Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

From the FloraCraft Make It: Fun Blog.

Summer vacation is close; so it’s time to get fun activities ready for the kids. This balloon powered car is the perfect boredom buster. Made out of Styrofoam and other items around your house, you can quickly begin racing and making race tracks.  Tutorial comes complete with a printable car shape template.

FloraCraft Foam:

• 3 – Sheets, ½”x12″x24″

Other Materials:

• Acrylic Paints
• Dimensional Fabric Paint: Optional
• Toothpicks
• Large Balloons
• 3 - Straws: (large, medium and small openings)
• 2 – Flexible Straws
• 2 – Plastic Washers (to fit the large straw)
• 2 – Plastic Washers (to fit the medium straw)
• 2 – Plastic Washers (to fit the small straw)
• 2 – Old CD’s
• 2 – Plastic Bottle Caps
• Thin Wood Dowel
• Design It: Foam Cutter or Serrated Knife
• Low-Temp Glue Gun
• Paint Brushes: wide flat brush and detailing brush
• Paper (for templates)
• Black Marker
• ½” Sequin Pins
• Hammer and small nail
• Nail File

Download Balloon Powered Car Template

Instructions

1. Print the Balloon Powered Car Template and enlarge to size needed.

2. Cut out the paper templates and pin them to the foam sheets. Trace with black marker; two bodies (glue together for double thickness), two front bumpers (glue together), one back spoiler, two spoiler supports and two spoiler fins.

3. Cut out the parts with the foam cutter. Glue the two bodies and two bumpers together and then use the scrap pieces of foam as a sanding block to “sand” parts smooth. Glue the front bumper in place using toothpicks for added support.

4. Assembling the spoiler: Glue the two spoiler fins to the outside corners of the spoiler and glue the two bottom supports about ½” apart, centered and about ¼” in from the back edge. Glue the bottom supports to the back end of the car with the front tip of the spoiler glued to the back of the car top as shown. Use toothpicks for added support. Use a pencil to pilot a hole for the 2 flexible straws to be inserted (the straws should fit snug). The hole should go through the top of the spoiler in between the supports at an angle out the back. The spoiler serves two purposes; it looks cool and it prevents the balloon from touching the wheels and slowing the car. Paint the car and let dry.

5. Assembling the back wheels; Use a pencil to pilot a hole (big enough for the large straw), about 1 ¼” in from the back of the car and ¾” up from the bottom. Be sure the hole is level from side to side to keep the wheels level. Glue the two large straw sized washers over the hole on each side. Cut the large straw to about 4 ½”. Center it through the hole and glue in place. Glue the two, medium straw sized washers into the center of the two CD wheels. Cut the medium straw to about 4 ¾”. Glue one end of the medium sized straw into the washer in the CD, thread the other end through the large straw and glue the other wheel in place on the opposite end of the straw.

6. Assemble the front wheels: Cut the small straw to about 3″. Glue it centered and level to the bottom of the car, about 2 ½” back from the front bumper. Glue two of the small straw washers tight to the car on either side of the straw to help secure in place. Place the plastic bottle cap onto a scrap piece of wood and use the hammer and nail to pilot a hole through the center of the bottle cap. Use a nail file to smooth the rough edges. Cut a wood skewer to 3 ½” and insert into the straw. Glue a bottle cap on each end.

7. Tape the two flexible straws together side by side. Thread the straws into the hole and glue in place with the flexible end pointing straight out from the back of the car and the straight end sticking up through the hole about 1½”. Blow up the balloon and pinch the end. Tape the balloon to the straight end of the straws and let go.

8. Cut out two cars and have a race!

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

There’s something wonderful about bringing a little of the shore inside your home. One of the best ways to do that is to create a candle holder out of a couple of the natural elements. Every time you look at it, it can remind you of your beach adventures – and it only cost a few dollars to make.

What you’ll need:

• Sand
• Fine glitter
• Small glass candle holder
• Mod Podge
• Small seashell
• Spray adhesive
• Tea Light Candle

Step 1. Clean off the glass candle holder to remove any residue.

Step 2. Gather a bit of sand that’s as fine as possible. It shouldn’t contain any visible plant matter or chunks of shells.

Step 3. Choose a seashell that’s small enough to fit on the front of the candle holder. If possible, pick one whose colors complement the color glitter you chose.

Step 4. Put the sand into a baggie, then pour in a small amount of fine glitter. Mix it up thoroughly.

Step 5. Coat the entire outside of the candle holder with Mod Podge. Avoid getting it on the rim or underneath.

Step 6. Put the candle holder in the bag, then move it around until the entire outside is coated. If a few spots are a bit bare, put more Mod Podge on your finger, dab the areas, then put more sand over it.

Step 7. Put a small rolled up piece of newspaper inside the candle holder, hold the spray adhesive at least a foot away, then spray it all over so the sand and glitter don’t get all over everything. Remove the paper when finished.

Step 8. Use Mod Podge to glue the shell on. And put in a tea light candle once it’s dried.

