Origami Diary
"; s.text = "Want to write down your private thoughts, but journals are too obvious, and you're scared your family will read them? Start a new 'hobby' so they'll never suspect!
Materials
Origami paper, pen, origami instructions
Instructions
1. Write your diary on the origami paper.
2. Fold the paper according to the instructions in the book.
By Kinanthi, 11
Make Your Own Magazine
"; s.text = "Materials
Several pieces of size A4 paper in any color, a colorful pen, photos, and staples
Instructions
1. Decorate your wrapper with pens and photos.
2. Write your articles or quizzes on the other pages.
3. When you're finished writing and decorating, compile your papers and join the pages with staples.
4. Enjoy your magazine!
By Kinan, 11
Cool Magazine Necklace
"; s.text = "Materials
Magazines, a string (lanyard, twine, whatever you want), liquid glue, scissors, and beads (optional).
Instructions
1. Cut a page with a lot of color out of the magazine.
2. Cut the page into length-wise strips around 3/4 inch thick; you can play with the size to get the kind of bead you want.
3. Spread glue down one side of a magazine strip.
4. Roll the strip of paper up into a small cylinder shape. Make sure you leave enough space at the beginning of the roll so that you lace your string through!
5. Repeat until you have as many beads as you want.
6. Alternating with beads (optional), lace everything on to the string. You're done!
By Nikki, 15
Tank Top Bag
"; s.text = "Materials
Old tank top, needle and thread or sewing machine
Instructions
Flip the old tank top inside out, and sew the bottom together using small stitches. When finished, flip it right side out. The shoulder straps are the handles! Fill it with your wallet, make-up, etc.
By Christina, 13
Personalize Your Cell Phone
"; s.text = "Materials
Your cell phone, a charm that you like (the lip gloss ones are sweet and practical, or you can just use one from a bracelet), stickers, nail decals, rhinestones, sticky-tac or pop-up glue dots, a cell phone case
Instructions
1. Put the charm on your phone's antenna. If it doesn't have one, the rest of these ideas are cool, too.
2. Put the stickers, nail decals, and rhinestones on.
3. Put Glue Dots or Sticky-tac all over your phone, then cut out pictures from magazines and put them on for a cool pop-out effect.
4. If you feel like a change, take everything off, put on a cell phone case, and decorate that!
Now you'll look stylish when you text!
By Heather, 12
The Perfect Little Gift
"; s.text = "Materials
Different colors of playdough, liquid glue
Instructions
Roll one big ball of playdough in the favorite color of the person you are giving the gift to. This will be the body! Then make eyes using white playdough, and add a dot in the center in the color of your choice. Use orange playdough to add whimsical ears and a tail. When you are finished, coat the figure with liquid glue to prevent cracking while it dries. Don't make the coating too thick so that the glue will dry clear. WARNING: the glue part can get messy!
By Hannah, 11
Sparkling Beaded Candleholder
"; s.text = "Materials
Beading wire (available in craft and discount stores), wire cutters, glass or plastic beads as desired, glass votive candleholder, hot-glue gun and hot-glue sticks
Instructions
1. Cut a piece of wire approzimately 36 inches long.
2. Place one bead on the end of the wire, then thread the wire through the same bead a second time to secure it.
3. String the remaining beads on the wire as desired.
4. Secure the last bead the same way as the first by threading through a second time.
5. Wrap the beaded wire around the candleholder to determine the placement. If you need more beaded wire, simply cut and bead the extra length needed.
6. Secure one end of the beaded wire or wires around the candleholder, securing with hot glue about every inch.
More ideas: Try this same idea using miscellaneous jewelry findings, shells, and buttons. Make many 6-inch lengths of wires with different color themes, and mix and match on the candle holder.
By Meredith, 15
A Cool Sponge
"; s.text = "Materials
A rectangle sponge, scissors, and some string
Instructions
Use the scissors to make two cuts across from each other lengthwise on the sponge. Have them point toward each other but do not touch. Don't don't make the cuts too deep, but you can play with the size of the cuts for different effects. Then, cut the sponge similarly at intervals between these two cuts, like rays of the sun. Again, don't cut too far. Tie the string TIGHTLY between the first two cuts. Your sponge will fan out into a chunky circle!
By cool_cat10, 10
Make Your Own Soap!
"; s.text = "Materials
Large bowl, dishwasher liquid, flour, freezer
Instructions
Put lots of dishwasher liquid into the large bowl. Add a couple drops of flour. Freeze it for a night or two. When you take it out of the freezer, you will have soap! Enjoy!
By Sophie C., 11
Lovely Lunchbag
"; s.text = "Materials
A tote bag, stick-on jewels, and fabric markers/paint
Instructions
Decorate! Thanks for helping the Earth!
By mka, 11
Gazzle and dazzle with your own fashionable bracelet
"; s.text = "Materials
String, beads, and your creative style.
Instructions
Take three strings and braid them. As you are braiding, add beads or any other trinkets that you like. Then put it on your wrist and flaunt your stuff.
By Arrielle, 11
Junk Frame
"; s.text = "Materials
Old frame, picture, saw, glue
Instructions
Go through your house and find junk that people don't use anymore. Cut a frame that's a little bigger than the picture. Cut out a back that's bigger then the frame. Glue the picture onto the back. Then glue the junk on the frame. Glue the back onto the frame. Gorgeous!
By Kitty, 13
Original T-shirts
"; s.text = "Materials
old/new T-shirt of any color, and decorative items such as beads, glitter, pens, paint, etc. Newspaper - this is optional, just to help prevent mess!
Instructions
1.Spread your workspace with newspaper if you have some. 2.Decorate your T-shirt any way you want. Be creative!
By Princess Sarina, 9
Make your own corkboard!
"; s.text = "Materials
Have you ever wanted to decorate your room, but your parents won't let you put holes in the walls with pins and nails? Well, here's something I did to get around that: Step 1. get a corkboard of any size but not so big it covers your wall, you want it to be small enough to move frequently. Step 2. Go out and get some stickers that are about 1-2 inches wide - ones that pop up work best, because it will add more pizzazz than flat ones, and they are usually more stiff, so if they hang over the side they won't crumple.
Instructions
Step 3. Decorate the edges with the stickers, I also used bright cloth winded around the edge, it looks wonderful between the stickers. Step 4. Hang it above your bed or anywere in your room. If it did not come with something to hang it with, get some ribbon, pin both ends to the top of the board, and hang it with the ribbon! You can get more corkboards for each wall to, and move them around a bunch, your room will look wonderful!
By Kellie, 11
Lockable note pad
"; s.text = "Materials
a large picture you like, note pad with binding, glue, wire, lock, hands, scissors.
Instructions
Glue the picture on the front of the notepad and let dry. Cut a fairly long piece of wire. Slide part of wire through one of the holes in the notepad where the binding is, to the back of the note pad. You should have half of the wire on each side. Roll the ends of the wire into circles with a hole in the middle. Make sure they can still touch! Slip the lock through both circles and lock it. Huzzah! There you have it, your very own lockable note pad!
By Anonymous, 10
Mosaic Girl
"; s.text = "Materials
magazines, paper, scissors, glue
Instructions
Take a whole magazine - you might need a lot of pages. Start doing your figure: cut out eyes, tiaras and jewelry, etc., and any skin colour cut-outs which you could get from a person or an advertisment for blush and makeup etc. Then make a face and hair. Then cut out other cut-outs of patterns or colours for clothes or hair things etc. Then you can paste all that on to manila tag or paper. Now you make make your backround however you want and even add building in the backround if you can find it! Have fun with this cool project!
By Little Jazzy, 11
Playdough
"; s.text = "Materials
Dish washing soap, paper cup, flour, toothpick
Instructions
1. get dish washing soap. 2. put dish washing soap in a paper cup. 3. put some flour in the paper cup. 4. stir together with a toothpick. 5. Have fun!
By Amy, 10
Pyramid
"; s.text = "Materials
paper, scissors, glue, decorations
Instructions
1. Cut four triangles out. 2. Make a square out of paper. 3. Glue your triangles to the square paper. 4. Decorate.
By Haley, 8
Wall Collage
"; s.text = "Materials
a camera, an empty wall.
Instructions
To make a wall collage you should definitely do it with some friends or even family. I would rather do it with friends. Everytime friends come over, we take pictures and keep adding it to the wall collage. This project is easy and fun!
