Thanksgiving is a time to remember how blessed we are to have such great family and friends.  Well, with that being said…. I have a creative way for you to remind yourself how thankful you are…. a Thanksgiving Mobile.  With pictures and your thankful thoughts you are sure to show everyone how blessed you truly are.  So, let’s get started.

Check out our other Thanksgiving Crafts.

Materials Needed

Thick Colored Paper

Markers

Thread

Ribbon

Scissors

Glue

Pictures of Family and Friends (you can use old photos or print outs)

Step 1

Cut out pieces of paper in different colored and sized diamonds as shown.

Step 2

Stick pictures on one side. I’m also really thankful for the great times of celebrations I had this year with my family and friends, so I made a special diamond that says ” celebrations”.  You can also add some like these.

Step 3

On the other side of the diamond, write the name of the person and decorate as shown.

Step 4

Using a pencil in the center, roll some colored paper into 2 tight rolls as shown. Glue the ends and then, remove the pencil.

Step 5

Cross the two rolls at the center and tie them together as shown.

Step 6

Punch a hole on the top end of the diamond and tie a piece of thread. Attach the thread to the paper rolls as shown.

Step 7

Tie a piece of ribbon to the top of the paper rolls as shown right in the middle.

Step 8

Now, hang up your mobile.

What a unique craft, huh?!  No one will have a Thanksgiving craft like yours.  Your family and friends are sure to love it.  Where did you hang your Thanksgiving Mobile?  Let me know in the comments below.

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Sharon David · Card Stock, Holiday Crafts for Kids, Keepsake Crafts Ideas, Pictures or Photographs, String, Thanksgiving Crafts · 0 Comments

I have a great Thanksgiving craft for you that will be not only useful, but very memorable as well.  I am going to show you how to make Thanksgiving place cards.  But, not just ordinary place cards…. these are place cards that your guests at your Thanksgiving feast will write down what they are thankful for.  Keep the place cards as a keepsake for years to come.

Check out our other Thanksgiving Crafts.

Materials Needed

Printer

Paper

Scissors

Crayons (if printing off black & white template)

Glue

Pen

Below are printable templates for this craft.  You can choose to print off  a colored template or the black and white version.

Click on template image to make larger and to print.

Step 1

Print out paper template.

Step 2

Cut out the Pilgrims from template.

Step 3

If you printed out the black and white template…. color it in.

Step 4

Fold white paper in half and then cut it a bit smaller than width of the pilgrim cutout.

Step 5

Glue the top of the back of the white folded paper to Pilgrim’s hands.  Write a message at the top of the place cards…. such as, “I Give Thanks For…”, “I Thank God For…” or “I’m Thankful For…”.  Every guest at your Thanksgiving feast can write what they are thankful for.  You can save the cards as a keepsake.

Aren’t these Thanksgiving place cards fantastic?  I can almost guarantee that your Thanksgiving guests will love this idea.  Plus, you will have something to remember this Thanksgiving…. your “I’m thankful for” place cards.

Technorati Tags: fall crafts, autumn crafts, Thanksgiving activities, thanksgiving activity, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving, thanksgiving crafts for kids, thanksgiving activities for kids, thanksgiving printables, thanksgiving coloring page, place cards, placecards, place card crafts, pilgrims, pilgrim crafts, keepsake crafts

Shana · Coloring Pages & Printables, Holiday Crafts for Kids, Keepsake Crafts Ideas, Paper, Thanksgiving Crafts · 0 Comments

As a parent, I love receiving beautiful artwork from my children. However, there comes a point when you feel like your entire refrigerator is covered with artwork. I have 4 kids, so not only is my fridge covered, but my fireplace’s mantle, my kitchen window, and the rest of my windows are all being taken over with artwork. This got me thinking…what else can I do with the artwork? I would love to see my refrigerator again…what color is it…I want to know….maybe soon I can find out again. 🙂

Now for the ideas. Please comment below to add your own ideas or suggestions…everyone can contribute.

(1) Clothesline Art

Hang a Clothesline in your child’s room or playroom (high enough that the child can’t get hurt) and then use clothespins to hang your child’s art.

