Spring Bee Card Craft

I just adore Spring time!  As Spring time is right around the corner, and feels like it is already here (it is in the 70′s today) I thought it would be fun to look up some simple Spring time crafts to make with the kiddos.

I found this video that shows how to make Spring Bee cards.  I think this is so cute and perfect for a simple afternoon craft.  You will need the following supplies to make this adorable kid’s craft:

• Colored paper (blue, green, red, yellow, white)
• 2 googly eyes
• black marker
• glue
• scissors

It really is simple, you pretty much fold and cut some paper, use some glue and you have an awfully adorable Spring time craft! I think this one too because I can see my kids getting quite creative and making some interesting shapes and features, other than just some bees and flowers!  Here is the video that shows step by step instructions down below:

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Owl Felt Crafts

What an adorable video full of craft projects this is! I love the Mini Mouse hat, the felt owls, and of course the Hello Kitty craft! This is inspirational and makes me want to start on my 2012 Christmas presents, like now!

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Japanese Sakura Tree

This is a great video about how to paint a basic Japanese Sakura Tree.  The Japanese Sakura tree is absolutely beautiful.  Almost magical if you ask me.  I think I know what I’ll be doing the rest of the afternoon!

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Creative and affordable ways to personalize school supplies

(ARA) – The classroom has always been a place where children and young adults can show and grow their styles and creative spirits. There are easy, inexpensive ways to showcase that style and make the school year more exciting. From pens to notebooks and lockers to lunchboxes, students can add their personal flair to everyday items.

Book bags, pencils and pens – even calculators and rulers provide a palette for creative expression. A new and inexpensive way to add flair and creativity to ordinary book covers, plain notebooks and dull folders is to use Duck Tape brand duct tape Sheets. The sheets are available in a variety of colors including blue, white, red, silver, black, green, purple and yellow. For students who really want to stand out, sheets also come in prints, such as zebra, leopard, camouflage and tie-dye.

Here are ways to add a touch of personalization to school supplies and other belongings using duct tape or other household crafting tools:

* Jazz up notebooks and folders with different colors or prints for each class to make them quick and easy to find when grabbing supplies from your book bag or locker.

* Personalize a pencil case, lunch box or book bag with your name so they don’t get lost in the shuffle.

* Make a duct tape wallet or purse and tuck your lunch money in a safe place.

* Use stencils to trace letters and add the name of each class or subject to make finding the correct book easy.

* Create fun artwork out of duct tape shapes and designs to decorate the insides of lockers.

* Accent personal belongings, such as cell phone cases, clothing and more.

* Make and decorate picture frames for lockers to hang pictures of favorite school memories.

The school bells of a new school year also mean it’s time for fall sporting events. Students can be the biggest fan in the stands at pep rallies and games. They can show their school spirit by making pennants, flags, megaphones and even T-shirts. Visit DuckBrand.com for crafting instructions using Duck Tape Sheets.

Heading back to school gives students, from elementary to high school, the opportunity to develop and show off their own style and personality with a unique twist on traditional school supplies.

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Fun ways to encourage learning beyond the classroom

(ARA) – The back-to-school season is more than just shopping for classroom supplies and new clothes. It also means supporting your kids’ education by making an effort to promote learning outside of school hours.

Exercising the brain doesn’t need to be reserved for homework or something boring that kids dread. With some creative ideas, you can encourage your children to have fun and the education will come naturally.

Smart idea 1: Scavenger hunt
A family scavenger hunt can make for a fun afternoon activity full of education and a bit of friendly competition. For smaller children, focusing on counting skills can be a good way to add education to the activity. Have them look for things like five red rocks, three yellow leaves and one penny. For older kids, make nature your inspiration and have them seek more specific items, such as a certain type of tree leaf, a specific flower or a bird feather from a popular local bird. Arm them with a nature book or diagram so they can learn about each item as they look for it.

The great thing about scavenger hunts is they can be done anywhere. Stay close to home and have the hunt in your neighborhood, head to your local nature center, or plan a special scavenger hunt on your next family vacation. You may even offer a prize for participants such as a book or a special item for school.

