Easy-Weave Basket

Materials

Scissors Newspaper Transparent tape Paper towel roll Rubber band

Newsprint

Instructions
1. Cut newspaper into 5-1/4- by 21-1/2-inch strips. Fold each strip lengthwise to about an inch wide. We used 3/4-inch strips for the short basket, 1-1/2-inch strips for the taller ones.

2. To make the basket's base, lay two strips in the shape of a plus sign and tape them together. (Tip: For taller containers, double the length of each base strip by taping two strips together.) Add four crosspieces to form an asterisk, as shown, taping after each.

3.

Center the strips on the paper towel roll, then fold them down and

use a rubber band to secure them, as shown.

4. Starting at the base of the basket, tuck a folded strip under one paper rib and secure it with tape. Begin weaving around the form, pulling tightly as you go. Tape the end in place. Continue adding strips in this way to achieve the desired height, leaving about 1 1/2 inches unwoven at the top. 5. Remove the rubber band and take the basket off the paper towel

roll. Fold the raw edges inside the basket and tape them down.

Mini Piatas
Materials

Toilet paper tube Tissue paper Paper streamer Scissors Glue

Instructions
1. Make a cut along the length of a toilet paper tube, then roll the cardboard into a cone and secure it with tape.

2. Roll the cone in green tissue paper, taking care to fully cover the tip, and tape the tissue paper in place.

3.

Remove the cardboard and fill the paper cone with small candies.

4.

Tightly twist closed the top to create the chili's stem.

5.

For the fringe, accordion-fold a 25-inch length of red paper

streamer and cut slits inch apart along one side, stopping inch from the edge.

6. Unfold the streamer and place the chili's bottom point at one end of the fringe. Slowly wrap the fringe around the chili in a tight upward spiral, sticking it in place with a glue stick as you go. Trim any excess fringe and allow the glue to dry. Come fiesta time, partyers can simply tear the tissue paper to break open the piata.

3 Easy Lampshade Crafts

Materials

Lampshade Scissors Brush Glue (we recommend Mod-Podge) PAPER MOSAIC: Mulberry paper (sold in craft and art supply stores) SIMPLE STRIPES: Crepe paper PINHOLE PUNCH: Colored paper (large enough to wrap around the lampshade with an inch or so of overlap) Craft scissors Foam stamps Corrugated cardboard Craft foam Pushpin

Instructions
1. PAPER MOSAIC: Choose an image from your child's artwork or a coloring book to use as a pattern for your central design. Trace the individual elements of the image onto mulberry paper (sold in craft and art supply stores), and then cut them out. 2. Apply the design to the lamp by brushing glue (we

recommend Mod-Podge) onto the appropriate portion of the shade. Use your fingertips to gently press the paper pieces in place and to smooth any air pockets. Once you have the design positioned, randomly fill in the surrounding area with mulberry paper triangles.

3. When your decoration is complete, brush a top coat of Mod-Podge onto the entire outer surface of the shade.

4. SIMPLE STRIPES: Spread a small patch of glue (about 1 1/2 inches square) on the lower edge of the shade. Press the loose end of a roll of crepe paper onto the glue to stick it in place, making sure it doesn't extend below the shade.

5.

Gently but firmly wrap the crepe streamer around the

shade, overlapping the edges as you go. Don't be too fussy -part of the charm of this design is the variation in the stripes created by the layers. 6. Once you've reached the top and the entire surface is covered, cut the streamer from the roll. Fold over the end and use a bit of glue to stick it in place, making sure none of the paper extends above the shade. 7. PINHOLE PUNCH: Cut a piece of colored paper large enough to wrap around the lampshade with an inch or so of overlap. Trim the paper so it doesn't extend above or below the shade (we used craft scissors for a decorative edge). 8. Unwrap the paper and lay it flat on a tabletop. Decorate it with foam stamps (for our sky motif, we used a large airplane, stars, and a white ink pad). 9. Working on a piece of corrugated cardboard topped with a sheet of craft foam, poke a line of holes along the edges of your designs. A pushpin works well for this.

10. Wrap the paper around the shade and secure it by gluing the overlapped edges together.

Tissue Paper Bowls

Materials 2 small bowls Cooking spray or vegetable oil Plastic wrap 1/4 cup flour 1/2 cup water Paintbrush 2 sheets of tissue paper cut or torn into roughly 2- by 2-inch pieces Bowl of white vinegar (optional) Instructions 1. Coat the outside of one small bowl with cooking spray or vegetable oil, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap. 2. In the other bowl, whisk the flour and water together until smooth. 3. Have your child brush the paste onto the plastic wrap, then cover it with pieces of tissue paper as shown. She may need your help pressing down the pieces so that they stick to the paste. When the bowl is covered with one layer, have her brush on more paste and add another layer. Continue until you have a thick, defined bowl shape; you'll need at least five layers. If the brush gets too goopy, dip it in white vinegar, then rinse it with water. Let the papier-mch dry (at least 12 hours). 4. Gently remove the papier-mch bowl from the bowl mold and peel the plastic wrap away. For a smooth edge, trim the bowl's rim with scissors.

