Friday, May 09, 2014

Mother's Day Crafts for Little Peeps to Make

Thank you for all your comments on my knitted flowers and the bird photos.  I've always enjoyed watching birds from the time I was a young girl.  My mother encouraged my interest in the birds, and we'd often identify the birds we saw on our country property together.  Mom would always collect any feathers she found in the woods or down in the field, and I now have her very sentimental feather collection.  One day I'll have to think of something to do with them to display them properly.  Sitting in a shoebox isn't the fate I want for them.
 
The knitted flower that I designed myself was a hit, and the little girl I gave it to was quite proud to have it pinned to her spring coat.  I've been trying some of the other flowers in the book now, and lavender is turning out to be quite interesting, although I should've used a finer yarn as was suggested (I just didn't have any lavender coloured sock yarn in my stash).  I'll show that another day as it's still in the development stages at the moment.

 
Mother's Day is just around the corner, and I thought those of you who have small children, would enjoy these simple crafts to do with your child, or to give to someone special. 
 
The first craft is a Fingerprint Pendant made with Sculpey clay.  A full tutorial is found on The Crafty Crow, a site that has so many fun crafts all year round. 
 
 
First we rolled out the pink clay using a fat marker.  Then we cut the clay with a small round cookie cutter I have and poked a hole with a skewer.  Then we pressed one finger into the soft clay.  We made up some additional beads with the same clay mixed with a bit of blue swirled through.  We poked a hole through each bead as well.   The lot of them were placed on tin foil and baked at 275F for about 15 minutes.  Once beads came out of the oven and cooled, we strung them on some cotton string.  A masterpiece that the mother is hopefully going to really like!
 
 
The second craft is Finger Paint Prints, and one I've made for a few years, but I cannot remember where I got the idea.  Apologies to the original creator, and if I can find the post I'll update this.
 
 
(Above photos) My husband cut some clear Plexiglas into small rectangles 6 x 8-inches.  Any size will do, but these are a good size for the task.  Pour very small puddles of different colours of acrylic craft paint onto the Plexiglas.  Then have your child swirl the paints together (I suggest using one finger so it doesn't get out of hand).  Keep a close eye on this part since you want to whisk that little painting away from your child before they make the paints all one colour (which will probably just look like mud).  Also the acrylic paints dry quickly and you need them to remain wet.
 
 
(Above photos)  Now carefully pick up the Plexiglas and lay it paint-side down, centred as best you can, over a piece of thick white paper.  It's best to use thick artists water colour paper so that the paper won't warp.  Press down very gently on the back of the Plexiglas so the paint adheres to the paper.  Don't press so hard that the paint all oozes out the sides.  There will be some distortion to the finger painting, but not to worry.  Now carefully pull the Plexiglas up off the paper and you have your print!  Sometimes you can do a couple of prints from the same finger painting and it's interesting to see the variations as the paint dries. 
 
Are these prints worthy of framing?  You betcha!  Everything looks better framed ;)
 
 
 
Thanks for stopping by today!
 
Wendy

20 comments:

  1. What a cutie with that flower pinned to her jacket! And what fun projects for little ones. I remember all of the sweet things my boys used to make for me in school. I'd be happy with some of those gifts this year! (in other words...nothing yet! lol) Have a wonderful Mother's Day my friend! Sweet hugs!

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  2. They are great projects, I thought those days would be over for me but Harry brought home a clay candle holder he made in High School. Have a wonderful mothers day.

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  3. Some good ideas, kids love to give homemade gifts.

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  4. These are such nice ideas, thank you. I love to play with Sculpey or Fimo clay. I used to make lots of those swirled beads to wear on necklaces. I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day, Wendy. :)

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  5. What great makes!! I hope that your Mothers Day is a good one Wendy and that your little friends Mom likes her gifts. xx

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  6. Wendy what fabulous makes, I love the colours, just gorgeous. Have a wonderful Mother's Day Wendy and enjoy being spoilt, you deserve it. Big hugs
    Dorothyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  7. How sweet the flower looks on the pretty little girl's coat - I can imagine her delight!
    Lots of lovely crafty activities for the youngsters there Wendy - and don't they enjoy getting their hands into paint!
    I'm looking forward to seeing your lavender and all that follows - have fun and a Happy Mother's Day too, I hope you are well and truly spoiled - enjoy! Love, Joy xo

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  8. Oh Wendy!!! This is just amazing! I love that flower you made for her! Goodness is that just the cutest thing ever! And these projects are awesome! I know for a fact that my beans would love to make both of these projects! Thank you so much for sharing them! I hope you are well friend and a wonderful weekend to you pal! Nicole xoxo

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  9. Great fun idea's Wendy, the flower looks lovely on that little girls jacket, Have a very Happy Mother's Day xxx

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  10. Handmade gifts and cards are the very best. Happy Mother's Day to you!

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  11. Just lovely.....Happy Mothers Day to you! S xo

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  12. Hello Wendy, these are fun ideas and crafts.. I love the cute knitted flowers and the artwork is colorful and pretty. Wishing you a HAPPY Mother's day and week ahead!

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  13. How cute are these?! What great ideas, I love the "brooch"!!

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  14. Gostei de ter passado por aqui. Vou ficar.
    Boa semana.
    Beijo.
    Nita

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  16. What great ideas. I like the finger print pendant and the painting project looks like its totally do-able with my two year old :)

    Thanks for the ideas.
    Birgitta xx

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  17. wanted to let you know I just posted about the tart tins (tutorial) on my blog today! thanks for your interest in learning how to make these! xoxo, tracie

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  18. The finger print pendant is such a beautiful idea. Xx

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  19. Hi Wendy,

    Such creative and colourful ideas for the little ones and something I'm sure they (and their caregivers!) would enjoy doing. I loved reading about your mother's feather collection and would be interested in how you chose to display such a memento.

    Have a wonderful Wednesday!

    xx
    Poppy

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Thanks so much for leaving a comment, it's nice to know when you've stopped by! :)

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