Category Archives: Art Tutorials

Jun2

Our Imaginations! Camp for Kids: Nature Prints

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Our Imaginations! Camp for Kids: Nature Prints

The craft NATURE PRINTS was adapted from the project “From the Yard/Nature Prints” found in All-Around-the-House Art and Craft Book by Patricia Z. Wirtenberg and published by Houghton Mifflin Company in1968

Materials:

Leaves, bark, twigs

Printer’s inks or poster or acrylic paints in various colors (cheaper to use)

Drawing pencils (optional)

Rice or bond paper in white or various light colors (works best with poster/acrylic paints)

Brown wrapping paper or construction paper for use with printer’s inks

Brayer (or roller)

Piece of glass

Newspaper

Solvent for cleaning brayer and glass if using printer’s inks unless using water-soluble printer’s inks

  1. Collect fresh leaves from the trees or bushes in your neighborhood or yard. You will need some to experiment with and some for the last print. Other objects such as tree bark (if it’s easy to peel off) and even some twigs will work along with the leaves, too.
  2. Cover your work surface with newspaper. Lay down the glass and brayer on the work surface. Select the paints or inks that you will use. Acrylic or poster paints are less expensive than oil-based printer’s inks and easier to clean up after use.
  3. You can squeeze one color for each leaf or squeeze two or three colors side-by-side on the glass. The leaves in the samples shown used one or two or three colors at one time.
  4. Roll the paint or inks on the glass until the pigment covers the brayer. If you are using more than one color, let the colors run into each other. Roll the brayer over the leaf several times and turning the leaf over, lay it on a piece of paper like rice paper or bond paper. Use your hand to press the leaf so that it prints on the paper. Paper that is not too thick or too thin is the best to use if using acrylic or poster paints. Printer’s inks can use a slightly heavier paper like construction or brown wrapping paper.
  5. Remove the leaf and see how it printed on the paper. Experiment until you have a print that you like. Experiment with other materials from nature combined with the leaves.
  6. To create a mixed media design, color the whites of the leaves or the background paper or outline the printed leaves with colored pencils. See the two samples below.
  7. Frame the print or using old note card stationery, make note cards or poster cards of the printed leaves. They make a thoughtful gift for people who still write notes!
Nature Prints

Nature Prints

 

Nature Prints

Nature Prints

 

Nature Prints

Nature Prints

 

VARIATION:

Make a sun print! Make sure you do this on a sunny day! Choose the objects you will use as the main design of the print. Objects like leaves, twigs, bark, seashells, and pebbles work well. Lay the objects that you choose on photographic, construction or drawing paper on a surface in a sunny location. The longer you leave it there, the deeper an impression your objects will make on the paper. Leave the objects and paper in the sun for four hours minimum. Remove the objects. You now have a sun print! Use the sun print for the nature collage tutorial or frame it and hang the print on your bedroom wall.

 

Sun Print

Sun Print

 

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May11

Kid’s Crafts: Accordion Mini-Album for Father’s Day

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Kid’s Crafts: Accordion Mini-Album for Father’s Day

*Materials:

Cardboard for the cover of the mini-album

Rice paper or wrapping paper or any light-weight paper to cover the mini-album

White glue, rubber cement, glue stick

Bond, construction, scrapbook paper, wrapping paper to mount the photos

Double-sided mounting squares or corners

Materials for decorating mini-album: sequins, glitter, paper, stickers, rubber stamps/stamp pad, markers, colored pencils

