Candy Bar Gift Wrap

Dress up your Christmas candy bars and chocolate barks with this elegant idea.


Materials

* Aluminum foil
* Scissors
* Wrapping paper

* Double-sided tape
* Ribbon

Instructions

1.Carefully wrap each bar with aluminum foil, making sure it stays as smooth as possible. Next, measure the length and width of the bar. Cut a piece of festive wrapping paper so that it's 1/2 inch shorter than the bar and wraps around the width with 1/2 inch of overlap.
2. Wrap the paper around the foil and secure it in place with double-sided tape. Decorate with a ribbon or personalize it with a family photo or a drawing from your child.


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3D Paper Stars

Have you ever seen little paper stars like these? They're very easy to make, and they're a fun way to recycle a bit of junk mail into something colorful and decorative.



Steps

1.

A long, narrow strip.
Cut a long, narrow strip of paper about 1 cm wide and as long as whatever page you are cutting.


2.

A simple knot.
Tie a simple knot (the same kind you use to tie your shoes) at one end. Cross the ends of the strips and pull one end through the loop that forms. If you want the color from a particular end of the strip, tie the knot at the other end. Don't twist the paper, just loop it around.
3.

Gently tighten the knot.

Gently pull the knot without creasing or squeezing the strip of paper. When all the edges are in contact press it down and crease. You should have a pentagon with a long end and a short end sticking out.
4.

Fold the short end over, following the edges of the pentagon, so that it does not stick out. If there's a little more than a pentagon width, you can tear it off or fold it under and tuck it in.
5.

Wrap the long end around and around the pentagon, following the edges and the folds. The result should be a fatter pentagon. Fold so that the color you want faces out, if the two sides of the strip are different.
6.

Tuck in the loose end. If there is a little too much, fold it over or tear it off before tucking it in.
7.

Pinch the corners to make the pentagon into a star.

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Make your own kite

Have ever wanted to build a kite? Well, here is a simple kite you can make your self!



A kite consists of these basic parts:
# The Spine. The up-and-down, or vertical stick that you build your kite around.
# The Spar. The support stick(s), that are placed crossways or at a slant over the spine. Sometimes they are curved or bowed.
# The Frame. The joined spine and spars, usually with a string connecting their ends, that form the shape of the kite and make a support for the cover.
# The Cover. The paper, plastic, or cloth, that cover the frame to make a kite.
# The Bridle. One or more strings attached to the spine or spars, which help control the kite in the air.
# The Flying Line. The string running from the kites’ bridle, where you hold to fly the kite.
# The Tail. A long strip of paper or plastic of ribbon that helps to balance the kite in flight. Not all kites need tails.
# The Reel. The object you use to wind your flying line, to keep it form getting tangled or flying away.

DIAMOND KITE
Materials:
# butcher cord or thin garden twine
# scotch tape or glue
# 1 sheet of strong paper (102cm x 102cm)
# 2 strong, straight wooden sticks of bamboo or wooden doweling 90cm and 102cm
# markers, paint or crayons to decorate you kite.

1. Make a cross with the two sticks, with the shorter stick placed horizontally across the longer stick. Make sure that both sides of the cross piece is equal in width.

2. Tie the two sticks together with the string in such a way as to make sure that they are at right angles to each other. A good way to ensure that the joint is strong to put a dab of glue to stick it in place.

3. Cut a notch at each end of both sticks. Make it deep enough for the type of string you are using to fit in to. Cut a piece of string long enough to stretch all around the kite frame. Make a loop in the top notch and fasten it by wrapping the string around the stick. Stretch the string through the notch at one end of the cross-piece, and make another loop at the bottom. Stretch the string through the notch at one end of the loop at the bottom. Stretch the string through the notch at the other end of the cross-piece. Finish by wrapping the string a few times around the top of the stick and cutting off what you don't need. This string frame must be taut, but not so tight as to warp the sticks.

4. Lay the sail material flat and place the stick frame face down on top. Cut around it, leaving about 2-3cm for a margin. Fold these edges over the string frame and tape or glue it down so that the material is tight.

5. Cut a piece of string about 122 cm long. and tie one end to the loop at the other end of the string to the loop at the bottom. Tie another small loop in the string just above the intersection of the two cross pieces. This will be the kite's bridle, the string to which the flying line is attached.

6. Make a tail by tying a small ribbon roughly every 10cm along the length of string. Attach the tail to the loop at the bottom of the kite.

7. Decorate!


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Making a Chunk Candle

Making chunk candles is an and fun activity for all ages. A unique technique using wax chunks of different colors gives the finished candle a beautiful texture and look. They make a refreshing alternative to the usual pillar candles. Follow these step-by-instructions and make your own pretty chunk candles to gift or keep.


** It is assumed that the reader has a basic knowledge of preparing the candle mold by spraying oil and wicking it and also for setting and removing the finished candles from the mold. Anyone who has made a pillar candle before will find this project very easy to follow.

What You Need

* Wick
* Paraffin Wax
* Candle Mold
* Candle dyes in various colors
* Shallow Tray

Directions:

1. First you will need to prepare chunks. You can use leftover chunks from other candle projects. Or you make new ones by melting wax, adding color and allowing to set in a shallow pan. You can use either single-colored or multi-colored chunks.

2. Prepare the mold by spraying oil and wicking it. Then fill the mold with chunks.

3. Melt (un-dyed) wax and add to the mold. Allow to set completely.

Note: You can make different types of candles by altering the number of colors and chunks used. You can choose all your chunks to be of the same color or different colors. The color of the 'filler wax' can also be white or any other color that you choose to have.

You can also cut out all your chunks in similar shapes or keep mismatched ones.


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Foam Flower Crafts for Kids

Looking for free kids crafts? Learn how to make rose petals for foam flowers in this free video clip about easy foam crafts for kids.





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