Smart idea 2: Board games
Recent research has acknowledged the significant benefits that board games have, not only on children’s cognitive development and their brain’s motor functions, but also on important life skills such as patience, cooperation, concentration, teamwork and perseverance.

Two fun games with educational benefits are Jungle Speed and Dixit. Jungle Speed is a fast and furious game of quick thinking and lightning fast reflexes. Think classic card games like Spoons or WAR, embellish the cards with abstract shapes and colors and add an exciting race element. The game will have kids involved in so much exciting, stimulating fun, they won’t even know they’re learning. Dixit is a unique game of storytelling through imagination and clues. Artistically designed cards tell a different story for every individual and put creativity to the test.

“We find that game play enhances many cognitive functions, including visual discrimination, visual span, visual processing speed, visual-motor integration and visual sustained attention,” says Jason Pine, president and founder of Sharp as a Tack. “It is astounding how much progress each student makes in terms of cognitive processing speed in just one session! You can see the transformation in their eyes and body language.”

Smart idea 3: Crafts that teach
Encouraging kids to be creative and use their imagination is a great way to have a blast while exercising that brain muscle. If your child has an interest in a certain type of art or craft, encourage him to explore it in his free time. From writing poetry to sketching flowers, you’ll be amazed to see their talent develop. Here are three fun educational crafting ideas:

* Make puppets and plan a puppet show. You can create your own storyline and characters or choose from a favorite play or movie. Put the show on for the neighbors or family.

* Make learning about nature fun by incorporating crafting. For example, pick up leaves that have dropped and create nature rubbings by putting the leaves between two pieces of paper and rubbing with crayon. Collages that feature natural treasures are always fun as well.

* Encourage kids to write in a daily journal and keep small mementos from their favorite activities. Each week go through the journal and add to a scrapbook that will serve as a great reminder of the school year.

From playing games to making crafts, with these fun activities, your kids will keep learning even after the school bell rings.

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Chinese Takeout Lantern

I recently stumbled upon this wonderful video of Shiho Masuda making Chinese takeout lanterns.  I love how simple and elegant these turn out.  I think even I, who is not a “crafty” type of person, could make these with ease.  This also seems like a good craft idea to make with kids.  It seems like the perfect vessel to let the creativity shine.  I also really want to try to make these as I think this would be the perfect addition to my next Chinese dinner-themed party.  A simple menu of dumplings, lettuce wraps, spring rolls and cocktails would suffice.  Check out the cute and short video below!

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Smalti Mosaic Cityscape "Where Hot Meets Cool" - Glascow, Scotland

Last year my sister and I took a Smalti Mosaics class together at the local art studio.  We had so much fun and I’ve been thinking about starting to make mosaics again.  The picture shown above is the amazing Smalti mosaic work of a very talented artist in Scotland.

Smalti is a mosaic material used for a variety of applications such as mosaic murals, table tops and panels.  It is perfect for using as borders around mirrors, picture frames, backsplashes, or even to surround fireplaces.  Mosaics add a richness and uniqueness to works of art and home decor like nothing else can.

A big bin of Smalti - how magical!!

The size of the Smalti pieces to be used in the art work is up to you!  Cutting Smalti is a unique process.  It cuts easily with high quality wheeled glass cutters. In the class my sister and I attended we used an oil pen to trace along where the cut was to be made.  After that was applied we used the handles of the cutters to squeeze and pop the tile to the shape desired.  It was a lot of fun and very simple! You can also use a traditional hammer to cut the Smalti if that is more your style.

If you’re looking for a great craft idea that translates into amazing home decor mosaics may be the right choice for you.  I would suggest looking for a local art class or doing some research online before starting.  After getting the fundamental basics making beautiful mosaics is a piece of cake – or should I say piece of Smalti glass.

