Make a Patriotic Necklace It's Easy

Well, the year is on it's way and it is not long before independence day is her again. If you are looking to do some easy beginner crafts you can have a look at this patriotic necklace. Of course you can also have a look at Fimo Clay Ideas as well and use Fimo Clay instead of making the beads yourself.

Independence Day is a wonderful time to show your patriotism. In the weeks before the holiday, you can find red, white and blue t-shirts, hats and jewelry in almost any store. But it’s also easy to make your own patriotic clothing and accessories. This patriotic necklace is easy and inexpensive to make, and it’s sure to be quite the conversation piece.

Supplies

* 1 tbsp. all-purpose flour
* ½ tbsp. water
* ½ tbsp. salt
* Toothpick
* Acrylic paint
* Paintbrush
* Nylon cord or strong fishing line in desired length, plus about 8 inches (for an 18-inch necklace, the cord should be about 26 inches long)
* Beading needle
* Small red, white and blue beads
* Clasp
* Scissors

Instructions

1. Mix flour, salt and water until dough forms.

2. Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Model dough into a star shape for the pendant. Make it at least ¼ inch thick. You should have some extra dough when you’re done.

4. Poke the toothpick through the star about ¼ inch from the top, going from side to side so that it will face forward when placed on the necklace.

5. Bake the pendant for 2 to 2 ½ hours. Let cool completely.

6. Paint the pendant with acrylic paint. You could make it solid red, blue or gold, or paint designs on it. Let dry completely.

7. Thread the nylon cord onto the beading needle. String beads onto the cord in the pattern of your choice. Keep stringing beads until the necklace is half done.

8. Add your finished pendant to the necklace. Then continue beading in the same pattern until you’ve added enough beads to make a necklace in the desired length. Make sure you have several inches of cord left on each side so that you can add the clasp.

9. Hold the necklace up to make sure the pendant is centered correctly. If it isn’t, remove beads from one side and add them to the other until it is centered.

10. Tie the eye of the clasp onto one end of the necklace, getting it as close as possible to the last bead. Knot securely, and cut off the excess cord. Tie the hook of the clasp onto the other end, knot and trim.

Want a matching bracelet? You can make one in no time! Just cut a piece of nylon cord about 16 inches long, and string beads in the same pattern you used for the necklace. Make the beaded portion about 7 ½ to 8 inches long. Then add a clasp the same way you did with the necklace, and trim the ends. Now you have a matching set of patriotic jewelry!

Chronicle The Softies Kit Boxed

Who doesn’t like soft toys, especially when they are as outrageous as the ones in this kit. Your whole family will enjoy the uniqueness of these plush pals.

This Chronicle “The Softies Kit Box” is a follow-up to a book called “Softies”. “Softies” are cute plush toys inspired by a Japanese craze for soft toys. The new kit box includes lots of exciting new plush toy projects. It comes with a 24-page instruction booklet, project cards and easy to follow instructions for 15 exciting new “Softies” that will make admired and cute gifts.

You will be able to make:

• Japanese Cherry Cake
• Little Penguin
• Hambone, a stuffed ham
• Little Elephant
• Deer iPod Holder
• Chick in a Bonnet
• Sparkle Bunny
• Gingerbread House
• Charlotte with Her Fedora
• Birthday Banner

Also included in the box are pattern sheets and everything you need, from fabrics to needle and thread, to make a Party Felt Cake that everybody will adore.

Summer All Year Long With Your Own Take Away Beach Craft

Kids love doing crafts and if it is about something they enjoyed and loved, it is even better. So, this summer take away beach craft will be a craft all kids will love. Make sure they have a comfortable place to work, such as an Alex Super Art Table With Paper Roll And Two Benches, this will prevent accidents and it will make sure everything you need is at hand.

Here is your summer take away beach craft:

How to Make a Takeaway Beach

A trip to the beach can be the highlight of one’s summer. Children are especially captivated by the sand, water and beautiful scenery. When it’s time to go home, they may not want to leave. And for that matter, you might wish you could stay, too!

