Kids Craft Blog by PlaidOnline.com - Monday, April 23, 2012

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Kids Crafts is full of fun, crafty projects, awesome activities, bright ideas, links to great kid-friendly sites and more, brought to you by Plaid.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Monday Funday: Bird Houses

Candie Cooper created this project. To see more crafts by Candie check out her blog, Candie Cooper's Journal.

I could start out saying this post has gone to the birds, but it hasn't! Bird houses are so fun to make and are a great inexpensive spring/summer craft. Here are a couple ideas for decorating them.

You will need: A bird house, Folk Art Outdoor paint, paint brushes, Duck Tape sheets, beads, wire, wire cutters, tiny eye screws, small drill, ruler, and scissors.

Plaid makes Folk Art Outdoor paint in metallic and flat colors. It's extra durable for the great outdoors (including UV and weather resistant) and still non-toxic so it's safe for kiddos.

Base coat the bird house in desired colors. For cracks and crevices, dilute the paint just a little with water so it runs into those tight spots. I kept these pretty simple using solid colors, but I imagine kids doodling all over the bird house with paint. It may be helpful to have a few paint brushes, paper towels and cups of water on hand.

For an extra funky roof, try Duck tape sheets (found at the craft store or online). They come in all sorts of cool patterns like tie-dye, camo, and zebra print. The grid on the back makes them super easy to measure and cut too. Measure the roof sections with a ruler, cut the tape pieces and stick them wherever you like.

To hang the bird house, drill a tiny pilot hole in the top of the roof. I especially love this little hand drill because it's safe to use with kids.

Screw a tiny eye-screw or hook into the hole.

Attach a piece of colorful wire with a wrapped loop. Leave 10" of wire and cut. String a few beads on the wire and make another wrapped loop.

I hope the birds can see it! ;)

Plaid makes bird houses in all sizes. How about getting the family together to make some this weekend? I can't wait to hang these little houses up in my back yard!

Posted in: FolkArt | Monday Funday | Spring

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Friday, April 20, 2012

Freelance Friday: Custom Color Chalkboard Alphabet Blocks

Want to give the traditional alphabet blocks an updated look? I recently stumbled across this adorable project, and immediately fell in love with it. This is such a simple yet creative kids project. You can use these blocks as a decor item on a bookshelf, or mantle in your child's room. This project came from the blog Camp Clem. These blocks were painted with Apple Barrel, and FolkArt paints. To see how they were created click here.

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

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Thursday, April 19, 2012

Teaching Thursdays: Mod Podge Birthday Place Settings

Celebrate Mod Podge with this beautiful birthday project! Did you know Mod Podge turns 45 this year? Time flies when you’re having fun crafting. To celebrate this grand occasion we have some fabulous new Mod Podge crafts, such as these birthday place settings. Create and use these for your little ones next birthday celebration. These settings are an extra touch to make the occasion even more special.

PLAID Supplies

· FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Pink, 2 oz.

· FolkArt ® Artists Pigments™ - Yellow Citron, 2 oz.

· FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Glazed Carrots, 2 oz.

· FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Licorice, 2 oz.

· Mod Podge ® Gloss, 8 oz.

Other Supplies

3 wood flowers- 2 layer shapes
3 assorted scrapbook papers
3 cards- natural paper

Instructions

1. Base-coat flowers with coordinating paper color, let dry.
2. Paint centers with Licorice, let dry.
3. Using wood shape as pattern- cut paper to fit wood shape.
4. Following general directions on Mod Podge add paper to wood shape, let dry.
5. Following general directions on chalkboard paint- paint centers of flowers.
6. Glue flowers to paper as show