Posts Tagged ‘Ideas – Kids’
Boredom Buster: Paper Bead Necklaces & Bracelets
Summer is nearing it’s halfway mark and about this time the kids start looking for differnt ways to entertain themselves. If you keep hearing the words “I’m booooored” at your house, why not pull out your Cricut Expression Electronic Cutting machine and let your kids give this next idea a try?! The great thing about this craft is it is something that both boys and girls can do . . . just change the colors and patterns of the papers you decide to cut for the beads. You could even customize them for upcoming holidays . . . red, white & blue with star shapes for summer parades . . . tropical colors & flowers for a Hawaiian Luau . . . black, orange, purple, green & white with skulls, bats, and pumpkin shapes for Halloween . . . the possibilities are wide open!
PAPER BEAD NECKLACES by Jana Eubank
To begin this project you will need several patterned papers and/or cardstock, needle & embroidery floss, quick-drying liquid glue, and plastic beads (if desired). Pull out what you have in your stash and let your kids experiment . . . you might be surprised at what they come up with!
I created the paper beads by taking a plain pennant shape from the Country Life cartridgeand stretching the image in Cricut Craft Room. You could also do this using your Gypsy Handheld Design Device. I also hid the holds placed at the top of the pennant so that there wouldn’t be any holes in my paper bead. Next, I used the flower and circle shapes from the Plantin Schoolbook Digital cartridge to make accent pieces for my paper bead necklace. I have included my Cricut Craft Room cut file at the bottom of this post for you to download and use if you would like.
Cut several “beads” using a variety of patterned papers. Next, you will need to roll up your triangle pieces to create the beads. This is very easy to do. Your kids will have a blast selecting their colors and patterns! Before rolling, I used a bone folder (or scoring tool) to burnish the paper to make it easier to roll up. Place the triangle piece on a soft pad (like a mousepad) and use the side of your tool to “soften” the paper, like this.
Beginning from the wide end of the triangle, start rolling up the paper bead. When you have rolled the bead halfway, stop and apply a light coat of quick-drying craft glue to the remaining triangle piece. Continue rolling up the paper bead and hold it in place for a few seconds as the glue dries. You now have a paper bead!
For this necklace, my daughter and I strung together several of the paper beads, adding small, plastic beads inbetween. We stacked together several circles and flowers as accent pieces. To make the flower petals curl up a bit, we burnished them with the scoring tool on the mousepad, the same we did the paper beads.
For the bracelet, we used the same paper bead, but used scissors to trim off each end to make the beads smaller.
If desired, you can add a sealant (like ModPodge) to your paper beads to protect them. And before you know it your kids will be creating necklaces and bracelets for all of their friends.
Happy Summer!
Designed by: Jana Eubank
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Country Life, Plantin Schoolbook – Digital
Other Supplies: Patterned Paper (My Mind’s Eye), Needle & White Embroidery Floss, Soft Pad & Bone Folder, Liquid Adhesive (Scotch Quick-Drying Tacky Glue), Plastic Beads, ModPodge (if desired)
Last Day of School Party Time!
Hi, Everyone! Cindy Royal here. The end of the school year is coming and the kids love to have an end of the year party so I thought I’d share a fun Last Day of School Ice Cream Party. Again I went with an apple theme, but I threw in some of those fun phrases we all love to say. You know the ones that when you say one, you get another one in return. I do this with my granddaughter all the time… See ya later, alligator…. In a while crocodile….. Not too soon, Baboon, and on and on. It’s one of those things you’ve done for years and really don’t tire of. So I thought why not say See Ya Later, Alligator to all those classmates and teachers for the summer, and yes, it’s Time to Skadoodle, poodle! I took a few of my favorites and created labels for the ice cream condiment bowls.
I made the sign in the shape of an ice cream cone to signify it was an ice cream party or ice cream bar. Although it could be made in one piece on a 12 x 24 mat, I made it in two pieces, because, honestly, when I started out it wasn’t going to be an ice cream cone. I had started with the semi circle and was going to use it alone, but when I laid it on my desk with the intended top pointing down, it looked like an ice cream scoop to me, so I added a bottom and I liked the effect of connecting them with two pieces of ribbon instead of attaching them directly to each other. This makes it ‘foldable’ so it can be stored away easier.
The sign top, the scoop, has an apple core (seems appropriate to me, the year is done hence the apple eaten) and Last Day of School phrase. I created the Last Day of School in the Cricut Craft Room using a few different fonts, but I welded all of their shadows together into one piece so it would be easier for me to assemble in the end. I’m all for easier. Now I just cut out the shadow and had the places all arranged for me for the letters. Added to that are some sentiment stickers from SRM Press.
The cone bottom is scored on a score board at even and symmetrical increments to give a textured cone effect. I then added the Party Time phrase and another SRM Press sticker of a border of banners.
