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!