Arts and Crafts

The Gift Of Love That Keeps On Giving

Posted Wed, 03/03/2010 - 10:40 by Staff

I like to think I give the most unique and thoughtful gifts ever. You know, gifts that are so unique and special that the only word I imagine hearing uttered through the crunch of crumpled wrapping paper is, ‘Ohhh!’ … So I like to think.

What’s so unrealistic about finding a gift that awes someone senseless?

We peruse a billion websites, cruise all the local shopping centers, stroll the malls, and hold our purses like the prized pigskin on Super Bowl Sunday as we carefully inch our way through cramped aisles overflowing with breakable giftware at specialty shops. We do all this with the hope of finding the pe rfect gift … without breaking a gazillion dollar bobble along the way!

I wonder, if the recipient is close enough to us that we are willing to spend this time, effort and money on them, why is it so difficult? We should be able to quickly, pleasurably and successfully shop for the perfect gift every time.

Irish St. Patrick's Day Crafts and Treats with Leprechauns & Shamrocks

Posted Sat, 02/27/2010 - 12:04 by Staff

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner and now it's time to decorate with leprechauns, shamrocks and little green dragons!

We found some great crafts, printables and recipes on http://www.ZiggityZoom.com that are sure to please all our Irish friend and anyone who like to celebrate this fun holiday.

Teachers and parents, alike, will appreciate the printables for kids and some of the easy crafts. One of our very favorite things here for St. Patrick's Day is the ShamWich ... ZiggityZoom's own take on an Irish shamrock sandwich! Check it out!
http://www.ZiggityZoom.com/holiday.php?s=29

Shamrock Monkey Placemat to Make from ZiggityZoom

Posted Mon, 02/15/2010 - 17:59 by Staff

Looking for a fun craft for St. Patrick's Day? Here’s a fun craft project for the Irish and Irish at heart. It’s an easy to make Monkey with Shamrocks placemat. Just print out the image and laminate. It’s that easy. From our friends at http://www.ZiggityZoom.com

Shamrock Monkey Placemat http://ziggityzoom.com/activities.php?a=267

Valentine Day Activity for Kids to Make for Their Valentine Cards

Posted Fri, 01/15/2010 - 14:35 by Staff

Kids will love making this Valentine's Day Love Bug. This fun poster activity will allow kids to create their very own Valentine’s Day “Love Bug” designed with a pocket so that they can safely store the Valentine cards they receive from their friends.

Need:

Red and black poster board

Pre-cut letters and shapes

Poster Markers

Glitter Glue

Scissors

Large red pom-poms (2)

Black and red pipe cleaners

Glue

What to do:

1. Draw a large circle on black poster board by tracing a circular household item such as a large bowl.
2. Cut out this circle and trace it onto red poster board. Cut out the red circle.
3. Cut a smaller circle out of black poster board. Glue this circle to the larger black circle to create your bug’s body.
4. Lay the red circle on top of the large black circle and attach the two pieces together on the sides ¾ of the way around, leaving an opening at the top. This will form a pocket.

Heart Napkin Rings to Make for Valentines Day

Posted Tue, 01/12/2010 - 12:16 by Staff

Super simple Valentine gift to make. Only takes little Foam Hearts and Red Ribbon, but look how elegant they are. Kids will love giving these to mom or grandmom.

What You Need:

* Foam Hearts - approx 2 inches wide (or cut from Craft Foam)
* 1/4 inch Red ribbon
* Scissors with pointy end

What To Do:

1. Using foam hearts that are approximately 2 inches in diameter, cut two small slits (about 3/4 in apart) into the center of each heart.
2. Cut a 7-8" piece of ribbon for each napkin ring and then thread through pre-cut slits in heart. We rolled up a cloth napkin to tie our napkin rings around, so that the diameter would be just right. In lieu of a napkin, you can tie around a paper tube, such as from a paper towel or t paper tube for the correct diameter. Be sure it isn't so tight that you can't slide it off however.
3. After tying ends, cut leaving about a half inch tail on each side.

