Circle April 22, 2010 on your calenders. Earth Day! Does anybody out there have a hooray for our home planet? We should really take better care of this place. It's the only one we've got! Although one day is dedicated to this idea it should be foremost on our minds all the time. Our children should be taught from infancy to do this.
As a craft-er I love to reuse and recycle (and teaching others how). I've done literally thousands of crafts using items I've seen others throw away. When thinking of all of them it's really quite hard to narrow it down so I can give you and your kids a basic how-to for one so I've written the how-to's for a few. It's something everyone can and should do. I'm not saying it'll save the planet but it sure could help---and you CAN BE A PART OF THAT!
Toothbrush Bracelets
You'll need:
* Old toothbrush
* Pliers
* Pot
* Tongs
* Large mug
* Glass jar or bottle, optional
Remove all the bristles from the toothbrush with pliers. Meanwhile,boil water in the pot. While the water is boiling, put the toothbrush in the water for approximately 5 minutes. Remove with tongs. Bend to desired shape. (Tip: Using the glass jar or bottle as a rolling pin you can flatten slightly.) If the toothbrush isn't soft and flexible enough stick it back into the boiling water. Place in bottom of mug to hold it's shape. Add cold water in mug and allow your bracelet to cool.
Be sure to use a simple plastic toothbrush for this, it seems the fancier the toothbrush the more difficult to bend.
Sun Print
You'll need:
*Dark colored craft paper
*Different items like leaves, flowers, yarns, faux fruits,or anything you wish
Take the dark colored craft paper and arrange different items on the paper. Place in direct sun for about 1 hour. Remove items and remove from sun. This leaves a silhouette of the item on the paper. (Tip: Frame them with frames from a thrift shop or yard sale, hang a bunch of them together for instant decor!)
Feathers flower
You'll need:
* Feathers, as many as you like
* Floral wire
* Green florist tape
* Tiny beads,any color for the center of the flower
* Glue
Gather your feathers into a bunch. Wrap wire around the ends to secure. Wrap florist tape around wire to give it a finished look. Add a little glue to center of "flower" and sprinkle on the beads. Let dry.
Coffee Filter Flower
You'll need:
* 2 basket style drip coffee filters
* Food coloring (2 colors), your choice
* Wooden skewer
* Green florist tape
* Clear tape
Add 3-4 drops of food coloring to one dish and 3-4 drops of food coloring of the other color to a second dish. Add a small amount of water to each. Ball up the coffee filters up and place one in each dish so they are covered with the water.(Tip: You can remove the filters right away for a light color or leave them in for a while for a darker color.) Remove the coffee filters. Squeeze the excess coloring out.
Lay the filters flat to dry on a paper towel. When the filters are dry, take the one you choose as the center of your flower and fold it in half to make a half circle. Fold again to make a quarter pie shape. Fold twice more. Cut a curve around the wedge approximately 1/2 inch from the end.
Repeat with the outer color except cut the curve right at the wide edge. Centering the smaller flower shape over the larger flower shape, insert the wooden skewer, leaving approximately 1/2 inch of wooden skewer in the flower shapes. Twist the bottom 1/2 inch of the flower around the skewer and tape with clear tape to hold tight. Wrap wooden skewer with florist tape, hiding the clear tape. Open "petals", adjusting until you are happy with the look.
My kids used to wash out old, used coffee filters then dip the ends in food coloring to make "flowers". and,finally
White Trash Bag Wreath
You'll need:
* White Trash bags about 4-6 ( white kitchen trash bags will work or you can use the larger Green trash bags for the holidays)
* 1 wire coat hanger
* Wired Ribbon tied into a bow, any color you wish (pastel for Spring, Red or silver for holidays, etc.)
Cut trash bags into strips about 6 inches long and 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide. (Longer and wider strips can be cut for a larger wreath). Shape the wire coat hanger into a circle, bending the hook toward the back to use as a hanger for your wreath. Tie the plastic trash bag strips into knots around the coat hanger ( The more strips you use the fuller the wreath). Add the bow at the top and add flowers,or seasonal decorations or, even leave plain.
These are only a few ideas listed here. You can craft so many things, using things people normally throw away and have your children help at the same time. As an added benefit you'll know you are helping the environment, being kind to our planet and Going Green!
Celebrate Earth Day!
Give a hooray to planet Earth---and have fun crafting!
See you next time.
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