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.

Valentine’s Day is a great holiday for kids to craft. There are so many simple craft projects for them to make to celebrate this day. Take this Tissue Paper Valentine project. This is so cute and simple. All you need is some glitter Mod Podge, and tissue paper. See below for a full supply list, and instructions.

PLAID Supplies

·       Mod Podge ® Glitter - Hologram Silver, 8 oz.

Other Supplies

-Glass vase any shape – clean and dry
-1 sheet each of tissue paper in colors of choice (used on this project: pink; red; purple; silver)
-Scissors
-#12 flat brush
-Liner brush

Instructions

1.    Cut or tear tissue paper in small random shapes.

2.    Paint thin coat of Mod Podge onto outside of vase in a 6” square area.

3.    Place small pieces of random colors of tissue paper into wet Mod Podge letting them overlap slightly. Brush on Mod Podge over top of applied tissue. Brush more Mod Podge adjacent to the area just completed and continue to place tissue until vase is covered with tissue.

4.    Cut heart shapes from silver paper. Use Mod Podge to attach to project where desired.

5.    Use liner brush to apply Mod Podge around hearts and write “LOVE.”

Have fun transforming a tissue box into a silly face! This is a great craft project for kids of any age to make.  One of our talented designers, Debbie Saenz made this funny craft project. A perfect craft to make for Halloween. Use your favorite Apple Barrel paint colors to create your own silly face tissue box. This is a beginner craft that will only take between 30 minutes to an hour to make.

Plaid Supplies Needed:

Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint – 20246 Plum Kiss, Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint – 20740 Parakeet, Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint – 20504 Black, Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint – 20764 Apricot, Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint – 20503 White, Mod Podge - CS11302 Matte

Additional Supplies Needed:

Tissue Box, Corrugated Cardboard, 15 Foam Packaging “pop-corn”, 2 Green Chenille, 1 silver Chenille, 2 Plastic Water Bottle Tops, Scissors, Paint Brush, Hold Puncher, Craft Knife, Top of Spray can (or other 2.5 inch circle template), 3 popsicle sticks

Instructions:

1. Remove plastic from inside opening of empty Tissue Box.

2. Paint box with Plum Kiss. Allow to dry.

3. Paint a “wavy” mouth around opening with Parakeet. Allow to dry.

4. Use Spray can top to draw 2.5” circle eyes onto cardboard, draw ears; cut out.

5. Paint eyes with Black and ears with Apricot. Allow to dry.

6. Paint water bottle tops with White, Allow to dry.

7. Paint one packaging “popcorn” with Apricot for nose. Allow to dry.

8. Cut Green Chenille stems into 2 inch pieces. Insert into the “holes” of the corrugated cardboard on top of each eye as eyelashes.

9. Punch a hole into each earlobe with hole punch. Cut silver chenille stem into two 3 inch pieces for earrings.

10. Insert a popsicle stick between the corrugated cardboard up through the bottom of each eye.

11. Cut remaining popsicle stick in half and, in the same way, insert a half into the straight side of each ear. 

12. Use Mod Podge to glue “teeth” and nose in place; and water bottle tops on cardboard eyes.

13. With supervision, use craft knife to cut slits into tissue box for eyes and ears, insert popsicle sticks and use a dap of Mod Podge around each popsicle stick.

It’s amazing that all around us are everyday objects… some beautiful, some utilitarian and some quietly hiding behind their humble functions. It is there that out of nothing, something beautiful becomes. TOILET PAPER ROLLS! Yes, toilet paper rolls can be beautiful, and Plaid Designer, Julie Lewis found one surprisingly beautiful way to utilize something we throw away on a daily basis. The color combinations for this project are endless. So hang on to those rolls and here is all you need to create these clever vases:

Folkart Acrylic Paint – 516 Light Lavender, 524 Calypso Sky, 741 Glazed Carrots, 654 Metallic Amethyst, 651 Metallic Blue Topaz, 663 metallic Bronze

Crackle Medium – 696, 3 toilet paper tubes, 3 small clay pots – 1 ½” x 2”, Glue, Flat brush – ¾”, Artificial flowers

Paint one each of your tubes a metallic color. No prep needed! Awesome!

Liberally apply Crackle Medium to your tubes. Rotate them a bit after applying so you don’t get huge drips. Some drips are fine as they crackle beautifully! Love the crackle!

Let the crackle medium dry and then apply another coat of FolkArt acrylic paint. Liberally apply strokes lengthwise on the tubes being careful not to overlap. If you do, gently smooth ridge with paintbrush. You can see it start to crackle right before your eyes! Yes! It truly is cool and amazing! Apply the corresponding acrylic color over the metallic base.

Run a bead of glue around one opening of each tube.

yet so fun and a cool way to recycle. The color possibilities are endless! Make some for yourself and for super great gifts.

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.

Mini cereal boxes become fun robot crafts with just a little paint. See the project.

Valentine's-Day is one of the most exciting celebrations for little kids. They love getting and giving cards and gifts for the friends and teachers. There are so many fun ways to make Valentine's special. Here is a cute idea that uses tissue paper and Mod Podge. I think this would make a great vase for a teacher. You could even adapt the idea for a class project-just use small, plastic cups or containers!

I love penguins, next to fuzzy white polar bears, they are definitely my favorite holiday critters. That's why this penguin frame is so cute. Kids can make these for gifts for teachers, grandparents and friends.

Wow! We had a great Halloween and it's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is right around the corner. We're gathering a bunch of new projects for you to enjoy with your favorite little ones. First up, this cute little Thanksgiving turkey. You can use leftover scrapbook paper and glitter to paint to make him extra special!
       

Egg crates and paper plates transformed into cute little creatures! Let your kids craft these easy and fun project.

What can you do with a paper plate? We crafted a variety of fun animals with a few paper plates and cups. Check out the goldfish here and visit Plaidonline.com to see the rest.

This easy and fun summer craft idea that uses Sparkle Mod Podge was posted by Mama Jenn. It doubles as a craft and a game.
Check the site out for instructions.

 

      

What better time than summer to host a pirate party!

Beautiful Coffee Filters from Dishpan Dribble.

  

Valentine's-Day project featuring Simply stencils.

Be inpired by these fun Advent Calendars. Advent Calendars make great craft projects for kids
to make, plus they offer a special treat for the days counting down to Christmas. Here are some of our favorites.

Advent Origami Cups by Kids Crafts Weekly

Pretty In Pink 
Paper crafted calendar.

Deborah Kent's Class 
Santa Claus beard calendars

Crafty Craft Gal 
Scrappy fun!

Can you believe it's made of a paper bag! This centerpiece is made with paint, crepe paper, play dough and a few other household items.It looks delish! See Jennwa's blog for step-out instructions and details.

Making a plate with decoupage is easy. All you need is tissue paper or gift wrap and Mod Podge. You can create very simple or uniquely complex designs with a little practice. Teens love to decoupage so this makes a great family or party project.

Here is a cute project using the new stamps, posted by Basket Full of Stamps. Her daughter helped pick the colors and mom did the stamping. The results, a cery cute project suited for any young star. See her whole entry here.