Can You Use One Of The KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers For Crafts?

Now you really think I have lost it. How can one of the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers possibly be uses in doing crafts with the kids? I do not blame you, but surprisingly it is possible.

To be hones with you this though only entered my mind this Friday as my granddaughter visited us. She wanted to do some baking and as luck would have it I had a packed for vanilla muffins in the house.

For this pre-mix you need to measure some oil and water and mix it with two eggs before adding it to the muffin mix. Then you had to mix it for 2 minutes on medium with an electric mixer and, of course, this is where on e of the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers comes in. It is and ideal mixer to use for this purpose.

Now what does this have to do with crafts you ask me? Well there are quite a bit of stuff your kids can do helping you to bake these muffins.

First of all my grade one granddaughter was able to measure all the ingredients. Then she was able to mix it, add it to the muffin mix, switch on the mixer and time the two minutes.

Then once the dough was ready, she was able to spoon the dough into the muffin tines that she has already prepared with cooking spray. So, as you can see there was quite a lot she could do during this baking session and that is why baking should never be ignored as a craft for our kids.

An Easy Seashell Candle To Make As An Easy Craft

With the summer coming we are going to be gather seashells on the beach again. What to do with them later on? that is the question. Of course you can make mosaic crafts for beginners with them, but making a seashell candle with them is also a fun and easy way to use those candles.

Seashells are a favorite souvenir of beachgoers. And if you’re willing to look for them along the oceanside, they don’t cost a penny. These beautiful products of nature make great souvenirs and gifts on their own, and they can also be used in all sorts of craft projects.

Have you ever seen those candles that are adorned with seashells? They can be quite expensive in stores. But you can easily make your own seashell candle at a fraction of the cost. These go well with virtually any décor, and they can also serve as decorations at beach-themed parties and weddings.

Supplies

• Cheap white pillar candle
• Hot glue gun
• Small seashells
• Water
• Bleach
• Bucket
• Old toothbrush

Instructions

1. Make a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water in a small bucket. Place the shells in the bucket and scrub them with a toothbrush to remove debris. Rinse thoroughly.

2. Place the candle on a pillar candle holder or some other surface that will not be harmed by melted wax.

3. Plug in the hot glue gun and allow time for it to heat up. Do not place a glue stick in it. Hold it over a piece of newspaper and squeeze the trigger so that any excess glue comes out.

4. Find a spot on the candle where you want to place a seashell. Place the tip of the glue gun on that spot and squeeze the trigger so that the wax melts. Move it around to melt a spot large enough to hold the shell.

5. Press the shell into the melted wax. Hold until the wax hardens enough to keep the shell in place.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you have placed as many seashells as you like on the candle.

If you prefer to have your seashells inside of the candle, you’ll have to pour your own instead of using a store-bought one. The easiest way to do this is to make a jar candle. Here’s how.

Supplies

• Pint jar
• Candle wick
• Paraffin or soy candle wax
• Seashells
• Double boiler

Instructions

1. In a double boiler, cut the candle wax into small pieces. Heat slowly until all wax is melted.

2. Dip the candle wick into the melted wax. Let harden, and repeat several times to give it an even coating.

3. Pour a small amount of wax into the bottom of the jar. Place the candle wick into the jar, making sure it’s centered.

4. While holding the wick straight up, place some shells into the jar. Pull the wick firmly, yet not so hard that it pulls loose from the bottom of the jar. Try to keep the shells away from the center, and don’t add too many at a time.

5. Pour wax up to the top of the shells. Add more shells and repeat until the jar is filled. Let wax harden.

Decorations Ideas For Bikes For Fourth Of July

Your children have likely seen the Christmas parade and commented that they’d like to participate. Maybe you don’t want to have your children riding their bikes for the entire length of a parade in the cold.

Besides that, your children may not really want to be a part of a long, drawn out, cold parade, but still want a chance to show off their bicycles, especially if you nine year old boy has a Mongoose Montana Boy's Mountain Bike 24 Inch Wheels!

Plan a mini-parade for the neighborhood children and they can use some of these Fourth of July bike decorations ideas to make their bikes stand out.

Perhaps your child already has a bike in one of the patriotic colors – red, white or blue. If that’s the case, they can wrap streamers of the other colors around their bike to make it more patriotic. This can be done whether your child rides a tricycle or a bicycle.

Here’s what they’ll need to decorate their bikes no matter what color it is:

• Red crepe paper roll
• White crepe paper roll
• Blue crepe paper roll
• Scissors to cut the crepe paper to the right length
• Tape to adhere it

What to do:

1. Beginning at the front of your child’s Mongoose Montana Boy's Mountain Bike 24 Inch Wheels, or the bike your kids has, wrap one color of crepe paper around the frame. Be sure to cover the frame completely and tape it at both ends to secure it to the bike.
2. Next, take a second color and wrap it around the frame but leave enough space so the first color shows and will allow for a third color.
3. Then, wrap the third color of crepe paper around the frame so you can see the red, white and blue pattern on the frame.

Another idea, streamers:

1. You can also take three foot pieces of the different colored crepe paper to make streamers.
2. Gather one of each color to make a patriotic streamer and adhere it with tape to the handle bars.
3. You may also want to place one on the back of the seat.

