DIY Super Sporty Socks!

Happy Monday! I just noticed when I went out to walk the dog (in the rain) that I left the socks I spray-died out on the picnic table and hey, great news, the colors did not run! I love a rainy Monday  it’s like some higher power is saying “hey girl, you just ease yourself into the week…go paint something and don’t worry about the sink full of dishes, they will keep.” Of course judging by the state of my house you’d think every day was a rainy Monday LOL! So, this weekend we decided to make some fun socks for my girls to wear for softball.

Cute huh? These would also be great for soccer, roller skating and hiking because you should always wear tall socks to protect yourself from ticks! They are so easy too, in today’s video I’ll show you how to make the more complicated rainbow design, the one color design is even easier!

And here is a photo tutorial for the one color socks, just remove the elastics (AKA rubber bands) when you are done and let dry.

If you prefer to use fabric die I recommend purchasing a tie dye kit with squeeze bottles. It should come with soda ash, you soak the fabric (after tying) in the soda ash then squeeze the dye on the wet fabric. The soda ash will help prevent fading. I like the acrylic fabric spray paint because it stays bright and will not run in the wash. I used this kit from Oriental Trading. If you have any questions on this project just leave a comment and I will get right back to you! Happy crafting!

Kid’s Craft: Clay Shamrocks!

Happy St. Paddy’s Day! I just wanted to pop in with a quick craft that you can make with your kids today: Polymer clay shamrock pins!

I taught this to the children in my library craft class last week and they all turned out great. Here are the supplies you need:

Here’s how to make these. Condition 1-2 oz of clay (depending how big you want your shamrock.) Divide the clay into 8 equal sized balls. Take 2 balls and gently press them together then pinch them together on the bottom to make  heart and pinch the bumps at the top of the heat flat to make a leaf. Make 3 more leaves. Stick the leaves together by the points. You may want to make a small disk of clay to attach them to. Try to keep the pin about 1/4″ thick throughout. Dust the shamrock with gold eye-shadow or pearl ex. Add details to the brooch with a toothpick if desired  Bake per clay package instructions, cool,  and glue a pin finding on the back.

Note: I recommend Tacky Glue for gluing the pin on but it takes hours to fully cure (it will turn clear as in the photo when cured) but if you want to wear it today just use hot glue for now and re glue with tacky glue later if needed

Happy St. Patrick’s Day and as always Happy crafting!

Happy Fat Tuesday: Let The Good Times Roll!

I live nowhere near the Big Easy but that doesn’t mean I can’t celebrate! I made this colorful Mardi Gras mask using inexpensive products from Papermart. I have done this project in classrooms, summer camps and even as a birthday party activity. It is easy and fun and you can’t make it look bad. I used feathers, rhinestones, gold ribbon, metallic markers, hot glue, a bamboo skewer and cardstock to make this quick project. The mask template can be found here.

You can change-up the colors and make photo props or decorations to hang on the wall, it is such fun. Watch the video to see how it’s done!

Remember, if you are doing this project with the kids you might want to use Thick & Tacky glue or glue dots instead of hot glue, let’s all be safe out there! {Don’t burn your hands off!}

Thanks for stopping by and til next time let the good time roll, oh and happy crafting!

Free Crochet Tutorial: Lip Balm Amulet

OK, I think we all need to buy shares in the Chapstick company! Man, I am constantly buying and doling out tubes of lip balm to my kids. where does it go? I think it ran off with socks that always go missing. Am I the only one with this problem? Well, I for one have had enough of the kids losing their chapstick (oh and for those of you who say “just have the kids carry it in their pocket” you obviously have never experienced the chapstick-in-the-dryer scenario) so I crocheted them chapstick holder necklaces:

These were fun and easy to make! I used sock weight yarn (#1 weight) and a #3 (C or D) crochet hook. I also added a ribbon drawstring, beads (to keep the drawstring from pulling through), fray check (or you can use clear nail polish) to keep the ends of the ribbon from fraying and a homemade tassel.

This project is worked round in a spiral  I don’t often use patterns so my writing of one might be unconventional. I will explain how I made it and if you have any questions you can leave a comment. Really, though, you can kinda make it up as you go along, I always do.

Round 1. Start by wrapping the yarn around your left index finger (if you are right-handed, if you are a leftie I have no idea), slip the hook between the yarn and your finder and draw up a loop. Now single crochet 12 stitches in the finger hole. This is starting a round with the magic loop method. Once you master this you will never go back to making a chain and joining it for a foundation round!

