Christmas Cards – Foil Craft #1

With Christmas just around the bend I realized it was time to start on our Christmas cards.  Actually it dawned on me yesterday I have about 65 to make and I need them in the mail in a week, Gah!

Last year, while surfing my favorite blogs I stumbled upon this craft over at Bethany Actually.  Now I haven’t had her submit this craft and for the life of me I couldn’t find her post on it again when I needed it but I do want to give credit, where credit is due.

So often, there are crafts that are great for kids older than about 4 and doing something constructive with the 3 and under crowd can be difficult.  Until now, this is a craft that everyone can participate in and it turns out beautiful.

I will be using the beginning part of this craft for a few different projects over the next few weeks so be warned.  It’s a simple technique with many uses.

So, without further, blathering on, here is our Foil Christmas Cards

Supplies:

- tin foil (I purchased the inexpensive rolls at the dollar store)

- cookie sheet or piece of cardboard to attach your tin foil to

- Poster board (white, black)/ cardstock

- white glue

- sponge brushes

- glitter

- red and green tissue paper (cut into smaller shapes in advance)

- dish with watered down white glue

- sequins

- scissors

- black marker pen

- pinking sheers

- ruler

- Christmas shapes templates (I found some on the internet and cut them out of heavy card stock)

Method:

1.  Cover cookie sheet or cardboard with a sheet of tin foil, making sure to secure the edges to prevent slipping.

2. Squirt glue all over tin foil and spread out with a damp sponge brush until the entire sheet is covered with glue.

3. Have your kids cover the tinfoil with pieces of tissue paper.  Using the watered down glue and another sponge brush to coat the top of the tissue after it’s been placed down.  This will secure it for drying and will also allow for multiple layers of tissue – watered down glue between each layer.  Remember the more layers of tissue the more firm your end project will be.

4. Once you’ve finished with the  tissue paper, allow your helper to put sequins and glitter all over the still wet glue/tissue area.

5. Allow to dry over night

6. Cut your poster board into card sized pieces, my measured 21cm by 14cm. And fold in the center

7. Use your pinking sheer to create a decorative edge on your cards.

8. Once your tin foil project is dry, trace your christmas shapes onto it and cut them out.  I have found that while a little messy it’s easier to trace the shapes on the back of the tin foil, as the glitter on the front can stick to your marker pen.

9. Attach your newly cut out shape – I used christmas trees, to the front of your card, affix a star sticker on the top and voila!  Your finished.

NOTE: If you have chosen to use black cardstock/poster board you will need to affix a white piece of paper on the inside for writing on or use a silver/gold metallic pen.

Download and Print – Foil Christmas Card Craft!

Stay tuned I will have a craft coming soon to make your own envelopes, or you can visit your local card shop.  Many card shops recycle the extra envelopes that come with the cards at the end of each season and will either give or sell you their unused envelopes.

Hope you enjoy!  Have lots of fun and Happy Krafting!

Rain Shaker – Noise Maker

Awhile back we were flipping through a Tinkerbell magazine that my daughter had and stumbled upon a craft for making a Rain Shaker.  My Mom pointed it out, I made a mental note to save that book for the craft and promptly lost/forgot about it.

That is, until the other day while cleaning the bathroom.  I know that sounds silly, but hear me out.  You see, I was cleaning the mirror and used the last of the paper towel, leaving me with an empty roll. Ahhhh you say that makes sense. 

It’s a paper roll, Rain Shaker, Noise maker!

Supplies:

- cardboard tube (paper towel or wrapping paper work best for rain maker, and work well for a noise maker, as does a toilet paper roll)

- construction paper

- clear tape

- scissors

- marker pens

- ruler

- stickers

- dry beans, lentils, or peas

(I used the “soup mix” from our local grocery store, it contained very small lentils, alphabet noodles, and barley.  This doesn’t make for the greatest rain sounds but I have a small baby around and if this happens to get broken and she finds those pieces, none of them are large enough for her to choke on. )

Method:

1. Measure about 2″ in from either end of your tube and make a mark around the whole tube

2. Cut 4 slits in the tub from end to the above marked line.

3. On one end fold each section down, securing with clear tape until the entire end is completely sealed.  Make sure, if you are using small beans etc, that you leave no space for them to slip out the bottom.

 

4. Have your little helper decorate a sheet of construction paper with markers, crayons, etc (if you chose paint, please allow it to dry before proceeding).

