How to Make Beaded Snap Clips with Ribbon Bow Accents

Snap Clip Barrettes are a great way to pull back little girl's hair. I have designed these beaded snap clips with ribbon accents that your little one is sure to love.

Things You'll Need:
* Small Glass Beads of Assorted Colors
* 24 gauge jewelry wire
* Clear Nylon Filament
* ¾ to 1 inch Ribbon
* Hot Glue
* Spool of Clear Nylon Thread
* Snap Clips
* Wire Cutters
* Flat Nose Pliers
* Lighter or Candle

Cut 6 inches of 24 gauge jewelry wire. Bend wire around one side of the snap clip, pull tightly and wrap once more.

Cut 24 inches of Clear Nylon Filament and thread under the wire you just bent (towards the top of snap clip). Once filament is through tie it in knot. Use your Flat Nose Pliers to flatten the wire into the clip and securing the filament into place.

Begin to thread an assortment of glass beads on the wire. Thread almost to the end of the wire. Use the last bit of wire to bend it down and secure the beads in place.

Take the secured end of filament and begin to wrap it around each bead tightly. Shape the wire as you go; bending and curving with snap clip.

When you reach the other side of the snap clip, bend the wire around twice. Thread the filament through and secure with a knot. Flatten with your pliers.

To make the bow, cut a strip 3 inches long. Prevent the end of the ribbon from fraying by gently placing into the blue part of a flame only the VERY tip of the ribbon.

Join each sealed end into the center of the ribbon. Use clear nylon thread to make a running stitch up the center. Wrap the nylon thread around the center (tightly) about four times and then tie off.

Using the clear nylon thread attach the glass beads the center of the bow.

Attach the bow to the center hole of the snap clip, using the clear nylon thread.

Hot glue the bottom of the bow to the snap clip, gluing over the wire that you bent to start and finish the beading process.

How to Make a St. Patrick's Day Woven Yarn Purse

I live in New Hampshire and the last couple of days we have had large power outages and heavy snow. What did I do with no television or electricity; I made a woven yarn St. Patrick’s Day purse, with a marabou trim, and a beaded handle?

I used the Woven Ribbon Purse Instructions I designed a couple of days ago and replaced the ribbon with yarn.
  
I took step-by-step pictures of the yarn purse while I was making it. Follow the instructions for making the Woven Ribbon Purse and use the pictures below for guidance.

1. Cut a piece of corrugated cardboard 8 inches wide by 6 inches. Along the top of the cardboard cut slits every 1/2 inch. You should have a total of 15 slits across the top. Then on the bottom right hand corner ¼ inch from the edge cut another slit.



 

2. To begin weaving start at the first slit on the top left. Measure your yarn 2 inches in and place it through the slit at the 2 inch mark.

 3. Wrap the yarn completely around your cardboard loom; back to front and through the first slit. Next, pull the yarn across the back to the second slit. Then, front to back and through the second slit, again. Next, pull the yarn across the front to the third slit. This time back to front through the third slit, again. With each slit alternate front to back forming loops across every other slit.

4. Finish the loom by pulling the yarn down from the fifteenth slit to the bottom right slit. You should have 15 strips of yarn on the front and 16 strips of yarn on the back.





(back of the cardboard has 16 strips - two strips of yarn are in one slot)

5. Weave the yarn in and out on both sides using a weaving needle.  If you want to change the color of the yarn or when you run out of yarn tie the ends together.

6. Weave the yarn to the very top of the cardboard template.

7. Fold the edges of the cardboard template and separate the cardboard from the woven yarn purse.

8. Attach green marabou using a double strand piece of yarn and loop the marabou onto the edge of the purse.

9. Attach the marabou around the entire perimeter of the woven yarn purse.

10. Using a double strand of yarn, knot it on the side of the purse and thread large eyed beads onto the yarn.  Helpful Hint: Tape the end of the yarn for a stiff end for threading the beads.

11. Tie the yarn end on the other side of the purse and knot.  Helpful Hint: Push the frayed ends of the yarn towards the inside of the purse for  a nice finished look.

Easy Beaded Rubber Hair Bands

Looking for an easy hair project?

Purchase "no" tangle hair bands.  That means the ones without the metal snaps on them.

Use fishing line or quilters thread; attach a large bead by running quilters thread through the center of a smaller bead and tie it onto the rubber band. 

This is an easy project that you can add your own style to.

 

  

 

No Sew Woven Ribbon Purse

This woven purse is an easy craft for all ages to make.  This purse requires no sewing and only a limited amount of materials.

The template for weaving the purse is made using cardboard and the only materials needed is yarn or ribbon.  An optional weaving needle is not needed but can make it easier especially for young children.

