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JFK Library & Museum | Field Trip | Homeschooling

March 16, 2011 By Laura 10 Comments

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I’m a planner. I plan everything. Call me not-very-fun, but there is not much I do spontaneously. Especially when it involves, like…..a whole day. Or traveling a small distance. Or worse……changing plans I already planned!

So when a friend of mine sent me a message one bright and early morning not long ago, asking if we’d all be up for a trip into Boston, to visit the John F. Kennedy Library & Museum that day….well, I started having heart palpitations, and immediately started brainstorming excuses to say no. For examples: I had a full day of lessons planned! The kids had a test. My camera battery wasn’t charged! (My gosh! I can’t take a field trip without taking photos! How would I blog it?!) And honestly… I had work to do after schooling the kids! And…and….I hadn’t planned, on going to the JFK Library & Museum! I can’t just TAKE OFF like that!

All of those things were the truth. But it was also true, that going to the JFK Library & Museum, had been on our field trip agenda, for at least a year, and we just hadn’t gotten to that one yet. And my oldest daughter {A}, had been nagging me about it all-365-days, (or it’s seemed like it anyway), because she’d been dying to go. Beggin’. She has a deep and peculiar passion, for American History, for a 13 year old girl. She loves to learn about past U.S. Presidents, and especially has a keen interest in the Kennedy family. My camera battery could charge in an hour. Also, my friend’s kids had a 1/2 day of (charter) school, and therefore would be out early, so that’s why it was a perfect weekday for them to go, with us. But the truth of all truths was…..it could turn out to be one fun and exciting day, if I could just wrap my brain around <gasp> changing plans, last minute.

jfk-john-f-kennedy-library-and-museum-boston-ma Well, it was, and I DID IT!!!

It actually turned out to be a very, very interesting trip. Downright fascinating, at times. It blows me away, because I could have cared less about American History when “I” was in formal school growing up, on top of several other subjects. Or, all of them. (Except art of course!). But I just love, love, love schooling now. As I always say, “I’m being re-schooled”, while I school my kids. And I thank God they are loving it, the first time around! Because 13+ years is a dang-long-time, when you don’t like school! (Ask me!)

So…..let me show you some of the things that we got to see on our field trip, and intriguing things we got to learn more about, at the JFK Library & Museum.

THIS….Is John F. Kennedy’s high school report card/transcript! But here is what is sooooo interesting. If you look closely, you will see…..

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…..He got a D in his Sophmore year!! IN HISTORY! Did you know this? Because it’s quite a shocking revelation, to me! Now, {A} is a little upset with me, that I’m telling you about this. She says, “But Mama! He really loved History though! He did!”. And she’s concerned I am embarrassing him. To which I replied, “Well, Honey, you know…come on. He’s dead.” And also, “It’s in a public museum! I think more people blow through that place, than my little ole’ blog, in a day. Don’t you?”. Because I just feel the need to tell you all! I find this little tid-bit of info shocking, but also encouraging, to children everywhere!! As I see it, if a kid can get a D in History, and go on to be the President of the United States, there is hope for anyone!

(She’s in the kitchen right now mumbling, “Poor Jack.”)

Check out the appliances of those times. My three 8 year olds just stood and stared through the window here, dumb-founded.

This display really got me. As an educated graphic and package-designer, all I can say is….it is really no wonder, why the decade following the 60’s, involved tie-dyed shirts, and psychedelic-color-inducing drugs. I mean, I do understand there was printing limitations, and limited inks to work with then. But goodness…..what horrid looking packaging. It all looks the same! Honestly, I had to walk away, as depression was setting in.
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We had a great tour guide. She popped in and out, as we made out way through the place, giving us more info here and there.
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There are mini theaters there in the museum, and we watched two very interesting films. I can say that in my own experience of watching these films, I was able to really feel more connected to exactly who JFK was. To see him in motion, and hear him speak, in his own words, was…fascinating, and mesmerizing. He had a great voice! I’m going to link you to some of the film at the end of this post, so you can experience it yourself. In case, you know, you’re as young as I am. ; )
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A mock set-up of (one of?) his campaign offices. I desperately wanted to take the desk, and the chair. And maybe the door knobs.

Possibly the hanging light fixture, also.

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The pavilion, was a cool place to be. All glass and steel-work, overlooking part of the Boston Harbor. To think, that JFK and his siblings’ great-great grand-parents, had at one time sailed right by here on their arrival to the United States from Ireland, in 1849, because of the “black potato famine”.
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Our crew of kids.