5. Using another sheet of paper, create a funnel for the open end of your tube.

6. Pour in the desired amount of bean/lentil mixture.  I suggest no more than 1/4 of your tube.  Too much of the mixture and you won’t get a great sound because the tube will be too full.

7. Seal the open end of the tube using the method in step 3

8. Wrap your now sealed tube with the coloured construction paper, making sure to attach it firmly with tape, so that it won’t slip or slide from either end.

9. Fold the ends of your paper over the end of your tube, as if you were wrapping a present and again, cover with tape.

10. Now ask your little helper to decorate his/her tube with stickers and if desired more drawings.

11.  If you have chosen to create a Rain Shaker, tip your tube slowly on the diagonal slant allowing your mixture to slide from one end to the other.

12.  If you’ve created a Noise Maker, hand it over to your helper and enjoy the music!

Download and Print – Rain Shaker – Noise Maker!

Hope you have as much fun as we did.  Stay tuned, more “rock band” crafts to come.

Happy Krafting!

Cardboard Box Car

I don’t think there is a kid alive who doesn’t love the wonder of a cardboard box.   They hold endless hours of imagination and play, for both parents and kids a like.

 

I am a PartyLite consultant, which means in our house we have a constant stream of boxes coming in.  We get small ones, big ones, and in between ones (all with the added bonus of smelling fabulous!).  And while most of them get recycled or re-purposed the odd one becomes a craft creation for my girls.  And the other day was no exception.  I had just finished unpacking a large order and was in the process of moving the boxes out to our shed for recycling when it dawned on me!

 

What better way to pass what was looking like a looong, boring evening, than by creating something with our new box!  When in doubt craft it out!  I thought for a moment and a light went on, a car!  No, not a car, a van, so both girls could go for a boot.  We pulled out or box transformation tools and got to it.  Take a look

 

 

 

Supplies Needed:

 

 

- duct tape (or masking tape)

 

- Large cardboard box

 

- Straight edge (I used a book edge because I was too lazy to go get my ruler)

 

- Markers

 

- Zap straps

 

- Sharp box cutter (for parents only please!)

 

- Paper plate

 

- White paper

 

Method:

 

1. Stand the flaps on three sides of the box up and tape together along the end seams.

 

2. Mark in the center of the end flap your “windshield”, leaving at least 2 inches of cardboard on each side for strength

 

3. Carefully cut out your windshield and tape the top for added support

 

4. Using your straight edge and marker draw a diagonal line along each of your side flaps and cut along this line. These flaps will hold your windshield in place.

 

5. Using your straight edge and marker again draw a door on the driver’s side of your “vehicle”. I don’t recommend adding two doors as again this weakens the strength of your vehicle.

 

6. Attach your paper plate steering wheel by punching a hole in the front of your car and your paper plate. Thread through your zap straps and secure with tape (we found this to be less than secure and my youngest managed to rip it off. However I don’t have any better suggestion at this time. If you do let me know, please!)

 

7. Fold the rear flap back to the exterior of your box and secure with tape. This will give added strength the area you’ll push your car from.

 

8. Out of a scrap piece of cardboard cut a licence plate sized rectangle. Cover with paper and use your imagination to create a cute and sassy licence plate.

 

9. Depending on the age of your children you can give them markers, crayons, stickers etc. to decorate the outside of their vehicle.

 

10. And remember, when you are finished with your car, recycle it!

 

Download and Print – Cardboard Box Car!

 

 

The photos really don’t do this craft justice.  I get so involved having fun I forget to take great pictures too.  I’ll work on that!  In the meantime, have fun, send in your ideas and photos and Happy Krafting!

 

Flower Pot!

One of my favorite things to get or give is flowers.  No matter what the occasion or who the person a bouquet of flowers (unless they are allergic) are the perfect gift.  They brighten a room, enhance a center piece and smell lovely.

My love for flowers has naturally flowed onto my oldest daughter and she too loves a gift.  However, she’s two and while we do on occasion by her fresh flowers I certainly cannot put them in her room.  Her innocent curiousity would result in a gigantic mess for her Momma.

Thus the “Flower Pot” craft was created.  This is a great way to use up your flower pots from summer and an easy craft to do with all ages.  Just keep in mind if you are working with little ones you’ll have to do the majority of the cutting.

Supplies Needed:

- Construction Paper

- Egg carton

- rocks

- Marker pens, crayons and/or pencil crayons

- glue

- tape

- construction paper

- florists foam, bubble wrap or something to fill your pot

- craft foam (optional)

- pipe cleaners

Method:

1. Cut flower shapes out of different colours of construction paper.  Because my free hand cutting isn’t very good I found a flower template I liked online, copied it and traced my flowers out first.

