A trip to a riverside or beach can yield some good rock collections. But what to do with all the rocks the kids lug home??
My daughter used water-based glass colours to make these little designs on her rocks. They are great to give as gifts, and make nice good luck charms to keep in your pocket. Like worry stones.
31 August 2008
19 July 2008
puzzle recycling
One of life's sadder moments is when you realize that you have lost so many pieces to a particular puzzle, that it is no longer satisfying to do the thing anymore....
The backs of puzzles (especially wooden ones like this) are great backgrounds for little paintings and collages. This one was done on the back of a wooden puzzle that was given to me by a friend who moved away (sniff) but which turned out to have quite a few missing pieces (sniff-sniff).
But there's a lot of recycling going on because we are using the small wooden puzzle pieces to paint and attach magnets to the back of for gifts.
The backs of puzzles (especially wooden ones like this) are great backgrounds for little paintings and collages. This one was done on the back of a wooden puzzle that was given to me by a friend who moved away (sniff) but which turned out to have quite a few missing pieces (sniff-sniff).
But there's a lot of recycling going on because we are using the small wooden puzzle pieces to paint and attach magnets to the back of for gifts.
27 June 2008
Book Covers
Where I live, it is Back-to-school season so I pulled out my handy dandy collection of reusables and found old maps, shopping bags, and calendars to cover all the notebooks and textbooks with -- and brighten up the ole bookbag in the meanwhile.
10 April 2008
Bread Spread Concocting
If all else fails, kids generally like to eat a piece of toast so lately we have been mixing up different bread spreads to liven these up. Our favorites so far have been...
• Butter, honey (or maple syrup), and cinnamon
• Tahini and lots of sweet honey (or pekmez molasses; this is a variation on a spread that a Turkish friend taught me)
• Butter, garlic, parsley and basil from our garden. We melted this up on the stovetop and now have it ready to make up some garlic toast in the toaster oven at any time. This is great with homemade cream soups (stay tuned for those recipes too!!)
The kids enjoy the mixing up and I enjoy having something easily on hand that they want to eat. So spread the LOVE, I say!
• Butter, honey (or maple syrup), and cinnamon
• Tahini and lots of sweet honey (or pekmez molasses; this is a variation on a spread that a Turkish friend taught me)
• Butter, garlic, parsley and basil from our garden. We melted this up on the stovetop and now have it ready to make up some garlic toast in the toaster oven at any time. This is great with homemade cream soups (stay tuned for those recipes too!!)
The kids enjoy the mixing up and I enjoy having something easily on hand that they want to eat. So spread the LOVE, I say!
05 April 2008
Paint-something-up Hobby Cases
These little metal cases come in all shapes and sizes at the local market. When my son was having his friend over after school and I was getting some snacks, I got the idea to buy two and let them paint them up with a bit of acrylic paint.
I love how different they both came out.
You don't need to buy something new to let kids paint-up on: try old photo frames, bookshelves, wooden or cardboard boxes, door frames, walls, etc...
I love how different they both came out.
You don't need to buy something new to let kids paint-up on: try old photo frames, bookshelves, wooden or cardboard boxes, door frames, walls, etc...
31 March 2008
I had to develop a little gift for two women who are leaving our embroidery group so I pulled out two old greeting cards I had. I did some book binding with these old cards as the cover and all the women in the group can sign a page with their own message. I think it will make a nice memory to carry home with them.
These are some gorgeous embroidered cards made by JEEVIKA Development Society that worked really well with the handmade paper pages I cut to the same size. Jute cord for the binding. Though I hate to say it due to the state of our flat, the moral of the story is...never throw anything out!!
Mission accomplished
These are some gorgeous embroidered cards made by JEEVIKA Development Society that worked really well with the handmade paper pages I cut to the same size. Jute cord for the binding. Though I hate to say it due to the state of our flat, the moral of the story is...never throw anything out!!
Mission accomplished
12 March 2008
Weaving paper or any kind of material is not only fun but really good for developing motor skills. For some reason kids just love it.
You can start by just cutting strips and working from a center point, or start with a paper and cut slits into it. Then, weave using the slits like a loom.
