Dream Catcher

Hello Everyone!

Today we have a great project for Middle-High School students and community members we are going to be creating a dream catcher. Like so many of our projects, this activity is grounded in history specifically the historical beliefs and practices of Native American Tribes. Check out this short little history of dream catchers video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faBtA2OFOi0.



The amazing thing about dreamcatchers is that everyone's will look completely different. By using different materials, things that inspire or influence you personally will help to give your dream catcher special meaning and it will look unique!

Materials:
A loop
Twine
Beads
Feathers
Anything else that you choose to use

Directions:

Follow the steps below to help you create 'weave' your dream catcher. Everything else is just extra! You can hang flowers from the bottom, string beads into the web or the bottom or even add flowers or lace-whatever you want!



Now the hard work is done! From here just make it your own!



As always, have fun and be creative!

Abstract Photography Lens Additions

Hello Everyone!

Today we have a MS and HS project for our FPLS students we are going to be creating camera lens additions to help create cool photo effects.



All of our images and information have come from this blog: https://craftedincarhartt.wordpress.com/2014/09/30/photography-hacks-9-diy-camera-filters/amp/ if you would like to check it out. She comes up with some fantastic photography lens hacks!

If you are doing this post for credit please submit three final pictures with your lens addition! So we can see your diy (lens) in one image and two awesome photographs too.

















As always, have fun and be creative!

Fiber Bowl

Hello Everyone!

Today we have a project that can easily be scaled for all FPLS students and community members, we are going to be making fiber bowls!



Materials:
A balloon
Elmer's Glue or Mod-Podge
Buttons or dried flowers as accessories for design
Yarn or String



Directions:

Step One:
Blow up your balloon. Then in a process much like paper mache dip your string or Mod-Podge and then apply it to the bottom (not spout end) of the balloon.

Step Two:
Continue to add your thread and strings in a layering effect so that there is a substantial base for the bowl.

Step Three:
After you have applies all of the strings/yarn to create your bowl shape you may use the same method to apply buttons or dried flowers to the outside of your bowl.

Step Four:
Allow your bowl to sit in the balloon and dry for 1-2 days then using a needle pop the balloon and pull out the balloon remnants. 



As always, have fun and be creative!

Bug Hotel

Hello Everyone,

Today we are going to create an outdoor home for bees and bugs, we are making a Bug Hotel. This project is a great introduction to STEM observations and as always some extra special creativity skills.



Materials:
(All of the materials for this project are easily interchanged for whatever you have available, so feel free to use these examples as a template and you can modify as needed.)

Cardboard
Sticks
Box
Reeds or hollow tubes



Directions:

You can be as fancy or as simple as this project as you like! Some people drill holes into boards to creates places for insects to burrow while some people (as depicted in our materials list) only use materials easily found around their homes.

Using a box as a template place as many varied materials securely within the box. Make sure to leave little places and gaps between materials to promote little havens for bees and insects.

Hang your box on a tree or lean it up against a fence. Be sure to go and check out your Bug Hotel and see if you have any visitors after a few days!



As always, have fun and be creative!

Nature Masquerade Mask

Hello Everyone!

Today we found inspiration from nature once more, we will be making nature masquerade masks! This activity is great for all ages.



Materials:
Scissors
Cardboard
Hot Glue or Elmers Glue
Nature Elements (petals, leaves, whatever you find in nature!)
A stick
Tape (for support)



Directions:

Step One:
Cut out a basic mask shape from the cardboard. You do not need something extravagant at this point, but a basic over the nose around the eyes mask shape.

Step Two:
Using your nature elements lay decorate your mask. Consider things like pattern, color, and texture while placing your elements.

Step Three:
Secure your elements with hot glue or Elmer's Glue.

Step Four:
Secure your stick to the back of your mask using hot glue. For added support add a strip of tape down the back of the mask where the stick attaches.



As always, have fun and be creative!

Famous Painting Recreation

Hello Everyone,

We have a very different project for today, we are going to be recreating a famous painting! This is a great project for everyone.



For this project, there are no specific directions, only to find a famous paint and materials around the house that are similar and photograph yourself in the scene. Here are a lot of examples:















As always, have fun and be creative!

African Paper Bead Necklace

Hello Everyone!

Today we are finding inspiration in African culture and as usual upcycling, we are making an African Paper Bead Necklace. This project is great for all FPLS student ages and our community members.



Materials:
Paper
Scissors
Glue or Mod Podge
Paintbrush (or you can use your fingers!)
Toothpick
Necklace string



Directions:

Step One:
Cut your paper into strips or using the guide above cut your paper into the strip shapes.

Step Two:
Begin to roll your paper onto your toothpick.



Step Two.2:
Using your paintbrush or your finger brush a small amount of Mod Podge or glue over the whole inside of your paper.

Step Three:
Continue to roll the paper until you complete the strand. Using a little dab of glue of the outside of the bead will help it stick.

Step Four:
Continue to make beads out of all your paper.

Step Five:
String your beads to your necklace cord or string. Once you have added all of your beads finish off the strand by simply adding a knot.



