Create a one of a kind Zentangle bookmark- with free printable

Well, school is out and kids are bored.  What better way to get them reading than to let them create their own unique bookmark?  Zentangles are basically artistic doodling.  If you’ve ever doodled on a piece of paper you know how relaxing it can be.  So this craft is not just for kids!  This will help kids with hand eye coordination and creativity because in zentangle art creativity is the key! If you would like some suggestions for zentangle patterns to use on your bookmark... tanglepatterns.com is a very good place to start.  Visit Make it easy crafts often for more zentangle printable bookmarks and cards in future posts. 

You will need:

Printer and cardstock paper

Free printable pattern (download)

Fine line markers in colors or just black

Clear contact paper

Scissors

Free bookmark pattern

1.     Download the free bookmark pattern.  There are two on the page, one for boys, and one for girls.  Load your printer with cardstock paper and print.

2.     Use the zentangle designs on the above mentioned website or make up your own.  Be creative.

3.     When you have finished decorating your bookmarks, apply a piece of clear contact paper on the front.  Smooth out any wrinkles.  Turn over and apply another piece of contact paper on the back.  Cut out the bookmarks.

Recycled wine cork and burlap ribbon wreath

Knowing that I love to craft with recycled materials a friend of mine gave me a big box of wine corks.  Of course I have been having a blast creating all sorts of corky and quirky things and in the weeks to follow I will share quick and easy tutorials using wine corks. How about an easy to make wreath for your dining area?

You will need:

Recycled wine corks

12-inch grapevine wreath

22 gauge brown wire

5 1/2" wide Burlap ribbon (I used tan but you can substitute any color you choose)

Glue gun and glue sticks

Wire cutters

1.     Use the wire cutters to cut about seven 8-inch pieces of 22 gauge brown wire. Pinch gather the burlap ribbon leaving about 10 inches hanging and use the wire to attach to the wreath twisting tightly on the back.

2.     Continue pinching sections of the ribbon, approximately 3 inches apart and attach with wire to the wreath until you reach your starting point.  Leave another 10-inch extra ribbon.

3.     Apply some hot glue onto a wine cork and add it vertically over the point were you attached the wire.  Place another wine cork beside the first cork. (This is the bottom center)   Continue to add single wine corks in this manner over every wired point until you reach your starting point. 

4.     Once you have added wine corks at every junction, attach a line of wine corks with hot glue end to end around the center perimeter, holding each cork until they set.

5.     Add wine corks end to end around the outside and hold until each cork sets. 

Back of wreath 

6.     Fluff up the burlap ribbon puffs and add a wire loop at the back center for hanging.

Recycled book secret jewelry box

When is a book not a book?  When it’s a box of course. Find an old book, add a few supplies and when you are done you will have a jewelry box where you can store all your secret or not so secret items.

You will need:

An old book (thrift stores are great sources)

An X-Acto craft knife

Clear tacky glue

Small paintbrush

Scraps of felt

Scissors

Ruler, pencil

Scrap book paper in print or desired color

Paper plate

1.     Open the book cover and using ruler and pencil, measure a rectangle shape the size you want your cavity to be.

2.     Squirt some clear tacky glue on a paper plate for ease in loading your brush.  Open the front cover (You do not want that to adhere) Apply some glue to the back cover and attach.  And using the small paintbrush spread a generous amount of glue on all three sides of the book.  (You are gluing the pages together so be generous with the application.) 

3.     Place a heavy object on the book and let dry completely.

4.     When the pages are dry, use the X-acto knife to begin hollowing out the cavity.  Follow the line of the rectangle and cut around.  You may cut only a few pages at a time.  Continue cutting out the rectangle until your cavity is as deep as you want it. 

5.     Measure the depth and area around the cavity.  Cut a strip of felt the depth by the perimeter of the cavity and attach with some tacky glue.  Be generous with the glue.  Cut a rectangle of felt the size of the bottom of the cavity.  Spread some tacky glue on the bottom of the cavity and attach the felt. 

6.     Measure the margins around the opening and cut four strips of scrapbook paper to fit.  Attach with some tacky glue. 

7.     Close the book and place a heavy object on top and let dry completely.  You now have a secret book box!

Kid's craft-stained glass free pet printable

Here is an easy craft for kids! Download this free printable for kids to color.  Use markers, pencils, or crayons.  Simply print on tracing paper so that the design shows through for a fun stained glass effect.

Pet stained glass printable

For full instructions see Kid's craft - stained glass free printable

Wine cork Christmas reindeer

It’s never too early to work on Christmas ornaments and decorations.  You can create this cute little reindeer in a snap.  If you start now, you can have all eight reindeer in time for Santa.  And don’t forget Rudolph.  Add some cord and hang on the tree or just set them around. 

You will need:

Two wine corks for each reindeer

Wooden picks

Small pointed awl

Wiggle eyes

Tacky craft glue

Geometric shaped colored paper clips

Ruler

Heavy-duty scissors

Marker

Small red pom pom

10 inches of 7/8” wired Christmas ribbon (Or substitute a solid color)

Bowdabra bow wire

Mini Bowdabra with ruler

1.     Mark four dots on the underside of one wine cork for the legs.

2.     Turn over and make another mark about ½” from the edge centered between the opposite side leg marks.  (Neck mark)

3.     Use the awl with a twisting motion to drill holes about ¼” deep in the four leg mark areas.  Turn over and do the same with the neck hole mark.

4.     Measure 1 ½” from a wooden pick and cut with heavy scissors.  Repeat for three more picks.  You will have a total of four 1 ½” legs.

5.     Use the leftover pick from one of the legs to cut a 1” piece for the neck.

6.     Dab a bit of tacky glue on the ends of each prepared leg pick and insert into the holes you made.  Make sure you insert them at the same lengths.  You can measure by standing it upright.

7.     Insert the 1” pick piece in the neck hole.

8.     Measure ¾” from the end of the second wine cork, mark and make a hole.  Add some glue to the end of the wood pick in the body hole and insert the second cork.

9.     Pry apart a geometric shaped paper clip.  Use the awl to make two holes on the top of the head and insert an opened paper clip on each side. (Antlers made)

10. Add two dots of tacky glue on the top of the reindeer and attach two wiggle eyes.  Glue on a small red pom pom on the front for a nose.

11. Make a perfect mini bow tie.  Using the Mini bowdabra with ruler attached, insert a 6-inch piece of bow wire lengthways.

12. Cut a piece of 7/8” wide wired ribbon.  Place the ribbon into the Mini Bowdabra to create a 1” tail.  Next, fold the ribbon to form a loop at the 1” mark.

13. Fold a matching loop on the other side and trim the ribbon at the 1-inch mark.  Use the wand to scrunch down the ribbon.

14. Pull the wire tightly.

15. Remove the bow and tie a knot on the back. Trim the wires short.

16. Fluff and arrange the bow.  Add some tacky glue onto the back of the bow and attach to the front of the reindeer.