Crafty Ways to Create Fun Sculptures Out of Trash

I love to make stuff out of recycled materials, and I am always looking for inspiration in everything. If you are like me you love art, and you hate to waste stuff. If you are like me you will love these projects because they are some crafty ways to use your garbage for good.

A great sculpture project that can you can make using stuff found around the house is a book sculpture. All you will need for this project is an old book, a pen knife, some markers, some paint, a piece of newspaper, and random fun stuff found around your home. All you will need to do stand the book up and open it so that some of the pages are grouped together. Now take the paint and spread it thickly over the book. I like to use paint that you would paint the walls in your house with. I find that this paint is thick enough to hold the pages together in the position you like. After the book has dried you can use your pen knife to cut holes or windows into the book. You can also use the markers to draw on the book or add fun details and patterns. Now glue the found items and you have a fun book sculpture that can be personalized with pictures and other memorabilia.

Another fun project is making a junk mobile. This is a lot of fun, and you can utilize all different things found around the house. The base of this mobile can be made using hanger or similar object that can be bent into a ring. Shape the hanger into a ring after you undo the twist in it. Next find some wire or fishing line. Dental floss also works very well for this project. Next find some fun things to hang from your mobile. I like to use old silverware, screws, bolts, and any other nice charms that will sound nice banging together. Remember to add beads if you like, and you can also bend the utensils into interesting shapes. This mobile is totally customizable, and it makes use of junk that is lying around the house.

A great sculpture project that uses found items is the dish shelf, and this project requires several different dishes such as cups, bowls, and plates, glue, paint pens, and different found items. I like to use different color dishes that have different patterns and designs. All you need to do with this project is stack the dishes on top of each other. Remember to start with the largest plate at the bottom. Next add a cup or a bowl to create height, and add another plate or bowl to create another level. You can stack these dishes as high or as wide as you like, but remember to glue them well, and make sure the shelf is sturdy. Once your shelf is created you can add details to it using found items and paint pens. Remember you can also incorporate tin cans and other interesting items found around your home to create levels of your shelf, and remember the more personal the better.

Creating sculptures are a lot of fun, and creating sculptures that are personal are even better. Remember it is better to make something awesome and useful instead of just throwing away your trash so think creatively not wastefully.

Thumbprint Animals and Insects: Fun Summer Crafts for Kids

You would never know it, but you have an incredible craft material right at the tip of your finger. You may be wondering what I am referring to, and I am here to tell you that your thumb and finger prints are a lot of fun, and you can make many different things with them. Here are some ideas on creating thumbprint animals and insects.

A cute rabbit can be created using your thumb and pinky finger print. Stick your thumb in some paint and press it on a piece of paper; next add to ears either straight up or for floppy ears add them to the sides of the bunny's head. Next draw a little nose, some whiskers, buck teeth, and eyes, and you have a great little fingerprint bunny.

Caterpillars can be made with your thumbprints as well. Just dip your thumb in some green paint and make a wiggly looking chain of prints. Next add some feet , eyes, and antennas using a pen, and you will have an awesome caterpillar.

Butterflies are easy enough using finger and thumb prints, and you can make butterflies of different shapes and sizes using different fingers as different wings. Make sure to dip your fingers in more than one color when doing these wings to add a pretty rainbow effect. Press four prints to make the wings and add the bodies, heads, and antennas with a pen or marker.

A finger print turtle is a little more complex, but it looks great when completed. Start buy making a big thumbprint in the middle. Then make two smaller prints on each side of your thumb print. This will create a circular shape. Now make longer fingerprints going around the inside circle of the shell. You should start one at the top and bottom, and have 2 on each side. This will be the turtles shell. Next use your thumb to create the head of the turtle. Use your pointer or middle finger to create hands and feet poking out of the shell. Finally use your pinky to create a tail. You can draw eyes and add details to your tortoise with a pen after the paint has dried.

Another simple thumbprint creature is the bumble bee. Start by making thumbprints with yellow paint. Next add little blue pinky prints to the side of the yellow as wings. After the paint has dried add big round eyes and zigzag patterns to the bee's body. Antennas and a smile are also a good addition to this print.

Thumbprint fish are fun and easy to make. Start by making a big thumbprint for the body. This can be whatever color you like. Next add fins and a tail using your pinky and middle fingers. Finally draw smiles and eyes on your fish when the pain or ink has dried, and be sure to add some bubbles so your fish can breathe.

These crafts are fun and simple. It is less messy to use ink pads when doing these projects, but regular poster paints work just as well. Enjoy creating these animals and see what other creatures you can come up with. You can use these ideas to create greeting cards, add fun details to pictures, and create personalized signs.

The Basic Technique of Tie Dying and Batik

Batik and Tie Dying is "probably the oldest and most primitive methods of printing designs on fabric" (Young, 1872, p.203). These two types of dyeing are related because they both imply methods that cause some of the fabric to not absorb the dye; this is known as resistance dying, and it is a fun and easy project that anyone can do at home with little money required. Here are the basic instructions for both tie dying and batik. Have fun and remember to experiment!

Tie dyeing is a method that requires folding or scrunching the material into a pattern and securing it with rubber bands. The dye is then applied to the fabric. When the rubber bands are removed the areas that are scrunched up will be without color. This method is a lot of fun for people of all ages, and it was very popular in the 60's and 70's. Remember the fabric can be folded in different ways to create different patterns. It can also be twisted in a spiral to create a spiral. Tie dying is a fun way to experiment with negative space, and it can be done cheaply and easily at home.

