Arts & Crafts

Top 10 Pumpkin Tips 1. When choosing a pumpkin, look for ones that are very fresh and firm. Avoid pumpkins that are bruised or that have cuts. Pumpkins should have a flat base so they will sit up straight. Make

This article discusses how to prepare and maintain a jack o' lantern.  I haven't tested out the suggestions, but, the part of the article that has the most potential for me is the use of hairspray&

Keep the things you love close to your heart with these stylishly simple pendant necklaces. All of the necessary supplies should be available at your local craft or jewelry making store and it’s the pieces

My daughters go to Montessori School and I love following blogs dedicted to this learning philosophy.  I found this great blog and apple art project.  We've done some just like this, but I LOVE the

If you are always looking for a deal on crafting and scrapbooking supplies, be sure to check out Peachy Cheap.  They sell one item per day that is marked down anywhere from 25% to 99% off the retail price. 

Find free colorig pages for the upcoming animated movie Bolt, featuring the voice of Miley Cyrus. There are also free coloring pages of Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana. As they become avaialable, coloring pages for

I just adore folks that dream up new ideas and fun stuff for those looking to be creative, but don't have the time to gather the many objects to start.  Annie Howes is one cleaver lady.  She's

The six skeleton crafts I found at Activity Village are GREAT.  The activities are very easy and you have all the materials at home I'm guessing.  My girls are never too big to do projects like this

We had fun making this haunted house last Halloween – it’s really easy to do with kids and you probably have all the materials already.  It looked great and we put it on a table in our entryway. 

This quick to read article reminds us that we can find things around our house to use as craft material and save a ton of money. I especially like the idea that you don't need to leave home, say in a snowstorm

This is a great website! You will find here LOTS of free printables of all kinds such thank you cards, name tags, placemats, coloring pages, and much more. My personal favorite is the backpack and lunch notes. They

A long time ago, I learned how to make 2D paper snowflakes in elementary school art class.  A square sheet of paper was first folded diagonally to form a triangle (a rectangle sheet could be made square by

In shopping for back to school items, I found that glue sticks are generally quite the rip-off in most of the office supply stores.  Then I discovered that the place to buy them is Costco!  A

I found these plastic masks in craft stores and had a terrible time painting them until I used fabric paints.  Those little 2 oz, plastic squeeze bottles actually hold quite a lot and there are so many color

This is a fun project and with halloween coming!  I blow up a regular balloon to about the size of my head and then cover half of it with paper mache.  Once it dries remove the balloon and carefully cut

There is a wondeful website dedicated to linking the Knit and Crochet community called Ravelry.  This is a terrific resource for finding patterns, ideas, yarns, friends, online groups and a creative inspiration. 

Free coloring pages to accompany the 3D movie, Fly Me to the Moon. The free printables feature the fun characters from this new movie, opening in the U.S. on Friday, August 15, 2008. There are also crafts and recipes

Art is one of the best ways to help children express their creativity. Research has clearly shown that drawing and painting stimulates brain activity in the areas that are used for observation. Not all children

My latest favorite Blog is the Artful Parent.  This blog is AMAZING and have enjoyed my daily blog entries sent directly to my email - I just love technology. The latest entry had these creative Pillow

Make perfect paper airplanes with this handy step-by-step guide.  The site includes free paper airplane templates for all skill levels.  Just  print, fold and fly!  The site also includes information

This is a wonderful website for kids of all ages. It has lots of great art project ideas.My personal favorite are the art projects from recycled materials. I didn't even realize how many things from around the

If you are into scrapbooking or crafting, you’ll want to bookmark this site.  I try and get my crafting supplies at my local craft store, but they often only carry the more well-known lines.  If

Free Beatrix Potter coloring pages and printable games featuring Peter Rabbit and friends. Plus free onilne games for preschooelrs and young readers featuring Peter Rabbit and his freinds. Also find information

I'm really addicted to paper - ALL OF IT! Origami is very popular, but did you know about Kirigami art of Paper cutting?  Kirigami really strikes me as tons of fun and really gets the brain working! You

I saw this advertised on women's world magazine. You can upload your pictures for free and photo editors will fix them up and have  them back in a day. Your limit is 2 pictures per 24 hours. This is great

