Easy Rag Rug

I was looking for an easy project to do for my grandson's nursery and decided to try this rag rug.  I loved it since it is made from fabric and required no sewing. I decide to use flannel since it was soft, came in a wide variety of colors and the price was right. If you have children this is a great project they can help make.  The threading of the fabric is great fine motor practice for little ones.

Materials:

1/2 yard of 6 different color 45"wide flannel for the "rags"

1 yd 45" wide flannel for base of rug

scissors or rotary cutter

*Rotary cutter makes its a whole lot easier

Directions:

Cut the base fabric to the size rug you would like (mine was 30 x 40). Starting 1" from the edge of the base fabric cut small slits about 1/2" a part, spacing rows 3/4"  a part. I did not measure mine I just estimated the spacing. This rug is very forgiving so accuracy is not necessary. I cut all my slits at once but you can do this as you go if you prefer.

I cut the 1/2 yd. pieces of fabric into strips about 1" wide and 6" long.

Here is where the kids can help out.  Starting at one corner, thread a strip down through the first hole and back up through the second. Next, take a second strip and thread it through the second hole (the same hole you just pulled the first strip up through). It will share the same hole with the first strip. Then, pull it up through the third hole. Continue this for each row.  I worked on mine a couple hours each night while I watched TV and I was able to complete it in a week.

This rug is easy to maintain.  Just shake it if it gets flat.  Pull on strip if it becomes uneven.  Rethread strip if it falls out.  Place in a lingerie bag on delicate cycle to wash. 

I bought my fabric so I could get the color combination I wanted but using old, clothes, sheets, towels would be a great way to upcycle.  Some suggestions:
Use old high school T shirts to make a rug for college dorm
Use ragged towels to make a rug for the bathroom or kitchen
Use outgrown baby clothes to make a rug for childs room

Craft of the Week

With a little paint and some paper towel/toilet paper tubes your kids can create these Little Monsters. Hop on over to Alisa Burke's blog for complete tutorial.  Think how cute this will look on display in your home this Halloween.

Craft of the Week

Do you need to entice the kids to come inside to take a bath now that it is summertime?  These bath crayons may just do the trick.  Plus, the kids will have a great time making them.

Marshmallow Popper


How easy and clever is this?  I bet you can entertain the kids for hours with this homemade toy from Real Simple. 

Craft of the Week

I love this idea from Teacher Tom where they created a homemade pinball machine from an old building toy. This is a great project for kids and dads to work on together.

Craft of the Week

Kids love white boards. Check out this easy to make mini white boards from Quirky Momma. This would be great for the car if you travel this summer.

Craft of the Week

Are you brave enough to try this?  I love the days when I can say who cares about the mess and just let them have fun.  Visit Childhood 101 to experience her adventures with Drip Painting.

Craft of the Week

As a preschool/kindergarten teacher I thought I had tried every type of paint medium there was but some how I missed this one.  Pancake Batter Art is great for little ones since it is non-toxic and edible.  After "painting" and cooking (with the help of a grown up) their picture they get it eat it up.

Old Navy Flip Flops $1.00

You can get up to five pairs of flip flops for just $1 each at Old Navy on Saturday! Also, I noticed when I was at Old Navy this weekend that you can recycle your old flip flops in the store, and they will be used to make that rubber playground material . . . lovin' it!

Want a few ideas on how to dress up all those flip flops for you or your kiddos:

Add a flower

Have a flip flop decorating party

 

Make slippers

Interchangeable Flip Flops

Craft of the Week

The kids will love making these yarn lights to decorate their room.  All you need is balloons, yarn, glue and water to make.  Add the lights and presto! Head over to Kim's Kandy Kreations for the complete tutorial.

Craft of the Week

I love these little ladybugs from Counting Coconuts because not only can your kids be involved in making them they will have fun learning while they play.
Alternative: Put or draw pictures on the wings and write a letter inside that corresponds with the pictures for a fun phonics game.

Craft of the Week

This May Day basket is a great way to recycle and use materials you have on hand along with a pack of flower seeds.  This is the perfect craft to make for yourself or to give as a gift.

Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 2- 6th.  Here are some great gift ideas from my favorite craft sites. Even if you don't give your child's teacher a gift make sure to write a note telling her thank you for all that she does.  As a former teachr I know how hard they work.

We Need S'More Teachers Like You!

You're a cut above the rest!

 

Whoopie!

 

Subway Art

Craft of the Week

Light up the world this Earth day with this luminary from Twig and Toadstool.

Candy Holder

 Here is another great treat holder for Easter. Stop by Betz White site to see the tutorial on how to make these felt candy holders.

Craft of the Week

I love art that uses recyclable materials (in honor of Earth Day) you have around the house.  When children do open-ended ar projects in encourages their creativity, sparks imagination and improves writing skills.  Let your child's imagination run wild with this shoebox art.  Check out all the details on Inspiration Surrounds Creativity Abound.