You can weave into all sorts of things, like window grills and racks, etc.
For some reason, hands just love to weave too!
You can start by just cutting strips and working from a center point, or start with a paper and cut slits into it. Then, weave using the slits like a loom.
You can weave into all sorts of things, like window grills and racks, etc.
For some reason, hands just love to weave too!
03 February 2008
You can have a lot of fun making all sorts of characters with finger printing. We were thinking of something to put on a card for my cousin who had twins and we got out the ink pad. A few little characters later, we had a whole little family put together!
All you need is a bit of free time, some scrap paper, your fingers, an ink pad or two, and a black felt tip pen for adding all the little doo-dads.
Kids will come up with some really funny stuff...mark my words!
All you need is a bit of free time, some scrap paper, your fingers, an ink pad or two, and a black felt tip pen for adding all the little doo-dads.
Kids will come up with some really funny stuff...mark my words!
11 December 2007
When the power went out at dusk one evening, and we had to use candles we saw our shadows on the wall and got the idea to trace them. The flickering of the candles made it very hard to trace the shadowline so we reverted to flashlights to keep a steady glow.
You can do silhouettes on white paper and cut them out carefully, then glue them onto black or any dark color paper to make them stand out. We didn't get to that part yet!
I remember loving this project in my first grade class. The teacher hung all of our silhouettes on the wall above the lockers in the corridor and we got a fresh look at our classmates, from a different perspective.
You can do silhouettes on white paper and cut them out carefully, then glue them onto black or any dark color paper to make them stand out. We didn't get to that part yet!
I remember loving this project in my first grade class. The teacher hung all of our silhouettes on the wall above the lockers in the corridor and we got a fresh look at our classmates, from a different perspective.
09 December 2007
Scrap Wreath
Girl has taken it upon herself to make the family door wreath every year. This year I stepped in to see her carefully braiding strips of old green fabrics together.
She made one long braid, by wrapping the end of one with new fabric strips. When it seemed quite long enough, she then rolled the braid into a circle, and I helped her add some stitches to the back to keep the round shape.
Lastly, we ripped up some old red canvas to make the bow (in two parts: the bow and the sash that hangs down).
It took less than 30 minutes to complete this little holiday craft!
She made one long braid, by wrapping the end of one with new fabric strips. When it seemed quite long enough, she then rolled the braid into a circle, and I helped her add some stitches to the back to keep the round shape.
Lastly, we ripped up some old red canvas to make the bow (in two parts: the bow and the sash that hangs down).
It took less than 30 minutes to complete this little holiday craft!
30 November 2007
ART WITH FOUND OBJECTS
This morning Boy and I took an early morning walk and he picked up three slabs of broken concrete/brick/granite. He talked about painting on them and I could see he had a little plan brewing in his head.
Girl got one of the slabs and painted a fish on it.
He took the other two and propped them to form a shape. He started painting his...
Volcano sculpture. He'd seen the volcano the moment he picked up the concrete pieces but it took me awhile to figure out what he was up to.
We will place the sculpture in our garden!
Have fun finding found objects when you are outside and modeling them into your own new world -- back at home.
Pieces of wood, stones, litter...
This morning Boy and I took an early morning walk and he picked up three slabs of broken concrete/brick/granite. He talked about painting on them and I could see he had a little plan brewing in his head.
Girl got one of the slabs and painted a fish on it.
He took the other two and propped them to form a shape. He started painting his...
Volcano sculpture. He'd seen the volcano the moment he picked up the concrete pieces but it took me awhile to figure out what he was up to.
We will place the sculpture in our garden!
Have fun finding found objects when you are outside and modeling them into your own new world -- back at home.
Pieces of wood, stones, litter...
12 November 2007
MAKE YOUR OWN YOGURT
Many people are under the impression that you need a special machine to make your own yogurt, when all you really need is a sunny day (and you don't even need that if you have a stove and a big pot...).
Children can join in the fun and you can help the planet by avoiding the plastic packaging that yogurt usually comes in.