Check out these cool yard instruments. They are called plastorgans, which I guess is short for plastic organs. They are like eerie windchimes made of old plastic bottles. Free and cool looking, and totally unique

Children enjoy making things and they also enjoy music. You can combine these two creative forces and make a fun musical instrument that encourages play and creativity. All the instruments are easy to

If you're looking for a present for a girl age 5 and up, try this Scratch Magic Sketcher Set.  My daughter received it for her birthday and it was the first thing she opened up!  Kids scratch away

This is a fun little website that allows you to create online flowers.  You choose the petal shape, color, number and size to make your own personal computer flower.  You can send a garden to

If you'd like to try your hand at origami, this site includes a narrated, step-by-step video showing how to make seven different origami creations.  The models range in difficulty from beginner to

We made tons of these stars last summer using red, white and blue construction paper, and put them all over the house.  They are easy for kids to make, and look like origami because of the folds.  String

Kung Fu Panda Po and his Master friends are busting onto the scene! Here are the top resources for finding Kung Fu Panda printables including Kung Fu Panda coloring pages, activity sheets, and take out boxes. These

This is a fun couple of hours to spend with the kids! It also makes an unusual gift - with the added bonus of not being a toy! First: Find a large glass container that will hold a couple of plants - it doesn't

I just discovered the KinderArt website and I was impressed by the amount of art info and materials that are available. The site serves as a resource for  both parents and educators. The site features lots

My children have discovered a fun art activity that keeps them busy for hours.  They paint rocks.  So simple.  First, they go out in the yard and forage for today's art rocks.  Then I spread

The Knack is a new kids' program offered by Michaels. Michaels has all the materials for fun kid-friendly projects. When you become a member of The Knack you will have access to fun and easy

I found these directions on how to make homemade stickers on my money saving ezine:  Have your child draw or stamp a design on paper. Combine 1 packet unflavored gelatin, 6 tablespoons warm water, half teaspoon

Do you like making crafts? If you answered yes, then be sure to join the StyroFoam Craft Club. When you become a member of the Craft Club you will be the first to learn about new projects, receive free offers

My daughter came home from school with this creative art project where they made clouds with home made puffy paint to give it a 3D effect.  The puffy paint is made from shaving cream and glue!  It dries

This weekend we went to the beach!  Here in New England it's still very cold and rainy, but the kids NEEDED to venture on the beach for some fresh air and mommy and daddy needed for them

I found triangle shaped markers made by Crayola that stay on the table!  They are for 18 mos and up and are washable too.  My kids love them and they wash off very easily with just plain water.  They

I know I have an Easter egg dying kit stashed in the attic somewhere, but this year, I'm going to leave it there. I found a cute blog item at the Budget Casa on making your own Easter egg dyes.  This could

Using toilet paper rolls cover one end with wrapping paper or construction paper, glue on. Fill roll with candy or small toys and glue a construction paper or wrapping paper cover to the end you used to fill with

Check out www.kolormehappy.com for your own Personalized Photo Coloring Book made from your own photos. We Can Create Any Personalized Coloring Book Theme You Wish. Print As Many As You Like For

Hewlett Packard offers a site for easy-to-make Easter decorations from stickers to egg holders to a bunny mask and more. The site indicates the length of time to complete the project from start to finish, offers

When we go out to eat, I was tired of picking up the restaurant crayons that always roll off the table onto the floor.  So now I bring my own - the new Triangle shaped crayons made by Crayola.  They

I love this idea from the blog Own Two Hands for bunnies and chicks made from washcloths. They would be great for Easter, and a basket full of them would be really cute for a baby shower gift. And I also love

Here’s a cute craft that we’ve made for Easter.  It’s a bunny made from a half-gallon milk or juice carton that’s covered with cotton balls.  Gluing on the cotton balls is the best

Lickable Finger Paint! You need: 1 can condensed milk food coloring finger paint paper What to do: 1. Divide condensed milk into small bowls. Add food coloring and mix to make different colors. (Red

I got this from a parenting message board, and my 2-year-old loved it.  Make a paste of corn starch and water. Put the paste on a cookie sheet, and in an area safe for messes, have your child get their hands