Vacation Crafting. Suzanne McNeill
(30.5cm) stick or dowel
•2 black beads
•White and gold dimensional paint
•Glue
1.Cut out two brown robin bodies, two brown robin wings, and two orange robin breasts.
2.Glue one breast, one wing, and one bead for an eye on each body piece. Then glue the dowel between both body pieces.
3.Paint the beak gold on both sides. Paint the neck area white on both sides. Let dry.
CARDINAL PLANT POKE
Project by Kathy Wegner
This cardinal will brighten your yard with his dazzling red color.
MATERIALS
•Red and black foam sheets
•12" (30.5cm) stick or dowel
•2 black beads
•Black and gold dimensional paint
•Glue
1.Cut out two red cardinal bodies and two black cardinal wings.
2.Glue the dowel between both body pieces. Then glue a wing on each side.
3.Paint the beak gold on both sides. Paint the face area black on both sides. Let dry.
4.Glue a bead on each side for eyes.
DRAGONFLY PLANT POKE
Glistening wings add sparkle among your flowers.
MATERIALS
•White and turquoise foam sheets
•12" (30.5cm) stick or dowel
•Opal and turquoise dimensional paint
•Glue
1.Cut out two white dragonfly wings and two turquoise dragonfly bodies.
2.Glue each body piece to a set of wings. Then glue the dowel between both wing pieces.
3.Add sparkle to the wings and body with dimensional paint.
LADYBUG PLANT POKE
Ladybugs are a welcome guest in any garden!
MATERIALS
•Red and black foam sheets
•12" (30.5cm) stick or dowel
•Black permanent marker
•Black dimensional paint
•Glue
1.Cut out two black ladybug bodies (with the head and legs) and two red ladybug wings (the round shape).
2.Draw a center line on each wing piece with marker, then add spots with dimensional paint. Glue each wing piece to a body piece.
3.Glue the dowel between both body pieces.
PHOTO ALBUM COVER
Relive the fun! Display your fabulous vacation photos in a photo album that is almost as interesting as the event itself.
MATERIALS
•Green spiral-bound photo album
•Yellow foam photo frame sized to fit album cover
•3 green foam bugs
•2 yellow foam bugs
•Pony beads: 10 green, 10 yellow, and 10 gold
•6 green ¼" (0.5cm)-wide ribbons, 4" (10cm) long
•Green gel pen
•⅛" (0.3cm) hole punch
•Glue
1.Punch 10 holes across the bottom of the photo frame ½" (1.5cm) apart. Tie a knot in the end of one ribbon, thread the leading ribbon end up through the first hole to the front of the frame, add three beads, and knot the leading end securely. Do this again on the last hole.
2.For the middle eight holes, each ribbon will go through two holes. Knot the end, string on three beads, thread the leading ribbon end down through a hole and back up through the hole next to it to the front of the frame, add three more beads, and knot again.
3.Write words and draw doodles on the frame with a green gel pen. Glue a green bug on one corner. Adhere more bugs to individual pages to form tabs. Glue the frame to the front of the photo album along with your favorite photo.
SEASHELL FRAME
This cool project incorporates not only seashells, but some totally nautical netting as well, for a real down-to-earth effect that works perfectly for a fishing trip or beach adventure.
MATERIALS
•Assorted shells
•4 ¾" x 6 ¾" (12 x 17cm) photo frame
•Light blue-green spray paint
•Blue crackle spray paint
•Matte spray sealer
•2 yards (2m) of jute twine
•Decorative netting
•Sea glass
•Hot glue
1.Wrap each side of the frame three times with twine. Secure in place with glue.
2.Spray paint the entire frame with several heavy coats of blue-green spray paint and allow to dry. Spray on several heavy coats of blue crackle paint with no drying time between coats. After this paint is dry, spray with a matte sealer and allow to dry.
3.Cut a piece of decorative netting to fit around the corners of the frame. Hot glue in place where there are knots in the net to hide the glue.
4.Glue on sea glass and shells as desired.
GENERAL SEASHELL CRAFTING TIPS
•Since shells are heavy and textured, it’s best to use E6000 or hot glue when gluing them, as opposed to regular all-purpose glue. But regular glue can work for some projects.
•Wash and dry shells thoroughly before using them. Brush them vigorously with a sturdy wire brush, then with a toothbrush and water. Glue won’t stick to wet shells.
•To trim broken edges of shells, cut them with wire cutters, then smooth the rough edges with a file or sandpaper.