Cut a piece of corrugated cardboard 8 inches wide by 6 inches. Along the top of the cardboard cut slits every 1/2 inch. You should have a total of 15 slits across the top. Then on the bottom right hand corner ¼ inch from the edge cut another slit.

To begin weaving start at the first slit on the top left. Measure your ribbon 2 inches in and place it through the slit at the 2 inch mark. Wrap the ribbon completely around your cardboard loom; back to front and through the first slit. Next, pull the ribbon across the back to the second slit. Then, front to back and through the second slit, again. Next, pull the ribbon across the front to the third slit. This time back to front through the third slit, again. With each slit alternate front to back forming loops across every other slit.

Finish the loom by pulling the ribbon down from the fifteenth slit to the bottom right slit. You should have 15 strips of ribbon on the front and 16 strips of ribbon on the back.

Begin by using the ribbon on the bottom right slit to weave ribbon through the strips. Weave both front and back of your loom. If you want to change the color of your ribbon just tie it on. When you have reached the top of your cardboard loom tie your woven ribbon to the 2 inch ribbon you left hanging down at the first slit and trim.

To detach your purse simply take the loops (that you formed with your ribbon) off of the cardboard slats and pull the cardboard out through the opening.

Attach ribbon at the top left and right of the purse to form your handle.

For detailed pictures of the weaving process click here. The purse made was a Woven St. Patrick's Day Purse with Marabou Trim and Beaded Handle.

St. Patrick's Day Foamies Bookmark

I designed this craft because I wanted an easy St. Patrick's Day craft that my children could do.  Foamies are a wonderful easy mess-free craft and I tend to use them a lot for my children's crafts and when I volunteer in the local elementary school.  

"This is an easy craft for children to make to give to their teacher, babysitter, or family member!  Or to use to keep their place in their own books." - Sarah Forhan

Materials:

Green Foam

Small Foam Letters (optional)

Glue Dots or Glue Stick

Scissors

Instructions:

1. Gather all materials needed for this craft. Instead of using foam letters markers will work, as well. 

2. Cut the foam into a bookmark strip. Then fold the rest of the foam in half and cut out three half heart shapes. Open the fold to see your hearts.

3. Attach the hearts to end of the bookmark using glue dots. The points of the hearts should be touching.

4. Use either foam letters or markers to write a special message on the bookmark.

St. Patrick's Day Hair Bow

I love to make hair bows for my daughter for each season. St. Patrick’s Day is no exception!

I incorporated ribbon and beads for this bow. The green clover themed ribbon and a beaded clover accent make this bow the ultimate Saint Patrick’s Day bow. I also used my favorite bow making tool the Mini Bowdabra. The Mini Bowdabra can be purchased at most craft stores. Visit their website for retail stores in your area.

Materials:

Mini Bowdabra

Bowdabra Bow Wire

Wide Width Green Ribbon

St. Patrick's Day Themed Ribbon

Green Seed Beads

Alligator Clip

Hot Glue Gun

Instructions:

1. Begin with the wide width green ribbon and form three loops on either side of the Mini Bowdabra.  Start by forming the first loop and pressing it into the Mini Bowdabra, continue forming and pressing the loops into the Mini Bowdabra.

2. Next cut a piece of St. Patrick's Day Themed Ribbon about 18" in length.  Fold it in half and then place it right side down into the Mini Bowdabra.

3. Loop one side of the ribbon and then the other into the Mini Bowdabra.

4. Bring the tails into the center of the Mini Bowdabra forming two more loops.

5. Scrunch the bow down with the Mini Bowdabra Wand.

6. Pull the Bowdabra Bow Wire tightly and gently pull the bow out of the Mini Bowdabra.  Bring the Bowdabra Bow Wire around to the back, tie, and then bring it back to the front.

7. Thread seed beads through the Bowdabra Bow Wire to form a clover. Thread 4-5 beads and then twist the wire to form a clover leaf.  Do the same thing two more times.  Tie the wire in the back of the bow to secure the clover accent.

8.  Partially line alligator clip with ribbon and a hot glue gun.  Tie the Bowdabra Bow wire to it and trim away the excess wire. 

9. Fold the ribbon over the bottom of the alligator clip and hot glue it securely in place.

10. Presto!  Your St. Patrick's Day Themed Hair Bow is ready to wear.

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FTC Disclosure: I write craft projects for Bowdabra, however I am not receiving any monetary gain by mentioning their product(s).  

How to Make a Caterpillar Costume for Dress-Up

Dress-up costumes are fun for children and perfect for sparking their imagination. I chose to use fleece to make this costume. Fleece is the perfect material for a caterpillar costume and it is very easy to work with. No ironing, hemming, or re-enforcing seams.

