Monday, September 28, 2009

Black Cat Clothes Pins

We are making these week at my Tricks & Treats workshop.

Find out how to make this fun cat craft using a clothespin and a few other supplies.
Age Guideline: 6 Years and Up
Time required: 30 minutes (Does not include drying time)
The above age and time guidelines are estimates. This project can be modified to suit other ages and may take more or less time depending on your circumstances.

Materials Needed:
3 Flat, One-Piece, Wooden Clothespins
Small Pom-poms
Chenille Stems
Wiggle Eyes
Ribbon
Paint
Craft Glue
Paint Brush
Scissors

Instructions:
Paint the three clothespins whatever color you want your cat to be. One of them will be the cat's head and the other two will be the legs and body. Start out by gluing two of the clothespins flat sides together so the prongs line up as they will be the cat's four legs. Glue the third clothespin, flat sides together onto the two clothespins you previously glued together; however, you will turn this one so these prongs face the opposite direction of the other prongs. These will be the cat's ears.

Now you can add the finishing touches! Glue a pom-pom onto the rounded part of the head clothespin to be the nose and glue the wiggle eyes just above it. You can also add a cute bow by the ears or under the chin. Don't forget to add a chenille stem tail.

If you want to use this clothespin cat as an ornament, cut a piece of ribbon about 10-inches long and tie the two ends together to make a loop. Glue the loop to the back side of the cat's head.

I didn't have any googly eyes at home, so I just used paint.




Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Frankenstein Clay Pot

Today I decided to make the Frankenstein Clay Pot craft that the kids will be making this week in my workshop. I am NOT the greatest painter and I really suck at making faces, but I think this is ok. I need to add another layer of white for the eyes and get gray craft foam for the bolts on the neck.

6 Years and Up, or younger for a Mommy & Me group

Time required: 30 minutes (Does not include drying time)
The above age and time is just an estimate. This project can be modified to suit other ages and may take more or less time depending on your situation.

Materials Needed:

2-inch or 3-inch Terra Cotta Clay Pot (I used a larger pot because that is what I had on hand)
Paint: I used Folk Art #2241 Apple Orchard, Plaid Indoor gloss in #20408 white and #20409 Black
Clear Acrylic Spray
Craft Foam or Felt, or if you want to be really crafty small bolts that you can purchase at hardware store.
Craft Glue or a hot glue gun
Paint Brush
Scissors
Instructions:
Wipe down your terra cotta pot with a damp cloth and let dry completely.
Paint the top edge of the clay pot black and on the inside. Paint the rest of the pot green. Paint a face on your Frankenstein. Once the paint is dry, spray it with the clear acrylic sealer.

Cut 2 small 'T' shapes out of craft foam; these will be Frankenstein's bolts or use metal bolts. Glue them in place and your Frankenstein is done! Use it for a candy dish, or pencil/pen holder.


So what do you think???