THREE POTATO FOUR

CLAY LOCH NESS MONSTERS!

2012-02-02T04:08:00.000-08:00

BEADY OCTOPUS!

2012-01-21T06:20:00.000-08:00

Both 'Feathered friends' and 'Beady Octopus' tutorials were produced by 'Directed line drawing' from the fantastic 'DEEP SPACE SPARKLE' Art tutorials. This is the first time i have used this style of teaching and i found this 'step by step' approach really enjoyable, it was a huge success, the children also gained valuable experience of working with mixed media, and had lots of fun in the process. In this lesson we used oil pastels water colours and tempera paints along with dried beans for the 'suction cups'

FEATHERED FRIENDS!

2012-01-17T02:05:00.000-08:00

SNOWY GREETING CARDS, COTTON BUD SNOW FLAKES

2011-12-08T04:20:00.000-08:00

JUST SOME OF MY CRAFT KITS AVAILABLE TO BUY AT RHODES AVE CHRISTMAS FAIR SAT 3rd 2-5pm

2011-11-30T10:31:00.000-08:00

LAVANDER BIRD SEWING KITS

SANTA & SNOWMAN PUPPETS

CROWN AND WAND CRAFT SET

SEW A PRETTY PENCIL CASE KIT

MATRYOSHKA NESTING DOLLS

MINIATURE ART KIT

SAND ART

DOLLY PEG ANGEL KIT

CANDLE MAKING KIT

'THREE POTATO FOUR' STATIONARY SET

DECORATE A CANVAS HOLIDAY BAG

FABRIC SCRAP BUNTING & PAINT BALL ROLLING

2011-11-30T10:24:00.000-08:00

ADVENT CALENDERS

2011-11-30T10:17:00.000-08:00

MONO PRINTING

2011-11-22T02:28:00.000-08:00

FRAMING PRINTS WITH FUN FOAM

2011-11-22T02:23:00.000-08:00

BALLOON RICE SHAKERS

2011-11-22T02:11:00.000-08:00

APPLE PRINT TREES

2011-11-17T05:23:00.000-08:00

MASK MAKING

2011-11-17T05:19:00.000-08:00

TODDLER CRAFT: ROCKETS

2011-11-06T03:51:00.000-08:00

RANGOLI STYLE TILES USING DYED RICE

2011-10-16T05:48:00.000-07:00

WILD ANIMAL PAPER WEAVING

2011-10-07T12:23:00.000-07:00

TOTEM POLES

2011-09-29T11:41:00.000-07:00

BUGS ON STICKS

2011-09-29T11:36:00.000-07:00

MATRYOSHKA DOLLS

2011-08-22T10:32:00.000-07:00

I am constantly trying to think of new ways to use up my stockpile of cardboard tubes, so when i came across a similar idea using the 3 bears, i decided to theme mine on the traditional Russian nesting dolls, just cut a cardboard tube to in 4 decreasing sizes and secure with tape, draw the dolls on to card, colour with crayons or paints (i used watercolours), cut out and stick on to the card rings with double sided sticky tape. i will definitely be using this idea for a children,s craft class soon.

STAMP CARVING

2011-08-22T09:55:00.000-07:00

My 7 year old drew a rocket on to the rubber cutting disc and i helped him to carve out the outline as this is a little fiddly, he used red ink on his finger to create the jet fire!

I made the dragon fly for a birthday card (above)

COLOURED CRAFT SAND

2011-08-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

Well actually it is regular salt instead of sand, coloured with chalks by grinding the side of a chalk in to a small heap of salt on a paper plate, until you get the desired depth of colour required.

My 7 year old had lots of fun with the colouring process, and i just had to make one of these tiny coloured sand bottles that i remember from my childhood!

PRINTING WITH SPONGES & FUN GLASSES!

2011-08-06T11:19:00.000-07:00

BALLOON PAINTING

2011-08-04T06:28:00.000-07:00

DRAGON FLY CRAFT (NEXT WEEK:5th) DECORATE A PAIR OF 'FUN' GLASSES!!

