When family quality time is replaced by everybody being in front of a computer, TV, or mobile screen, unleash your inner artsy spirit and share your creativity with your children by making arts and crafts projects. Here are 3 ideas for projects you can make when you are in your home in Laguna.
Monogrammed String Art
Go vintage by doing this art project that you can hang up your wall that will give your home a look straight out of a 70’s sitcom. Learn how to make a modern rendition of a monogrammed string art in just a few easy steps.
Materials Needed:
- 9 x 12-inch precut wood plaque
- acrylic craft paint
- foam paintbrush
- scissors
- small nails
- hammer
- tweezers
- heavy thread or string
Instructions:
- Paint the Surface of the wooden plaque with a thin layer of white using your foam paintbrush.
- Download, print, and cut out a monogram template so that it fits onto the plaque. You can make your own template to add a more personalized effect to your artwork
- Center the template into your plaque. Keep the paper stretched out and start hammering nails into alternating points of your template. Continue adding nails approximately half an inch apart all around the outer edges of the monogram.
- Use household tweezers to help remove the paper template from the plaque. The tweezers will help with any tiny paper scraps that are caught in between nails. Once done, expect to see the nails outlining your monogram pattern.
- Begin applying the string. To start, tie the string in a double knot to the point of one nail. Trim the excess string from the end. Keep the string stretched out and start wrapping around nails, making sure to not cross over any negative space within the monogram.
- Once you feel that you have covered the surface of your art with enough string so the letter is nicely defined, you’re ready to finish. To do that, pick an endpoint, preferably one on the outside of the project, then tie a tight knot around the nail.
You will surely be brought back to your home economics class with this art project. Once you are done creating your own Monogrammed String Art, hang it on the wall for all to see and appreciate. Enjoy this as a bonding moment with your children or any member of the family.
DIY Fingerpaint For Kids
As a kid, fingerpainting time is one of the most looked forward to moments in preschool. Re-live those moments with your kids by creating DIY fingerpaint at home.
Materials Needed:
- 2 cups of flour
- 2 tablespoons of salt
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 3 cups of hot water
- food coloring
- recycled jars or containers for leftover paint
Instructions:
- Stir the flour, salt, cornstarch, and water together. This may resemble pancake batter so expect your kids to have sudden cravings right after this project. Cornstarch and flour are the magic ingredients that control how thick your fingerpaints are, so add more if you want. An ideal finished product yields a nice consistency that holds up well, even after refrigeration.
- Divide the paint into various bowls. Add food coloring, and then mix your custom colors. Depending on the volume of paint that you want to dole out at one craft session, consider putting some of each color in a smaller, more manageable container.
- Watch your kids go wild poking, smudging, and enjoying the thick texture of the paint you created. Keep in mind that this is food coloring, so while it is diluted in the paint, it could still stain surfaces and clothing. So keep your children supervised!
- Store leftovers (if any) in separate containers, and refrigerate for up to a week.
- Reward your children with pancakes after doing a great job.
Sock Dog Puppet
Got some pieces of old socks with no more pairs? Or are there outgrown socks at home lying around? Instead of discarding these socks, turn them into a stuffed sock dog, a relative of the infamous sock monkey.
Materials Needed:
- 2 above-ankle-length socks
- matching thread (sock color)
- sewing needle
- scissors
- 3 buttons
- small bag of polyester fiberfill (or cotton from an old pillow)
- sewing machine/ Thread and needle
Instructions:
1. Turn one sock inside out to make the body and legs.
2. Flatten the sock so that the heel is facing up. The heel will form the dog’s rump, and the toe forms the neck.
3. Use the length from the opening of the sock to the heel to create the hind legs.
4. Turn the sock right side out and stuff it with fiberfill or cotton
5. Sew the gap closed.
6. Bend a leg forward and stitch the fold to the body to pull the leg forward. Repeat with the other leg.
7. Bend the end of one leg forward and hand stitch to create a paw. Repeat with the other leg.
8. Bend the sock’s toe back toward the rump and hand stitch the fold to pull the fabric up and create a neck.
9. Create the ears, head, and front legs with the second sock.
10. Sew the head to the neck, leaving the front of the head open for stuffing.
11. Fill the head with stuffing (fiberfill or cotton). Add slightly more stuffing around the top of the head. Mold the stuffing with your hands to form the shape of the face and a snout.
12. Stitch up the snout, adding more stuffing as needed.
13. Create the front legs.
14. Turn both legs out and stuff them with fiberfill or cotton.
15. Sew both legs to the body.
16. Bend the end of one leg forward and hand stitch to create a paw. Repeat with the other leg.
17. Flatten the toe piece (as in step 9) for the ears, and cut it in half.
18. Turn each piece inside out and stitch around the edges, leaving the bottom open.
19. Turn out one ear, position appropriately, and hand stitch to the head. Repeat with the other ear. Note: Do not stuff ears with fiberfill.
20. Form the tail in a triangular shape. Make it as thin, wide, short, or long as desired.
21. Sew the tail to the body.
22. Sew two buttons on for the eyes, and one for the nose.
Bond with your child as you go through these steps one by one and slowly turn an old pair of socks into a stuff-socked dog.
With these 3 arts and crafts projects you can do with your family, never have a dull moment in your home in Laguna with your loved ones.
Live in a community that brings you endless activities to do within its network of sustainable communities in Greenfield City. This serene community is home to multiple home offerings such as Trava, Solen Residences, and Pramana Residential Park. To learn more about the different properties within the area, click on the link below:
greenfield.com.ph/project/greenfield-city
Reference:
https://www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/handmade/diy-thick-finger-paints
https://www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/handmade/easy-diy-crafts-anyone-can-do-pictures