By Monki, 13
How to make designer flip-flops
"; s.text = "Materials
cloth, ribbon, fringe or similar trim, scissors, flip-flops with foam soles and foam or fabric straps, a low-temperature glue gun
Instructions
1. Choose a trim and cut a length to fit around the outer wall of each sole with a 1/2-inch overlap. Cut separate pieces of trim for the left and right sides of the foot strap, as well. Again, the pieces should overlap 1/2 inch where the ends meet in the center. 2. To attach the trim to the sole, evenly apply a line of hot glue to a 2-inch section of the foam, using the low-temperature glue gun tip to quickly spread it to a width that's slightly narrower than the ribbon. Firmly press the end of the trim onto the glued portion so that it sticks well, then smooth it toward the unglued section. Continue applying glue and attaching the trim in 2-inch increments until you've fully circled the sole. 3. Use the same method to attach the 2 pieces of strap trim. Allow the glue to dry for at least an hour before you take your newly decorated footwear for a walk. Variations: Matching Beach Hat: For a matching summer cap, you can attach trim using a nontoxic fabric glue
By Holly, 9
How to make a flower
"; s.text = "Materials
Paper, Scissors
Instructions
Cut a piece of paper into a rhombus and fold it into a triangle. Fold it again to a right triangle and cut off each corner. Open it and there is your flower!
By Bethany, 10
A Great Gift That You Can Make!
"; s.text = "Materials
1. Get a scrapbook. 2. Decorations for the cover.
Instructions
3. Decorate the inside, preferably with pictures of you and the gift receiver! 4. Be sure to leave some blank pages so the receiver can put their own stuff inside. 5. If you want the gift to be extra special, put something really funny that is full of memories on the last page. For instance, if your friend went to Jamaica five years ago and sent you a bag of sand, you could put that bag of sand on the last page and write: this is the bag of sand you sent me five years ago!
By Suzie, 9
Make a pillow with a secret in it
"; s.text = "Materials
Fabric, scissors, needle and thread or sewing machine, stuffing, a \"secret item\", anything you want to decorate with, and a zipper
Instructions
First, cut out two identical rectangles or squares and make sure your item will fit in it (i.e. the rectangle or square should be bigger than the item). Make sure the back side of the fabric is facing out and sew tightly around the edges, making sure to leave the middle of a top or bottom edge open (enough for your item to go in and out). Sew the zipper on the opening, but make sure the zipper is facing the inside. Flip the fabric inside out--this way the front side of the fabric is facing out and the zipper is facing the right way. Stuff half of it vertically like a platform. Put your item in and then stuff the rest. It's best if you leave your item in the middle.
Tip: to get the best results, put zippers around your pillow so it looks like the design. Also, you can get different colored fabric so it has two different looking sides. Have fun!!!!!
By Sydney, 13
Denim Notepad
"; s.text = "Materials
Hard-back notebook (new or old), a pair of old jeans, scissors, glue, some sequins
Instructions
First, you cut the bottom of your jeans' leg off and then you cut it down one side to make it flat and open. Then, you place the open notebook on the jeans and draw a line around it. After that, you should cut around the notebook, but be careful to cut a little bit extra around so you can fold the bits around the notebook! After that, you glue the jeans on the notepad. A great tip is if you have a back pocket on your jeans, cut around it and sew or glue the edges to the front of your book inorder to store pens in the front, if not, you can glue gems or sequences.
By Kim, 13
Tired of Boring Storage?
"; s.text = "Here's how to brighten up the storage areas and shelves in your bedroom!
Instructions
1. Ok, so let's identify the problem...you need to add a little life to your CD box, knick-knack drawer, and hair elastic box? What's the issue? Now we can fix it!
2. Find a shoe box.
3. Take out all the old magazines you can find. Cut out cute phrases, words, pictures, quotes, and other things you find that show your personality.
4. Fit them together on your box, then glue it all down, covering the box \"head to toe!\"
5. To add a little more flavor to your box, glue on ribbons, bows, glitter, sequins or whatever else you want.
6. Use it! Toss in all those old cassettes that are outdated but too sentimental to lose, or your millions of hair scrunchies that just scatter all over your room, or all those cut outs of your favorite actors. Do whatever you like!
By Anonymous, 16
Decorate Your Door!
"; s.text = "If you're bored one day, why not decorate your bedroom door? It's fun and creative and it'll make your room more personal.
Instructions
1. My door is plain white and boring. If yours is too, you may want to paint it a plain pale colour first like pink, blue or yellow - not too dark, though, or the next stages won't work so well!
2. Get out all your old magazines and cut out pics of the hot stars and guys; your role model movie/ pop stars; cool pics of shoes, clothes, and fun make-up; fun advertisements with bright colours; positive slogans, etc.
3. Fish out all those photos from that trip to France, the wildest theme park or just the last day of term and pin up all the funniest pics of you and your mates.
4. Paint and draw some still life and abstract paintings.
5. Find all the postcards and funny birthday cards your friends have sent you.
6. Lastly, get loads of stickers and blu-tack.
7. Now that you've collected all this stuff, choose the best in each category and start sticking and blu-tacking. Put stuff at funny angles. Add captions to the photos. Make it look fun, lively and original.
8. Finally, make a plaque out of papier maché or even just plain cardboard saying your name e.g. \"Ami's room!\" Stand back and admire your handiwork! Make sure you update it regularly; take down old pics and add new stuff.
By Ami, 14
'Favourite Things' Pinboard
"; s.text = "1) If you can, get a cork board, about A3 size. These are best because you can use drawing pins to hold things on it. But if you can't, then don't worry. Find a big piece of cardboard instead and paint it cork-color.
2) Now for the fun part! Find lots of pictures of things you like - or you could use pictures you drew yourself, postcards from friends, holidays, or just things that are special to you. It could even be a shrine dedicated to your favorite celebrity!
3) If you are using a cork board, use drawing pins to attach your things to it. If you are using cardboard, use Blu-Tack. Now get an adult to attach it to your wall and whenever you look at it, you will be reminded of events/people/fun times you don't want to forget!
By Lolo, 14
New Uses For Old Denim
"; s.text = "If your family is like mine, they live in denim. From denim jeans to denim skirts, we have plenty of denim in our house. With three children, we go through plenty of clothes. Two of these children being boys, many of these clothes are worn out before being grown out. So I found myself with a garbage bag full of no good denim. What is a frugal mother to do? I'll tell you what I did: I rose to the challenge and went to work researching. I found there are so many uses for this denim that I want more worn out clothes! Here are a few items you can make with denim scraps:
QUILT
Cut the good parts of the denim clothing into four inch squares. Sew together to form a quilt. I did this and made a rag quilt. I sewed the quilt and left the denim seams on the outside of the quilt. Washed and dried for a little fraying and bam...one Christmas gift was finished.
PURSE
Turn the jeans (I used shorts) to the inside and sew just below the bottom at the beginning of the legs. I sewed a few times for extra reinforcing. Sew on a strap using the waistband from another pair of jeans. Lace a belt or use ribbon through the belt loops to draw closed. I also put a strip of Velcro on the inside of mine to keep shut.
PILLOWS
I made butt pillows for our van the same basic way the purse is made, except you need to close the entire top with Velcro. Put a ready-made pillow form in and you can unvelcro for easy cleaning. Just toss in the washer. I used an old pillow as the pillow form and had no cost at all for my pillows.
APRON
Use a pair of overalls for this project. Cut the seams of the legs apart and then sew both of the front legs together and then both of the back legs together. Slip over your head for a great apron. You can also use as a great overall dress. Quick and easy.
By Roxanna W.
Make a Charm Necklace/Bracelet/Anklet
"; s.text = "Materials
Thin, bendable wire
Wire cutters
Carbon paper (any color desired)
Paper glaze if you can find it (if not, Elmer's Glue works just fine)
Any picture you like but don't mind cutting
Super glue
Any type of string you want
Parent supervision or help if you are under age 12
Instructions
First, cut two pieces of wire about an inch long. Then you bend them into any form you want--but don't forget to bend a loop at the top of it!! Make sure they are the same shape and size. Then get a piece of carbon paper and cut it to the appropriate size for the wire, then super glue it between the two pieces of wire (be careful). Then take the picture you chose and get the paper glaze or Elmer's Glue and put it on the carbon paper. Stick the picture on it. Next put the glaze or Elmer's Glue on top of the picture. Let dry overnight--don't be anxious and touch it before then becasue if it's still wet, you'll mess it up! Then, the next day cut a piece of string to the apropriate size and string the charm or charms you made on it!!! Congratulations! You made charm jewlery!!!
By Kalan, 15
Imaginative Me
"; s.text = "Materials
A photo of you
Any old bits of fabrit that you don't want
Some beads
Pipe cleaners
Glue
Paint
A sheet of coloured card
An old shirt
Pens and anything like that
Instructions
1. Place your cardboard down on a flat surface.
2. Stick the photo of yourself onto the middle of the card.
3. Take chunks out of your old shirt, maybe a bit with writing on it. Or, if you have a fishnet sleeve, you could cut that off. Stick the bits that you have cut off of your shirt onto the card.