*Refer to the photos when necessary . Variation of the craft below the How-to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.  Measure the photos you selected for the album. Using those measurements, measure and cut two pieces of cardboard. If you are using thin cardboard, measure and cut four pieces. Glue two together and glue the other two together. This will make the cover of the album stronger. If you are using matt board or similar thick board, you do not have to do this. Allow to dry.
2.  If you are using 2 – 4 photos, measure four sections the height and width of the photos along the length of the bond, construction, wrapping paper or scrapbook paper of your choice. In other words, if your photos are 3 1/2” x 5”, you will measure four continuous sections each measuring 3 ½” x 5”. Cut the length of the paper (do not cut the individual sections) and fold in four. This will be the accordion or inside of the album.
3.  Select the paper you will use to cover the cardboard. If your cover measures 3 ½” x 5” add ½” to all four sides of the paper. Cut. You will fold the excess paper and glue it to the backside of the cover.  (The excess paper will be hidden by the accordion. This will become clearer in the next step.)
4.  Fold down and glue the corners first. Then fold down and glue the sides. Apply thicker glue when using thicker paper. Allow to dry. Use pressure so that the paper sticks firmly to the cardboard.
5.  Check the accordion paper against the cover and trim paper if necessary. Glue one folded section of the accordion to the inside of one of the covers. Glue the other end to the other cover.  Apply pressure and allow the glue to dry.
6.  Mount the photos using double-sided mounting squares. Decorate the cover with stickers, stamped art, markers, cut paper, sequins, and more.
Happy Father’s Day!

VARIATION: Don’t want to download photos? Sketch a self-portrait of you and family members instead!

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Apr25

Kid’s Crafts: Flowers for Mother’s Day!

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Kid’s Crafts: Flowers for Mother’s Day!

Kid’s Crafts: Flowers for Mother’s Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Materials:

Popsicle sticks (use wide popsicle sticks if they are available)

Craft Foam in various colors, construction paper or paper with designs or patterns

Glue or glue stick

Scissors

Pencil with eraser

Markers in brown and/or green or poster or acrylic paint in brown and/or green

Pompoms in various colors (optional)

Patterns (below)

  1. Trace and cut patterns: there are two sets for two kinds of flowers.
  2. Select papers or Craft Foam for the flower petals or the round flower. Trace patterns and cut.
  3. Use petal patterns for the leaves. Trace and cut in green Craft Foam or other craft paper. Use a minimum of two leaves per flower.
  4. Paint Popsicle stick in brown or green or color with markers or paint.
  5. Glue petals around the Popsicle stick or glue the round flower at the top of the Popsicle stick.
  6. Glue a pompom in the center. Or trace a penny or other small coin on the Craft Foam or other paper of choice for the center of the flowers. Cut and glue.
  7. Place in plants to give as gifts for Mother’s Day. Or make several flowers and place in a vase.

 

Happy Mother’s Day!

Patterns for Mother's Day Flowers Project0001

 

 

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Mar30

Kid’s Crafts: Easter Egg Banner

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Kid’s Crafts: Easter Egg Banner

EASTER

Easter celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection that usually occurs during springtime. The holiday includes a forty-day period of fasting known as Lent which ends on Easter Sunday with joyous feasting.

Easter is a “movable feast” which Christians celebrate on a different day each year. Easter, like other holidays, has its roots in pagan rituals and beliefs. Some historians believe that the word “Easter” derives from the name “Eastre,” the Teutonic goddess who represented springtime and fertility. Pagans celebrated her festival on the first day of spring.

Easter symbols include the Easter rabbit, a symbol of fertility, and eggs dyed in different colors which symbolize birth.  The  Ukrainian tradition of Pysanky or egg dyeing influenced the Easter banner design in the craft project below. (The word “pysanky” means “to write.”) Ukrainian Easter eggs are known all over the world for their beauty and colorful, intricate designs. The number of symbols and colors used in the design of the eggs grew as the craft became popular.

Each object/symbol and color has a special meaning:

Sun – the source of light and life

Star – success

Birds – spring, a good harvest

Heart – love

Fruits and vegetables – the good life

Wheat – the life’s work of the Ukrainian peasant

Animals – prosperity and wealth

Bees – hard work

Tree – strength, long life, good health, youthfulness

White – purity

Yellow – wisdom, a successful harvest

Green – spring, rebirth of nature

Blue – good health, sky, air, magic

Red – happiness, passion, hope

Brown – earth, mountains

Purple – faith, trust

Ukrainian eggs are first divided into triangles, squares or circles and then other objects are added: the sun, flowers, wheat, etc.