If you have a craft you would like to share add it to the linky below.

Make your Own Wikki Sticks

As an Early Childhood/ kindergarten teacher I adored "yarn wax sticks".  They have so many uses, are easy to manipulate, and are mess free.  To buy them in large quanities can get expensive so I decided to try making my own.  The process take about an hour and is a little messy so make sure you cover your work area. 




Materials:
100% cotton yarn (single ply works best), bright colors
toilet bowl seal, clear (you need a soft wax)
paraffin wax or candle wax
pot
tweezers
cookie sheet
wax paper or foil
paper towels

Instructions:
Cut your yarn into 8 inch lengths.  Cover cookie sheet with wax paper to make clean up easier.  Put the wax toilet seal into your sauce pan and turn the heat on low.  Once the seal melts, you will need to remove the metal insert. After you’ve removed the insert, add a chunk of the paraffin wax. The two types of wax will keep the wax from cracking on the yarn.  Test a strand of yarn.  Continue to add small amounts of paraffin until the strands stick to each other once dry but not leave a residue on the surface.  I used 4 small chunks.
When the wax is ready, drop several strands of yarn into the wax, wait 30 - 45 seconds for them to absorb the wax, then lift them out with the tweezers. Lay them in a single layer on the lined cookie sheet to dry.  They are ready to use. 

I was able to make about 200 yarn sticks in less than hour for under $10.00.  If you don't want to go to all the trouble you can purchase Wikki Stix.

Now that you have all these "sticks" the uses are endless.
Create pictures
Make sculptors
Form shapes
Create letters or numbers with them
Make venn diagram
"Write" spelling words
Circle/underline words, letters, punctuation, verbs... in books
Find locations on a map

Craft of the Week

Shaving cream is a fun medium for children of all ages.  Little Wonders' Days uses acrylic paint and shaving cream to make these gorgeous eggs.  I would recommend using Crayola Washable Tempera Set, Primary Colors (Pk/3).  The colors are bright and will wash out if the kids get messy.

Easter Home Decor

I have been working on a few new decorations for Easter.  These are things you can get the kids involved with and they will not break your pocketbook. 

"Cheep" Flower

This idea is from All You magazine.

Materials:
4 -5 inch flower pot, Dollar Spot at Target
Styrofoam ball, Dollar Tree
11" dowel, pack of twelve for $1 at WalMart
6" embroidery hoop, $2.50 at Joanne's (used 50% off coupon so it was $1.75)
3 Packs of Peeps
Easter grass, $1.00 at WalMart
newspaper
hot glue gun
green acrylic paint
Instructions: 
Paint the dowel and let dry.   Cut the Styrofoam ball in half and hot glue to the bottom of pot. Apply a generous amount of hot glue to the dowel and secure it to the screw at the hoop of the embroidery hoop.  Tighten the screw and let dry. 
Remove the peeps from package but do not separate.  Apply a thick line of hot glue to 1/3 of the hoop and press on one group of five Peeps with the beaks facing the center. You will need to bend them slightly to fit on the hoop.  Repeat with the other two sets of Peeps.  Hot glue the bottom of the dowel into the Styrofoam ball.  Stuff newspaper around the dowel in the pot.  Cover with Easter grass.

Decoupage Eggs

Materials:
1 dozen plastic eggs, .99 at Publix
4 sheets of scrapbooking paper, $1.00 at Joanne's
water downed glue or Modge Podge
brush
Instructions:
Cut the paper into squares.  I found small squares easier to use.  Cover a small section of the egg with glue and place the paper on. Smooth out wrinkles.  Cover with a layer of glue.  Continue until completely covered and let dry. 

Also, I plan to add this Easter Subway art.

Rainsticks

As a teacher, my class used to create rainsticks when we learned about South American countires.  They are used as musical instruments and in ceremonial rituals. The kids had lots of fun making them and experimenting with various sounds.  With all the April showers we are having i thought this would be a fun project for the kiddos to do while they are stuck indoors.

Materials:
wrapping paper tube
scrap paper or fabric scraps
paint or markers
stickers
tape
glue
straight pins or 1"nails
rice, dried beans, macaroni...

Instructions:  Place a nail or pin 1/2 inch apart along the seam of the cardboard tube, making sure the nail does not pierce the other side of the cardboard tube. Place a tape over the nails or pins to hold in place. Cover one end of the opening with paper or tape (the item inside may stick but you will be able to see it flow through the tube).  Fill the rainstick with one cup of rice, beans or your desired item (experiment to get the sound you like). Seal the other end with paper or tape. Decorate your stick, as desired, with paint, scrap paper or fabric, stickers or markers. Tilt tube back in forth to hear the "rain".