2011-08-04T06:18:00.000-07:00

PAVILION CAFE

2011-07-13T06:28:00.000-07:00

SUMMER HOLIDAY ART & CRAFT FRIDAYS
Painting activities,
drawing techniques,
modeling materials, collage,
and weekly craft project to take home.
Weather permitting at the rear of Pavilion Cafe.
Every Friday morning 10.30 - 11.30am
Durnsford Park,
£5.00 per session
£7.50 with sibling

Contact Sandy 07508483626
artclub3pot4@yahoo.co.uk

MATCHBOX THEATERS!

2011-07-13T06:19:00.000-07:00

BUBBLE MAKING!

2011-07-13T05:58:00.000-07:00

Bubble recipe: 1 tsp glycerine (this makes bigger bubbles)
1part dish wash liquid to 4 parts water
colour & fragrance (optional)
Mix all together in a jam jar (we decorated ours with stickers!)

Bubble wands: florist wire, bent double then twisted to form a loop at the top for blowing bubbles, thread beads on to the handle then secure the bottom by curling with pliers.

FLOWER POT PENS

2011-07-13T05:30:00.000-07:00

What you will need:
fake flowers, green florist tape, mini plant pots, a pen, colourful tissue paper,
glue & brown rice.
What to do:
1. Tape the fake flower with green florist tape to a pen, (nib facing down)
2. Using coloured bits of tissue paper decorate the mini plant pots with glue.
3. Fill the pot with brown rice so the flower pen can stand upright ready for use!

WIRE BEADED BRACELETS

2011-07-04T05:02:00.000-07:00

TEA BOX PETS & COLLAGE ALIENS!

2011-07-04T04:56:00.000-07:00

COLLAGE BUTTERFLIES

2011-06-23T12:22:00.000-07:00

FABRIC FLOWERS

2011-06-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

HOMEMADE BOARD GAMES

2011-06-16T12:46:00.000-07:00

RECYCLED FLOWERS

2011-06-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

BUTTON FISH MOSAICS

2011-06-16T12:32:00.000-07:00

WOOLY CRAFTS

2011-06-16T12:24:00.000-07:00

LEAF RUBBING & WATERCOLOUR RESIST

2011-05-28T10:06:00.000-07:00

BUTTON COLLAGE (pre-school)

2011-05-14T12:16:00.000-07:00

TEA BOX THEATERS

2011-05-14T11:59:00.000-07:00

FABRIC LAVENDAR BIRDS

2011-05-06T05:51:00.000-07:00

BIG GIRLS CRAFT CLUB 5

2011-05-06T05:17:00.001-07:00

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBER 'ROCKSY'

ROYAL WEDDING RING 'BLING!'

2011-04-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

This was a very simple craft using pipe cleaners, threaded through large buttons. then 'air dry' clay was used to secure the 'Diamond'
To finish the ring we applied glue and then dipped in to a pot of glitter!

ROYAL WEDDING VINTAGE FLAG MAKING.

2011-04-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

BIG GIRLS CRAFT CLUB 4

2011-04-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

Well! It was another really successful 'BGCC' evening at the Emporium last night, We have a grand total of 14 members so far, everyone who attended worked on some amazing projects either brought along with them or bought as a kit on the night.....

These very 'eligant' ladies were made by Magdi, i love the way they sit with their legs crossed (above) very demure!!

Marie-Helena brought along her wonderful old fashioned 'Singer' sewing machine to make these pretty retro style bunting for her husbands birthday party.

Julie finished her Cath Kidston Tote bag.
And Caroline crotched these super cute mini Easter baskets.

Also on the night a bit of quilting, knitting, cross stitching and crafty kit making, i cant wait till the next 'BGCC' on the 27th April.

Hand stitched Lavender Heart by Greta.

Fabric brooche made by Ottalie.

DRAWING & PAINTING SPRING FLOWERS

2011-04-12T14:20:00.000-07:00

A SELECTION OF ART WORK FOR THE 'TEA' EXHIBITION

2011-04-01T06:19:00.001-07:00

TODDLER CRAFTS

2011-04-01T06:13:00.000-07:00

APRIL FOOLS FAUX CUP CAKES & CHOCOLATES

2011-03-31T14:23:00.000-07:00

The fake icing is actually 'grout!' with pink food colouring! the children frosted the icing on to large polystyrene balls then decorated with sugar stars and placed in paper cases along with little messages like "eat me!" written on flag toppers! God help anyone who falls for these on April fools day!!

