The countdown......

I don't know about you but our family is really looking forward to summer!!! I can't wait for the kids to be out of school and to have an open and free schedule. Plus I hope that the warm weather will finally arrive! We've had a really long winter and a very chilly Spring around here. 

I've got lots of plans, hopes and wishes for this Summer - we'll see how it actually all turns out. *snicker* We recently made a paper chain to help countdown the days to my sons 5th birthday and we thought it might be fun to do the same for the end of school too. It was quick and easy to put together. It's nothing fancy but makes a great craft project to do together!!

Gather some colorful paper

scissors

tape/glue/stapler

marker

calendar

I used stars for our destinations points - one for each - preschool graduation and elementary school's last day.

Layered several papers together and cut thin strips

Count the number of days left and cut enough papers

Start making your chain! We used staples and had about 30 links on our chain. Preschool gets out earlier than elementary so I cut a smaller star and stapled it to the link when my little guy would have his last day of preschool.Then the larger star went at the top. It was pretty long so we hung it next to the fridge and waaaaay up high. Each morning they take turns pulling a link off and watch it get shorter and shorter. Have fun crafting one up yourself! 

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Spin Art Tutorial

Here's a great, fun and good for all ages tutorial - SPIN ART! - Create your own! Perfect summer activity to keep boredom at bay.

Let's get started!

Materials:

Cheap salad spinner (I purchased mine for under $3.00 at the grocery store)
Acrylic Paint - in various colors
Paper - construction works great!
Pencil/Pen
Scissors
something to cover your work area - newspaper, cheap plastic tablecloth, etc
optional: disposable pan or disposable plastic lid

Step 1: Cover your work area. This is a good activity for indoors or outdoors.













Take out your middle basket piece, place it on your paper and trace around it.


Step 2: Cut out your circle pieces of paper. These will fit in the spinner. I like to stack several pieces of construction paper together when cutting so I get several circles of paper ready to go! I also cut just on the inside of the line I traced just to make sure I have a good fit.

Step 3: Place your paper in the middle basket piece and place that back into the salad spinner.

Grab your bottles of paint and let your little ones squirt the colors on the paper in any pattern - or no pattern at all!

Step 4: When they've put on all the colors they wanted, replace the lid on top and start spinning!

optional: you can place our salad spinner in a disposable tin dish or disposable plastic lid as I have used here. When you start to spin the paint will eventually build up on the inside and start to drip out the bottom of the salad spinner. I like to place my spinner in a pan/tray/lid to catch the mess later. Then I just keep it and re-use it for more spinning projects.

Step 5: Lift off the lid and take the first look at your newest masterpiece!

Step 6: You can now add a few more drops of paint and spin again if necessary. To remove your art I simple tilt the middle basket piece to the side and shake gently. The paper will scoot out and be easy to grab. Or you can just simply reach it and grab it! Place somewhere flat to dry and spin another!

These are great for entertaining your kids this summer, for parties or get togethers! You could even make some patriotic ones this upcoming 4th of July! Enjoy spinning and creating with your kids, grandkids, family and neighbors!

Be sure to upload your photos from this project into the Brassy Apple Projects Flickr group!

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Summer Creativity

I'm seeing lots of color and fun creative ideas as summertime finally hits. I'd love to pass along a few ideas and tutorials I have come across if you don't mind. ;)

Fabric pompoms. Aren't these so sweet and the perfect addition to the right room! Visit MollyChicken to view her tutorial and other sweet photos of her daugthers room.













SewMamaSew the blog has Featured Creativity today. There Flickr pool is FULL of inspirational ideas in all forms! aprons, children's clothing, quilts, accessories, etc all bursting with summer flava'!

thanks to the girls over there for featuring my ginger blossom apron as well! smooches!




Do you have a stash of buttons around? Craft up a necklace or bracelet with Zephyrama How to!













And let's wrap it up with YouCanMakeThis.com. Have your checked out their FREE section lately? There may just be a fun free pattern or informative tutorial right up your alley !

Have fun creating today!!!! Let me know if the crafting bug bites ya! ;)

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