Celebrate Mom with a gift of pretty jewelry. Moms generally will love anything you give to them for Mother’s Day, but with jewelry it’s a guarantee they will love it! Here is a project that is simple to make using some Mod Podge and Martha Stewart craft stencils. Amy Anderson designed this project. The instructions for this Fair Isle Necklace and Earrings can be found below. This craft will not take longer than an hour to create, and it is perfect for beginners to make.

PLAID Supplies

·       Martha Stewart Crafts™ Fair Isle Dots Adhesive Stencils

·       Mod Podge ® Dimensional Magic, 2 oz.

Other Supplies

Shrinkable craft film (like Shrinky Dinks Shrinkable Plastic in Almond), Paint markers (like Sakura Permapaque), 2 earring backs, 1 large jump ring, 1 silver chain, Circle cutter or other circular items to make a template, 3/4” hole punch, Jewel glue, Scissors, Pencil

Instructions

1.   You will first need to cut your shrinkable plastic into three circles – one larger for the necklace and two smaller for the earrings. To do this, either use a circle cutter or find household items to trace. I used a funnel for the necklace and a jar lid for the earrings. Put the items on the surface of the shrinkable plastic and trace. Keep in mind that your plastic will shrink to 1/3 of its current size.

2.   Carefully cut the plastic using your scissors. Cut slowly.

3.   Choose your adhesive stencils and place onto the plastic. Use your paint markers to color in the stencil designs. Pull up the stencil and allow the paint marker to dry. Don’t touch the paint for several minutes or you will smear it. Tip: Your stencils may have a little residual marker ink on them, but they are perfectly fine use again for painting!

4.   Repeat on both the large circle and the two smaller circles until you have the design that you like.

5.   Punch a hole in the necklace with the hole punch.

6.   Bake the shrinkable plastic according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Let cool.

7.   Apply Dimensional Magic over the top of the necklace and earring circles. Let dry overnight.

8.   Apply a second coat of Dimensional Magic (if desired) and let dry overnight.

9.   Attach the jump ring and the chain to the necklace. Attach the earring backs to the earring circles using jewel glue.

10. Let dry for 24 hours before gifting!

Happy hump day crafters. We are at the mid point of the workweek, and it the first day of May. Can you believe it? May is here and that means Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Many gifts and crafts you can make for this special occasion include the word, Mom. Today we wanted to share with you a project that is not your traditional Mother’s Day gift, but still one that is sure to make her smile. Check out these gold dot coffee mugs. Andrea from Worley House created these easy to make mugs. This project makes a chic gift for your Mom. Andrea used some ceramic mugs she found at the Dollar Store, and some gold metallic paint from Martha Stewart. This would be a great project for tweens and teens to make for their mothers. It is a simple yet creative way to jazz up some basic mugs. To see step by step how Andrea made these mugs click here.

We hope your week is off to a good start, and in case you need a little pick me up we want to share with you one of our newest projects. Check out these adorable spring coasters. Holli Nutter, a talented freelance designer, created these coasters. Coasters are an easy project to make, especially when you used Mod Podge. These coasters are a beginner level project perfect for tweens and teens. They can make these coasters and give as a gift for Mother’s Day. To complete this project you will need the supplies listed below, along with their instructions.

Plaid Supplies

Mod Podge Podgeable Papers 24874 Summer Crush

Mod Podge Gloss Formula CS11201

Mod Podge Tool Kit 12900

Other Supplies

4 ¼” X 4 ¼” White Ceramic Tiles (6)

Light Grit Sandpaper

Offray® ¼” Satin Ribbon in coordinating color

Rustoleum® Ultra Cover Gloss Sealer

Adhesive felt circles (4 for each tile)

Instructions

1.    Lightly sand tops of tiles enough to scuff the surface.

2.    Measure and cut the papers in 4 ¼” x 4 ¼” squares.

3.    Brush a thin coat of Mod Podge over the tops of the tiles and let dry.

4.    Brush a thin coat of Mod Podge on the back of the paper, quickly brush a coat of Mod Podge on the tile, and carefully lay the paper on the tile with the right side up.

5.    Use the squeegee to lightly wipe across the paper to smooth and remove any air bubbles.  Let dry completely, about 10 to 15 minutes.

6.    Apply two additional coats of Mod Podge on, allowing to dry completely between coats.

7.    Apply three coats of spray sealer to the tiles.  When dry, apply the adhesive felt circles to the bottom of the tile in the four corners.

8.    If giving as a gift, stack and tie with a satin ribbon.

The week is winding down, but we hope your interest in creating isn’t. Today we wanted to share with you this headband and clutch set. Creating a headband of pretty flowers and a matching tote bag is quick and easy with Sobo glue. In case you’re new to using Sobo glue here’s a little more info. Sobo ® Glue is a superior, all-purpose, white glue. It is ideal for crafts, hobbies, notions, household uses and school projects. Sobo can even be used on fabrics. Sobo Glue is a non-yellowing formula that dries clear and flexible. All the supplies you will need for this project can be found below, and click here to find the complete instructions. 

PLAID Supplies

·       Delta Sobo ® Glue - 2 oz.

Other Supplies

Canvas tote
Headband
Silk flowers
Buttons
Scissors
Grosgrain ribbon
Colored gems

We are keeping our celebration going, and celebrating Earth Day all week long. One great way to peak your child’s interest in becoming more earth friendly is by having them plant a flower. But don’t just stop with simply planting a flower decorate the flowerpot. MaryLea did exactly that with her little ones. Her family had a blast creating these flowerpots using Mod Podge washout and Apple Barrel paints. This is a very easy project to make, and one that is perfect for this spring season. Click here to find all the supplies used, along with their instructions on her blog Pink and Green Mama.

By Candie Cooper

Ready to leap from thumbprint lily pads? These frogs are loving the spring showers lately!

This mirror is from the dollar store, and frogs found in the party favor section of the super store. Pick out some green and blue FolkArt paints. Base coat the mirror blue and leave to dry.

Dip your thumb in paint and stamp around the border of the mirror to create lily pads. Putting paint on a paper plate makes it easy to get a little paint at a time.

Use cool temp hot glue to adhere frogs around the border of the frame.

Have you heard the phrase, “It’s the thought that counts.” This is never truer than on Mother’s Day. Moms love receiving any little gift of appreciation from their kids, no matter the size. This Mother’s Day create for your mom a happy little trinket box that she can stash away all her treasures and keepsakes in. Chris Williams designed this project using Mod Podge and FolkArt. This is a beginner level craft project, and it would be perfect for a tween or teen to create. Unleash your creativity and make something handmade for your Mom. Below are all the materials you will need for this project, and to see the detailed instructions click here.

