Fun Recycled Robot Crafts

Got a big pile of recycling?  Well if you do, with just a few more items, you could have amazing robots like this little guy right there.  S made him all by herself - isn't he adorable?

Let's talk materials.  You need some metal cans to start.  Next you'll need some of these small round magnets.  I got some at our local craft store, Michaels, but you can also get them at Amazon.  And finally, for added fun, you'll need various parts for the robots.  I took a trip to our hardware store and scored all the random bits and pieces for less than $2!  We also added some caps from our recycling to the robot making bits and pieces. Mother's Day Coloring Pages for Adults

To encourage the creation of amazing hairstyles, I took a nail and hammered holes just big enough for pipe cleaners in various patterns on the bottoms of the cans.  Here S is designing the hairstyle of robot number one.  For added flair, you can curl or zig zag the pipe cleaners.

To attach any metal parts, you just need to use a round magnet.  This is a great way to discuss what things are and are not magnetic.  For any of the plastic caps or googly eyes, we needed to use hot glue to attach magnets.  S dictated how many of each I made and decided which bottle caps were to receive googly eyes and which were to remain plain.

S was very deliberate with all of her choices.  I liked offering her a surplus of options to see what she would come up with - I also felt like this would also allow for several very different looking permutations of robots.

S was kind enough to share *some* of the supplies with me and I was allowed to make ONE (but just one) robot.  Here she is making a goober face with him.  :)  I like his mustache. Ever Free Coloring

These four guys were all S's work!  Isn't that amazing?  I love how each has its own style and personality!  When not in use, we store the cans and all the necessary parts in a bin that is always available to S.  Because the round magnets are very dangerous to babies and toddlers if ingested, the storage container has locking handles and S is only allowed to play with these guys at the dining room table.

She loves bringing them out and creating all sorts of crazy weird robots.  They're like a really fun and easy DIY version of Mr. Potato Head!

Kid's Craft for Summer: Butterfly Yarn Magnets

The blossoms are blooming, the sun is shining and spring is in the air. What better way to get in the spring spirit than to create artwork inspired by the season with a fun butterfly craft. I teamed up with Oriental Trading to create colorful, fun and easy butterfly yarn magnets that are not only a work of art themselves, but a craft that can also be used to hang up and display all of the colorful artwork your kids create this spring. Mother's Day Coloring Pages

My kids love drawing, painting and creating artwork, but these pictures tend to end up shoved in a drawer, the trash or stashed in a folder somewhere.  While doing some spring cleaning recently I decided some of these treasures needed to be on display and created these fun magnets to do it.  My girls and I had fun making these magnets and I love the pop of color they add to their memo boards.

Head to the Oriental Trading Blog to see a list of supplies and the step-by-step tutorial.

I know one of these days I am going to miss seeing all of these papers with colorful pictures scattered around my house. So for now, I’m proudly putting them on display and enjoying the fire-breathing dragon drawings and butterflies art.  How do you display your kids art work?

To see all of my craft and party projects I’ve created for Oriental Trading, head over here.

Cardboard Tube Binoculars Craft for Kids

We’re approaching better weather every day, and while your little rugrats are experiencing cabin fever, pull this idea out of your hat and they’ll love you for it. This cardboard tube binoculars craft is a fun way to get excited for spring and summer time. What’s even better is that they can still utilize their binoculars while they’re stuck inside- similar to our DIY Kaleidoscope for kids! summer coloring pages

CARDBOARD TUBE BINOCULARS

You can most certainly substitute the camouflage felt with another pattern or solid color for your cardboard tube binoculars. These binoculars make a great camp craft or something fun for the kiddos to do on a rainy day. They are great for bird watching or a fun indoor adventure game too!

Looking for more fun spring crafts for kids? Try these Cardboard Tube Birds! Bursting with pretty spring colors, these cardboard tube birds go hand in hand with your kid’s binoculars.