2. Allow your little artist to decorate the flowers any which way they’d like

3. Once the flower is decorated, cut a circle the size of the center out of a contrasting colour in either craft foam or construction paper.

4. Glue circle in the center of the flower and tape a green pipe cleaner to the pack for a stem.  I also cut a small piece off the bottom our pipe cleaner and twisted it around the center of the stem for leaves. 

5. Cut the cups out of your egg carton and again have them decorated.  Once they are finished, punch a small hole (I used a pen) in the bottom of the cup, put a pipe cleaner thru and fasten with either glue or tape.  You can then bend your stem to have the cup hand over like  a blue bell flower or you can stand it up like a tulip.

6. Fill your pot 2/3 full of whatever you are going to use to hold your flowers.  I punched holes into a roll of bubble wrap.

7. Insert and arrange flowers.  Once they are where you want them, cover them with your rocks.  If your little one is still small enough to eat the rocks (even if you think they won’t) glue them down.  I used a hot glue gun, that way any glue showing through looks like little worms.

8. Tie a ribbon around your pot and decorate as you wish.

Download and Print – Flower Pot

And you’re finished.  A floral arrangement perfect for any occasion and any room!

Awesome Aquarium

We have our very first Mommy submitted idea  Whoot!  My good friend Mya, has an excellent idea to share, a craft that she and her 2.5 year old little guy did that he loved! It’s also an idea that in this house provides a solution to a problem I’ve been avoiding like laundry on a Friday.

You see, Bethany wants a fish tank.  In fact she wants fish in general, in a tank, in a cup, in the bathtub would be better, as far as she’s concerned.  I however, hate fish.  I hate to feed them, I hate to clean their tanks, I hate to flush them, heck I don’t even eat the darn ones on my plate (Goldfish Crackers aside, they taste too good to be fish).  And on this one Corey isn’t on my side at all, he’s all about the fish.

I’ve been just ignoring their requests, hoping they’d go away.  And they haven’t.  I’d actually been considering it…until now!

Introducing, “The Awesome Aquarium”!  An idea submitted by Mya:

Supplies Needed:

- Construction paper

- Medium or Large cardboard box (I used a warehouse size cookie box)

- Egg carton

- Small – Medium Rocks

- crayons, felts etc

- 4 Pipe cleaners (if you want an octopus)

- Jewels or googly eyes

- String

- Tape

- Glue

- Paint (optional)

- Glitter glue

- Needle or small hole punching device

- Saran/cling wrap (optional)

Method:

1. Cut a “window” out of one large sides of the box leaving an inch frame around the edge.

2. If you want to paint the outside of the box do so and leave to dry. If not in later steps you can cover it with construction paper.

3. Depending on the age of your children you can cut out shapes for the background out of construction paper, get kids to colour on them and then glue them to the inside of the box  OR  the kids could paint the inside of the box.

4. Cut fish shapes out of construction paper.  Paint or colouring them

5. Cut the “cups” out of the egg carton, these make the body of the fish & Octopus. Paint, or use glitter glue on egg carton cups – let dry (a Kid Kadoodle Kraft tip: A blow dry set on cool can often speed the drying process up)

6. Glue eyes onto both sides of the fish cut out. – let dry

7. For octopus push pipe cleaners through cut edge of egg carton cup and pull through till bending in half to create legs.  Add eyes to the egg cup as well.

8. Get small to medium rocks from outside and glue to the bottom of box.

9. Once dry glue one egg carton cup to either side of the cut out fish shape.

10. For fish, use a needle to poke a hole in the top of the fish and thread string through.  For Octopus puncture a hole in the top of the egg carton and thread string through

11. Poke hole in top of the “fish tank” in the position you want your sea life to hang from, thread string and tape down

12. Optional – if you want “glass” for your tank you can stretch saran/cling wrap across the window of the box.  (Great idea Mya!  This would especially be great for little ones who may pull the rocks off and put them in their mouths)

13. If you haven’t painted the outside of the box you can cover it with construction paper. Kids can colour as they like. 

 Download and Print – Awesome Aquarium!

Thanks Mya so much for the great idea!  We’re going to give it a whoorl and have fun!  Now it’s time for your mission: do the craft, leave a comment (not just for me but for Mya!) tell us how it went, take some photos and e-mail them through for the reader’s craft gallery!

Happy Krafting!