PLAID Supplies

·       Mod Podge ® 7 Piece Tool Kit

·       Mod Podge ® Podgeable Papers - Antique Urban

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Licorice, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Coffee Bean, 2 oz.

·       Mod Podge ® Dimensional Magic, 2 oz.

·       Mod Podge ® Matte, 8 oz.

·       Mod Podge ® Craft Glue, 2 oz.

Other Supplies

Foam plate
Brush Basin or container for water
Photo copy of photographs
Waxed paper
Assorted buttons
Fine grit sandpaper
Wood trinket box

Good morning crafters, and happy hump day. Today we’ve got a question for you, how do you keep your little ones organized? Do you use baskets, boxes, plastic tubes to store all their little trinkets? If you are looking for a more creative way to store and organize things we have a wonderful project to share with you this morning. For those of you with little girls you know all to well how difficult it can be to get all their hair accessories contained. Well we have a crafty solution for you, feast your eyes on this Bow Holder. Ashley from Ashley Suzanne designed this Bow Holder using our new FolkArt Handmade Charlotte Stencils and FolkArt paints. How cute is this? Now not only can you organize their hair bows, you can use them as décor in your little girl’s room. To see all the materials used, and learn how to make this project click here.

Create a special gift for mom and show her just how special she is by making this Mother’s Day Canvas. Chris Williams designed this new project just in time for Mother’s Day. This is a great gift kids can help create to then give to their Moms. To create this project Chris used several Mod Podge products including the new podgeable shapes, and papers. These new Mod Podge items can be found at your local Michaels craft store. Below you will find a full list of supplies you will need, and to view the complete instructions click here.

PLAID Supplies

·       Mod Podge ® 7 Piece Tool Kit

·       Mod Podge ® Podgeable Metal Blanks

·       Mod Podge ® Podgeable Designer Charms

·       Mod Podge ® Acrylic Shapes - Podgeable Shape with Stand, Large Square

·       Mod Podge ® Podgeable Papers - Summer Crush

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Deep Ocean Blue, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Morning Sun, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Ivory White, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Fresh Foliage, 2 oz.

·       Mod Podge ® Dimensional Magic, 2 oz.

·       Mod Podge ® Matte, 8 oz.

Other Supplies

24887 Mod Podge Melts - Milk Glass
24889 Mod Podge Mod Molds - Flowers
Foam plate
Brush Basin or container for water
Photo copies of your child’s favorite photo picking flowers
Waxed paper
Hot glue
Printer copy of text – “Of all the mothers in the world .. I’d pick you!”
four 1” Buttons
8” x 10” Stretched canvas
Blue cardstock

You’ve made it to the weekend. Aren’t you excited? We sure are, the weather is finally getting warmer and this weekend we are expecting to see some nice weather. If you are expecting something similar in your neck of the woods, then we want to suggest you take sometime out to craft. Today we wanted to share with you this bright and colorful project. Check out these Dinosaur Jar lids. This is a great project that is kid friendly. We discovered these lids on the blog Lolly Jane. How creative are these lids? To create this for yourself you will need Apple Barrel paints and Mod Podge washout. This Mod Podge formula is perfect when crafting with children, because if they spill it on furniture or on their clothes it will come right out with soap and water. To see all the supplies used in this project, and the step by step instructions visit Lolly Jane. Have a craftastic weekend.

Springtime is the perfect time to get organized, and your kid’s trinkets are no exception. They need help getting organized just as much as you do. Your kids have tons of little knickknacks that are probably loose all around their rooms. If you can relate to this problem, then you should create this spring thing three piece box set. This set is s bright and springy solution for organizing your things. Julie Lewis, one of Plaid’s talented designers created this project. It was created with several supplies including FolkArt paints. A full list of supplies can be found below, and to see the complete instructions click here.

PLAID Supplies

·       Plaid ® Wood Surfaces - 3 Piece Box Set with Tray

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Turner Pink, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Holly Leaf, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Calypso Sky, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Lemon Custard, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Wicker White, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Licorice, 2 oz.

·       Plaid ® Wood Surfaces - Unpainted Layered Shapes - Flower, 8 Petal

·       Plaid ® Wood Surfaces - Unpainted Layered Shapes - Ladybug

·       Plaid ® Wood Surfaces - Unpainted Layered Shapes - Bee

Other Supplies

Glue
Flat brush ¼” – ½”
Liner brush #1
Pencil

Do you have a little daredevil? You know the type of kid who is not afraid to climb a tree, jump into a lake, or play in the mud. If this sounds like your little boy or girl then we have the perfect project for them. Have them create this hand painted mini skateboard. How cute and fun is this project? Breanna from Dollar Store Mom created this project with her daughter. To create this skateboard they used Apple Barrel paints and Mod Podge Washout. This Mod Podge formula is great for kids’ crafts, because if they get in on their clothes it will wash out easily. If you want to see step-by-step, how they made this project visit the Dollar Store Mom blog here.

We hope you are beginning to experience some warmer weather in your neck of the woods. We are just starting to feel some warm weather here in Atlanta, and we couldn’t be happier. Since it is finally getting warmer we want to get you in mood, by sharing with you a spring themed project. Check out this spring sign created by Cathie and Steve. This is a beginner level craft and you will need a few supplies including Mod Podge. A full list of supplies can be found below, along with their instructions. Enjoy!

PLAID Supplies

·       FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Peridot, 5 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Hologram, 5 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Gold, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Metallics - Rose, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Fresh Foliage, 2 oz.

·       Mod Podge ® Gloss, 4 oz.

Other Supplies

Paper Mache letters that spell SPRING
Scrapbook paper – pink and green prints
Foam brushes
Ribbon – various colors
Silk flower petals pink – large and small
Silk flower petals yellow
Crocheted flower trim
Rhinestones
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Pencil

Instructions

1.    Paint each letter with 2 coats of either Fresh Foliage or Rose Paint. Paint the Fresh Foliage letters with 2 coats of Extreme Glitter Peridot and the Rose letters with Extreme Glitter Hologram. Allow for dry time in between coats.

2.    Using a pencil, trace the letters onto the back of the scrapbook paper. Cut out the letters. Apply Mod Podge to the back of the paper letters. Center paper on the painted letters, press in place. Use your fingers to press out any air bubbles; top coat with Mod Podge. Smooth your brush strokes.

