Tuesday Tot Craft Time: Spiders

For Halloween, make some spiders with your child.  The spiders above and just below were made with construction paper.  Just cut an oval out of black paper, and cut 8 strips of black paper (spiders have 8 legs).  Fold those 8 strips like a fan.  For the eyes you can use construction paper or google eyes.  Spiders can have 2 and more eyes.  Many have 6 eyes.  Punch a hole at the top to hang from the ceiling.  Just glue all the parts together.  My son wanted his spiders to have 6 legs and 6 eyes.  The one below was from last year and the one above was made this year.

Here is my tutorial on how to make this egg carton spider.  My (at the time) 3 year old helped me make them.

These chenille stem lollipop spiders were made by my swap partner spookycuddles.  She just wrapped short lengths of chenille stems around the lollipops and then glued on some sequins. 

We bought this spider cupcake last October.  The legs are black licorice, the eyes are red hots, and the frosting has black sprinkles on it.  Kids will love to help make these creepy treats.

And I just thought that I would share a couple of my spider photos.

This one was taken by my husband.

Spiders & Plarn

I mailed off my Halloween swap packages on Monday, and there were a few things that I kept for myself.  This little crochet spider is meant to be a magnet, but I might make it into a brooch instead.  It was a very easy pattern by Lionbrand, but it did require a lot of sewing.

Here is the pattern for this fun crochet spider.  Instead of knitting an eye cord and inserting wire into it for the legs, I used 4 pipe cleaners instead.  It was tricky getting the pipe cleaners to go through the body filled with stuffing.  I added 2 medium sized google eyes and 4 small ones to make him more creepy.

I also made 2 skeins of black and green plarn (plastic bag yarn).

I started making a bag out of the plarn this week.  Today I finished crocheting the base, and now I can work on the sides.

Flowers, ATCs, and Gifts

Yesterday it occurred to me that I haven't even started making end of the year teacher gifts.  My kids have 2 weeks left of school.  Yes I know its late, but they say that its because of the snow that we get here.  I need to make 3 in total, one for a male teacher and 2 for female teachers.  The male teacher's wife is having a baby soon, so I'll be making an amigurumi item for him for the baby.

For the 2 female teachers I made flowers pens that go in a terra-cotta pot.  Six pens each.  To make them you need fake flowers, scissors, pens, and floral tape.  Next I want to make some egg carton tulip flowers with a lollipop center, and then I'll tie a nice bow around the pot.  This is something that they can keep on their desk.

I've been working on these artist trading cards recently.  I found some super cute fish stickers that look like playing cards.  I put them on the pre-cut cards that a friend sent to me.  Then I found some ocean themed haikus and watercolor painted over them.  The picture above is of me adding some glitter glue to them to spice them up a bit.

I have the best online friends.  Yesterday I received 2 packages from 2 people in my ravelry group.  This was from my friend Gekko who lives in Australia.  Gekko and I were Christmas swap partners, and we are Doctor Who lovers.  

It is AWESOME!!!  She did not make it, but she thought that I could use it as a template.  You bet I can!  She also packed it full of tea and buttons.  I am floored by this gift.  Thank you so much Gekko!

My 2nd package was from LadyKatka who lives in Canada.  She was another angel who sent me blue items for the Crayon swap.  Angel = someone who sends something out of the goodness in their heart and wanting nothing (but maybe a thank you) in return. 

She went through my ravelry queue and found the pattern for a knitted globe that I had wanted to make but was to intimidated to make.  It is fantastic!  Then she made me some blue paper bead stitch markers and a crochet beaded bracelet.  Just lovely!

Then she took the first artist trading card that I had made and made a needle felted version of it.  OMG!  I literally had tears in my eyes when I saw it.  This image, unknown to her, is the wallpaper on my cell phone.  I can't believe she did this for me.  It is AMAZING!  I want to frame them together.  It is incredible!  Thank you soooooooooooo much LadyKatka!  I am just blown away by your package and kindness.

I just wanted to share some pictures that I took yesterday from my back yard.  This spider just would not get out of my seat.

Here is the roadrunner sculpture that my uncle made for me out of railroad spikes.  He camouflages well in my flower garden.

I did finish a crochet projects yesterday that I LOVE, however it is for a swap so I can't show it off just yet.  I can't wait to share it with all of you.  I consider it a work of art and not a crafty item.

Birthday Crafting

Thank you for coming.

I made this artist trading card last night.  I'll make copies of it and put them in my son's birthday goodie bags.  That way I won't forget to say thank you to all of his birthday guests for coming.  

Last night I finished making the body of the sackboy / sackbot, and now I'm working on the head.  I finally figured out how to read the pattern.  I know that sounds weird especially since I've made about 7 of them already.  Its a British pattern, and where it says "inc" what it really means is "k & inc1."

I just thought that I would share 2 things that I saw in my yard today.

Watch out, he's a jumper!

Birthday, Bracelets, and Critters

There was a birthday in my home this week.  I wrapped the presents in fabric and a fused plastic bag tote.  Easy and environmentally friendly gift wrapping.

I made a few more soda tab bracelets yesterday and one more today.  I also got an order for 3 today.  I'm currently painting a pvc pipe display for the bracelets.

My toddler found 5 caterpillars outside today.

All the critters were out enjoying the sunshine.

Here are some bees enjoying a drink of water from the kiddy pool.