Newspaper Castle!

In our little section of the world, in the Fall/Autumn season it rains.  A Lot.  And while I enjoy puddle jumping with my kids as much as the next girl, there is only so long you can stay in the rain before you just wind up cold, soggy and muddy.

So, in an effort to keep myself dry and by girlies happy I went a web surfing, and discovered this idea!  First found over at Pepper Paints we just had to try it!

 

Be warned this craft takes a ton of newspapers, but it’s well worth the build and the play.  My girls and I made this almost a week ago and although it’s a little more deformed now, it’s still being played with in my living room.

 It’s time to enter, The Newspaper Castle (said in the funky announcer voice)

Supplies:

- Lots of Newspapers (if you are from BC about 5 Vancouver Suns)

- Heavy Duty Stapler

- Pencil

- Masking Tape

- Sheet

Method:

1. Lay 4 or 5 sheets of newspaper flat on the floor

2.  Place pencil in the corner and begin rolling in a diagonal across the page, keeping your tension rather tight, but not so tight the pencil won’t slide out at the end.  By rolling it this way, you are getting the maximum length on your paper.

3.  Tape role in the center and allow pencil to slide out.

4. You’ll need to make 25 of these rolls to make the tent/castle shape we used.

5. Now make 5 rolls by stapling the corners of 3 rolls per triangle together.

6. Lay triangles on the floor point to point (see photo) and staple

7. Using 4 rolls connect the top of each triangle together (again see photo)

8. Now you need to get someone to help you.  Even the smallest of helpers is great, my 2.5 year old was my assistant

9. Stand your structure up and join ends to for a “circular” type shape, using another role to connect the last triangles

10. This is when I used the masking tape to re-enforce the joins and to cover the staples.  Tiny hands can easily snag on sharp edges and kids won’t know not to rip their hands away when it hurts - ouch!

11. attach each of the remaining rolls to a join on the top of your structure, then attach those 5 rolls in the center to form a point (see photo)

12.  Again I re-enforced the joins

13. Cover with a sheet, grab a flashlight and your little munchkin and enjoy!

Download and Print – Newspaper Castles!

This castle was  a blast to build and a craft that we will use for many years to come.  Keep in mind that this is a great starting point, be creative and find different structures you can make.  Then take a picture and share!  Keep watching, we’re going to try again and who knows what we’ll create!

Have fun and Happy Krafting!

Button Mirrors

These mirrors are one of my new favorite crafts.  They are a sweet addition to any living room, kids room, hallway or washroom.  I had loads of fun doing these mirrors up, due to the nature of this project (a lot of Hot Glue Gun work) this craft is best suited to the older kids in your home.

Sorry there aren’t progress photos with this craft.  I got a little carried away with the making of the craft and forgot!

Supplies:

- Hot Glue Gun + Sticks

- Unfinished wood framed mirrors (I chose mirrors from Ikea)

- Crafting paint

- Buttons

-Foam Letters and shapes (it’s best to choose the self adhesive ones)

- Assorted Buttons (many WalMarts, craft stores etc. sell big bags of assorted buttons for a very low price)

Method:

1.  Paint your mirror with 2 coats of your choice of crafting paint.  Allowing frame to completely dry in-between coats.

2.  Chose your button colour scheme and lay out pattern.  I chose to make a button frame around the edge of the mirror and also to diagonal lines outwards.  But refrain from glueing just yet.

3.  Chose your crafting foam pieces and letters.  Again arrange your pattern but don’t attach it just yet.

4.  Stand back and look carefully at your design.  Making sure everything is where you’d like it to be.  Once it’s glued down it’s permanent.  (Also keep in mind that things aren’t attached so don’t pick it up – oops I did that the first time).

5. One button at a time glue your pattern in place.  Then remove protective back from crafting foam and attach your letters and shapes.

6.  Allow glue 5 minutes to set and you’re ready to go!

 Download and Print – Button Mirrors

Hope you enjoyed that super simple craft!  I’ve done 3 of these mirrors now and they look precious in both my daughters’ rooms and my hallway.   As always give it a try, take some pictures and let me know how things went!

Happy Krafting!

Homemade Crayons

How many times do you hear “Oh Mom!  My crayon broke!” or “Moooom, can you peel the paper off please?” or you’re walking past the kitchen/craft table and Crunch!there goes another crayon to the mercy of the thunder foot.

And when collected all up it seems as though you’ve got a pile of stubs and nothing to do with them except use them for therapeutic stress relief by pitching them with immense force into your garbage pail.  Right?  WRONG!

