Tag Archives: craft

Worth the Splurge IV

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scissor standDo you like reaching into bins of pointy metal things? Neither do I. That’s where this little baby comes in. No risk of getting skewered here!

This wooden scissor rack holds 24 pairs of scissors. The scissors are stored blade down, one pair to each hole. Not only does the rack store scissors safely, it has a built-in visual alert mechanism when a pair go missing. If I’m cleaning up after a program and notice that a hole in the rack is empty, I immediately know that:

  1. The scissors are on the floor somewhere, about to be discovered by a toddler.
  2. The scissors are being carried out of the craft area by an adventurous youth.
  3. The scissors are being used to give an impromptu haircut to oneself or others.

Before you scoff at my paranoia, let me assure you that all three things have been narrowly avoided, thanks to this fabulous scissor stand. I’ve used metal and plastic scissor stands, but this wooden one is by far my favorite. Eight years of use, and it’s still going strong! I purchased mine at Discount School Supply, where it currently retails for $20.

scissors top

Flamboyant Flamingo

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flamingoStep outside the realm of pink and behold a flamingo that is every color of the rainbow…and about 2 dozen other colors besides! This lovely creation balances on two sturdy paper towel tube legs with an elegantly arched poster board neck. Why such a wild configuration of color and texture? Read on!

We read Sylvie by by Jennifer Sattler (Random House Books for Young Readers, 2009). One fine day, young Sylvie the flamingo wonders why flamingos are pink. When she learns that her hue is caused by the pink shrimp she eats, Sylvie decides to do a little experimenting. Sure enough, everything Sylvie nibbles, bites, or gulps changes her appearance! However, after a generous sampling of the objects on the beach (grapes, palm leaves, a kite, a sunhat, a swimsuit etc.), Sylvie finds her green-purple-red-striped-paisley-flowered self to be more than a little overwhelming! Happily, she returns to eating pink shrimp – with a colorful little dessert once in a while.

You’ll need:

  • 1 box (mine was 4 ½” X 4 ½” x 6”)
  • 2 paper towel tubes (make sure they are the same height!)
  • 2 rectangles of tagboard for feet (approximately 4.25″ x 6.5″)
  • 1 feet and head template, printed on 8.5″ x 11″ card stock
  • 1 rectangle of white poster board for head (approximately 3.5″ x 8″)
  • 1 strip of white poster board for neck (approximately 2″ x 14″)
  • 2 squares of white poster board for wings (approximately 4.25″ x 4.25″)
  • 2 large wiggle eyes
  • A selection of color masking tape
  • A selection of patterned paper
  • A selection of construction paper
  • A selection of small feathers
  • A selection of large plastic buttons
  • Scissors, tape, and glue stick for construction
  • Markers for decorating
  • Hot glue

First, use the template to trace the feet onto the tagboard rectangles. Cut the feet out, then decorate with markers. Next, wrap the paper towel tubes with color masking tape. Use hot glue to attach the paper towel tubes to the feet. Try to attach the tubes close to the the center of the foot (I thought it would be easier to show this step with an undecorated foot and leg).

legSet the assembled legs aside for a moment. Next, cut wing shapes out of the squares of white poster board:

wingsThen glue or tape small feathers to them. Set the wings aside as well.

Now for the head and neck! Use the template to trace the head onto white poster board. Don’t be tempted to use the card stock template for the head! You’ll definitely need the heaviness of the poster board to keep the flamingo balanced. You’ll notice a little dotted line on the head template. Line the template up with the poster board head and snip along the dotted line to create a notch in the head (this is where you’ll attach the neck later).

notch in headDecorate the head with markers, and hot glue a wiggle eye on both sides. Use the markers to decorate the poster board strip neck (don’t use color masking tape to decorate the head or neck – it makes them too heavy). When the neck is decorated, cut a 1.5″ notch in one end.

neck step 1Line the flamingo’s “head notch” up with the “neck notch” and slide them together so they interlock.

neck step 2Use scissors to taper the neck towards the head (and trim the ends if they’re hitting the wiggle eyes).

neck step 3Then secure the head to the neck with two pieces of tape.

neck step 4The head and neck are complete!

finished headNow it’s time to attach the neck to the body with hot glue. You can attach the neck outside the box, or if you have a box with a lid like I did, you can attach the neck inside the lid of the box. The most important thing is to glue at least 4″ of neck to the box to really anchor it.

attaching neck I also taped the lid of the box for extra security.

finished bodyUse the construction paper, patterned paper, feathers, and Bling Bin to decorate the box.  Make sure, however, that you DON’T decorate the bottom of the box where the legs attach! Finish by hot gluing the wings to each side.