This costume can be used over my butterfly costume.  Caterpillar can then morph into a butterfly.  These Dress-up costumes are perfect to go with a caterpillar to butterfly lesson plan or to be used in a school play like: Goin' Buggy

 

 

Materials Needed:
Fleece
22” Zipper
Marabou (for antennas)
2 Pom-Poms (for antennas)
Sewing Machine
Hot Glue Gun (for antennas)

Instructions:
(click on photo to enlarge pattern instructions)
1. First begin by measuring the child you are making the caterpillar costume for. Measure from the shoulder down to the ankle. Then measure from one shoulder to the other this will be the size of the fleece you need to cut out (cut 2).
2. Cut strips for the sides of the costume. The strips need to be the length of the costume and 3 to 4 inches wide. Sew the sides to the front and back of the costume.
3. Cut a small half circle on the top front of the costume along the neckline. Cut a slit in the fleece the length of the zipper. Cut an extra ¼ inch on either side of the slit to make room for the zipper. Sew the zipper into the costume inside out. The child has to be able zip themselves in and out of the costume. Without arm holes they need to zip the costume from the inside.
4. Cut fleece strips for the shoulders and sew on.
5. Cut a rectangular block for the hood.
6. Sew the sides together curve the seam near the top of the hood. Attach the bottom of the hood to the costume.
7. Cut out two small rectangular pieces for the collar; attach a collar to the top front.
8. Optional: To make antennas for the costume you can either make headband antennas or attach the antennas right to the hood. To attach the antennas to the hood; pierce a small hole on either side of the hood. Thread a pipe cleaner through each hole. Spiral the very bottom of each of the pipe cleaners on the inside of the hood and hot glue in place. Next, thread a spring over each of the pipe cleaners. Wrap the pipe cleaners down around each of the springs. Wrap and hot glue marabou around each of the springs. Hot glue a pom pom onto each of the antennas.

For more Dress-Up Costumes Tutorials search the dress-up label.

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Spring Minnie Mouse Dress

Minnie Mouse Dress
Originally uploaded by sarah_forhan

I made this dress a few years ago to sell in a local children's boutique. It was such a hit around Spring and Easter-time I think I need to start making some more sundresses.

That is the weirdest part about being a Craft Writer and Crafter is that you are always making things before the season or the holiday to have it in time. I am currently writing about Mother's Day projects so that I will be in time for commercial print. By the end of March, I hope to be done with Thanksgiving crafts.

Oh well, I am off to make some sundresses with my warm slippers on and hot cocoa in hand.

Incidentally, this is my first blog entry using flickr and it is a bit of a test. Thanks for your understanding.

Butterfly Costume Step-by-Step Picture Instructions

As many of you know, from reading my blog, I love dress-up costumes. Children love to dress-up and use their imagination. My goal is to come up with easy costume directions that you can follow and make for your kids. Make-believe is wonderful for children and helps to expand their imaginations. So get off the couch, shut-off the television, and put on a play with your “buggy” costumes.

My dress-up costumes can also be used for the play "Going Buggy" it is a grade school play.

 

 

Butterfly Tutorial:

Materials Needed:
Black Sweatshirt
2 Silk Fabrics (2 separate colors, 1yd of each approximate)
Chalk
Pins
Scissors
Sewing Machine (optional)

Instructions:

1. Begin by choosing 2 silk fabrics for your butterfly wings. You will need one color for the top wings and another color for the bottom wings.

2. Lay the silk down on a hard surface (preferably a table or large counter-top). Lay the sweatshirt on top of the silk. Raise one of the arms of the sweatshirt. Trace the outline of the shirt sleeve and down the bottom of the sweatshirt about 2 inches from the bottom with chalk.

3. Draw curves along the side (opposite side of the shirt) for the butterfly wing details. Draw a line from the bottom of the shirt (2 inches up) to the other side of the wing at an angle. Fold the silk in half cut the two wings out (use the chalk lines as a template).

4. Next, draw on the other style silk the bottom wing. The top wing and the bottom wing will be sewn together. Use the top wing as a guide for the forming of the top angled line, the curved edges, and the bottom point. The bottom wing will be sewn to the last 2 inches that you left at the bottom of the sweatshirt.

5. Sew the top wing to the bottom wing (for both sides).







6. Cut the sleeve and sides of the sweat shirt open. I did not bother to seam rip I just cut them. (There was no seam on the side of sweat shirt I just cut along the side in an even line.)

7. Turn the sweat shirt inside out and sew the top of the wing along the inside of the arm. (Pin the wings in place first so that you can check that the fabric is going the right way. Good rule to remember front sides or right sides pressed together.)

8. Next, sew the sides of the wing along the side of the sweatshirt.

9. Turn, sweat shirt right side out and wings are ready to use. If you notice the silk fraying use liquid fray check or fray blocker.

To add butterfly antenna's visit my: Diva Bug Antennas Post

For more Dress-Up Costumes Tutorials search the dress-up label.