I have a way to use those crayon nubbins, get out some excess anger (should it be in there, otherwise it’s just plain fun), keep the kids happy and satisfy your crafting cravings!

We’re gonna make new crayons!

Yes, I know you can buy them at the store, and yes, I know this isn’t a new trick but for many this is a task that can at best seem messy and daunting.  It doesn’t have to be, here, take a look!

Supplies:

- A whole bunch of broken, or used crayon stubs with the paper removed

- Hammers (depending on the age of your children they can wield a big hammer.  If they are still small like my girls are, I had the “Mommy Hammer” and they each had their own “Big Girl Hammer” which was their wood and plastic play hammers.  They don’t know the difference.)

- Cutting board

- Large Ziplock bags – I used a double bag system to stop the small tears that will form in the bag containing the crayons from leaking crayon dust everywhere

- Old muffin tin or Aluminum foil muffin cups

- If using foil muffin cups you’ll also need a cookie sheet

- Muffin Cup Liners

Method:  Pre heat oven to 200 degrees fahrenheit

1. Gather together all of your crayons and remove the paper outside, discarding it in your craft garbage bag (see sidebar Every crafters necessities).  If your children are older this is a great task to give them while you prep the rest of the craft.

2. Place crayons into the first large ziplock  bag.  Make sure when you are chosing colours that you don’t include super dark colours like Navy Blue, Black or too much Dark Brown.  These colours are super bold colours and will change your crayon from multi-colour to muddy colour.  Although we didn’t do it for the crayons in these photos I recommend putting pinks, purples and reds together.  Blues and greens together and yellows and oranges together. 

3. Place crayon bag inside another ziplock bag.

4. Now it’s time to grab your hammers and smash away!  Make sure to place a cutting board underneath your bag of crayons so as not to damage the surface you are working on.

5. You can break your crayons into large or small pieces depending on how much of a rainbow effect you’d like to achieve.  (Large pieces = less rainbow per crayon small pieces = more)

6. Line each muffin tin with a paper cup

7. Once crayons are to desired consistency fill each muffin tin about 2/3 full.

8. Place in your preheated oven

9. Melting time depends greatly on the size of your crayon chips.  I broke ours quite small and needed only about 3 minutes to melt them.  You are best to rely ON YOUR EYES NOT YOUR CLOCK!  Keep checking to make sure all the crayon is liquified.

10. As soon as crayon is completely melted remove from the oven carefully.

11. For more of a design in your crayons give each muffin cup a swirl with a toothpick

12.  Allow to cool completely

13. Remove muffin paper and enjoy!

 Download and Print – Homemade Crayons!

 

Give ‘er a try, take some pictures, have some fun and let me know how it goes!  Having trouble?  E-mail me at kidkadoodlekrafts(at)hotmail(dot)com.

Happy Krafting!

Welcome Here!

Hi and Welcome here!

Where’s here?  Well, here is a space totally and completely designed for Mommies (or Daddies), kids and creativity!

As a creative woman, I’ve spent years on my own crafts and creations. As a Mommy of 2 small children, who have a great need to build, break, cut, glue, colour and paint I am always on the hunt for a new craft or activity to fill their days.   And while I have stumbled on many different resources for families and crafts, I have never really come upon a website that does everything I want and need.

You see, I need to find new ideas for my kids and for me, a place where there are endless ideas of crafts for rainy days, sunny days, for 15 minutes or 2 hours.  And I want a place where I can reap those ideas, use them, enjoy them and share with other’s my sucesses or failures.  A place where I can submit my own ideas and hear other’s stories of sucess or tales of whoa.  And when it’s all said and done, I want to have a place where these great ideas are in an easy to print format, so I can print them off and put them in my craft binder.  To preserve memories and crafts for many children and grandchildren to come.

The good thing for you (I hope!) is that I’m the kinda girl, who when she can’t find what she wants, tends to do it herself.   I’m one of those Type A kind of gals who’d rather do it myself because quite simply it’s easier for me to do it rather than reliquish control

So here we are, a place where imaginations run wild, creativity is our treasure and where mistakes become masterpieces! 

If you have a great craft idea you’d like to submit, please e-mail it to me (with pictures if you have them), I’ll put it into a post, giving you all the credit, linking to your own blog should you have one and we’ll share it with the group!

Bear (or Bare) with me, it’s gonna take a bit but it’ll come together.  We’ll figure it out and hopefully we’ll have some fun along the way.