crafts for kids: we're on a roll!

A few weeks ago I began collecting toilet paper roles.  I'm not sure why.  I guess for the same reason I have a box full of egg cartons, coffee filters, old macaroni, check register boxes, the little tabs that keep bun bags closed, etc. - in hopes that they will all become something more in the hands of my children.  Tonight these toilet paper rolls found new life in two fun projects: shakers/rain sticks and binoculars.  Also, let me say that if you have time, both of these projects can be so much more.  Tonight, we only had about 30 minutes for craft time, so what you see if what you get with 30 minutes, one four year old, one two year old and a box of odds and ends.

First, let's make shakers or rain sticks.

Get your hands on:

*toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls or (my favorite because they are made out of thicker cardboard) the long rolls found in tin foil, plastic wrap or wax paper. 

*markers, paint, crayons, crayons, colored paper, glue, ect.
*wax paper or parchment paper - cut into two 2 by 2 inch squares for each shaker
*rubber bands

*rice and/or macaroni

Let each child decorate their own roll.  As much as I tried to get my kids to cover their rolls in colored paper, they were not interested.  They just wanted to color their rolls with markers, but the decorating options are endless.  My oldest tried to make it into a person.  She drew a happy face on one side and a frowny face on the othr side.  Then she decorated the middle like a shirt or top. 

After the decorating is complete, take one wax paper or parchment paper square and place it on one end of the roll.  We almost painted the wax paper brown for hair, but with the time crunch we left it white.  I told her we would take it off and paint it later.  Conform it to the circle end and secure it with one or two rubber bands - perfect headbands if you are making people shakers.  

Dump a handful or two of macaroni or rice into the roll.  We used macaroni for the musical shakers and rice for the rain sticks.  

Take a second wax paper/parchment paper square and secure with a rubber band or two.  Again, we will be painting this later because it is the shaker person's skirt.  The rubber band makes a nice belt.  

Done and ready to make beautiful music!

Second, my girls made some fabulous binoculars for all the imaginary nature hikes we go on in our house during these rainy and foggy days.  

You will need: 

*toilet paper rolls - two for each set of binoculars

*makers, crayons, stickers, paint, etc.

*paper hole punch

*narrow stapler

*yarn cut to easily fit over the child's head 

Decorate the two rolls.

Staple the two rolls together by putting a staple or two one each end of the pair.

Punch holes - pick one end of the binoculars and punch one hole on each inside edge of the binoculars (two holes total).  Don't punch the holes on the outside edges because the yarn will then go right in front of the eye holes. 

Place yarn through holes and tie.

Binoculars finished and imaginary nature hikes begin.

   
So start saving those toilet papers rolls and craft on!

wood craft week: a lesson from the wonder pets!

My kid's are watching "The Wonder Pets" for a special pre-bedtime show.  There aren't too many shows they get to watch at our house.  (I know, I know...I'm such a mean mom.  I've already heard these famous words from my four year old, "But mom (insert friend's name here) gets to watch (insert just about every kids' show here).  How come I don't get to?) 

Back to "The Wonder Pets"...I have to admit that I love this show.  There's something inspiring about these two gals, Linny and Ming-ming, and their friend, Tuck.  They are always working together to creatively get the job done.  

This week I've been working with other people to get the job done too.  With the advice of some other crafty friends, I've been experimenting with different ways to paint those little wood bobbins, balls and wheels that brought me so much frustration this week. (Click to catch up on previous post.) 

I'll write more about my mode of success later in case there are a few of you out there who would also like to make these colorful little lacing beads for a tot in your life.  But to top off a great wood crafts week - a much needed break from sewing, I just wanted to show off the success after the failure.  So check it out and

craft on!

saturday spotlight - a house full of blessings in wood form

It's amazing how much I take for granted the things I see every day.  For a while I had an opportunity to live in London.  I worked in a mental health facility there, and five days a week on my way to work I walked through the courtyard of St. Paul's Cathedral.  Saint Paul's has been an important part of London's landscape since 1697.  On my first day to work, I remember thinking, "Wow, I can't believe I walk through the courtyard of this amazing building on my way to work!"  I gazed longingly at each and every detail - soaking it all in.  By month three of walking through that courtyard two times a day, five days a week, I barely even looked up - as if I was walking past a newspaper stand.  The once-beauty of this amazing cathedral had become commonplace.

