Polka Dot Flower Vase

Polka Dot Flower Vase

From: SjoesJoe Likes Lovely Things from ivillage

Materials: 

Empty glass bottles or mini-vases

dot labels (can get at the office supply store) if not available, use a puncher and put glue

ribbon, scissors and double-sided tape

Instructions: 

1. Have your kid decorate the vase with the dot labels. 

2. Next, measure the width of the base of the vase with ribbon and cut to fit, leaving a little extra to ensure it'll make it all the way around. 

3. Then have your kid take the double sided tape and secure the ribbon -- or they can tie it instead. 

4. Then your kid can add more ribbon or polka dots to finish his masterpiece.

This makes a perfect holiday gift for his teacher -- just add flowers!

Toddlers Craft: Loaves and Fishes Necklace

Loaves and Fishes Necklace

This Loaves and Fishes Necklace is a great craft for preschoolers (and up) to go with the 'loaves and fishes miracle' bible story.

The macaroni represents the loaves and the fish represent, well, the fish. If you want to make this craft quicker or don't have any paint, just don't paint the 'loaves', perhaps you can make your fish different colors to make it more bright.

Here's what you'll need... • Macaroni with holes big enough to string (Rigatoni was used in the picture)
• Yarn or twine
• Construction paper or card stock in what ever color you’d like to make the fish
• Hole punch (scissors will work)
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Paint (optional)





Here's how you make it... 


1. If you are painting your macaroni do it now. If not, move on to step 2.

2. Cut fish shapes out of construction paper, punch or cut holes in the top to string.


3. String your macaroni and fish. If you are using yarn to string your necklace try wrapping a small piece of masking tape around the end to make it easier for little ones.

More creative Bible Arts From Busy Bee Kids Craft

Starter Craft: Things God Made Booklet

Things God Made Booklet

From Busy Bee Kids Craft

The Things God Made Booklet is a great craft for preschoolers on up. This craft provides a wonderful opportunity to discuss all of God's creations! Great for Sunday School teaching!

Here's what you'll need... • 4-5 pieces of construction paper, your choice of color
• Small piece of twine or yarn
• Hole punch (scissors will work)
• Magazines
• Scissors
• Glue
• Marker
Here's how you make it...
1.Cut your construction paper into pages, make them as big or small as you like. Punch two holes in each peice of paper and "bind" your book together by tying twine or yarn through the holes. On the front of the Booklet write, "Things God Made."

2.Using the magazines, cut out pictures of things that God Made, perhaps it is your favorite things? Another option is to go for a walk outside and collect some real things God made, like leaves, flowers, and pebbles. Glue all of your pictures or treasures into your book and you will have a constant reminder of all of God's beautiful creations.

Toddlers Craft: Butterfly Baggie

Butterfly Baggie

from Busy Bee Kids Craft

This butterfly Baggie is just that - a butterfly made from a regular zip-lock baggie! If you can crumple paper, you can do this craft, perfect for toddlers and preschoolers!

Here's what you'll need...• Zip-lock baggie
• Construction paper
• Pipe cleaner
• Scissors


Here's how you make it...1. Cut the top off the baggie that sticks up above the zipper.


2. Cut construction paper into squares, crumple them and place them inside the baggie. Fill the baggie about ⅔ full.

3. Squeeze out the air in the baggie and seal it tight. Gather it in the middle and wrap and twist a pipe cleaner around the center. Twirl the ends to make the butterfly's antennas. There are other ways to do this craft. You can slide flat pieces of paper inside the baggie, fold the baggie accordion-style and secure with a pipe cleaner. You can also use a clothespin for the center rather than a pipe cleaner.

Teen Craft: Paper Lantern

Easy Paper Lantern

By Sherri Osborn, About.com Guide

Fancy Paper Lantern

Photos from Family Craft

This paper lantern is easy to make and can be embellished to match any decor or to suit any occasion.

Before you start any project it is easiest to gather together all of the supplies. For this project you will need:

•           1 Piece of Paper (You can use bond paper, construction paper, or even card stock. For best results, use a piece approximately 8.5" x 11")

•           Pencil

•           Ruler

•           Scissors

•           Markers or Crayons (optional)

•           Stapler or Tape

Gathering The Supplies

Before you start any project it is easiest to gather together all of the supplies. For this project you will need.

Folding and Marking

Next, fold the piece of paper in half, lengthwise, making sure you line up all the edges. If your paper has a 'right' and 'wrong' side, you will want to make sure the wrong side (the side that will be on the inside of your lantern) facing out at this point. Draw a line along the open, long edge, of the paper, about 3/4" of an inch from the edge.

