Reuse - A fun Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving craft idea using paper, cloth and other scraps!

Colormehappy Turkey- fun thanks giving art project using finger paints!!

All you need is

• Paperstock
• Finger paints
• Marker
• Wiggly eyes
• Glue

Dip thumb in paint and make impression on the cardstock for the face.

Dip index finger in paint and make wings.

Stick wiggly eyes using glue
Use marker to draw nose and legs.

Thanks for visiting! Enjoy and have a colorful day:))

Simple step by step photo guide to make your own handmade Paper!

Project contributed by Jen Balcom and Amy Hoover. Thank you ladies!:)

What you will need

• Mold and Deckle  (You can also staple screen to picture frame for deckle)
• Felt
• Sponge
• Cotton fiber ( you can also use dryer lint, egg carton or cardboard etc)
• Tub full of warm water
• Blender
• Dry flowers and Leaves
• Towel

1. Fill tub with warm water.
2. Make pulp by blending warm water, shredded paper and cotton fiber in a blender. Blend until the shredded paper is disintegrated and mixed well. The water will look all cloudy.
3. Pour pulp in the tub full of water.
4. Mix the pulp well in the water.
5. With screen side up on deckle, place mold on top and submerge in water. Scoop up the pulp till the pulp is evenly distributed all over the screen.
6. Place dry flowers and leaves on top and gently float the pulp in water for leaves to settle.
7. Remove the deckle from water.
8. Place it on the towel.
9. Remove the mold.
10. Place the felt on top of handmade paper.
11. Flip it
12. Use sponge to squeeze out excess water with felt side up.
13. Gently peel the felt away from paper and let the paper dry.

Enjoy all new handmade paper! Colormehappyworkshop:)

 

Play Dough in the making - A fun-filled, green and creative activity to make learning and fun go hand in hand!

What you will need

•  4 Cups all purpose flour 
•  1.5 Cups of water (Approx.)
•  1/2 Cup salt
•  3 Tbsp of canola oil, you can also blend essential oils.
•  Organic food coloring/Natural food colors from beets, annatto, turmeric, flower petals etc.
•  6 Tsp cream of tartar

1. Pour dry ingredients into a large saucepan and mix well using whisker. 
2. Add wet ingredients (except food coloring).
3. Over medium heat stir constantly until a dough ball forms by pulling away from sides.
4. Take it off the stove to cool.
5. Knead and split the dough in small balls 
6. Add food coloring and knead to mix colors well.
7. Store the dough in an airtight container. 

Simple play dough recipe without using cream of tartar

For each color what you will need

• 1 Cup all purpose flour
• 1 Cup corn starch
• 1 Cup of water (Approx.)
• 2 Tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup salt
• 2 Tbsp of canola oil, you can also blend essential oils.
• Organic food coloring/Natural food colors from beets, annatto, turmeric, flower petals etc.

1. Mix dry ingredients well using a whisker in a large mixing bowl. 
2. Add the wet ingredients (except the food coloring) and knead. 
3. Split the dough in small balls and add food coloring for colors.
4. Knead to mix colors well.
5. Store the dough in an airtight container.

Note - Measurements of water and food coloring are Approx., It depends on what kind of flour you are using and how much color you will like to add. Add water slowly while kneading and stop adding when you reach the play dough like consistency.
Adding tartar is not a must but it makes play dough stretchy and fun to work with.

Feel free to experiment! You can also add glitter or crayon shavings (the leftover from sharpened crayons) for marbled look. 

Thanks for visiting and have a colorful day!:)

Colors of Freedom: An Independence Day art project!

Featured in Times-Republican!

Fourth of July is marked nationwide by congregating with loved ones, shopping, backyard barbecue galore and spectacular display of fireworks. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for us to discuss with our kids what independence means and why we all need to appreciate the freedom we enjoy every day.

Symbolic use of colors in flags represents the values that country stands for. This month’s project is a creative, colorful and fun to do art that teaches what colors and values we as a nation take pride and stand for.