By Craft Celebrity Mark Montano, from the blog Mark Montano’s Big Ass Blog.

As I look up on my studio wall I notice my “Strawburst Lamp” and think to myself that I haven’t turned on this lamp in quite a while. All of a sudden it hits me that this lamp totally encompasses everything I love about being creative…about my creativity. It takes every day mundane things and turns them into something quite interesting. Even beautiful. I particularly enjoy the way this lamp looks when every other light in the house is off. I remember making this lamp for the first time and wondering after the first 20 minutes if it would ever make it into THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS. Now I’m so inspired to take this concept to the next level. What that will be I’m not sure. I guess we will all have to wait and see.

You’ll need:

• 1 cheap deep-fryer (I got this one at a discount store for 99c)
• 500 drinking straws
• 1 plug in light fixture with a chandelier bulb sized socket

Here’s how:

Step 1: Bend your straw in half and poke it through the inside of the deep-fryer so that the bend in the straw wraps around a wire.

Step 2: Continue this process until your entire deep fryer is filled with straws and then bend the handle toward the inside.

Step 3: Attach your socket and bulb inside the handle so that it’s secure. The bulb should be big enough to be wedged inside the loop of the handle so that it doesn’t move and does not touch the straws.

Step 4: Hand this baby on a nail on the wall and plug it in. You’ve just made a deep-fryer and some drinking straws into something everyone will comment about when they enter your abode. Send me photos of how yours turns out. I would love to see how you make this project.

By Crafts for Learning Contributor, Danielle from the blog Crayonbox Learning.

Teachers work hard all year helping students learn. It can often be a thankless job. What a wonderful way to show your appreciation, by making something with your child to give to their teacher. It does take a couple hours from start to finish between paint layers, so be sure to give yourself enough time to finish it.

Materials Needed:

• Unfinished Frame (mine was wood with a center piece that is removable)
• Acrylic Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Chalk Board Paint
• Character buttons (large) or other embellishments
• E-6000 Glue
• Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer (Gloss)

Directions:

1. Take the wrapping off of the unfinished wood frame, and remove the center wood piece so that it is easier to paint.

2. Paint the wood center piece with chalk board paint. (hint: paint a primer coat before painting the chalk board paint so that it will go on smoother.)

3. Let the chalk board paint dry completely between layers. At least 3 coats of the chalk board paint is needed.

4. Begin painting the unfinished wood frame. It is recommended to use a primer coat before using the frame color. The primer coat will soak into the wood and make the acrylic paint go on smoother. In the example, a shiny acrylic paint was used.

5. Let the acrylic paint in between layers. 2-3 layers of paint will provide a nice covering. Let dry completely before painting designs.

6. With a small brush, paint embellishments onto the frame. In the example, I painted leaves and flowers to go along with the ladybug buttons that I chose for my embellishments.

7. After the painting is complete, let dry. Anywhere from a few hours to overnight will be needed.

8. Spray with Mod Podge (Gloss) Clear Acrylic Sealer over top of the entire frame. Be sure to seal the sides too.

9. After the Clear Acrylic Sealer is dry, then it is time to glue on the embellishments. In the example, I used large ladybug buttons. I used a pair of scissors to remove the thread hole so that the buttons would glue flat.

10. Using E-600 Glue, affix the buttons or other embellishments onto the frame and let dry.

11. When the frame is completely dry, put the chalk board painted wood piece back in the center of the frame as shown in the photo.

12. To complete the gift, add some ribbon or tulle to dress it up. You can write a note or thank you on the chalk board. Another idea for gift wrapping is to include a colorful piece of chalk, and enclose the frame in a cello bag and tie with a ribbon. Attach a hand made card, and you have a special gift for a special teacher!

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

Usually, the focus of a card is the front of it, but in the case of a pop up card it becomes the inside where the action of the moving parts becomes the center of attention. Although, it looks complicated it’s really a pretty easy card to make and it’s a great way to tell your graduate that you are proud of their accomplishments.  When it is opened the fun and smiles will begin.

Begin cutting a 10″ x 7″ piece of green cardstock and fold in half for the card base.  Next, create the top of the cap by cutting a 3 ½” x 3 ½” square red piece of cardstock and scoring it down the middle using the Martha Stewart Scoring Board.

Next, score it on 2 of the sides at the ½” mark.

Trim the triangle piece out that is created by all of the score lines as shown in the picture using a pair of scissors.

Cut 3 pieces of the new American Crafts Silly Skeedadle patterned paper to 4″ x 6″ and adhere two of them to the inside of the card with a tape runner.  Lay the third piece aside for use later. Hand cut a piece of red cardstock 3 ½” x 1″ and cut a “v” into each end of it to create the banner.  Place the “Let the Fun Begin” sticker from the Accents and Phrase Sticker Book onto the banner and adhere it with tape to the card.   Once this is done, align the top of the cap to the top of the card and glue with a strong wet glue  only the tabs that were created by scoring the ½” as shown in the picture.  The glue should be placed below the score line on the tab.  Close the card and lay something heavy to keep it closed until it is completely dry.