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Here, a replica of the desk in the Oval Office. It was interesting to note, that the little door under the front of the desk, that JFK Jr. was later photographed playing behind, was put in to hide Franklin D. Roosevelt’s leg braces. They felt that, when photographing him at his desk, it may appear that the President of the U.S., was weak. (Nice.)

Also interesting to note: My flash went off when taking this photo of the desk, and I got in trouble. Once a rebel, always a rebel! ; )

Call me ‘Silly’. But this is my favorite shot of the day. RFK’s glasses.

I actually took the shot, through glass.

Bet you’re impressed now.

Or…not.

They are on his desk, shown more below. Robert was appointed Attorney General, when his brother was President.

It was cool to read all of the documents and notes lying about the desktop. And laugh at the phone.
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RFK’s Dept. of Justice badge, and the football that the Dallas Cowboys gave to Robert, because the Kennedy’s loved the game so much, and were known to play.

I have to be honest here…..some of these details I am not actually remembering all on my own. {A} is over my left shoulder, dictating some stuff to me. Lol. Just keeping it truth, People!

A bit of Jacqueline Kennedy’s wardrobe. On the right is her Inaugural Ball gown.
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jfk-john-f-kennedy-library-and-museum-boston-ma-17 THIS, I do remember on my own. I did not know, that Jacqueline (Bouvier) Kennedy was a photographer! In a round-a-bout way, it was through her photo-journalism work, that she met her future husband, JFK. I was saying to myself, out loud, “Well I’ll be a blue-nosed gopher.” And someone said, “……What?!”
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The baby with us loved this purse. He kept saying “Ooooo!!” (Short O sound.) It was rather eye catching!
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These are ‘doodles’ of JFK’s from a meeting during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In the top-right, you can see where he wrote and circled several times, “Missile. Missile. Missile.”
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News publications from over the years.

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The polls.

There was another little room we went through, that was dark, and just had a few tv screens going. Airing, was the news broadcast footage, of when JFK had been shot. I can only imagine, having been born and grown enough then, to understand what was happening at that time. Because the heavy feeling we all had in that room. All silent, staring at the monitors, some with a tear rolling down our cheek. I guess it’s the closest we’ll ever feel, to having been there.
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Oh how I would have LOVED to have taken this portrait!! {A} walked up to this, and named every person in it, from left to right. As easy as counting, for her. This portrait was taken, when Joe Sr. was Ambassador to England, and they were in London. What a great photo.

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Oh…what to say here. Funny, but this vision of {A} doesn’t seem that far-fetched. You’ve got to know her, if you don’t. She’s only 13 now, but she’s really into politics, government, and planning her future! Let’s just say, she’s got a few things she wants to say, and a few things she wants done.

She’s got a dream.

We all had such a good time, and learned so much, here at the JFK Library & Museum.

We highly recommend this attraction, if you are ever in the Boston area.

There was a great little still film clip on JFK we really enjoyed.

I was really glad my friend called, and I’m so spontaneous.

So…..Did you enjoy this post? Did you learn anything new?

Please share your thoughts with us.

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Ladder to Bookshelf | Re-Purposing

March 15, 2011 By Laura 25 Comments

In addition to our continual progress of finishing the inside of our home since our major house reconstruction, we’ve had a continually growing list of ideas for smaller projects around our home.

One of them has involved this ladder inside our home.

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It has been right here where you see it, every since we bought our home in 1995. What has changed a lot, is almost everything around the ladder. For one thing, at the foot of this ladder, where you now see French doors to our sun room, was a brick hearth, to a black iron coal stove, that was built into a brick wall as a fireplace of sorts.

You may wonder just what the purpose of the ladder was.

ladder-book-shelf-1

Well, at the top of the ladder, was a carpeted crawl loft, that was open to and overlooked the living space. We had a few large floor plants up there, that looked lovely in the sunlight, that streamed in from the skylights.

But when we added a second story to our home, the crawl loft, and all of the new construction to the backside of the house, became the boy’s room. So, a wall replaced our beloved crawl loft.

As you’ve probably figured out along the way here, the ladder was the way to get up into the loft.

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It’s a beautiful, solid, solid (read: HEAVY!!) wood. It’s the same natural wood the beams were made of, that also used to be a part of the house.

As a humorous tidbit of knowledge for you, (if you’ve never been through our home reconstruction posts), the crawl loft became our (mine and Michael’s) bedroom, when we gave our own to our triplets following their birth. The house only had 2 bedrooms at the time, and ours was by far the biggest. So…we took our bed down, put the mattresses up in the crawl loft, and we climbed the ladder to bed every night.