Each label was created using an apple image for a base. Before adhering the top red layer, I embossed them with various Cuttlebug folders and inked edges and embossed areas lightly. The leaf is adhered with a dimensional adhesive to lift it a bit off the stem. Once I created, assembled and embellished the images, they were attached to apples, again using some dimensional adhesive. Some of the animal images didn’t have shadows, but I’m a shadow lover so I just cut 2 blackouts and offset them behind the image to create the appearance of a shadow. That’s why if you look at the cut files some images will have a shadow and some will have 2 blackouts.
The entire apple piece was glued to a medium size clothes pin and the coordinating saying attached to it, as well. These sayings are just printed on a printer and cut in 1/2 inch strips, trimmed to fit the phrase. The labels of the food items themselves are also printed and cut to 1/2″ x 8.5″ and the ends are just curled and set on the edge of the condiment bowls (and yes, I see after I put all of my party away that I have two of them mixed up…*sigh* … you’ll let that slide this time, won’t you?)
I cut and assembled paper cones for the sugar cones. The wraps around the bowls are unfinished rosettes made with the Scalloped Rosette kit. I cut 2 pieces of the largest rosette for each one, glued the ends together as you would for a rosette, but I didn’t create the rosette. I just set a bowl inside of it. And how easy it is to just cut and fold those rosette pieces in those quantities without having to score them first. The Cuttlebug did all the hard work for me.
So there’s my ice cream party. You could adapt this to a school party or home party with a few friends. Change the theme, the images, whatever suits your occasion and theme. It’s all so easy using your Cricut cartridges. Oh, and…. Take Care, Teddy Bear!
Designed By: Cindy Royal
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room, Cuttlebug
Cricut Cartridges Used: 3D Party Cones (Cricut Craft Room Exclusive), Birthday Bash, Create a Critter, Cricut Font & Basic Shapes – Digital, Crocs Rule, Give a Hoot, Once Upon a Princess, Opposites Attract – Digital, Preserves, Pretty Pennants, Robotz, Simply Sweet, Stamping – Digital
Cuttlebug Embossing Folders Used: African Batik, Baby’s Breath, Candy Cane Stripe, Number Collage, Qwerty, Typeset, Wedding Set, Word Collage Set
Other Supplies: Cricut Cardstock, Cricut Patterned Paper Books (Animal Kingdom, Celebrations, Doodlecharms), Cuttlebug Scalloped Rosette Quilling Kit, Various embellishments, Clothespins, Sewins Supplies, Stickers (SRM Press), Twine, Adhesives
Special Edition: MAY Hello Thursday
WELCOME to this Special MAY Edition of Hello Thursday! You have probably seen a few fun cartridges popping up on the Cricut.com site and in stores . . . and today we are going to take a closer look at them! Just wait until you see the samples the designers have created for you!
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Cricut® Events Cartridge, Over the Hill
Help loved ones celebrate their thirtieth, fortieth, fiftieth, or sixtieth birthday parties with the Over the Hill cartridge! This cartridge includes images and phrases for banners, invitations, cupcake party favors, and more. You will love the boxes, lamp, and hat you can make with this cartridge. With Cricut® Events cartridges, you will have everything you need to create the perfect event for someone special! Use the latest Cricut® cartridges to create unique and engaging designs for every occasion. The versatility of the cartridges will surprise even the most imaginative crafters.
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OVER THE HILL by Cindy Royal
Designed By: Cindy Royal
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room, Cuttlebug Machine
Cricut Cartridges Used: Over the Hill, Cricut Font & Basic Shapes
Other Supplies: Give a Hoot Cuttlebug Companion Embossing Folder Set, Cardstock, Patterned Paper (Pink Paislee), Glitter, Ribbon, Button, Ink, Adhesive
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OVER THE HILL LANTERN PARTY DECOR by Kristen Swain
Designed By: Kristen Swain
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Over the Hill, Art Philosophy (Close to My Heart)
Other Supplies: Cardstock (American Crafts), Black Magic Spray Ink (Tattered Angels), Red gems, Black Glitter (Yudu Glitter by Provo Craft), Twine (The Twinery), Acetate from Leftover Packaging, Small Candle, Adhesives
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Cricut® Events Cartridge, Tablescapes – Spring & Summer
Create beautiful table décor with the Tablescapes – Spring & Summer cartridge! This cartridge includes spring and summer themed cup or name card clips, boxes, napkin rings, table signs, 3D images, and more. With Cricut® Events cartridges, you will have everything you need to create the perfect event for someone special! Use the latest Cricut® cartridges to create unique and engaging designs for every occasion. The versatility of the cartridges will surprise even the most imaginative crafters.