One without streamers:

Maybe your child doesn’t like streamers. If they have a basket on their bike they could place red, white and blue Christmas ribbons on their basket. Christmas ribbons are usually more metallic looking, so they will show off your child’s distinct style.

Hang a small flag on the back of your child’s seat, or criss-cross two flags and secure them across the front of the handle bars. They could also weave red, white and blue streamers through the spokes on their tires.

Your child may have other Fourth of July bike decorations ideas that aren’t listed here. Listen to them and then help them create the decorated bike they’ve been thinking of. Then step out of their way and let them show off their handiwork and their bike.

Easy Crafts For Kids - Creative Paper Mache Projects

Kids love paper mache, but for some reason paper mache is a craft that goes in and out of vogue, despite the fact it is one of the easiest and most versatile crafts. Using paper mache you can make nearly anything. It is really easy to do Easy Kids Crafts, Paper Mache crafts.

Do you need a piñata for a birthday party but don’t want to spend a lot of money? Make one with paper mache.

There is no right or wrong way to do paper mache. One recipe for the glue isn’t any better than the others, so you’ll want to find one you’re comfortable with and stick with it. Here are two of the simpler recipes to try.

No cook glue is simply made with flour and water. The ratio is one part flour to two parts water. If you don’t like the smell, add a drop or two of an essential oil. Adding a tablespoon or two of salt to the mixture will help prevent mold. Unused glue can be covered and placed in the refrigerator for a few days.

Cooked glue is a little harder to make but produces smoother consistency glue. The ratio of flour to water is different: one part flour to five parts water. Mix together on part flour with one part warm water, beating until all the lumps are gone. Then bring four cups of water to boil in a pot.

When the water begins boiling, slowly add the flour and water mixture and mix well. Allow it to boil for 2-3 minutes. This will also keep in the refrigerator for a few days.

To create a paper mache piñata, start with a large balloon. Blow it up the size you want and then tape crumpled paper to the balloon to create the shape you want. Dip strips of newspaper into the glue and squeegee off the excess. Lay the glued strips over the form until it is completely covered.

When the piñata is completely dry, cut a hole large enough to remove the balloon and add candy. You’ll also want to carefully put a hanger of some type on it which will allow it to be hung. Paint the piñata, fill it, and then hang it up. Then watch the kids at the party destroy your hard work.

Knowing how to do paper mache is also good for creating science projects such as a working volcano. Create a form using chicken wire wrapped around a soda bottle which has been placed on a wooden base. Use paper mache to cover the volcano and allow it to dry completely.

Paint it, add rocks or sticks to represent boulders and trees, and then place baking soda into the bottle. Mix red food coloring with vinegar and then when it’s time for the volcano to erupt pour the vinegar into the baking soda.

There’s no end to the things you can create with paper mache. Do you need props for a play? Make them with paper mache. Do you want decorations for your home?

Some of them can be made with paper mache. Look through your public library or on the internet to get more ideas of what is possible with a little paper, flour, water, and paint.

Toddler Craft – How to Make a 4th of July Firework Picture

Kid's Fourth Of July Crafts are always a hit with the little ones. Of course as they get older you may want to move on to something such as Alex Toys Happily Ever Crafter where a kid can do a variety of crafts to decide on a favorite craft.

Toddlers love to be a part of everything you do. However, you know that during the Fourth of July, that’s not always a good idea. This is particularly the case when fireworks are being used. Here’s how to make a Fourth of July firework picture your toddler will enjoy instead.

There are a couple of ways to create a picture of Fourth of July fireworks. Your toddler can use paint or glue and glitter. Why not let them try each way and let them decide which they like the most?

• Your toddler will need the following items for this craft:
• Construction paper – black or dark blue would be best
• Water-based paints – use colors which are common for fireworks such as red, white, blue, purple, green, gold, or yellow
• Straws – one for each color paint
• Glue – school glue which can be thinned with water if necessary
• Glitter – silver, gold, red, blue, white, and green are good choices

Begin by placing newspaper on the work station to help contain the mess which will soon ensue. Put a piece of construction paper on the table followed by a drop or two of paint. Put the paint in the area which will be the sky.

Have the child blow through the straw to make a circle with the paint. Before the paint is blown too thin, have them pull the end of the straw through the paint to make the fireworks falling to the ground. It might be a good idea to have pictures of actual fireworks available so your toddler can remember what they look like.

Put another color on the paper and follow the same steps. When they’re happy with the look of their fireworks, let the paint dry thoroughly. Ask them to color the ground or glue some green construction paper on the bottom for grass. They could also add a tree or star stickers to make their picture their own.

To make a fireworks picture with glitter, water down the school glue a little bit so it can be blown similar to the paint. Put some thinned glue on the paper and have your toddler blow the fireworks like they did before. When they’re happy with the way the first one looks, let them choose a color of glitter and sprinkle it on the glue. Shake off the excess and let it dry.

If they want other color fireworks, they can repeat the above process with another color of glitter. Let them overlap their colors and have fun. When the pictures are completely dry, date the picture and write your child’s name on it. Don’t forget to display them in a prominent place in your home.

Once your toddler learns how to make a Fourth of July fireworks picture in either of these ways, they’ll be able to enjoy fireworks at any time of the year. If fireworks safety is important to you, this is one sure-fire way to enjoy them without being worried about your toddler’s safety.