We really didn’t mind it, much. You couldn’t really see our bedding that much, and it was….cozy. : ) I’d say it was even kind of fun. Except for when one of the kids woke up, and needed us. Or, when we had to go potty. I feared in the dead of night many times, that I would fall trying to descend the ladder in my sleepy state, and splat on the brick hearth below. But it never happened. Maybe because Michael said “Be care-ful” every.single. time. I had to go down. Even when he was sleeping.

Oh…..{A} just found a photo that will give you an idea of how much the house has changed:

See the loft at the top? With big boxy openings, roped off with 2 ropes. You can also see the natural beams I spoke of. They were great for wrapping Christmas lights on, and using for outdoor toddler swings, in the house! The beams were so strong, and with the cathedral ceiling, there was plenty of room! Of course they had outdoor swings too. Boy did they love swinging. You can also see what was the back door. That wall came down, and there is a school room there now, on the other side of the stairwell that descends into the floor. Yes…things have changed. Drastically. Inside and out. Do you love seeing houses transformations? I’ll post the links on our HOJN Facebook Page sometime soon, if you’d like. But be sure to ‘Like’ the HOJN Facebook Page, so you don’t miss them in your feed! I put lots of fun extras there, for you all.

ladder-book-shelf

Anyway….ever since the loft was ripped out and the wall went up, the ladder-to-nowhere, has remained there. We couldn’t get rid of it! It was a sentimental piece. We always loved that ladder, and it’s one of those things people always mention when they first visit our home. It’s unique, and unusual, in a home. But really…. it’s needed purpose! And it’s looked dark and ….. well, heavy, in our light and airy living space.

So I had an idea to make the ladder more useful, and we started by doing something possibly, crazy.

We painted it white. After adding a few little pieces you may notice, which you’ll understand why in a moment.

Now, if you know me, I’m really not down with perfectly painted stuff. I like things old. Beat up. Worn.

So I took a sandpaper covered block, and ‘had-at’ the newly painted ladder.

And wore a hole in it. : ) (The sandpaper of course. Not the ladder.)

I did my best to make it look……well, not ‘just painted’.

But I’m not any kind of expert at distressing pieces yet. I’m sure it needs something more. A glaze of some kind, to crack the paint some, or something. I don’t want to yellow it, as a lot of the ‘new paint’ around is white as snow. But, I plan to ask a friend what more I can do, to push it a little more.

But the purpose of painting the ladder, and adding the little crossbars to the back, was to use it for….

Books!!

With the exception of when we were actually using the ladder every day to access the loft, we’ve always had photo frames and little things displayed on the ladder. I just took them off before photographing it before. But, we are swimming in books around here. So I thought it would be a creative and useful transformation.

Mostly it’s the kid’s books on the ladder for now, with the bottom step left open for stepping up and reaching higher. There are lots more books, that will be relocated to the ladder, soon. And we have more book shelving that Michael just installed as well, that will be for another post.

Because not only do the kids have more reading books, but then there are my own, and some of my mother’s too. Books of all kinds. For leisure, for education, for how-to, for you-name-it. As I said, we’re swimming in them.

I actually filled a couple of boxes recently, with books to get rid of. We have cabinets filled, and boxes downstairs, of more books – still needing sorting.

So this ladder transformation I think was a wise one. The ladder now has purpose. I’m sure it feels more worth, in it’s day to day life. We all need purpose. Don’t you think?

I have to admit: I’m feeling a little pang inside, about painting over this beautiful wood.

Do you think that was a mistake?

But I do think the corner as a whole, looks a little cheerier, and more in keeping with what the rest of the house has going on. Because we’ll probably be doing something with those wooden breakfast bar chairs too. Not painting them white. But they need stripping of the shellac , or something.

Anyway….

BEFORE AFTER

What do you think? A good idea? And are you cringing, because I painted that wood? Go ahead and tell me the truth. I think I can take it.

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{A}’s Basketball Team Championship

March 10, 2011 By Laura 4 Comments

It’s been a thrilling, and busy, basketball season for our family! It was {A}’s 6th year playing, but this year the boys were on a team too. I took photos at 2 games for {A}, and 2 games at the boys. ( {O} had been taking figure skating lessons. ) But because I was taking photos of all players, just to give to their parents too, and a lens that fires off rapidly, I have a ga-zillion photos to go through. So, I will be sharing some of the boys too, in this first season of their’s, eventually. But this post is about {A}.