EASTER EGG BANNER PROJECT0001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EASTER EGG BANNER

Ages: 5 – 12 years

Time: one hour

MATERIALS:

Pink craft foam sheet

Blue craft foam sheet

Yellow craft foam sheet

Yellow felt square 14” x 20”

Dowel rod 18”

String – double the length of the dowel rod

Measure and cut the yellow felt square to 14” x 20” and place it vertically. Make a loop by measuring and folding a 1” seam and iron. Measure and fold a second 1” seam. Iron and glue the second fold. You will be inserting the dowel rod through this loop. (This felt piece should now measure  14”x18”.)

Using templates or stencils trace and cut a large egg from the pink craft foam sheet. Glue it on the center of the yellow felt piece. Cut the double cross pattern, 5 small eggs, six small petals, and 4 large petals out of the blue craft foam sheet. Cut six small petals and 4 large petals from the yellow craft foam sheet. Cut 5 small eggs and 2 tiny circles from the pink craft foam sheet.

Glue the double cross on the large egg. Place 4 large yellow petals near the center of the top cross. Glue a pink dot in the center of the cross. Arrange 6 blue petals near the top and sides of the cross. Glue 4 large blue petals near the intersection at the bottom of the cross. Glue a pink dot in the center of the bottom cross. Arrange 6 small yellow petals near the bottom and sides of the cross and glue. Glue small blue and pink eggs in a random pattern around the central egg.

Cut the dowel rod to approximately18”. Insert a loop at the top. Cut the string to a length suitable for hanging. Tie the string to the ends of the dowel rod. Decorate your home by hanging the Easter Egg Banner from a window, on a wall or door.

VARIATION: What other symbols have special meaning to you? Use them in your own Easter Egg Design.

 

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Feb24

Kid’s Crafts: St. Patrick’s Day Banner

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Kid’s Crafts: St. Patrick’s Day Banner

KID’S CRAFTS: ST. PATRICK’S DAY

March 17th is the feast day of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. No one knows exactly when St. Patrick was born although historians believe that he was born in Britain. We do know that his real name was Succat and when he was sixteen years old, Irish pirates attacked his family’s estate and kidnapped Patrick,. The pirates forced him to live as a herdsman in somewhere in Ireland. During this time, he became a devout Christian and began to see visions. After six years of enslavement, his visions told him to escape.

He returned to his family but later, fled for the northern coast of Gaul where he became a priest. His course of study lasted 15 years and when it ended, he returned to Ireland, and eventually became Bishop of Ireland.

Symbols associated with St. Patrick’s Day include the leprechaun and the shamrock.  Leprechauns are a race of elves who gave their gold to anyone who could catch them. The shamrock became the national symbol of Ireland because St. Patrick used its three leaves to explain the idea of the Holy Trinity to the Irish people. This was St. Patrick’s way of incorporating Irish customs and beliefs into his teachings of Christianity.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY BANNER PROJECT0001

 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY RAINBOW

Ages: 5 – 12 years

Time: one hour

MATERIALS:

Kelly Green craft foam sheet

Purple craft foam sheet

Dark Green craft foam sheet

Orange craft foam sheet

White craft foam sheet

Blue craft foam sheet

Red craft foam sheet

Dowel rod 20”

Yellow craft foam sheet

String – double the length of the dowel rod

Using templates or stencils (or enlarge the patterns provided below ) trace and cut two clouds out of the white craft foam sheet.  Place one cloud slightly lower than the other and so that they partly overlap each other. Glue. Trace and cut 3 small, 2 medium, and 2 large shamrocks out of the dark green craft foam sheet. Trace and cut 3 small, 2 medium, and 2 large shamrocks out of the Kelly Green craft foam sheet.

Arrange the large shamrocks in a random pattern on the bottom part of the banner and glue. Place one small Kelly Green shamrock and one small dark green shamrock aside. Arrange the rest of the shamrocks so that they  overlap the dark green shamrocks, etc., and glue the pieces. Glue the two shamrocks that you laid aside so that they appear to tumble from the clouds. Avoid centering them on the design because the design will look more interesting if the shamrocks are scattered to the left and right of the design.

Cut three strips 8” x 1 1/2” out of the white craft foam sheet. Glue the ends of each strip so that they form a loop. When the loops are dry, glue the loops to the back of the banner. Insert the dowel rod through these loops and hang your banner for St. Patrick’s Day.

