Kids Craft Blog by PlaidOnline.com - Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Tuesday Kid's Talk: Race Car Building Blocks from Martha Stewart

Often times it can be a little bit more difficult to find crafts that are targeted towards boys. Our friends over at Brown Paper Packages, made these adorable race car building blocks for her two little ones. This is such a great project to make, and very easy to do. All the materials used were products from the new Martha Stewart craft line, available now at Michaels nationwide. This multi-surface paint line works great on wood, as seen in this project. Want to make this project for your little racers? Click here to learn how.

Posted in: blogs | quick-and-easy | school-crafting

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Make It Monday: Gone Fishing

By: Candie Cooper - To see more crafts by Candie check out her blog, Candie Cooper's Journal

One fish, two fish, three fish blue fish! Do you know that story book by Dr. Seuss? Or how about "Rainbow Fish," by Marcus Pfister? Dr. Seuss's book focuses on rhyming and all the fun creatures the boy and girl in the story have as friends. "Rainbow Fish" is a great story about sharing and making friends. The reason I mention these two titles is because sometimes it's fun to read a story and create a project based on it. This gives you and your child a chance to reflect on what you read together. You may want to take it a step further and have theme week in your home with fishy activities each day. Gold fish crackers, anyone? Here's a craft to get your fins warmed up.

Base coat your canvas in a watery blue with a sandy bottom edge. I like Folk Art paints for this project because they are thicker.

You can see I've already started sponge painting--to get this awesome texture, dip your sponge in paint, and blot most of it off on a spare surface (see side of foam bowl). For this, you can use a lighter shade of aqua or blue. I switched to Apple Barrel paint for this step because it's a little lighter and more transparent (but it doesn't matter that much).

Sponge paint the background and stop when you are happy with the effect.

Cut and shred tissue paper shapes of sea life and lay them out on top of your canvas. Tissue paper is really great for this part.

Hold your tissue shape with one finger while you Mod Podge over the top. Tissue paper is so thin, the MP saturates it and makes it stick right where you want it. Seal the entire surface with MP.

Add lines to the fin and scales to your fish with a Sharpie marker.

Adhere the wiggly eye with Mod Podge.

You can even add some sparkle with crystals and Mod Podge! The fun really doesn't stop. ;)

Glue the fish onto the canvas wherever it looks "swimmingly" (sorry, couldn't resist). Believe it or not, I used a glop of MP for this step too. You can also use a thick craft glue.

Optionally, you can use real sand for a 3D effect. Applying it is just like glitter, paint a layer of Mod Podge over the sandy area and sprinkle sand. Set aside to dry. Use a dry paint brush to brush sand away from areas that you don't want it. My mom had the great idea of adding those cute little starfish. We love our embellishments!

Gone fishing! I hope you will too!

P.S Like this fish? Here's a link to get your own HERE!

Posted in: Apple-Barrel | Mod-Podge | Monday Funday | Summer Crafts

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Freelance Friday: Painted Dinosaur Planter

This is so cute! I bet you didn't know that one of your kid's toy dinosaurs could be turned into a decorative household item. Well to be honest, I did know one could either :) I came across this pleasant surprise on a craft blog called, C.R.A.F.T. Click to learn how she transformed this regular dinosaur toy, into a chic decor item.

Posted in: Apple-Barrel | Freelance-Friday | quick-and-easy | room-decorating

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