Kids Arts and Crafts Archives

Stained-Glass (looking) Tissue Paper Easter Cross – Kids Craft

April 7, 2009 By Laura 20 Comments

Today we have an Easter themed craft tutorial for you! It is beautiful, and so fun to make! It’s a stained-glass (looking) tissue paper Easter cross, for your home or school windows. Or glass door!

The kids have been working really hard with their school work, and will actually be done with their formal work in just a couple of weeks. So in preparing our hearts and minds for this Holy week, we decided to do some more lengthy study of the Stations of the Cross, and then get creative today and make a big Stained Glass (looking) Easter cross decoration for our Easter celebration come this Sunday. It will be fitting in faith and spring spirit, to leave it up as beautiful cheery decor, for several weeks following Easter.

There were really only 5 things we needed: a very large sheet of window cling, lots of colored tissue paper, a sponge brush, some Modge Podge and a pair of scissors.

I didn’t take photos of this part, but, we first drew out a large cross on the back of the window cling material backing-paper, using a board for the straight edges, and a round container for the rounded decor ends of the cross. Once that was done, the kids all grabbed sheets of the tissue paper, and starting ripping it into pieces 1-2 inches or so. (Might I add, the colors each of them go for are so predictable. lol)

Once we had plenty of pieces ready to go, I started spreading some Modge Podge, with a sponge brush, in small sections (on the front) of the cross at a time, going outside of the lines somewhat on purpose. Then the kids got to work, putting down pieces, overlapping each other, and rubbing them down.

When the entire cross was almost done being covered with pieces of colored tissue, I started on one end, and went over any uplifted corners, or flappy pieces, of tissue, just Modge-Podging them down good with my sponge brush. I LOVE Modge Podge-that stuff is great for so many projects!

We made the cross 20″x34″.

Once it was all dry, we cut it out!

It was a perfect fit for our front door, because we planned it that way. : )

stained-glass-tissue-easter-cross-craft_1

With the main events of Holy Week still before us, we anticipate the somber and difficult remembrance of the journey Jesus has yet before Him-and we will follow Him all the way to His last breath.

But the radiating colors of this cross, brought to life by the sunlight, reflect the state of our hearts come Sunday, when we will celebrate our risen Jesus Christ, in all of His dazzling and promising glory.

stained-glass-tissue-easter-cross-craft_1

We appreciate the 100’s of visits our blog has received in the past couple of days. As we all take part in this holiest week of the year, and end our personal Lenten journeys, may you feel your hearts full of peace, prayer, and the undeniable presence of the Holy Spirit, and find yourself in a deeper, and more meaningful relationship with Christ.

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How to Make a Beautiful Palm Cross – Tutorial with Directions and Photos

April 5, 2009 By Laura 3 Comments

Hi Friends! Are you ready to make a beautiful Palm Cross, with your Palm Sunday palms? Well we are ready to show you, with this step-by-step tutorial, complete with directions and photos!

Today has begun Holy week, so as we move through it, I am sure it’ll slow down around here a bit once again, as we help bring our children, in a mindful, prayerful and heartfelt way, through the most significant events of Jesus’ life, which led to the willing sacrifice of His own life, for us.

Last year on Palm Sunday, Michael took the fistful of palms we brought home from Mass, and created a big cross with them for our home.

Last Year’s Palm Cross

Our family has enjoyed it so much throughout the year, that the kids and I wanted him to make another new one with the palms we brought home today. So as he did, I took photos, with the thought that maybe some of you may want to create one this way as well, with your own palms, for your own family home. It is a difficult thing to explain in words only, so I am hoping the photos will help show you how to do it.

How to Make This Beautiful Palm Cross

First, he takes 3 sets of 2 palms each, and at least one good palm whisp.

In the area the intersection of the cross is, he put the ends of one set of palms alternately layered in between 2 of the others, going in the opposite direction of course.

Then he takes the last set, and layers those for the other side.

Pinching it all together at the intersection, he takes one side of the palms and makes a loop with them to the back.

He secures that with his fingers to the middle as well, and then does the same with the other side.

With the formed cross in hand he takes the wisp and starts wrapping the intersection of the crossed pieces, to secure them tightly.

The below collage, to be viewed left to right in rows top to bottom, is not every single move. It just gives you a general idea of how he wraps it around, crisscrossing, and going up and down as well.