Erin go bragh! (Ireland forever!)

VARIATION: The rainbow in the design reaches for a pot of gold. Where does your rainbow go and how far? Try making your own banner design using four-leaf clovers.

 

Cloud pattern

Pattern Cloud St. Pat’s Day Banner

Patterns for two shamrocks

Shamrocks Pattern

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Feb3

Votive Candleholder

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Votive Candleholder

Beat the winter doldrums with a fun craft project! Use it as a Valentine’s Day decoration, give as a gift

 or use it all-year round! Super easy and cheap to make too!

Votive Candleholder

Materials:

Shells in different sizes

Strand of pearls or beads

Large clear vase with a neck (See photo)

Small votive/candle holder (make sure it fits into the opening of the vase)

Small candle or tea light that fits into the votive holder

Optional: Ribbon (the neck of the vase will decide the width and length of the ribbon)

1. Wash and dry the vase and candle holder/votive so that they shine.

2. Let the shape of the vase dictate where the shells, pearls and other objects of  choice will lay inside the vase.

3. Intertwine one strand of beads or pearls. Add some shells. Mix again.

  1. Place the larger shells and pearls or beads next and then intertwine another strand of beads or pearls.
  2. Finally, arrange the medium objects on top. Add the last strand of pearls or beads.  Mix. Make sure there is enough room for the candle holder/votive which should protrude above the neck of the vase just enough so that it is noticeable.
  3. Optional: Tie a bow around the neck of the vase

If the vase is narrow at the bottom, and widens just below the neck, place the small ones on the bottom. Refer to the photo of the finished craft.

Substitutions for the vase:

Potpourri

Small handmade soaps

Beads

Buttons

Heart-shaped paper cutouts

Ribbons

Mix it up!

Substitutions for the votive/candle holder:

Flower bud

Tiny beads

Colored water

Potpourri

 

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Jan12

Kid’s Crafts: St. Valentine’s Day Banner: Quilted Heart

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Kid’s Crafts: St. Valentine’s Day Banner: Quilted Heart

KID’S CRAFTS: ST. VALENTINE’S DAY

Lupercalia was a Roman holiday held in honor of Lupercus, the god of the pasture and fertility. The event was held on February 5th in a cave on Palatine Hill in Rome. The priests who were known as the Luperci, conducted the rituals associated with the Lupercalia festival. These rituals included sacrificing animals like goats and dogs; feasting followed. The celebrations continued when the Luperci cut thongs from the skins of the sacrificed animals. The priests divided into two groups and ran around the city swatting people with the thongs. The festival participants believed that a blow from one of the thongs encouraged fertility.

The early Christian Church tried to convert unbelievers such as the followers of the Luperci, by combining pagan customs with their own beliefs. The feast day of two Roman martyrs (both named Valentine) had its origins in the Lupercalia festival. The one saint had been a priest and the other had been the Bishop of Terni, and both died in the same day in the third century A. D.

VALENTINE’S DAY CRAFT

QUILTED HEART BANNER PROJECT0002

QUILTED HEART

Ages: 5 – 12 years

Time: one hour

MATERIALS:

Yellow felt square 16” x 14”

Dowel rod 18”

Red, pink, yellow, and white craft foam cut into 2″ x 2″ squares

¼” ribbon in red, yellow, pink and white.

String – double the length of the dowel rod

poster board or single sheet of craft foam of any color

Using a template or a stencil or drawing by hand, trace the heart on to poster board or a single sheet of craft foam of any color and cut. The heart should measure about 13 3/4″ x 10.”

Cut 8 yellow, 11 red, 10 white and 10 pink squares from the craft foam sheets. The squares should measure 2″ x 2.” Divide the heart in half vertically and in half again horizontally. (Refer to the photo of the banner.)

Lay the squares down along the horizontal fold in the following pattern: white, yellow, pink and red. Place the next row of squares below the first row. Stagger the colored squares so that the second row is not directly beneath the first row. Repeat the pattern until the squares cover the heart. Glue. Allow the pieces to dry.