Here is the method:
1. Boil about one liter of milk in a heavy bottom pot to a full boil, stirring gently til it comes to a full boil.
Now take it off the heat and let it cool down almost completely, so that it is about the same as what you would give a baby. If the milk is too hot, the yogurt starter will die. For firmer yogurt, you can add two tablespoons of powdered milk at this stage (as you are boiling it up).
2. Now put about two tablespoons of yogurt in dish.
Add a small amount of the cooled milk and mix it thoroughly with a wooden spoon, now add the remaining milk and gently stir so all the starter is mixed into the milk evenly.
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3. Now cover the dish and let it sit in the sunshine for about three-four hours. In the winter, I add water to a bit pot, heat it up, and then put the dish in this and cover. After about two hours, heat the water up again to keep it warm for incubation (like a double boiler).
4. After the incubation is finished, put the dish of yogurt in the fridge for about two hours, until it is firmly set.
5. You will have a big pot of yogurt to accompany yogurt, freshly made applesauce or to use in salads and cooking!
Many people are under the impression that you need a special machine to make your own yogurt, when all you really need is a sunny day (and you don't even need that if you have a stove and a big pot...).
Children can join in the fun and you can help the planet by avoiding the plastic packaging that yogurt usually comes in.
Here is the method:
1. Boil about one liter of milk in a heavy bottom pot to a full boil, stirring gently til it comes to a full boil.
Now take it off the heat and let it cool down almost completely, so that it is about the same as what you would give a baby. If the milk is too hot, the yogurt starter will die. For firmer yogurt, you can add two tablespoons of powdered milk at this stage (as you are boiling it up).2. Now put about two tablespoons of yogurt in dish.
Add a small amount of the cooled milk and mix it thoroughly with a wooden spoon, now add the remaining milk and gently stir so all the starter is mixed into the milk evenly.>3. Now cover the dish and let it sit in the sunshine for about three-four hours. In the winter, I add water to a bit pot, heat it up, and then put the dish in this and cover. After about two hours, heat the water up again to keep it warm for incubation (like a double boiler).
4. After the incubation is finished, put the dish of yogurt in the fridge for about two hours, until it is firmly set.
5. You will have a big pot of yogurt to accompany yogurt, freshly made applesauce or to use in salads and cooking!
11 November 2007
FAMILY COMMUNIQUE
When I taught English for a family in Japan, they kept a white board by their toilet to jot little morning messages and games -- I picked up a lot of colloquial language skills trying to figure out what they'd put up there. So when I found this whiteboard I knew exactly where I wanted to put it.
I'm not sure if this counts as a craft but it is a great idea for prodding little ones who are learning to read, expressing little "good mornings," or fun little drawing games, etc.
I know it sounds a bit strange, but I'm 100% positive that if you put a white board, a marker and an eraser by your place of morning rituals, you are sure to create some interesting family communications!
I'm not sure if this counts as a craft but it is a great idea for prodding little ones who are learning to read, expressing little "good mornings," or fun little drawing games, etc.
I know it sounds a bit strange, but I'm 100% positive that if you put a white board, a marker and an eraser by your place of morning rituals, you are sure to create some interesting family communications!
06 November 2007
peace people pancakes
This is another 'fun with kids in the kitchen' post and comes straight to you from Sunday breakfasts of yore in a big green house in Buffalo, NY.
My father taught me how to put little motifs into the pancakes by first putting down an image, letting that bake on the griddle for a while so it becomes darker, and then pouring more batter over the top. Flip! Eat!
It's a bit tedious for the chef, but kids do love getting a pancake with a face in it or their own initial (you have to do some of these backwards, remember!) or a peace sign, a heart, a pumpkin, a shamrock or whatever seems to be the mood that morning (sleepy frowns?)
You can also make shapes like turtles and fish!
My father taught me how to put little motifs into the pancakes by first putting down an image, letting that bake on the griddle for a while so it becomes darker, and then pouring more batter over the top. Flip! Eat!
It's a bit tedious for the chef, but kids do love getting a pancake with a face in it or their own initial (you have to do some of these backwards, remember!) or a peace sign, a heart, a pumpkin, a shamrock or whatever seems to be the mood that morning (sleepy frowns?)
You can also make shapes like turtles and fish!