4. Decorate around your photo with some of the other materials and write on some words that describe you. Et voila! Your own masterpeice all about you.
Tip: You can even stick pictures of your mates on and pictures of your favorite bands and maybe your pets!
By Crazy Cait, 12
The Flower in Ice Candle
"; s.text = "Materials
A cup, food coloring or marker, candle, air freshener, aluminum foil
Instructions
1) Put some water in a clear cup.
2) Put in some food coloring or get a marker and dip it in the water 20 times. 3) Get a pretty, colorful candle and put it in the water.
4) Spray some air freshener in the water.
5) Then put the aluminun foil on top.
6) Put the cup in the freezer for a day.
7) Then take it out and put some designs on the cup.
8) Then you've got a flower in ice candle!
By Misssade, 15
Blankets
"; s.text = "Materials
* Two pieces of soft fabric in coordinating fabric with your favorite print (Or, choose two solid colors and design it yourself!)
* Sewing needle and thread or sewing machine
* Scissors
* A Pen
Instructions
Cut the fabric in a rectangle or square to the desired length. (It's okay if you have frayed edges at first.) Lay the fabric you trimmed on top of the other fabric. Trace around your cut fabric, leaving about a 2-4 inch border. Then trace the cut fabric regularly, with no border. Take the cut fabric off the other fabric. On the second piece of fabric, cut the inside square out, so when you are done the fabric looks like a picture frame. Sew the \"picture frame\" piece of fabric, to the other piece of fabric. There! You have a border! (See? Your frayed adges are covered up!) And, there is your blanket! Fuzzy, huh?
By Blondie, 12
Beaded Yarn Purse
"; s.text = "This is kinda complicated and it takes a while to finish. NOTE: Threads, strings, yarn, whatever are all the same thing.
Materials
A ball of yarn (any color), a piece of cardboard twice the size you want your purse to be, scissors, beads
Instructions
Fabric: Cut slits about 1/2 inch or 1 cm apart on both sides of the cardboard. Tie a knot at the end of the yarn ball. Slip the yarn through the notch and pull it taut so the knot is behind the cardboard holding the string on. Slip some of the string in the slit directly across from this one. Tie a knot on the same side as the other knot. Cut the yarn. Repeat until you've filled all the slits. I will call these vertical strings because you should hold it so they're vertical (up and down). Then cut a yarn that is about as tall as you are and tie it to the top of the vertical string on the left so it's on the corner. Put the end under the next string to the right, pull it taut, but not too tight or the purse will be distorted, under the next one, over under over under, etc. until you reach the end. Then you wrap it around the string at the end so that if you pull it back to the right, it won't come out. If you went under the last one, go over it. If you went over it, go under it. Go back left and right and left and so on until you're out of yarn. Then cut yourself another piece and tie it to the end of the first one. Ignore the knot and pretend it's part of the other thread. Once you reach the end, tie the string around the bottom corner so it won't fall out. Then pull the knots out of the slits and you may want to tie them to the row nearest them so they won't come out. Now you have fabric for your purse.
Making it into a purse: Fold the fabric in half so the ends of the vertical lines touch. (The fold should be at the bottom. If you want a flap to close it, then you can fold it so the bottom part is a little larger than the top part.) Cut yourself another thread about a meter or a yard long. Tie it to any thread on a top corner of your purse. You will be able to spread the yarn making a hole easily. Do this and put the thread through it. Make a hole in the other side of the fold too. Then go about 1cm down and put it back through. Keep doing this until you get to the end. Then tie it to one of the threads at the bottom. Repeat on the other side. Turn the bag--you should have it inside out and this is your purse.
Beads: Pull out one of the threads so it's a loop wherever you want to put the first bead. Cut a thread about .5 meter or 1 1/4 foot and tie one end there. Tuck the tail inside the bag. Slide a bead (I recommend pony beads) onto the string. Open the bag and push it back through ONLY THIS SIDE. Then push it up again where you want any other bead to be. DO NOT USE THE SAME THREAD FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE BAG. Slip on a bead and put it back in. If the beads are more than an inch apart, I recommend starting with a new thread.
Handles (optional): Take three threads (about 1 foot or 1/3 meter) and braid them or knot them or whatever to make a cool handle design. (Don't just twist them though or it will be messed up.) Tie a knot at each end and tie the three tails to the outer threads on each side of the opening. (Side as in the sides you threaded together.) Do this more than once if you like. VOILA!!!! The perfect birthday gift or the perfect keep-it gift for yourself!!!!!!
By Anonymous, 12
Magnets
"; s.text = "Materials
Stickers, printouts or pictures, cardboard, glue or double-stick tape, magnets
Instructions
Step 1: Cut out the design or picture of your choice to be on the front of your magnet.
Step 2: Glue or tape it onto the cardboard.
Step 3: Cut the design out again, with the cardboard.
Step 4: Glue a small magnet on the back and let dry.
By Kirsten, 12
Funny Pen/Pencil Tops
"; s.text = "Materials
Regular pens/pencils, pencil-top erasers, markers (permanent), decorative items (yarn, beads, googly eyes, etc.), hot glue gun, pipe cleaners
Instructions
Take a marker and make a little face on the eraser. After you're done, hot glue gun your little decorative items to the top of the eraser. After you are done with this step, take the pen or pencil and wrap string arond the pen or pencil tightly. Take the pipe cleaner and hot glue gun it to the pencil or the pen. Then you have the pen or the pencil as a body and the eraser as a head. Now all you have to do is enjoy the final product.
By Darae, 11
Stockings
"; s.text = "Materials
Scissors, 2 pieces of paper, staples or glue, some colored paper
Instructions
On your first piece of paper, draw the shape of a stocking or boot. Then cut it out. After that, trace your first stocking that you just did onto the second piece of paper and cut that one out too. Once you have finished all this stuff, staple or glue the two \"stockings\" together (just around the sides so you can put your hand in it) and then you can design your own coverings and pictures on the front. You can even write your name or your friend's name on it for a Christmas gift.
By Ardie, 11
D.I.G. Hair Clip
"; s.text = "Materials
Plain hair clip (any color), decorations (glitter, beads, etc.), glue
Instructions
First, you take your plain hair clip and put it on the table. Second, you take the decoration and stick it on the hair clip using the glue. Finally, clip it on your hair and show it off!
By pinkie_lovie, 12
Journal
"; s.text = "Materials
One composition book, a double-sided tape, two different kinds of scrapbook paper
Instructions
Doing only one side at a time, cover the entire surface of the book with tape. Place your paper on either sides of the book, and trim if needed. Tape down the spine so the paper won't stick out there. Decorate with paint, glitter, stickers or sequins!
By Princessparis, 12
How to Make Tree Charms
"; s.text = "Materials
A small cardboard box
Acrylic paint
Ribbon
Double-stick tape
Instructions
1. Make a hole in the lid of a small cardboard box.
2. Cover the lid and box with acrylic paint, then let dry!
3. Fold a 12-inch piece of ribbon in half.
4. Tie a knot by making a loop and then push the loop up through the hole in the lid.
5. Add ribbon to the sides and the bottom of the box with double-stick tape.
6. Fill the box with tissue and add a gift, then slide down lid!
7. Hang it on a tree and you're done!!!
By Zena, 11
Bunny Making
"; s.text = "Do you want to know how to make a bunny? It's easy; read on to find out what you have to do.
Materials
Construction paper, scissors, glue (or tape if you don't have glue)
Instructions
1. Cut out a medium-sized circle.
2. Draw a rabbit's face on the circle.
3. Cut out a bigger circle that will be for its middle.
4. Cut out tiny feet and arms.
5. Cut out narrow, oval-shaped ears.
6. Glue the ears on top of the circle you drew the rabbit's face on.
7. Glue the rabbit's face onto the big circle (the bunny's middle). Then glue the feet and arms onto the body. Now you're done!
By Kate, 10
A Hawaiian Birthday Greeting
"; s.text = "Materials
Brightly colored plastic flowers, a 20 oz. plastic bottle (with the label peeled off), a small sheet of colored construction paper, tape or glue, decorative markers, small party favors (like plastic rings or plastic figures), a long stick or straw and a cap to seal the top
Instructions
First you will fill the bottle half way with the plastic flowers. Then, you will put the figures in there, and fill the bottle all the way with the flowers. Write a poem or greeting on the piece of paper, and tape or glue it on the bottle. Decorate the paper with Hawaiian flowers or designs of your own. Put the straw or stick into the bottle and stir the contents around. Last, put the bottle in the mailbox of the person the greeting is for. Or you can just give it to them in person.