These cardboard tube binoculars are a great rainy day craft for kids. They can use them to go bird watching, as a camp craft, or as a nature craft! ever free coloring

WHAT YOU NEED FOR CARDBOARD TUBE BINOCULARS

• 2 cardboard tube bathroom tissue tubes
• 1 sheet camouflage felt
• scissors
• white craft glue
• craft foam to match your felt
• 6 rubber bands
• 40″ piece of twine or yarn
• pen

Tip: If you like the idea of the camouflage felt but can’t find it, you can make your own by gluing different shades of the same color onto a like piece of felt or construction paper.

How to

1. Lay felt, design side down, on the work surface and cut felt in half.
2. Roll up the cardboard tube inside the felt, gluing as you go. Trim off excess. Repeat for the other tube.
3. Cut a strip of craft foam long enough to go around the end of the tube, about 3/4” wide. Glue the strip around the end of the cardboard tube, lining up the felt seam with the craft foam strip seam.
4. Secure with a rubber band. Repeat for the other tube.
5. Cut another strip long enough to go around the opposite end of the tube, only this time cut it 1/2” wide. Glue as above and secure with a rubber band.
6. Place the tubes side by sides with the seams facing each other. Put a rubber band around both tubes to hold them in place.
7. Use a pen to poke a hole in the side of the tube, about 1/2” below the 1/2” wide craft foam strip. Insert the end of your twine into the hole from the outside of the tube. Bring it through the tube and tie a double knot. Trim off excess and gently pull the twine taut. The knot will keep the twine from coming back out through the hole. Repeat on the other side.
8. Pipe a generous amount of white craft glue in between the two tubes, lip over and do the other side as well. Let them dry completely, several hours or overnight, before removing the rubber bands and using your binoculars.

I hope you enjoy the fun experience of creating your very own pair of binoculars. Let your children use their imagination, all while teaching them the importance of recycling and reusing by making this awesome recycled craft, you can even use these as a fun Earth Day craft for kids!

Summer DIY: Pretty Flip Flops with Paillettes

Some shiny paillettes and ribbon make these DIY Flip Flops with Paillettes a fun and colorful alternative to a basic flip flop.
Summer coloring pages for adults

TOOLS & MATERIALS:

1 Pair of Flip Flops
At least 3 yards of ribbon
Paillettes (I used these, andthese from M&J Trimming)
Needle and thread
Hot glue gun

step 1

Using your hot glue gun, put a small amount of hot glue at the outside base of your flip flop and attach the end of your ribbon to it.

Start wrapping your ribbon around the straps of your flip flops.

Wrap all the way around to the other side.

You can see how I wrapped the center in the photo below.

If you feel you need it you can add small amounts of hot glue as you go to hold your ribbon.

When you get to the end, use hot glue to secure your end before cutting your ribbon.
Ever free coloring

step 2

Glue one end of your ribbon on the underneath side of your straps and start wrapping your ribbon back and forth around the straps across the front to fill in the V.

I recommend that you secure this ribbon every time you go around your straps, this will keep it from slipping when you add your paillettes.

TIP: Add your hot glue to the underneath side of your straps, when you are sewing it is very difficult to sew through the glue.

step 3

I used three different types of paillettes, however many types you are using, you will want to lay yours out and decide on your pattern.

Start sewing at the point in the center and add your paillettes as you go up.

When you are finished be sure to tie off your end securely.

When you are finished make your second flip flop exactly the same.

I love embellishing flip flops as you can tell from this post, this one and this one! These are really fun and shiny, and the paillettes are a perfect lightweight embellishment for summer flip flops.

Unicorn Ornaments for Christmas Tree

Add some sparkle to your Christmas tree with these DIY glitter unicorn ornaments by A Bubbly Life!