(2) Curtain Hangers for Art

This is similar to the clothespin idea, but instead by a curtain hanging system. Instead of hanging curtains with the clips, hang the artwork.  This idea comes from Project Nursery … visit it to find out how she did it.

(3) Plexiglass Table Cover to Display Artwork

There is a great how-to article, on the Examiner.com, about making a Plexiglass table cover in order to display artwork underneath. You can just go to Home Depot or Lowes and have them cut down a sheet of plexiglass to the same size as your table. Then just  place the plexiglass on top of your child’s art that you want to showcase.

(4) Hang Clipboards to Display Art

On a Blog called Clean and Scentsible, we found another way to display your child’s artwork. Hang Clipboards, and place newest artwork on the top layer that is showing. This is a really smart and sensible way to display your child’s artwork.

(5) Vertical Lines of Hanging Yarn

I found a great example of hanging art from vertical lines of yarn or string or wire on a site called Spiral Montessori Mama. As this talented teacher / blogger suggests…just hang yarn from the ceiling with tape….then as your child brings home artwork just tape it to the yarn. I like how this teacher places a colorful piece of paper behind each piece of art to sort of frame it or mat it.

(6) Paint a Magnetic Wall – Maybe Even Chalkboard Paint

On Zillow.com, I found a great idea. How about paint an entire wall with magnetic paint and then covering it with chalkboard paint (optional). You can then display all of your child’s artwork on a giant wall, instead of your refrigerator. Just a note…I did the same thing…I put 2 coats of magnetic paint and then a coat of chalkboard paint. It isn’t magnetic…although the chalkboard paint works great. I am just telling you this so you know that you might need to coat the wall with many coats of magnetic paint for it to work.

(7) Frame Them on a Special Wall

How about creating a special museum wall in your house….all with your child’s framed artwork. The above picture comes from Inside-OutDesigns.com.

(8) Using a Pocket Display

I found a simple pocket display case that has 9 pockets on each side of the case. You can then hang it either on a door knob or on the wall without damaging it.  If you want to make one of these one your own (so you don’t have to buy it), you can see a similar sort of creation here.

(9) Give Art as Gifts

This artwork was found on the blog called Quince and Quire.  This blogger sewed her child’s artwork to a moleskin sketchbook to give to somebody as a gift. This is a great idea…but for somebody who hates sewing, this sounds tedious….how about just using hot glue or even colorful duct tape as a frame. Another idea is finding a notebook that has a clear cover and attaching it underneath the clear cover.

(10) Mod Podge Your Child’s Artwork to Anything

You can Mod Podge your kids’ artwork to coasters or any other item such as your child’s bookcase or wooden bed. This will bring your child’s room alive with color…and it is quite easy to do. This was found on the site…Mod Podge Rocks!

(11) Use Artwork for Gift Wrapping Paper

On Krafty Guts Blog, the blogger used her child’s artwork for wrapping paper. This is a great idea…this makes the child feel so special.

(12) Laminate the Artwork and Use as Placemats

On the blog, Make Create Do, there is an example of a place mat made from a child’s piece of art. This is also a great idea. How special is it to your child that you would make a permanent use for his creativity. Awesome idea.

(13) Showcase Art with Digital Frames

I love, love, love this idea. How about you scan all of your child’s work and put them all on permanent display in a digital frame.

(14) Use a L’il DaVinci Store and Display Art Cabinet

This is a really cool idea to have a cabinet that holds up to 50 pages of artwork. It then has a hinge that lets you open up the frame like a book to turn thru the pages. I found it here, see if you like it when you take a closer look.

(15) Make a Puzzles, Notebooks, Stickers, Magnets, Coffee Table Books and Other Items from Artwork

On sites like Snapfish.com, you can create all sorts of things from your child’s artwork, such as stickers, puzzles, magnets, notebooks, coffee table books, posters, t-shirts, playing cards, etc.

