Memorial Day Craftivity

Click HERE for printable version of instructions.


Materials Needed:

6 popsicle sticks
DecoArt Paint – Lipstick red, white
Mod Podge Glossy Coat
Blue Cardstock
Star Stickers
Red, White, Blue ribbon
Embellishments (optional)
E6000 Glue
Cardboard 4 x 6 Scrap


Memorial Day, or 4th of July, crafters around the country will be celebrating along with their families and friends. Parents are always on the look out for activities that kids can do at family functions that will keep the kids occupied, but have fun at the same time. This project is recommended for children 5 or older, with moderate supervision due to the use of the E6000 glue.


Directions:

1. Place 6 popsicle sticks onto a piece of old newspaper or paper scrap.

2. Use the popsicle sticks as a measure to trim your piece of cardboard scrap. It is ok if the top and bottom popsicle sticks overhang the cardboard a little bit. The cardboard is used to make the sign fairly sturdy.

3. Paint 3 popsicle sticks (front, and sides only) red, and 3 popsicle sticks white. Let dry.

4. Measure a piece of ribbon to use as the hanger of the sign. Glue each end to the cardboard scrap face up. When you begin gluing the popsicle sticks on, the ribbon ends will be between the cardboard and popsicle sticks. This helps reinforce the ends and prevents it from coming off after extended hanging.

5. Begin gluing the painted popsicle sticks onto the cardboard alternating red and white. Allow the glue to dry completely before attempting the next step.

6. Spray an even coating of Mod Podge Clear Glossy Coat to protect the paint.

7. Cut a small rectangle out of the blue cardstock. A scrap can be used for this. You can measure the piece to fit the upper left corner of the sign.

8. Glue the blue cardstock piece onto the popsicle stick sign and let dry.

9. Affix white or silver star stickers onto the blue piece.

10. Add embellishments (ribbons, raffia, buttons) as desired onto the ribbon of the sign.

In the example, I made a bow out of the same grosgrain ribbon I used for the hanger of the sign. I embellished it by gluing 2 buttons together to finish the piece.

*NOTE*  This activity can be altered so that it can be used for state or country's flags.

Teacher Appreciation Project - Create a Frame

This project was created for publication for Think Crafts. It's a project that does take a couple hours from start to finish between paint layers, so be sure to give yourself enough time to finish it. This is is a great gift idea for teacher's for Teacher's Appreciation Week.  A custom frame could also be made for Mother's Day or Father's Day too.


Materials Needed:

Unfinished Wood Frame (with wood center piece that is removeable)
Acrylic Paint
Paint Brushes
Chalk Board Paint
Character buttons (large) or other embellishments
E-6000 Glue
Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer (Gloss)

Directions:

1. Take the wrapping off of the unfinished wood frame, and remove the center wood piece so that it is easier to paint.

2. Paint the wood center piece with chalk board paint. (hint: paint a primer coat before painting the chalk board paint so that it will go on smoother.)

3. Let the chalk board paint dry completely between layers. At least 3 coats of the chalk board paint is needed.

4. Begin painting the unfinished wood frame. It is recommended to use a primer coat before using the frame color. The primer coat will soak into the wood and make the acrylic paint go on smoother. In the example, a shiny acrylic paint was used.

5. Let the acrylic paint in between layers. 2-3 layers of paint will provide a nice covering. Let dry completely before painting designs.

6. With a small brush, paint embellishments onto the frame. In the example, I painted leaves and flowers to go along with the ladybug buttons that I chose for my embellishments.

7. After the painting is complete, let dry. Anywhere from a few hours to overnight will be needed.

8. Spray with Mod Podge (Gloss) Clear Acrylic Sealer over top of the entire frame. Be sure to seal the sides too.

9. After the Clear Acrylic Sealer is dry, then it is time to glue on the embellishments. In the example, I used large ladybug buttons. I used a pair of scissors to remove the thread hole so that the buttons would glue flat.

10. Using E-600 Glue, affix the buttons or other embellishments onto the frame and let dry.

11. When the frame is completely dry, put the chalk board painted wood piece back in the center of the frame as shown in the photo.

12. To complete the gift, add some ribbon or tulle to dress it up. You can write a note or thank you on the chalk board. Another idea for gift wrapping is to include a colorful piece of chalk, and enclose the frame in a cello bag and tie with a ribbon. Attach a hand made card, and you have a special gift for a special teacher!

Bunny Book Craftivity

Click HERE to download Bunny Book Template!

Materials Needed:

Bunny Template (included)

Cardstock

Writing Paper

Glue Stick
Scissors

Stapler

Optional:

Scrapbooking Scraps
Colored Paper
Squiggly Eyes

Young children learning to write love to make little books and practice writing on any piece of paper that they find. I created this project with young learners in mind, but it also can be adapted for adults too!

This bunny book is a simple project that can be made as a group project or with light supervision. You can create different variations by changing the colors of the cover, or adding different types of paper for the pages, or adding embellishments to the cover.

With Easter right around the corner, the bunny book would make a great gift idea. Add some crayons and wrap in cute cellophane for an inexpensive party favor or for classroom parties.

Instructions:

1. Print and cut out the bunny template.
   
   
2. Fold 1 piece of 8 x 11” cardstock in half (width)
   
   
3. Unfold cardstock with the fold verticle.
   
   
4. Glue the bunny cut out flap onto the top, right
   side of the cardstock. You will want to adjust
   the bunny cut out so that the head is sticking up
   above the closed book. (See picture)
5. Fold a 2^nd piece of cardstock in half and glue
   it on top of the previous piece covering the bunny
   cut out flap. This will provide a sturdy cover for
   the book.
   