By Elizabeth, 10
How To Make A T-Shirt Cushion
"; s.text = "Instructions
1. Get an old T-shirt that you love and don't want to throw away.
2. Sew the sleeves and the bottom closed.
3. Stuff the top with stuffing (make sure it gets into the sleeves).
4. Sew the top closed and you're done!
By Natalie, 12
Light Up Glow
"; s.text = "Materials
Glue, red construction paper, and a yellow crayon
Instructions
1. Put a dot of glue on the yellow crayon and rub it.
2. Wait for one minute until the glue on the crayon dries.
3. Start to write with it on your red construction paper.
4. Now your drawings will be really bright. Try it!
By Sundus, 9
A Real Paper Cup
"; s.text = "1. Take a square piece of paper.
2. Fold one corner into the other.
3. Fold one corner onto the same side, but let the corners touch.
4. Do this two more times.
5. Open the right side. Then get some water, pour it in, and enjoy!
By Hayley, 8
Make a Flowchart File
"; s.text = "1. Find a folder with plastic folders or dividers inside it.
2. Get all your old magazines
3. Get some scissors and cut out all the flowcharts or quizzes inside it.
4. Put them in the folder.
5. Bring it to every sleepover you go to and you will have hours of fun trying them out!
By Hollie, 12
Decoupage nails
"; s.text = "Be sure to check with your parents or guardians before doing this to make sure they're okay with you putting glue on your nails!
Materials
Old glossy magazines, silver/gold glitter nail polish, scissors, glue
Instructions
1. Go through your old glossy magazines and choose tiny patterns and shapes that you like and cut them out.
2. Glue them carefully onto your nails.
3. Apply silver/gold nail polish and enjoy!
By Anonymous, 9 1/2
A Special Card
"; s.text = "Materials
A thick piece of paper, glitter, glue, coloured pencil/pen
Instructions
1. Flip the thick paper.
2. Write happy birthday or whatever message you'd like.
3. Draw a heart or other patterns.
4. Use the glue to make pretty patterns or shapes, then sprinkle the glitter over the glue. That's it!
By Princess Girl, 9
How to Make a Mobile
"; s.text = "Materials
A hole puncher
Scissors
1 hanger
Magazines
Seashells
Stickers
Yarn
Instructions
Pull out papers from magazines that would look cool. Cut them into the size you want for your mobile. Punch a hole in each of them and thread the yarn through. Tie that yarn onto the mobile (hanger). Add seashells and stickers to make it look cool. After you're finished, hang your mobile on your ceiling.
By Craft Corner from www.girlpez.tk
Dress Up a Boring Lamp
"; s.text = "Do you have a boring lamp or can you just not find the right lamp to match your decor? Buy a new lamp or use your old lamp. Go to a crafts store like Michael's and look at their beaded fringe, plastic jewels, and other things like that. Buy some (they are not very expensive), go home, and glue them on to your lamp! It's much cheaper than buying a whole new lamp.
By Gina, 11
Cool Cards!
"; s.text = "Materials
Clear Duraseal, black ink, large rubber stamp, scrap paper, a large and a small paintbrush, powder paint, small piece of cream coloured card (2cm bigger than a stamp on all sides), piece of coloured card folded in half to make a card shape in the size you want, spray on adhesive
Instructions
1. Cut a piece of Duraseal about 1 cm bigger than your stamp on all sides, ink up the stamp and make a clear imprint on the Duraseal.
2. When the ink is dry, pull off the paper backing and put it sticky side up on your scrap paper.
3. Dampen the end of your small paintbrush and dip it in your powder paint. Colour in the stamp in the colours you want. The powder paint will stick to the Duraseal!
4. When you are finished and there are no gaps in the paint, wet the big paintbrush and colour in the background in one colour.
5. Spray the powdery side of your artwork with adhesive and stick it to the middle of your cream card. Then spray the back of the cream card and glue it where you wish on your card.
By Rose, 11
Sparkle Barrettes
"; s.text = "If you're looking for shimmering accessories that will make you look the very best, read on, SmartGirl, read on!!!!!
Instructions
1) Go to a local crafts store to buy plain silver barrettes that are in bags. While you're there, buy some rhinestones or those sparkly plastics that look like gems.
2) Then, buy any kind of good sticking glue (I mean REALLY good!) and make your barrettes personal by making any kind of designs. Make sure that every gem is glued on extremely securely. The bigger the gems, the better and more sparkly they will be.
3) After that, clip them on the front side of your head/hair and BAM, you'll look like a dazzling star. This is a great cover-up if you have a bad hair day.
By Anonymous, 12
How to Make Your Own Pencil Case!
"; s.text = "Materials
An old plastic video case, magazines, scissors, glue
Instructions
1. Carefully cut out any pictures, letters or anything you want to go onto your case.
2. Take the front of your video case and glue your cut-out pieces onto the case.
3. Then put all of your pens or whatever you want to go in it inside.
4. And there you have your very own pencil case!!
By Indie, 12
Making Your Own Diary
"; s.text = "Materials
Notebook paper, two pieces of construction paper, a long string, scissors, and a three hole puncher
Instructions
1. Take your construction papers and three hole punch them.
2. Put your notebook paper inbetween the two pieces of construction paper and make sure the holes match up.
3. Take your string and cut it into three pieces with your scissors.
4. Poke a string through a hole and tie it in a bow. Repeat with other holes. Now you can write in it.
By Daneca, 9
Room Poster
"; s.text = "Materials
Pictures from newspapers or magazines, scissors, tape, glue, colored pencils (or markers), a pencil, paper, a creative mind
Instructions
1. Draw the inside of your house or your dream house on each piece of paper (kitchen on one piece, bedroom on another, etc.).
2. Glue the pictures you cut out onto your drawings of the rooms.
3. Put the rooms in order, take the tape and tape them together!
4. Don't forget the characters! Make up characters from the pictures you cut out and play with them in your poster.
5. When you want them to go to bed, cut slits in the beds and put your characters in them!.
By Littlegray5, 11
How to make a Nimbin
"; s.text = "Materials
Cardboard, coloured yarn, scissors, googly eyes, pipe cleaners (optional)
Instructions
1. 1. Cut out 2 cardboard rings with a hole in the middle (big for a big nimbin, small for a little nimbin). Make sure they are the same size.
2. Weave coloured yarn in and out of the rings while they are back-to-back.
3. Keep weaving until you can just fit your pinky in the middle or the rings.
4. Cut on the circumference (the outside) in between the two cardboard rings.
5. Keep cutting, but when you are nearly finished, tie a piece of string or wool to keep it together.
5. Stick some googly eyes on the pom-pom to make it a nimbin (two next to each other).
6. If you want, you can cut a heart shape on paper or cardboard and stick it on the bottom of the pom-pom, to make feet.
7. You can also use pipe cleaners as arms!
By Ally, 12
Braided Rings
"; s.text = "This is a way of passing the time while your mother is grocery shopping.
Materials
3 twisty ties
Instructions
Grab 3 twisty ties and braid them. After that, bend the end and shape it to your finger. Enjoy!
By Kelsey, 11
Funky Photo Frames!!
"; s.text = "Materials
Bits of old wrapping paper, magazines, cardboard, PVA glue, scissors
Instructions
These frames are so cute! Draw out a square of any size on some cardboard and make another square exactly the same on some more cardboard. On one of the squares, cut out a square from the middle. It can be any size you want. On the other square, draw a rectangle from the middle going straight down to the bottom. Cut along the long sides. This is the thing that will make your frame stand up. Think of a theme for your frame--e.g. cartoons, pink, girly, etc. Cut out bits from wrapping paper, magazines, etc. that follow your theme and arrange them on your first square of cardboard. When you are happy with the arrangement, stick them down with glue. Then use PVA glue to varnish the surface. It dries clear and won't ruin your frame. You can use actual varnish if you want. Finally, find a photo that you want to use and place it in the hole you cut out on the first square of cardboard. Stick the second square of cardboard to the back of the first, trapping the photo in between. If you want to, you can paint the back to make it look more pretty. These make great presents!!
By Beth, 13
Dreamcatcher
"; s.text = "Materials
String (an color, customize!), small paper plate, hole puncher, tape, beads and feathers (optional)
Instructions
Fold the paper plate in half and cut out the inside. Punch holes around the rim (about sixteen or so). Take a piece of string and cut it long enough to go through all the holes. Take a piece of tape and after sliding the first end of string through the hole, tape the end (so it doesn't come right back through). Weave the string in and out in a pattern. Decorate however you want.
