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Archive for June, 2010

Homemade Rain Sticks from Flipflops & Applesauce

posted by cindylouh on June 17th, 2010 | 30 Days 30 Bloggers 30 Crafts, Craft Camp |


The creative Chrissie from Flipflops & Applesauce shows us how to make a cool rain stick! Don't forget to check out the other musical instruments she mentions in her post!

Chrissie writes...

Rain Sticks from Wrapping Paper Tubes

We've been exploring different homemade instruments like the guitar and the kazoo, so naturally it was time to make a rain stick. These wrapping paper tubes worked great and have provided our home with many moments of soothing nature sounds. They are also great for makeshift baton-twirling or practicing walking with a cane.

Materials:
cardboard wrapping paper tube or mailing tube
aluminum foil
1-2 cups rice
2 {4"} squares 0f cardstock
2 rubber bands
stickers

Directions:
1. Tear off a long sheet of aluminum foil. (About the length of the tube.) Twist into a snaky-spiral shape.
2. Insert aluminum foil snake into the cardboard tube.
3. Seal off one end of the tube with a 4" square secured with a rubber band or tape.
4. Pour the rice into the open end of the tube.
5. Seal off the open end of the tube.
6. Decorate with stickers or paint or markers.
7. Turn slowly and listen to the sounds of the rain.

For more fabulous ideas be sure to visit Flipflops & Applesauce!

Don't miss all the fun summer crafts!

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Fabric Scrap Dolls from This Mama Makes Stuff

posted by cindylouh on June 16th, 2010 | 30 Days 30 Bloggers 30 Crafts, Craft Camp |

The amazing Carrie from This Mama Makes Stuff is here to share a wonderful take on paper dolls.

Carrie writes...

Since reading this post on Kiddley, back in 2006, fabric scrap paper dolls (and animals) have been a staple craft activity in our house. Here’s how you do it:

-Download the fabric scrap paper dolls from the link below or draw your own doll shape and make copies on cardstock.

Download my FREE scrap paper dolls HERE. (pdf)

-Gather random fabric scraps from your overflowing scrap box and a handful of trim scraps. Start saving scraps ahead of time. Even the tiny and odd shaped pieces are great for this project! This three drawer Rubbermaid container works perfectly for us to keep all the materials accessible and organized.

-Make sure to add a couple gluesticks, a bottle of tacky glue (dries slower but holds better) and a couple pairs of good kid scissors (it’s fun to create with a friend!) to the box too.

-Then let the kids start designing their doll's outfit! This activity is best suited to kids ages 6+ years old. Using paper scraps instead of fabric scraps would make it easier for younger children.

This is a great way for sewers/crafters to use up all those scraps of fabric and trim – no matter how small or strange shaped. Avid scrapbookers can do the same thing and save patterned paper scraps to use instead of fabric. If you are neither a sewer, crafter or scrapbooker, ask a friend, mother, aunt or grandma who is to start saving their scraps for you so you can have this fun activity to keep the kids creating and busy this summer.

For more wonderful ideas please visit This Mama Makes Stuff!

Don't miss all the great summer crafts!

Self Portraits from Just Something I Made

posted by cindylouh on June 15th, 2010 | 30 Days 30 Bloggers 30 Crafts, Craft Camp |

The talented Cathe of Just Something I Made is here to share a fabulous craft that is sure to become a keepsake!

Cathe writes...

It’s so exciting to be a part of the Skip to my Lou Craft Camp as there are few things more wonderful than children creating art!

When my kids were much younger, they painted their own self portraits as gifts to their grandpa. These portraits are very simple to create and make incredibly precious mementos.


On inexpensive 9" x 12" craft store craft canvas boards draw basic pencil lines for the head and bust area of each portrait to help keep the artwork consistent in layout, leaving an area at the bottom for each child’s name. Allow each child to use acrylic paint to create their own self portrait including their name in the area at the bottom.
Add the date to the back of each, attach plate hanging hardware to the backs and hang in a place of honor in your home, or give as gifts to someone special.
For more fun ideas visit Just Something I Made!

You won't want to miss all the summer craft ideas!

Potato Printing with Design Mom

posted by cindylouh on June 14th, 2010 | 30 Days 30 Bloggers 30 Crafts, Craft Camp |

The amazing and ever creative Gabrielle from Design Mom is sharing a wonderful tutorial on potato printing. (Don't say I told you-- but today is Gabrielle's birthday, please visit her and wish her a very Happy Birthday!

Gabrielle writes...

My kids love using this age-old technique to customize t-shirts, tote bags, bandannas... whatever they
can get their hands on.

Here's how we make potato prints:

1) Use a good-sized baking potato. Scrub it to remove any dirt (your don't want dirt mixing with your paint). Slice it in half through the fattest part of the middle.
2) With a pencil or pen, draw a simple shape on the cut end of the potato half. Think hearts, stars, initials. We've also done smiley faces, skulls and even a simple bird. Because the cut end is wet-ish, the pencil/pen won't work that well. Don't worry, you're just making a basic guideline.
3) Use an exacto knife to cut away the parts of the potato that fall outside the shape. Cut in about 1/4" deep. The shape will become a raised surface.
4) Make a puddle of fabric paint on a paper plate. Press the shape into the paint, or use a sponge brush to apply fabric paint to the shape. Then press the inked shape onto the fabric.  Repeat as many times as you'd like. Want to change paint colors? Just rinse the potato in running water and pat dry.
5) After the paint is dry, follow the paint directions and set the stamped area with a hot iron.
Other notes:
-Fabric paint typically works best on natural fibers.
-Experiment first on a spare scrap of fabric so you can see what kind of paint coverage you prefer on the potato stamp.
-Some fabric paints don't show up well on dark colors, so you might want to stick with lighter colors to print on.
Yay for potato printing!

For inspiration and loads of beautiful pictures and creative ideas visit Design Mom.

Nature Bracelets from Maya Made

posted by cindylouh on June 13th, 2010 | 30 Days 30 Bloggers 30 Crafts, Craft Camp |

The lovely Maya from Maya Made is here to share how to make a nature bracelet made while on a nature walk.

Maya writes...

Nature Bracelets

What could be better than taking a walk out in nature on a beautiful Summer day? Try collecting treasures and making something beautiful...to wear...instantly as you walk! This is a perfect activity for a three year old on up...I certainly had fun!


Supplies needed:
-duct tape ( try clear or white) masking tape works pretty well too
-grass, leaves, seed pods, flowers, petals

To create a beautiful one-of-a-kind nature bracelet:
- rip a piece of tape to fit over the wearer's wrist with enough room for it to slide off
-if using duct tape for a tiny wrist, cut/rip the tape in half down the long strip to make a narrower bracelet.
-connect the sides with the sticky side facing out and the smooth side against skin
-go for a walk
-collect treasures and add them to your wrist as you go
-admire your/your child's handy work and give thanks for all of the beauty at your finger tips

For more wonderful ideas visit Maya Made.

See all the summer craft ideas in the Craft Camp Series here.

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