Moving to the beach might not be an option. But you can take a little piece of the beach with you when you go home. Collecting seashells, driftwood and other beach findings is a fun way to commemorate your vacation. And when you get home, these items can be used to make your very own beach… inside of a jar. Here’s how to make this simple yet meaningful craft project.

Supplies

* Glass jar with lid
* Glass cleaner
* Paint pen
* Sand
* Seashells
* Pebbles
* Small bits of driftwood
* Pieces of sea glass
* Craft glue

Instructions

1. Remove any labels from the jar and wash thoroughly. If part of a label is particularly stubborn, try using a scraper blade and/or rubbing alcohol to remove it.

2. Use glass cleaner to remove fingerprints and any remaining glue from the jar.

3. Use the paint pen to paint the name of the beach you visited on the side of the jar, near the bottom. Add some beach-inspired designs such as starfish, palm trees or ocean waves if you like.

4. Pour some sand into the jar. The amount is up to you, but try not to add so much that it overpowers the other items you will be adding.

5. Drop lots of seashells, pebbles, driftwood and sea glass into the jar. You can fill it up to the top or leave some empty space.

6. Pick out some favorite shells and sea glass to adorn the outside of your takeaway beach. Arrange them to your liking on the lid, glue on with craft glue and let dry. If you like, you could also glue some pieces of sea glass onto the jar itself.

7. Place the lid on the jar.

Your “beach in a jar” can serve a number of purposes. You could give it as a gift to someone who wasn’t able to go with you. You could use it as a paperweight. If you used a large jar, it could double as a doorstop. Or you could simply place it on a shelf somewhere that you will see it each and every day.

Trinkets from the beach souvenir shop are nice. But something that holds memories of your unique experience at the beach is far more nostalgic. Your takeaway beach will remind you of the fun you had for many years to come.

How to Build Beautiful Ice Sculptures

Usually, when we see ice sculptures, it's at a wedding or other formal affair. But the beauty of sculpted ice is fascinating to adults and children alike. Wouldn't it be great to be able to build a beautiful ice sculpture at home with the family?

Actually, you can. And you don't have to give your children sharp objects to do so. So it is as good a craft to do with the kids as mosaic crafts for for beginners. Best of all, creating an ice sculpture provides a valuable learning experience for kids of all ages. You can even take photos of it and use the photos to do some beginner scrapbooking!

Here's how to do it.

What You Need

• Water
• Ice molds and/or plastic containers
• Food coloring
• Salt
• Dish washing liquid

Instructions

1. Wash the ice molds or plastic containers thoroughly with dish washing liquid and warm water. You need to make sure there are no traces of dirt or dust inside of them, because if there are, it will affect the outcome of the sculpture.

2. Fill each mold or container about 90% full of water to allow room for expansion during freezing. Add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly. If the molds or containers you're using are opaque, you might want to mix the food coloring and water in a clear container beforehand so that you can see the results.

3. Place the molds and containers in the freezer, making sure that they sit level. Allow to freeze at least overnight, and for a couple of days if possible.

4. Remove the molds from the freezer and place them on a table. It's a good idea to do this outdoors if possible, because it will get messy!

5. Have your child or children build sculptures with the various shapes of ice. Each child can build his own sculpture, or they can work together to create one big one.

6. When the sculpture is the way they like it, sprinkle a bit of salt on the parts of the ice that touch other pieces. This will melt the ice a bit, helping the pieces stick together.

Tips

* For best results, use distilled water instead of tap water. Distilled water makes clearer ice, especially if you let it sit in the ice mold for a few hours to overnight before freezing.

* If you'd like to add a little extra shimmer to your ice sculpture, try adding a bit of glitter to the water before freezing.

* If temperatures are below freezing outside, and won't get above freezing for several days, you could leave the molds outdoors to freeze. This will eliminate the need for extra freezer space and make it possible to make as many pieces as you have molds. If you choose to do so, it's best to place the molds in a sheltered area and leave them for at least a few days to ensure proper freezing.

