Wednesday, 7 December 2011 by Irene Hoofs
Christmas Tree Photo Holders by Helen Bird from Curly Birds
Every year the girls and I like to make Christmas ornaments for ourselves and to send to our family spread across the ocean. This year we made Christmas tree photo holders. Each pretty tree is supported by a matchbox, which contains a little accordion book of pictures.
Materials:
*Colored card stock
*Decorations - felt balls, stickers, or glittery glue
*Matchbox
*Photos
*Glue
*Scissors
*Pen
Step 1:
Place the matchbox on the cardstock and draw a triangle for the tree – make sure the tree is big enough to hide the matchbox! If you are making lots of trees, make a pattern to draw around.
Step 2:
Cut out the triangles and decorate. We used colored felt balls, but you could use stickers or glittery glue.
Step 3:
Cut a piece of pretty paper to cover the matchbox. Attach the box to the back of the tree.
Step 4:
Cut a piece of card stock to the height of the matchbox and 6 times as long as the box. Score and fold the card to create an accordion book.
Step 5:
Personalize the accordion book with pictures, drawings or fun information about the year. Attach to the inside of the matchbox.
..Curly Birds..
Tuesday, 22 November 2011 by Irene Hoofs
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
Tuesday, 6 September 2011 by Irene Hoofs
Flower Press by Helen Bird from Curly Birds
Whether your first spring blooms are about to appear, or the late summer flowers are near their end, preserving your garden’s beauty can be a fun activity for any child. A home-made flower press is fun to make and can be used forever.
What you’ll need:
* 2 9x9” ply wood
* 4 1.5” ¼-20 screws
* 4 ¼-20 wing nuts
* Cardboard
* Tissue paper
* Drill
* Sandpaper
* Pencil with eraser
* Letter stamps (optional)
Step 1:
Cut 2 pieces of ply wood to 9”x9” (the kind folks at our hardware store did this for me)
Step 2:
Using a ¼” drill bit, drill 4 holes in one of the boards. Place this drilled board on top of the second board and drill through the made holes and through the next board. As you complete a hole, screw the boards together – this will keep all the holes aligned.
Step 3:
Sand the wood to make sure there are no rough edges or splinters
Step 4:
To decorate the press, draw a circle in the middle of the top board. Using letter stamps, stamp a saying around the circle. (I stamped “PRESS ME A FLOWER”) Erase the pencil mark after the ink is dry.
Step 5:
Cut the cardboard and tissue paper to 5.5”x5.5” or fit in between the screws
Step 6:
Thread the screws through the bottom piece of wood and lay a piece of cardboard and tissue paper on top of the wood. Place the flowers on the press. (For best results, the flowers should not overlap of lay off the paper.)
Step 7:
Repeat cardboard and tissue paper layers until you have placed all of the flowers on the press.
Step 8:
Slide the top wood board onto the screws and tighten with the wing nuts.
Step 9:
Wait 2-3 weeks. And watch this space for a craft involving pressed flowers in the next 3 weeks!
..Curly Birds..
..Curly Birds etsy shop..
Tuesday, 28 June 2011 by Irene Hoofs
No-Sew Twirlers by Helen Bird from Curly Birds
Summer time is for dancing and twirling in the sun – how about No-Sew Twirlers to excite little feet?
Materials:
*2 Wooden ‘Os’ available from craft stores
*3 spools of ribbon
*Scissors
Step 1:
Cut all the ribbon into 53” strands.
Step 2:
Separate ribbon into 2 equal-ish piles.
Step 3:
Thread ribbon pile through a wooden O, tie at mid-way. Repeat for second ribbon pile and O.
Step 4:
Cut ribbon ends on an angle to stop fraying.
Step 5:
Twirl!
..Curly Birds..
..Curly Birds etsy shop..
Tuesday, 10 May 2011 by Irene Hoofs
Hot Air Balloon by Helen Bird from Curly Birds
Although this craft only lasts a day, it is well worth doing – it provides HOURS of fun and is really quite magical. By using a really big balloon and adding a weight (or toy) to the basket you are able to control the balloon so it rises ever so slowly and always comes back down. Even a slight wind will make this balloon take off on an adventure…
What You’ll Need:
*36” helium-filled balloon – available from party supply stores or on-line
*Light basket
*Netted bag – often used to package produce like onions, avocados or oranges
*Ribbon – 5 yards
*Toy
*Scissors
Step 1:
Cut the handles off the basket.
Step 2:
Put the basket under your balloon. Anchor the balloon 6 or 7 inches above the basket by taping a string (tied to the balloon) to a table or floor.
Step 3:
Cut the netted bag to make as big of a rectangle as you can. Place on top of the balloon.
Step 4:
Thread the ribbon through a hole at the top of the basket and extend the ribbon to the nearest corner of the netting - tie to the netting. Repeat 5 more times to even distribute 6 lines around the balloon.
Step 5:
Experiment with light weight toys to see what weight balances the buoyancy of the balloon. You want the toy to be just heavy enough to make the balloon come down ever so slowly. Tape the toy to the bottom of the basket.
Step 6:
Cut the balloon’s string close to the floor or table.
Step 7:
Rotate the balloon so the knot points up and is in the middle of the netting. Use the balloon’s string to attach the balloon to the netting.
Let the fun begin!!
..Curly Birds..
..Curly Birds etsy shop..
Tuesday, 29 March 2011 by Irene Hoofs
Play Money by Helen Bird from Curly Birds
Kids will love playing shop, being the leaders of their own country, and learning numbers, with this set of personalized play money.
What You’ll Need:
*Digital photograph of your child
*Computer and Printer
*Iron-on transfers
*Stiffener (I used Pellon Décor Bond)
*Iron
*Light-colored material
*Thread
*Needle
Step 1:
Size your photograph and numbers to the appropriate size and print on iron-on transfer sheet.
Step 2:
Cut 2 pieces of material 6” x 2.25” per note. Cut stiffener to the same size and iron onto the bottom material piece.
Step 3:
Follow the iron-on package directions to apply the photograph and numbers to the material.
Step 4:
Sew decorations onto note - you can also use fabric markers or fabric paint.
Step 5:
Place the decorated note on top of the stiffener and serge or zig-zag the pieces together.
What does paper money look like in your country? These notes can be decorated in so many ways – the possibilities are endless!
..Curly Birds..
Tuesday, 22 February 2011 by Irene Hoofs
Story Dice by Helen Bird from Curly Birds
Once upon a time…roll these dice and create a story based on the pretty pictures that you see.
What You’ll Need:
*Pretty Card and Paper (stickers, stamps if preferred)
*Pen
*Glue and brush
*Scissors
*Ruler
Step 1: To construct a cube, draw 6 squares (2”x2”) in a cross formation on the reverse side of cardstock. Include tabs for fitting the cube together.
Step 2: Cut out the cube, and on the reverse side of cardstock score all the internal lines.
Step 3: Using pretty paper, draw and cut out simple story subjects. Glue onto the cube. If preferred, use stickers, stamps, or magazine pictures for the images.
Step 4: Glue the cube together.
Step 5: Roll the dice and unite the pictures into a story.
..Curly Birds..
Tuesday, 18 January 2011 by Irene Hoofs
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..
Tuesday, 7 December 2010 by Irene Hoofs
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..
Tuesday, 23 November 2010 by Irene Hoofs
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..