Technorati Tags: display childs artwork, display kids artwork, ideas to display kids art, ideas to show kids art, child art, childrens artwork, frame kids art, hang kids art, artwork, parenting, parentings tips, design tips

admin · Cool Finds and Tips, Decorating and Design, Keepsake Crafts Ideas, Organization and De-Clutter Crafts, Parenting Articles, Table Decorations Crafts, Wall and Door Hanging Crafts, Window Hanging Crafts Ideas · 0 Comments

Do you want to learn how to make your own customized ceramic tile? Well, then you’re in luck because today we will show you how to take a pencil design and then transfer it to your tile. From there you can take your liquid glaze and paint your design onto the tile. You don’t need a kiln to fire your ceramic tile, you just need a normal kitchen oven. Learn all about firing & glazing your ceramic tiles at home in the step by step tutorial below.

How to Paint, Glaze, and Fire Ceramic Tiles without a Kiln

Crafts Materials Needed:

Blank glazed tiles

Low Fire Liquid Glaze

Watercolor brush

Tracing paper

Pencil

Paints or crayons

How to Design and Paint on a Ceramic Tile

Step 1

On a piece of paper that is the same size as tile, draw a design.  Color design with paints or crayons, as in picture above.

Step 2

With pencil and tracing paper, trace off colored design outline, omitting most of the details. Remove tracing paper and scratch the back with soft pencil

Step 3

Place tracing paper, scratched side down, over tile, and trace design on tile, as in picture above.

Step 4

Stir liquid glaze, and thin with reducer if necessary with watercolor brush, fill in tile, as in picture above.

HOW TO FIRE A CERAMIC TILE

Place tile in a cold oven and heat slowly to 250°F. Keep oven at the same temperature, with the oven slightly open, for 2 hours. Turn off oven, and leave tiles in oven until cool. Ask an adult to remove tile, and when thoroughly dry, wash with soap and water to remove all traces of pencil marks.

Technorati Tags: ceramic tiles, glazing, tiles, tile crafts, firing tiles, tiles with no kiln, ceramic tile crafts, glazing tiles, painting crafts

admin · Clay & Sculpting Crafts Ideas, Keepsake Crafts Ideas, Painting Crafts Activities, Tiles, Wall and Door Hanging Crafts · 0 Comments

A very simply craft that your kids can do. As easy as 1-2-3. You can do this to add a little fun to your kid’s pens or pencils. Or this can also make a pretty present.

How to Make Pencil and Pen Toppers to Decorate Them for Back to School

Crafts Materials Needed:

pencils, pens

pipe cleaners/fuzzy wires

craft foam shapes

glue

How to Make This Craft:

Step 1

1. Holding the pipe cleaner on your right hand and the pencil on the other. With your left hand, holf the tip of the wire and gently push it against the pencil and swirl it around until you reach the other end.

Step 2

2. With the wire secure in place,  get any foam shape of your liking. Glue it to the upper tip of the wire.

Step 3

3. Gently slide the wire up the pencil, with only half of the wire hugging the pencil now. And you have a cool pencil topper!

Here is our video on how to Make Pencil Toppers.

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Celeste · Back to School Crafts, Crafts for Boys, crafts for girls, Keepsake Crafts Ideas, Pipe Cleaners · 0 Comments

School is going to be over soon and you’ll be parted from your friends until Autumn comes again. Wouldn’t be nice to keep them with you during the entire Summer? Laura from Dacian Moon Handmade will show you how 🙂 You can get your friend’s autographs and wear them around your arm or neck all Summer along with a bracelet or necklace craft.

How to Make Autographed Friends Necklaces on Last Day of School or Camp

CRAFTS MATERIALS NEEDED:

– orange paper
– yellow paper
– scissors
– string and needles
– red crystals
– line
– colored pens

Step 1.

Trace 6 parallel lines on the papers at 1 cm.

Cut them out, so you’ll have 6 orange strips of paper and 6 yellow.

Step 2.

Take a strip of paper. Start at one end and make a hoop around the other end. Take care that one of the ends to be short.

Slip through your short end into the hoop …

… and pull, but not too hard.

Turn it  and fold the short end inside.

Turn it over again.

Now you must wrap around the pentagon…

… following the red arrow…

… like this.

And again, on the dotted line, following the red arrow,

And again…

… until is just a small piece left.

Now, you’re going to tuck that little left over tail into the body of the star.

