posted by cindylouh on October 15th, 2009 | Halloween, children's activities |
It is a bit too early to carve our pumpkins so we made them masks.
These masks are simple to make from recycled cereal boxes and a bit of paint.
First, download the template. This post is not meant to be questionable. I have received so much grief from my family about the template (got to love teen boys) that I only gave you half a template. It doesn't help. It still looks like a ....
Mask Template Download
Make your template and cut out your mask from a cereal box. To make the witch we cut off the ears.
Lightly score the nose.
Fold the nose under and hook into bottom of mask.
For the witch we added a hat by cutting a large triangle shape with long rectangle shape at bottom. Lightly score the rectangle so it will fold.
Fold rectangle together and staple to make brim.
Staple hat to top of mask.
Paint.
And paint.
Staple a piece of elastic to each side of the mask. Make sure it fits snugly around the pumpkin.
We finished and then someone wanted to be a witch. So I cut out the eyes and now I have a witch! Check out those eyelashes!
Thanks for stopping by today!
posted by cindylouh on September 28th, 2009 | children's activities, kids crafts, sewing |
How to make a silly or sneaky stuffed snake.
Take an old sheet and rip it into a 9" wide strip (as long as you like), fold in half, slip a long rectangle for the tongue (you can trim it later) inside the middle at the top, stitch an arc across the top and then stitch straight down the open side. Trim and turn right side out.
Using Fabric Markers 
color and color!
The folded 9" of fabric makes it the perfect width for little arms to stuff. Sew the end closed and you have a silly snake.
This made a fun little craft for Sunday School. It is something simple and works for a variety of ages. I made up the snakes ahead of time and during Sunday School the children colored and stuffed. For ease we tied the end shut with a piece of yarn. We have been learning about creation, Adam and Eve and this worked perfect when we talked about the snake. So as my daughter said, "It is a sneaky snake. that tricked Eve."
posted by cindylouh on September 23rd, 2009 | children's activities, sewing |
We are still thinking about National Sewing Month and using our little machine. Yesterday we made this cute stuffed bear by printing on fabric.
How to make your own print and sew bear:
Download bear and print on fabric. You can buy fabric that is specifically made for the printer 
(If you are squeamish or can't take it when someone says, "you sent what through the printer"-- buy the proper paper.) If you like to live on the edge --- hang on and I will tell you how to make your own paper backed fabric.
Cut a piece of very light weight white cotton fabric (muslin) and Freezer Paper
slightly larger than 8 1/2 X 11. Iron the shiny side of the paper to the fabric. Use a dry iron and hold for about 5 seconds. start from the middle and work to edges. If you have wrinkles in the fabric press on fabric side until smooth. I then cut out the now paper backed fabric to 8 1/2" X 11". Give it another press -- it needs to be really flat. In fact, I think it works to give it a press right before you run it through your printer. It is best to use a simple ink jet printer -- not a fancy 4 in 1 copier that has an elaborate (and expensive) system on the inside (I speak from experience people). Simply send your paper backed fabric through the printer so it prints on the fabric side. **Use 'normal' color print mode and choose 'fit to page' on your printer settings.**
If you want to conserve ink you can use any cotton (a cute brown print would be fun) fabric for the back of the bear.
Peal paper from back of fabric. On the wrong side of the bear trace around the outside edge of the bear. A disappearing fabric marking pen would be great, but I only could find a pencil.
Pin and sew. We left our opening for turning at the top of the head.
Trim and clip all curves and corners. Slip stitch opening closed.
Turn and stuff!
Thanks Amanda for making us a cute bear to print and sew!
posted by cindylouh on September 11th, 2009 | children's activities, crafts, kids, kids crafts |
...so we are celebrating with custom pillowcases and made beds (well some of us are -- remember I also have teen boys)!
To make our custom pillowcase we used Crayola Fabric Markers
(I found them at Michael's Arts & Crafts and used a coupon) and a plain white pillowcase.
These markers are great! Bella literally spent hours working on her pillowcase. She is really into hearts as you can see! She asked me to draw a heart shape. The pillowcase was thin enough that I slipped a paper with a heart drawn on it in the middle and she could see it well enough to trace. It would be fun to use coloring book pictures as templates also. A child could easily decorate anyway they like, but if they seem intimidated have them make a drawing first on paper and then they can trace it.
** Make sure you place a piece of cardboard inside the pillowcase to keep the markers from bleeding through to the other side. Read package directions for setting the fabric.**
Really the possibilities are endless for this craft---- slumber party or birthday crafts, gifts, etc.. They could even be further embellished with bits of fabric, trims and embroidery.
Bella loves her new pillowcase!
If you would like to try out these awesome fabric markers please leave a comment on this post before Tuesday at midnight CST. Crayola is giving FIVE lucky readers a set of fabric markers!
posted by cindylouh on August 26th, 2009 | children's activities, craft recipes, kids, kids crafts |
Yes, you can make homemade lick and stick stickers. If you want to make some too you will need gelatin, light corn syrup and flavoring extract. We used LorAnn's flavoring
(in apple) but you can also use the extract
from the spice isle at the grocery store. You might try lemon.
Homemade Sticker Gum
1 envelope (1/4 oz) unflavored gelatin
4 tablespoons boiling water
1 teaspoon light corn syrup
1/2 tsp flavoring extract
Add gelatin to the boiling water and stir until dissolved. Stir in corn syrup and flavoring.
Paint sticker gum on backs of pictures cut from magazines or pieces of wrapping paper.
After the backs of papers are coated allow to dry completely.
Once paper is dry use punches to cut out fun shapes from the wrapping paper. Once you have all of the shapes cut out ---- lick lick away!
Then stick!
These stickers really work and the possibilities are endless. They could decorate note cards, lunch sacks, favor bags or make adorable stickers for gift wrapping with matching gift tags. Around here one special four year old has requested an alphabet book. Finding all of the letters and items that begin with the letters in our magazines will keep us busy!
Note: If you have left over sticker gum it will harden into a gel. To re-use, heat until it becomes liquid again.
