It almost snowed today! At least, we got a few half-hearted flurries. Which fit wonderfully with our latest crafty ventures — winter wonderland painted creations. The supplies are simple, the options endless, and — most importantly — the toddler happy.
We whipped up three crafty projects using more-or-less the same materials: a few pieces of holiday-colored construction paper, some white tempura paint, and silver glitter. Life is just better with glitter, despite the fact I couldn’t really figure out what the sparkle is made of …anyway, even I sometimes think you just have to go for it.
For all these little adventures, the first step is to decorate four construction paper pages (2 pages of red, and 2 of green) with patterns in thick white paint. I did spots and stripes; Maya preferred a more abstract appearance. No matter, it all looks like snowy loveliness.
The “beads” for the garlands are excellent, easy lacing beads for a toddler — especially one, like Maya, who still needs help with regular lacing beads and their smaller holes.
Of course, no holiday theme needed. If you’re feeling like doing less, no reason not to just snip the cardboard rolls into pieces (covered with construction paper or not, as you like) and let the toddler draw on them with crayon, and them lace them onto whatever’s handy for a ribbon.
What you’ll need for the basic supplies:
- 2 pieces of red and 2 pieces of green construction paper
- White tempura paint (I did not use “eco” paint, as the consistency is critical)
- Brushes (small ones — like those in a watercolor set — are fine)
- Craft glue (I like this one, which claims to be less toxic and safer than most)
- Decently sharp scissors
Project 1: Garlands and ornaments
In addition to the above, to make a “garland” you’ll need:
- Paper towel or toilet paper rolls
- Ribbon for lacing
To make the garland, paint on the 4 pieces of construction paper with the white paint and let dry.
Cut to size and glue the paintings onto the cardboard rolls, then let dry.
- A steady hand for cutting shapes or cookie cutters in holiday shapes
- Silver glitter
To make the ornaments, trace and cut out — or just freehand — the shapes as you like.
Paint with white paint and decorate with glue and glitter.
Cut a small hole and hang from a ribbon, tied with a bow. String onto your garland, if you or your tiny artistic visionary would like.
Project 2: Easy holiday cards
- Glue pen (I used this one, from my pal Martha Stewart, which was just ok)
- Silver or gold glitter
- White cardstock or all-blank cards from a craft store
To make the cards, paint on the 4 pieces of construction paper with the white paint and let dry. (Note: our 4 pieces were enough to make all of these projects.)
Next, cut a simple holiday shape from the painted paper and fold the white cardstock into a “card.” I used a very basic Christmas tree, cut to fit nicely onto the “card.”
Arrange and glue onto front of card. Using the glue pen, decorate with messages and glitter as you like.
In addition to the basic supplies above, to make these you’ll need:
- Ivory felt (we used a piece about 1 1/2 feet square)
- Silver or gold glitter
- Glue pen or small-tipped glue bottle
- Narrow ivory silk ribbon
- Square piece of white cardstock
- If adding fringe, a ruler is useful
- Double slit hole punch — but only if you have it handy
Again, paint and let dry your construction paper. Cut out simple holiday shapes — I used a Christmas tree again, and arrange your designs on the white cardstock square.
Using the sharpest scissors you have (and fabric scissors if you have them). cut the felt to match the square, leaving 2 1/2 to 3 inches at the bottom for a fringe if desired. Glue the cardstock to the felt, matching the top edge.
Lay the ruler on the felt just at the white paper, and cut a fringe at about every 1/2 inch, all the way across the bottom.
Lay out and glue on your painted shapes. Using the glue pen or glue dots, add glitter as you like.
Hang and enjoy! It’s a charming and not too cheesy way to allow your child to make something for display. I’m sure that years from now, taking this out at Christmas will make me smile.
###
Sitting here tonight, I do have a Christmas eve feeling of being blessed. The craft supplies are tidied up, and there are an abundance of trinkets under the tree.
The flurries evaporated, but for Maya, it’s the first Christmas that she will notice, and today we made our own snow! She’s been talking about Santa all week, with a kind of wistful curiosity. And demanding we play Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer, over and over again.
After what we have all been through in the past few weeks, we should all take comfort — and joy — whenever and wherever we can. I deeply appreciate the readers of this wee blog, and hope your blessings are as ample this year as ours do feel to me, just now.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Filed under: Recipes & DIY Tagged: beads, cardboard rolls, cards, children, Christmas, Christmas tree, Construction paper, craft, Crafts, crafty, DIY, easy, felt, garland, gifts, Glitter, glue pen, handmade, Holiday, Holidays, homemade, infancy, lacing beads, made, making, Martha Stewart, mom, mother, ornaments, parenting, parents, projects, Shopping, simple, toddler, tree, two-year-old, wall hanging, Xmas
