Painted Rocks

Every spring I like to plant a garden and this year was no exception. One day my daughter and I were in a mood to do a craft and didn't have money to go a buy things so we decided to paint some rocks. Two rocks became ten and before we knew it people were asking us to make some for their gardens too. 

It's a fun simple craft and you can use rocks for many things besides sprucing up a garden. They can be doorstoppers, paper weights, gifts, decorations etc...

Supplies:

• Rocks (all sizes) 
• Guesso
• Acrylic paints (various colors)
• Spray finishing gloss
• Cardboard
• A mixing tray
• Pencil
• Various sized paint brushes
• Small fan (to speed up the drying process)

Directions:

1. Once you choose your rocks, scrub them clean with a dish scrubber and a mixture of dish soap and bleach for disinfecting. 
2. Dry them on a drying mat, an old towel or even a few pieces of paper towels. 
3. Coat rocks with Guesso. Guesso helps the paint to adhere and stick better. 
4. Once the guesso is completely dry you can draw your design onto the rock.
5. Now you are ready to begin painting. Paint the rock at least 3 coats of paint. Allow each layer to dry before painting the next. My daughter always rushes this process and thinks she can do just one coat but what happens is the rocks fade quickly and the paint does not hold up.
6. When you are completely done painting spray the rock with clear gloss spray from the hardware dept. You can get a big can for under 4.00 but purchae in the hardware department in places such as Walmart. The craft store will charge more.

Here are some of the rocks we painted. They make great decorative rocks for a garden and gifts too.

Picture Frame For Dad

I know we just celebrated Mother's Day and it's not even June yet but I wanted to post this early enough so you all have time to work on projects for Father's Day. We all love our Dads too and so here are some ideas for gifts for the Daddy in your lives.

Materials Needed:

Cardstock or a piece of poster board cut into a 5x7 (You can go as big as you like)
Glue
photos

Instructions:
Draw two D’s and an A shape onto the card/poster board and cut out. Use a small pair of scissors to cut out the inside of the letters, too (younger children will need adult help or supervision).

Decorate your letters. Embellish your letters with any kind of  stickers, gems, ribbons, sequins, pompoms etc...

Glue a photo to the back of each letter.

Layer the letters so they overlap slightly, spelling out the word "Dad", and glue together.

You can laminate to make it last longer

Links to other fun ideas:

LADYBUG TIE TACK

BEST BBQ APRON

TROPHY FOR DAD

TRAIN PAPER WEIGHT

MY DAD ROCKS PAPER WEIGHT

NUTS ABOUT DAD (PEANUT JAR)

Ladybug Rocks

Summer is almost here and with those warm cozy days come cute little ladybugs.

My niece and nephew live out in the country.  Their house is situated out in the middle of nowhere and every year when spring comes they get a ton of ladybugs. I am not talking about one or even five ladybugs. I am talking about literally thousands of the cute little creatures.

When my little nephew was little about 1-2 years old, his Mommy caught him eating ladybugs! Of course she was horrified but after talking to the pediatrician he calmed her fears and told her they would not hurt him. (Nice to know, I suppose!) lol

This is a fun craft that kids can do. If it's a big enough rock it can be used as a gift. A paper weight,perhaps a door stopper,even a stepping stone for a garden. There are endless possibilties I am sure.

Materials:

Rocks
Spray Vanish

Non-toxic paint

Paintbrushes

Directions:
Clean rocks with warm soapy water then dry thoroughly or lay on a terry cloth towel to sun dry.

After they are dry paint rocks and allow them to dry. Drying may take a few hours for each.  It is very important to let rocks dry completely before adding a new color or else the colors will run. When done Mom can coat with some vanish.

Just follow the picture to see how the ladybug is painted. It's not difficult at all.