My niece made these for Christmas presents. Her husband is a contractor and had leftover ceramic tiles. Supplies:
Ceramic Tiles or even blocks of wood will do.
Choose pictures, a magazine photo or print one on your computer (cut to fit)
Mod Podge
Felt
Flat paintbrush or sponge brush
Directions:
Position the picture onto each tile
Glue in place.
Once it dries coat with Mod Podge Give it several coats. You must let dry between each coat. Be careful so that you do not get air bubbles. If you do you can smooth it out with your finger.
When the tile is completely dry add a felt backing so it doesn't slide or scratch your tables.
In case you don't know what mod podge is this is what it looks like and it can be bought at Walmart and any craft store.
Father's Day is not far away. Before we know it June 16th will be creeping up on us and so here is another idea for Father's Day. This is a tool box made out of a cardboard box and a ton of creativity. I didn't have a pattern. I used my imagination. There were plenty of mistakes along the way but I really am pleased with the finished product.
Materials Needed:
glue Gun
glue sticks
old Cardboard boxes
craft glue
utility knife
poster board
wrapping paper
wide clear tape
brads
I don't have instructions but it's pretty simple. It's all rectangles and you just glue it together.
Father's Day is coming up in June and I just wanted to pass along some ideas that you can make for Dad.
The frame on the left is really woodsy and cute. You can go on a hunt outside for twigs and maybe take a little picnic when you do. This first project is called RUSTIC FRAME and you can find the directions here.
The next project may need some help from a grandpa,uncle or a crafty Mom. I think this idea is really cool and Dad's would love this I'm sure,I know I want one!! It's called a DIY TAPE DISPENSER and here's the directions. Dad would really love the organization and be glad to find tape when he needs it,(trust me Mom will too!)
For our little crafter's how about a HAND PRINT for Daddy?? What a treasured keepsake that would be. It's easy to do and here's what you will need:
LITTLE HAND PRINT*1 cup of salt *1 cup of flour *½ cup of water *measuring cup
Pretty much self explanatory. Just cover some old cans with paper that you decorated. It best to decorate and cover with clear adhesive or some type of contact paper before putting it on the can. Dad would be proud to display his pencils in this cool can.
Books related to this project---
Because I'm Your Dad Because I'm your dad, you can have spaghetti for breakfast, French toast for dinner, and rocky road ice cream in the bathtub.
In a text that's both playful and loving, a father expresses his hopes and dreams for a one-of-a-kind relationship with his child. Whimsical monster characters bring the silly and sweet scenes to life and keep the book universal. The book's ending, a moving tribute to the author's father, guarantees intergenerational appeal.
My Dad Thinks He's Funny When his son says "I’m hungry," Dad says, "Hello, Hungry. Pleased to meet you." Before slicing a cake for dessert, Dad announces, "There’s my piece. What’s everybody else having?" Tell Dad your foot hurts? "No problem. You’ve got another." How is he feeling? "With my hands." So when nothing’s up but the sky, or when jumping in the shower sounds dangerous, it may be a good time to share this book with someone who doesn’t need sugar because, well, they’re sweet enough already. Available on amazon
I had to laugh when I saw this craft project. How many times have we said our kids or even our pets walk all over us?
Here's a fun t-shirt that you can make using your kids foot prints or even the family dog or cat. It also makes a great gift idea!
Materials Needed:White T-Shirt Cardboard Fabric Paints Paint Brush Styrofoam Plates or Other Shallow Containers
Instructions:
You can put fabric paint on a paper plate or in shalow dishes
Give each child a t-shirt
Lay the t-shirt out on a flat surface. Place a piece of cardboard inside the shirt so the paint doesn't leak through to the other side. You might want to keep a large container with warm soap water and towels near where you are making this t-shirt.
Using a paint brush paint bottom of foot and then step onto tshirt carefully so that footprint does not smear.
Allow to dry
Once the footprints dry, use fabric paint and write "My Kids Walk All Over Me".
Books related to our project:
"I was hoping that this book would bring more chuckles than it does. Coming from Jeff Foxworthy one would have that expectation. It's not a book of humorous things that kids do, well, not in the laugh out loud sense, but is a collection of cute poems for kids. I still enjoyed the book, but expected more laughs."
"This simply is one of the finest children's picture books of the year, and sure to be named on every one's Top of 2000 list. Quietly humorous and tongue-in-cheek narration, fluid and expressive black-and-white-and-red artwork, and the charming portrayal of the busy and mischievous Olivia make this an instant classic. Sight gags abound (Olivia's ambitious sandcastle, her pink-pink sunburn, her dreams of being a ballerina, and her songbook "40 Very Loud Songs") and Falconer, a New Yorker cover artist and theatre designer, portrays the never-ending energy of a tiny pig, er, girl, with wit and charm. Don't miss this one: suitable for all ages from the very young to the very old, "Olivia" is the prize of the season. It's the kind of book kids will be begging to have read to them before bed: bargaining for not once, not twice, but three times."
One very important thing from the "things you will need list" was magnets. You can buy the magnet in a roll and then cut off as much as you will need. I have seen it sold in places like Walmart,AC Moore and other craft shops both in brick and mortar shops and online.