Red – Hardiness and Valor

White – Purity and Innocence

Blue – Vigilance and Perseverance

What you will need

• Cardstock
• Markers
• Red, white and blue buttons

• Glue

• Scissors (for bookmarks)

Using markers write on cardstock the meaning of colors. For younger children you can also take a print out. Stick the buttons using glue and give a finishing touch using markers. Makes fun greetings, bookmarks, folders and wall art.

Wish you all a very happy 4th July!! 

Thanks for visiting and have a colorful day:)

Wish you all a very Happy Independence Day!

Starfish - A thoughtful art project!

Featured in Times-Republican

I am surrounded with friends and family who do not share the same passion of green and organic living as me. I tell you, it can be very difficult to be able to live your way as others are either trying to question your thinking or justifying their actions.


Often the question get raised, what can a single person do? Or what difference it will make?

It’s not an easy conversation especially when people have preconceived minds.

I feel so blessed that I am raising the kids who share my passion towards the happier and healthier world. Few days back my daughter got a lovely gift for me and she told me” mommy thanks for making us the throwers of starfish”. I wondered what it meant.

When I opened the gift, it was a beautiful story titled ‘Starfish’.

I got so touched with the story. It’s a beautiful read so I thought of sharing with you all.

A man saw a boy throwing starfish into the ocean, he asked the boy why he was doing this and the boy said, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”

The man looked at the miles and miles of beach and saw starfish everywhere. “You just saved one starfish. You can never save them all. What difference will it make?”

The boy picked up another starfish and threw it in. He smiled and said, “It made a difference to that one.”

As we become throwers of starfish, we too have the power to change the world!

This month’s art project is also inspired by this story.

For this project what you will need

• Cardstock
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Glue
• Paints or markers
• Paintbrush

Draw starfish on cardstock. Cut using scissors. Dip paintbrush in paints and dab it gently on the paper for polka dot impressions. Write the story or print for the base. When dry, stick starfishes using glue to the base.

Be colorful, joyful and the change you wish to see in the world!

Super cool and fun monster treat bags!

What you will need

• Brown paper bags
• Construction paper
• Pipe cleaners
• Markers
• Scissors
• Pencil n eraser
• Wiggly eyes(optional)
• Glue

Measure the side of bag
Cut colorful construction paper to cover one side of the bag. Glue n stick. Draw, cut eyes n teeth from leftover scraps of construction paper. Monsters are fun and  have no set expressions and number of eyes. Let your creativity soar!

I did a project like this for Halloween treat bags with kindergartners last year. They had loads of fun! If you are doing this project with a big group of small children, its HIGHLY recommended that you cut scraps for the facial expressions before hand and let kids choose. They can decorate using crayons, markers, wiggly eyes and other crafting supplies available. They loved it!

This project is done by book fair volunteers:) Thank You!

Pom Pom Monsters - A simple and creative eco-friendly alternative for balloons!

For tissue paper pom-poms monsters what you will need

• Colorful tissue paper
• Scissors
• String/pipe cleaner/florist wire
• Construction paper
• Pencil n eraser
• Scissors
• Glue
• Your creativity:)

Layer 6-10 sheets of tissue paper on a flat surface.
Fold widthwise in an accordion-fold pattern.
Fold in half and cut ends using scissors.
Tie a string in the center and fluff the tissue by gently pulling apart the layers of tissue for floral effect.
Draw monster faces on construction paper, cut n glue!

Please reuse or recycle them! We did at our book fair:)) They will be reused for the next event:)

This project is done by book fair volunteers:) Thank you!

Thanks for visiting and have a colorful day!

 

No plastic please! - DIY cotton tote bags using fabric markers.

What you will need

Cotton Tote bag

Pencil n eraser

Cardboard (you can also use a big book)

Fabric markers

Rhinestones, sequins, glitter, puff paint (optional)

1.Insert cardboard in the bag to help prevent leaking color through to the other side.

2. Smoothen the top by stretching and folding the sides of bag under the cardboard. 

3. You can also use tape to keep it intact for the younger kids. 

4. Draw the design using pencil.

5. Outline and fill in using fabric markers.

Thanks for visiting and have a colorful day:)