When he only has about 2 inches left, he turns the cross over, and places it on the table, and holding the wrap tightly, he takes the remaining end and feeds it under the wrap a couple of times, and then just pulls it tightly. The front of the middle of the cross then looks like the last square in the above collage.That’s it!

We’re sure you all have found various ways to make your own beautiful crosses with palms as well, or perhaps you just stick them behind the crucifix of your home, as we have done for many years as well. We would love for you to share how you do display your blessed palms in your home, what you may make with them, or any traditions you may have for Palm Sunday in your family.

We hope you had a happy and peace filled Palm Sunday .
May God bless you all, this Easter season!

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Wooden Toys

March 30, 2009 By Laura 6 Comments

Honestly, there are times I wonder, just a little bit, if our kids are actually pioneer children. They truly enjoy the simplest of wooden toys, games and activities. But maybe that’s just a result of the simple life we live, that they can find such enjoyment in these simple things. Or maybe, the fact that they love such simple things, makes our life simple. Much like that age old question, of which came first: the chicken or the egg? Either way, we’re grateful.

But back to the wooden toys. We were in one of our very favorite stores. Not the ‘mercantile’ in town (I would LOVE it if there was one!), but Michael’s Arts & Crafts, when we spotted these little wooden toy kits…..for a $1 each! Now, as parents, we don’t get our kids something every time we go into a store. Or even 2% of the times we go into a store. We just find it unnecessary. (Because we’re simple people, I guess. They don’t even ask or expect anything, either. But when I saw these toy kits, I knew they would truly LOVE putting them together, and painting them, for hours. I also knew they would be happy with their work, and play with them after. So, sometimes, it’s nice just to surprise them. When I told that them they could go ahead and all pick one out, they were very excited, and had almost as fun picking 0ne out, as they did building and painting it. Even our 11 year old can still enjoy such simple pass times, and she never passes up an opportunity to do a project with the little ones, anyway. They just love to do stuff, together.

So….not much else to say. But we think they came out great, and I did have fun taking photos to share! LOTS!

wood toys

And boy are we down to the wire!! Tomorrow is the last day to get your name in that bowl again, and Wednesday we announce the winner of OUR FIRST GIVEAWAY!! WHO’S name will we pull out of the bowl? WHO will have a special package of home-made gifts, made by US, delivered to their home?? We can hardly take the anticipation! Can you??

The kiddos thank you for coming to see their painted wooden toys.

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Fly Him to the Moon – Solar System Mobile

March 15, 2009 By Laura 3 Comments

…..but PLEASE bring him back. We would miss him terribly!

Our boy, {J} is frequently on creative missions. In fact, more days than we could ever count, he has jumped out of bed in the morning and gone straight to the school room, to gather all of the supplies he needs. He’s on a mission to build just “what I had an idea about when I was laying in bed last night before I went to sleep!”

On this day recently, it was a mobile of the solar system.

All of the planets are not there, because there wasn’t room, he said. But he can tell you what we do have here….

He also made Venus….but he threw it out because he didn’t like how it came out. He has standards. lol

He works so diligently, building and creating all kinds of things, all of the time. He’s a very quiet worker, with a lot of stamina. It may take hours to complete whatever it is he is making. Or days. But he doesn’t mind. He works joyfully. He’s in it for the long haul, until the project is done, and he can take a step back, and look at it with a grand sigh of approval. If he has to stop mid-project, for some reason out of his control….like having to go somewhere, do some schooling, or something else….there is little else he can think of, but getting back to that project! If we’re out somewhere, and he ‘gets an idea’, …oohhhhhh boy! The pressure is on (us!) until we get him home! He needs to get RIGHT to it. It’s important!

We just love his creative imagination. His deep desires and ability to bring ideas to some form of tangible fruition.

We don’t know what it means for him in the big picture. Where he is going in life, or to do what. But it’s got to be a good thing!

We’re curious, but we don’t need to know now, really. Like all of our children…..it’s a fascinating privilege to watch him ‘get there’.

There is really nothing else we’d rather do, in the whole-wide-universe.

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Making Friendship Bracelets – Kids Craft

February 19, 2009 By Laura 5 Comments

(This post contains an affiliate links, for which we may be compensated for.)