Batik is a slightly more complicated method of "resistance dyeing" that I am very interested in (Young, 1972, p. 204). Batik requires the use of wax to block dye from reaching the fabric. When using a brush to apply wax the "wax should be applied hot enough so that it will penetrate the cloth fairly evenly and not just spread out over the surface of the fabric in a crust or the dye will seep through it" (Young, 1972, p. 208). Next dye the fabric in a cold water dye and hang to dry. In order to remove the wax, "cover your ironing board with newspaper and, while the piece is still slightly damp, lay it on the ironing board, put a layer of newspaper over it, and begin to iron very carefully" (Young, 1972, p.209). Continue to change newspapers and keep your iron hot enough to melt the wax. When no more wax seems to be coming out on the newspaper submerge the fabric into a pot of boiling water; this will remove the last bits of wax (Young, 1972). The fun part about batik is that you can repeat the process over and over until you have many layers of color.

Both of these methods of resistance are a lot of fun, and they can be done easily in the comfort of your own home so find some old clothes and revamp them with these techniques!

References:

Young, J. (1972). Woodstock craftsman manual. New York, NY: Praeger Publishers.

Summer Handprint Crafts for Kids Using Paint

Creating summer handprint crafts with kids can be easy with paint. Summer means that kids will be spending more time at home, and these crafts will keep your kid happy and occupied. Here you will find summer handprint crafts that kids can create with paint.

Window Clings

Window clings are easy to make, and kids will enjoy seeing them hanging in windows for summer feel all year long. For this summer craft you will need paint, paper plates, a paintbrush, plastic wrap, pins, scissors, and cardboard. Start by cutting the cardboard into a square or rectangle.

Wrap a piece of plastic wrap around the cardboard and use the pins to secure it tightly in place. Then help kids add another sheet of plastic evenly on top, and attach it the same way. Pour the different colored paints on the paper plates. Then assist kids as they use handprints, fingers, and the paintbrush to create different designs and pictures on the plastic wrap.

Butterflies are easily created using handprints; simply place the fingers outward and have the palms touch. A thumbprint and can be the head. Flowers are also easily made by kids using handprints. Thumbprints can make leaves and a paintbrush can make vines.

When the paint has dried, add another layer of plastic wrap on top of the painted piece. You can then remove the layers of plastic wrap so that they are all stuck together. Use the scissors to trim the plastic. This craft is fun for kids to hang in windows so the summer sun can shine through them.

Rainbow Wall Garland

Another great craft for kids in summer time is a rainbow wall garland. For this craft you will need paint in every color of the rainbow, paper plates, a long sheet of clear vinyl paper, and scissors. It is a good idea to place newspaper on surfaces to make clean up easier.

Start this craft by helping kids pour the different colors of paint onto paper plates. Spread the vinyl sheet out on the work surface. Then let kids dip their hands in the paint and row of handprints across the sheet. Let them continue adding handprints to create a pretty design or pattern. When the paint is dry you can trim the majority of the excess vinyl. Hang this handprint craft over a door way or along a wall for summer style.

These crafts are a fun way for kids to use paint and their hands. Try these crafts to bring the thrill of summer into your house and the time you spend with your kids.

Flag Day Decorations to Make with Your Kids

Flag Day is a popular holiday to celebrate patriotism with children, and these crafts make great decorations for this special day. Kids will enjoy displaying their craft around the home for Flag Day. This article discusses how to create Flag Day crafts for decorating your home with children.

Star Centerpiece

This fun centerpiece requires cardboard, glue, a pencil, silver glitter, red, and blue paint, scissors, sticks, and foam. You will also need a knife and a flower pot. Start by assisting as kids cut the foam into a round shape that will fit into the flower pot.

Then help kids draw star shapes on the cardboard. Cut out several stars, and glue the end of the sticks to the stars. Paint the flower pot and some of the stars. Then add glue and glitter to cover the remaining stars. After the paint has dried, help kids push the foam into the flower pot. Then assist as kids cover the foam with glue. Then push the sticks into the foam so the stars are displayed well. Sprinkle plenty of glitter on the glue, and this Flag Fay decoration is ready to be put on your table.

Flag Door Hanger Decoration

This easy craft can be made using Popsicle sticks, red, white, and blue paint, star stickers, paintbrushes, and glue. Start by helping kids place 2 Popsicle sticks on their work area. Then they can lay 11 sticks in the opposite direction to create a flag shape.

Covering the area with newspaper is a good idea during this project. Then help kids pant the top right corner blue. Assist as kids paint 6 strips red and 5 strips white in an alternating fashion. When the paint is dry add the star stickers to the blue section to finish the Flag Day decoration.

Stars and Stripe Garland

Another easy Flag Day craft for kids is a stars and stripes garland; for this decoration you will need white construction paper, red crepe paper, blue crepe paper, glue, a pencil, and scissors. Start showing kids how to draw stars with the pencil. Then assist as children draw several stars on the construction paper.

Help kids cut out the stars as well as 12 inch strips of crepe paper. Then cut one long piece of crepe paper to make the base of the garland. Glue the strips of crepe paper to the long piece, and add the stars at the tops and bottoms of the strips using glue.

