Sandpaper/Crayon Relief

What you need:

• T-shirt, pillow case or other fabric
• Crayons
• Iron
• Sandpaper (The finer the better but whatever is ok)
• Imagination

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's what you need to do:

 

Create a design and draw it on the sandpaper. *If you are going to make anything with words you need to do it backwards (mirror image).

 

Color the sandpaper with a thick/heavy layer of crayon.

 

Once the image is how you want it, get your t-shirt (any light color is fine) and a hot iron. (Set the iron on cotton.)

 

Place the sandpaper colored side on the shirt and cover with a paper towel.

 

Iron the towel covered sandpaper for about 30 seconds and the image will transfer to your shirt. It's that easy!

 

Heat set the t-shirt in a hot dryer for about 30 minutes and wash in cold water (by itself) for the first couple of washes. You might also want to try to set the colors by soaking the fabric in vinegar and cold water before washing it.

 

Happy Creating!

 

Sharpie Tie-Dye T-Shirt

Kids have fun making these shirts!! You could use this process on towels, pillow cases... anything really.

 

What you need: 

• a light colored shirt
• sharpie markers
• plastic cup
• rubber band
• rubbing alcohol
• hair dyer (optional) 

 

Place the cup between the shirt and use the rubber band to secure the shirt to the cup. (ah-ha moment... I bet cookie cutters would work cool too if you wanted shapes other than circles!)

 

Color the area with markers (any design you want, random or images) and pour some rubbing alcohol on the area. Watch as the colors bleed together creating a tie-dye effect. Lighter colors bleed better than darker colors. You can use a few drops or a lot depending on the look you want.

 

Using the hair dryer, dry the rubbing alcohol before moving your cup to another spot to avoid bleeding through the back side. Move your cup to another spot on your shirt and repeat the process.

 

You're done whenever you want to be done. We made ours in the shape of an "L" and then added "ina" for LINA.

 

Toss in the dryer for 30 min on high to help set the colors. Also you can try soaking in vinegar and cold water to set colors before washing. Wash in cold water by itself for the first wash. Colors may still fade some. 

 

Happy Creating!

***Update***
These are fun shirts to make but the colors fade fast in the wash. I tried to soak the shirts in vinegar to set the colors and I even tried to set the colors by putting them in the drier on HIGH heat for about an hour, but they still fade. Good news is that you can use the same shirt to do the project again and again! Remember to also wash with like colors... we don't want pink socks that were supposed to be white. ;)

No Sew Art Apron

I originally found this project on Pinterest while searching for cute projects for my summer art program. bystephanielynn.com has a great tutorial on how to make this super easy, super fun apron for kids. Here is the link to her page: http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/12/how-to-make-a-no-sew-kitchen-towel-apron-a-simple-baking-crafting-apron-for-kids.html

I decided this apron would be awesome for the kiddos in my summer art program for when we do those messy projects.

Here is what you need:

• Stitch Witchery
• scissors
• kitchen towel (15"x25" is what I used)
• clothesline cord
• steam iron
• damp cloth
• measuring tool
• fabric paint or markers (optional)

Here's what to do:

Step 1: Cut about 90" of clothesline cord. This is enough to wrap around the child and tie in front. I also taped the ends of the cord so it doesn't fray and it's easier to thread threw the hole incase it comes out.

Step 2

Step 2: Fold the top two corners to create the neckline. I eyeballed it but it measures 5" from
the top and side. I then ironed it to create a crease.

Step 3: Place the cord before you use the Stitch Witchery so you don't have to thread it in place after. Just saves time and hassle. Cut an eight inch piece of stitch witchery for each side (or 2 - 4" pieces).

Place the Stitch Witchery about an inch from the side and top leaving the space for the cord without any Stitch Witchery.

 

 

 

Step 4:  Follow the package instructions and iron neckline. You will need a damp cloth and your steam iron set to Wool if you're using Stitch Witchery.