If is too long – as in my case – you can cut it with your scissors.

That’s the star.

Step 3.

It’s time to puff it 😀

Using your nail or a sharp edge, press in, half-way between two points. Make sure you are totally perpendicular to the paper.

The first star is ready.

Make stars from the other paper strips too.

Step 4.

Take the string and make a knot at 10 cm from the end. This will let you tie the necklace when is ready.

Step 5.

Let’s start to assemble the necklace. Start with a crystal – use the needle to add it…

… then add an orange star…

… a crystal, an yellow star and so on.

Step 6.

It’s almost ready. Take care to finish with a crystal and make a knot near it.

Step 7.

Now it’s fun. Ask your friends to write their name on the stars.

That way you’ll have them with you all the summer 😉

Technorati Tags: friendship bracelets, friendship necklaces, last day of school, last day of school crafts, last day of camp, last day of camp crafts, autograph crafts, autographs, jewelry crafts, bracelets, necklaces, stars, paper

Laura · crafts for girls, Friendship Bracelets Instructions, Jewelry Crafts for Kids, Keepsake Crafts Ideas, Last Day of School Crafts, String · 4 Comments

Graduation day is very important and everyone wants to remember it. What are the symbols of this day? The graduation cap / hat and diploma … so, we will add those to our badge pin 🙂 Learn how to make the following decorative pin in easy step by step lesson below … great for the last day of school.

This step by step tutorial is offered by Laura from Dacian Moon Handmade

How to Make Graduation Cap and Diploma Pin Badges

CRAFTS MATERIALS NEEDED:

– toothpick
– polymer clay : blue – or any other colour for the background – and black – for the hat
– cutter
– 1 badge base
– thread
– craft glue
– white paper
– baking paper
– baking tray

Step 1

Condition polymer clay by hand, simply mix it and squish it with your fingers. You may want to roll it into a log between your palms, fold it in half, and then roll again.

Fortunately, in the summer the clay is conditioning more easily.

So, condition the blue clay.

Let a small part and from the rest make a ball and flatten it on a piece of baking paper.

Step 2

Place the badge base on it and press.

Use the small piece of blue clay to fix the base…

… like that.

Turn it with the face to you.

Step 3

Take a half of the black clay, condition it…

… and make a almost square form of it.

Place it to the blue background.

From the other half, make a triangle form and place it on top of the square.

Step 4

Place the on the baking tray, and bake it accordingly to the instructions on the polymer clay package (they depend on the brand you use: fimo, cernit, sculpey…, but usually is one half of hour at 230 F or 110 C)

Let it cool down.

Step 5

Take the white paper, make a roll with it…

…and tie it with the thread.

Step 6

Apply a layer of glue on it…

…and place it on the badge.

You can use paints to add the year or anything else you want.

Now you can wear it on your shirt or coat proudly. Congratulations!

Technorati Tags: graduation, graduation crafts, graduation caps, how to make graduation caps, graduation pins, graduation badges, diploma crafts, crafts for kids, crafts, last day of school

Laura · Clay & Sculpting Crafts Ideas, Clay or Play Dough, Graduation Crafts, Jewelry Crafts for Kids, Jewelry Pins, Keepsake Crafts Ideas, Last Day of School Crafts · 1 Comment

Rainbows bring smiles to faces everywhere and these hand print rainbow are very easy for children of all ages to make. This is a perfect activity for toddlers, preschoolers, and Kindergartners. They are fun to make and parents just love handprints from their children.

You Might Like Our Other St. Patrick’s Day Crafts Ideas

How To Make Hand Print Rainbows for St. Patrick’s Day Preschooler Activity

Crafts Materials Needed

*Construction Paper in Rainbow Colors (Red, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet)

* Pencils or Markers

* Scissors

* Glue

Hand Print Rainbow Instructions

Step 1

Teach the kids about the rainbow and the spectrum of light and all that jazz. If they are very young….teach them the order of the colors in a rainbow by telling them about the name Roy G. Biv (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet)

Step 2

Have the child trace his or her hand on each color of paper (or trace it for them if they are very young)

Step 3

Glue each hand together, in order (Red, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet) in a rainbow-like arc.