These Flag Day crafts provide hours of fun with children. They are also great decorations for adding patriotism to your home for Flag Day.

Flag Day Crafts to Make with Preschool Kids

Flag Day commemorates the acceptance of the flag in the United States, and it as a fun holiday for making patriotic crafts with preschool kids. These fun crafts are easy for young children, and they help develop motor skills , coordination, and creativity. This article provides instructions on creating Flag Day crafts with your preschool kids.

Star Hangers

Stars hangers are a pretty item to decorate your door, and preschool kids will enjoy this easy craft. You will need red, white, and blue construction paper, scissors, a pencil, glue, and a paper plate. You will also need ribbon or string to hang the craft.

Start by helping kids draw star shapes using the pencil. Then supervise as children cut the stars out of the paper. Then the children can cut several strips from the colored construction paper. Help kids decorate the entire paper plate with the strips. Then glue the star to the center. Finally glue a loop of ribbon to the back of the flag craft so it can be hung up.

Patriotic Wind Sock

Another easy craft is a patriotic wind sock. Red, white, and blue tissue paper, scissors, tape, pipe cleaners, and ribbon are required for this project. Help children cut several long strips from the tissue paper. The strips should be about a foot long. Help kids lay the strips out flat on a table.

Overlap the strips and add tape to attach them to each other. Then assist as kids tape a pipe cleaner to the top length of the strips. Repeat the process to the bottom of the tissue paper using another pipe cleaner. Leave about an inch of pipe cleaner hanging off the end of the tissue paper collage.

Help kids bend the pipe cleaners into a circle. This will make the tube part of the wind sock. Secure the circle by twisting the pipe cleaner ends to each other. Then help children attach more strips of tissue paper to the bottom of the sock. To finish this project and make it hangable, cut a piece of ribbon about 6 inches long. Tape one side of ribbon to the inside of the top of the wind sock. Then tape the other end on the opposite side of the inside of the wind sock.

Stars and Stripes Garland

Another easy craft for preschool kids to create for Flag Day is a stars and stripes themed garland. For this craft you will need red, white, and blue construction paper, tape, scissors, and pencils. Help preschool kids draw several stars on the pieces of white paper. Then help kids cut out the stars.

Next assist as preschoolers cut strips off of the shorter side of the red and blue construction paper. Preschoolers should then make a chain using the strips. This is done by bending a strip into a circle and taping it shut. Then thread another strip through the circle, bend it into a circle, and tape it shut. After kids have made a long enough chain they can glue the stars on at various intervals.

These Flag Day crafts are a fun way for preschool kids to practice shapes, improve their dexterity, and learn about historical events in the United States. Try creating fun Flag Day crafts with preschoolers, and you can use them again for the Fourth of July holiday.

Butterfly Crafts: Fun Summer Art Projects for Kids

Butterflies are beautiful creatures that wander among grass and flowers. They are all over the place in the summer, and many kids like to chase them. Here are some fun butterfly inspired crafts that your kids will love.

Coffee filters can be turned into awesome butterflies easily and with little needed help. All you will need for this project is water color paints and pipe cleaners. Have your kids paint the coffee filters in wondrous colors and patterns. After they have dried fold the pipe cleaner in half and twist the pipe cleaner around the coffee filter so that the ends left over are equal. Now bend these ends into a circle and spread the coffee filter out to look like full wings. These butterflies are easy to make, and they are quite pretty.

Hand print butterfly masks are a splendid and easy project for children. You will need cardboard, paint, scissors, and string for this project. Have the children press there hands into a plate full of paint. Next have them create lovely butterfly shapes using there paint covered hands. The hands can be dipped in different colors and pressed on the cardboard in overlapping patterns to create wings. The children can add details to the butterflies by using the paint and their finger tips. After the paint has dried cut eye holes in the wings and cut around the wing shapes to make a mask. Poke small holes in either end of the mask and tie the string. Your butterfly mask is now ready to be worn.

Toilet paper rolls can be easily turned into butterflies by adding wings made out of card stock. Simply color and cut wings from heavy duty paper. Glue them onto a painted toilet paper tube. Finally add a face to the tube, and some pipe cleaners for antennas and you will have recycled butterfly to hang around your house.

Butterfly windsocks are easy to make, and they are very pretty when done. For this project you will need different colored card stock, glue, markers, scissors, string, and crepe paper. Make a tube out of a sheet of paper and draw a happy face on it. Next draw some big beautiful butterfly wings and cut them out. Glue them to the tube which is the butterfly's body, and attach the string to the top. Add the crepe paper streamers to the bottom of the tube, and you have an amusing butterfly windsock.

Summer is a great time to create butterfly crafts with kids. They enjoy it, and it help keep them busy on those hot summer days.

Recycled Plastic Crafts: Spring Birdhouses

Plastic can be recycled to make lovely spring items, and birdhouses are a great addition to your spring décor. This article will provide you with detailed instructions on creating several spring birdhouse crafts out of recycled plastic items.

Milk Jug

A milk jug is an excellent base for a birdhouse made from recycled materials; for this spring craft you will need two plastic milk jugs, paint, a knife, a pair of scissors, weatherproof paint, a paint brush, a hot glue gun, and hot glue sticks. Start this craft by cutting a hole in the front of the milk jug to give the birds an entryway.