How to Make a Paper Plate Easter Bonnet

If you know how to work with melted chocolate and molds you will know How To Make Your Own Chocolate Easter Eggs, but that is not all you can do for Easter. Why not try an Easter bonnet?

In days gone by it wasn’t unusual to see women dressed in their finest clothes and Easter bonnets on Easter morning. The habit of wearing hats has seemingly fallen out of vogue. Your child can still learn how to make a paper plate Easter bonnet as part of their Easter tradition.

To create a paper plate Easter bonnet, you’ll need to pull together a few craft items:

• Paper plates
• Ribbon or yarn
• Scissors
• Glue or glitter glue
• Markers or crayons
• Construction paper
• Hole punch
• Artificial flowers, if desired

There are a several methods to choose from when making a paper plate bonnet. Here’s one method that’s relatively easy so even young children can make them.

Begin by cutting the middle out of the paper plate so it will fit on the child’s head. There should be a considerable amount of plate left which is where the decorations will go. Punch two holes in the plate, one across from the other. Be sure the holes are far enough into the plate so they don’t easily rip.

Let your child decorate what’s left of the plate however they want. They can make paper flowers and glue them onto their hat, or glue silk flowers. They can also color it with markers or crayons. Paper can also be cut into strips and curled to add to the brim of the hat. Let them have fun decorating it.

When the children have finished decorating their paper plate Easter bonnet, it’s ready for them to try on. Then they can tie two pieces of ribbon or yarn (about 10 inches long) into the holes, one on each side. Make a bow with the ribbon under their chin to hold the Easter bonnet on.

As you can see, it really isn’t difficult to make an Easter bonnet. You and your child can work together to create a new Easter bonnet each year. Make it a family tradition to enjoy with your child.

Your Own Easter Tree It Is Easy

People are used to seeing decorated Christmas trees before and sometimes long after the holiday has passed. In recent years, you may also have seen trees decorated with eggs outdoors at Easter time. Here’s how to make your own Easter tree to decorate your Easter table.

You may not want to put an entire tree on your furniture, but you can create a smaller version of it. Start by finding a branch of a tree with several small limbs. You can either leave the tree its natural color or you can spray-paint it.

Find a planter or bucket where you can “plant” the tree. This can be spray-painted and then decorated if you like. Fill the planter or bucket with plenty of sand to be weighty enough that the tree won’t topple over. Push the branch down into the sand to secure it.

Poke silk flowers into the sand to hold them and then put Easter grass around the base so it looks like the tree is growing. If your child has small stuffed animals such as a lamb, chicks, or rabbits, they may want to place one or two of them at the base of the tree. Consider buying a small animal to place with the tree and then give it to your child as part of their Easter gift.

Cut several pieces of ribbon, enough for each ornament or egg you’ll be hanging. You may want to see if you can find small springtime or Easter-themed ornaments. If you can’t find anything you think is appropriate, your children could make them or you can simply hang plastic eggs from the tree.

What types of ornaments could your children make? They could draw pictures associated with Easter on construction paper and cut them out to decorate the tree with. They could draw eggs and decorate the eggs using markers or stickers, lambs, crosses, lilies, birds, or anything else they might like to use. You may want to have the children write out Bible verses and place them on the tree to help them remember the meaning behind the holiday.

Some families use the Easter tree to hang Easter candy rather than using a basket. Wrap string around the filled plastic eggs and then tie them to the branches. You can also tie a ribbon or yarn around chocolate eggs or bunnies.And if you know how to work with chocolate and molds, then you will also know How To Make Your Own Chocolate Easter Eggs.

Once you and your children learn how to make your own Easter tree you may decide it’s something you’d like to add as a family tradition. Each year you can make new ornaments to add to the tree. However you decide to use your Easter tree, enjoy the time you spend with your children making the tree this year.

