Wood Works

This post is brought to you by Sara Dawkins of NannyPro.com.

Integrating arts and crafts into children?s lives will not only help to keep them entertained and exploring their creativity, but also show appreciation for important figures like mom and dad. Help them create thoughtful, handmade gifts that show important people that they are never far from a kids? thoughts, and helps kids to commemorate a special day in a big way. These projects are great starting points for a nanny or babysitters who is determined to help his or her small charges create handmade gifts!

Handprint Art

Whether you dunk kids? hands in plaster to preserve the size and shape of their tiny appendages or slather them with paint to decorate another project, handprint art is a classic choice for craft projects. Projects like ?Hand? Made Ornaments can turn into family heirlooms that you will want to display year after year. As kids get older and bigger, it will be nice  to have a visual reference showing her just how small they once were. A Hand Painted Apron is another personalized gift they can use over and over again.

Cards

You just can?t go wrong with a classic, especially when it?s designed and executed by the apple of Mom?s eye. Encourage kids to create their own greeting cards with construction paper, crayons, washable markers and any embellishments you can find. Not only will they have a special place in the recipients heart due to their high level of personalization. A simple format allows even preschoolers to create a piece of art that?s recognizable as a greeting card.

Bookmarks

Bookworm moms that are always on the go rarely have time to finish a good novel, so why not help their children to create a sweet reminder of their appreciation that will also mark her place? The options are endless when it comes to materials, too. Felt, paper, plastic canvas and even construction paper are just a small sampling of the things you can use to create personalized bookmarks. Use photos. embellishments, markers and other creative tools for projects like a Mother?s Day Photo Bookmark. Since this projects is both practical and easy to create,it doesn?t have to be saved for Mother[?s Day. Instead, give one on a birthday or other special event.

Picture Frames

Professional moms with their own office or cubicle will love displaying snapshots of their brood in frames created by their kids! Look for unfinished wooden frames that your charges can paint and decorate, or find patterns online to create upcycled photo frames out of a variety of household items.

Tote Bags

The mom on the go never seems to have enough hands to manage all of the things she has to carry, so why not help kids make a tote bag to lighten the load? Grab a blank canvas bags for the kids to decorate to their hearts content. Pre-made bags are easy to locate at any craft or hobby store and so is fabric paint. Colorful Stenciled Totes stand out from a sea of store-bought bags and can be completely personalized. In addition to paint, add ribbon and charms to the bag for a little extra fun.

Checkbook Covers

Old-fashioned checkbooks haven?t gone the way of the dinosaur just yet. Snag a few plastic covers with gaudy cardstock inserts and pull the inserts out to use for a pattern. Trace and cut a piece of your own cardstock to the appropriate size, then let the kids go nuts!

Paper or Foam Flower Bouquets

Flowers are a traditional gift, but they wilt and fade away so quickly! Kids can come up with spectacular flowers that are just more fabulous than those found in nature, and can also work on honing their paper-cutting skills as they go. Save the foam for older kids with more control and experience with scissors, just to be on the safe side. An age-appropriate project for this group is Embossed Craft Foam Flowers. Create one flower or an entire bouquet ? either way, the project will make a huge statement.

Don?t be afraid to use your imagination and to encourage creativity. You may even find that providing a wide range of art supplies and a basic theme helps the little ones to come up with projects you never would have dreamed of. For more creative and fun kids? crafts, visit AllFreeKidsCrafts.com!

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Anneta Valious

We?re celebrating the release of the new book Soutache, written by Anneta Valious, with a fabulous giveaway! Three lucky winners will each receive a copy of the book, still hot off the presses. And?drum roll, please?one extra-lucky person will win a copy of the book PLUS a piece of jewelry made by the author and featured in the book, the gorgeous Zenith Bracelet shown below!

To enter for a chance to win one of the four prizes described above, simply leave a comment on this post by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Thursday, May 23, 2013. The winners will be selected at random from among all eligible entries on May 24, 2013. Click here for the official rules.

