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.

Spring is definitely in full bloom here. Actually it practically feels like summer in our area. We here at Plaid are based right outside of Atlanta, and with the arrival of spring, summer temperatures seemed to have appeared at the same time. I actually hope the temperatures do cool down a little more to reflect spring temperatures. If you are looking for a way to welcome the spring season, try this Spring Sign designed by Cathie & Steve. This is a beginner level craft project that would definitely make for a fun group project to create. To create this sign you will need mainly Mod Podge, and FolkArt paints. I like this sign, and suggest you use this as inspiration to create signs for every season throughout the year.

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.

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.

Are you expecting? Perhaps you know someone, who is getting ready to welcome his or her new bundle of joy into the world. If there is a baby on the way, here is a great project that is sure to compliment any baby room. Libby created this project, on her blog PSA Stamp Camp. Libby is currently 18 weeks pregnant, and recently created this adorable wall art. This project is very creative, and contains a mixture of different craft supplies. I especially love this project, because I have a love with elephants. The elephant pictured here reminds me of the classic children's book character, Babar. Some of the supplies used to create this project, were PSA peel and stick stamps, Elmer's glue, and glossy Mod Podge. Click here to learn how Libby created this. Perhaps create your own version this weekend.

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.

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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.

Thank you to everyone that entered our 3rd giveaway on Plaid's Kids Crafts. This is the third week of National Craft Month, and all month long we are having giveaways here on Plaid's Kids Crafts. This week the prize up for grabs was a Mod Podge Starter Pack. This set includes, Sparkle, Paper Matte, Original Gloss, Original Matte and Outdoor Mod Podge.

Congratulations:
Linda
(winner has been notified by email)

If you did not win this time, don't worry we will be announcing another giveaway shortly. Make sure you subscribe to Plaid's Kids Craft blog, so you can be the first to know what we are giving away next.

It is the third week of National Craft Month, and to celebrate this creative month we are having another giveaway, on Plaid’s Kids Craft blog. This week we are giving away a Mod Podge Starter Set. This set includes, Sparkle, Paper Matte, Original Gloss, Original Matte and Outdoor Mod Podge. Learn how to decoupage with Mod Podge. This set is sure to get you on your way to creating something unique. 1 lucky Kids Craft blog reader will win this set full of 5 Mod Podge formulas.

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

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

Become a follower of ours on Twitter

This giveaway will end Friday March 16th, 2012 at Noon EST. We will announce the winner Friday afternoon.

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.

Happy Monday! Hope you all sprung your clocks forward over the weekend. We lost an hour, but we gained more sunlight as the day moves on. So now that it will be a little brighter when your kid’s get home, you may be more inspired to have them craft more after school projects. Here is a great project that is simple to make, and useful. This revamped composition notebook was designed, by Cathie and Steve. This is such a cool way to take an ordinary notebook, and turn it into something extraordinary.

PLAID Supplies

·       Plaid ® Hot Glue Gun Helpers

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

·       Mod Podge ® Gloss, 8 oz.

Other Supplies

Composition notebook
Scrapbook paper
Scissors
Scrap cardboard
Foam paintbrush
Hot glue
Velvet ribbons
Rhinestones

Instructions

1. Cut the scrapbook paper to fit the front of a composition notebook. Coat the back of the paper with Mod Podge. Position the paper onto the front of the notebook. Use your fingers to press any air bubbles. Allow to dry for 15 min. Add a top coat of Mod Podge. 

2. Cut a letter from scrap cardboard. Paint the letter with Navy Blue paint. Once dry, attach to the front of the notebook using hot glue and Hot Glue Gun Helpers.

3. Hot glue ribbons and rhinestones to the front of the notebook. 

Today on Teaching Thursdays we wanted to share with you this delightful, decoupage mirror. Cathie and Steve designed this mirror, and it is a perfect craft for beginners. Have your tween or teen create this Mod Podge mirror. It will be a perfect addition to place on their dresser.

PLAID Supplies

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

·       Mod Podge ® Gloss, 8 oz.

Other Supplies

Hot Glue Gun Helpers
Wood framed mirror
Foam Paintbrush
Floral scrapbook Paper
Scissors
Hot glue
Velvet ribbons
Rhinestones

Instructions

1.  Paint the wood portion on the frame with Navy paint. Allow to dry. Add a second coat of paint. Let dry.

2. Cut the flowers from the scrapbook paper. For this design we just applied the flowers to the lower corner. Coat the back of the papers with Mod Podge. Position the papers onto the front corner of the mirror. Use your fingers to press any air bubbles. Allow to dry for 15 min. Topcoat with a layer of Mod Podge. Smooth your brushstrokes. Apply the Mod Podge to the entire frame to create a gloss finish.

3. Hot glue ribbons around the outer edge of the mirror. Glue rhinestones to the front of the frame. 

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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!!!

Happy Monday. It is a brand new week, and it is getting closer and closer to St. Patrick’s Day. Still looking for some simple crafts your kid can create? Let Plaid help you. Try creating this St. Patty’s Day Wall Hanging. This adorable project is great for beginners, and will not require a lot of craft supplies. It was designed by, Sherrie Ragsdale.

PLAID Supplies

·       Mod Podge ® Matte, 8 oz.

Other Supplies

10” round glass plate
St. Patrick's Day napkins
Paper towels
Scissors
Foam brush

Instructions

1. Base-coat the bottom of the plate with Mod Podge.

2. Cut out napkin same size as back of glass plate. Glue to bottom of plate with Mod Podge. Allow to dry.

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

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

Become a follower of ours on Twitter

This giveaway will end tomorrow Friday March 2nd, 2012 at Noon EST. We will announce the winner tomorrow afternoon.

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.