Book of Love
Materials

Red paper White paper Scissors Tapestry needle Yarn

Instructions
1. Cut out a red paper heart (ours is about 6 inches across). Trace and cut out 10 to 20 more from white paper. Stack up the hearts in bunches of five, folding each bunch down the middle. 2. Using a tapestry needle, poke holes every 1/2 inch down the center folds (young kids will need Dad's help with this step). 3. Stack the hearts together with the cover on top. 4. Thread the needle with yarn, knot one end, then sew it through the holes, knotting it at the other end. 5. Decorate the cover and seal with a kiss.

Cardboard Palm Tree

Materials

Corrugated cardboard Duct-tape Balloons Green poster board Brown craft paper Glue Tape Scissors

Instructions
1. Start with two 10-inch by 5-foot pieces of corrugated cardboard and duct-tape them together to create a 2-ply tree trunk. 2. Make a V-shaped base for the trunk by folding a 6- by 30-inch cardboard strip in half. Cut 2 slits (3 inches long by 3/16 inch wide) 4 inches in from each end. Cut matching slits 1 1/2 inches in from both sides of the trunk bottom. Slide the base onto the trunk. 3. Cut 2 large palm leaf shapes out of green poster board. Cut a 4- by 1/16-inch slit centered in the top and the bottom of one of the leaf shapes. Make a similar slit centered in the bottom only of the other leaf shape. Cut a slit in the center of the trunk top as well. Attach the palm leaves to the trunk as shown in the diagram above. 4. For tree bark, wrap long, 8-inch-wide strips of brown craft paper around the trunk on a diagonal, overlapping the edges slightly and gluing or taping the paper in place as you go. 5. Finally, cut a few 1 1/4-inch-long slits in the sides of the upper trunk. Attach inflated balloon coconuts (we used burgundy-colored ones) by sliding the balloon necks (just above the knot) into the slits.

Colorful Fruit & Veggie Bowl

Materials

Newspaper Masking tape or string Bamboo kitchen skewers Colored tissue paper Scissors Mod Podge (or similar clear sealant) Paintbrush 1. Help your kids crumple up sheets of newspaper to

Instructions
resemble any vegetable shapes they like, and use masking tape or string to secure the forms. (They don't need to be perfect, just close enough to identify.) Cover any dark printed areas with tape too. Then fashion stems (if applicable) from additional pieces of tape and tape the stems, in turn, to the appropriate vegetables. 2. Stick a bamboo skewer through the bottom of each

newspaper veggie. Then cut several sheets of colored tissue paper into 3-inch squares. Holding each vegetable by its skewer, brush the entire vegetable first with Mod Podge and then add a single layer of tissue squares. Let the sealer dry. Repeat the process, adding more layers until you get the desired shade. Use the same method to cover the various stems with green or brown tissue paper. 3. When the vegetables are complete, remove the skewers

and arrange the veggies in a bowl for a vibrant centerpiece.

Dinnerwear
Materials

Paper grocery bag Paper lunch bags Tape Scissors Scrap paper White paper napkins Stapler 1. For the headband of each hat, cut a 25- by 5-inch strip

Instructions
from a paper grocery bag and fold it in thirds lengthwise. Wrap it around your child's head, overlap the ends by 2 inches, trim, and use tape to close the band.

2.

To make each turkey leg, trim down a paper lunch bag so

it stands 7 inches tall. Smooth the bag around your fist to shape it, then stuff it half full with balled-up scrap paper.

3.

To make each bone, unfold two white paper napkins and

crumple one napkin into a ball. Drape the second napkin over the ball and twist it to form the narrow part of the bone. Insert this end into the stuffed bag. Twist and tape the two parts to secure them.

4.

Staple the legs to the headband and use tape to cover the

staple ends inside the band.

Fancy Fans
Materials

Gift wrap Decorative craft scissors (optional) Stapler Clear tape Pushpin Monofilament 1. wide. Cut a 4 1/2- by 10 1/2-inch rectangle from the gift wrap.

Instructions
Accordion-fold the paper as shown, making the pleats 1/2 inch

2.

Staple the folded paper across the center. Then bring

together the ends on each side of the staple, taping the joints on the unprinted sides.

3.

Use a pushpin to poke a hole through the tape at the

top of the ornament. Thread a 10-inch length of monofilament through it and then knot the ends to form a loop for hanging.

Fireless Tiki Torches

Materials

Paper towel tube Dark brown tempera paint and paintbrush (optional) Scissors Masking tape Red and yellow tissue paper Glue stick Flashlight that fits inside the tube

Instructions
1. If you like, first paint the tube dark brown to make it look

more like wood, then let it dry.