Step 5: Create the pocket(s). I placed the apron on my daughter to see how long it was and then folded the bottom half up to create the pockets on her apron. (Anywhere from 5" - 8" for the pocket will leave the apron a good length for your little helper.) All you have to do is put some more Stitch Witchery along the sides, and more in the middle if you want more then one big pocket, fold and iron just like with the neckline.

Step 6 optional: Decorate with fabric paint or markers. I'm going to be making more of these and using the sharpie marker and rubbing alcohol to create a tie-dye effect. Or maybe the sandpaper and crayon resist method. So many options!

 

I took those pictures before the fabric paint was dry but there is plenty of cord to wrap around and tie in the front. The neckline is adjustable so it can be pulled up more to cover more of your child. Just pull on the cords. Happy creating!

 

 

***UPDATE***

I suggest hand stitching where the tape is. The tape won't hold up in numerous washes. I'm also experimenting with the liquid stitch to see if it holds better. :)

 

Happy Creating!!

Black Glue Abstract Art!

Super fun for the kids and super cool outcome!

What you need:

• used school glue like Elmer's (You don't need a full bottle.)
• black tempra/poster paint (Why? Because it's washable!)
• stir stick to reach the bottom of the glue bottle
• heavy paper like a watercolor paper
• markers, crayons, oil pastels, water colors, or any other medium you like (we used markers)

What to do:

• Add black paint to the glue bottle no need to measure just add enough to color it black.
• Stir the glue with your stick (craft sticks work well, I also shook the bottles to mix).
• Take your paper and glue outside (no need to clean up or use newspapers).
• Squirt the glue onto the paper in any pattern desired (we made them abstract).
• Let the kiddos play outside for a while
• Take the papers and glue back inside and let dry over night.
• Once dry, color with the medium of your choice.

 

 

I personally liked the ones that the kids left some white paper showing. Some students chose to color patterns and designs while others just used solid colors. It's a project I'll use over again and I might even tweak it to make it more advanced for the older students. Happy creating!

Edible Mosaics

You'll want to do this project early in the day so the kids have a lot of time to run off the sugar!

What you will need:
an edible base: sugar cookies or gram crackers
frosting
colored candies like M&Ms or skittles
plates
knives
eager kids with a great imagination
photo examples if desired






What you do:

• Discuss what a mosaic is, where you have seen them and possible images they can create.
• Have everyone wash their hands!!
• Pass out paper plates and edible base (we used gram crackers)
• Spread a thick coat of frosting on the base
• Create patterns or images with the candies
• Take pictures of the process
• Eat and enjoy!

What a fun project this was. The kids learned more about mosaics and being more creative with their food. This project could easily be made with fruit and cream cheese to cut down on the sugar intake. Another possibility is getting creative with veggies and dip! Happy creating.

 

Modern Tin Foil Art

This project has many possible alterations if you let your imagination run wild!



What you need:
card stock, cereal box, some form of cardboard
unwanted yarn
scissors
aluminum foil
sharpie markers
tape (optional)







What you need to do:
Step 1: Cut a piece of cardboard to a size and shape that is smaller than the foil.
Step 2: Randomly cut small slits along the edges.
Step 3: Wrap the yarn around the cardboard in all directions. The more you wrap the smaller the individual areas will be to color.
Step 4: Secure the yarn with tape on the back if needed.
Step 5: Cover the front with a piece of foil that is slightly larger than the cardboard. Fold the edges around the cardboard and secure with tape if desired.
Step 6: Press down on foil to define the yarn under the foil
Step 7: Color the areas with Sharpie markers.

 

The students really enjoyed this project and we were able to compete it in a 45-60min time frame.

Many complements from the other teachers as well. As a possible alteration, you could change the shape of the cardboard as long as it still fits the foil. Another idea is to have the students write their names or create a picture with yarn and glue. That would take an extra class period but it would be neat to see what they would come up with! I might have them make another soon. Happy creating! 

Busy busy summer!

I am so busy this summer with teaching art classes, taking the kids to baseball and musical practice that I haven't had any time to post the cool projects we have been making. I've been taking photos along the way with almost every project so I'll have to take some time in the next few days to update my blog. Thanks for being patient. ;)