Have a fun time making your fish. Be creative and have fun!!
Do you remember years ago a very nice story by the name if Rainbow Fish? My daughter used to love this story. Here are some links to some fun books about fish. Click on the link under each book and it will take you to it's webpage.
Rainbow Fish By A CustomerThis review is from: The Rainbow Fish (Hardcover)
I had heard alot about the famous rainbow fish books and when I saw the 10th anniversary book out, I decided to buy it for my 2 year old. I happily sat down with her at bedtime to read her the story and I finished the book feeling not so happy about the book. The rainbow fish is aesthetically, a very pleasing book, with it's beautiful many hued fish and the shimmery shiny scales, but all the visual effects do not make for the rather unpleasant story line. Sharing is one thing, but when you have to give away the one thing that makes you unique in order to cultivate friends suggests that the only way friendship can be had is through purchase. The little fish asks a second time for a scale, even though he was refused the first time after which he alienated all the other fish from rainbow fish. What does the story say about small (minded, greedy) people who want what another has and when they don't get it they go around poisoning everyones' minds against the person? This story left a bad taste and I returned the book the very next day.
This review is from:Fish Face (The Kids of the Polk Street School) (Paperback) This book is one I read 11 years back when I was in 4th grade. These Polk St. school books are a lot of fun for everyone! My dad used to send away for Weekly Reader Books for me and one that came in the mail was book #1 in this series, The Beast In Ms. Rooney's Room. I'd enjoyed it and didn't realize it was a series until I saw a friend reading different Polk St. books. I ran out and bought this one, #2. It is so good. About Emily, who befriends a new girl, Dawn from Florida. Then Emily's rubber unicorn, Uni, her prized posession, turns up missing and Emily has a notion Dawn took it but can't prove it. She is devistated. I won't tell you anymore, you need to read it yourself.
I wanted to share some crafts that I made using Crayola clay. It's very easy to mold and it usually takes about 24-48 hours to dry. It depends on the thickness of the art piece.
I am a single Mom and disabled. I can't afford to buy gifts so I like to make things. Last year I made all sorts of Christmas ornaments. I would like to share a few. This is what you can do with clay and a little paint.
As you can see the photo to the left is of the Pillsbury dough boy. He was pretty big and took about 3 days to dry completely. Once he was dry I painted him white and sprayed him with vanish. I then glued some wiggly eyes on him to make him authentic. He was a Christmas gift for my sister who adored anything with this character on it.
The next ornament was of "Sponge Bob" Square Pants. Vince loves Sponge Bob and so I made this tiny ornament for him. It was about an 1 1/2 inches and so it was a little bit tedious to paint. By the way I use paper clips for the hooks. They have to be put into the clay before it hardens. You can see that I am holding it by the hook.
Needless to say,Vince loved the ornament. I also made "Back Pack" for his brother,Gippy and a "Bear" for Avi his other brother.
The next ornament was a fire engine. My Dad's Step Son is studying to be a fire fighter and so I decided to make him an ornament. I painted it with red fingernail polish and made the ladder out of toothpicks.
My last picture is of a winter scene. I call it "Penguins at Play". This picture doesn't really do it justice. The round dome behind the penguin is an igloo and it actually has a hole but you can't see the entrance. I have sparkle white glitter on the piece and so it's very sparkly. The penguin on the far right is sliding down a mound of snow and in front there are 3-4 snow balls.
If you are creative then you can create just about anything with this clay. You can purchase it just about any place. I got mine at Walmart but I also saw it at AC Moore which is a pretty big craft shop here on the East Coast. This is what it looks like and it costs about $9.00.
Like most people I love gardening. I have all kinds of little ornamental things in my garden,the majority being gnomes. In fact my daughter always kids me about my gnomes and it isn't that I love them it's just that they are usually cheap at the dollar store and so this is how I accumulate so many.
My daughter however got tired of all my little gnomes and ladybugs staring at her so she made me a beautiful stepping stone. I tried to post it on here but for some reason it wouldn't send. (I will add it when I can)
Here is a really neat craft idea for anytime of year. Be creative and add lots of embellishments. You can even write a name in the plaque and give it for a special gift to someone you love.
You will need: Plaster of Paris
Aluminium pie case
Shells, pebbles, acrylic gems, marbles or other water-resistant treasures to decorate. You could even use small plastic toys such as figures or toy cars.(Many of these things you may have laying around your home and some can be bought at your local dollar store)
Instructions:
Make sure that you have a covered surface to work on and your children have overalls to protect their clothes. Gather all your materials in advance, as Plaster of Paris dries quickly.
Mix up the Plaster of Paris in an old jug according to the instructions on the packet. Pour into the pie case.
Carefully lay your decoration on top (note: they will sink a little no matter how carefully you do this; if you are too rough they will sink a lot!)
Leave to dry for a couple of hours and then remove the plaque from the pie tray.
Dig a hole in the garden and pop in the plaque. Back-fill with soil so that the top of the plaque sits level with the flower bed.
My niece made these for Christmas presents. Her husband is a contractor and had leftover ceramic tiles. 