To compliment your tree you can also make an Easter Mosaic, even though it is almost spring you can still make Mosaic Crafts For Beginners with seeds and more.

How to Make Your Own Natural Egg Dyes

 Chocolate Easter Eggs are part and parcel of Easter, that is a given. If you can work with chocolate and molds you can make them yourself. If you know How To Make Your Own Chocolate Easter Eggs, you and the kids will have a lot of fun with it. But, Easter Eggs go further than that, decorating Easter Eggs is a very popular Easter Craft as we all know.

Children love creating and searching for colored Easter eggs. They’re as much a part of celebrating Easter as chocolate bunnies and baskets. Rather than using pre-made coloring dyes, why not learn how to make your own natural egg dyes? Natural egg dyes aren’t as vivid as artificial dyes but they’re every bit as beautiful.

Natural egg dyes can be made from a variety of foods, flowers and plants. The dye is transferred to the egg either while boiling the eggs or, as with normal dyes, after the eggs have been hard-boiled. When boiling the dye with eggs, be aware you’ll be limited to the number of colors you can do at once by the number of eyes your stove has.

When dyeing the eggs while boiling, you place the coloring ingredients into the pan of water which covers the eggs. Include a teaspoon of vinegar for deeper colors. If you’d rather dye the eggs after they’ve been boiled, cover the eggs with water and a teaspoon of vinegar, and then add the dyeing ingredients. Allow the eggs to sit in the dye in the refrigerator until they are the desired color.

Here are various ingredients you can use to create the colors you want for your naturally dyed eggs:

* Lavender 

Violet blossoms plus 2 teaspoons lemon juice, Red Zinger tea, or a small amount of purple grape juice

* Violet blue 

Small amount of red onion skins placed in the water while boiling, violet blossoms, hibiscus tea, or red wine

* Blue 

Purple grape juice or canned blueberries added to the water and placed in the refrigerator, red cabbage leaves placed in the water while boiling

* Green 

Spinach leaves boiled with the eggs

* Yellow 

Any of these can be boiled with the eggs: orange or lemon peels, carrot tops, celery seed, ground cumin, or ground turmeric. To get the same color with the cold method, add green or chamomile tea to the water.

* Orange

Boiled yellow onion skins; cooked carrots, chili powder, and paprika will result in the desired color in the cold method.

* Brown 

Black walnut shells boiled with the eggs, or you can add strong coffee, instant coffee, or black tea to water in the refrigerator.

* Red 

A large amount of red onion skins boiled with the eggs. Using the cold method, add canned cherries in their juice, pomegranate juice, or raspberries.

* Pink 

Use any of the following, added to water and placed in the refrigerator overnight: beets, cranberries or cranberry juice, raspberries, red grape juice, or the juice from pickled beets.

Remove the eggs from the water, place them in an egg carton, and let them dry. If you’d like your naturally dyed eggs to look shiny, you can rub vegetable oil into the egg shells. Perhaps, after learning how to make your own natural egg dyes, you won’t bother with the prepared dyes you can buy at the store.

With your colored Easter Eggs you can move on and do some more Easter Egg Crafts - Dotty Easter Eggs with them and then afterward you can use all those egg shells in some Easter Egg Shell Crafts.

Here Are Some Easter Egg Decorating Ideas

 If you know how to work with chocolate and molds you will know How To Make Your Own Chocolate Easter Eggs, but you may need some ideas for decorating Easter eggs.

It’s a pretty safe bet you’ll be decorating Easter eggs before too long. However, you don’t have to be satisfied with simply dyeing the eggs. Try these Easter egg decorating ideas to make your eggs as individual as the people you’re decorating them for.

You may be surprised to know that many cultures have been decorating eggs for centuries. In fact, the most famous decorated eggs are the Fabergé eggs which were created for the Russian Tsars from 1885 to 1917. Of course, no one expects you to create anything as elaborate as a Fabergé egg!

