easy crafts from things around the house

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Easy Crafts with Things from Around the House Brought to you by http://www.oldfashionedhomemaking.com

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Page 1: Easy Crafts from Things Around the House

Easy Crafts with Things from

Around the House

Brought to you by http://www.oldfashionedhomemaking.com

Page 2: Easy Crafts from Things Around the House

Have you ever looked at a craft project and thought you'd like to try it, only to discover you need a zillion special supplies? Trips to the craft store can be fun, but they can also be time-consuming and expensive. So why not do craft projects from items around the home? Here are crafts that use mostly every-day items from around your house. Some of these can be used with kids, and some are recommended for adults. So please always keep safety first when doing crafts with kids and keep them well-supervised.

Ten Crafts You Can Do with Everyday Items

Scrap Paper

Despite the prominent use of email and electronics, paper still inundates our lives. Make use of it with some of these craft ideas!

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1. Quilling

Sometimes called paper filigree, you can achieve an amazing and detailed look with scrap paper. The principle is simple: wind thin strips of paper (1/16 to 1/8-inch wide strips) tightly around a thin tool or toothpick. Remove and shape with the fingers into flowers, hearts, vines, etc.

2. Paper Mache

Dip newspapers torn into strips into white glue and water mixed half and half. Layer them on an armature and allow to dry. Then sand smooth (if you like), paint, and decorate!

3. Paper Chains

Colorful magazines and even junk mail make great "links" for a paper chain. Cut into strips, link as rings, and make the chain as long as you like.

4. Decoupage

Cut out pictures and designs from magazines, pamphlets, or even wrapping paper. Then turn the cut-out over, scrape the edges thin from underneath (you can use a craft knife for this) and coat the back of the picture with decoupage medium. Carefully glue the design to the object (lamps, boxes, picture frames, table tops, etc.). Use a paintbrush to smooth and cover with more decoupage medium.

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5. Paper Beads

To make paper beads, follow the method for quilling - except coat the paper strip with decoupage medium before you wrap it (leaving about 1/4 inch decoupage-free at the beginning so you can slip it off the toothpick when finished) and wrap at a slight angle. Add a dab of glue or decoupage medium to secure the end. If you like, paint the paper before cutting it into strips.

6. Place Mats

Cut brown paper bags or other scrap paper into strips, and weave into place mats. Cover with paint and/or decoupage medium.

Cardboard Tubes

Toilet paper and paper towel tubes can be the inspiration for all kinds of crafts!

7. Hair Clips

Take a 4-inch cardboard tube (cut to size) and cut it in half vertically, so you have an open trough shape. Paint with acrylic paint, let dry, and hot glue beads, silk flowers, and other decorative items to the outward-curved side. Glue a plain hair clip to the underside.

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8. Napkin Rings

Cut cardboard tubes into one- or two-inch-wide rings. Paint with acrylic paint, and when dry, hot glue beans, beads, and spices (like whole cloves and peppercorns) to the outside of the ring. Or you could coat the painted tube with white glue and roll it in a mixture of seeds, beads, beans, and so forth.

Sunglasses

Over the years, many of us accumulate a collected of non-prescription sunglasses. Use them in these craft ideas!

9. Lens Chimes

Pop out the lenses of your sunglasses. Hot glue them to varying lengths of thin wire (1 lens per wire) or upholstery thread, and hang them in the wind!

10. Empty Sunglasses Frames

Now you can have fun with the frames. Hot glue beads and rhinestones to them, coat them with glitter, or hot glue feathers and other items to them. You can create a great Halloween accessory or Mardi Gras mask!

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Three Ideas for Quick Valentine's Day Crafts

Valentine's Day lends itself to crafts, especially paper ones. And they don't have to take a lot of time to be beautiful and appropriate to the holiday.

1. Candy Rings

This is a good craft for kids who want to give gifts to their class or to a group of friends. Here's what you'll need:

Wrapped candies, preferably hard or chewy candies (chocolate tends to melt if left on a hand for a while)

Hot glue Pipe cleaners (chenille variety)

Coil each pipe cleaner into a ring the size of a child's finger (the easiest way is to wrap it around a child's finger and remove it). Use the whole pipe cleaner, as you'll need a thick base for the candy. Then hot glue the candy on top and let it dry (hot glue dries in seconds).