We used a simple Salt dough recipe 1 cup salt/1 cup flour & half cup water coloured with brown paint for the chocolate truffles and decorated with gold paint & coffee beans!

BIG GIRLS CRAFT CLUB 3

2011-03-31T13:18:00.000-07:00

Julie started & finished a lovely cushion for mothers day.

Very cute rabbits by Magdi, hopefully she will have a blog to link to very soon!

Caroline showed us how to applique these lovely fruits on to cotton serviettes.

Emily chose one of our craft kits available at the BGCC and made this pretty beaded heart. Wendy added these sweet fabric jam pot covers to her delicious preserves she sell's at Emporium, and Maria practiced on one of the many sewing machines.
Pop over to LITTLE GEMS WORLD for more pictures of this Fab night!

TINY EASTER BASKETS & FELTED EGGS

2011-03-31T13:03:00.000-07:00

We covered 'plum cartons' with delicate patterned tissue paper using 'Mod Podge' varnish glue, then 'wet felted' the eggs (and caterpillars!) with pure Merino wool using hot soapy water and rolling in to tiny egg shapes.

DECORATING OLD CHINA SAUCERS FOR MOTHERS DAY.

2011-03-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

BEAD BRACELETS & 'DECOUPAGE' JEWELERY BOXES

2011-03-23T10:38:00.000-07:00

We used tissue paper & 'Mod podge' for a varnished finish!

DRAWING WITH SHARPIES, WAX RESIST 'BIG FISH BOWLS'

2011-03-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

BIG GIRLS CRAFT CLUB 2

2011-03-19T13:03:00.000-07:00

'RECYCLED LID' SUNCATCHERS

2011-03-18T07:27:00.000-07:00

INK BLOWN BLOSSOM IN ORIGAMI PATTERNED POTS

2011-03-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

WOOD SCRAP BOATS

2011-03-18T07:10:00.000-07:00

KIMONO DOLLS

2011-03-10T13:55:00.000-08:00

MINIATURE GARDEN DESIGN

2011-03-10T13:39:00.000-08:00

This is one of the mini gardens just a few days later!

WATERCOLOUR BUTTERFLIES USING CARAN D'ACHE

2011-03-09T11:10:00.000-08:00

FELT KEYRING CRITTERS

2011-02-28T05:40:00.000-08:00

FINALLY A CRAFTY CLUB THATS NOT FOR KIDS!!

2011-02-26T13:37:00.000-08:00

I have finally got around to starting a craft evening for adults! and were better to hold this crafty evening but in the inspiring vintage surroundings of the Emporium of course!
Thank you to Gemma at little Gems World for the Fabulous graphic above. Hope to see you there this Wednesday 2nd!

Membership is £10 per year. Lovely refreshments will be available to purchase. You can bring your own project or buy a kit there! To join in and become a member click on the link.. info@emporiumtearooms.co.uk or call 0208 883 3434.

If any lovely London bloggers are interested it would be fab if you'd like to join in. Emporium Tearooms is situated in Muswell Hill, North London and is just gorgeous!

TODDLER VALANTINES CRAFTS

2011-02-17T03:08:00.000-08:00

We made real Lavender scented play dough to take home!

Red rose prints made with cut Celery
and pink heart prints from cut potatoes.
(Makes lovely wrapping paper!)

VALENTINE HEART WEAVING

2011-02-10T05:55:00.000-08:00

CHINESE KOI FISH KITES

2011-02-07T05:35:00.000-08:00

YIPEE! MY HEIDI KENNEY BOOK HAS ARRIVED!

2011-01-27T12:41:00.000-08:00

EVERY DAY'S A HOLIDAY... Well it is now! because This book teaches children (and me!) about crafting for the more obscure Holidays, (mainly in America!) But who cares when you can make cute mushrooms out of radishes for 'Eat your veggies day' and a Dapper 'Mr Peanut' for National Peanut day!! "This is my kinda craftin!!" Check out her fantastic blog.. 'My Paper Crane' too.