Then cut two adjoining sides of the plastic milk jug out to create a plastic 90 degree angle; this piece will be the roof. Glue the roof to the top of the milk jug to cover the cap. Paint the birdhouse and allow it to dry overnight. When it is done simply fill it with food and your spring birdhouse craft is finished.

Soda Bottle

Another recycled plastic birdhouse can be made from a soda bottle. This spring craft is easy to create and use; for this recycled craft you will need two large plastic soda bottles, a hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, a knife, and paint markers. Start by cutting a wide arched doorway in the front of the bottle towards the bottom.

Then cut the center of the other bottle out; you want the width of the plastic bottle piece to be about 4 inches. Then cut the plastic to create a rectangle and twist it into a funnel shape. Use the glue to secure it in place and trim the excess plastic; this will be the roof. If you are going to hang your birdhouse tie wire or ribbon to the top of the plastic bottle before gluing the roof in lace and leave a small hole in the small end of the funnel.

When the birdhouse is formed use your paint markers to decorate the plastic bottle, and allow the paint markers to dry. A clear plastic bottle makes an interesting birdhouse, and using recycled materials for your spring crafts is always a good idea.

Peanut Butter Jar

Turn a peanut butter jar into a small bird house using only a knife, a large soda bottle, a hot lgue gun, and glue sticks. Start by using a knife to cut a doorway into the front; then cut off the top of a soda bottle and glue it to the lid of the peanut butter jar. This simple birdhouse is sturdy and can be hung easily.Using recycled plastic bottles and containers to create spring birdhouses is easy and inexpensive. So try these crafts for your outdoor birds this spring!

Homemade Cars and Trucks Party Decorations

A popular kid's party theme is cars and trucks, and planning this party can be exciting too. Homemade party decorations are fun and easy, and they can make your party a little more inexpensive. This article will provide you with detailed instructions on creating several homemade party decorations with cars and trucks as the theme.

Tires

Cars and trucks have tires, and they are an easy and fun homemade party decoration to create. You can place these tire party decorations anywhere in your home. For this homemade party decoration you will need black construction paper, foil, a pencil, scissors, and glue. You may also want to use a plate to make a perfect circle.

Start this cars and trucks themed party decoration by tracing the plate onto the black paper. Cut the circle out. Then use a smaller plate to cut a circle out of the foil. When designing your tire rim you can be creative; there are many different tire rims on cars and trucks; so look at some images to get ideas. After you have completed the rim glue it to the center of the tire and your homemade party decoration is complete.

Road Signs

Another homemade party decoration that is perfect for your cars and trucks themed party is a road sign decoration. For this homemade party decoration you will need construction paper, a pencil, scissors, glue, and letter stencils.

Start this homemade cars and trucks themed party decoration by deciding what signs you would like to make. Then cut the desired shape out of the construction paper, and use the letter stencil to trace the letters you will need. Cut the appropriate letters out of the paper and attach them to the sign. When the glue is done your homemade cars and trucks party decoration can be hung on the walls of your home.

Checker Flag

Checker flags are reminiscent of cars and trucks, and they symbolize racing which is appropriate for this party theme. For this homemade decoration you will need white and black checkerboard fleece fabric, a hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, and a wooden garden stake.

Start by cutting the checkerboard fabric into a rectangular shape. Then fold the edge of the shorter side over about an inch and use the hot glue gun to glue the edge of the fabric to itself. Slip the wooden stake into the seam and add some more glue to secure your homemade party decoration.

Cars and trucks are a fun theme for kid's parties, and these homemade decorations are easy and fun to make. Instead of buying party decorations for your cars and trucks themed party try making them yourself with these homemade craft ideas.

Home Decorating Crafts with Picture Frames

 

Yard sales, dollar stores, and thrift stores are always filled with cheap and interesting picture frames. You can use these frames to make several home decorating crafts. This article will provide you with detailed instructions on creating home decorating crafts with picture frames.

Family Collages

Making collages with picture frames is a great home decorating craft for your old picture frames. For this craft you will need a picture frames for each member of your family; these frames can come in any shape or size. You will also need photos, images from magazines, or other items that remind you of the people your frames will be dedicated too. Glue, tape, paper, markers, scissors, hammer, and nails are also needed items for this home decorating craft.

Start by gathering all the materials together and separating them by person. Then cut a piece of paper to fit inside the frame. Arrange the other gathered items on the piece of paper and write the name of the person somewhere if you like. Place the paper in the frame and repeat for the rest of the family.

Finish this home decorating craft by hanging your picture frames in a cluster in your home. This family collage adds warmth to your home decorating while using unwanted picture frames.

Memory Board

Picture frames are a great tool for creating memory boards. These boards can hold pictures, notes, and anything else you would like to remember. For this craft you will need a large picture frame, ribbon, scissors, batting, fabric, cardboard, a hot glue gun, and hot glue sticks.

Start by cutting the cardboard to fit in the picture frame. Cut the batting to match the cardboard. Then cut the fabric so it is slightly larger than the cardboard on all sides. Place the fabric face down on work space. Place the batting in the center of the fabric. Place the cardboard on top. Use the glue gun to glue the edges of the fabric to the back of the cardboard.

