Pinecone Bird Feeder

What you'll need:

• Pine cone
• Paper plate
• Butter knife
• Smooth peanut butter
• Birdseed
• Ribbon or yarn
• Scissors

How to make it:

1. Cut a long length of yarn or ribbon to hang the bird feeder.
2. Tie the ribbon in a knot around the pine cone near the top (about 3 sections down).
3. Tie a knot in the end of the ribbon.
4. Use the knife to get a large clump of peanut butter on the paper plate.
5. Use the knife to spread peanut butter inside the pine cone and around the edges.
6. Sprinkle the birdseed over the pine cone.
7. Roll the pine cone in the birdseed that is on the plate.
8. Hang the bird feeder on the tree.
9. Enjoy watching the birds eat their treat!

Recipe Dish Towels

"Recipe" dish towel best for ages 6 and up

Ask your kids what food Grammy or Papa makes that they like best and you'll probably get an answer pretty quickly. Ask them how they think it's made, though, and things get a little more interesting: Those magic cooking sprinkles and fairy wings may prove hard to find ...

With your child, pick a favorite dish that a favorite relative makes.

Have your child use the crayons to draw a picture of the food, covering as much of the paper as possible but leaving room for the recipe. Then she can write (or you can write for a younger child) her version of the recipe, including ingredients and directions. You can ask her to sign and date it too. (No corrections from Mom or Dad, please — if she thinks that dumplings are made from cotton balls, go with it.)

Take the paper to a copy shop (call ahead to make sure they do iron-ons) and have an iron-on transfer made at 50 percent of the size (about $10).

If the copy shop has a heat press, you can have them iron on the transfer there (about $18). Or an adult can iron it on at home.

Love Bug Pin

What you'll need:

• Plastic spoon
• Plaster of paris
• Small wiggle eyes
• Paint (assorted colors)
• Pin back
• Clear acrylic spray or glaze
• White craft glue
• Newspaper
  

How to make it:

1. You will need one plastic spoon and pin back per pin.
2. Lay out the plastic spoons on the newspaper.
3. Mix the plaster of paris in a small bowl per instructions on the container. (See image.)
4. Place the plaster into the well of the spoons and level with a butter knife. (See image.) Let them stand for a minute or two, then gently press/place pin back (or magnet) into the plaster. Let dry completely (a minimum of 30 minutes, longer is better). (See image.)
5. Pop plaster out of spoons by pressing the outer edges of the spoon. With butter knife, smooth the edges of the form. Place on to the newspaper.
6. Paint bugs however you like and let dry.
7. Glue wiggle eyes on to your bug, let dry.
8. Spray with acrylic sealer or glaze.
   

Tips:

• Allow smaller children to paint with cotton swabs while older children use paintbrushes.
• Pin to a silk flower to give as a gift.
• Plaster of paris is available at your local craft supply store and makes a LOT of projects!

Valentine's Day Candy Pots

What you'll need:

• Terra cotta clay pots in various sizes
• acrylic paints: pinks, reds, purples, white
• Valentine stickers
• paint brushes, one small and one medium
• new pencil
• household sponge
• acrylic sealer spray, matte finish
• lace (optional)
• raffia and/or ribbon (optional)

How to make it:

1. Paint clay pot in desired color and let dry. Apply a second coat, and if needed (especially with lighter colors), a third coat as well, allowing sufficient drying time in between coats. Paint inside and outside of pot.
2. Once painted, it’s time to decorate! Here are some ideas to make your pot look great.
3. To give your pot a polka dot design, use the eraser of a new pencil and dip into desired paint color. Dab once to remove excess and dot onto pot. Each polka dot will need a new application of paint. For smaller dots, use the end of a paintbrush applying with the same method.
4. A household sponge can be used to add a contrasting color. Wet the sponge and squeeze out all excess water. Dab into paint then dab off excess onto a piece of paper towel. Use a dabbing motion to sponge on a light coat of contrasting color.
5. Stripes can be applied by simply loading a small paintbrush with paint and painting downward. Stripes do not need to be perfect, so don’t fret if you “go outside the lines” so to speak.
6. Stickers can be used to decorate your pots. Stick over dry paint and press firmly to be sure they adhere.
7. You can tie ribbon or raffia into a bow and glue to the front of your pot, or tie around the rim. Hot glue will work better than white glue for adhering ribbon or raffia to the front of the pot.
8. Lace can also be used to accent your pot. Glue lace around the rim for a fancy finish.
9. Once decorated, apply a coat or two of acrylic sealer and allow to dry overnight.
10. Fill with various candy and enjoy your creations!

Tips:

Keep them busy during paint-drying time. Terra cotta pots require several coats of paint to cover, especially with light colors. Plan this project so that children can do other things while they are waiting for the different coats to dry. For classroom projects, plan this over several classes, or paint the pots with two coats of white ahead of time, then when children paint the pots with colors only one, or possibly two, coats will be needed.