3.    Hot glue ribbon around the letters. Hot glue the letters on top of each other in a layered design.

4.    Paint the large pink petals with Extreme Glitter Gold. Allow to dry. Using hot glue, layer the petals, flower trim and rhinestones around the letters. Glue rhinestones to the letters in a random pattern.

We have made it half way through the week. Yay! In order to get you over the hump we wanted to share a craft project we recently discovered online. Check out this sweet miniature dresser. We stumbled across this on the site Craft Quickies. Sarah designed this adorable project for daughter, using the new FolkArt Handmade Charlotte stencils. She used this stencils and FolkArt paints to refurbish a not so pretty mini dresser. The before and after photos of this project are amazing, a definite must see. To learn how you can make this for your little one click here.

When it comes to kids crafts we can understand that you may not want to spend a lot of money on supplies. Depending on what projects you and your little ones are crafting, the supply bill can quickly add up. One way you can save some money on supplies is by using things around your home. A popular kids craft surface are toilet paper rolls. Toilet paper rolls are very versatile, and can be used for projects all year round. Today we want to share an adorable project that uses toilet paper rolls. Check out these bumble bee buddies. Trenice Bishop, a talented freelance designer created them. To achieve this she used several supplies including Mod Podge and FolkArt paints. This is a very fun and simple spring project to make, and it will take about an hour to complete. See below for all the supplies you will need, along with their instructions.

Plaid Supplies

FolkArt Acrylic Paint – 735 Lemon Custard, FolkArt Acrylic Paint – 627 Tangerine, FolkArt Acrylic Paint- 713 Coastal Blue, Folk Art Acrylic Paint – 479 – Pure Black, Folk Art paint – 437 Lipstick Red, FolkArt Extreme Glitter Paint  - 2789 Peridot, Mod Podge

Other Supplies

3 Toilet paper rolls, 3 Square wood shapes, 2 Medium heart wood shapes, 4 Oval wood shapes, 6 Wiggly eyes, Black pipe cleaner, Liner Brush, Square craft brush, Hot glue gun, Water bowl, Foam brush, Scissors, Paper tape

Instructions

1. Paint each of the toilet paper rolls and square wood pieces with Coastal Blue, Lemon Custard and Tangerine. Apply another coat if desired.  And let dry.

2. When toilet paper rolls are dry, tape off with painters tape to make stripes for bee body. Paint on stripes with Pure Black. Remove tape and let dry.  

3. When the rolls are dry apply a coat of Mod Podge and set aside.  

4. Paint medium heart shapes in Coastal blue, and each pair of oval shapes in Lemon Custard and Tangerine for the wings.

5. Paint Coastal Blue “wings” with Turquoise Extreme Glitter, Paint Lemon Custard “wings” with Gold Extreme Glitter Paint and Tangerine painted “wings” with Orange Extreme Glitter. Let Dry and Coat With Mod Podge.

6. Hot glue the wings to the back or the corresponding “bee body” making sure the glitter painted sides is front facing.

7. Use the liner brush to mouths and seal painted square pieces with Mod Podge. Add wiggly eyes on top of wet Mod Podge or hot glue.

8. Cut black pipe cleaner to make antenna and hot glue to back of bee faces.

9. Add faces to winged paper rolls with hot glue to complete.

Happy Monday! We hope you had a nice Easter weekend. So long March and hello April, can you believe today is the first day of April? The year is moving along. We don’t know about you but we are very ready for a climate change. Warm weather should be on the horizon, and we can’t wait. While we’re waiting we want to share with you an adorable spring themed project, check out this giggles round frame. This frame was designed by Holli Nutter, and isn’t it unique? Frames can come in a variety of sizes and shapes. In this project a round shaped frame is used. This colorful frame was created using FolkArt paints. This is a beginner level craft that would be perfect to make with your kids. All the supplies you will need for this project are below, along with instructions.

PLAID Supplies

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Pink Melon, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Perfect Purple, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Baby Pink, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Wicker White, 2 oz.

Other Supplies

Large Circle Frame
Two wood flower cut-outs
Alphabet stencil
Pencil
White craft glue
Large flat brush
Small flat brush
Stencil brush

Instructions

1.    Paint the frame using the large flat brush. Dip one corner of the brush in Wicker White, and the other in Baby Pink. With criss-crossing strokes, slip slap paint the flat surface of the frame. Let dry.

2.    Paint the raised edges of the frame Wicker White.

3.    Using the wood flower shape as a template, trace additional flowers on the fame surface as shown in the photo. Paint 2 flowers Pink Melon and the other Wicker White. Centers are Perfect Purple. Paint the wood flower cut-outs in the same manner. Let dry.

4.    Stencil the word “giggle” on the frame using the photo for placement.

5.    Attach the wood flower shapes with craft glue.

Happy hump day! You’ve made it to the halfway mark of the week and we want you to celebrate, by crafting something cool. If you have a little one then you know that they are always trying to be taller than they actually are. We have something they will love, a step stool. This stool is great to make little keeps feel like they grew 5 inches instantly. Shannah from the blog Just Us Four designed this step stool using stencils from our new FolkArt Handmade Charlotte stencil line. This is a very simple project to recreate and won’t take long to finish. To see step by step how this stool was made click here. 

Easter is approaching fast and will be here before you know it. This week there will be many people doing last minute Easter crafts, especially kids. We have one project we wanted to share with you that would be perfect for your kids to help create. These Easter candy tins are so cute and useful. They are a great place to store yummy candies. The creative team here at Plaid Enterprises created these tins. Below are a full list of supplies you will need to recreate this project. To see the complete instructions for this project click here.

PLAID Supplies

·       FolkArt ® Enamels™ - Wicker White, 2 oz.

·       Mod Podge ® Matte, 8 oz.

Other Supplies

Tissue papers
Easter themed napkins
Flat paint brush
Recycled tin
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Ribbons/embellishments
Ultra fine black permanent marker

T.G.I.F. The weekend is here, and now you will have even more time to craft. With spring upon us there are so many creative ideas you can bring to life. We recently stumbled on a simple yet cute project from Fynes Designs. Check out this pretty painted plant pot. How cute is this? Virginia created this project using FolkArt enamel paints and peel & stick stencils. With these items it makes crafting so easy. This is a great project for kids to make. Have them paint a pot and give as a teacher or Mother’s Day gift. To see how Virginia created this pot visit her blog here.

Spring is officially in the air, however we here in Atlanta are experiencing some winter like temperatures. So to stay in a warmer spirit we wanted to share these adorable spring butterfly buddies with you. Trenice Bishop, a talented freelance designer, created this buddies using Mod Podge and Apple Barrel. This would make a great school project to do in an arts and crafts class, or as an after school project. Below are a full list of supplies you will need to make these buddies, along with their instructions. Happy crafting!