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Alice in Wonderland Shadow Box

I have to admit I’m not a very “crafty” person but I do enjoy making shadow boxes.  Maybe it is because it seems sort of easy to me and the variety of themes and options for creating them is limitless!  The shadow box shown is above is one I found on Etsy from seller Jaylynn Scrap’s Designs.  I adore it because Alice in Wonderland is one of my all time favorite movies.  It’s just so magical.  You can tell a lot of love and time went into this shadow box.  Of course, my shadow boxes are not nearly as impressive but this gives me some inspiration!

One shadow box I made was themed from my Wedding day.  I bought a pretty black box with a tan, linen background.  The colors from my late Autumn/early Winter wedding were black, red and white, hence the shadow box displays this color scheme.  In the center of the box I pinned my wedding invitation with pearl accented pins.  That was the center focal point to the box.  All around the box I posted insert cards, available at places like Hobby lobby, that say things like “I love you” and “Love is you”, again in the color combo of black, white and red.  I also purchased a beautiful little silver heart pendent with a red stone in the center, red ribbon, and ribbon with “2007″ on it as that was the year we were married.  As a final touch I went online to Ebay and found a miniature handpainted picture of the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas as this is the town we were married in.  In just a short amount of time it came out beautifully and I still receive compliments anytime friends or family come over to visit, as it is proudly displayed in my hallway.

My husband recently received a thoughtful shadow box from his mother.  His grandmother passed away and my Mother-in-Law made a memorial box for him.  It was very thoughtful with a picture of my husband and his grandmother dancing at  a family wedding.  It also had a picture of his grandmother from the 1950′s on her bowling league.  To tie the shadow box together a very special heirloom pocket watch was loving pinned around the pictures, and a gold heart was etched with “Grandmother will always love you”.  My husband cherishes this and it proudly resides on our mantle.

From silly to fun to sentimental shadow boxes are the perfect way to start crafting!

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Fun craft project: paint clay planters with your children, then once the paint is dry, plant flowers or herbs in them.

(ARA) – Nature offers many beautiful gifts and wonders to explore, and parents can help get kids outside to discover them when they step away from the television or computer screen. Here are a few fun ways to encourage your children to explore nature.

A growing trend
As more Americans are discovering every year, gardening is a great way to enjoy nature. Kids will enjoy starting plants from seed or picking out starter plants at the nursery and watching them grow and develop. Even a small container garden on a balcony or patio can yield tomatoes for salsa, flowers for an entire season or strawberries galore. Cook up your favorite recipes with home grown ingredients and donate any excess produce to local food banks.

For the more adventurous gardener, help your kids plant a “vertical garden.” In the style of famed French artist and botanist Patrick Blanc, grow your flowers and vegetables in a fun new way. Try filling a canvas hanging shoe organizer with a light-weight potting mix and filling each pocket with one of your favorite plants. Have fun using tomatoes, bell peppers, marigolds, strawberries, vinca vines or impatiens. Poke a drainage hole in each pocket and hang the entire organizer on your back fence or balcony. Water daily, and in just a few weeks you will be enjoying your own living art piece.

Find a local community garden or gardening co-op and volunteer with your family to help with weeding, watering, planting or harvesting.

Nature’s bounty
Yard waste? Not when you can re-use and repurpose. Find the beauty in what nature provides by creating new uses for things that would otherwise be considered waste. Large sticks make great garden stakes for plants that need a little extra support, like tomatoes. Smaller sticks can be written on or carved into (by an adult) for an inexpensive way to label plants in the garden or pots.

How about using leaves for gift tags or place cards? Kids will love writing names on the leaves with a little paint and a fine-tipped brush or metallic pen. Then, simply punch a hole in one end and tie with a decorative piece of raffia or ribbon for a personalized touch to any gift or place setting. Flowers from your pots or garden don’t have to fade away – they can be easily dried for use in homemade potpourri, candles or soap.

Give a worm a job
Many of us know that composting is a great way to reuse what Mother Nature has given us. Even a small compost bin will fill up quickly with kitchen scraps and yard waste. This waste can be used produce a nice compost mix for next year’s garden – especially if you add some red worms to the compost bin. Worms are nature’s little composters. They make composting more fun, interesting and efficient by breaking down organic matter into nutrient-rich vermicast allowing your family to compost kitchen scraps easily, and reduce the amount of garbage produced each year. Red worms can be purchased inexpensively from many garden centers or online outlets. A small bin will require about 2 pounds of red worms to get the job done.