Then cut several long pieces of ribbon. Lay them on the work area at a diagonal to the cardboard. Space the ribbon about 4 inches apart. Then lay more pieces of ribbon going in the opposite direction creating diamond shapes. Place the fabric covered cardboard on top of the ribbon lattice and glue ends to back of cardboard. Next add a drop of glue to the points where the ribbons overlap and press into the fabric to secure. This home decorating craft is a great way to use a picture frame.

Picture frames can be useful for many crafts. These home decorating ideas are fun and easy; they will add a special touch to your home decor.

Mother's Day Silverware Crafts with Kids

 

You can make Mother's Day silverware crafts with your kids easily. Silverware can be purchased inexpensively at local dollar stores, thrift stores, and yard sales. This article will provide you with instructions for creating a wind chime, bouquet, and photo holder with your kids for Mother's Day.

Wind chime

For this Mother's Day craft you will need several different pieces of silverware, fishing line or dental floss, scissors, and ribbon. You can also use pliers to make this craft easier for kids.

Start this craft by helping kids bend a piece of silverware into a circle. Then cut a piece of ribbon about 12 inches lo9ng and tie it to both sides of the circle. Help kids cut several pieces of dental floss and tie the ends to pieces of silverware. Tie the other ends of the floss to the circle. This easy Mother's Day craft is a great gift kids can make for mom.

Bouquet

For this Mother's Day craft you will need several pieces of silverware, a glass jar or tin can, a hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, buttons, pliers, ribbon, scissors, paint, and a paint brush.

Start this craft by helping kids turn the silverware into interesting floral shapes. This can be done easily by bend prongs on the forks. Handles can also be bent to add detail to the stems of the flower.

Then help kids paint all of the silverware to look like flowers. Glue buttons to the inside of spoons to resemble flowers as well. When all of the silverware has dried tie a ribbon around them and place them in the tin can vase. This Mother's Day craft is easy for kids when you use inexpensive silverware, and plastic silverware can also be used.

Photo Holder

You will need two forks, a flower pot, a piece of foam that fits snugly inside the pot, moss, small fake flowers, ribbon, scissors, glue, and two photos for this Mother's Day craft.

Start this craft by placing the foam inside the flower pot. Then use the glue and the moss to completely cover the foam. Stick the handles of the forks into the foam and add more moss and flowers around the handles to secure them in place.

When the glue has dried tie a ribbon around the pot and place the photos securely in between the prongs of the forks. This Mother's Day craft is a great gift that kids will love to make.

Silverware is an inexpensive and fun medium for these Mother's Day craft projects. Kids will love being creative, and moms will enjoy these unique gifts.

Mother's Day Crafts with Recycled Glass Jars

 

Try making Mother's Day crafts with recycled glass jars, and your mother will love her gift. This article will provide you with detailed instructions for creating a garden photo jar, a note holder, and a thumbprint vase using recycled glass jars. CONTENT: Try making Mother's Day crafts with recycled glass jars, and your mother will love her gift. This article will provide you with detailed instructions for creating a garden photo jar, a note holder, and a thumbprint vase using recycled glass jars.

Garden Photo Jar

For this Mother's day gift you will need a glass jar and lid, fake or dried flowers, a hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, tweezers, sticks, pine cones, acorns, other nature items and photo.

Begin this recycled craft by using the glue gun to glue the nature items you have found to the border or corners of the photo. Then glue two small sticks across the bottom to help the photo stand up, but make sure the photo and sticks fit in the jar.

Then add some glue to the bottom of the photo and lower it gently into the jar. Attach it to the bottom and add more nature items around the jar using the glue and tweezers. Glue leaves, and flowers to the lid of the jar to cover it completely. When the glue has cooled seal your recycled jar and it is ready for Mother's Day.

Note Holder Jar

You will need a clean glass jar, an old magazine, scissors, rice, wire, glue, pliers, index cards, and skewers or tongue depressors. You can also paint the skewers to create a more personalized Mother's day gift.

Start this craft by cutting out several images from the magazine. Glue the images to the outside of the jar to completely cover it. Then fill the recycled jar with rice.

Cut a few six inch pieces of wire. Wrap the end of a piece of wire around the end of each skewer to secure it in place; add glue where needed. Remember to leave 3 inches of free wire on the end of the stick.

Twist the remaining end of wire into a spiral shape and stick a note card into the spiral. Place the note holders into the jar and your recycled Mother's day craft ready.

Thumbprint Vase

To turn a recycled glass jar into a mother's day gift you will need a glass jar, scissors, ribbon, glue, paint, paper plate, and paper towels.

Start this recycled craft by glue a piece of ribbon around the rim of the glass jar. Then pour several different colors of paint onto the paper plates. Lightly press your thumb into the paint and press it onto the jar.

Cover the jar with paint thumbprints. Create a pattern if you like or keep it simple and go abstract. You can also make flowers by using a thumbprint as the center and making several prints around the center to look like flower petals. Allow the paint to dry and fill the recycled jar with flowers for Mother's day.

These Mother's day crafts is a great way to recycle glass jars. Instead of spending a lot of money on Mother's day gifts try these recycled glass jar crafts.

3 Fun Recycled T-Shirt Crafts

 

Everyone has t-shirts that they love but they no longer wear. Maybe you outgrew your favorite t-shirt, or maybe it got a hole in a very unflattering place; either way there are some awesome ways you can recycle your t-shirt to make it last many more years. There are several fun ways to reuse old t-shirts, and this article will inspire you to bust out your old shirts and get crafting.