Plaid Supplies

Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint – 20216 Fuchsia, Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint – 20662 Black, Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint - 20247 Caribbean, Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint – 20764 Apricot, Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint – 21176 Grape Jam, Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint – 20516 Ivory, Mod Podge

Other Supplies

Toilet paper rolls, Paintbrushes, Scissors, Water bowl, 4 Sheets of card stock, Hot glue gun, Wiggle eyes, Pipe cleaner,

Instructions

1.    Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge to one side of each piece of card stock. Let dry

2.    Paint the toilet paper rolls with Apricot, Caribbean, Fuchsia and Grape Jam and let dry.  Add a second coat for better coverage.  When dry add a “V” shaped mouth with Black paint and set aside.

3.    When the Mod Podge has dried on the card stock, paint the other sides with Apricot, Caribbean, Fuchsia and Grape Jam. Let dry.

4.    When paint is completely dry on toilet paper rolls, add a layer of ModPodge to seal and let dry again.

5.    Fold dry card stock in half and cut desired shapes for “wings.”

6.    Decorate “wings” as desired. When “wings are dry seal painted side with Mod Podge.

7.    Hot glue toilet paper rolls to dry wings. Add wiggle eyes with hot glue.

8.    Cut pipe cleaners and bend into “V” shape for antenna. Secure with hot glue.

Project Tip

Be sure to cut wing sizes down so these beautiful butterflies can stand on their own.

Today is the first day of spring. Hooray! We have made it through the winter season and the warmer months are coming. To get you in the mood for spring we wanted to share with you this colorful project. Create these retro polka dot glasses using FolkArt enamel paints. Rebecca from Cre8tive Compass made these vibrant glasses. This is a simple project to make, and kids can help with. Since this is a glass surface be careful if you do have kids painting on them. Once complete fill them with your favorite springtime beverage, ice tea, lemonade, or water. To see all the supplies used, and step by step pictures of how Rebecca made this project, click here. 

Easter egg hunts are made more fun with this adorable crate for storing your finds. Kirsten Jones created this cute Easter craft, and now you can too. A great gift for kids to help create. All you will need are a few supplies including FolkArt paints. Easter will be here in less than two weeks. Crazy right? This month has flown by and this holiday comes a little early this year. There is still plenty of time to craft, and this egg carton won’t take long at all to complete. To make this project see a complete list of supplies needed below, along with their instructions.

PLAID Supplies

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Seashell Pink, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Hologram, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Jamaican Sea, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Soft Apple, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Wicker White, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Licorice, 2 oz.

Other Supplies

Paper egg carton- ½ dozen
Burlap- 1 ½ x 10”
Gift tag
Jute ribbon
#6 Flat paintbrush
Liner brush
#4 Round brush
Scissors
Hot glue

Instructions

1.   Paint burlap piece with Soft Apple. Let dry.  Using liner brush and Licorice write ‘ Happy Easter ‘. Let dry.

2.   Using #4 round brush, paint daisies with Wicker white, let dry. Dot centers of flower with Seashell Pink and brush handle.  Let dry.

3.    Paint each flower with Hologram glitter. Let Dry.

3.   Glue burlap to top of egg carton as shown.

4.   Paint gift tag Jamaican Sea, let dry.  Paint bunny as shown, referring to photo for guide.

5.   Tie to carton as shown.

By Candie Cooper – To see more from Candie visit her blog, Candie Cooper’s Journal

These chickens future is so bright--you might need shades!  In all seriousness, the neon paints I used on these are so vibrant. You might really need sunglasses.  Your kids are going to love'm with all the neon colors popping up right now.

Pick your favorite Apple Barrel paint colors.  The gloss finish makes the eggs really smooth.  Tip:  Because of the light colors, it's a good idea to base coat the eggs white first.

I didn't have any bright orange or yellow paper so I painted some heavy card stock on both sides with the Apple Barrel paints.

When the paint dries, fold a 1" section over and cut tiny "V" shapes to create beaks. 

Finish by hot gluing neon feather wings to the top and sides.  Mod Podge works well for adhering wiggle eyes.  Plop them in some bright egg cups and these chickens are ready to party!

*Egg cups from Target.
 

Hooray! It’s Friday and the weekend is here. Now is a perfect time to tackle a home décor craft project. With the weekend you have some extra time to gather your supplies, and go to work on that idea you’ve been thinking about. This is exactly what was Jenny from Day of Chalk and Chocolate did. Jenny took a bland table and transformed it into an adorable table. To upcycle this table Jenny took some FolkArt paints and stencils, and the end result was fantastic. How cute is this? If you would like to see step by step how she made this project click here. What home project have you been putting off? Don’t delay a moment longer. Start crafting now!

Happy Wednesday! We are extra excited today because we have an awesome kid friendly craft project to share with you. This month we are all about stencils, and why not? Stenciling is a timeless craft technique that can make any project instantly standout. This month we are releasing a new line of stencils, FolkArt Handmade Charlotte Stencils. These stencils come in a variety of designs, and are great for kid crafts. Don’t take our word for it, take a look at this stenciled clock stool from One Artsy Mama. Amy used a variety of supplies including the new FolkArt Handmade Stencils, and FolkArt paints. Below are a few supplies she used, to see the rest of the supplies needed and learn how she made this stool click here.

- FolkArt acrylic paint 

- Chalkboard Paint

- Sponge brush

- Family Message Center stencil kit

Guess what’s happening this week. It’s St. Patrick’s Day! Do you have something green to wear? Have you finalized your plans for this fun filled day? To help you get even more in the spirit of this day we want to share with you these St. Patrick’s Day Coasters. How cute and unique are they? Sherrie Ragsdale created these coasters using Mod Podge and napkins. This is a very simple project to make, and one your kids can definitely help out with. These would be a hit if you were planning a St. Patty’s Day party. A list of all the supplies you will need are below, and click here to see the instructions.

PLAID Supplies

·       Mod Podge ® Matte, 8 oz.

Other Supplies

Square cork coasters
St. Patrick's Day napkins
Green glitter
Foam brush

Can you believe that Easter is only a few weeks away? It comes early this year, but there is still plenty of time to get crafty. One of the most popular Easter projects for kids to create are Easter eggs. Kids will love making paper wrapped Easter eggs with strips of paper and Mod Podge. Cathie and Steve created this paper wrapped egg using our special Mod Podge Wash Out formula. This formula is special because it is kid friendly. If they accidentally spill some on their clothes, it washes right out. Below are all the supplies you will need below, along with their instructions.