The art of recycling
Recycling is a great way to reduce waste. It’s likely you already have a recycling bin next to the garbage can. Chances are, however, that your kids do not see those recyclables as art – it is time to change their minds. Reusing and recycling everyday objects not only reduces waste but, with a little imagination, can also provide hours of creative fun. Make something together that will bring years of enjoyment to your home or landscape.

Make a bottle tree to enhance the garden or balcony. Since the invention of bottles, people have found ways to use them as decorations. Used as a way to explore the beauty of glass or ward off (or attract) spirits, bottle trees have been “planted” across the planet in various forms for thousands of years. To build your own bottle tree, collect colorful glass bottles from your recycling bin or from friends, family or even local restaurants. For a “tree” form, use steel re-bar, sturdy wire, wood, fallen limbs or dying trees. Simply remove labels from bottles and wash out. Then, hang the bottles from your form – use your bottle tree purely as a decoration or as a nice support for vine-like plants such as morning glory or tomatoes.

Preserving nature in photos
A digital camera may not seem like a device to get your kids outside, but they can be acquired quite inexpensively and are a great tool with which to view nature and animals. Go on walks in the yard, neighborhood, a local park or zoo and click away. Zoom in or change the angle of the camera for new perspectives. By simply changing the way that we look at things like flowers, animals, trees and even bugs, cameras provide an up-close and personal view of the world that you would not otherwise get to see.

Use your photos for great screen savers on the computer, make photo collages or print them out for uniquely fantastic artworks to frame. Any way you use them, you will have preserved a little piece of nature and will have great memories for years to come.

Once you and your kids start exploring nature together, you will discover hours of fun for the entire family. Mother Nature may more to offer than you realized.

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Consider adding an antique-style charm with a favourite childhood photo to a necklace chain for a keepsake that will be (literally) close to Mom's heart.

Flowers. Spa days. Lavish dinners. On Mother’s Day, there are a variety of ways to recognize the special women who have made a difference in our lives. In fact, a recent study conducted by Yahoo indicated that over 85 percent of consumers celebrate the second Sunday in May, spending billions of dollars on gifts.

Times are changing, however, and many experts are noticing an increased trend towards Mother’s Day gifts with a more personal touch. According to Shelli Gardner, CEO and co-founder of crafting company Stampin’ Up!, a growing number of Canadians are choosing handmade or personalized Mother’s Day gifts that were created especially for the receiver. “Showing your love and appreciation for Mom doesn’t have to cost a fortune,” said Gardner. “The gift with the greatest impact, the one that shows you truly wanted to make someone feel special, is the one you make yourself.”

Gardner suggests the following Mother’s Day gift ideas for creative types:

Handmade cards: Creating a unique do-it-yourself Mother’s Day card can be as simple as gathering coloured paper, punches and rubber stamps, or investing in a ready-made cardmaking kit that includes all required supplies. Include favourite photos, phrases, and colours, and don’t be afraid to get decorative with ribbons and other accessories.

Personalized jewellery: There was a time when handmade Mother’s Day jewellery meant paper-clip necklaces and other grade school art projects, but there are some new options available that make it easy for creative types of all ages to create professional-quality customized necklaces, bracelets and other adornments. Consider taking a class at a local studio, or invest in a kit like Stampin’ Up!’s Simply Adorned collection, which includes chains, bracelets and locket-style charms (visit stampinup.ca for information about where to buy). For example, consider adding an antique-style charm with a favourite childhood photo to a necklace chain for a keepsake that will be (literally) close to Mom’s heart.

Mother’s Day scrapbook: Theentire family can get together to pool favourite photos, vacation mementos and other special souvenirs to create a special Mother’s Day scrapbook. Work with a traditional album and crafting materials or go high-tech and try an option like My Digital Studio, an easy-to-use software-based design studio that features thousands of exclusive images, colours, and accessories.

www.newscanada.com

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