You Might Like Our Other St. Patrick’s Day Crafts Ideas

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crissy · Color Wheel and Colors, Keepsake Crafts Ideas, Preschool and Kindergarten Crafts, Saint Patricks Day · 1 Comment

Do you want to make a really cool snow globe? Find a figurine that you don’t play with any more and use that to make a really cool snow globe. This is also a great way to keep a special toy figures on display. Find out how to make this super cool snow globe with a baby food jar (or any old jar).

Making Snow Globes with Toy Figures & Glass Jars with Easy Crafts Instructions for Kids

Crafts Materials Needed

– Baby Food Jar (or larger jars if you want a bigger snow globe)
– Toy Figurine
– Glitter
– Glue Gun (Parental Help Required)
– (Optional) Acrylic Paint and Paint brush to paint the outside of the jar.

Step 1

Firstly, wash the jar and cap and dry them both off. Then take your toy figurine and hot glue it to the baby jar’s lid (Let Mom or Dad Do This Part).

Step 2

Now fill the jar with water and sprinkle in the glitter of your choice.

Step 3

(Let Mom or Dad do this part) Put glue onto the cap and then close the lid tightly on to the jar. Then Seal the jar by gluing all around the edge.

Step 4

This is what your Snow Globe should look like now.

You can then paint (optional) whatever you want to on this snow globe. Since my snow globe is a Super Mario Snow Globe, I put the Mario logo on the jar.

I hope that you had a great time and that your snow globe turned out fantastically.

Technorati Tags: snow globes, snowglobes, making snow globes, make a snow globe, jar crafts, crafts with jars, crafts with baby food jars, kids crafts

admin · Gifts Crafts for Kids, Glitter, Jars, Keepsake Crafts Ideas, Painting Crafts Activities, Table Decorations Crafts · 5 Comments

Do you want to decorate your address books, appointment books, scrap books, or schedule books with felt. If you like to sew, then this is a great craft to get your sewing fix in. You will make your special book into a personalized keepsake. Have fun.

Decorate Address, Schedule or Appointment Books with Felt Crafts Idea

Crafts Materials Needed:

-6″x9″ appointment book from a stationary store or dollar store
– a piece of felt about 19″ x 9″
– Extra Felt for Decorations
– Thread to match the fabric
– Rubber cement, or other glue
– Scissors
– Tape Measure
– Needle
– Other Decorative Items such as Ribbons, Buttons, etc.

Step 1

(1) Cut the felt 19″ x 9″. With long and short blanket stitches edge all four sides.

If you don’t know how to blanket stitch, then please follow these directions. Make a knot at the end of your piece of thread. Put your needle in 1/4 inch from the edge of the fabric, put the thread under the point of the needle and then pull the needle with the rest of the thread through. Repeat until finished.

Step 2

(2) Spread glue evenly on the felt.

Step 3

(3) Put the spine of the appointment book in the middle of the piece of felt and slowly raise the felt first on one side and then on the other for each cover of the appointment book. About 3″ of felt should be glued onto the inside covers of the appointment book.

Step 4

(4) Cut out your initials and any other patterns that you want and In the center of the cover, glue on these  initials / patterns as a finishing touch for this useful gift for office or home.

Decorate your special books in any ways that you want to. I hope that you had fun.

Technorati Tags: decorate books, schedule books, appointment books, address books, decorating books, book covers, felt crafts, crafts with felt, sewing crafts

admin · crafts for girls, Felt, Gifts Crafts for Kids, Keepsake Crafts Ideas, Sewing & Fabrics · 0 Comments

Since Valentine’s Day is coming up soon, how about learning how to make this Greeting Cards Display Craft. You can hang it on a picture hook, or hang it from other high places. Then you can look at the love that people sent to you in Valentine’s Day cards, Christmas cards, Birthday cards, or whatever.

Making a Greeting Card Display Wall Hanger Crafts Idea for Kids

Crafts Materials Needed

– wire coat hanger
– scraps of ribbons, any color
– decorative paper or wrapping paper (optional)
– glue
– scissors
– tape measure or ruler

Step 1 (Optional Step)

Glue and wrap strips of decorative paper, wrapper paper, ribbon, or yarn all over the hanger so that the wire does not show anywhere.