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One of the main reasons we scrapbook is to preserve memories, so why not try and include as many photos of the events as possible? This week we’re going to cram photos in an eye-catching way onto layouts with LOTS OF PHOTOS WEEK! Melissa Mann and Sophie Crespy start us off with a pair of layouts each:

HOME SWEET HOME by Melissa Mann

Supplies: Confident (35933) – Yes Please, Commit (35929) – Yes Please, White (71081) – Card Stock, Muse (53344) – Thickers, Noteworthy (42367) – Remarks, Cute Overload (42253) – Remarks, Oh, Yes (42256) – Remarks, Discover (42366) – Remarks, Amy Tan House Cut File

YOU ABSOLUTELY CRACK ME UP! by Melissa Mann

Supplies: White (71081) – Card Stock, Kraft (71464) – Card Stock, Cute Chloe (35909) – My Girl, Splendid Sophie (35909) – My Girl, Somersault (85622) – Details, Hopscotch (85620) – bits, Stella (42360) – Remarks, Swing (85618) – Details, Soda Pop (42361) – Remarks, Sugar (42362) – Remarks, Amy Tan Filigree Cut File

HELLO, ADVENTURE by Sophie Crespy

Supplies: Yes Please, Bundle/Kraft Paper( 35927) – Yes Please, Reflect Paper (35938)- Yes Please, Hello Paper (35942) – Lucky Charm, Float Away APper ( 35965)- Yes Please, Note Cards/Envelopes(35952)-  Yes Please , Spiral Bound Daybook (35957) – Remarks, Organize (42364)

RIGHT NOW by Sophie Crespy

Supplies: My Girl, Marvelous Madeline Paper ( 35914) – Lucky Charm , Wild Hearts Paper (35962) – Lucly Charm, Doting Dots Paper (35964) – Bits, Cardstock Tags (85656) -  Lucky Charm: Flag and Label Stickers (42393) – Thickers ,Trinkets & Phrases/Neutral (42392) – Yes Please, Flair (85624)- Thickers, Stroll (56463)

If you?ve always dreamed of being a jewelry designer but didn?t know where to begin, you can stop dreaming and start doing with Jewelry Making for Beginners: 11 Beginner Jewelry Projects. The latest in a series of free jewelry pattern eBooks from AllFreeJewelryMaking.com, Jewelry Making for Beginners helps you build a solid foundation of fundamental jewelry making techniques as you create simple yet stunning bracelets, earrings, and necklaces of all kinds.

This new eBook from AllFreeJewelryMaking covers all the most basic and essential jewelry making techniques, so you can develop a strong knowledge of the basic mediums that you will come across in your jewelry making journey. As you make beautiful new accessories, you?ll be learning how to wire wrap, how to make simple strung bracelets and necklaces, how to form your own hoop earrings, how to finish a piece, and so much more.

Learn Basic Wire Wrapping Techniques

If you?re serious about learning how to make jewelry, then wire is a medium you will have to master. Whether it?s taking a back seat or playing a center stage role, wire is used in so many jewelry projects of all kinds. Jewelry Making for Beginners includes a variety of wire work jewelry projects, so you can get a taste of all the techniques. Learn how to wire wrap a pendant with the Vintage Chandelier Crystal Necklace project, how to make your own wire-wrapped headpins and eyepins with the Beginner Wire Wrap Earrings tutorial, and how to form your own wire hoops with the Beaded Hoop Earrings project. Once you master these fundamental wire jewelry techniques with these projects, you?ll be able to carry over your knowledge to so many other jewelry creations.

 Learn How to Make Bracelets

Beaded bracelet projects are a favorite among DIY jewelry enthusiasts, so you?re going to want to master the art of bracelet making early on. With the beginner bracelet patterns in Jewelry Making for Beginners, you can try your hand at a variety of designs and find the technique that suits you best. With the Glass Pearls and Crystals Bracelet, you?ll learn how to make a bracelet using beading wire, including how to use crimp beads and how to finish a piece with a toggle clasp. However, if you?re looking for a quicker fix that doesn?t require tools, then the stretch bracelet projects like Shirley?s Simple Stretchy Bracelet and the Snake Bead Bracelet might be more your speed.