2. Tissue Paper Rose(s)

You can make as many roses as you want with this craft. You'll need more chenille pipe cleaners (or regular pipe cleaners) as well. If you like, you can twist green and brown pipe cleaners together to make a multi-colored stem. Then get:

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Pencil Clear tape Red tissue paper Scissors

Cut eight 3-inch squares from the tissue paper (don't try to cut them exactly right - some variation makes the petals look more realistic) and pile them in two stacks. Use scissors to round off three of the four corners of each stack. Then lay the pencil on one of the stacks over the pointed end and roll up the edges of the tissue paper. "Scrunch" the paper a bit as you go. Then repeat with the other stack of four without removing the first roll from the pencil.

Remove all tissue from the pencil and form into a rose shape, making tighter rolls in the center and looser ones toward the outside. Leave an inch or so of tissue at the bottom and secure this by winding the pipe cleaner around it. Add another pipe cleaner by twisting it onto the coiled one, and add pipe cleaners until the stem is as thick as you like.

3. Marshmallow "Flowers"

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This is a sweet bouquet! You'll need:

Large marshmallows Chocolate chips Crushed graham crackers, candy canes, and red candy sprinkles Bamboo skewers

Melt the chocolate over a double boiler and stick the skewers into the marshmallows. Dip each marshmallow into the chocolate and then roll it in one of the three coatings suggested above. Place on a waxed paper-covered baking sheet to harden. Then place them in a vase and give as a gift.

Three Fun Crafts You Can Do with Popsicle Sticks

Page 9: Easy Crafts from Things Around the House

Popsicle sticks - or craft sticks - open up a world of possibilities when it comes to crafts. Armed with glue and craft paint, you can do some amazing crafts with these handy wooden sticks. Here are three ideas:

1. Boxes

You can make handy little boxes with lids using craft sticks. Here's what you'll need:

1 package of craft sticks White glue or hot glue gun Marbles or beads Acrylic craft paint (optional) Paint brush Wax paper

Lay the wax paper out on your work surface. Take four popsicle sticks and lay them evenly side by side on the wax paper. Along the top of this row, glue a popsicle stick (flat side down). Do the same with the bottom edge. Now do the same with the sides. Like a log cabin, keep gluing down Popsicle sticks along the alternating edges until you have the sides of the box at the height you want.

For the lid, lay out popsicle sticks like you did for the bottom, and glue two to the top and bottom edges and two to the side edges. If you want to paint your box, do so at this point. When everything is finished, glue a marble or bead in the center of the box top to make a handle.

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2. Fans

This is a simple craft that your kids can do to celebrate a holiday or just show off their artwork. The basics are this:

1 popsicle stick Stiff paper or cardstock in a design of your choice Glue

Simply make two designs of whatever you choose from the card stock. Then, with the design facing out, sandwich the top 1/3 of the popsicle stick between the two pieces of card stock and glue.

3. Bracelets

Did you know you could make curved bracelets from wooden craft sticks? You can! Here's how.

Popsicle sticks Large cardboard tube or rolled up magazine secured with packaging tape Rubber bands Hot glue gun Ribbon Beads, shells, buttons, plastic flowers, and other fun objects that would

make good decorations

First, boil the popsicle sticks in water for 30 minutes. Then let them sit in the water while it cools. This gets them soft enough to bend without breaking (some will break, though, so be prepared). When the water has cooled, take the popsicle

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sticks one at a time from the water and bend them around the cardboard tube. Hold them in place with rubber bands. Once they have dried, you can remove the rubber bands and slip the curved craft sticks from the tube. Then use the hot glue, ribbon, beads, and so forth to decorate your bracelets.

Fun Painting Ideas with Kids

It's not just about poster paint and paper! Did you know there are all kinds of painting projects and creative ideas that you can do with kids? From edible paints to scratch and sniff, there are so many ways you can paint with kids. And the cool thing is, you can do them indoors - perfect for bad weather days.