PLAID Supplies

·       Plaid ® Hot Glue Gun Helpers

·       Mod Podge ® Wash Out For Kids, 8 oz.

Other Supplies

Easter egg shape (plastic/wood or real)
Foam paintbrush
Scrapbook paper
Scissors
Bird nest
moss
Hot glue

Instructions

1. Cut the sheet of scrapbook paper into 1/4” strips.  Apply Mod Podge to the back and front of the strip, position one end on the egg and begin wrapping the egg with the strip in a random pattern.  Repeat the process until the entire egg is covered.  Allow to dry.

2. Hot glue a palm-full of moss to the center of the nest.  Hot glue the egg into the nest.

PROJECT TIP:  Add a touch of glitter by top coating the egg with Sparkle Mod Podge.

Bring in the spring season with these adorable bunny and chick pots. The creative team here at Plaid designed these Easter pots using several Apple Barrel paints. These pots would be great for kids to store yummy candies or a few decorated eggs inside. The vibrant colors used throughout are sure to catch anyone’s attention and will be a hit at your upcoming Easter egg hunt. This project is an intermediate level craft, however it is one where your kids can definitely lend a helping hand. To recreate this project you will need all the supplies listed below, and click here to see the complete instructions.

PLAID Supplies

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Fuchsia, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - White, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Bright Yellow, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Light Pink, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Harvest Orange, 2 oz.

Other Supplies
Foam plate for paints 1 ¾” foam spouncer brush Scissors Pencil Black fine tip permanent marker Lo-temp glue gun #2 round paintbrush ¾” flat paintbrush 4” high clay pot for each design For bunny: Two 23mm wiggle eyes White and pink craft foam For Chick: Two 15mm wiggle eyes Yellow bump chenille stems Orange craft foam

Good morning! Welcome back from the weekend, and welcome to the beginning of a crafty week. Are you ready to begin crafting? This week we want to start you off with these clay pot animals. Aren’t they soo cute? Clay pots are a great surface to craft on all year round, but even more so during the spring season. These pots are versatile and with a little imagination can be transformed into amazing projects. You can create this project with your kids. It is a very easy project and would be great to make in an arts and crafts class. You will need a few supplies including some Apple Barrel paints. A full list of supplies can be found below, and click here to see the complete instructions.

PLAID Supplies

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Black, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Nutmeg Brown, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Papaya, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Vanilla Ice Cream, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Sunny Day, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Chestnut, 2 oz.

·       Plaid ® Art Materials - Spouncers™ Set

Other Supplies

Standard clay pots – 2” (2 ea.)
3” (2 ea.)
1½” (1 ea.) And 1” (1 ea.)
Wood doll head - 2” (2 ea.) And 1¾” (1 ea.)
Craft foam – brown and tan
Chenille stems – orange (2 ea.) and brown (2 ea.)
Paintbrushes - #6 flat brush
#12 flat brush and liner brush
Scissors
Scalloped scissors
E-6000® craft adhesive
Foam plate
Water container

Have you ever wondered how to transfer a picture to fabric? Well if so today you are in luck cause we have the answer, Mod Podge Photo Transfer. Kimbo from A Girl and A Glue Gun made this awesome Mod Podge photo transfer shirt. How cute and stylish is this? Love it! This looks like a shirt you could find in a local trendy boutique. This is a great project for tweens and teens to create. This is a simple project to recreate, and in addition to showing you step by step pictures on how to make this Kimbo also shares a video with some photo transfer tips. Click here to find the instructions and all the materials you will need.

Can you believe the month of February is almost over? The first two months of the year are nearly done. With winter coming to a close, that means spring is upon us. Get a jump start on some cute spring projects, like these Styrofoam flowers and butterfly. Kindra Boroff designed this project. It is a pretty and easy to make bouquet of flowers and spring critters. This spring craft is a great one for kids to help create. Apple Barrel paint and Styrofoam go together like peanut butter and jelly. All the supplies you'll need, are below along with their instructions. Enjoy!

PLAID Supplies

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Hot Pink, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Turquoise, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - White, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Black, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Leaf Green, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Canary Yellow, 2 oz.

·       Plaid ® Brush Sets - Learn-to-Paint - Brush Set with DVD

Other Supplies

Styrofoam –variety egg shape pack
Wood hearts
24 gauge wire
Black seed beads
1” half wood ball
2- 2” teardrop wood shapes
2- 1 ½” teardrops wood shapes
4-1” oval wood shapes
Green & white gingham fabric
2 ½” terra cotta pot
Dowel rod
Spanish moss
Hot glue
Knife
Toothpicks
Satin sealer.

Instructions

1. Cut three small foam eggs in half and basecoat with Turquoise.

2. Using the end of a brush handle and White, add polka dots to the foam as shown. Paint the half wood ball with Canary Yellow. When dry hot glue the Turquoise petals to the ball as shown. 

3. Mix Turquoise and White together to create a light blue and basecoat the terra cotta pot. Allow to dry and seal with the satin sealer.

4. Shape one large egg to make the butterfly body and paint with the light blue mixture.

5. Cut the fabric to cover the outside edge, hot glue around the pot and fold the rest inside the pot. Push foam into the pot leaving a ½” for the Spanish moss. Hot glue moss to the top of the foam as shown.

6. Cut the dowel rod to 8”for the butterfly and 6” for the small flower. Basecoat with Leaf Green.

7. Mix Hot Pink and White to create a light pink and paint the wood hearts. Paint the 2” teardrops with Hot Pink; Paint the 1 ½” teardrops with Canary Yellow; Paint the 1” ovals with Turquoise.

8. Insert the hearts into the sides of the butterfly body to create wings, hot glue if needed. Hot glue the painted shapes to the wings as shown.

9. Using the end of a brush handle and White, paint polka dots to the wings.

10. Paint Turquoise stripes to the body of the butterfly. Using Black and a liner brush paint the eyes and mouth.

11. Bead the seed beads onto the wire to create 3” antennas and stick into the foam.

12. Hot glue the flower to the 6” dowel rod and the butterfly to the 8” dowel rod. Insert into the flower pot.

By Candie Cooper – See more from Candie at Candie Cooper’s Journal

Jewelry is always fun to make!  Check out these peace pendants that you can paint in your favorite colors.

I got these pendants from an online auction site.  Paint both sides in desired Folk Art colors.  You don't have to leave them solid--streaks, dots and swirls would be fun too!

Once the pendants are dry, you can sand and distress the edges with sandpaper or a Mod Podge file.