Fill in the odd-shaped areas with the appropriately colored squares and glue. When those pieces are dry, turn the heart around and trim along the outline of the heart. Measure and cut the felt to 16” x 14”. Place it horizontally. Make a loop by measuring and folding a 1” seam. Iron. Measure and fold a second 1” seam. Iron and glue the second fold. You will be inserting the dowel rod through this loop. (The length of the banner will be about 16” x 12.” This does not include the ribbons.)

Measure and cut two 18” lengths of each color of ribbon. Poke a hole every two inches along the bottom of the felt with a sharp tool. Alternate the colors, pull the ribbon through and tie a knot in the back so that the ribbon is held in place. (Small children should let adults do this for them.) Glue the heart on the felt. Cut the dowel rod to 18” and insert through the loop at the top. Cut the string to a length suitable for hanging. Tie the string to each end of the dowel rod.

VARIATION: Use other shapes to decorate your heart banner: circles/dots, flowers, squiggle lines, triangles, etc. Today, Valentine’s Day honors lovers. We celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th by sending gifts like candy and cards.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

COPYRIGHT 2013 Marion Constantinides

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Jan12

Kid’s Crafts: HOLIDAY BANNERS! Introduction

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Kid’s Crafts: HOLIDAY BANNERS! Introduction

HOLIDAY BANNERS! 

INTRODUCTION

The Seasons, the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars

In the ancient world, people were fearful and ignorant of the ways of the sun, moon and stars, but they sought to understand nature and its power over their lives. They did not know how to read or write so they drew pictures when they wanted to express their fears, thoughts and feelings.

Ancient people lived and worked in groups or communities and hunted, fished and lived off the land. They planted crops, and at the end of the year, they held a festival to celebrate the results of their hard work. The ancient people called this festival the Harvest.  Festivals became a way for the community to express their appreciation of their heritage, to honor the dead, or to recognize important historical events and their national leaders as well as enjoy the bounty of their hard work. It was a time for the community’s leaders to pass on their wisdom and knowledge to the young. These are some of the reasons why we still hold festivals.

We still celebrate the Harvest every autumn with Oktoberfest celebrations and other similar events. Today, most people know how to read and write, but many continue to express themselves through art like our ancestors who lived long ago. We use art to express our celebration of a special holiday or season. Making banners are one way of doing this. We use them to decorate our homes, businesses and schools. We can make these banners large or small and as colorful as we want to make them. Now you, too, can make these banners, just follow the easy directions provided below. Children and adults can make them together or individually at home, school, place of worship, or community center.

BASIC SUPPLIES

Here are some basic supplies that you will need on hand for all the banner designs (some of which are found at home, at the office or school):

Yardstick/ruler

Iron/ironing board

String

Pen or marker

Scissors

Tacky glue

Dowel rods

Popsicle sticks

Pencil/eraser

Paper towels

Felt**

Craft foam sheets**

Poster board

Flexible curve

Templates or stencils

Drawn shapes free-hand or use household products used instead of stencils or templates: round or square plates (large or small), pieces of cardboard and cookie cutters. Use rulers for measuring or use the width of a ruler to draw a wide stripe. The edge of a frame can serve as a triangle. Three hearts whose points meet in the center and stem form a shamrock. Look around you and see the shapes that exist in your home, office or school. Use your imagination.

**Felt squares and craft foam sheets come in various colors and sizes. You can buy them at craft stores as well as online. If you are going to create all the banners in this e-book, see how many foam sheets of each color you will need. For example, if you need a lot of red, it makes sense to buy a large sheet of red instead of one or two small sheets. Do your research first.

 PATTERNS

If you do not want to use the patterns provided at the end of the e-book, feel free to draw freehand or to find objects that you can trace. Clip art, picture encyclopedias, and photographs all give visual information about the objects mentioned in this book. The Internet has websites that offer free clip art, photographs and more. Check the information on the website before using. Use these options or none and instead rely on your imagination to create ideas.

 

STUFF TO KNOW

Feel free to change the measurements. It’s okay to make mistakes. Use your imagination when making those mistakes and include them in the design of the banner. Change colors, combine designs or use your own ideas and you will see that your banner is as beautiful as the original designs in this e-book.