CUTE BOX AQUARIUMS

2011-01-27T12:19:00.000-08:00

Todays little craft project was inspired by a similar box aquarium idea over at madebyjoel.blogspot.com Considering the children only had 1 hour to make them i think they are Fantastic!

FABRIC SCRAP ACCESSORIES

2011-01-24T13:25:00.000-08:00

I have found a wonderful way of saving all my lovely scraps of left over patterned fabric by using 'iron on interfacing' They came in very handy for the girls to make these colourful hair accesories and brooches. Using Interfacing also makes fabric easier for children to cut!

FABRIC PAINTING- BANNERS

2011-01-24T13:18:00.000-08:00

MINIATURE COMICS & SALT DOUGH CHARACTERS!

2011-01-24T13:02:00.000-08:00

FLOWER FAIRIES

2011-01-11T07:08:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Eden.Kaitlyn,Holly,Rebecca,Lara,Elizabeth & Bonnie

FOSSIL CRAFTS

2011-01-11T06:13:00.000-08:00

Fossil dough recipe: 1 cup flour, 1 cup coffee grounds, 1/2 cup salt, few tbs of old coffee. Mix altogether to make a stiff dough. The children pressed mini dinosaurs and shells into the dough, when they have dried they just look like the real thing!

HOME MADE CHRYSTAL GEODES

2011-01-11T05:17:00.000-08:00

As part of the Fossil theme this week i gave the children their own little Geode to break open at the end of the session. Here is hoe i made them: make up Plaster of Paris pour in to egg box moulds place a small chrystal or jewel in the center then wait to set. Once set remove from the carton, place carefully to one side,then pour the remaining PP in to egg cartons and then simply put the first half on top of the second to enclose the chrystal inside and form a rock! i sprinkled a little sand over them whilst they were setting to make them look a little more authentic! Then packaged them up with a few Geode facts attached!

WOODEN SPOON ANGELS.

2010-12-11T06:23:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS WEEK 3

2010-12-02T10:20:00.000-08:00

HOLIDAY CRAFT WEEK 2

2010-11-12T06:37:00.000-08:00

Peg Christmas Trees

TODDLER CRAFT: RECYCLED BOX CARS

2010-11-12T06:30:00.000-08:00

CONFETTI FIREWORKS

2010-11-07T01:48:00.000-07:00

We screwed up some tissue paper and attached a piece of string with a bead on the end to create a 'bung' which we inserted in to the cardboard roll and then filled with confetti to pull later! These would be great used with cracker snaps!

SIMPLE TODDLER FIREWORK CRAFT

2010-11-07T01:16:00.000-07:00

FIREWORK ETCHING

2010-11-07T01:10:00.000-07:00

PANTS AT EMPORIUM

2010-11-03T02:32:00.000-07:00

My Art work is the bright blue Origami picture 3rd from the end. Click on the Pants poster for further information on the next themed Exhibition "Love Peace & Happiness"

GLITTERY NAME HOLDERS

2010-11-02T05:58:00.000-07:00

For the next 5 weeks and the run up to the Holiday season we will be making fun decorations using different craft techniques, starting off with these pretty beaded table place settings.
All you need is: some air dry clay,beads, craft wire and glitter to decorate.
1. Cut wire 7-9" long curl the end round a pencil 3 times for the card holder.
2. thread beads on to wire.
3. push the end of the wire in to the clay (carefully so as not to drop all the beads!)
4, then you are ready to decorate the clay base we also used gold acrylic paint.
5. finish by adding your name cards.

RECYCLED BUGS!

2010-10-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

I came across this simple tutorial for these funny little recycled bugs here. They were intended to be scary spiders for Halloween! But i think these chaps are much better!

FELT CHARACTERS

2010-10-29T11:27:00.000-07:00

BOX PULL PETS

2010-10-08T06:41:00.000-07:00

As i am trying to use up some of my recycled stash this week i was pleased to stumble upon this lovely toddler craft at madebyjoel.blogspot.com it is very basic and the kids loved the end product. Click on the link for materials & a how-to!