My favorite simple t-shirt craft is the t-shirt pillow; it is easy and a great item you will use for years to come. All you will need for this project is an old t-shirt, needle, thread, scissors, and some stuffing. Now simply cut the sleeves of the shirt and the neck of the shirt so it makes a square. Next you will need to turn the shirt inside out, and thread your needle. Start sewing at the left or right side corner of the shirt where you cut the sleeve off. Continue sewing until you have sewn completely three sides around the square. Now sew half of the final side, and turn the square right side out. Fill the pillow with stuffing until it is a good density, and sew until the square is completely sealed. This project makes an awesome pillow out of a shirt you might have thrown away.

Another fun shirt project is a shirt purse. This project is easy, and it is a good way to recycle; all you will need is a shirt, scissors, and needle and thread. Simply turn the shirt inside out. Sew the top edge of the shirt, where your head would go, shut. Next cut the sleeves off of the shirt, and sew the holes shut. If this shirt is long sleeved this is helpful, but you can use short sleeved shirts as well. If the shirt has long sleeves you can use them as a strap; if not you can use a strong ribbon or piece of felt. Just sew the sleeve ends to the sides of the bottom of the shirt, and you have an awesome bag.

Another fun way to save a t-shirt that means a lot to you is making a t-shirt pot holder. For this project you will need a piece of felt, an old shirt, scissors, needle, and thread. Now simply cut out the part of the shirt you like. If there is a picture or a fun pocket cut out a square that is suitable for a pot holder. Next cut a piece of felt slightly bigger than the t-shirt piece. Now lay the shirt on top f the felt, and sew around all of the edges. Cut a small strip from the felt and sew it to one of the corners of the square. Now you have completed your potholder, and you have recycled one of your favorite shirts.

There are many ways to recycle things found around your home into fun and useful craft projects. I hope these ideas have helped you to reuse some of the items you might throw out.

Help Me Raise Funds for an Upcycled Dress Line

I am raising funds for an upcycled dress line that I will creating using vintage slips, jewelry, clothing, and other materials. Come check out my campaign and donate if you can. Donations will be rewarded with gift certificates, dresses, jokes, and other one of a kind prize. You choose your level of donation and the prizes you would like in return.

Please help me make this dream come true!

My FUNdraiser!

Valentine's Day Crafts for Adults

With all the kids craft ideas out there adults can sometimes get left by the wayside, but this Valentine's Day there are plenty of fun crafts that adults can do. Valentine's Day is not just for eating chocolate and giving roses; it is a great holiday for crafting. This article will provide adults with several Valentine's Day crafts that they can enjoy.

Abstract Love Emotion Painting

Love is a mysterious thing, and it is a simple word, but it is hard to put it into imagery. Instead of focusing on the regular images associated with love this Valentine's Day try making an abstract love emotion painting. For this you will need music that reminds you of love, tempera, acrylic, or watercolor paint, paper, a paintbrush, and a marker.

Start this craft by finding a comfortable spot to work and gathering your materials. Put on the music you have chosen, and get comfortable. Write the word love somewhere on the paper; feel free to put it wherever you like and make it whatever size you like. Next think about love and how it makes you feel and paint. Use whatever colors you like, and whatever images or symbols you like. Try to go with your gut and just paint. When you are satisfied with your love inspired craft you can hang it on your wall for Valentine's Day.

Quote Wall Hanging

For this Valentine's Day craft you will need to find a quote that encompasses what love means to you. It can be short and sweet or a paragraph long. Print the quote out or write it neatly on a piece of paper. Use other mediums to embellish the quote. You can make the first letter much bigger than the rest and make a nice border around that letter and the top and side of the quote, or you can write the quote simply and add some small hearts underneath it. Decorate the quote however you like and frame it. This Valentine's Day craft is a nice way to bring the reminder of love into your home.

Love Collage

Making a love collage is a fun way to examine how you feel about love while making a nice piece of art. For this craft project you will need a piece of cardboard, old magazines, scissors, and glue. Start by cutting out the letters L,O,V, and E, and glue these letters to the middle of the collage. Next cut out several images that remind you of love; if you are thinking about a specific person you can add photos and items that remind you of them. Glue all of these items to the cardboard, and attach a piece of ribbon to the back so you can hang it up for Valentine's Day.

Adults can make many fun and inspiring crafts for Valentine's Day, and spreading love is always a good idea; so why not get out your crafting supplies and start getting artsy!

Its a New Year so Lets Show Some Sparkle

Post your handmade items that glisten and glimmer!

Thanksgiving Themed Pipe Cleaner and Pompom Crafts with Kids

You can make fun Thanksgiving themed pipe cleaner and pompom crafts with kids this holiday season. Pipe cleaners and pompoms are fun craft items for kids. These craft materials are also very inexpensive and come in a variety of colors. This article will provide you with detailed instructions on creating Thanksgiving themed pipe cleaner and pompom crafts with kids.

Turkey

Making a turkey using pipe cleaners and pompom crafts with kids is fun and easy. For this Thanksgiving craft you will need a medium sized brown pompom, a small brown pompom, a hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, wiggly eyes, scissors, and red, brown, orange, and yellow pipe cleaners.

Start by cutting 6 pieces of brown pipe cleaners into 1 inch lengths. Hold 3 pieces together and twist the ends slightly. Repeat this with the other 3 pieces. Add some glue to secure and bend apart to look like feet. Glue the feet to the bottom of the medium brown pompom.