Step 2

Have 15 to 20 ribbons of varying lengths—from 15 to 36 inches. Glue them on the hanger, both on the upper and lower parts, about 1 to 2 inches apart.

Step 3

These ribbons should be used to pin on, or glue on, Christmas cards, Valentine’s Day cards, or birthday cards, or whatever.

The hanger can be displayed on a picture hook anywhere in the house.

Technorati Tags: hanger crafts, wire hanger crafts, recycle greeting cards, display greeting cards, greeting card crafts, crafts with greeting cards, valentines day crafts, birthday crafts, christmas crafts, crafts for kids

admin · Christmas Crafts, Hanukkah Crafts for Kids, Keepsake Crafts Ideas, Recycle Greeting Cards, Recycling and Upcycling Crafts, Ribbons, Valentines Day Crafts, Wall and Door Hanging Crafts, Window Hanging Crafts Ideas, Wire Hangers · 0 Comments

What is Equality? What is Peace? Peace is to get up in the morning and your mommy and daddy will welcome you with a smile. You have good friends and you can play and have fun with them. You have dreams that one day will be true…Every children on this word wants those things. Think at Peace as a beautiful flower. How this flower will look like? You can make this to celebrate the great Martin Luther King Jr. on Martin Luther King Day.

How to Make a Peace Handprints Flower Craft Idea for Martin Luther King Day

CRAFTS MATERIALS NEEDED:

– paper
– scissors
– pencil
– colored paper (pink, light brown, dark brown, green)
– glue

Step 1.

We take the pink paper,

Place your left hand on it,

And draw it’s contour with your pencil.

Step 2.

Take the scissor and cut out the drawing.

Now you have a paper hand.

Step 3.

Repeat the steps 1 and 2 using the brown papers, so, in the end you’ll have 3 paper hands, to use as petals.

Step 4.

We want to make a flower… what every flower have? You said steam? Yes, you’re right! So, let’s draw a steam on the green paper. You can add some leaves too.

Step 5.

Take the scissor and cut out the steam and the leaves.

It really looks like a plant 🙂

Step 6.

Apply a thin layer of glue on the back of the steam and leaves,

Then place it on the white paper.

Take care to put the steam low enough to let space for the flower.

Step 7.

Apply the glue on the back of the paper hands too and place them on top of the steam.

That’s it! The Peace flower…

offered by Laura from Dacian Moon Handmade

You Might Like Our Other Martin Luther King Day Crafts as well.

Technorati Tags: paper handprints, handprints, handprint crafts paper cutouts, martin luther king day, martin luther king, martin luther king day crafts, crafts for kids, peace crafts, african american crafts, paper cutting crafts, paper cutting, paper folding, paper arts, crafts for kids, crafts for children

Laura · Keepsake Crafts Ideas, Martin Luther King Day, Peace and Loving Others · 2 Comments

It is almost New Years Eve and Day so I thought that I would make a special craft for this special time. It is nice to put aside special treasures, mementos, pictures, certificates, love letters, or whatever else you find important to you. You can use this special fold-up, accordion pocketed book to hold all the memories of this year or next year … and then you can put it away as if it were a time capsule. Then you can try not to look at it for 10 years. You will be surprised at how much you have changed in that amount of time. Have fun.

Making a New Years Memory Accordion Pocket Book to Hold Precious Memories

Crafts Materials That You Need:

..Ribbons
..Decorative Paper (Any Size That You Want…my paper was 11 x 14…but this will also work with 8×11 or any other paper)
..Scissors
..Glue
..Ruler

Step 1

Take one of your decorative pieces of paper and cut it lengthwise (in half) as you see above.

Step 2

No bend one of these pieces of paper in half lengthwise.

Step 3

Now bend it again inwards.

Step 4

Unfold it…turn it onto its opposite side. It probably will stand up like mind does above. Now fold it inwards again (now it will be in the opposite direction of the original crease).

Step 5

Like I said above, you are re-creasing the folds in the opposite direction.

Step 6

Now do the same exact thing with the second piece of paper.