JUNK CASTLES AND PALACES

2010-10-08T06:28:00.000-07:00

Made from cereal boxes and cardboard tubes

WILD BIRD BOX CRAFT

2010-10-01T05:46:00.000-07:00

We made wild bird boxes out of recycled juice cartons this week!
I have dicovered a great product called 'Gesso'
which is traditionally used on canvas, but is just as good to prepare recycled packaging for crafting ie yogurt pots, cartons and boxes!

PRINTING STYROFOAM PATTERNS

2010-09-24T09:50:00.000-07:00

This is a simple way to introduce the concept of printing to children of all ages.
Were possible i always try to use recycled materials, so for this project we used pizza trays for etching with (ballpoint pens £1 for 35 from the pound store) and thick Tempera paints for printing.

CIRCLE WEAVING

2010-09-21T10:02:00.000-07:00

FUN MONSTER CREATIONS!

2010-09-18T06:26:00.000-07:00

I have finally found a use for these great food trays i have been hording in my craft shed for so long!
Each little section contained all the parts they needed to create these Funky little monsters. As you can see i still cant work out photo formation on this 'blooming blog' i just upload & hope for the best!!

FABRIC & YARN BEADS

2010-09-18T06:07:00.000-07:00

This is a simple way to make your own colourful beads by rolling small scraps of fabric (we used fleece) then wrapping yarn around to secure, then using a needle they threaded them along with some assorted beads to make a necklace or bracelet.

THE TEENY TINY TEA HOUSE

2010-08-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

This is a double page spread for my little book 'The Teeny Tiny Teahouse' featuring 3 of my weeny peg dolls! Well i actually started this on a childrens book illustration course at the City Lit in January and i have just found it again, gathering dust on my shelf! So i thought it would be nice to take a few pictures and maybe finish it one day!! Watch this space for the next instalment...

HORNCASTLE VINTAGE TREASURE!

2010-08-30T02:44:00.000-07:00

I love snooping around Horncastle in Lincolnshire for cheap vintage finds, as you can see we really didnt know were to start! well worth a visit if you ever find your way up there!!

CRAFT ROUND UP!

2010-07-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

Watercolour string painting

Jay-cloth Dabbers

EMPORIUM SUMMER FAIR SAT 19th 2pm

2010-06-18T09:15:00.000-07:00

Come along and make your very own miniature flower garden along with lots of other fun stuff at the Emporium Summer Fair
check out the link for details!

WORLD CUP FLAG MAKING

2010-06-18T07:16:00.000-07:00

MY MUMS BEAUTIFUL PIN WHEEL QUILT.

2010-06-18T07:09:00.000-07:00

This quilt is still a work in progress, and i have already laid claim to it before any one else in my family, the workmanship is perfect!! well done to my mum Jean XXXX

SNOW DOUGH RECIPE

2010-06-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

A little out of season i know, but when i came across this idea i just had to give it a go!!
You will need:
1 1/2 cup & 1/2 cup water (melted snow if making in the winter!)
2 cups of salt
1 cup of cornflour
mix 1 1/2 cup water with salt and bring to the boil, simmer for 5 mins stiring constantly,
remove from heat, mix remaining 1/2 cup of water with cornflour stir then add to salt water.
stir well and leave to cool.
if dough becomes sticky just add plain flour!
The good thing about this dough is that it can be painted before it hardens giving a nice irridesent look, we used watercolours or just keep it white. This is easy to make at home and a great Christmas craft as glitter can also be added!

DANGLY EARINGS USING HAMA BEADS

2010-06-18T06:32:00.000-07:00

POP-UP CARDS

2010-06-03T10:55:00.000-07:00

MAKE YOUR OWN INK PADS AND STAMPS!

2010-06-03T10:02:00.000-07:00

I prepared these inexpensive stamp pads in advance by using packaging trays and thin foam with tempera paints
.
The children stuck pre-cut shapes to foam blocks

then designed note book covers