That brings me to this week's Saturday Spotlight.  First, let me say I don't dare propose that my house is anything like St. Paul's Cathedral in historical significance and architectural beauty.  However, there are many things that sit inside these walls that - at one time - I gazed longingly at, soaking in each and every detail.  Things that people  made just for me or members of my family...things made out of wood by the careful and creative hand of friends, family, loved ones.  At some point, these beautiful gifts became commonplace.  However, in honor of wood crafts week I've shaken myself out of this commonplace stupor, and looked once again at the beauty inside these walls.

The headboard and dresser were made by my grandpa many many years ago.  This bedroom set has been used by my grandparents, my dad, my uncle, me and now my daughter.  This is a true legacy gift. 

These two bookshelves were made for my girls.  They have unique names with special meanings, and these personalized bookshelves are wonderful gifts and beautiful additions to their rooms.  The women who made these has got major talent and skill. 

This rocking horse is so special to us - it could never be commonplace.  It was made by a special family that plays an important part of our lives on a daily basis.  Each family member played a role - wood working, sanding, painting, staining, etc.  Mark, the man who did the wood work, was incredibly talented.  His hands were inspired.  He passed away, but his memory lives with us in this special gift. 

This wonderful little chair is another one of those gifts that we cherish because of the person it represents and reminds us of - Ray.  We actually have a couple of gifts from Ray - a nativity, a sled, this chair - that help us remember a man who loved to use his creative gifts to bless others.   

Be inspired and craft on!

wood craft week: celebrating failure...again!

If you've been journeying with me for a while, you know that I'm a big fan of failure.  My membership in the failure fan club started at an early age after falling when learning to walk, running into the garage while learning to ride a bike, getting in an accident shortly after learning to drive.  Somewhere along the way, I realized that failure can be a good thing - if you let yourself learn something from it.  

Since starting this crafting gig, I have earned a platinum membership in the failure fan club.  (Hence the reason for starting my flickr page to celebrate failure.)  Wood craft week has not disappointed me...it has left me plenty of room for failure.  You don't know how many times I had to paint over mistakes on my wonderful little painted people.

And then there's these little wooden gems.  (Sorry about the picture quality...just another failure to add to my celebration list.)

If you read my first post for wood craft week about painting people, you will remember that I also purchased wood bobbins and balls in hopes of making them into people.  I abandoned that hope when I realized I would have to glue them all together and my laziness won out.  

So...what's a gal to do with 20 wood bobbins and 36 little wood balls?  Hmmmm...make lacing beads?  Yes!  I picked up some wooden-wheel shaped pieces and decided that I would paint the bobbins, balls and wheels in bright colors, pair them with some new shoelaces and place them in a little container of some sort...voila...fun lacing beads any toddler would enjoy.  A great addition to my twelve crafts till Christmas.  

And that's where failure comes in...

Monday night I sat down to paint - starting with what I thought was going to be a great light green and bright pink.  It took me about two coats of paint and hands covered in green and pink to realize that I would need about ten coats of paint of light green and five coats of paint of bright pink on each little bobbin, ball and wheel.  

If you've come to know me at all, you know I'm not patient enough to go to all this trouble.  So I've ditched the wood beads until I can either a) find thicker darker paints or b) get some primer.  I'm assuming primer would help eliminate the soaking in of color and the need for so many coats.  Can anyone validate that assumption for me?  

Bobbins, ball and wheels are back in the craft box; failure is celebrated because I learned something; and tomorrow I will...

craft on!