Then glue the small pompom to the top of the medium pompom. Add wiggly eyes to the small pompom. Then cut a small piece of yellow pipe cleaner below the eyes to make a beak. Also add a little piece of red pipe cleaner to the bottom of the head. Then cut several pieces of red, orange, and yellow pipe cleaner about 2 inches in length. Then glue them to the back of the medium pompom. When the glue dries you can display your Thanksgiving turkey for the holiday.

Pumpkin

Another simple Thanksgiving craft is a pumpkin. For this Thanksgiving craft you will need a medium orange pompom, a green pipe cleaner, scissor, a hot glue gun, and a hot glue stick. Start by cutting the green pipe cleaner about 2 inches in length.

Fold the pipe cleaner in half. Pinch the top half of the folded end and twist. Then pull up the ends of the pipe cleaner and twist into a curl. You can use a needle or toothpick to create a spiral. Glue the pipe cleaner stem to the center of the pompom to complete the pumpkin for Thanksgiving.

Pipe cleaners and pompoms are fun craft materials for kids. They can be used for a variety of craft ideas. Pipe cleaners and pompoms can be purchased inexpensively at local dollar stores or craft stores. Try these Thanksgiving themed crafts with your kids this holiday season!

Thanksgiving Table Crafts for Adults

There are some great Thanksgiving table crafts for adults that cost little and look great in your home. Table decorations are a great way to bring the spirit of the season into your home. This article will provide you with detailed instructions on creating Thanksgiving table crafts for adults.

Centerpiece

A fun and easy centerpiece that can be made for your Thanksgiving table is a centerpiece using pine cones, tissue paper, a paintbrush, glue, and a glass bowl. You can also use glitter or paint for this project for added effect.

Start this table craft by ripping the tissue paper into small pieces. Using the paintbrush and glue add the tissue paper to the pine cone. You can choose to cover each individual petal, or you can add different colors to different areas. When you have covered enough of the pine cones to fill the glass bowl you are done. Place the pinecones in the bowl with some glitter and place on your table.

Place Card Holder

You can make unique Thanksgiving place card holders using pine cones. You will also need pipe cleaners, scissors, a hot glue gun, glue sticks, an acorn, and wiggly eyes. Start by gluing the acorns to the pine cones so that the acorn looks like the head of the turkey.

Then add pipe cleaner pieces and wiggly eyes to the acorn to make a face. Cut long pieces of pipe cleaners to emulate the tail feathers and fold them in half to be tear drop shaped like feathers. Glue the pipe cleaner feathers to the back of the pine cone. Put place cards in between the tail feathers and the pine cone to hold them in place.

Placemats

You can make unique Thanksgiving themed placemats for your table using contact paper, leaves, construction paper, glue, and markers. Start this placemat by writing something you are thankful for on the piece of construction paper.

Then glue leaves to the paper. When the glue has dried, cover both sides of the construction paper with contact paper. Cut the majority of the excess contact paper off of the edge of the placemat, but make sure to leave some of the excess to seal the paper in. You can also add stickers or glitter to the inside of your placemats for special sparkle.

These Thanksgiving crafts will make a one of a kind addition to your holiday table. Try creating these Thanksgiving table crafts, and you will love the special touch they create in your home.

Paper Plate Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

Paper plate Thanksgiving crafts for kids can be easy and inexpensive. Paper plates are an ideal medium for holiday crafts. This article will provide you with detailed instructions for paper plate Thanksgiving crafts for kids.
Turkey


A traditional paper plate craft for Thanksgiving is a turkey. This great craft is good for young kids. You will need a paper plate, brown paint, a paintbrush, tissue paper, a black marker, and glue. Start this craft by helping kids rip up the tissue paper into long strips.


Then help kids paint the entire plate brown. When the paint has dried help kids draw an upside down U shape for the head of the turkey. Add eyes and a piece of tissue paper for the beak. Then help kids glue the tissue paper onto the turkey like feathers. When the glue has dried you can hang this Thanksgiving craft in your home using some ribbon or string.


Thanksgiving Wreath


Another easy paper plate craft is a thanks wreath. For this craft you will need construction paper in red, yellow, and orange; you will also need pencils, markers, glue, a paper plate, ribbon, and scissors. Start this craft by helping kids trace their hands onto the construction paper.


Then help kids cut out the handprints. Glue the handprints around the edge of the paper plate. You can feel free to overlap the handprints. Help kids write Happy Thanksgiving on the center of the paper plate. Cut a small piece of ribbon and bend it in half. Tie the ends of the ribbon into a knot. Glue the knot to the back of the wreath to hang this inexpensive craft.


Pilgrim Hat


A pilgrim hat is the easiest paper plate craft for Thanksgiving, and it makes a great centerpiece for the table. For this craft you will need a paper plate, an empty coffee can, glue, black paint, a paintbrush, black paper, scissors, and yellow paper.


That this craft by gluing the coffee can to the center of the paper plate. Help kids paint the entire thing black. Cut a black strip of paper about an inch wide and long enough to fit around the bottom of the coffee can. Also cut a small square out of yellow paper. The square should be slightly bigger than the strip of paper. Then fold the yellow square in half and help kids cut the center of the square out. Glue the strip around the bottom of the can and glue the yellow square on top like a buckle to complete this craft with your kids.


