Notebooks are a must have back to school supply for any student, but instead of having a traditional looking notebook here is a unique one to try. Recycle a pair of old jeans and make a really cool notebook any girl would love. Debbie Saenz designed this adorable and creative project. Your little girl will be the envy of her friends at school when they see it. It is simple to make, and a perfect project for a beginner. See a full list of supplies needed and the project instructions below.

Plaid Supplies

Mod Podge Matte – CS11302,

FolkArt Acrylic Paint – 652 Metallic Rose,

FolkArt Acrylic Paint – 901 Wicker White

Other Supplies

Composition notebook, Jean pocket and strip of jean from an old pair of jeans, Floral scrapbook paper, Coordinating scrapbook paper, Flower embellishment, Button, Rhinestones, Velvet ribbon, Hot glue, Sandpaper, Pencil, and Paintbrush

Is your young scholar in need of a bookmark? If so, try creating this one designed by Kindra Boroff. Bookmarks are usually always on the back to school shopping list, but I bet you can’t find one in the stores as cute as this one. What really makes this bookmark so unique is that its base is a made using a clothespin. The clothespin allows the reader to clip the page they would like to hold in place. It is very simple to make, and uses tons of fun and vibrant FolkArt paint colors. This is a craft perfect for all ages that will only take up to an hour to finish. Happy bookmarking!

Plaid Supplies

FolkArt Acrylic Paint-2574 Brilliant Pink

                                          628 Pure Orange

                                          481 Aqua

                                          437 Lipstick Red

                                          938 Licorice

FolkArt Extreme Glitter-2837 Fuchsia

                                               2793 Orange

                                               2838 Aqua

Other Supplies

12 small wood circles, 1-1 ¼” wood circle, 1-2” wood oval, 4- 2” wood teardrops, 1- 1 ½” wood oval, 4-1” wood teardrops, Turquoise felt, 3/8” orange and white polka dot grosgrain ribbon, 3/8” aqua satin ribbon, Metal alligator clip, Clean spray bottle, Hot glue, Script liner, 1” flat brush, Aluminum foil, Baking sheet, Oven, Dowel rods, Clothespins, Scissors.

Instructions

1.    Preheat oven to 275. Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil. Wrap the ribbon around the dowel rods and hold in place with the clothespins. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the ribbon from the dowel rod when it is completely cooled.

2.    Base-coat the large circle, small teardrops and oval with Brilliant Pink. Apply several coats of Fuchsia Extreme Glitter, allowing to dry between coats.

3.    Base-coat the small oval with Pure Orange. Apply several coats of Orange Extreme Glitter.

4.    Base-coat the large teardrops with Wicker White.  Individually mix Brilliant Pink, Pure Orange and Aqua with water. Add to the teardrops and lightly spray with water. Mix the paint to create a tie dye effect.

5.    Paint all but two of the small circles with Aqua. When dry, paint Aqua Extreme Glitter on the circles. Paint the remaining two with Lipstick Red.

6.    Hot glue the pieces together as shown, creating a butterfly.

7.    Add a drop of hot glue to the top of the alligator clip and wrap the aqua ribbon around the front of the clip. You may need to add a few drops of glue as you go to keep the ribbon from slipping. Glue ribbon swirls to the top of the back section of the clip and repeat the steps to wrap the back section of the clip with ribbon.

8.    Cut two shorter pieces of the curled ribbon and glue to the back of the head for antennas. Glue the butterfly to a piece of felt and trim the edges.

9.    Add two eyes and a smile with Licorice. Hot glue the butterfly to the clip as shown.

Happy Friday! The workweek is over and the weekend is here, hooray. Any crafting plans this weekend? If not, this floral DIY botanical bracelet is something you should have your tween or teen create. Girls of all ages love bracelets. This project was discovered on the craft blog, Bromeliad. Create this bracelet using the new Mod Podge podgeable shapes, and dimensional magic. If your tween or teen is new to jewelry crafting, this is a great project for them to try. It is a beginner level craft that is not only cute but also stylish.

With school back in session many art and craft classes maybe looking for some in class projects to create. This Pinto Pony is a great choice, and utilizes several school supplies. Julie Lewis, a designer here at Plaid, created this adorable project. Below are all the supplies you will need for this craft. Click here to view the instructions, and have your students create this project soon.

PLAID Supplies

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

·       FolkArt ® Artists Pigments™ - Pure Black, 2 oz.

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

Other Supplies

½” flat brush
Foam spouncer
5 – Toilet paper tubes (or 1 wrapping paper tube cut into 4 ½” lengths)
1 – Salt container
1 – Child’s shoebox
7/8” wide grosgrain ribbon – red and black
Black construction paper
Hot glue
Scissors
Pencil
2 – 25mm wiggly eyes
Hole punch
2 – 1 ¼” turquoise buttons
4 – ½” turquoise buttons
Red foam sheet – 8 ½” x 3’

Create this unique Piggy Pen Holder with Mod Podge. Your desk will be so whimsical; you just might look forward to doing homework! Laura Bray created this great back to school project. This is a beginner level craft that will take up to 2 hours to create. This project is simple, however kids should not do this without some parental supervision. In order to fit the pencils in the pig, holes will need to be drilled and this is definitely not something a child should do. Below are all the supplies you will need, along with their instructions. To see more creative project by Laura visit her blog here. 

Plaid Supplies

Mod Podge

Other Supplies

Paper mache pig, Foam paintbrush, Fabric scraps, Power drill and bit

Instructions

1.    Cut your fabric scraps into small pieces.

2.    Using a brush, apply Mod Podge to pig and then smooth the fabric scraps onto the surface.

3.    Once the entire surface of the pig is covered with fabric, apply a light coat of Mod Podge over the entire covered surface.  Allow to dry and then apply a second coat.

4.    Depending on the size of the pig, figure out how many holes you can place for pen holders. When the pig is completely dry,   carefully drill holes into the center of the back of the pig.  Use a drill bit that is the same size as the pens or pencils you want to place in the pen holder.  Make sure the whole go all the way through. 

5.    Push any rough edges down, and put pens and pencils into holder.

By Candie Cooper - Visit Candie's blog Candie Cooper's Journal to see more cool projects

I'm a sucker for anything with corrugated metal including this flower hanger.  I usually steer clear of blank surfaces like this because I'm scared to death to write letters with a paintbrush.  You too?  I have a trick for you then.

You will need a flower sign, Folk Art acrylic paint, Folk Art Enamel paint, felt flower embellishment, multi-purpose adhesive, buttons, paint brushes and trim.  You might also need some Folk Art outdoor sealer.

FA enamel paints are good for ceramic and metal surfaces.  You can paint just the center or the entire flower.

Now for the lettering...  Find some large rubber stamp letters in the scrapbook section of the craft store and a clear acrylic block to hold the letters.  Paint the blank wood surface however you like--I suggest a lighter color underneath the letters.  Spell out WELCOME with the letters.  Spread some paint over a paper plate and dip the stamp block in.  Stamp letters onto sign (you may have to do this in two parts).  Optionally you can seal the sign with a clear varnish to protect it.

Finish by gluing some embellishments to the center of the flower and maybe some pom-pom trim to the bottom of the sign.  With the first day of school right around the corner, this would make a good teacher gift also.