Tuesday, 11 February 2014 by Irene Hoofs
As I prepared for Valentine’s Day this year I knew I wanted to come up with a craft that was fun but didn’t include chocolate or sweets. Now that both of my children are at school (and knowing they would want to make gifts for their classmates) I also wanted a craft they could make on their own – or with minimal assistance. My Spec-tacular Valentine’s Day glasses fit the bill and were inspired by my four year old who just loves wearing sunglasses.
What you’ll need:
*Spec-tacular Valentine Printable (link: http://littlelovely.typepad.com/littlelovely/2014/02/free-spec-tacular-valentines-day-craft-printable.html)
*Scissors
*Glue
*Glitter (optional)
Step 1:
Cut out the Spec-tacular Valentine’s Day cover, glasses and glasses arms.
Optional Step 2:
Add glue to the glasses frame and decorate with glitter. Set aside to dry.
Step 3:
Secure arms to the back of the glasses frame with glue. This can be achieved by folding over a section of the arm (about the width of the glasses frame) and gluing. Set aside to dry. Note: You may want to staple or cellotape the arms of the glasses if you think the recipient may be heavy-handed.
Step 4: Fold the cover along the lines as shown. Apply glue to the cover flaps and secure. Set aside to dry.
Step 5: When your items are dry, place glasses inside cover and give to your Valentine.
Happy Valentine's everyone!
Thursday, 17 March 2011 by Irene Hoofs
Glass etching by Khali from Little. Lovely.
Like most families, we’re trying to live a greener life. One of our steps towards becoming more environmentally conscious is to limit the plastic we use. That means Hunter and Charlotte don’t use plastic drinking cups. To make plain glasses more interesting to little eyes, I created designs using a glass etching cream. These cups have now become the favourites in our household.
You’ll need:
* Contact paper
* Glass etching cream (available from craft supply stores)
* Paint brush
* Pencil
* Scissors or craft knife
* Water
Step one:
Measure the circumference and height of your glass.
Step two:
Cut a piece of contact to be the length of the circumference and height of your glass.
Step three:
Draw a design onto the piece of contact, keeping in mind it will be the mirror image when it is transferred to your glass.
Step four:
Cut out your designs with scissors or a craft knife.
Step five:
Peel the backing off your contact paper and attach it to your glass. An easy way to do this is to lay the contact on a flat surface, line up the glass on one edge and then roll the glass over the contact paper.
Step six:
Apply a very thick coat of glass etching cream to the areas not covered by contact paper and leave to set. (Note: Most creams will suggest waiting five minutes before washing your surface. I found better results were achieved by leaving the cream on for substantially longer – at least half an hour.)
Step seven:
Rinse cream of glass surface, remove contact paper and wash glass thoroughly in soapy water before use.
.. Little. Lovely...
Tuesday, 8 February 2011 by Irene Hoofs
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...
Tuesday, 18 January 2011 by Irene Hoofs
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...
Tuesday, 14 December 2010 by Irene Hoofs
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...
Tuesday, 30 November 2010 by Irene Hoofs
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...
Tuesday, 2 November 2010 by Irene Hoofs
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...
Tuesday, 5 October 2010 by Irene Hoofs
Halloween pencil toppers by Khali from Little. Lovely.
With Halloween just around the corner, here’s a great craft project to use as an alternative to candy for trick-or-treaters. They also make perfect presents for your children to hand out at school.
You’ll need:
*Green and black FIMO modelling clay
*Baking paper
*Baking tray
*Pencil
*Knife (optional)
Step one:
Preheat your oven to 110C or 230F.
Step two:
Divide your green modelling clay into four equal parts and roll one section into a ball to create a head for your witch. Note: You’ll need to work the clay in your hands for several minutes until it becomes pliable.
Step three:
Using the top of your pencil, create a hole in the base of your clay ball.
Step four:
Model a nose from left over green clay and attach to your witch’s head. Be sure to press firmly when attaching the decorations to your witch’s head.
Step five:
Use black clay to create a mouth, hat, hair and eyes for your witch.
Step five:
Bake in the oven for 30 minutes and allow to cool before using.
You may also like to try making other creepy creatures like spiders and ghosts for the top of your pencils.
..Little. Lovely...
Tuesday, 4 May 2010 by Irene Hoofs
Handkerchief Mother’s Day Card by Khali from Little. Lovely.
I know I’m not the only Mummy who loves handmade cards from her children. They’re so sweet that it seems a shame to tuck them away in a drawer for safe keeping. A handkerchief card is the perfect way for your children to create something special that can be used all year round.
You’ll need:*Handkerchief
*Lined paper
*Fabric paint
*Stencils
Step one:
Place the lined paper underneath your handkerchief, making sure the lines are visible through the fabric. You’ll use this as a guide to keep your message straight.
Step two:
Take a stencil containing the alphabet and spell out your message using fabric paint. (Note: Fabric paints with a fine tip are great for little hands. Be sure to wait for each letter to dry before commencing the next to avoid smudging.)
Step three:
Once your message is written, use stencils to create pictures on the handkerchief.
Step four:
Write your name at the base of the handkerchief for a personal touch.
..Little. Lovely...
Tuesday, 13 April 2010 by Irene Hoofs
Felt Flower Bouquet
by Khali from Little. Lovely.Whether you’re feeling the warm rays of Spring, or settling into Autumn (as we are in Australia), this felt flower bouquet is bound to brighten your day.
You’ll need:*3 x felt sheets (we used green, yellow and fuchsia)
*6 x green pipe cleaners
*scissors
Step one: Cut six circles approximately 10cm in diameter from the fuchsia felt sheet and six circles approximately 4cm in diameter from the yellow felt sheet.
Step two: Make a small cut in the centre of each felt circle.
Step three: Tie a knot in the end of each pipe cleaner. Thread a yellow and fuchsia circle onto the pipe cleaner and push down to the knot at the other end.
Step four: Cut six lengths of green felt and tie around the pipe cleaner stem.
..Little. Lovely...