With this recycled greeting, you’ll be spreading holiday cheer for your loved ones and the earth.

..Curly Birds..

Project #68 Wooden Clothes Pin Dolls

Wooden Clothes Pin Dolls by Khali from Little. Lovely.

When I was young, I loved making clothes pin dolls. Making my own toys felt very special. I recently made these clothes pin dolls for my children and they have been an endless source of entertainment. Hopefully one day soon they’ll make these dolls for themselves.

You’ll need:
*Wooden pegs
*Fabric scraps
*Needle and thread
*Paint
*Paintbrush

Step one:
Paint hair and eyes on the rounded top of your peg. Allow to dry.
Step two:
Select fabric scraps that are wide enough to wind around your peg and long enough to extend the length of the peg to form a dress. I used fabric scraps left over from an old dress that I had converted into a doll.
Step three:
Sew the sides of the fabric scrap together to create a tube.
Step four:
Sew a loose running stitch around the top of the fabric and slip over the head of the doll. Pull the stitch tight so the fabric gathers around the neck of the doll and secure.

..Little. Lovely...

Project #67 Thanksgiving Gift Jar

Jar of Love by Helen Bird from Curly Birds

A perfect gift for far away grandmas – decorate and fill a jar with love and funny kid thoughts for Grandma to read each week.

What you’ll need:
*Jar
*Paper
*Felt (or colored paper and stickers)
*Ribbon
*Glue
*Scissors
*Pen
*Love

Step 1: Ask your little one a series of questions about their relative or friend. Sample questions are included, feel free to add questions that are personal to your family. Record the answers on paper.

Step 2: Cut the paper into strips and fold into little squares.

Step 3: Include some extra special notes, like portraits and kisses.

Step 4: Draw a picture of the special person on felt (or colored paper) and attach it to the jar. Decorate the top of the jar with additional love-inspired art and tie a ribbon around the top to contain all the love!

Sample Questions:
What is Grammy’s full name? Where does Grammy live?
How old is Grammy? How tall is Grammy? What is Grammy’s favorite food?
What does Grammy do all day? What time does Grammy go to bed? What is Grammy’s favorite thing to do?
What pets does Grammy have? What is Grammy’s favorite color? How do you get to Grammy’s house? What would Grammy like for Christmas?
When is Grammy’s birthday? When was the last time you saw Grammy? What is your favorite thing to do with Grammy? What does Grammy look like? Where would you like to take Grammy?

{Of course you can use an aunty, grandpa, uncle or anybody else your child is really fond of...}

..Curly Birds..

Project #66 Acorn Owls

Acorn Owls by Helen Bird from Curly Birds

These humble acorn owls make are small enough to pop in your bag and entertaining enough to provide plenty of fun at a restaurant.

What you’ll need:
*Acorns
*Felt scraps (or colored paper)
*Glue and paintbrush
*Scissors

Step 1:
Cut out eyes, beak and wings
Step 2:
Glue body parts onto acorn
Step 3:
Cut out a branch, flower, leaves or other fun accessories
Step 4:
Step 4? You’re done!

What other animals can you make? Try a pig, cat or rabbit…

..Curly Birds..

Project #65 Potato print gift wrap

Potato print gift wrap by Khali from Little. Lovely.

Making a stamp from a potato is a fun and inexpensive way of turning plain paper into something special. Why not try personalising your next gift with potato stamp gift wrap?

What you'll need:
*Potatoes
*Water based paints
*Pencil
*Plain paper

Step one: 
Cut the potato in half. Draw your desired shape on the surface of the potato using a marker pen. Cut around your shape with a kitchen knife, leaving the design raised on the surface of the potato. Note: An adult should cut potatoes for young children.
Step two:
our a small amount of paint onto a saucer then rub the potato in the paint. For the best results make sure the surface is evenly coated.
Step three:
Stamp the potato onto paper. You may be able to use the stamp several times before dipping in ink again. If you wish to use another colour, wash the potato clean,dry and repeat step two.
Step four:
Allow your print to dry before wrapping your present.

..Little. Lovely...