She had an amazing year. And the season went out, with her team going all of the way to the Championship!
Play-Off Game #1, they won 20-18. Play-Off Game #2, 19-18. Both Play-Off games were nerve-wracking as all get out, all the way through. Naturally, each game gets tougher, with teams being eliminated. So the Championship Game was no easier to take! Nail-biting. Heart-racing. Prayer-sending. SO TENSE! Or maybe it’s just me. I’m a freak at games. I have admitted this for 6 years. I guess I’m not going to change after all.

Anyway…..{A}’s team went out of the Championship Game 1 POINT down!

As I like to say, “We didn’t lose. We just ran out of time.” And that was so the truth this game. Had there been even 1 more minute, it would have been a 1 Point win, at least! But, you know, lots of great stuff came out of this season.

001 Like {A} having her best playing season, yet. She gets better every year. But she just grew by leaps and bounds within this very playing season, this year. Physically, and skill-wise.

002 She has always loved this game. But this year, her passion for it has….EXPLODED.

003 It’s been a joy, for all of us as a family, to watch her just get better and better.

003 She has worked really hard, at improving her game. Because, it matters to her. Her own personal goals, drive her.

005 It’s important to her, to do all she can not to let her team down, make her coach very happy, and perform the best she can. Just playing the game, makes her happy.

006 It’s not just a game to her, though. She’s all business.

She has great defense, and will fight anyone to the ground, to protect that ball.

007 She’s loved the girls on her team. She has such respect for her coach.

008 She’s really made her contributions to the team, and become a force to be reckoned with.

009 Her 1+ hour of practicing every day, has paid off.

011 Here’s her whole team, minus one who was home sick. She’s made some more really great friends.

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Her coach, has really been PHENOMENAL. We can’t say enough about him. Having noticed her drive and passion to learn and improve her game, he has truly helped refine her skills, encourage, and inspire her. He has had such good things to say about her. She in turn, has the utmost respect for him, as do we. He knows his stuff, is so encouraging and demanding of the girls (which is good!), and he is so-dang-funny!! He had me in stitches all season. His daughter was on the team as well, and she’s such a great kid! Coach’s whole family has grown on us, being together so much at games, and sometimes practices.

It’s just hard to let go with this season being over. It’s hard most every season. But this was the best. A couple of coaches around, have vested interest in her, so I’m sure we’ll be seeing them some more, here and there.

013 All of the girls had such fabulous team work on the court, and they are all new friends for {A}.

This is {A}’s final season with this league, as she has grown out of it. She leaves some friends behind in this league who are a year younger than her. Some will move on with her, and then she’ll be joining others who have been a year older, playing high school basketball, God-willing!!

That’s her goal anyway. She has lots of goals! Wonderful goals. She truly has such drive, deep faith, and great big aspirations in life. Sometimes I wonder….”Is this really my kid?” I’m not bragging. I’m saying, she inspires me. We have every reason to believe in her, because she such faith, and is driven and self-disciplines, when it comes to what she wants. And inside, I just feel like God has real special plans for her life.

She’s a light, where ever she goes. Always smiling. And if we didn’t notice, everyone is mentioning it to us, all of the time!

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Although on this day, after the Championship game, she was really keeping tough. Because inside, she was so sad, about coming out 1 point down. She wanted the WIN, badly, for everyone else – not herself. (For her team, and her coach.) I wish I could say I have no idea where she gets this little difficulty with defeat. But I might. I have a competitive streak a mile wide! I’ve never hidden it well, just like the rest of who I am. I was feeling as bummed out as her, this day. But I surely felt no disappointment in her, and she knows that. How could I? It takes a team, and they just ran out of time. She was a star, to us.

As I said, she’s inspiring. Every day. If you only knew her vast plans for life. I know they may re-shape along the way, as she grows. But I also know she’ll do great things, whatever it is. Because she works at getting what she wants, until she gets it.

Did I tell you, she can dribble ….. with her knees??

I’m not even kidding. It’s crazy. Want to see it? Maybe I could take a short video clip, and upload it here. (Just need to learn how.

Anyway, she’s gearing up to move on, to Flag-Football up next, and more Basketball!

She’ll keep shining. Trust me. It’s just who she is.