Step 7

Overlap both of these folded pages so that they look like mountains (look at the above picture). Now glue them together.

ALSO CUT OFF THE FIRST OR LAST RECTANGLE.

Step 8

If you want pockets in your accordion memory book…then follow this step. You will be doing step 1-7 over again….but in half the height. This is for the accordion pockets. Just figure out how high your original accordion fold was and then make 2 accordions half the height.

Step 9

It is a little hard to see but I have glued the pockets down to the first accordion folds that we made. You should glue it to the bottom and to the creases. Don’t glue the entire thing down or you won’t be able to use them as pockets.

Step 10

This part is a bit complicated and you might need a parent to help you. Don’t over-think it. Basically just put your folded up accordion paper in the middle of a piece of decorative paper….Lightly draw a line around this paper book. Now just take a ruler and draw lines vertically and horizontally across the paper. Now you should have a grid. On the farthest left line draw a triangle at the top and at the bottom of the paper (as seen above). These 2 triangles should be cut out so they are removed from the piece of paper. On the right side of the paper, cut the top and bottom square so that they are removed from the paper. It would be better if you could make these cuts larger than the line (as you see above). Fold on the dashed lines that you see above.

Step 11

After you cut out everything…this is what it should look like.

Step 12

Now fold the middle and left tabs inwards (as seen in the diagram above). Basically fold top left down…bottom left up. Fold middle top down and middle bottom up. Then it will look like the picture above.

Step 13

Now fold the left over the middle.

Step 14

Now fold the right rectangle into the pocket that you created in the previous step.

This will be one of the covers.

Get another piece of decorative paper and do the same thing that you did in steps 10 – 14.

Step 15

Yes…I know…all of a sudden my covers turned orange. I messed up the green ones. Anyways. This is what you should have in front of you right now. 2 covers and your accordion paper with pockets (unless you decided not to).

Step 16

Glue the front cover to one side of the accordion and the back cover to the other side of the accordion.

Step 17

Cut 2 slits in the back of  the back cover because you will be putting ribbon through it and then tying the ribbon in the front of the book.

Step 18 – Finishing up Your Memory Scrapbook

Draw whatever you want on the front of the cover. You can even draw a picture if you want to. Stick pictures, ticket stubs, invitations, memos, special notes, and other special mementos from this year (or next year) so you can remember your special memories from that year. You can use it as a time capsule. Look at this in ten years if you want to.

Technorati Tags: new years crafts, kids new years crafts, kids new year crafts, new years, new year, new year crafts, book making crafts, folder crafts, pocket crafts, make book, making books, scrapbooks, scrapbooks, accordion books, make accordion books, time capsules, make time capsules, crafts for kids

admin · book making crafts, Keepsake Crafts Ideas, New Years Crafts, Ribbons, Scrapbooking Crafts · 2 Comments

Do you want to learn how to make a unique picture frame? Most picture frame crafts are for one photograph, but this one holds 3 photos. This would be perfect to make as a gift for Dad or Mom for family photos…and it would look great on their office desk. If you want to learn how to make a tri-fold picture frame, then look at the directions below.

FYI…this craft is for older children – 9 and up….younger children can do it with help from an adult / parent / teacher.

How to Make Tri-Fold Picture Frame Gift That Holds 3 Photos for Dad’s Desk on Father’s Day

CRAFTS MATERIALS THAT YOU  WILL NEED:

– Cardboard, 15 by 5 inches
– 2 Pieces of felt, each 16 by 5′ inches
– 3 Snapshots (family photos)
–  Wool thread in contrasting color
–  Needle with large eye
–  Scissors
– Tape measure
– Glue Stick, Rubber Cement, or other Adhesive
– Chalk

HOW TO MAKE THIS CRAFT : TRI-FOLD FAMILY PICTURE FRAME

Step 1

Cut the cardboard into three pieces, each 5 by 5 inches. Paste one photography on each piece. Try to choose pictures that you father will look at and feel all mushy and sentimental.

Step 2

Arrange the three pieces side by side and lay one piece of felt over them. Leave 1/2 inch between the pieces of cardboard,since the felt is 1 inch wider than the three pieces of cardboard.