   
6. Fold in half 3-5 sheets of writing paper. You can
   use lined or unlined.
   
   
7. Place the writing paper fold on top of the fold
   of the bunny book cover.
   
   
8. Staple the bunny pages and cover along the fold.
   
   
9. The book is finished, and now can be embellished.

A big thank you to everyone who participated in the "Find the Leprechaun's Gold Blog Hop."  The winner of the $100.00 TPT Gold is Aanika P.  You can learn more details on Christi's page here!  This Blog hop was a lot of fun.  Stay tuned for more activities coming up!  Have a great week!

Educents is a new store for educators coming online April 2.  If you click on the logo, and go sign up at their website you will receive a $10.00 gift card to use in their store once they open. FREE.  Who doesn't love a little free? :)   Just a few more days to get signed up!!

Hoppy Teaching,

Shamrock Pin Craft

 

 

Materials Needed:

• Shamrock Template
• green buttons in various sizes, shapes
• pin back
• glue
• tag or card board scraps
• scissors

Directions: This cute and festive pin activity is fairly simple to create.

Step 1. Print off the shamrock templates onto card stock. For my example, I glued the card stock piece onto a piece of tag board scrap to make the back more rigid. (You need the shamrock to be fairly sturdy to hold the weight of the buttons.)

Step 2. Using different sized green buttons, begin gluing onto the shamrock template.

I used different kinds of buttons that I have had collected. I filled in the open spaces with really small buttons. (Be sure to supervise young children as some buttons can pose a choking hazard).

Step 3. After the buttons have been glued on, let dry. Depending on the type of glue you use, it may take a few hours for the glue to be completely dry. I used Tacky Glue for my example as it dries clear, and it also is stronger than glue sticks for long term use.

Step 4. Once the buttons are completely dry, you can then add the pin back. Let completely dry before wearing the pins.

This activity is fun for all ages groups and can be incorporated into learning activities celebrating St. Patrick's Day.



 

 

 

Domino Matching Game

Materials needed:

• Stickers
• Cardstock
• Scissors
• Lamination film / Clear Contact Paper
• Domino / Matching Game Template (Click link to download)
• Avery Magnet Paper (optional)

This project is simple, and easy to put together in just a few minutes. This is one that the kids can work on right along side of you.

The domino/matching game can be created with any color card stock, or any type of stickers. For my example I chose to use 2 colors of pastel cardstock to make a matching game. I selected a package of baby farm animal stickers which would match well with the farm theme.

Directions:

1. Print off the domino/matching game template onto cardstock. Using a template makes it easier to keep the game pieces the same size, and it saves time having to draw it out onto the individual pieces of paper. Print out as many sets of domino/matching game pieces as desired.

2. Cut out the individual game pieces, leaving the line in the middle. This provides you with 2 halves in which to create dominoes OR you can create a matching game as shown in the example.

3. Select the stickers for your project. Stickers don't have to be acid free, as you will be laminating over top of them.

4. Place the stickers onto the domino/matching game pieces as desired. In the sample, one animal sticker fit perfectly on each square of the game piece.
5. After the stickers are secure on the game pieces, laminate it for durability using a heated laminator or clear contact paper.

Now you're ready to play!

Follow me on Pinterest for more inspirational ideas for classroom projects, and learning resources!

P.S.  We had our first babies of the season on February 7th.  There will be anywhere from 15-20 more being born between now and the 3rd week of March!    This is what I do when I am not working on new projects, and creating! :)  

Snowman Paper Bag Scrapbook

Materials Needed:

White Paper Bags 5-6 (lunch size)
Permanent Ink Marker (orange, black)
Medium/Small Black buttons, 2 sizes. (2 medium for eyes, 5 smaller for mouth)
Binder Rings (2)
Pink crayon or colored pencil
Glue
Scissors
Ribbons
Hole punch
Ruler (optional)


Directions:

1. Stack 5-6 white paper bags together with the folded bottom of the bag face down.
2. Measure how long you'd like your snowman scrapbook to be. For my example, the measurements are 6 ½ x 5 ½ inches. Here, you have the option of cutting the bags the same length, or you can move ahead to the next step before cutting the bags.
3. Take the top bag, and measure equal distances from the edge to punch the holes for the binder rings.
Punch 2 holes in the top bag, and then use it as a guide to punch the holes in the remaining bags.
4. Put the binder rings in the holes.
5. If you have not already cut your bags, you can do so now. Having the binder rings in place will help make sure the pages are even.
6. Using an orange non-bleed marker (I used 2 orange Sharpies), draw a carrot nose in the center of the top bag. For my example, I made my snowman's nose slightly upturn.
7. Using a pink crayon or colored pencil, shade the cheek area to give the snowman rosey cheeks.
8. Glue 2 medium sized black buttons above the carrot nose to make the snowman's eyes.
9. Below the carrot nose, glue on 5 smaller sized buttons to make the snowman's smile.
10. Tie ribbons onto binder rings to finish the Snowman Paper Bag Scrapbook cover.
11. Let dry completely before using the Snowman Paper Bag Scrapbook.


*Shout out* A big shout out to the Organized Classroom! This post completes the requirements for the 5 Star Blogger Challenge! Yay! Be sure to check out Charity's Blog!!