All banners take about one hour to make but that depends on how fast you work. The point is to have fun making them.

COMING SOON: ST. VALENTINE’S DAY CRAFT

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Nov20

How to Make Greek Worry Beads

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How to Make Greek Worry Beads

HOW TO MAKE WORRY BEADS (KOMBOLOI)

Komboloi or worry beads are a string of beads used as a form of stress management similar to squeeze balls (only you can’t squeeze them). The word “Komboloi” comes from the Greek word “kombos” or “knot” and “logio” meaning “collection”. Worry beads are also used to simply idle away the time.

Worry beads are similar to prayer ropes (“komboskini” which uses the Greek word “kombos” for “knot” and “skini” which means “rope”) but have no religious significance. Like prayer ropes, they consist of an odd number of beads because odd numbers can not be evenly divided and are considered good luck.

Although many cultures use worry beads, they have been used in Greece and Cyprus for centuries. In recent years, worry beads made of materials other than the traditional amber or amber resin are popular.

Materials:

 

Odd number of pony beads in different colors (3, 5, 7, 9, 11, etc. I used 17 and 21)

One bead larger than the other beads preferably in another color or contrasting material;add more pony beads in different sizes

Scissors

Wide-eyed needle (optional)

Cordage such as string or nylon twine or even yarn about 24” with more yardage for adding tassel

Tassel (homemade or store-bought)

Ruler or measuring tape

Instructions:

1.      Cut cordage and string beads through it

2.      Thread both ends of the cordage through the large bead and tie a knot at the end

3.      Attach the tassel by tying extra cordage around it and knotting it. Or attach four smaller pony beads about a    half-inch below the knot.

4.      Tie a knot and trim excess cordage or fray it like a tassel.

5.      Extend four fingers keeping them together and the thumb upright. Twirl worry beads under and over the hand. Or twirl the worry beads over and under the forefinger.

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Nov20

How to Make an Iridescent Angel Ornament for the Holidays

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How to Make an Iridescent Angel Ornament for the Holidays

Iridescent Angel

*MATERIALS:
Wood knob or ball
18” long pink or white ribbon
clay pot
Flesh, brown, black and white paint
2 more colors of choice
1 11/2” brass ring
Moss
1(1/2 oz.) crystal iridescent glitter
2 jars or bowls for water
Brushes
Scissors
White glue
Plastic baggie
2 wood hearts

 

1. Paint the bottom and sides of the clay pot with two coats of white paint. Set aside to dry between the first and second coats.
2. Fill half a small plastic bag with glitter. Paint the two wooden hearts with white acrylic  paint. Place the wooden hearts in the plastic bag, tie it with a twist tie and shake. Be sure that the hearts are totally covered on the one side with the glitter. Remove the hearts and let them dry. These will be the angel’s wings.
3. The wooden knob is head of the angel. Paint it flesh or brown or black. Let it dry.
4. Paint the clay pot with dabs of different colors: pink and silver or any other color combination
5. While it is still wet, place the pot into the baggie filled with glitter. Shake well and cover the entire pot with glitter. Remove and let it dry.
6. Cut the moss. Roll the back of the angel’s head in tacky glue and then roll the head in the moss. This is the hair of the angel. Trim excess “hair” with scissors.
8. Cut a long piece of ribbon and fold it in half. Pull the loop through the clay pot and position it. Tie the ends in a large double knot and pull the ribbon completely through the hole in the clay pot.
9. Glue the brass ring on top of the angel’s head. Glue the head to the pot. Glue the hearts to the back of the pot with the glittery side facing you.
10. Enjoy the iridescent angel for the holidays!

Recycle materials: Cut pieces of paper (for example, leftover tissue, rice or wrapping paper) and glue them to the pot, overlapping the pieces so the different colors and patterns show through the layers
Other ideas: Instead of a clay pot, use a spool of thread once the thread has been used up.
Replace the moss with scraps of yarn or ribbon for the hair
Do you have leftover clay? Roll it into a ball, let it harden and use it for the angel’s head

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