Now for the tricky part. Attaching the legs and getting the flamingo to balance! Stand the legs up on a level surface, feet turned slightly outward, and lower the body on top of them. You’ll know right away if the body needs to be adjusted left, right, forward, or backward. When you think you’ve struck the right balance, remove the body, squeeze some hot glue around the rims of the leg tubes, and gently lower the body on top of the hot glue.

flamingoThe flamingo might still be a little tippy. That’s where these handy plastic buttons come in! Hot glue the buttons to the underside of the body – back by the tail – to add some counterweight. Done!

buttons

Mr. Nice Monster

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monsterWho says monsters have to be mean? What happens if, for example, a monster doesn’t feel up to scaring, breaking, roaring, and storming? What if the monster would rather be…helpful? Perhaps it would be something like this story time monster who is literally stuffed with kind and considerate things to do.

helpful thingsWe read The Monster Who Lost His Mean, written by Tiffany Strelitz Haber and illustrated by Kirstie Edmunds (Henry Holt & Company, 2012). One day, a Monster’s ‘M’ goes missing, reducing him to just “Onster.” With the name change comes many woes: being teased by his monster friends; sitting alone at lunch; being chased out of the dark woods. Onster reasons that if he can’t be mean to humans, maybe he should try being nice? To his delight and surprise, Onster begins to enjoy himself as he helps with chores, chips in around the house, and joins in childrens’ games. But he still doesn’t fit in at Monsterwood, and he sadly heads home. Surprise! His human friends have planned a thank-you party for him, and Onster realizes that even though he’s lost his mean, he’s gained some new friends.

You’ll need:

  • 1 large oatmeal container
  • 2 small rectangles of tagboard for arms (approximately 1.75″ x 4.5″)
  • 2 medium rectangles of tagboard for feet (approximately 3″ x 4.5″)
  • A selection of color masking tape
  • A selection of construction paper
  • 1 jumbo pom-pom (more, if desired)
  • 2 large wiggle eyes
  • A selection of small feathers
  • A selection of pipe cleaners (I used regular and sparkle stems)
  • 2 – 4 goose quills
  • A selection of dot stickers
  • 6 rectangles of white printer paper (mine were 4″ x 5.5″)
  • Inkjet sticker templates (optional)
  • A box cutter
  • Scissors and tape for construction
  • Markers for decorating
  • Hot glue

The construction of this monster is incredibly simple with lots of room for creativity. Begin by cutting the arms out of the small tagboard rectangle.

monster armsCut the monster feet out of tagboard as well.

feetDecorate the arms and feet with color masking tape and/or markers, then set them aside for a moment. Completely remove (and recycle) the lid of the oatmeal container then wrap the oatmeal container with construction paper. Hot glue the feet to the bottom of the container, and the arms on the sides. This is also a good time to hot glue the pom-pom nose and wiggle eyes on the front.

With the basic monster body complete, it’s time to decorate! Before the kids got started, I quickly drew their attention to 3 things: 1) Fringed pieces of construction paper wrapped around the top of the oatmeal container make great hair; 2) Small feathers make very expressive eyebrows; and 3) My student assistant Joani’s amazing feathery/hairy/fluffy monster tail. It sort of looks like a flying skunk bunny doesn’t it? Awesome.

monster backAlso available were dot stickers, pipe cleaners, sparkle stems, and the Bling Bin. As kids decorated, I handed out “How May I Help You?” stickers (one for the kid, one for the monster). I created these on sticker sheet templates within Microsoft Word’s label function. You could also use name tag stickers as an alternative to the sticker sheets.

Now use the white paper squares to write 6 things you (or your monster) are going to do to be helpful. Stuff them inside the oatmeal container and pull them out as needed at home. As you can see, we had some fabulous monsters, and some fabulous ways to be helpful!

monster montageJoani added a pipe cleaner carrying handle to her monster for its long journey home.

monster with handleTo make a handle, use a box cutter to cut 2 small slits in opposite sides of the oatmeal container. Cut the slits after the monster is fully decorated, otherwise you run the risk of the slits being covered up by art supplies later. Cut the slits close to the plastic rim at the top of the oatmeal container:

slitThen thread a pipe cleaner through the slit.

threadedBend the pipe cleaner up and twist to secure.

knottedRepeat with the other slit. Your handle is complete! One little boy used the handle to “walk” his monster out of the gallery by his side. A boy and his monster, off to do good deeds!