Cutting Lantern Strips

Now, take your scissors and, starting at the folded edge, cut a strip from the folded edge up to the line you drew. Make the first strip about 3/4" away from one of the short edges and continue to cut several strips along the piece of paper like shown in the picture above.

Re-Folding the Lantern

Once all your strips are cut, you should unfold your piece of paper and refold it length-wise so the pencil mark will be hidden on the inside.

Decorating the Lantern

If desired, you can now color or embellish the outside of the lantern.

Assembling the Lantern

To assemble the lantern simply roll the paper into a tube shape as shown in the photo above and staple or tape the edges together.

Adding the Handle

Finally, using the strip you cut of the paper in step 3, attach the handle by taping or stapling the ends of the strip of the paper just inside the top of the lantern.

Your completed lanterns can be hung up or set on a table for decoration. These lanterns are only for decorative purposes and should not be used near open flames such as candles.

More Paper Craft at Family Crafts About.com

Holiday Projects: Pine Cone Topiary

Simple Topiary made out of Pine Cone

Photos of Pine Cone Topiary 

What you'll need:

~A large pine cone

~A 5-6"" sturdy stick

~Floral foam (like you use for flower decorating)

~A 6" flower pot

~Sphagnum moss

~A hot glue gun

Use the hot glue gun to glue the pine cone to one end of the stick. Cut out a piece of the floral foam to fit inside the flower pot.

Push the other end of the stick into the floral foam (you can put a little hot glue on that end to help hold the topiary in place.

Lightly place sphagnum moss around the top of the flower pot to hide the mechanics.

You can frost, paint, or add glitter to your pine cone or flower pot to add some extra bling.

More Christmas Ideas at Big Red Bow

Holiday Projects: Simple Pine Cone Ornament

Ber months are coming...and you are thinking of what designs you will be putting in your Christmas tree or ornaments around your home...

Simple Pine Cone Ornament

How to Make an Easy Christmas Tree Ornament

By Sherri Osborn, About.com Guide

Follow these instructions, shared by Clare, and you can make simple, colorful pine cone Christmas tree ornaments.

This can be done with your toddlers 3 years old and up.

Materials Needed:

Sample of Pine Cone

1.            Pine Cone

2.            Paint

3.            Craft Glue

4.            Glitter

5.            Chenille Stem

Instructions:

Start out by bending a chenille stem into a loop and attaching a chenille stem to the pine cone using glue. Let the glue dry.

Coat the pine cone in glue and sprinkle it with glitter. Hang it up to dry.

Variation Shared by Stacy Landry: Spray with sealer. Form hanger out of wire and glue to top of pine cone. Decorate your wire with ribbons, bows, etc.

Variation Shared by Derijia: Wrap a string around a pine cone, making a loop to hang it by. Paint a pine cone with a thick coat of paint. Before it dries, roll it in glitter or sprinkle the glitter on it. Allow to dry and then spray with hair spray to set and make shiny.

Variation Shared by Chigger: Spray the pine cone with spray adhesive and sprinkle on glitter. Use a ribbon to hang it up.

Variation Shared by C from Tennessee: Apply the glitter to your painted or glue covered pine cone by putting it in a zip-top baggie with glitter!

Ornaments ideas shared from Familycrafts About.com. For more ideas, please visit the site.

Starter Craft: Simple Beaded Jewelry

How To Make Simple Beaded Jewelry

By Sherri Osborn, About.com Guide

Picture from DiyLessons.org

Here are some easy steps in creating your own jewelry.

Here's How:

1.            Buy some elastic thread and medium sized beads. Seed beads are too small and pony beads are too big.

2.            Decide what kind of jewelry you want to make. This idea works well for necklaces, bracelets, rings, and anklets!

3.            Cut a piece of elastic thread about 2 - 4 inches longer than you need for your project.

4.            Tie a bead onto one end of the piece of thread so the other beads do not fall off once you thread them on.

5.            String desired beads onto the elastic.

6.            Tie the two ends of the elastic together.

7.            Cut off the extra thread.

Tips:

1.            Alphabet beads are fun to use for this craft!

2.            If you make bracelet or ring you will want it snug around your wrist or finger so it doesn't slide off.

3.            If you want to get fancier, you can position the beads where you want them by strategically tying small knots in the elastic.

What You Need:

•               Elastic Threads

•               Beads

More ideas in Familycraft About.com