More Kids Summer Craft Projects

If you're looking for easy crafts to make with your kids, here are some creative ideas reposted from
pinterest.

For the first project, you'll need paper, elmers glue and paint.
"Paint" your picture with Elmers glue. Let the glue dry. Then paint over your drawing.
This idea is shared by Jessica Ann. For more of her ideas, go to:  @JLoftuspersonalphoto

 

Craft: Pine Cone Bird Feeder

Make an easy bird feeder out of a pine cone and peanut butter.
This idea is reposted from kaboose.com

What you need:

• - Pine cone
• - Paper plate
• - Butter knife (have an adult help you with this)
• - Smooth peanut butter
• - Birdseed
• - Ribbon or yarn
• - Scissors (have an adult help you use the scissors)

Steps:

1. Cut a long length of yarn or ribbon to hang the bird feeder. Have an adult help you use the scissors.
2. Tie the ribbon in a knot around the top of the pine cone.
3. Tie a knot in the end of the ribbon.
4. Place the pine cone on the paper plate.
5. Use the butter knife to spread peanut butter on the pine cone (make sure you get it inside the ridges) and round the edges.
6. Sprinkle birdseed over the pine cone (it will stick to the peanut butter).
7. Roll the pine cone in any leftover birdseed that is on the paper plate.
8. Hang the bird feeder in a tree and watch the birds enjoy their treat!

For fun crafts, endless options in one book buy Easy Crafts on a Budget for Kids 4 to 104.

http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Crafts-Budget-Kids-Volume/dp/0615640826
 

Yarn Globes

Yarn globes give your kids a fun, decorative project to make, inside or
outside. If you prefer a round globe, you may substitute a rubber ball,
or styrofoam ball, for the balloons.

What you need:  balloons
                            colorful yarn
                            glue
                            paint brush
                            paper plates

• Blow up balloons, and tie off the ends.
• Cut yarn into lengths of 10 inches. (You'll need lots of pieces).
• Pour glue onto the paper plate so that there is a puddle large enough to dip the string in.
• Take a piece of yarn, drop it in the glue, move it around, so that it is  coated well,      
• Place the yarn around a side of the ballon
• Repeat this step until the balloon is fairly well covered with yarn.
• Allow the glue to dry.
• Pop the balloon and shake out pieces.
• Hang several together as a decoration, by tying a string to the upper part of the yarn
• or set on a table as a cool decoration.

Buy Easy Crafts on a Budget for Kids 4 to 104 here: http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Crafts-Budget-Kids-Volume/dp/0615640826

Gold Coins

Copyright c. 2013 Fuego Phoenix All Rights Reserved

Copyright c. 2013 Fuego Phoenix All Rights Reserved

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My grandson created his own "craft" project today. He made gold coins
out of a sheet of gold cardstock I had. In this day and age, when
kids want to play video games, be on the computer, or watch tv, it pleases
me to know that simple things, like paper crafts, still entertain them.

I helped him draw the circles. He drew his own designs, and cut
the coins out.  He was upset because he mistakenly made
two coin fronts for one of the coins, until I told him that when
the mint makes a mistake, the coins are often valued more because
of the mistake. This made him happy, and he put the value of $1 million on that one.



Buy Easy Crafts on a Budget for Kids 4 to 104 here:  http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Crafts-Budget-Kids-Volume/dp/0615640826
 


 

A Furniture Reupholstery Project

I enjoy finding furniture bargains. Sometimes, the furniture is really ugly,
or it'll have a good structure, but the fabric it's upholstered in is not appealing.
Today, I'm sharing photos of a recliner I reupholstered with fabric scraps.


The recliner I bought for my mom, who was coming for a visit
and needed something comfortable that would keep her feet propped up,
I bought the chair at a consignment store for $20. The frame was in excellent
shape, and the mechanism works well. I had six panels of fabric rectangles using
three different upholstery velvets already sewn together, which were left over
from a sofa I had reupholstered. I had planned on using the panels to make pillows,
but never got around to it. I didn't know if the fabric pieces would work
or fit on the recliner. They fit beautifully. I added charcoal grey velvet for the head rest
and foot rest, and to the back of the chair. This is recycling at its best. I reupholstered the
recliner without having to buy any fabric, just a little dacron and cotton batting for
adding more plumpness to the seat and back!

The Ugly Recliner "Before being Reupholstered

 Copyright c. 2013 Fuego Phoenix All rights reserved

                                            Fabrics are pinned to the chair to match up the design.

