Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Entry in Craftiest Mom contest of Parents Magazine


Some days back I suddenly came across a contest for Craftiest Mom for the popular Parents magazine.

I was about to make a craft for and with my toddler. Inspired by the contest I thought why not enter for this contest. Though I saw this couple of days before the last date to enter, it was only on the last day that I finally could squeeze the time to create this. I read the rules, they were a little confusing. Though some people do mention their websites and email address it seemed that's not what you are supposed to do. Well, to be on a safer side I didn't mention anything other than how the craft is made.
My daughter really loved the craft and I was so eager to share it with my readers. Well, my craft didn't make the final cut :-( but I am satisfied with my creation.

These contest sometimes surprise me. Some much more deserving crafts don't make it to the finals and some less desrving ones sometimes become the winner. Sometimes networking plays wonders and sometimes pure luck. What I feel is you should definitely participate if you can and give it your best shot. If you enjoyed making it, if your child enjoyed making it and learned something out of it , then the purpose is served. I am not saying this only for my craft but for lot many others too.
Just thought to share with my readers and followers that such contests do exist and it is a good thing to participate. If you have participated in some contests related to craft do share your experiences. We all can learn from each other's experiences. May the best deserving entry wins !!

You can see my creation and all the steps to make this easy to make, green craft, using recycled materials here.

http://www.parents.com/photos/photo-contests-1/craftiest-mom-contest/2124200010/?photoId=2120500014

Click on all the pictures and read the detailed text for materials used and the steps by step instructions for making this useful green craft.
This size is perfect to fit in Fischer Price Easels color holders. Surprisingly perfect for using as jumbo crayon holder.

Tips:
- You can use old newspaper or old magazine papers to make the paper bamboos. Once they are glued and dried paint it with any acrylic color of your choice. A little varnish spray after the color dries wil make it even more durable.
Let your child decorate it whatever way he likes it.

- Using the same concept if you use different size of base container you can make one for different purpose. Like use a taller container for brushes and long tubes of paints or pencils.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Origami Paper Airplane


Give wings to your creativity....

As promised we are back with the step-by-step instructions for making these wonderful origami paper airplanes.
Let us start with this blue airplane. The first one we learned from our mom. Blue is the color of sky and what other color better than this to represent flying in the sky.We have started with this airplane as this is the simplest and does not have many steps to follow. For a beginner this is the best paper airplane to start with. Believe me it flies high and longer too.

So let us start making this beautiful paper airplane.

You will need:

-A4 sheet paper (yes that's about it) in your choice of color.

Instructions :
Follow the step by step instructions and refer to the corresponding pictures as shown below:


1. Take the A4 sheet paper and lay it on a flat surface.

2. Fold the A4 sheet paper in half as shown in picture. Crease and open it.

3. Hold the left corner and bring it to the crease at center. Crease. Repeat for
right corner. The paper will look as in picture step 3.

4. The paper as in step 3 has a pointed end. Hold it and fold it downwards as shown
in step 4. Crease 3 times using finger or back of a spoon.

5. Again take the left end corner and bring it to the center crease line. Press it
firmly using back of spoon or fingers three times. Repeat for right end corner.
It will look like as shown in step 5.



6. Hold the tip of the little upside down triangle as in step 5 and fold it upwards.
Refer step 6.

7. Fold the paper backwards and crease as shown in step 7.

8. Now take the upper part of the flap and fold again and make sharp crease as shown.
Repeat it for the lower flap too.Crease firmly. You can use back of table spoon
to make it easier. These will be the wings of the airplane.

9. Turn it over. Now it will resemble the shape of the airplane.

10.Turn it over again and flatten it by holding at center and rubbing on a flat
surface.

Your paper airplane is ready to take off. Have fun. The more you make the better you get at it.


Tips
-Click on the picture to see bigger image.

-Boys and girls both can have hours of fun playing together. You can even have competitions of whose airplane is faster and whose airplane flies longer.

-You can use old magazines papers as well to make this paper airplane. Also,you can take used gift wrapping paper,cut in A4 size sheet to make it.When these paper airplanes are made from such used papers they make wonderful green crafts and are more colorful and different too.

-You can use different sizes of rectangular papers to make different sizes of these airplanes.

-You can decorate them too, write your names, make your own designs or even write some airlines names too.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Paper Airplanes




Coming Soon...with more photographs and complete instructions.
Paper Airplanes have been our favorite since childhood. I remember making them along with my younger sister (co-blogger). I think our mom introduced us to the world of paper airplanes,boats and origami for that matter. When we first saw it, it was mesmerising.It seemed like magic. How a flat piece of paper can be converted to something so beautiful and 3D. All you have to do is to follow the simple steps. The idea of making the your own toy and that too in any color you want and as many as you want was so fascinating. I have recently made these for my daughter and some of the kids of my friends and they have been a huge hit. Though some of them knew how to make one of those airplanes, they were really excited to know how to make the others. I must say variety is the key with kids. Some of my readers requested to post some crafts for boys. Though all the craft we make here can be made by Boys too, I think this will definitely be a favorite among boys.Paper Airplanes, though sound simple