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{Ju} & Big Bro | Urban to Beach

March 6, 2011 By Laura 4 Comments

These two kids, have always been ‘cake’, in front of my camera. This is my God-daughter {Ju}, and her big brother, {N}. You may have seen the recent post (as I type this), where {Ju} was a guest crafter with us at Our House Of Joyful Noise. But I did this photo shoot with them back in July last year, 2010. Their mom, my cousin, brings them down from western MA every now and then, to have their photos done, and we spend a little time all together too. Whether I am doing individuals of the kids, or shots of them together as siblings, they always do great! They are just pretty natural in front of the camera, and that’s always nice!

We decided to do a little urban shooting, and then hit the beach! I wanted to go for a little serious/tough-boy look with big brother {N}, but it is hard to pass up his smile – which is always readily available! (Just like his little sister’s!) Also note, this particular photo shoot trip, {N} brought his buddy along, so I did some shots of, and with, him too.

I had fun processing these, to finish off the images as I saw them in my head. Not much more of my chatter, from here on.

As you’ll see, this is one of several sweet brother & sister shots of them together. Their connection is the real thing, that came through easy for me, too.

This is my favorite shot of {Ju}. I just love it. It’s a great view of her freckles, and beautiful eyes. I did her french-braided pigtails, myself.

“Boyz of Summer”

How handsome is this guy!!

This is one of my ‘senior guy’ shots I love to do at this location. He really pulled it off, for a 12 year old, huh?

This was another great one of them together.

I can be very funny. ; ) {Ju} has the best giggle in the world! (Much like her mother’s. Who knew such a thing was genetic?)

Their mom wanted me to design a family Christmas card with some of the photos. Considering the urban/beach kind of shots we got, I went the ‘fun/grunge/non-traditional route’, and she loved it! ( I did too. : ). This is a flat, 2-sided 5×7, printed on linen. It really made the most of their images, and all of my texture work. (There was no LLR watermark on the real cards. lol 😉

Front

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Back

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One of the greatest works out of this photo shoot, was this shot below. I knew the second I took it, it was going to be something special. It was bound to be made into even more of an art piece, so I had fun with it. Their mom ordered a large piece of artwork of it, as a framed piece for their home, and then also got linen note cards of it too. (Of course, all minus my LLR web frame.)

I can always count on an over-abundance of shots I am happy with, with these two.

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Bottle Cap Art, with a Special Guest Crafter!

February 28, 2011 By Laura 9 Comments

It’s a new first, here at House Of Joyful Noise!
(And just so you know, this post contains an affiliate link.)

This is one of those opportunities, that I just could not pass up!! It’s not every day that we have someone come through our place, who knows her craft-stuff like this one! So without further ado…..

We’d like you to meet our first ever (and very special) Guest Crafter!

This is *{Ju}. She is my God-Daughter, and daughter of my cousin. I’m just seeing, in this photo here, that I think she was still a tad sleepy on this morning. Oops!! I was excited to get to our crafting! She is so sweet looking, sleepy.

*In Photography & Lettering, you can see the ‘Urban to Beach Photo Shoot’ I did with {Ju} and her brother, this past summer. She was such a doll, with her usual great big smile, and her brother has a great smile too! I can’t wait to show you their shots. I see now how much she has grown, since the summer!

But back to this craft post. We have had a visit planned with her for awhile, for her to come stay with us over her February school vacation, which just passed. She is a true little artist in the making, and spends lots of time crafting. So I had this exciting idea, to let her teach us a new craft, while she was here with us for a visit!

If you’ve been reading along here at HOJN for awhile, you may have read where {Ju} sold LOTS of ‘Capsters’ that she made with her friend, at a Harvest Fair in her own town. She definitely has the makings of a successful entrepreneur.

‘Capsters’ is the trademarked name to the Klutz company (who we will talk about in a moment), but are basically a ‘bottle cap art’ kit. Creating bottle cap art, is the craft {Ju} is going to teach us how to make, in this post.

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bottle-cap-art-18 While the ones we made here today, are geared in design towards kids, I have lots of ideas to share towards the end of this post, as to how this can be a great grown-up craft too!
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A couple of supplies you will definitely need, are clean bottle caps, and a crystal clear lacquer.

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The rest of what you use to make your bottle cap art, is up to you!! It’s all about what you want to put inside your bottle caps. That may include some background papers (more on that in a moment), gems, googly eyes, or anything else creative that you can come up with, that fits.

Little stickers, are another idea.

bottle-cap-art-19 This 3D Crystal Lacquer is a necessary and amazing little product. You will see how it holds the contents of the caps in place, and dries like a crystal clear glass.

We’ll discuss the supplies, and where you can get them, also towards the end of this post.