2.

Create an end-cap for the tube by cutting six 1-inch-

long slits around one end, as shown. Then, fold in the tabs and tape the end closed. 3. For flames, stack eight 2- by 4-inch rectangles of tissue paper and cut a flame shape from the stack.

4.

Glue the paper flames in an overlapping pattern

around the inside of the tube opening. 5. To "light" the torch, slip in a lit flashlight, light-end up.

Flowery Sentiments
Materials

MATERIALS FOR 1 2 round paper doilies or 2 heart-shaped doilies (we used 6-inch doilies, available at craft and party stores and www.orientaltrading.com) Pencil 12-inch green pipe cleaner Tacky glue (optional) Scissors Green card stock Hole punch Pen Paper clip

Instructions
1. Lay a doily flat on the palm of your hand. Press the eraser end of a pencil into its center and gather up the doily into a ruffle. Repeat with the second doily.

2.

Place 1 ruffled doily on top of (but not inside of) the

other to form the flower and wrap the doilies tightly with one end of the pipe cleaner as shown. If you want a stronger bond, wrap tightly 1 or 2 times, then add glue to the doilies and continue to wrap over the glue. Allow the glue to dry. 3. Cut a heart-shaped leaf from green card stock. Use a

hole punch to make a hole near the bottom. Write your message on the leaf. Slide the pipe cleaner stem through the hole and add a dot of glue where the leaf rests against the stem. Use a paper clip to hold the leaf in place until the glue dries.

Giant Tissue Paper Flowers

Materials

FOR EACH FLOWER, YOU'LL NEED 6 large sheets of tissue paper in different colors 1 pipe cleaner Scissors Two 6-foot lengths of green crepe paper One 4-foot bamboo garden stake Tape

Instructions
1. For each flower, stack 6 different-colored sheets of tissue paper, then fold the stack accordion style the long way.

2.

Twist a pipe cleaner around the center.

3.

Round both ends of the stack with scissors.

4.

Open

the

flower

by

gently

pulling

up

1 layer of tissue paper at a time toward the center.

5.

Turn over the flower and use the pipe cleaner ends to

attach two 6-foot strips of crepe paper streamers to the bottom of the flower.

6.

Now take those same ends and wrap them around one

end of a bamboo garden stake. Tape them in place to secure.

Handprint Lilies
Materials

Pencil White card stock Scissors Green card stock Hole punch Green plastic straw Tape Yellow pipe cleaner

Instructions
1. Have your child trace his hand onto a piece of white

card stock (regular paper works too but isn't as durable) and cut out the shape. Cut two double leaves from green card stock and punch holes in the centers where the leaves meet, as shown.

2.

Curl the paper fingers and leaves by wrapping them

around a pencil.

3. Wrap the hand around the top of a green plastic straw and secure it with tape. Slide the leaves onto the straw and tape them in place. For the flower's stamen, fold half of a yellow pipe cleaner in half and curl down the ends. Insert the folded end in the straw.

News Shoes
Materials

30 to 40 newspaper sheets (half of a full double page) Ruler Masking tape Craft glue Colored newspaper or magazine page

Instructions
1. Roll each sheet of newspaper lengthwise into a tight tube and tape it. Flatten each tube into a 1-inch-wide strip. 2. For each sandal, fold over 2 inches at one end of a strip, then coil the strip tightly around the folded section. Tape the next strip to the end of the first and continue winding and taping until the oval is half the length of your child's foot. 3. Wind a strip tightly across the width of the oval (A) and tape it (this will strengthen the sandal). Continue taping on and winding more strips around the outside of the sandal until it's big enough for your child's foot. If needed, wrap a strip across the width of the shoe to secure it. Tightly tape around the entire perimeter. 4. For a strap, thread each end of a newspaper strip

between 2 outer strips on each side of the sandal (B). Adjust the strap so it fits your child's foot, then trim the ends and secure them with glue or tape. 5. For the finishing touches, have your child trace the sandal shape onto a colored newspaper or magazine page, then cut out the shape and glue it to the sandal bed.

6.

For the finishing touches, have your child trace the

sandal shape onto a colored newspaper or magazine page, then cut out the shape and glue it to the sandal bed.

Paper Bag Trees

Materials

Medium-size brown grocery bag Scissors Small beverage bottle Pebbles or other weights 1. Cut off and discard the bottom of a medium-size brown

Instructions
grocery bag. Then slit open one side so you have a rectangle. Place a small beverage bottle on the center of it.

2.

Gather the paper around the bottle and twist it around the

neck. Snip down from the top to create several strips that will become limbs. Twist them to within 3 or 4 inches from the ends.

3.

Snip the untwisted ends, as you did in step 2, and then

twist them into finer branches.

4.

Remove the bottle and fill the trunk with pebbles or other

weights.

5.

Retwist the trunk shut.