 

 

Copyright C. 2013 Fuego Phoenix All Rights Reserved

Fabric is pinned on the sides to match up the stripes with the stripes on the arm.

Copyright C. 2013 Fuego Phoenix All Rights Reserved

 

The finished recliner feels and looks much nicer with velvet upholster and a custom look.

The best part is that I reupholstered the whole chair with fabric scraps I had.

Buy Easy Crafts on a Budget for Kids 4 to 104 here: http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Crafts-Budget-Kids-Volume/dp/0615640826  For a limited time the Kindle version is on sale for $6 USD

Kids Projects

Here is a fun idea for a kids art project.

For this project you'll need:
     a sheet of watercolor paper, cardboard stock, or a piece of cardboard at least 12 in. x 12 in.
     bright colored paints either poster paints or acrylic
     2 or 3 plates
     a towel
     a bowl of water
     a paint brush

Pick 3 colors of paint for your picture. Pour enough paint, or squeeze the paint
from a tube, into a plate, to cover a palm of your childs hand. You might need to spread the
paint over the plate with a brush. Put a separate color on each plate.

Draw a circle about 2 inches in diameter in the center of the paper.

Have your child place the palm of each hand in one color of paint, covering the palm
and bottom of fingers. Place one palm down with the wrist on the edge of the circle,
with the other hand kind of forming a "V" on one side of the circle. Repeat this
in the same color for the opposite side of the circle.

Have your child rinse and dry their hands, then have them dip their palms in the next
color of paint. This time have them place their hands to the right of the previous hand
prints. The left hand may overlap on top of the previous color. Have them rinse and
dry their hands. Then have them dip their palm and fingers in the next color, and
place the hand next to the previous two prints. There will be some overlapping.

If your picture looks unbalanced, add more handprints in any color. The idea is
to create a "world" of your child's hand print. Once you're happy with the picture
allow it to dry overnight. Have your child autograph and date their picture Frame and hang.
Give as a gift. This is a very fun art activity for kids!

Buy Easy Crafts on a Budget for Kids 4 to 104 here:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CR3U2D8



 

Kids Fabric Crafts

Here is an easy and fun project to do with your kids.
It requires having fabric scraps, 1/2 yard of Heat n Bond,
scissors and an iron.

Have your child draw a picture on a solid color fabric.
Have them pick out fabric scraps to "color" the
picture. Press Heat n Bond to the back side of the
fabrics. Cut out the parts that will be used. Press

the pieces in place on the background fabric. You
may add a fabric border. If you do, add Heat n
Bond to the back side of your fabric, and press into place.
Attach the fabric picture to a piece of foam board, or
cardboard. You've got a unique piece of art work
to enjoy for years to come!

The picture shown above, was drawn by my grandson,
when he was 3. He picked out the fabrics. I ironed
the picture together. The project is finished,
except attaching the fabric to foam board.

Hint: If you don't have Heat n Bond to press to the
back of the fabric, you can use mod podge glue
or homemade mod podge glue. It's just a bit messier,
and you'll have to iron the fabric before cutting out
the pieces. 

Recipe for homemade mod podge glue:
Take a bottle of Elmers glue and dump it into a clean jar
Add an equal amount of water, as glue, to the jar
50% glue + 50% water
Let sit for a little while. Put a lid on the jar and shake.
Shake some more.
Now you have your own glue for decopaging,
fabric crafts, collages, and kids crafts!

Buy  Easy Crafts on a Budget for Kids 4 to 104 here: http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Crafts-Budget-Kids-Volume/dp/0615640826

Inspiring Funiture

I enjoy looking in Architectural Digest, Houzz.com, and
hgtv.com, for new trends and ideas in furniture. Many times,
I will see a headboard that I want to replicate. Or a craft idea
from something used in a photograph.

I'm sharing photos which with a little work, can be done
at home. The photos shown here, are found on houzz.com.
The hutch below, could be done by taking a piece of leather,
drawing a design on it, then punching out the holes with
an awl, or ice pick, and staple the finished leather to
the inside of the door. Or the leather could be stapled
around the edges, to the outside of the doors, and add
nail head trim around the edges, on top of the staples.

The very modern chest of drawers with Moroccan influence, could be done by taking
a simple wooden chest of drawers, drawing a design, and adding decorative nail head
trim. The design doesn't have to be as detailed as in the photo.