Sometimes the shape of a box in the recycle bin inspires a new upcycled craft! That was the case with this fancy play fringe purse. The shape of the box lent itself perfectly but round, square or rectangle would work wonderfully too!

Start with:

• Box
• Scissors
• Single Hole Punch
• Glue
• Yarn
• Colored Paper

Create it!

Step 1: Glue colored paper to flaps and bottom of box.

Step 2: Cut fringe on colored paper and glue. Continue until all sides of box are covered.

Step 3: Punch hole in either side of box for handle. Cut equal lengths of yarn and knot on inside of one side of box.

Step 4: For the yarn handle, we cut two equal lengths of yarn and tied knots about 1-2 inches apart to create a chain like effect. Braiding with three lengths would be fun too!

Step 5: Attach yarn chain to the holes punched on each side of the purse. Knot on inside.

Such a fun project for those that love fashion or dress up!

Mother's Day is just around the corner but these colorful pop up cards are perfect for so many occasions - birthdays, thank you or just because! 

Start with:

• Paper/Cardstock
• Scissors
• Glue
• Pencil

Create it!

Step 1: Using a sheet of scrap paper, cut a half circle the size you wish for your card. This will be your rainbow template.

Step 2: Fold a sheet of paper in half, trace a quarter of the circle template and cut. 

Step 3: Divide and cut the circle template into pieces for each color in your rainbow.

Step 4: Trace the cut template pieces onto colored cardstock/paper and cut out.

Step 5: Open the card and fold the half circle down. The card will close with the half circle folded down.

Step 6: Open the card and glue the colored paper strips to the rainbow.

Step 7: Fold additional sheet of paper/cardstock in half and glue to the back of the original card. Write a message and decorate the outside of the card as you wish.

Fun to make and sure to brighten someone's day!

One of the things my daughter and I love most about photos of the British is their amazing headwear - fascinators! They are such a fun accessory and really wishing they were more in style here in the US. Until then, we will enjoy seeing all of the awesome fascinators on display for the upcoming Royal wedding and have fun making our own fascinators from upcycled items!

Start with: 

• Bottom Portion of Grape Tomato Package
• Oranges/Clementine Net Bag
• Cardstock
• Paper Fastener
• Scissors
• String
• Hot Glue Gun
• Bobby Pin or Barrette

Create It!

Step 1: Tie string or yarn to the inside of the tomato container, knotting on both sides. This will provide the anchor for clipping on the fascinator.

Step 2: Using hot glue gun (we recommend helping your little artists with this portion or showing them as you do it as the glue can burn little hands), add netting to top outside of tomato container.

Step 3: Cut petals for large flower from cardstock.

Step 4: Put the flower pieces together and secure with paper fascinator. We used a hole punch to guide the paper fascinator but is optional.

Step 5: Glue paper flower to the fascinator.

Step 6: To hide some of the glue and finish it off, we created a small braiding by folding strips of paper back and forth and placing with glue over where the netting was originally glued.

These are so fun! My fashion loving daughter loved making these with friends at a playdate and we have plans to make more together!

Robots and upcycled crafts are two of our favorites around here so we combined them for these fun robot marionettes! Robots are so great for using creativity since they can be made from so many loose parts. The recycled items listed below in the materials are just a suggestion - so many objects could be used to create unique robots!

Start with: 

• Recycled material such as toilet paper tube, small box, etc.
• 2 frozen treat sticks
• Cardstock, multiple colors
• Scissors
• Glue
• String
• Single Hole Paper Punch

Create it!

Step 1: Cover paper tube and box with cardstock and embellish with facial features and robot details.

Step 2: Create arms, legs and neck by folding strips of cardstock. Use two sets for arms, two sets for legs with space between them for gluing together to aid movement.

Step 3: Glue pieces together to form robot body.

Step 4: Punch holes between two pieces that make up arms, between two pieces that make up each leg and one in back of head.

Step 5: Tie strings to holes and attach to two frozen treat sticks.

Fun to make, fun to play with! Makes such a fun family art project too!  Encourage your artists to make a small skit featuring the robot marionette and let their creativity shine!