Master a Simple Chainmaille Weave

Chainmaille might seem a bit intimidating to a beginner, but it?s a classic jewelry-making medium that is worth trying out. Jewelry Making for Beginners includes a totally accessible, basic chainmaille pattern so you can get a taste of every technique and really develop a well-rounded base knowledge. The Mobius Flower Earrings included in this collection are a great entry point for someone looking to get their feet wet with chainmaille. Once you master the mobius weave, you?ll be ready to take on more challenging chainmaille patterns.

The best way to learn is to do. With the 11 easy tutorials in Jewelry Making for Beginners: 11 Beginner Jewelry Projects, you learn essential jewelry-making techniques and skills through hands-on experience. Master the basics and make gorgeous new jewelry along the way. Download your free copy of Jewelry Making for Beginners now!

Which jewelry making techniques do you most want to master?

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The amazingly talented Guest Designer for Flower Week is Tonya Dirk!

Short bio: I am a SAHM of four, ages 7-14. Married to my high school sweetheart for what will be 20 years this summer. We live in the great city of Portland, Oregon. We also spend a lot of time in central Oregon where we do quite a bit of hiking and boating. Prior to my current “job” I was a registered nurse for 13 years. My other two passions are watercolor painting and tennis.

How did you get started scrapbooking? I was on a lunch break at work and someone had left a Creating Keepsakes magazine in the break room. I devoured from front to back and was immediately hooked. Finding the whole online world of scrapbooking is then what really sealed the deal for me!

What is your favorite American Crafts product? My current fave is the Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm collection. I found it super easy to work with and I was immediately drawn to the colors.

Blog: creativit-tonya.blogspot.com

Pinterest: pinterest.com/tonyadirk

Instagram: @TonyaDirk

BLOOM by Tonya Dirk

TODAY YOU SHINED by Tonya Dirk

TREASURE THESE MOMENTS by Tonya Dirk

HELLO THERE CARD by Tonya Dirk 

DECORATED CAN by Tonya Dirk

Use our Nesting Flower die to create these beautiful blooms to give mom this Mother’s Day! 

To make these flowers you will need the following:  Evolution Universal Craft Tool, Genius Ultimate Platform System, Nesting Flower die, colored crepe paper (also try cardstock or tissue paper), floral tape, craft wire and a hot glue gun.

Cut out your Nesting Flowers using your Evolution and Genius Ultimate Platform.

Make a fold in each petal and leaf and secure with hot glue.  

Begin attaching petals one at a time onto the craft wire with hot glue. Repeat with leaves.

Embellish with smaller flower and center circle. Place in a vase and enjoy!

** Don’t forget! Now through Friday, May 3 recieve 40% off select flower-themed products at lifestylecrafts.com using coupon code: MOTHER13. This great deal won’t be around too much longer!**   

Adding one simple detail to your next party can really make it stand out!  We love this idea of adding a personal touch to your party napkins.  Not only do they look amazing, but they were so easy to make! Your friends will all want to know where you got them!

Here’s what you’ll need:  Evolution Universal Craft Tool, Genius Ultimate Platform System, Lattice GooseBumpz Embossing Folder and some napkins.

Place your napkin inside the embossing folder. Line up the edge of the napkin with the the edge of your embossing folder.

Place napkin & embossing folder on your Genius Platform and cover with Mat B. Roll through your Evolution tool.

Pull them out and you are done! We LOVE super simple projects like this!  

Will you use this idea at your next party?

We have a WINNER!!!!

Congratulations Pat Henry from Browns Mills, NJ

You won the We R Memory Keepers – Envelope Punch Board! 

Please send an email your contact information and mailing address to contest@ohmycrafts.com with “Winner Envelope Punch Board” in the subject line. You have 30 days to claim your prize. We enjoyed all of your cards so much! Thank you to everyone that participated!

We Are Having A Card Sharing Contest! 
 

One lucky winner will win a  

We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board!

Every image shared with us will count as one entry.

One random winner will be selected.

Contest Starts: March 4, 2013

Contest Ends: March 11, 2013 at midnight.

Happy Crafting!