Step 3

Mark with chalk either an oval or square shape where the felt is to be cut out to show the underlying family photographs. Cut out these pieces of felt.

Step 4

Sew a long-and-short blanket-stitch border around each hole (see instructions on blanket stitching below) using the pretty wool thread.

Tip: How to Sew a Blanket Stitch

To blanket stitch, make a knot at the end of your piece of thread. Put your needle in 1/4 inch from the edge of the fabric, put the thread under the point of the needle and then pull the needle with the rest of the thread through. Repeat until finished.

Step 5

Glue the felt with the holes over the cardboard so the snapshots show through. Glue the other piece of felt to the back of the three pieces of cardboard.

Step 6

Sew a running stitch (see instructions for sewing the running stitch right below.) in places marked A and B in the illustration and then the frame is ready.

Tip : How to Make the Running Stitch

Begin sewing this stitch with three or four little stitches sewn one over the other, instead of making a knot in the thread. The running stitch itself is a small, even stitch, running on a straight line. Try to make each stitch about 1/8  inch long, though if it is closer to 1/4 of an inch no thunder or lightning are going to strike you. You can run up to six of these little stitches on the needle and then pull the needle through the fabric. Finish your seam with three or four little stitches sewn one on top of the other.

Below you can see what the finished picture frame will look like.

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admin · Cardboard Boxes, Fathers Day Crafts, Gifts Crafts for Kids, Keepsake Crafts Ideas, Mother's Day Crafts, Pictures or Photographs, Sewing & Fabrics, Wall and Door Hanging Crafts · 3 Comments

This is a cute idea for kids to make jewelry, such as bracelets and necklaces for Mom, Grandma or an Aunt on Mother’s Day or a birthday. Girls especially seem to love this arts and crafts project because many girls love to sew with needle and thread and they love making and wearing jewelry. Either way, this is a lot of fun.

Make Mom Jewelry Gift : Necklaces and Bracelets for Mother’s Day Crafts Activity for Kids

Crafts Materials Needed:

– Some dried kernels of corn (or acorns)

-Macaroni

– A heavy needle

– Some thread

– A thimble (optional, but a good idea to protect your fingers)

– A candle (optional)

– A pin

– Paints, Markers, or Crayons

Step 1:

To make the corn and macaroni necklace pictured at the top of this page, break some macaroni into small pieces, about three-quarters of an inch long.

Step 2:

Color the pieces of macaroni with crayons, markers, or paints.

Step 3:

Pierce each kernel of corn with a pin before stringing, making a tiny hole for the needle and thread to pass through.

Step 4:

Wax your thread by running it against a candle a few times. This will give it strength.

Step 5:

Acorns may be used instead of corn, but do not use berries or any vegetable which may rot instead of getting hard and dry.

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admin · crafts for girls, Gifts Crafts for Kids, Jewelry Crafts for Kids, Keepsake Crafts Ideas, Mother's Day Crafts, String · 2 Comments

Moms and Dads always love hand print crafts AND they are very easy to make. Here is a cute arts and crafts project for kids to make for Mom on Mother’s Day or Dad on Father’s Day. This is also great for toddlers and preschoolers. Make this beautiful hand print poster for your Mom this Mother’s day. She’ll treasure it forever.

Make Keepsake Hand Print Poster Gift for Mom on Mother’s day Craft

Craft materials required:

Red acrylic paint

Brush

Thick paper

Ribbon

Red colored paper

Scissors

Glue

Tape

Crayon

Step 1

Cut out a piece of paper larger than the size of your hand. Use the paintbrush to apply paint on your palm and stamp your hand on the paper.

Step 2

Write a message for your mom below the print.

Step 3

Cut out strips of red paper and glue it on the sides to make a border.

Step 4

Cut a piece of ribbon and tape it to the back as shown.

Step 5

Your poster is ready! Gift it to your mom on mother’s day and she can hang it up on the wall.

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Sharon David · Fathers Day Crafts, Gifts Crafts for Kids, Keepsake Crafts Ideas, Mother's Day Crafts, Painting Crafts Activities, Poster Crafts, Preschool and Kindergarten Crafts · 2 Comments