Paper plates are inexpensive, and they are easy to use. Kids will enjoy these Thanksgiving crafts so try them this Thanksgiving holiday season.

Back to School Countdown Day 3, 4, 5 Crafts for all Ages

Okay so I have been super busy this week, and i slacked on posting awesome back to school stuff  because it was my niece's birthday. We went to the Land of Make Believe which is awesome and i recommend it to everyone. Since i haven't posted for a couple of days this will be a big one!

Here you will find back to school craft ideas for preschoolers, middle school kids, and kindergartners ! Hope you enjoy, and as usual if you want some ideas on anything back to school leave me a comment and I will post your reply ASAP during this back to school countdown.

Back to School Crafts for Kindergarten Kids

Back to School Photo Book

Making a back to school photo book with kindergarten kids is a great way to get ready for the first day of school. For this craft you will need a camera, markers, a hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, heavy paper, a hole puncher, scissors, and ribbon.

Start by cutting the heavy paper into several squares about 6 inches in length and width. Then talk to your kindergarten kids about the first day of school. Discuss the experiences that your kindergarten kid will have at school such as nap time, playing, and snack. Also discuss the steps before getting ready for school such as waking up and brushing teeth. Write an activity on the bottom of each paper square and place them in order.

Also write a title for the book on a piece of paper. Help kindergarten kids decorate the title pager and edges of the pages. Then have fun with your kids by having kids act out the different activities written on the page. Take pictures will doing this and add them to the pages in the book. Then punch holes in the top of each page in the same spot and string them on the ribbon. Tie the ribbon into a bow and the book is complete.

Back to School Countdown

For this back to school craft, with kindergarten kids, you will need index cards, markers, and a stapler. Start by helping kids write first day of school on an index card. Then help kindergarten kids write a number from 1-10 on individual index cards.

Allow kindergarten kids to decorate each card using the markers. Also help kids write down important things they will do to get ready for going back to school like shopping and packing their backpacks on the cards. Then staple the cards in order from 10-1 and add the first day of school card at the bottom. Staple the cards together, and as you countdown to the first day back to school kindergarten kids can pull off another card.

Back to School Organization Crafts for Middle School Kids

Pencil Case

A pencil case is a great back to school craft for middle school kids that will improve their organization. Making a pencil case with middle school kids will increase their coordination. For this craft you will need scissors, felt, embroidery floss, and a large needle.

Start by helping middle school kids cut the felt into a rectangle about an inch longer in length than their pencils. It should also be about 8 inches wide. Then help kids fold the felt over and thread the floss through the needle. Tie a knot in the end of the floss and help middle school kids sew the bottom and side of the felt together.

This is done by pushing the needle through the two layers of felt and pulling the string all the way until you reach the knot. Then wrap the floss around the outside edge of the felt and push the needle through a spot next to the first hole. Continue until you have made your way around two sides of the back to school craft.

Homework Bulletin Board

Another back to school craft that is perfect for organization is a homework bulletin board. For this craft you will need an old cookie sheet, white contact paper, scissors, felt, and glue. Start by helping middle school kids cut the contact paper to fit the inside of the cookie sheet. Take the backing off of the paper and attach it to the cookie sheet. This will create a great dry erase board for homework organization.

Then help middle school kids cut the felt into pieces long enough to cover the edge of the cookie sheet. Glue them in place. Feel free to use paint to decorate the felt and add special details to this back to school craft for middle school kids.

Supply Box

Another easy back to school craft for middle school kids is a supply box. For this craft you will need a shoe box, paint, a paintbrush, and scissors. Start by covering the work surface with newspaper. Then help middle school kids paint the entire box.

When the paint ha dried add some holes to the top of the box using the scissors. Middle school kids can improve their organization b sticking pens and pencils into the holes and filling the rest of the box with important supplies for back to school.

Back to School Crafts with Preschoolers Using Paint

Take Home Bags

Take home bags are a fun and useful back to school crafts for preschoolers. For this craft you will need tote bags, finger paints, paper plates, and sponge letters. You can make your own sponge letters ahead of time using a marker, sponges and scissors. Just draw the letter on the sponge and cut it out.

Pour the paint onto the paper plates and cover the work area with newspaper. Help the kids use the finger paints to decorate the bags. Then use the sponge letters to write each preschoolers name on the bag with paint. Help kids dip the sponges into the paint and press it lightly on the bag. This back to school craft is easy and fun for preschoolers.

Name Tag

A name tag is an awesome back to school craft for preschoolers using paint. For this craft you will need large white labels, finger paints, a marker, and paper plates. Start by helping kids write their names on the label with the markers.

Cover the work area with the newspaper and pour the paint on the paper plates. Then let the preschoolers decorate the tags with the paints however they like.

My Special Stuff Box

Another back to school craft for preschoolers that uses paint and will be used for the year to come. For this craft you will need shoe boxes, paint, glue, paintbrushes, newspaper, scissors, and old magazines. Start this back to school craft by helping preschoolers look through the magazine and cut out the letters needed to make their name.

Then cover the work area with the newspaper. Open the shoe box and help preschoolers paint the lid and the sides of the box completely. When the paint dries help preschoolers glue the letters from the magazine on the top of the box to complete their name. This back to school craft for preschoolers is a fun way to store school supplies or use as a cubby.