By Kit-Kat, 13
Photo Collage
"; s.text = "This is a fun way to display your photos and is perfect for a gift.
Materials
Photos, a picture frame, scissors, glue, stickers, buttons, ribbons, etc.
Instructions
1. Pick the photos you want to use, bearing in mind you will be cutting them up. You may want to just use photos of your friends, or just your family.
2. Get your frame. The size depends on where you are going to hang it, and how many photos you want to use.
3. Take your photographs and cut off the excess, leaving just the image you want to display (e.g. cut off some of the sky or grass in the image).
4. Put your photos onto the frame, and arrange them how you want, but don't stick them down yet. When you put them on, you might need some more photos to fill in gaps.
5. Once you are happy with the way they are arranged, you can stick them down.
6. If you want, make it look a bit more special by adding bits of ribbon and buttons, or maybe some glitter.
7. Once the glue has dried, you can hang it on the wall.
By happy bunny, 13
Creative Magazine Bead Necklaces and Bracelets
"; s.text = "Materials
Magazine with lots of colors
Elmer's glue
Tooth picks
String
Scissors
Instructions
1. Go through some magazines and rip out colorful pages.
2. Take the pieces of paper, and cut them into 1 inch strips, as perfectly as possible. Then cut them in half, so you have 2 strips about 5 inches long.
3. Next make the smaller sheets into triangles, going from 1 inch side to 1 inch side. Hint: Put a dot directly in the middle of one of the ends, so that you can draw lines to try to get the edges as perfectly as possible.
4. Start wrapping the triangle onto the toothpick, 1 inch side first. After you have it wrapped around one time, take out the Elmer's glue (or any liquid glue) and pour a thin line onto the rest of the triangle. Once you do that, continue rolling the paper onto the toothpick. Some glue may seep out, but that's okay because it'll dry clear and you'll get better with the more you make.
5. Leave the “bead” on the toothpick until it dries, and then try to slide it off. If it won't come off, wiggle the bead back and forth until it loosens. (If it still won't come off, that means that you got glue onto the stick, or wrapped it too tightly.)
6. Next cut a piece of string that is a little longer than what you'd like it to be for a necklace or bracelet.
7. String your beads on.
8. Tie the necklace or bracelet shut.
9. Wear it!
By Kate, 21
How to Make a Thanksgiving Table Centerpiece
"; s.text = "Materials
1. Figure out the shape of your centerpiece.
2. Draw the centerpiece you would like, keeping in mind the color scheme of the room and the table setting.
3. Go to your local flower shop or, better yet, local market to purchase flowers, fruits and berries that are in season.
4. Buy branches, leaves and buds that are in season.
5. Purchase floral foam, which comes in large blocks.
6. Go to the lumber yard and buy a wooden board cut in the shape of the centerpiece.
Instructions
1. Assemble the centerpiece as close to the day it will be used as possible.
2. Set down the wooden board that will function as the base of the centerpiece.
3. Cut the floral foam into the shape you want using a large serrated knife. The shape you cut it into will determine the larger shape of the centerpiece.
4. Soak the floral foam in water.
5. Nail the foam onto the board.
6. Arrange leaves and branches in the middle of the centerpiece by sticking branches and stems into the foam. Attach greenery using floral tape if necessary.
7. Cover the shape until no foam is visible, and allow the greenery to flow over the sides.
8. Arrange exceptional, unmarked pieces of fruit and berries on top of the floral foam until it's completely covered.
9. Intertwine flowers in the leaves and branches.
10. Refrigerate until use.
By Kate, 21
How to Carve a Pumpkin
"; s.text = "Materials
A pumpkin
Instructions
1. Select a fresh pumpkin in a shape that pleases you. Some folks prefer their pumpkins low and round, while others like them tall and oval-shaped.
2. Draw a circle or hexagon on top of the pumpkin in preparation for making an opening large enough for your hand to reach through.
3. Cut through the stem end of the pumpkin along your outline with a sharp knife or pumpkin-carving tool. Use a back-and-forth slicing motion to cut through the thick, tough skin.
4. Remove the stem end, which will act as a cap, making sure you scrape off any seeds or pulp.
5. Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and pulp from inside the pumpkin. Hold the spoon by its bowl to get extra leverage while scooping.
6. Draw a pattern for the face on the clean pumpkin with a felt-tip pen, or scribe the lines into the skin using a pencil. Be sure to make the eyes, nose and mouth large enough; you'll have a hard time cutting out tiny features when you're using a big knife blade to saw through tough skin.
7. Follow your pattern as you cut all the way through the pumpkin.
8. Push the cut-out features gently from the inside of the pumpkin and discard the pieces.
9. Place a votive candle inside the pumpkin to create an eerie glow.
By Kate, 21
How to Make Clay
"; s.text = "Materials
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup water
Instructions
1. Mix the flour and the salt together first. Add water and mix until it starts to pull away from the bowl.
2. Turn the dough out onto a board and knead until smooth and elastic. This dough dries very quickly while working with it; pinch off only what you need and store the rest in a bag until you need more.
3. To help pieces stick together (if you're making a snowman, for instance, and wanted three balls put together), make a paste of flour and water and use it like glue when putting the pieces together.
4. Once the project is finished, fire in the oven at 175 degrees. You'll have to check each piece periodically as the thicker the piece, the longer the dry time.
5. If you desire, you may paint your piece. It's usually a good idea to seal it with varnish.
*A good tip for making hair is to push a small amount of dough through a garlic press.
By Kate, 21
How to Make Playdough
"; s.text = "Materials
1 cup flour
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon oil
1/4 cup salt
Food coloring
Instructions
Mix all ingredients (add food coloring last). Stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from pan, let cool slightly, and knead until blended and smooth. Store in a plastic bag or airtight container when cooled.
By Kate, 21
Happy Birthday Card
"; s.text = "Materials
Cardboard, glue, scissors, colored paper, and colored pens or markers
Instructions
1.Get a piece of cardboard and cut it out into a shape of a rectangle or a square.
2.Then cover the cardboard by using any colored paper. Use glue to make the paper stick to the cardboard.
3.After the glue has dried, cut out a picture of the person that you'll be giving the card to, and stick that on the card.
4.Then decorate with colored pens, and write whatever you want to say.
By Jade&Kat, 11
Perfect Hiding Place for Your Diary, in your own Personalized Pillow!
"; s.text = "Materials
Colored felt, glitter glue, scissors, stuffing, a small badge, thread and needle
Instructions
Cut out two sensible sizes of felt for your pillow cover. Sew the two pieces of felt together, but leave a gap to slot in your diary. Write a phrase (not one indicating that this is where you're hiding your diary!) in the middle of the front of your pillow cover. Decorate the front of the cover with glitter glue or cut out shapes of felt and sew them on. Let everything dry. Fill a 1/4 of the pillow with stuffing, then slide in your diary and then fill in the rest. Pin the badge on the back of your pillow and cut a hole on the opposite side so you can take your diary out. Throw your pillow in with all your others. (Note: You can hide anything else in your pillow, too!)
By Katy
A Surprise Gift
"; s.text = "1. Get a shoe box or just a cardboard box and have fun painting and decorating the outside of the box.
2. Glue a small mirror inside the box on the bottom.
3. On the inside of the box lid, write a note like, 'Take a look at my favorite person in the whole wide world!.'
4. Wrap the box and give it to whomever you want - your mum on mother's day, your dad on father's day, or for someone's birthday!
By Tammy, 14
How to Make a Mosaic Mirror
"; s.text = "1. Get a mirror
2. Buy little mosaic pieces (plastic shapes, broken tile pieces, or pieces of colored glass).
3. Get a hot glue gun.
4. Stick the mosaic pieces around the edges of the mirror with your hot glue gun.
5. Leave it to dry and that's it.
I hope your transformed mirror looks great!
By Rebecca, 12
How to Customize Jeans
"; s.text = "I don't know about you girls, but some jeans look too plain and boring...So why not make them interesting and fashionably loud at the same time?!
Materials
A pair of old jeans
Color pens, markers, etc.
Newspaper
Scissors (optional)
Instructions
1. Lay the pair of jeans out on a flat surface.
2. Slide pieces of newspaper inside the jeans so that the marker or pens won't go through.
3. Come up with a theme or idea that you would like for your jeans.
4. Start decorating! Remember, be unique. Try to come up with something that no one else has...something that you have never seen anyone with.
5. The scissors are optional because you can cut holes into your jeans if you want, but if you have decided you don't want to cut your jeans, then have it your way!
