Kid's craft, stained glass free printable

Summer is almost officially here.  Schools are out and kids are bored. Use this free printable with some crayons, colored pencils or markers to create cute stained glass images for your windows.  When you print on tracing paper it allows the colors to show through clear glass windows.

You will need:

Tracing paper cut to 8 ½” x 11” standard paper size

Printer

Markers, crayons, colored pencils

1.     Download the free printable.

2.     Trim tracing paper to 8 ½” x 11” standard size and load in your printer tray.  (Since tracing paper is very thin I usually load a sheet on top of regular paper)  Set the image to bold and print.

3.     Color the images as desired with crayons, colored pencils, or markers.  Cut out each individual image or keep them together.  Tape to a window and enjoy the stained glass effect.

CLICK FOR STAINED GLASS PRINTABLE

Patriotic quick and easy wreath for July 4th

Do you need a quick and easy wreath to decorate your door for the July 4^th holiday?  Time is running out but this wreath is done and on the door in a matter of minutes. 

You will need:

18-inch grapevine or similar wreath

3-yard spool of 1 ½” inch patriotic ribbon

Patriotic cupcake liner set with flag picks (I got a set at the dollar store)

Glue gun and glue sticks

Red, white, and blue wire garland (also from the dollar store)

1.     At a dab of hot glue on the back of the wreath and attach the ribbon end.  Wrap the ribbon around the wreath leaving about an inch between wrapped ribbon.  Continue wrapping around the entire wreath and tack the end down with some hot glue on the back to secure. (See photo)

2.     Working on the area not covered by ribbon; begin inserting the flag picks at an angle, under the ribbon and facing the same direction.  (See photo)  Continue all around until you have inserted flag picks in all the wreath open areas.

3.     Unwind the patriotic garland, insert one end into the wreath and (you may secure with hot glue) wrap loosely all around the wreath.  When you reach the opposite end insert into the wreath and secure with hot glue. Arrange and loosen the wire garland attractively like an aura around your wreath.

                         Now go and use the cupcake liners to make some patriotic cupcakes!

Martha Stewart's patriotic cupcake recipe

Origami style flannel shirt with bolo tie key chain

  

I think that there are just not enough craft projects for men.  With Father’s Day right around the corner you can make this mini (faux flannel) shirt key chain for dad.  Use scrapbooking paper in prints to personalize. You can add or leave the bolo tie off as desired.  This project even looks great in a camo print paper if you are making it for a hunter.  This origami style project is easier than you may think, just follow the instructions and use the photos as a guide.

You will need:

Scrapbooking paper in a plaid or camo print

Clear contact paper

Ruler, pencil, Scissors

1/8” hole punch

Ball chain key chain

Glue gun and glue sticks

Optional bone folder or wooden ruler

For bolo:

4 inches 1/8” black ribbon

One small gold flat back bead or button

Note:  If you have bone folder or a wooden ruler run it across all the folds to make sure they are crisp.  Using contact paper makes the keychain more durable, but if you desire you can eliminate this step.

1.     Cut a piece of scrapbook paper 6” x 2 ½.”  Cut a piece of clear contact paper the same size 6” x 2 ½”.  Remove the backing from the clear contact paper and carefully cover the front (printed side) of the scrapbook paper. Smooth out any wrinkles. 

2.     Place the prepared paper print side down and fold in half lengthwise.  (See photos A, B)  Open the paper and using the center fold line as a guide fold one side to the center.  Repeat for other side.  (Photo C, D)  Turn over and fold top edge down ¼”. (Photo E)  Turn over.

Photo A

Photo B

Photo C

Photo D

Photo E

3.     Fold each side at an angle meeting the points in the center to make the collar. (Photo F)

Photo F

4.     Fold up the bottom edge about 1 ¾” of the way up. Fold again right to the collar and insert bottom edge under collar. (Photo G)

Photo G

5.     Cut a 4” piece of 1/8” ribbon. Open the shirt and working on the back, add a dab of Hot glue on the back of the collar and attach the ribbon centering on each side. Turn over and put a bit of hot glue at the neck area on the center front and fold back.  (This will keep the shirt folded.)  Bring the two sides of the ribbon around to the front and cross.  Attach with some hot glue and a small bead or flat button over the top of the ribbon to resemble a bolo tie.  Use an 1/8" hole punch to punch a hole in the top center of the collar and attach a ball chain key chain.  (See photos)

Sunflower bookmark (or anything) clip

Do you need a teacher’s gift that is a bit different than the usual coffee mug? These clips are made in a jiff with just a few supplies.  Sunflowers are bright and cheery but you can easily substitute any favorite flower.  They make great bookmarks but don’t stop there.  They look great clipped to clothing, greeting cards, office papers, etc.

You will need:

Grapevine wire (found in the floral department of the craft store)

Ruler

Silk sunflower for each bookmark clip

Pencil or pen

Glue gun and glue sticks

Wire cutters

1.     Measure a piece of grapevine wire 14 inches long and cut with wire cutters.

2.     Using the ruler, measure down 3 inches and bend the wire up. As you are bending the wire up, use a pencil or pen to keep the bends rounded.

3.     Continue to bend up 4 inches and use the pencil or pen as before.  Bend down 3 inches.  Finally bend up three inches.  Adjust all the bends.  You are basically making a giant paper clip. (See photo)

4.     Flatten out the clip.  (See photo)

5.     Use the glue gun to attach the top portion to the back of the flower.  It is easier to apply hot glue to the clip itself than to the flower.  Let dry.

Clip to hold your place in books.  Use on top of greeting cards, on clothing, clip it to a gift card... the sky is the limit!

Recycled envelope notepad

Have you ever searched for something to write a telephone number or other note and grabbed the first thing available?  And isn’t the paper you reach for sometimes a scrap envelope?  Well, why not recycle those envelopes from greeting cards, bills, etc. into attractive notepads?  It is easy and quick and is a great kid’s craft and costs practically nothing.

You will need:

Several envelopes from greeting cards, etc.

Tacky craft glue or white school glue

Small amount of scrapbook paper in a print and solid color

Scrap of mat board or other lightweight cardboard

Binder clip (or even a couple of clothespin to hold the pages together)

Ruler

Scissors (Or a paper cutter makes the job super easy--when working with kids supervise)

Paper plate

Small paintbrush, water to rinse out brush

1.     Open all the envelopes that you are using and cut off the sides and flap.  Use the centers for your notepad. (body of the envelope) Measure and cut 3” x 4” pieces. (Pages of notepad)

2.     Cut a piece of decorative print scrapbook paper and a piece of cardboard 3” x 4”, the same size as the pages.  (Front and back cover)

3.     When you have enough paper pieces, stack them together, along with the front and back cover and attach a binder clip to the bottom to hold the pad together.

4.     Add some tacky or white glue onto a paper plate and using the small paintbrush liberally brush glue on the top edges.   Let dry.

5.     Measure another piece of solid color scrapbook paper, 3” x 1 ½”.  (Top binding)

6.     Fold the scrapbook binding paper onto the top to cover where you glued the pages together and attach with some more glue.  Let dry completely.

Note:  If you don't have any envelopes to recycle, you can use all purpose printer paper for the pages!