Cut a strip of red cardstock 1 ½” side x 11 ½” long and score at 1 5/8″, 3 ¼” 5 ¾” , 8 ¼” and 9 7/8″.  Fold each section at the score lines.

Unfold and fold in half.  Using a pair of small tipped scissors and cut a small curve from where it is folded to the score line.

Fold the strip up at each score mark and overlap the tabs on the back once you add a little tape on each end to form a closed piece.  It should look like this once you have completed this step.

Turn the back to face you and spread a good amount of wet glue onto it.  This is necessary to hold the piece on the card securely as it is opened and closed.

Place this piece on the card, aligning the back fold with the card fold.  The top of the piece should overlap the tabs that hold the top of the cap in place.  The left side (the section towards the back that has glue) should be adhered to the left side of the card.  Close the card and place a heavy object on it to keep it closed until the glue has dried.

In the meantime, while you are waiting for the glue to dry create the tassle.  Begin placing the American Crafts Dear Lizzy Banner Stamp that comes in the Camera Stamp collection on a stamp block and ink only the bottom and side parts.   Stamp it onto white cardstock.  Clean off the stamp and re-ink just the top section of the stamp and stamp it onto the last part that was stamped.  You should have a “tassle” that now measures 2 ¾” in length.  Cut it out using scissors.  It’s ok if the lines are evenly matched because it will make it look like the tassle is moving.

Punch a small hole in the top of the cap and the top of the tassle using a craft knife.  Place the brad from the Dear Lizzy Collection through both pieces and close it.  Be sure that the tabs on the brad run parallel to the fold on the top of the cap so that it doesn’t interfere with folding it.

Decorate the outside of the card with the third piece of Silly Skeddadle paper and put “Congrats” on it using the Splendid White Thickers from the Dear Lizzy Collection.

You now have a fabulous pop-up card that will bring more fun and excitement to the graduation party.

Congratulations to Larell, Sandi Hudson,  Rebecca W, Lesly Christensen & Terry Callaghan who were all randomly selected as our Free Stuff Friday winners and will all receive a Random Bag of Scrap!

Prize pack could contain but not limited to: Paper Accents Cardstock, Martha Stewart Glitter, Zots Adhesive, American Crafts Brads, Chipboard shapes, EK Success Paper Shapers Punch and more!

Paper Accents Chipboard Shapes will fit the bill when you are looking for great shapes to cover with paper, paint, and embellishments. EK Paper Shapers Punches will easily enhance cards, scrapbook pages and make unique craft projects. The design allows upside down punching for perfect placement. Paper Accents Cardstock is perfect for scrapbooking, card making and rubber stamping. American Crafts Brads feature a variety of unique designs. They come in a variety of sizes, colors and designs that may include flat and fully painted or round, colorful rhinestones.

The winning answers to “What are your plans for Memorial Day weekend?” are…

“Going to visit Daddy’’s grave at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery and then bbq’ing with hubby and Mom.” – Larell

“Catching up and relaxing with hubby and possibly some friends. Quiet time at home – I love it!” – Sandi Hudson

“We will be grilling steaks and remembering our family heros.” – Rebecca W

“We are going to a parade and Tivoli fest! Is going to be a great weekend!” – Lesly Christensen

“I am at my college reunion …lots of photos to scrap from this weekend…” – Terry Callaghan

Memorial Day is so much more than an extra day off and decorating your porch with red, white and blue. Taking the time to honor our many fallen heroes can make the day much more memorable.

Here are some others ways to celebrate the patriotic spirit of this day:

1. Donate to families of soldiers who are wounded or have lost their lives.

2. Observe the National Moment of Remembrance. The Moment occurs on Memorial Day, 3 PM, local time, for 1 minute. You can choose to observe this moment in any way you like. It is the sentiment that counts.

3. Visit a gravesite and offer flowers to those U.S. Troops who have died in the nation’s service.

4. Plan a family reunion or Get Together. It may be as simple and informal as a backyard barbecue.

5. Plan a family picnic. Get kids to help with preparing picnic food. This is also a wonderful way to enjoy the summer season.

6. Throw an informal Grilling or Barbecue party. Throw some burgers on the grill and invite your friends over and enjoy.

7. Wear your American spirit proudly. Badges, Pins, Shirts – make it a point to wear something that shows your patriotism.

8. Make crafts with a patriotic theme. Make a pretty, beaded USA Flag Pin using these easy instructions or a patriotic sign following step-by-step instructions.

9. Educate your kids about Memorial Day’s history and origin and the history of U.S. Military. Read to them stories with a patriotic message and encourage them to look up dictionaries and encyclopedias on the subject.

10. Have kids participate in Memorial Day parades and other such activities.

Article Provided by AllHolidayRecipes.com, Great Recipes for All Holidays!

Check out the CreateForLess Patriotic Crafts Board to see more red, white & blue craft projects!