PAINTED DRESS: (suitable
for age 12 and up) This is to show the children
that any left over house paint could enhance the
appearance of a plain clothing apparel, or
anything else for that matter. For this dress I
placed old newspapers and a thick cardboard
between the two layers.
I painted my flowers from
paint scraped from some old cans that a house
builder was throwing away after finishing a job.
You really do not need very much. In this case
mine were oil paints but I would advise the
children to look for water paints, acrylic,
Gouache, etc...
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PARTY
BOOTS: (Suitable for age 8 and up) Any child
can find an old pair of felt boots or heavy
woolen socks and start gluing or sewing things
on. I stick all sorts of old buttons, ribbons,
bells and whistles on mine. Watch that your baby
brother or your pets stay away from them. The
small object could cause an emergency.
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WOOLEN BLANKET: (8 and
up) Any 8 year old can learn to sew, knit or
crochet. When WW II started, every school child
was asked to make a few of those squares, then
the teachers would sew them into a blanket for
the soldiers. We were given exact measurements
but when I look back, I doubt if the finished
product looked as regular as this blanket I made
last year. This is an excellent way to use up
old wool. Even a retired hand made sweater can
be taken apart and recycled.
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PET BED:
(10 years and up) Did you know that your
pets would get less arthritis if they slept in
comfort? Find an old basket, any size, cover it
with old but clean material, use glue, thread,
string, anything to keep the padding in place.
Then place a washable cloth inside as a sheet to
cover the entire area, make a cushion with fur,
synthetic or natural. Heat will be generated by
your pet and it will ease your pet's aches and
pains. I even sew a plastic bag inside the
bottom of the basket padding.
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ROCKY the
CAT: (Suitable ages 9 to 99)
This wonderful craft was
inspired by artist/author Lin Wellford. Years
ago I had painted many rocks but never developed
a technique such as Ms Wellford displays in all
her creations. I am trying very hard to emulate
her beautiful work, I doubt if I will ever reach
the level of achievement that she displays in
all her books but I am sure going to keep on
trying. Catch Lin @
www.ArtStonePress.com you will be amazed.
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A LOONY
FAMILY: (suitable 12 and up)
For a project such as
this, you might like to take a short class in
ceramics. Some years ago I did my own casting
while recycling clay that I dug from the ground
near a pond. Since I had the use of a kiln at
the time, it was easy to fire my green-ware along
with my other pottery. Having no glaze, I just
painted the loons by hands. They are a very
rough family, certainly not fine bisque.
If a class in ceramics is out
of the question, every child loves modeling
clay. Even a kindergartner can make a snake with
a piece of rolled clay, press the side of a fork
on the back, two holes for eyes and voila, a
reptile is created.
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ELEPHANTS WALKING:
(suitable 8 and up)
Here again I say thank you to
Lin Wellford. I followed her advice and traced
the elephants from a design she created.
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DRAG
QUEEN: (any child who can hold a crayon can
draw a human face.)
Look at circus people, watch
parades and observe people in general. You will
be inspired by people who show their artistic
nature and their inner soul. This was an actor,
a gentleman dressed as a lady in a play. His
eyes inspired me to draw him.
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FACE OF
THE VIRGIN : (children 8 and up) I made a
head for a nativity scene with my own hands
using soft clay around a ball of newspaper then
baked it and painted it...then someone handled
it and dropped it. I salvaged the face. Here it
is. Something special about
drawing someone asleep, every child should try
it.
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PARAGUAYAN BEAUTY: This was a young girl I
drew in a market place while walking in
Asuncion. Any child can carry a sketch pad and
do what Picasso was doing, observe and draw
people. I am not very good with faces.
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MAKE A COMFORT DOLL:
(suitable ages 8 and up)
It takes a child about 2
hours with just a little helping hand to
make a dummy. Find an old one piece used or
stained baby sleeper, fill it up with pillow
stuffing. I use old but clean cushion or
pillow guts that I recycle.
Make a "ball for the head
(stuffed also) paint a face on it with magic
markers. Never mind if it does not look like
a movie star and the head does not stay
straight up. Sew head on body with big,
solid stitches of strong thread. make a wig
with wool or sew a bonnet on the head.
Dress it, adding gloves
filled with stuffing and sewn to arms. HERE
is a comfort doll that will be more
appreciated then something parents might
buy in a store. Cost? $0.00 :-)
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POT
COVERED WITH BROKEN DISHES: (7 and up)
Will keep a child busy for a week. First
remember to wear
safety glasses, then take pieces
of broken dishes, place them in a cloth bag,
go outside and hammer them on a rock or
cement slab to make smaller pieces of
mosaic.
Glue each piece onto any
old clean pot and let dry for a day. Then
mix small amount of plaster of Paris and
fill up holes and cracks after having
moisturized the area to cover, with mist
from a spray bottle. Using a damp sponge,
wipe the tiles before the plaster gets too
dry.
Wait another day then do
a little clean-up job. Wonderful way to
preserve broken dishes that hold a
sentimental value for you and your family.
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