Ideas: You can put any type of slogan on your jeans, you can even have more than one. Remember, it's your way! You can use slogans like: \"Princess\", \"What u lookin' at?\",\"Baby girl\", \"Conceited...and what?!\", \"Too cute for you\", \"baby face\", and \"pretty girl\".
By Lady Snipe, 14
Secret Diary
"; s.text = "Materials
Paper (any colour and size) and split pins
Instructions
1. Make two piles out of your paper and punch holes in one side.
2. Take one pile and cut a very thin strip of paper off one edge from the opposite side to the holes you've punched.
3. Stack the two piles together, starting with one long piece, then a short piece, and so on. When you have done this with all the pages, attach together with split pins. Decorate your diary.
4. Now you can add your secrets; write on the long page so you can hide your secrets under the short pages.
5. Flick the book one way to hide everything and the other way to reveal all!
By cool_girl_55, 13
How To Make a Funky Pen/Pencil Holder
"; s.text = "Materials
Any number of cans/tins (use ones with smooth edges) and spray paints (in any amount of colours)
Instructions
1. Take your can/tin and pull of the lid.
2. For safety, make sure there are no rough or sharp edges round the end of your can/tin. If there are, you can always snip them off or cover them up with cellotape or something like that.
3. Soak the can/tins in hot water to remove any labels, etc.
4. Put some newspaper down (so the paint doesn't fly everywhere) and spray your cans/tins. You can use ordinary paints, but spray ones take half the time. Remember, a few thin coats are better than one thick one.
5. Find somewhere to put them and put in you pens, pencils and felt tips!
Extra Tip: When you spray your can/tins, try and go for a theme. You could use all one color, or a few different, or make each can multicolored! You can go for whatever you want!
By Sophie, 11
Art-a-Mania
"; s.text = "Materials
Buy or get a white shirt
Instructions
You can use different colored markers or paints. If you use markers, be creative and doodle designs all over. If you use paints, after you're done be sure squish it around and apply pressure to the shirt. It should look wonderful and electrifying!
By Kim, 14
Dreamcatcher
"; s.text = "Materials
A paper plate (any color), string, bead or beads and a feather
Instructions
1. First, you glue the string to the bottom of the plate and then you ease the bead or beads up the string and time them to stay there.
2. Glue the feather on the top of the plate.
3. If you want, you can use markers or crayons to decorate the plate.
4. Now that your dreamcatcher is done, hang it over your bed and it should comfort you before you go to bed.
By Liz, 14
Homemade Cards
"; s.text = "Materials
Find some old cards that look cool or are in some way relevant to the person you are giving the card to, maybe even your old birthday cards!
Instructions
1. Cut them up or cut out the designs on the cards that you want on your card. Remember to only use the front of the card!!!
2. Find a clean piece of paper.
3. Fold it in half (try and get it as near to half as possible).
4. Arrange all the bits of cards on the front of the paper card.
5. Glue the bits down.
6. Write what you want to say on the card.
Remember: It's not a good idea to use a card they got you. If you want, you can write on the back: \"Handmade for you by...\"
By 2cute4u, 13
Boring Hat? Then Glitz it up a Bit with my Fashion Tips
"; s.text = "Hi. I love hats, but sometimes they are really plain and boring! Well, I have a plan to get boring hats off heads and put glitzy ones on.
Instructions
1. Get a hat. You can get a cheap, plain hat from a supermarket that doesn't have to be flashy or expensive.
2. Get some glitzy materials like beads, sequins, stickers, badges, whatever you want on the hat.
3. Choose a word or picture you would like to put on your hat. Then, using your materials, stick it on your hat, e.g.- Make the word 'babe' with sequins, or make the word 'cutie' with beads, or make a palm tree picture with stickers. Whatever you want to do, go for it. And here is a good tip, draw an outline on your hat faintly with pencil before you stick anything on. Hope you have fun!
By Sera, 12
Paste Paper
"; s.text = "Materials
Big sheet of paper (duh), one or more colors of colored paste, lots of newspaper, things to make designs like stamps, forks, etc. (opt.), tub of water, big paintbrush, pastels
Instructions
Cover a table in newspaper. Dip your paper into the water and set it on the newspaper. Now it gets messy. Put a few globs of colored paste on the paper and spread it over the entire paper. Draw designs in pastel and use various objects or your finger to make more. You can also put on the pastels before the paste. That will make your paper have a different cool effect. When you're done, put your paper in a drying area. Warning: There should be a good amount of paste on your paper, but if there's too much, your paper might tear, so remove extra globs of glue.
By (Un)CoolGirl, 12
Express Yourself Snowglobe
"; s.text = "Materials
Any size jar w/top, super glue OR hot glue, small figurine or plastic item that will express your attitude, glitter, water, and tape
Instructions
1. Take the top of the jar and glue the figurine or plastic item to it so when you put the top on, the figure will be IN the jar.
2. Fill the jar with water. (Don't fill to the rim!)
3. Add a sprinkle or two of glitter. (Don't put too much in or you won't be able to see your figure.)
4. Glue OR tape the top on so it doesn't come off easily when you shake up your snow globe.
Optional: If you want to decorate the outside top, you can glue beads, buttons, or anything else that will express your attitude.
By Jessica, 12
Window Art
"; s.text = "Materials
Scissors, magazine, 1x A4 paper
Instructions
(1) First get a piece of A4 paper and cut in half short ways (card fold), and cut in half across the line
(2) Get the magazine and cut out a pic of a setting (eg: a mountain) and fold it into 3, then hold the paper firmly and cut little arches on the top of the paper, open up the pic and cut on fold line.
(3) Now glue the bits on with about 1/2 cm apart onto the paper and now you are done!
By kennet_kid, 11
Dream Catcher
"; s.text = "Materials
Pipe cleaners, paper, paint(different colors), scissors(safety), feathers, glue
Instructions
First you get some pipe cleaners, a piece of paper and paint. Now you fold the paper in half. Then you cut six triangular pieces out of the paper. Finally, unfold the paper so it looks like a spider web. Get the pipe cleaners and poke them through the paper on each side so it can hang. Get the glue and put a dot in the middle. Get a feather and put it on the dot of glue. Let it dry and there you have a perfect dream catcher.
By Jessica, 8
How to Make Your Own Yarn Bug
"; s.text = "Materials
3 different kinds of yarn
3 inch floppy disc or 3 inch cardboard
Scissors
Construction paper or colored computer paper
Glue gun
Toothpicks
Instructions
1: Get the first piece of yarn you are going to use first.
2: Get that floppy disc or cardboard. Wrap the yarn around the disc or board ten times.
3: Once you do that, get the scissors and cut the yarn.
4: Next, get the second yarn that you are going to use.
5: Tie that yarn to the first yarn that you used.
6: Do the same thing to that yarn that you did to the first yarn.
7: Now get the third yarn, and do the same thing that you did to the second yarn.
8: Once you finish that yarn, go back to the first color yarn you used, and do the same steps that you've been doing with the second and third yarn.
9: Do the same thing to the second and the third color yarn. Keep on doing this till you use the first yarn 4 times, and the second and third yarn 3 times.
10: Now get a small piece of one of the yarns you used.
11: Put that yarn underneath one of the yarns on the side of the disc or board.
12: Once you do that, tie the piece of yarn tightly.
13: On the other side of the disc or board, cut right in the middle of the yarn.
14: And there you have your yarn bug. If you want to add eyes, legs, or arms to it, go to www.makingfriends.com. Click on crafts, then find yarn bugs, then go to more or other yarn bugs. Finally, go to the one that says the world's best bug. Have fun with your new bug; no biting, but it loves to be your bug.
By Koren, 13
How To Make Power Balls
"; s.text = "Materials
A pack of Sculpey clay (different colors)
Instructions
1.Pick out your favorite colors.
2.Soften up your clay by rolling it between your fingers.
3.Cut off pieces of clay. Pick 1 to be your base color; make that one the biggest.
4.Do not make them too big. The largest should be no bigger than from the tip of the thumb to the bottom of the nail.
5.Mix them all together and roll them into the best ball you can make.
6.Have fun with it. There should be about 3-6 colors.
7.Give the ball a name. Like if the colors are pink, red, and white, name it Love.
8.if you want something good to happen in your love life (like getting a boyfriend), carry it around with you. Maybe something might happen!
By Emily, 13
The Perfect Present If You Don't Have Any Money!!
"; s.text = "Everybody loves homemade presents instead of bought ones because they show that you put a lot more time and effort into making it rather than just buying something from a shop. Also, if you're short on cash, they're a perfect solution.
Materials
Two pieces of cardboard (whatever size you want)
Instructions
1.Punch holes at one end and tie the two pieces together with string (remembering to put the paper in first!!