Leave the peace signs distressed or seal with Folk Art Extreme Glitters.  Gems (or your favorite embellishments) can be added with Mod Podge. 

Twist a large jump ring open and attach to a silicone cord like this.  Ready to wear!

T.G.I.F. It’s Friday! It’s Friday! The week is finally over and the weekend is here. You now have two whole days to craft something new and amazing. Have anything in mind? If not, no worries we have been scouring the internet to give you some inspiration. Today we would like to share this springtime mason jar photo holder project. We discovered it on the blog, Spool and Spoon. This project was created using one of today’s most popular surfaces, Mason Jars, and Martha Stewart liquid glass fill paint and clings. We love how Jess designed this project. It is a great way to display pictures of your little ones. To see how Jess made this project visit here blog here.

The month of February is quickly coming to an end. Can you believe it? Wow time flies when you’re crafting. Get prepared for the upcoming spring season by getting a head start on your spring themed projects. Over on the blog Crafty Scrappy Happy, Jamie is getting ready for spring by creating this DIY Spring Pitcher. This project is actually very easy to make and is a nice upcycle project. To achieve these results, Jamie used items from the Martha Stewart glass painting program. To create this pitcher she used Martha Stewart clings and liquid fill paint. Have your kids help out by painting the clings with the fill paint. Once complete use this pitcher to pour your favorite springtime drinks. To learn how you can make this project click here.

During this time of year many people are getting out into their backyards to garden. Would you like to get you kids more involved in helping you? Well we have the perfect project to get them in the gardening spirit. These tile flowerpots are so easy to make. This project would be best for tweens and teens. All you will need are some FolkArt paints, and the FolkArt Tile pattern stencil. Give your kids a green thumb, and let them make these pots.

Other Supplies

Three terra cotta pots – any size 1/2" stencil brush
Stencil tape or stencil spray adhesive
1” Foam applicator
Foam plate
Paper towels

Instructions

1.   Base-coat pots Fresh Foliage and/or Light Blue; allow to dry.  Repeat.

2.   When dry, position stencil; either tape in place or use stencil adhesive.

3.   Dip brush into Licorice puddle of paint; wipe on paper towel to remove excess.

4.   Begin stenciling in a circular motion by placing bristles on an uncut area of the stencil.  Move brush gradually into an opening of the stencil.

5.   Repeat until entire design has been stenciled.

6.   Clean up with mild soap and water.

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend, and for all you Moms out there I hope you had a great Mother’s Day. Today I wanted to share with you all a very simple kid’s craft. One of Plaid’s talented designers, Sherrie Ragsdale, created this Garden Snake Sign. This project is great for a class to do. Below are a list of the supplies you will need, and the instructions. To see more kid’s crafts click here.

PLAID Supplies

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Christmas Green, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Spring Green, 2 oz

Other Supplies

Rectangle wooden plaque
Two large wiggly eyes
Small sticks
Large stick
Black fine permanent ink marker
White craft glue
Large flat brush

Instructions

1.   Base-coat plaque Spring Green. Allow to dry.

2.   Using the pattern provided, add snake and paint Christmas Green. Allow to dry. Outline and write 'garden snake' and add spots to snake with black permanent ink marker.

3.   Glue eyes in place using the white craft glue.

4.   Find sticks in yard and glue around the plaque.

5.   Find a large stick to make a stake and glue to the back.

By Candie Cooper - To see more from Candie please check out her blog, Candie Cooper's Journal.

I love magnets. Even more, I love magnets that hold pictures, which is exactly what these fun frames are!

 

You will need Folk Art or Apple Barrel acrylic paints in desired colors, bee and flower frame (check out the www.plaidcraftexpress.com), paintbrushes and Martha's silver liquid gilding. Please note that the silver gilding IS NOT kid friendly (adding it to this craft project should be done by an adult for safety). Plaid does make Folk Art non-toxic acrylic metallic paints in a wide range of colors.

Base-coat the flower and bee however you like. Before I forget, I think the bee would make a pretty sweet gift for Father's Day (which will be here before we know it).

I'm officially hooked on the silver gilding. It looks so bold on painted surfaces. Remember, this step is for adults. Use a flat brush to make stripes around the inside of the flower and around the bee’s wings. I think you'll find it's the bees’ knees (sorry, couldn't resist). Use paint thinner to clean your brush.

Use a decorative hole punch to cut mini-shapes out of scrapbook paper. I found the thinner paper was easier to cut vs. card-stock. Duh, right?

You know the drill!  Paint a coat of Mod Podge on the petals and let your little one stick the flowers wherever they like.

The only thing that would make this flower happier is a picture of a loved one.

Hole punches come in a variety of sizes. I like the mini stars for the bumblebee. You could use a regular hole punch to make polka dots too. Punch a bunch and Mod Podge your heart out!

It’s Monday! Hope you had a wonderful weekend and were able to create a craft project. If you were not able to craft this weekend, no worries here is an easy craft you can create with your kids during the week. These chalkboard painted clay pots are very easy to create, and make for a great springtime project. For this project you will not need many supplies. Aside from the clay pots, you will only need some Apple Barrel and chalkboard paint. So simple and so fun.

PLAID Supplies

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Bright Yellow, 8 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Leaf Green, 8 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Barn Red, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Bright Blue, 8 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Chalkboard Paint - Black, 8 oz.

Other Supplies

2 medium size clay pots
Chalk
#12 flat brush
Sponge brush
Liner brush

Instructions

1.   Paint first pot body Bright Blue – rim with Leaf Green.

2.   Paint oval with Black Chalkboard paint.

3.   Dot around oval area with red dots using end of brush to apply.

4.   Use #12 flat brush to make color circles with red and Yellow. Use Liner brush to paint black leaves, stems and spiral on flowers.

5.   Paint second pot body Barn Red – rim with Leaf Green. Paint circle with Black Chalkboard Paint. Paint yellow petals around black center. Use liner brush to outline all petals with black. Using handle of brush, dot around black center with Leaf Green. Add Curly-Q’s and leaves with Black. Fill in leaf shapes with Leaf Green. Note: Let cure for 24 hours. Rub lightly with chalk to condition.

I don’t know about you, but decorative trays always make pastries look so much more tempting. Take this sweet sixteen-cupcake stand. This stand is so adorable, and makes the sweets on display look so delicious. Create this stand for your next birthday party, or event. This project was created using FolkArt and Mod Podge. It is a beginner level craft, that should take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Display Sweet Sixteen treats with style.

PLAID Supplies

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Azure Blue, 2 oz.

·       Mod Podge ® Matte, 16 oz.