Kids Can Make Fun SnowGlobes with This Fun Family Craft Activity for Christmas

Posted Sun, 12/06/2009 - 12:56 by Staff

Snowglobes ... who doesn't love them ... they are mesmerizing and fun to play with, even for adults. So imagine the fun kids will have making and playing with these cute little snowglobes.

Ours are only made from plastic jars or bottles, including small mayonnaise jars and a new little round Coca Cola bottle that coke just introduced this holiday season. We're actually very excited about this particular little bottle and we are hoping the Coca Cola people keep these going all year. Really ... I have been keeping my eyes open for something like this for a SnowGlobe project for ages and I can think of other fun uses for during the year.

To make the snowglobes, the main thing is finding an appropriate little figure or ornament that will fit into your jar or bottle. The mayonnaise jars are easy to find items, but the little round coke bottles are more difficult. I suggest looking in craft stores and anywhere you might find mini-ornaments.

Inspire Creativity in Kids With Eco-Friendly Art Supplies for Back to School

Posted Fri, 08/21/2009 - 18:07 by Staff

Make going Back to School more fun and help the environment while helping kids be creative with some of these fun art supplies when shopping for Back to School products.  We found these great pencils, crayons and more at the Stubby Pencil Studio.

We love this set of color pencils with thick leads and oversized triangular barrels that offer rich colors and are nearly unbreakable and they come packaged in a reusable tin.  These jumbo size hexagonal pencils with clear finish are made from reforested wood. The 12 brilliant colors with extra thick leads will impress anyone that handles them.

4th of July Family Fun Projects

Posted Wed, 07/01/2009 - 09:28 by Staff

Summertime is the perfect time for some fun family projects and activities and the 4th of July is a great time for some of this family fun. We have some great ideas from ZiggityZoom.com that the whole family can enjoy doing together.

Make a Star garland to decorate the backyard or picnic area where you will have your cookout or picnic. Tie the garland from tree to tree or posts. Let the kids help decorate some Patriotic cupcakes. Give each child a small cup of frosting, a plastic knife and some blueberries and raspberries. Or just give the kids some red candies and sprinkles for some festive cupcakes.



Have Fun with Bubble Wrap- Wiggle, Giggle and Get Creative with Bubble Wrap Art!

Posted Fri, 02/20/2009 - 15:26 by Staff

Honestly, what kid does not love to pop the bubbles on the bubble wrap? Ok, maybe a few that do not like loud noises, but most kids love jumping on it and hearing all the pops.

After receiving a package the other day and after my kids enjoyed jumping, running, and bouncing about on the bubble wrap until the sound was no more, I realized bubble wrap would make a perfect surface to paint on.

3 Options to Paint on Bubble Wrap.



Option 1:

1. Cut Out Shapes and Animals or Scenes with the Bubble Wrap.

2. Let you Kids Paint the Animals and Shapes on Scrap Paper or Newsprint.

3. Once the Bubble Wrap Paintings are Dry, let Kids help Glue them to the Heavy Weight Paper with a Glue Stick.

Option 2:
1. Cut out Bubble Wrap Shapes

2. Glue the Shapes and Animals
to the Heavy Weight Paper

3. Let Kids Paint the Bubble Wrap Shapes on the Paper.

A Birthday to Remember- Special Art from each of my Kids

Posted Fri, 02/13/2009 - 19:01 by kristin

My birthday was last month and my oldest son always asks if he gets to go to the store to buy me a gift.

I told him he has to talk to daddy about that, but I also tell him what would make me very happy to to get a special card and piece of artwork from each of my kids on my birthday.

So after school, I set up an area for my 3 kids to paint and gave them heavy weight art paper and asked them to paint me a picture for my birthday.

6 year old's painting

My 6,4, and 2 year old all painted me lovely pictures that I will put in frames and mount on the wall where we feature their best art pieces (their favorites and my favorites).

4 year old's painting

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