If you plan to eat the eggs after they’ve been decorated, remember to use edible food coloring, paints, or items which are not hazardous to your health. This also includes using stickers, non-toxic glue, and crayons. Using non-traditional items to decorate your eggs can result in great-looking eggs that are unique.

Get your children involved in this idea. After the eggs have been hard-boiled, cooled, and dried, give the children crayons and let them draw various designs on the eggs. You can leave the eggs like this, but dyeing the eggs after they’ve been drawn on will create more vibrant designs. When the egg is dyed, the dye won’t penetrate the wax of the crayon and the design will stand out.

Egg heads can be created using either dyed or non-dyed eggs. Decorate only one side of the egg at a time and allow it to dry before decorating the other side. Use 3-D paint or pieces of yarn glued to the egg for hair. Use construction paper to create a ribbon for a girl’s hair or a boy’s tie. Glue them on after you decide where to place the wiggle eyes. Draw the mouth and other details with a water-based marker.

Place stickers on the eggs prior to dyeing them. When the eggs have reached the color you desire, remove them from the dye and allow them to dry thoroughly. Remove the stickers to reveal the color of the natural egg which will be a contrast to the dye’s color.

Create a tie-dye look by carefully wrapping rubber bands around the eggs prior to dyeing them. Allow the eggs to remain in the dye until they reach the desired color; take them out and allow them to dry. Carefully remove the rubber bands and place the egg into a different color. Again remove them and allow them to dry. The result is amazing!

Your children will undoubtedly want to help with these Easter egg decorating ideas. Let them have fun with you and you may just create a family activity to share each year. Happy decorating!

How To Make Your Own Chocolate Easter Eggs

What You Need to Know about Color Theory

Acrylic painting is fun and to get a good idea of the basics you can have a look at How To Paint With Acrylic Paint. Of course part of the acrylic painting will be mixing colors and for that you will have to know some color theory.

Here are a few questions. Is white a color? What about black? Do you remember your primary, secondary, and tertiary colors? You may not realize what you need to know about color theory if you decide to take up painting. However, what you know and remember can definitely affect the finished artwork.

Color theory is simply the guidance necessary to mix colors, and the impact color combinations can have on the person looking at a piece of artwork. Some believe color theory began as early as the mid-to-late 1400s, but most agree it developed with the declaration of primary colors. In case you don’t remember, the primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. They cannot be created by mixing colors. It is from these colors, however, that all other colors have their origin.

When you mix two primary colors you arrive at a secondary color. Red and blue makes purple, red and yellow makes orange, and blue and yellow makes green. Once you mix three colors together, such as orange, orange, and yellow, you get a tertiary color. Which tertiary color you get will depend on which primary colors you combine and in which proportion.

Most people consider black and white to be colors. Actually they’re not. You can’t make black or white by mixing other colors together. These are considered hues or shades. When you add black to a color, you darken that color; conversely, when you add white, you lighten the original color.

Colors also have a tendency to be either warm or cool. Reds and yellows, as a general rule, are considered warmer colors. Blues, on the other hand, are considered cooler colors. While there are different types of primary colors, you will always get a secondary color when mixing two primary colors together.

To help you determine what colors you will receive when combining a particular set of paints, you may want to create a color wheel or chart. Begin with a triangle on a sheet of paper. At each point paint one of the primary colors from your set. In the middle of those two colors, on each side of the triangle, mix equal amounts of the primary colors to make the secondary color.

Keeping track of which primary colors you’re using when creating a new color is helpful. You’ll want to list which colors you began with and then in which proportions so you’ll be able to duplicate the color in the future. Look at the colors opposite of each other on your color wheel; those are called complimentary colors. So, the complimentary color for red is green, blue is orange, and yellow is purple.

Why do you need to know about color theory and how will it help you as a crafter or artist? Knowing what colors are needed to create other colors can help when painting, using colored pencils, or deciding which colors to combine for your home décor. Now, what can you do with this new knowledge?