"Can we get a dog?" This has been a very popular question around here for the past several years. While we aren't planning to get one in the near future, perhaps someday, we did have fun creating these Scottie dogs with textured coats!

Start with:

• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Pipe Cleaner
• Pom Poms
• Plastic Knife and/or Fork
• Glue

Create it!

Step 1: Draw a dog on cardboard and cut out.

Step 2: Add blobs of paint to top portion of cardboard dog and use plastic knife/fork to scrape the paint onto the cardboard, creating a lined texture.

Step 3: Allow the paint to dry.

Step 4: Cut a portion of the pipe cleaner and glue on as dog's collar.

Step 5: Glue pom poms onto pipe cleaner for a finishing touch.

These would be fun with bow ties or hats too! And eyes! So many possibilities!

 

 

We bought a huge stack of paper plates and have been enjoying them for a crafting material ever since. The textured edge lends itself so perfectly for a shell, we made a snail and put a touch of rainbow in for good measure!

Start with:

• Paper Plates
• Scissors
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Cardboard
• Pencil
• Glue

Create it!

Step 1: Trace paper plate on cardboard and cut out cardboard circle.

Step 2: Paint outer edges of paper plates and allow to dry.

Step 3: Cut off outer edge of paper plates.

Step 4: Glue outer edge of paper plate to cardboard circle. Cut remaining paper plates into sections and continue to glue in circular pattern until cardboard circle is covered.

Step 5: Cut  snail head and tail from coardboard.

Step 6: Paint head and tail and allow to dry.

Step 7: Glue head and tail to snail shell.

Yet another use for a paper plate! Inexpensive and likely something already on hand turned into a fun afternoon craft!

 

Sea turtles are some of our favorite animals with shells! Anyone else look forward to seeing the news of the sea turtles hatching from their eggs and making their way down the beach and to the ocean every year? It's always such a thrilling time! While this isn't anywhere near the number of steps those tiny turtles take, only five steps and you have  a super fun activity just right for your little sea turtle enthusiasts.

Start with:

• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Glue

Create it!

Step 1: Cut cardboard into numerous, similar in size shapes.

Step 2: Paint shapes and allow to dry. (We used different shades of green.) 

Step 3: While waiting for the shapes to dry, cut a head and flippers from cardboard. Set aside.

Step 4: Glue painted shapes, stacking parts on top of each other, together into the shape of a turtle shell. Allow to dry. Trim edges if you wish to make it a bit more round.

Step 5: Glue head and flippers to turtle shell.

Just five easy steps and recycled cardboard and you've got a sea turtle! Add in some math practice for the preschool crowd and ask about the different shapes used to make the shell - a craft and a math lesson - maybe add in a book about sea turtles and it's a unit study lesson!

 

We are joining in on the fun of the Sew a Softie tutorial hop organized by www.colouredbuttons.com with our Watermelon Slice Softie!

Start with:

• 2 Squares of Pink Felt
• 1 Square of Green Felt
• Black Buttons
• Thread
• Needle
• Scissors
• Filling
• Pins, Paper - optional

Create it!

Step 1: Using a pattern cut from paper or freehand, cut two identical triangles from pink felt.

Step 2: To the front of one prink triangle, sew on black buttons.

Step 3: Turning two pink triangles inside out, stitch along outer edge, leaving a few inches open for stuffing.

Step 4: Round the corners for simpler turning, if desired.  

Step 5: Turn triangle right side out, fill with filling and stitch closed.

Step 6: Fold green felt the long way and cut to create approximately 3 inch casing.

Step 7: Fold back corners of green felt in and stitch in place.

Step 8: Wrap the front green felt corner to the back of the watermelon slice and stitch in to place.

Step 9: Repeat steps 6 and 7 on the other side to complete.

This softie is so easy to sew and made from just three pieces of felt - the perfect project to sew together with your child. And, enjoy a little slice of watermelon all year long!