2. Stick on pictures of the person's family, favourite animal, favourite colour, memories of holidays or days out, friends, etc.
3. Decorate each page in different designs.
4. Success!! The perfect present guaranteed to be loved!!!
By Jussy, 13
How To Make Lip Gloss
"; s.text = "Materials
1 tablespoon of beeswax
1/2 tablespoon of coconut oil
1/8 teaspoon of vitamin E oil
1/8 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Instructions
1.Slowly heat the beeswax, coconut oil, and vitamin E oil until they're melted (this is best to do over the stove in a small pot)
2.Stir in the vanilla extract
3.Let cool
4.Then use it!!!!
By Susan, 12
How to Make a Bandana
"; s.text = "Materials
Square piece of fabric
Instructions
Fold the piece of fabric into a triangle. Put it over the top of your head. Tie a knot in the back. Make sure the point of the triangle is at the back.
By JACOLANTERN, 50
Greeting Cards
"; s.text = "Materials
Card, sequins, colored card/paper, and other decorations you want, a colored pen, scissors and glue, sticky foam pads
Instructions
1. Cut the card to the correct size and fold it into the actual card shape.
2. Cut out all decorations, etc. that you want to use in your card.
3. Take the foam and place them on the back of each decoration and stick them onto the front of the card. It should then look 3D and professional.
4. Write a slogan on the front in colored pen.
5. Write a verse and a message inside.
6. Put the card in an envelope of the correct size, and perhaps decorate in same way as card. Hey presto! A fancy card!
By IrishBabe, 13
Make a Thumb War Ring
"; s.text = "Materials
Cardboard, free CD cover, scissors, felt tips for straws, hole puncher, string
Instructions
1. Cut off the bendy bit of the straws. Throw the bendy bit away.
2. Decorate the CD cover.
3. Hole punch a hole in each corner of the CD cover.
4. Cut two thumb-sized holes close together in the middle of the CD cover.
5. Push a straw through each punched hole. Have about an inch at the bottom and the rest at the top.
6. Knot string round the straws.
7. Voila!
By Helly, 11
Anklets
"; s.text = "If you ever go (or live) in a sunny climate and you find a bunch of tiny cowry shells and you don't know what to do with them, you can make anklets, necklaces, or bracelets. Here's how:
Materials
String
Scissors
Jewelry clasp
Small cowry shells
Instructions
1) Cut an extra long piece of string
2) Tie the clasp on one end of the string
3) Thread on as many shells as needed
4) Tie other end of clasp to string
5) Wear!
By Shane, 15
Make It, Note It
"; s.text = "Materials
A hanger with clips on the end that you would use to hang trousers on
Instructions
Slide the hanger's clips off the ends and throw the rest of the hanger away. Then find any old bits of cool material or felt or anything you can use to make your clip look good. For instance, you could get a piece of black card, cut out a heart shape. Then find a piece of wrapping paper and cut out a smaller heart, then glue it to the card (make sure the design is big enough to cover the bottom of the clip). Once you have made a design like this, then you need to get some super glue and put a blob on the back of your design. Then stick it to the clip. Viola! A simple way to make a groovy clip to hold any photos or reminders you might have.
By Bex, 13
How to Make a Weirdus Alienus
"; s.text = "Materials
Model Magic Skills
Instructions
Make a big ball of Model Magic with your hands. Make three eyeballs. Stick them together and onto the bigger one. Make a small ball and put it on as a nose. Make small feelers, encircling the nose with them. Then make humungous balls and stick them all over the big ball as other feelers. Enjoy the finished product!
By Josie, 9
Batik
"; s.text = "Do you admire all the wonderful batik T-shirts and shorts you see around you? Here's how to make your own.
Materials
Cotton T-shirt, shirt, shorts or any other piece of clothing (it's best if it's light)
Fabric paint (the kind you buy in a sack and dissolve in a few litres of water)
Strings
Rubber bands
Clothes pegs
Instructions
1. Take a plain, light-colored shirt
2. Spread it out on the ground and take some string or rubber bands. Tie them as tight as you can around various parts of the shirt (Experiment! Use many rubber bands on one shirt, cross them over each other, do whatever you want with them!)
3. Follow the instructions on the fabric dye and dye the shirt your chosen color.
4. When it's dyed, pull it out and cut the strings away. There will be circles where the dye didn't get to the fabric.
5. Soak the shirt in vinegar for half an hour, and then rinse it under cold water.
6. Remember to wash your shirts by hand; otherwise they'll dye everything else in the washing machine!
By Teelget, 14
Homemade Designs
"; s.text = "Materials
White shoes, fabric glue, any type of glitter, wax paper, toothpicks
Instructions
Take the glue and pour some on the wax paper--not to much. Then take the toothpick and dip the it into the glue and rub the end of the toothpick with glue on it anywhere you want on the shoes. Then sprinkle the glitter in the designated areas. Rah-rah! You have white, glittery shoes that you made yourself.
By Skittles, 13
Floating Stars
"; s.text = "Materials
A jam bottle with a lid, some shells, some pebbles, sand, water, any small stars (you can get them from tailoring shops)
Instructions
1. Fill a quarter of the bottle with sand.
2. Then put a layer of pebbles on top of the sand.
3. Put a few shells on top of the pebbles.
4. After that, take a few stars and place them in the corners of the bottle.
5. Then, pour water in the jar until it's completely full. The stars will start floating inside the bottle.
6. Close the bottle with a lid and cover the lid with a nice cloth with a ribbon.
7. This can be used as a decorative item. You can even give it as a gift!
By Samira, 13
Collage
"; s.text = "Materials
Construction paper
Lots of magazines
Instructions
Cut out the pictures in the magazine. After you finish cutting all your pictures so it would fill your whole construction paper, glue the pictures on any way you want.
By Narisa S, 11
D.I.Y. Ideas!!!
"; s.text = "Materials
Use junk from around the house to make new and funky stuff!
Instructions
~Glue on beads and sequins to an old purse to jazz it up!
~Cover your folder in stickers to give it a new look!
~Decorate a box and fill it with photos and little things that remind you of the good times you had together and give it to a friend as a gift
~Get odds and ends and arrange them into a little sculpture. Glue it all together and you have a paperweight or ornament!
~Accessories make such a difference to your outfit! Make bracelets, necklaces and chains to match your style!
~Make a scrapbook - decorate the cover however you like and fill the scrapbook with memories and photos! Your very own book!
~Make a photo frame out of old ice lolly sticks and decorate with buttons, ribbons and stuff
~Make new make up or lip gloss - just mix a bit of Vaseline with eye shadow or lipstick and there you have your very own unique colours and creams!
By mysticangelz
How to Make a Mini Room
"; s.text = "Materials
An old shoebox, fabrics, cardboard, paper
Instructions
1. First cut off the top of your shoebox and one of the long sides
2. Cut out windows
3. Create mini furniture and use wallpaper and carpet to create a room you would like!
By Hollie, 11
Nifty Notebooks
"; s.text = "If you want a cool notebook but are a bit strapped for cash, grab an old notebook with a nice pattern on the front, but first make sure you have used all the pages.
Instructions
Stick coloured paper inside so the cardboard won't show where you have ripped all the pages out. Make secret slots and compartments to keep letters, writing, and personal things so if anyone does open this, they won't see anything but a bunch of coloured paper. Go mad with pens and make this notebook as fun as you want. Enjoy!
By Kate, 11
Mr. Timbit
"; s.text = "Materials
One giant pompom (in any colour you like)
Two large googly eyes
Felt in a variety of colours
Scissors
Glue gun
A little black top hat
Sparkles/glitter glue
Cardboard (for the base:feet)
Little ribbons or anything else you'd like to add
A little pom pom
Instructions
Step #1: First, gather all your materials, then warm up the glue gun.
Step #2: Glue the googly eyes to the large pom pom.
Step #3: Get the little top hat (or if you don't have one, make one) and then choose a colour of felt and wrap it around the circumference of it and then glue it to the top of the pom pom.
Step #4: Glue the little pom pom on for his nose.
Step #5: Get the cardboard and cut it into the shape of shoes. Decorate and then glue to the bottom of the pom pom.
Step #6: Take the glitter glue or sparkles and decorate the top of the giant pom pom.
Step #7: Use ribbon and felt for a tie.
Step #8: Add a felt mouth if you'd like.
There you go, you have a little fuzzy friend--Mr. Timbit! Have fun; he also makes a great little gift for friends or just a cute decoration.