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My oldest daughter got this simple and fun little ‘Capsters’ kit from Klutz’ (affiliate link) many years ago, and it is the same one {Ju} got too, when her mother told me she was making bottle cap art, and I suggested this kit to her. The book that comes with the kit, has pages and pages, of all kinds of other ideas, that they can do with the ‘Capsters’ they make, like jewelry, key chains, belts and notebook art, just to name a few. (I bet you could think of some of your own!)

It’s a great kit, for kids to start making bottle cap art with, for another reason…..

There are several pages, of perforated circle background art, that the kids can just pop out of the book, and pop into their cap. They make adorable caps alone! But {Ju} loves to embellish hers, with different colored gems, googly eyes, or other charms, too.

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More pages of ideas, in the kit book.

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{Ju}, along with my daughter {O}, made several bottle caps, and she is going to show you the steps to this easy craft, right now.

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1) Start by squeezing some 3D Lacquer, into the center of the bottle cap. You want to squeeze it in almost drop-by-drop, almost filling the inner circle of the cap. 2) Add your background and any other contents, pressing it down all over. 3) Drop-by-drop again, squeezing it in very closely to the surface, covering the surface, and filling the cap about 1/3 to half, and being sure it is all covered evenly.

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{Ju} actually added a little gem to this one, before adding the surface lacquer.

So to review again….

1) Add lacquer to the center of the cap,… 2)….spreading it out a little. 3) Place your background circle or other contents in,…4)… pressing it down well so that it will stick to the lacquer beneath it.

{Ju} added googly eyes to the king, because she is silly like that. 5) (not numbered) Then, she covered the surface well, with the lacquer.

You will notice, that the lacquer is cloudy when dispensing. On the left, is the bare background, and on the right, is the background covered with googly eyes, and the lacquer. But have no fear!! This lacquer dries crystal clear, and glossy, just like glass. Love it!

Here are a few more, that were just finished, and need time to dry.
* Allow to dry for 24 hours!! *
If you touch it before then, because it looks dry, you may leave a fingerprint before it’s truly a hard glassy surface.

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{Ju} letting {O} give it a try. She was a great teacher!

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bottle-cap-art-18 Here is all of the caps the next day.

Bottle cap art is a really fun collectible!! You can also glue a magnet onto the back of the caps, and use them on your refrigerator, or office boards.

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bottle-cap-art-19 This particular brand of crystal clear lacquer is Sakura, and can be found here. This is {Ju}’s big refill bottle. I believe Mod Podge’s Dimensional Magic, is the same type of product, but I have only been able to find it in a 2 oz. bottle, which wouldn’t last very long, if you are making lots of caps.

O.K., so here are some links to where you can get these supplies again – but feel free to do an internet search, or check your local crafts stores for other brands or better prices too.

Silver Bottle Caps – a bag of 144

3D Crystal Clear Lacquer

* Klutz Bottle Cap Art Kit
(aff. link)

* This kit comes with everything kids need to get started. But be aware, that the bottle caps are white on the outside, and are marked with the Klutz logo.

Now, how about some ideas for Bottle Cap Art, for adults?

~ All kinds of beautiful bottle cap backgrounds, can be made with a simple 1″ circle punch, and scrap scrapbooking paper, stationary, greeting cards, the pages of a book……the ideas are limitless.

~ Any gems or charms can be used as well. Dimensional pieces do not need to be completely beneath the surface of the lacquer. It’s fine to put a coat of the lacquer over the piece, but letting the piece protrude from the surface of the lacquer makes the caps very 3D artsy.

~ Cutters, such as Cricut and Silhouette, are very popular with crafters now. They can be used to cut out any customized letters or designs, to fit in your caps. Consider putting a letter in each, on a pretty background, and then gluing/lacquering the caps together, to spell a meaningful word.

~ Perhaps some of your child’s simple artwork, or a photo of someone you love, can be shrunk down to put in a cap.

~ Dried flowers and leaves, would make a beautiful set! Dare I say, you could also preserve pretty small bugs, this way? : D

~Glitter is another element you could use, and there are also colored lacquers.

*Remember, your custom designed bottle caps can be used as art in many ways, and as many gift ideas as well.

The creative possibilities here, are endless.

Do you have any ideas of your own, that you can share with us in the comments? We’d love to hear more.

(This cap is not yet lacquered.)

{Ju} — Thank you so much, for teaching us all this craft, and being our first Guest Crafter! You did so great, and I’m so happy you love being creative, as much as I do! XOXOXO to you!!

* * * * * *

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