The amazingly talented Laurel has shared this super cute DIY with us all. Laurel says, "As a lover of all things sparkly, I insist on adding sparkle to my Christmas tree. Unicorns and glitter are an ideal combo, so let’s make some glitter unicorn ornaments!" The Lego Movie Coloring Pages

We’re huge fans of the creative folk behind A Bubbly Life and constantly lust over everything on their Instagram, BlogLovin, Twitter + Pinterest—check them out!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- Plastic Unicorns
- Eye Hooks
- Drill
- Mod Podge
- Brush
- Glitter
- Clear Enamel Spray Ever Free Coloring

WHAT TO DO
1. Drill a tiny hole into the top of the unicorn.
2. Add eye hook.
3. Cover unicorn with mod podge and add glitter. We suggest you to do the front first, then back.
4. Let dry and spray with clear enamel. Clear enamel prevents the glitter from shedding everywhere and keeps the shine of the glitter!

AND THEN…
Tie ribbon through eye hook hole and hang in tree!

How to Make Beautiful Decoupaged Floral Ornaments

With Christmas only days away, there’s a good chance your place is decorated and ready to go. Right? Well… maybe. If you’re still looking for the perfect set of ornaments, try making these vintage-inspired floral baubles. The best part is that these pretties can be made in an afternoon. Plus, it’s an excellent way to spice up your traditional set of sphere ornaments. Keep reading to learn how to make them! Ever Free Coloring
 

Supplies
– White glossy sphere ornaments
– Glossy decoupage glue
– Paint brush
– Sharp scissors
– Vintage floral print out (download here)

Step 1: Carefully cut out the leaves and flowers. Take your time with this step. Your best bet is to cut slowly, turning the paper as you go along.

Step 2: Continue cutting.

Step 3: Apply a light layer of decoupage directly to the ornament.

Step 4: Place a paper piece on the decoupage, carefully smoothing it out with your fingers. Rainbow Dash coloring pages

Step 5: Repeat until the ornament is covered to your liking. Don’t think too much about the placement of each piece; keep it random and organic.

If the edges of the paper begin to wrinkle, smooth it out with a wooden Popsicle stick. Simply apply firm pressure to flatten the paper.

Step 6: Repeat Steps 1-5 until you have created a batch of patterned ornaments. Let them dry completely.

Here’s a clever crafty tip: Place each ornament on an upside down bottle cap or roll of washi tape. This technique will prevent the decoupaged ornament from rolling around while it dries.

Once dry, your new ornaments are ready to dress up your tree. Happy holidays!

Making Polar Bear Ornament the Easy Way

This polar bear ornament makes a wonderful handmade gift. I love gifting ornaments because they can create a memory from year to year.  Looking for more fun gift ideas?  This hot chocolate gift is perfect for a last minute gift.  If you have a teen on your list they might like this candy wrapper zipper pouch. My Little Pony Friendship is Magic coloring pages

This polar bear Christmas ornament is simple to make and a darling addition to your Christmas tree! Making it with the free printable pattern will take you no time at all.

Hi! I’m Angela from Handmade in the Heartland and I’m so thrilled to be sharing this fun polar bear felt ornament. It’s simple and fun to make and isn’t he just too cute?! I’ve been really into making fun little felt ornaments lately, check out my DIY felt penguin ornament. Ever Free Coloring

This project is easy, just cut it out and hand sew it together with a little stuffing in between. The first step is to print out the pattern.

Supplies:
-Printed pattern, scissors & strait pins
-White & Gray felt, 1 craft sheet of each is plenty
-black & white embroidery thread & needle
-1 4″ piece of ribbon
-Small amount of poly-fil stuffing

Step 1: Using the white felt cut out the bear body and legs, cut the circle for the nose area out of the gray and freehand cut 2 tiny little half moon shapes for the ears.

Step 2: Pin the legs to the body of the bear and then hand sew them down together. Do the same with the circle for the nose area and the little ear shapes.

Step 3: Use the black embroidery thread and stitch on a nose, mouth and eyes. After the front of the bear is finished sew the front of the bear to the back of the bear. Make sure to sew the ribbon in between the two layers at the top and then leave an inch or two opening to stuff it before closing it up.

Step 4: Stuff the ornament with a little bit of poly-fil and then finish stitching him up. Voila! You’re done!