If you would like to see a video of how the African cultures create these beaded necklaces check out this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkOF7SJnPp8. It is definitely an art that gets quicker with practice and application!

As always, have fun and be creative!

Egg Carton Wreath

Hello Everyone,

Today we are going to upcycle a used egg carton and make it into a Spring Wreath. This is a great project for all ages.



Materials:
Egg Carton(s)
Paint
Scissors
Hot Glue
Cardboard

Directions:

Step One:
Cut out a circle from your cardboard (this will be the outside of your wreath. Cut an interior circle leaving a 1-3 inch section for you to apply your 'flowers'.

Step Two:
Cut out each of the individual egg sections. Using the top end of your egg carton cut out leaves.

Step Three:
Using the scissors cut out different shapes and details into your individually cut egg sections.



Step Four:
Paint your flowers and leaves! Have fun and be creative with this. I would suggest using three-five total colors for chronicity.

Step Five:
Once your flowers and leaves have dried you can hot glue them to your cardboard wreath template.



As always, have fun and be creative!

T-shirt to Produce Bag

Hello Everyone!

Today we are going to work on a project for all FPLS students and community members. We are going to be upcycling an old t-shirt into a Produce Bag!



Materials:
A t-shirt
Scissors
Needle and thread OR a sewing machine (with parental guidance as needed)
A marker

Step One:
After you find a t-shirt that you don't mind upcycling into something new lay it flat on a table and using your marker to create an arched line from armpit to armpit. Then use the marker to create an oval 'handle' in the middle of the bottom of your t-shirt.

Step Two:
Using your scissors cut out the handle and the arch.

Step Three:
Hand sew the arch cut together with your sewing machine or by hand. If you need a hand sewing how-to video please check out this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJx4a67e3Pk. We are not doing anything fancy here. The goal is just to secure the bottom of the bag and a simple single stitch will do the job!



Step Four:
Using your scissors cut horizontal cuts all throughout the body of the bag. Make sure that you do not cut the holes too large (or your fruit and veg will fall through!).



As always, have fun and be creative!

Homemade Kuna Mola

Hello Everyone!

Today we are going to modify an assignment we with our MS classroom, Kuna Molas! This project would be great for Elementary and Middle School FPLS students.



Kuna Molas are textile artworks that are created for indigenous women of the Kuna people of Panama. These artworks are worn by women and they are often how women earn money within their community. The process involves many layers of multi-colored fabrics and the procedure of applique and reverse applique and hand sewing. Check out this video for more Kuna Mola examples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6zqvI-zE3g Notice that the vast majority of the designs are details, animals and characteristics that the Kuna people see within nature and their historical fables and religious views.



For our project, we are going to do a modified paper weaving project that is inspired by the Kuna Molas.

Materials:
Paper
Scissors
Multiple colors of paper
A sharpie or black marker

Step One:
Cut out your primary shape for your inspired design. (Our example below is a fish).

Step Two:
Cut out long horizontal stripes through the middle of your primary shape.

Step Three:
Cut long slender strips of the colored paper.

Step Four:
Create a pattern with your colored paper strips and slide the first one through the horizontal cuts. Starting on the top, then under, then over, then under and keep going. The second strip will start under, then over, then under, and over, etc. Then for the third strip, you can start over with the first weaving pattern.

Step Five:
Using the marker add additional patterns and designs onto your final project to help it look more like an authentic Kuna Mola!



As always, have fun and be creative!

Paper Flower Wreath

Hello Everyone!

We have a super simple high impact final project for today. We are going to make a paper flower wreath. The project could easily work for all FPLS students and community members.



Materials:
Paper (I suggest using an old mistreated book, musical sheets, or scrapbooking paper for interest)
Stapler and Staples
A medium-large piece of cardboard
String
Hot Glue or Super Glue



Step One:
Cut out your circle template. Try to keep your template 8"- 10".

Step Two:
Roll all of your pages or papers into a simple cone shape and staple to secure them together.

Step Three:
Using your rolled pieces of paper starting from the outside staple your cones to the circle template. Apply your cones all the way around the outer rim of your circle then move your second layer in from the first just a little bit (this will help keep a strong visual and full looking wreath).

Step Four:
Once you have added all of your cones to your circle template take a small piece of string and loop it together attaching both of the cut ends together and glue them to the back of your wreath, for hanging.



As always, have fun and be creative!

Coffee Painting

Hello Everyone!

We are going to be creating a painting today....out of coffee! An alternative for coffee would be tea. This creative project is easily scaled for every FPLS student or community member.



Materials:
Coffee or Tea (brewed at least three times-see image below)
Paint Brush
Paper
Pencil



Step One:
Brew coffee or tea at least into three different intensities.

Step Two:
Using your pencil draw out the painting that you would like to paint. Use the pencil very lightly. The coffee will apply similarly to watercolor it will still be transparent once applied.

Step Three:
Use your coffee or tea as paint and apply it to your drawing with a paint brush. Consider value and contrast for your painting. This happens by re-applying multiple layers (just like watercolor!).







As always, have fun and be creative!