Bracelets from Plastic Bottles

I am always on the hunt for kids crafts. Especially now since I am gearing up for summer craft camp at our house. This tutorial posted on Madtown Macs for bracelets made from soda bottles is a great craft to add to our list of to do crafts. It is unique, different enough from packaged craft kits, yet simple enough. Take a look yourself and see if it might work for you. [link]

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Melted Art

You have probably seen these all over Pinterest.

We decided to add our own little twist to the idea. We didn't want to waste brand new crayons. Since we have young children at home, we have a ton of half used, broken crayons. So, that is what we used. To begin, we peeled all the paper off the crayons that had paper on them and broke them all into smaller pieces. From the pile a selection of pieces were chosen and then hot glued down to card stock paper.

Same as the original art, we took it outside and began to heat things up with the blow dryer. Instead of letting it drip in one direction, we rotated the paper around as the crayons began to drip. Each time, it creates a unique creation. My kids thought it was so cool to watch the crayons melt and mix together. It was unexpected to them because I didn't tell them what we were doing before hand.

A few suggestions: Watch out with the blow dryer, it does get hot and so does the paper. Don't burn your fingers. And if you do it with children, have them stay clear of the heat and only handle their artwork once it has cooled a bit. Final suggestions, not the best craft on a windy day.

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Glass Etching Craft

Glass etching is a simple craft as long as you follow a few cautionary rules while using the etching cream. The results make for beautiful personalized gifts that are very professional looking. Children can do this craft as well with some adult supervision as well as the adult finishing the project with the etching cream since it is hazardous. [more]

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Martha's Having a Sale

Tons of craft items discounted up to 60% off at Martha Stewart Crafts. [link]

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Michael's Gift Cards

Image via Wikipedia

Michael's Gift Cards are a great bargain. Each time you use it, you will get a 50% off CRT coupon. This is better than their coupons in the store ads. You can not use them on clearance or sale items, however, an item you are going to pay full price for actually becomes better priced than any sale they offer. Buy one for yourself and use it on general purchases to further your savings power.

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Craft Forum Contest

Do you like to craft? How about considering entering a monthly craft contest? Each month Craft Forum posts a new contest. If you post and enter a photo, you are entered to win. They randomly draw one winner each month and that winner will receive a $50 Amazon.com gift card. You can join the forum here. link

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Valentine Freebie

Download, print, cut and fold this adorable Valentine Pillow Box Freebie. Fill it with treats and surprise your Valentine. Down load the file here.

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Paper Doll Freebies

image by The Angel Company

I have always loved paper dolls and still do, so much fun to cut, color and dress and now to print. If you or your little one loves them too visit the Angel Company to download this cute paper doll template for free.

 

Thanks to Heather from Craft Gossip

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Star Straw Craft

This is a really cool star made from straws. It was published in Life Magazine from 1959 - What a find!! Enjoy. view here...

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Design and Print Perler Bead Patterns!

With the Fuse Bead Pattern Designer software, you and your family can design patterns for Perler Beads projects! Start with one of the 40 pegboard shapes or convert an image (clipart, picture, pattern, etc.) to a Perler Beads design.

All family members can enjoy this software together. It's easy enough for toddlers but adults will appreciate the ability to create advanced designs using connected pegboards.

here...

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Dover Publishing - FREE

Dover Publishing offers free samples of their publications. These are a small look inside the featured publications. PDF files are full size and printable.
This week's highlights include:

•	Free Samples from Thornton Burgess Story Books
•	Coloring Pages and Activities About Peter Rabbit
•	Plus Puzzles, Origami, and More

 
Sign up for their weekly email here.

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Hershey's Easter Crafts

Who knew Hershey's was crafty? They have adorable craft plans utilizing their products (of course). Here is a link to the list of ideas - it's never to early to start crafting! more...

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Sunday School Stress Ball Craft

This craft results in something similar to a stress ball. It could be made as a gift for Dad on Father's Day. We used this craft in a Sunday school class for preschoolers as an illustration/craft for the Old Testament story about God sending the promised son, Isaac. more...

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Sunday School Game: David vs. Goliath

For our Sunday school lesson, I needed a craft that suited the story of David versus Goliath. While researching the theme online, I found a number of ideas but nothing that really grabbed my attention. I created the following craft which results in a two-player game that the children can  take home with them. This was created for a preschool grade group. more...

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Secret Prize Soap

This soap craft is adapted from an old recipe that used Ivory soap flakes. The flakes are no longer being produced but this rendition worked well as an alternative. more...

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Easy Kids Craft

This easy craft makes for great gift giving. We used it for Valentine's Day for Preschool teachers but it could easily be adapted to any holiday or gift giving need. I am thinking Christmas trees or Easter eggs would lend themselves nicely to this project. Child made gifts make for specialized one of a kind gift giving sure to be treasured. The overall cost is inexpensive if you make multiple pieces for teachers, coaches, and grandparents. more...

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About Paper Dolls

Paper dolls, a past time of many little girls (and some older one's too!) have taken on collector's status. Whether they are cut out, punched out or self made, many hours of enjoyment have been gained through make believe playtime. Paper dolls have regained popularity as well as the manufacturers transforming them into virtual paper dolls where a girl using her computer can drag and drop clothing onto doll images or print out paper dolls in popular celebrity likenesses. more...

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How to Fold Paper Airplanes

As children, it's a right of passage to learn to fold a paper airplane. Some learn to fold many great patterns while others don't. I know how to fold one paper airplane, but I am a girl. I am not trying to be sexist, in my opinion and experience; boys learn to fold more paper airplanes than girls do. My daughters like to fly paper plans and often ask me to fold them. This led me to look for additional patterns online. I was happy to find a variety of websites with folding directions to more planes then I could ever care to learn to fold. But if you are looking for patterns, here are some of the best sites out there. more...

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Christmas crafts for children

A few ideas for Christmas crafts for children. Some include associated bible verses. Good for Sunday school crafts. more...

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Unique Bracelet

This bracelet is a great idea for using up all your single beads or other beads you aren’t sure what to make with them. The Unique Bracelet utilizes a variety of beads that relate to each other visually either in size, shape or color. While you don’t have to use unrelated beads for this project, you can create this bracelet with all the same beads or related beads. Each option will result in a different look to your bracelet. The quality of wire you use as well as the color of the wire will result in varying visual options as well. more...

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