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SHOWER TABLESCAPE by Cindy Royal
Designed By: Cindy Royal
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Tablescapes – Spring & Summer
Other Supplies: Cardstock, Patterned Paper (Echo Park Paper), Ribbon, Twine, Sticker (SRM Stickers), Adhesive
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4TH OF JULY TABLESCAPE by Shantaie Fowler
Designed By: Shantaie Fowler
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Tablescapes – Spring & Summer, Craft Room Basics (Cricut Craft Room Exclusive)
Other Supplies: Cardstock (blue, red, white) Bookpaper, Acetate, Patterned Paper (My Mind’s Eye Lush collection), Stickers (SRM Press – 4th of July Express Yourself), Hot glue gun, Foam tape, Glitter, Cupcake liners (white paper, foil), Ribbon, Foil fringe pick, Button, Pin, Crimper, Recycled paper tube
CRICUT CUTS:
Craft Room Basics (Cricut Craft Room Exclusive)
- <4> 3” blue cardstock
Tablescapes Spring & Summer
- <StarWrap> 4” navy patterned paper
- <StarBox> 7.5” navy floral patterned paper
- <StarSld> 1.75” {inner box panel}
- 3.5” red cardstock
- 2.5” navy polka dot paper& silver cardstock
- <Rossette> 2.11” x4 book pattern paper
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Cricut® Everyday Cartridge, Wild Card 2
Have the perfect card for a variety of occasions with the Wild Card 2 cartridge! This cartridge is filled with playful images, cards, envelopes, and phrases so you can create coordinating cards and envelopes. The stylized font is great for creating your own sentiments to accent the cards. Use the latest Cricut® cartridges to create unique and engaging designs for every occasion. The versatility of the cartridges will surprise even the most imaginative crafters.
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IF I HAD WINGS by Suzanne Sergi
Designed By: Suzanne Sergi
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room, Cuttlebug Machine
Cricut Cartridges Used: Wild Card 2
Other Supplies: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Cardstock (Bazzill), Patterned Paper/Flower Sticker (My Mind’s Eye), Stamp (Great Impressions), Adhesive
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CIRCUS LION CARD & ENVELOPE by Charity Hassel
LION CARD
LION ENVELOPE
Designed By: Charity Hassel
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Wild Card 2
Other Supplies: Cardstock (Cricut, BoBunny), Twine (Pink Paislee), Patterned Paper/Stickers (Imaginisce), Pearls (BoBunny), Orange Flocking (Pebbles Inc.), Adhesive
CRICUT CUTS:
LION ENVELOPE
- <envelope> <lion>, <envelope> <shift> <lion> at 4.5″
LION CARD
- <card> <lion>, <card> <shift> <lion>, <layer> <lion>, <layer> <shift> <lion> at 4.5″
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Cricut® Projects Cartridge, Pretty Pennants
Make the perfect banner for any occasion with the Pretty Pennants cartridge! This special cartridge includes layered pennants in five different styles and a variety of themes. Mix and match the layered pennants or customize the blank pennants with letters or other images for even more creative possibilities. With Cricut® Projects cartridges, you can create unique and customized projects for your home, family, and friends. Use the latest Cricut® cartridges to create unique and engaging designs for every occasion. The versatility of the cartridges will surprise even the most imaginative crafters.
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COLORS MY WORLD by Kristen Swain
Designed By: Kristen Swain
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Pretty Pennants, Art Philosophy (Close to My Heart), Kate’s ABC’s
Other Supplies: Cardstock (American Crafts, BoBunny), Patterned Paper (American Crafts), Brads (GCD Studios), Buttons, Twine, Markers (Sharpie), Adhesive
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WELCOME, LITTLE ONE by Juliana Michaels
Designed By: Juliana Michaels
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Pretty Pennants
Other Supplies: Cardstock (BoBunny), Patterned Paper (Echo Park Paper), Pearl Pen (Viva Decor), Button, Twine (Jillibean Soup), Tulle, Seam Binding Ribbon, Adhesive
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Cricut® Projects Cartridge, Paper Play
Recapture your childhood with the Paper Play cartridge! This cartridge is filled with fun little projects such as puppets, dolls, and a cootie catcher. With Cricut® Projects cartridges, you can create unique and customized projects for your home, family, and friends. Use the latest Cricut® cartridges to create unique and engaging designs for every occasion. The versatility of the cartridges will surprise even the most imaginative crafters.
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PAPER FORTUNE TELLER by Jillian Deiling Cassity
Designed By: Jillian Cassity
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Paper Play
Other Supplies: Cardstock (American Crafts, The Paper Studio), Glitter Glue (Stickles), Pen, Adhesives
CRICUT CUTS:
Paper Play Cartridge
- CteCtchr cut at 10″ in kraft cardstock
- CtchrL1 cut at 10″ in yellow cardstock
- CtchrL1 cut at 10″ in red cardstock
- CtchrL1 cut at 10″ in blue cardstock
- CtchrL1 cut at 10″ in green cardstock
- CtchrL2 cut at 10″ in yellow cardstock
- CtchrL2 cut at 10″ in red cardstock
- CtchrL2 cut at 10″ in blue cardstock
- CtchrL2 cut at 10″ in green cardstock
- CtchrL3 cut at 10″ in white cardstock
- CtchrL4 cut at 10″ in black cardstock
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NESTING DOLLS by Ginger Williams
Designed By: Ginger Williams
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room, Cuttlebug Machine
Cricut Cartridges Used: Paper Play
Other Supplies: Cuttlebug Kimberly’s Card Embossing Folder, Cardstock/Adhesives (Creative Memories), Patterned Paper (Basic Grey)
CRICUT CUTS:
- Dolls Cut at 3 1/2″, 3″, and 2 1/2″
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