Other Supplies

Cookie/cupcake stand
Primer
Wax paper
Printed cotton fabric
Foam paintbrush
Scissors
Ribbon

Instructions

1.   Disassemble the cookie/cupcake stand. Prime all the parts individually and allow to dry.

2.   Paint the stem with two coats of Azure Blue.

3.   Cut the fabric slightly larger than the plates. Working on wax paper, coat each piece of fabric with Mod Podge (both sides). Place the fabric over the top of the plate and smooth with fingers. Allow to dry. Once dry, trim the edges so they match with the plate. Repeat for the other plate.

4.   Pierce the fabric over the plate holes and reassemble the cookie/cupcake stand. Add a bow to the top.

April is winding down, and that means May will be here before you know it. During the month of May the most popular occasion to craft for is Mother’s Day. Frames are a great gift to give any Mom. It is a keepsake for your photo keepsakes. Debbie Saenz created this Mother’s Day frame. It was made with FolkArt and Mod Podge. See below for all the supplies and instructions you will need.

PLAID Supplies

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Bayberry, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Nutmeg, 2 oz.

·       Mod Podge ® Matte, 32 oz.

Other Supplies

Unfinished wood picture frame, Large wood tag, 1 piece 12” x 12” scrapbook paper (green with several large flowers), Pink ribbon, Pink silk flower, Pearl button, Ink jet printer (optional), Brown distress ink, Cosmetic wedge or cotton ball, Sandpaper, and a Hot glue gun

Instructions

1.   Sand frame and tag smooth, wipe clean.

2.   Paint inside and out side edges of frame with Nutmeg, Paint edges of tag with Nutmeg. Allow to dry.

3.   Load a flat brush with Bayberry and brush onto a paper towel until almost dry. Lightly stroke over Nutmeg.

4.   Use the frame as a template and cut out a piece of scrapbook paper to cover frame. Carefully cut out center and save for tag.

5.   Type up then print “Mom you make the world more beautiful” or other special message onto scrapbook paper. 6. Glue papers to frame and tag using Mod Podge. Allow to dry.

6.   Use sandpaper to sand away any extra paper until edges are smooth. (Sand in one direction - towards the back)

7.   Dab cosmetic wedge or cotton ball in brown distress ink then use to distress edges of frame and tag as shown. Allow to dry.

8.   Seal front and painted edges of frame and tag with Mod Podge. Allow to dry.

9.   Remove and discard plastic center from flower; glue flower back together with hot glue then glue button to center.

10.                 Tie ribbon into a bow and use hot glue to attach ribbon, flower and tag to frame.

It’s another week, and many people are looking forward to celebrating Easter on Sunday. Are you excited? A popular thing many people do to celebrate this holiday is to decorate Easter eggs. Now normally most people simply paint their eggs a single color, but if you are feeling a bit more adventurous, try creating this Giraffe Wood Egg. This egg was designed by one of our talented designers, Debbie Saenz. This project does not require a lot supplies, but a few FolkArt paints are a must.

PLAID Supplies

·       FolkArt ® Artists Pigments™ - Vandyke Brown, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Vintage White, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - School Bus Yellow, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Finishes - Clearcote™ Aerosol Glaze - Hi-Shine Deep Gloss, 11 oz.

Other Supplies

Wood egg (2.5”)
Doll pin stand (1 1/8” x 1/2 “ Round)
Flat brush
Liner brush

Instructions

1.    Use flat brush to base-coat egg Vintage White; dry, then give a second coat; let dry.

2.    Draw irregular giraffe spots randomly with pencil and paint spots with Van Dyke Brown; let dry.

3.    Paint “egg stand” School Bus Yellow and Van Dyke Brown as shown in photo; let dry.

4.    Spray egg and stand with clear varnish when completely dry.

It is almost a week till Easter, and I wanted to share another craft project you can create. Now I know many of you are mainly decorating Easter eggs, but try creating something to hold your eggs in. Easter egg hunts are made more fun with this adorable crate for storing your finds. I love this recycled daisy egg carton. Kirsten Jones designed this project. It is a great craft for beginners, and one your kids can definitely help create. See below for all the supplies you will need, and the instructions.

PLAID Supplies

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Belle Blush, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Hologram, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Jamaican Sea, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Soft Apple, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Wicker White, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Licorice, 2 oz.

Other Supplies

Paper egg carton- ½ dozen
Burlap- 1 ½ x 10”
Gift tag
Jute ribbon
#6 Flat paintbrush
Liner brush
#4 Round brush
Scissors
Hot glue

Instructions

1.   Paint burlap piece with Soft Apple. Let dry.  Using liner brush and Licorice write ‘ Happy Easter ‘. Let dry.

2.   Using #4 round brush, paint daisies with Wicker white, let dry. Dot centers of flower with Belle Blush and brush handle.  Let dry.

3.    Paint each flower with Hologram glitter. Let Dry.

3.   Glue burlap to top of egg carton as shown.

4.   Paint gift tag Jamaican Sea, let dry.  Paint bunny as shown, referring to photo for guide.

5.   Tie to carton as shown.

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment below telling us what you would use these products to create? For extra entries (leave a separate comment for each):

Like Plaid on Facebook and let us know you entered the giveaway

The contest will end Friday March 30th, 2012 at 12 noon EST.

Mod Podge is one of those craft supplies that can be used on just about every surface you could imagine. Did you know Mod Podge can be used on burlap? Well it can! Check out this adorable Burlap Bird created using Mod Podge. This bird was created by one of our talented in house designers, Kristen Jones. This a great springtime craft for your kids to make. See below for the supplies and instructions on how to create this project.

PLAID Supplies

·       Mod Podge ® Fabric, 8 oz.

Other Supplies

Finished burlap bird (or make your own)
Bright scrap fabric
2 large buttons

Instructions

1.  Cut fabric size of wings and apply following general direction on Mod Podge. Let dry.

2.  Cut small elements from scrap fabric and add to bird using Mod Podge. Let dry.

3.  Glue buttons onto wing.

By Candie Cooper - See more from Candie on her blog, Candie Cooper's Journal

This year at the Craft and Hobby show I got to show off Plaid's Ring Bling line. With a love for big rings, I was in heaven! Women (and a few men) stopped by to make a ring. It only took a few minutes and everyone walked away smiling. Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Plaid booth!

The line is made up of ring blanks and a few bracelet blanks with tons of embellishments to go on top. The embellishments are metal, acrylic, sparkly, beaded and matte, tiny and big. I love that the rings come in different adjustable metal colors as well as styles from vintage to modern so there is one to suit everyone's personal taste.