By Mandy, 13
How to Make a Scrapbook
"; s.text = "Materials
Construction paper
Markers or different colored pens
Stickers
Scissors
Glue
Hole puncher
Pictures
Binder
Any other fun materials you want to use for decoration
Instructions
1. Take your pictures and cut them into different shapes and sizes.
2. Glue them to the construction paper using different layouts(ex. diagonal, horizontal, vertical).
3. Use markers to label what each picture represents on the construction paper. Also label the theme of the page.
4. Put borders around the pictures if you want.
5. Place different stickers that correspond with the theme of the page around the pictures.
6. Use any other materials to decorate the page as needed.
7. Punch holes in the paper and place in the binder.
8. If you do not have a binder, you can thread the pages with yarn or string.
9. Show off your new scrapbook!
By Nicole and Karen
How to Make Beaded Bracelets
"; s.text = "Materials
Flexible fishing wire (available at craft stores)
Different color and size beads
Glue gun
Instructions
1. Tie knot at one end of the string.
2. String beads of different colors in any pattern you want.
3. Tie each end together.
4. Glue the end so that the beads do not fall off.
5. Wear your bracelet with pride!
By Karen and Nicole
How to make a cushion
"; s.text = "Materials
Needle
Thread
Glitter pens
Felt/fabric
Stuffing
Instructions
1. Cut out the size fabric you want. You'll need either two pieces of fabric or one large one.
2. Sew around 2/3 sides so you have one left without being sewn.
3. Put the stuffing in and then sew round the remaining sides.
4. Decorate the cushion in whatever way you want!
By Hollie, 12
How to Customize a T-shirt
"; s.text = "Materials
An old t-shirt
Fabric pens
A piece of cardboard
Newspaper
Instructions
1. Find an old, plain T-shirt of yours that is too boring to wear!
2. Lay some sheets of newspaper on a flat surface and put the T-shirt on them.
3. Slot a piece of cardboard inside the T-shirt. This will stop the pens from going through.
4. Plan out a design. You could think up some interesting phrases to write graffiti-style across it (ideas below), or try something different and find old scraps of material in Mum's sewing box. Sew them on randomly and you'll have something original. Be creative!
5. Get customizing. Remember to sketch it out lightly in pencil on the shirt first, and then go over it.
6. Leave to dry if you are using pen. Then wear with confidence!
Ideas for cool slogans to write: ''Nobody's perfect...except me'', ''What are you looking at?'', ''This girl is anything but ordinary'', ''Born to be wild'', and ''Boys like you don't grow on trees...they swing from them''...Good luck!
By *Lola*, 14
Crafty Pens
"; s.text = "Do you like pens? Do you like fashion, style, or cute animals? Or maybe those small baby toys you throw around or don't want to give away? Here's a fun way to keep you creative and to write those hard reports!!
Materials
Small things like beads
Glitter paint or nail polish
Pens
Glue
Instructions
1. First choose one thing you like the most and put some glue behind it. (Hint: to keep your things from falling off, use fabric glue, hot glue, or super glue)
2. Place your item on the top of the pen and make sure the top is at the ink part of pen
3. If you're creative, decorate the holding part by wrapping it with fabric, painting it with paint, or using glitter glue.
4. Let your pen dry for about 50min-1hour, then find some paper and write! (Hint: if ink runs out, don't throw away your pen; start a stylish pen collection!!!)
By Victoria, 12
Mosaic
"; s.text = "Looking for something to do over the holidays? All your friends overseas? Why not make a mosaic? It's fun, and you will get something you can display to all your friends There are many different types of mosaic you can make, this is just one; you can do paper, paving stone, or even furniture!
Materials
Flat surface
Design tiles (virtuous glass works well)
Grout (for specifications, search www.google.com for ''grout and mosaic''. Otherwise, sanded is preferable)
Tile cutters
Glue (PVA or stronger)
Instructions
1. Take your flat surface and copy the design onto it
2. Cut your tiles to the sizes specified for your design using your tile cutter
3. Glue the tiles down and leave to dry for 24 hours
4. Grout your tiles with gloves and make sure you get into all the cracks
5. Leave to dry.
By Ekka, 19
How to Make a Collage
"; s.text = "Materials
Magazines
Pictures
Construction paper
Scissors
Scissors with funky edge
Glue
Ribbon
Markers or different colored pens
Pipe cleaners
Anything else you want to use to decorate
Instructions
1. Cut out magazine pictures that you want on your collage.
2. Glue them on the construction paper, covering the whole paper. You can even overlap the pictures if you want to.
3. Decorate the page with drawings, glitter, ribbon, and anything else that would make your collage look festive.
4. Hang it up in your room and admire your art work!
By Nicole and Karen
How to Make a Friendship Bracelet
"; s.text = "Materials
Three different colored strings, scissors
Instructions
1. Tie the three strings together at one end.
2. Braid the colors together.
3. Tie the other end of the strings and then tie both ends together.
4. Give the bracelet to your friend and start a new fad!
By Karen and Nicole
How to Make a Journal
"; s.text = "Materials
Regular composite bound notebook
Patterned paper
Markers or different colored pens
Letter stickers
Glue
Construction paper
Instructions
1. Take notebook and cover it with the patterned paper.
2. Decorate the cover with the name of the person who will use the journal.
3. Cut out funky shapes of construction paper to put on the cover.
4. You could even put their picture on it if you'd like!
5. In order to close the journal, you could glue ribbon to the inside of both covers underneath the patterned paper and tie it together.
6. Write quotes or a special message inside the journal.
7. Give the journal to the person you made it for or keep it for yourself!
By Nicole and Karen
How to Make a Decorative Jar
"; s.text = "Materials
Glass jar, beads, stones, glitter, sequins, wires, ribbon, glue gun, any other decorations you would like to use to decorate
Instructions
1. Glue different decorations on the jar in different patterns.
2. Decorate the top of the jar as well.
3. Fill jars with whatever you want and use them around your house or room.
4. If you want, you can make some for your friends and share them!
By Nicole and Karen
How to Make Sponge Stamps
"; s.text = "Materials
Sponges
Scissors
Paint
Paper
Instructions
1. Cut out different shapes into the sponges (ex. stars, hearts, animals, etc).
2. Dip the sponges in paint.
3. Put the sponge onto the paper and make a picture using different sponge stamps.
4. Hang the pictures up around your room and enjoy your fun shapes!
By Nicole and Karen
How to Make a Decorative Egg
"; s.text = "Materials
Egg
Colored dye or food coloring
Vinegar
Pokey, sharp object
Stickers of shapes or letters
Instructions
1. Poke hole in the bottom of the egg so the yolk will drain out.
2. Place stickers on egg.
3. Dip egg in mixture of vinegar and dye (2/3 cup water, 2 tsp vinegar, drops of food coloring).
4. Remove egg from mixture.
5. Peel off stickers and if you want, you can dip it in another color to make color combinations.
6. Admire your creation!
By Karen and Nicole
How to Make a Candle Holder
"; s.text = "Materials
Empty baby food jar
Colored tissue paper
Glue
Candle
Instructions
1. Cut different shapes out of tissue paper.
2. Put glue around the outside of the jar.
3. Put tissue paper where the glue is and cover the whole outside of the jar.
4. Put glue on the outside of the tissue paper to create a glossy look. You can use different colors to make patterns.
5. Place candle in the center of the jar.
6. Watch the light patterns that this fun jar creates!
By Karen and Nicole
Box of Trix
"; s.text = "Turn an old box into a thing of beauty that will brighten up your bedroom and keep your makeup in apple-pie order. It's easy to do - all you need are some strips of colored ribbon and tissue paper. So unleash your creative side and get wrapping!
Materials
Box with lid
Colored tissue paper or plain wrapping paper, enough to cover the box and lid
Colored ribbon
Scissors
Tape
Double-sided tape
Instructions
1. Cover the base and the lid of your gift box with your chosen paper.
2. Cut lengths of colored ribbon, each long enough to cover the top and sides of the lid, plus some extra to tuck inside. Cut enough lengths to cover the lid.
3. Turn the lid over. Take your first ribbon length and, using double-sided tape, stick one end of it to the inside of the lid at one corner. Pass the ribbon over the top of the lid and attach the other end to the inside of the opposite corner.
4. Repeat step 3 with different colors of ribbon until you have covered the box lid.
5. Cut a length of ribbon to fit around the base of the box. Wrap it around the sides and secure it at the front with double-sided tape.
6. Tie a bow from leftover ribbon, then use it to cover the tape from step 5, securing it with double-sided tape.
Taken from BEAUTY TRIX FOR COOL CHIX by Caroline Naylor.
Copyright (c) 2003 Breslich & Foss Ltd. Text by Caroline Naylor.
Reprinted by permission from Watson-Guptill Publications, a division of VNU Business Media, Inc.