To add to {A’s} ka-trillion other hobbies, {A} has taught herself the art of bracelet making, using the Klutz Friendship Bracelets Craft Kit (affiliate link) She just LOVES to make things, and will put hours on end into creating this or that. Or more of those things. : ) She is also passionate, about GIVING the things she makes, to others. Which is great for 2 reasons: 1) it’s a Christ-like thing to do, and 2) For all she makes, we’d be pushed out of the crevices of our own home, if she kept it all. : )

So she put in over-time in the weeks leading to Christmas, and made every one of us a bracelet in the colors that mean the most to us, as well as one for most all of her cousins. I hired her to make one, to give to my God-Daughter for Christmas. Plus, she made another for one uncle, who requested one for himself.

Each bracelet is a bit tedious and time-consuming process. But she doesn’t seem to mind it, as she sits and chats, or enjoys the peace and coziness of the fireside.
The craft kit and book gives simple directions to learn how to make these bracelets, step-by-step, with lots of photos, and a starter set of string colors to work with.

This is what the Klutz Friendship Bracelets Craft Kit looks like, and you can find it HERE.

She has made SO many, and has really had fun doing so . . . .

But most all of these are given away by now. The third one in from the left, is mine. It’s brown, with my kids birth colors, which are also the branding colors of my business. I LOVE it. She gave it to me on Christmas morning, as ONE of many things in a beautifully wrapped box. Some of the items in that box with my bracelet, were drawings from all of my children, made with love. (SO sweet. They make me 2 0r 3 a day, but you know, these were Christmassy-special), green-apple and water-melon lollipops (I have a little sucker-addiction as of late), and get this…a $50 gift card to Macy’s. WHAT?? From my 11 year old kid?? I was dumb-founded. Turns out, she rightfully earned it, working side by side with her Dad at a local firm. Impressed with the work she was doing for their company, along with her Daddy-Boy, they gave it to her. And she gave it to MOI (that’s ME, in French. You knew that, right?) , for Christmas.

Can I tell you how HAPPY I was to get that card? VERY!! I knew JUST what I was getting with that card. Something I just can’t get myself to spend money on (especially for myself), but needed pretty badly. Want to know what I bought? Because I WILL tell you. I am joyful enough in this grateful heart of mine, to tell you just what I spent that $50 on. I brought my daughter with me, to share in the happy shopping day, as I threw those items happily on the counter for the cashier to ring up. You want to know, don’t you. Are you sure?? Ok. I’ll tell you.

Bras.

Yes, it’s true!! These things can put a BIG SMILE on your face, when you really need them. As the lady handed me that bag, and thanked me for shopping at Macy’s, I turned to my daughter next to me, and jumped up and down hugging and thanking her for my new under-things. I might have even squealed, in my moment of excitement. She wrinkled her nose, and shushed me, as she often does in her cute-little way, when she is ‘slightly embarrassed‘. (<That’s a big expression with my kids.) But I knew it made her happy, to make me so happy. Though she could NOT understand WHY I would choose THAT to use my $50 on. But, she was happy for me.

OH!!! I’m sorry. We were talking about her bracelets, and not my under-things.Right. (But they are so nice!) So sorry.

So this is the latest new technique she has learned:

Cool huh?? It’s called ‘Broken Ladder’.

She wants to make lots more, and maybe have enough done to sell a few. She has more business-ventures going in that head of hers. I love her ambition though. She is good with her money too. She saves some, spends some, and often gives away some, in one way or another. Often times, to buy supplies to make things, to give away.

I always wonder, just what she will choose to do with her life, when she is all grown up. You know, on days when I can ‘go there’ and think about that. But for now, we mostly enjoy watching her ‘get there’. Because we can tell already, it’s going to be good, when it comes. And we’ll spend that time, in the future, looking back to these days, when she was on her way.

She’s a colorful one, for sure.

This craft kit really is a fun little gift, for girls or boys! They’ll spend hours making bracelets for their friends and family.
More embroidery thread, in a wide variety of colors, can be found at any quality craft store.

Thanks for dropping by, for another peek at what we’ve been up to.

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Last Year’s Palm Cross

How to Make This Beautiful Palm Cross

There is really nothing else we’d rather do, in the whole-wide-universe.

(This post contains an affiliate links, for which we may be compensated for.)

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