Here are just a few of the embellishments that you'll find in the line. I've stacked two or three pieces together so you get some ideas. Once you're happy with the layering, it's time to glue!

Use a multi-purpose adhesive like Quick Grip or Dazzle Tac to put them together. Put a small dot of glue on a piece of paper and dip a toothpick in it to apply small bits of glue to tiny embellishments.

You can prop the rings up on a tube of lip gloss while they dry. Another idea is to fill a bowl with rice and bury the ring part to hold it upright while it dries.

One ring leads to another and another and another. Super addictive! This is your warning!

For an extra idea, you can glue a pretty button or two to a ring blank. Or how about cutting the back off of grandma's old clip on earring and glue it to a ring like I did here.

This could be a perfect activity for girl's night out, teen slumber party, DIY prom jewelry, and rainy day activity. Plaid's new Ring Bling line can be found at Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts.

This easy to make Easter Egg Ensemble makes a lovely gift or decoration for any room in your house. Designed, by Debbie Sanz. These Easter Eggs are great to have your kids create. Before you know it Easter will be here, and it’s good to be prepared with decoration ideas. You can prepare these eggs ahead of time and won't have to worry about them spoiling, since they are made out of paper.

PLAID Supplies

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Patina, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Artists Pigments™ - Titanium White, 2 oz.

·       Mod Podge ® Sparkle, 8 oz.

Other Supplies

6 paper mache eggs
Cardboard egg container
Fabric in 6 bright coordinating colors with different patterns
Iridescent Easter Grass
Pink ribbon
Hot glue
Scissors

Instructions

1.  Paint eggs with Titanium White.

2.  Cut fabrics into ½ to1 inch pieces (rectangular shapes or circles, depending on the design).

3.  Use Mod Podge to adhere fabric pieces to eggs, overlapping as you work. Set aside to dry.

4.  Give each egg a coat of Sparkle Mod Podge.

5.  Cut egg container in half, cut off and discard lid. Paint container with Patina. Allow to dry.

6.  Use hot glue to attach ribbon around egg container. Glue bow to center front and Easter grass to each egg space.

7.  Nestle eggs in grass and glue place.

By: Candie Cooper – Visit Candie’s blog, Candie Cooper’s Journal

Just like these little chicks, we're hatching out of our shells of Winter.  Here are a few ideas for you and your family to celebrate the coming of Spring!

1)  Break out the bikes and go for a family bike ride!  Craft some streamers for the handle bars before hand.

2) Start collecting eggs from the craft store to decorate or blow out real eggs by poking a hole in the top and bottom of the egg and blowing out the contents. Use the yolks and such for omelets or a quiche letting the children choose the toppings.

3) Make a nest by going on a nature walk to collect things for it---long grasses, leaf stems, even bits of paper will work. Put the findings in a round tiny basket and drop an egg or bird on top.

4) We all know April showers bring May flowers! Decorate an umbrella with Folk Art Fabric paint. For a creative spin, decorate the inside so when you look up, you have a bright ceiling above.

5)  Find fun containers at the second hand store and plant some grass seed. Water and watch it grow in no time!

6) My mom made an Easter tree by putting a small branch in a heavy pot filled with stones each year. She made small ornaments similar to these. So magical! You can make your own ornaments with bunnies, chickens, crosses and flowers.
 
To make these ornaments:  

You will need wood curtain rings for the frames. Paint frames with Folk Art paints and sponge Metallic Folk Art paint around the frame. Glue a mini-doily (found in scrapbook section of craft store) to the back of frame.

Tie a ribbon to the top of the ornament. Glue a pinch of moss, and a chick inside the frame. Mini flowers are the cherry on top.

HAPPY SPRING!!!

Get your little girls ready for spring, by having them create this adorable headband. This headband was designed by, Cathie and Steve. This spring fling headband is the perfect accessory. It is bright, fun, and colorful. This is an easy to do project that your little girl is sure to love creating.

PLAID Supplies

·       Mod Podge ® Paper - Matte, 8 oz.

Other Supplies

1" foam brush, Scrap paper, Decorative paper, Pencil, Scissors, Wax paper, Rickrack trim, Hot glue gun, 3 small silk flowers, 3 medium rhinestones, Scrap of coordinating ribbon

Instructions

1.   Create a template of the headband by tracing it on a piece of scrap paper. Using the template as a guide, cut the headband shape from the decorative paper.

2.   Using a piece of wax paper and a foam brush, coat the back and front side of the paper with Mod Podge. Position the paper on the headband, press out any air bubbles with your fingers and smooth your brush strokes. Allow to dry.

3.   Hot glue rickrack trim to the edges of the headband. Hot glue silk flowers to the mid-top section. Hot glue a rhinestone to the center of the flowers. Hot glue a scrap of ribbon around the two ends of the headband to secure the rickrack. Allow to dry.

It is never too early to begin teaching kids the importance of recycling. A great way to do this is by showing them how they can make something from recycled goods. Here is a great project that displays this. This recycled paper bracelet is a great project to have them create. The bracelet was designed by, Cathie and Steve.

PLAID Supplies

·       Mod Podge ® Matte, 16 oz.

Other Supplies

Cardboard from a Cracker Box, Ruler and Pencil, Scissors, Scrapbook, Paper, Foam Paintbrush, 25” Ribbon for Ties, Scrap Ribbon, Glue,
Paper Flowers, and Buttons

Instructions

1.    Using a ruler, pencil and scissors, cut the cardboard in a rectangle shape that measures 1.5” x 5”.  Cut the scrapbook paper to 3.5” x 5”.

2.    Apply the paper to the cardboard with Mod Podge. Coat the back of the paper with Mod Podge. Center the paper over the cardboard rectangle.  Press to secure. Wrap the ends of the paper around to the back of the cardboard. Press and overlap the ends. Top coat both sides with a coat of Mod Podge. Use your fingers to press out any air bubbles. Smooth your brushstrokes. Allow to dry. Bend a gentle curve in the bracelet. 

3.    Cut the 25” piece of ribbon in half. Glue each piece to the ends of the cardboard. Glue scrap ribbons around the ends of the cardboard.

4.    Add flower embellishments to the bracelet. Using glue attach the flowers to the top center of the bracelet. Add a button to the center.

5.    To wear, wrap around your wrist and tie the ribbons into a bow.

This is a cute little birdhouse for spring that will definitely will add some color to any room. I just love the cute little worm and lady bug, and the delightfully fun color palette! Crafty Dream used her Cricuit to create the bird shapes, scrapbook paper and Apple Barrel paint, as well as Mod Podge for Glue.