Note: If you are using thicker yarn, use fewer stitches!

Round 2. OK folks, here is where it gets real easy. Double crochet in each stitch until you have made a tube a bit longer than a tube of chapstick, you are working in a spiral, you don’t need to join rounds with a slip stitch (you can if you want to, it’s your bag) and do not increase, you want the sides of your pouch to go straight up.

Step 3. Once the bag is as tall as you need it make a chain of crochet long enough to slip over someones head. This is all worked as one piece so you want to start this stitch straight from the last double crochet you made.

Step 4. Join the end of the chain on the opposite side of the bag with a slip stitch. You will notice that one side of the bag is a bit lower than the other because we worked in a spiral so to even it out make a row of slip stitches on that edge, as a bonus it will make the necklace more secure. Cut and secure the end.

Step 5. Add a tassel. Use the string hanging from the bottom to bind the tassel so it is strong and secure.

Step 6. Use your hook to insert a length of ribbon to the top of the bag. Tie beads on the end and add a drop of fray check (or glue) to both the ribbon ends and the knot. Insert the lip balm and give it to your daughter.

So, if you have boys I will be making a camo belt loop pouch later and I will share that with you after I work it out!

Again, if you have any questions (you should probably consult a reputable crochet website LOL!) just leave a comment. It is really easy. I plan to sell these at next years craft fair. I was working on one at a basketball game yesterday and the other moms thought it was brilliant, so it gives me hope that they will sell! thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

A Kid’s Craft: Gum Wrapper Bracelets & Bookmarks!

Yesterday I spent the morning in my son’s 4th grade class and I taught the kids gum-wrapper folding…Well, actually, an easier version with half as many folds! We used scrapbook paper, which is thicker than gum wrappers so it was perfect with fewer folds. Here are some of the projects we made:

For the large bookmark I used strips of paper that were 8 1/2″x1″ and for the bracelets I used strips that were 1/3″x4″. I wanted to work with a 4″ length because I could get the most strips from my 12″x12″ scrapbook paper with no waste. If you want to know the equation for figuring out how long and wide a paper needs to be, multiply the width of the strip by 8.5  or 9 if the paper is thick, or less than 1/2″ wide. Alternatively you can take the length of the paper and divide it by 9 to get the width. Don’t worry if it is too thick, you can snip a sliver off if you need too. Why an I explaining all of this? just watch the video!

So, at the end of the video I show you how to fold the paper with real gum wrappers, you can use candy wrappers too! That’s right, start saving your Starburst, Tootsie Pop and bubble gum wrappers and make yourself some snazzy stuff! BTW if the wrappers are square just cut them in half before you fold them:) Any paper will work for this; magazines, maps, scrapbook paper scraps, origami paper and even wrapping paper!

It did me good to craft with the children yesterday. They were so sharp and patient and creative not to mention polite! I would volunteer in that classroom any day  Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

WOYWW: Macaroni Art! {a craft for kids!}

Happy WOYWW! my desk is a bit, well, messy this week…

But look at the cuteness:

This is a project that I am making with children at the library tomorrow. These macaroni angels are easy! I am pre-gluing them so the kids can paint and decorate them. Here is a video to show you how:

Other than the macaroni I have odds and ends leftover from craft fair projects. The craft fair was a huge success  You can read all about it and see my booth set-up on this post. If you want to see more crafty desks check out Julia’s blog the Stamp Ground for more WOYWW fun! I’m off to meet a girlfriend and do some holiday shopping today. Til next time happy crafting

Kid’s Craft: Finger Puppets!

My daughter designed this project all by herself! She even asked her teacher if she could teach it to the class with mom’s help. Both of my girls had so much fun making these puppets that they did not even want to stop when I called them for dinner! The beauty of this project is the simplicity, you can make it with what you already have but the variations are endless:

 

Here is how to make the puppets. You can use construction paper, cardstock, paper grocery bags or even magazines. I let the kids have carte blanche with my scrap paper bucket

 

This is a great rainy day or classroom craft. You can create the characters from your favorite book or movie in these cute puppets too! I am so proud of my girl for dreaming up this fun craft!

Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Fun & Easy Snowman Craft {for Kids!}

Here is a cute craft you can make with your kids {or a classroom full of kids!} in little time and for little cash. Here is what you need to make snowman lollipop ornaments:

Supplies:

Flat Lollipops (I got a pack of 22 Christmas Pops at the Dollar Tree)

Markers (Red, Blue, Black)

Pink chalk (Or you can use cosmetic blush )

Cotton Swabs (ya’ know, Q-Tips)

Glue (white school glue for kids, hot glue for grown-ups)

Cardstock (several sheets of white for the faces and a scrap of orange for the noses)

Ribbon or string

1 3/4″ Round Scallop Paper Punch (you can use a plain circle punch, circle cutter or just freehand circles and they will be just as cute!)

Optional: Googlie eyes or sequins

 

Directions:

1. Before you invite the kids to craft have everything prepared! Punch plenty of scalloped circles and place markers out where all the kids can reach. Have squeeze bottle of white glue out or little cups of glue with toothpicks in them for kids. Place a stick of pink chalk on a paper towel and have several Q-Tips on the towel next to it. Make sure to have a few examples of the finished craft for the kids to see. Precut the “noses” from orange and have them out as well as sequins or googlie eyes for the eyes. Remember APB when you craft with kids: Always Be Prepared!
2. Take a q-tip and rub it on the chalk and make pink cheeks on the snowman face (scalloped circle).
3. Draw or dot a smile on the face with black marker.
4. Glue on a carrot nose and sequins/googlie eyes for the eyes. Anything else you want to add is up to you!
5. Adults only!!! Place a small dab of  low temp hot glue (you must use low temp glue gun or you will melt the plastic wrapper on the lollipop) on the wrapped lollipop and secure both ends of a 6″ strand of ribbon in the glue and press a snowman face on top.

Well, that was easy! My kids made 44 of these yesterday and they had a blast! This is a nice craft fair item too because they make up quick and are cute hanging on the tree and you can sell them for a quarter so little kids can afford them   I hope you can use this idea whe you are crafting with your kids (or grandkids) this year! Til next time happy crafting!

A Thanksgiving Craft for Kids!

We have had such lovely warm weather this week, in the 60s in November in Maine, crazy! {but I’ll take it!} Yesterday the kids and I were playing outside when I noticed lots of fallen pinecones on the ground. We started gathering them up and before we knew it we had a large basketful! I love nature crafts and I knew I’d think of something to do with them and today I made this using my new Tom Turkey Craft kit:

I’d been thinking of something that would be an inexpensive craft to do with my daughter’s class and this fits the bill nicely, all you need is a pinecone and glue! I cut the SVG templates with SCAL software out of colored cardstock and glued the parts down between the needles in the pinecone. The “feet” glued to the bottom of the pinecone keeps it from rolling over. Wouldn’t this be cute as a place card on your Thanksgiving table? You can find the kit here.

Remember everything is 40% off through Friday at Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff! Till next time happy crafting!

Freebie for the kids (and kids at heart:)

Happy Sunday everyone, sorry I didn’t have time to post over the past 2 days, my kids got out of school for the summer on Friday and yesterday I spent a lovely afternoon with my high school classmates for our 15th class reunion. What fun! I was nice to see (despite my classes reputation for being slackers and partiers) that we all turned out OK!

Today I made a little card kit. I was drawing with my children this morning and I sketched a couple “party animals” and I thought hmmm, that would be cute on a kids card, then I thought, hmmm why not make a card that a kid could color:

Party Animal Card Kit Freebie: Lindsays Stamp Stuff

Just print and cut the sheet in half and you have two cards already embellished, let junior color in the animals and you’re done! There is even a “handmade by” on the back so your little one can proudly write their name when they are finished. Now you will never be caught short handed when a child’s birthday rolls around!

Download the ready to color card kit here.

If you just want the stamps you can download the elephant digital stamp here and the party chicken digital stamp here. *Note, I literally drew these on a scrap of paper with a ball point pen this morning, these are nothing fancy but if you can use them enjoy

While I have your ear I woulds also like to ask for your help. My Friend Terry over at Creative Cuts and More has a customer with a sick child. She has a brain tumor that is inoperable but there is hope with chemotherapy. They are selling handmade cards to help with the financial strains on the family. If you have any extra handmade cards that you could send to her shop for them to sell, all money will go the the family to help with hospital bills I would appreciate it. You can mail any handmade cards to:

Creative Cuts & More
10940 South Parker Road #435
Parker, CO 80134

Thank you so much! Also Creative cuts and more is looking for some guest designers. If you can rock a die cut you should apply and I have to say that Terry is a dream to work for! Interested? Click here for details.

That’s all for today, thanks for stopping by, enjoy the freebies and till next time happy crafting!