Special X-mas card for special people

Christmas is coming and to give the care-givers at our childrens day care a special little something we made this X-mas tree ornament.

Before I've started I made sure that I had enough paper shapes punched out, so that my toddler didn't had to wait for his mommy.

I started out with drawing 6 circles with a glass (any other round shape will do) on two different colors of paper. Cut them out, fold them in half and put glue on one side, completely covering it. I used a glue stick (like Pritt) because the stains are easy to remove from hands, clothes or any other object my toddler could get is hands on.                                               

Green circle (about 7cm diameter)

Use a glue stick (is easier to clean)

Then I gave the circle with the glue facing up to my little boy and let him have his way with the circle and the paper shapes. While he was sticking the tiny little shapes onto the circle I made sure the supply of paper shapes kept coming (I needed to, because a lot of them ended up on the floor).

Let's stick 'm to everything but the circle!

When I thought that he was finished with sticking the shapes, or that there was no glue available to stick any more shapes to, I took the circle and gave him a new one. I continued until I had five circles or when he was bored and wanted to do something else. All in all it should be fun. I let him stick five circles full of shapes because I wanted to write a personal message on the sixth one.

Six full circles

One full circle

As you can see in the picture below, I folded the circles after they were covered with little stars, hearts and christmas trees, but I think it is better to fold the circles before adding glue (as mentioned above). In that way I didn't destroy my sons masterpiece and had to glue some of the shapes back on.

Folded circles with shapes on it (bad idea!)

Now glue 5 of the circles together with putting glue on one side and then placing the other circle on it.

Stick 'm together...

...like so

But wait...! Before glueing the circles all together put a piece of string between  the last and the first circle you'll glue.

String with a knot at the end

Place the string as shown

 




















Glue the last parts together and Tadaa! All finished :)

Again, we started early on making these gifts because our main 'rule' is to enjoy our crafting time together.

Have fun!

Christmas card

Let's start with the first post:

So as every year, this year we have to send out christmas cards. And now that they are all send, I can share my design with you. 

First I started with a drawing of a christmas tree and some blank cards. 

Christmas tree template

Blank card

  




















Then I drew the christmas tree on a normal weight A4 paper and taped it to the window. Why on the window? I did this to make sure that I can trace my christmas tree to the thick paper of the card.  (Ofcourse make sure that there is enough light outside or, if you have one, you can also use a bright light in a glass box)

Red balls, green garland... let your imagination do the work!

When all that is said and done, you have the christmas tree on your card. I colored the balls and garland in myself and let my 1,5 year old color the rest.

Let's color!

Ofcourse my little one wasn't limited by the christmas tree and also colored some of the insides. But that is only a nice surprise for the receiver of the card ;)

All finished!

                                                       

It's a good idea to start at the end of the summer when making these cards. Toddlers (at least mine) has a short attention span and is easily bored. We started half way september, and have finished them last weekend (mids of December).

Have fun!

Let me introduce myself

Hi!

My name is Claudia, I live in Eindhoven (the Netherlands) with my lovely husband and two wonderful children. The oldest one is almost 2 years old and the youngest one is almost 4 months old. 

I like to make personalized gifts and cards and really love to play around with my kids and along the way teach them all kinds of new stuff. Now wouldn't it be great to combine those two things and perform some art and crafts projects with my kids? On my blog I would like to share with you the projects that are fun, easy to follow and toddler proof!

See you around!