1. Bread Paint

This is a fun one that works best with white bread that's a bit dry (so leave out a slice or two overnight before doing this craft). Here's what you'll need:

Dry bread slices Milk (or milk substitute) Food coloring Paintbrush (buy a new one and dedicate it to edible craft use only) Several small cups or bowls

Put a few tablespoons of milk into each bowl or cup. Then add food coloring to make the colors you want. Paint the bread slices. When they are finished, try toasting the painted bread - the colors get more intense.

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2. Scratch and Sniff

Remember scratch and sniff books as a child? You can make your own scented artwork by mixing powdered drink mix (unsweetened) with a few tablespoons of water, so the color is more concentrated. Mix in small containers or jars so you can save the leftovers. The paint is like watercolor but a bit more intense in color. Try painting pictures of fruits to match the fruity scent!

3. Painted Rocks

Go rock gathering with your kids and find smooth stones of various sizes. Then paint them! Sources suggest using paint pens or paint markers instead of craft paint and brushes, but either will work. You can add embellishments with hot glue and beads, buttons, and other sundries.

4. Spaghetti Painting

Not sure what to do with those leftover cooked spaghetti noodles? Create a piece of art! Here's what you'll need:

Cooked spaghetti Acrylic craft paint White glue Wax paper Scissors Bowls and plastic spoons Baking sheet

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Place the wax paper on the baking sheet; set aside. In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon glue with 1 tablespoon paint. Use bowls and paint/glue mixes for as many colors as you want. Add the spaghetti noodles to the bowls and "stir" with your hands until the noodles are coated with paint. Then, take a strand at a time of the colored spaghetti and arrange it on the wax paper in fun designs. Allow the noodles to dry for 24 hours or so, then remove your 3-D painting from the wax paper.

Fun Paper Craft Ideas for Kids

Paper is a wonderful craft medium. There are so many varieties, and lots of times the supplies you need are right in your house! Here are some fun paper craft ideas for kids.

1. Origami

This ancient craft is just as relevant and fascinating as it was when it was first practiced. At its most basic, origami is folding paper into 3-dimensional shapes. But there are some specifics, such as learning to follow origami diagrams and making sharp creases when you fold. You can use almost any kind of paper, but beginners might benefit from using actual origami paper.

You can make simple things with young children and more complex designs for older kids. The internet is full of printable diagrams and instructions, so there is ample information to get started on this paper craft any time!

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2. Paper Mache

Paper mache is quite versatile as well - from professional artists to young children, this medium can serve quite an array of purposes. And it's not an expensive craft, either. Here are the basics:

Tear newspaper (not the shiny type) into strips - make sure you tear rather than cut, because torn edges merge together to make a smooth surface better than cut edges. Then dip the newspaper into a mixture of 1 part white paste to 1 part water; run your thumb and first two fingers along the strip to remove any excess glue, then lay the strip on your armature. Repeat until the armature is covered with strips, and allow to dry.

Building an armature is probably the most complicated part of the procedure. You can use wire, balloons (which you pop after the paper mache dries), balled-up paper held together with masking tape, cardboard, or even clay. Once it's dry, you can paint it and add other embellishments.

3. Quilling

Because this intricate craft involves small (and somewhat sharp) tools and a delicate touch, it's probably best reserved for older kids and teens. Quilling is beautiful, and it allows you to make lovely designs from tiny pieces of paper that might otherwise go to waste. You will need a quilling tool, but you can probably improvise with a toothpick or even a sewing needle. You wrap very thin pieces of paper around and around the tool, and then take the coiled paper and shape it with your hands into the design of your choice.

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4. Tissue Paper

Tissue paper crafts alone could take up many articles! Tissue paper has a translucent quality that makes it a lovely choice for pasting onto clear candle holders, white lamp shades, clear frames, or between sheets of wax paper to make "stained glass." For these flat designs, you can use a mix of paste and water and brush the tissue paper pieces smooth with a paint brush. Tissue paper can also be used to make 3-dimensional designs, such as flowers.

This is just the beginning! Feel free to explore and experiment with folding paper into houses, lanterns, snowflakes...there are so many possibilities!