23 October 2007
Toothpick Butterfly
This idea comes directly from my daughter who loves to fiddle around with found objects. It would be lovely to make a butterfly garden all around the house in Spring with these.
Fold paper and cut various butterfly wings (just one half so that when you open it you have a perfect butterfly); color the wings; now cut a few slits into the middle fold and slide in the toothpick.
Try making other creatures too.
Fold paper and cut various butterfly wings (just one half so that when you open it you have a perfect butterfly); color the wings; now cut a few slits into the middle fold and slide in the toothpick.
Try making other creatures too.
19 October 2007
The Schumaker Family
I have found that kids seem to be fascinated by making their own shoes. This was the first attempt but with each new pair the shoes became more durable and wearable...
Once again, the pizza box is a great base, also supply kids with pipe cleaners, old fabrics, large pieces of paper (wrapping feet make interesting shoes), string....
See what happens when you plant the word "shoe" at your next crafty session.
Once again, the pizza box is a great base, also supply kids with pipe cleaners, old fabrics, large pieces of paper (wrapping feet make interesting shoes), string....
See what happens when you plant the word "shoe" at your next crafty session.
29 September 2007
More papier mache
Covering bottles and plastic containers with papier mache is a very fun activity. We made our glue with white flour and water, mixed it up smooth with our hands in a largish pan; and then went crazy with strips of newspaper!
The key to good papier mache crafts is layering up the newspaper strips well. Children want to stop when they cannot see the bottle, cup or balloon anymore – but you need to just keep coaxing them on with the ole, "just one more layer!"
Mash up the newspaper in your hand to add on noses and other appendages, then cover it carefully with small strips so it says firmly on the piece.
After the paint, everyone seemed very happy with their pieces!
The key to good papier mache crafts is layering up the newspaper strips well. Children want to stop when they cannot see the bottle, cup or balloon anymore – but you need to just keep coaxing them on with the ole, "just one more layer!"
Mash up the newspaper in your hand to add on noses and other appendages, then cover it carefully with small strips so it says firmly on the piece.
After the paint, everyone seemed very happy with their pieces!
25 September 2007
Bean bag friends
We found the stash of felt that we bought while in the US and on a very, very rainy day started making these froggies. We named them Grin and Barrett, since that's what we had to do when everything was cancelled due to flooding here. And yes, there are beans inside. Everyone has some of these around the house, I suppose.
Snakes and mice were other ideas we came up with to make...but didn't get that far!
Felt is such a wonderful medium for children as you don't have to be neat about hemming and such. Good to keep around the house.
Snakes and mice were other ideas we came up with to make...but didn't get that far!
Felt is such a wonderful medium for children as you don't have to be neat about hemming and such. Good to keep around the house.
22 August 2007
I save all greeting cards so that we have fodder for different art projects such as decorating book covers made of old shopping bags, making new greeting cards, collages, or...bookmarks.
We like to give books as gifts to friends and this adds a very special, handmade touch. You can use old artwork pages also and do rubber stamp designs (see elephant stamp made from erasers on old water color page)
You can keep a file or envelope marked "bookmarks," and keep small patterns for the different bookmark sizes inside. Just pull the file out when it's time to recycle greeting cards, get the children to trace onto the card they like, cut it neatly and punch a hole. Now add some pretty yarns or strings at the top. Have fun!
We like to give books as gifts to friends and this adds a very special, handmade touch. You can use old artwork pages also and do rubber stamp designs (see elephant stamp made from erasers on old water color page)
You can keep a file or envelope marked "bookmarks," and keep small patterns for the different bookmark sizes inside. Just pull the file out when it's time to recycle greeting cards, get the children to trace onto the card they like, cut it neatly and punch a hole. Now add some pretty yarns or strings at the top. Have fun!
14 August 2007
Paper boats and hats
Take a tip from Curious George! Kids love to fold paper boats and if it happens to be a day when puddles have formed outside, it is one of the most fun and inexpensive craft ideas I can think of!
The folding instructions are found in Curious George Rides a Bike by H.A. Rey!
The same fold can also be made into party hats!
The folding instructions are found in Curious George Rides a Bike by H.A. Rey!
The same fold can also be made into party hats!
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