Recently, I was searching for more art projects to do with the kids in the after school program at the middle school and remembered something my son had done in one of his classes. I didn't know what it was called, but I knew he scratched off paint and pretty colors were underneath and it was kinda cool. So, on my search I found "Scratch Art" at Skip To My Lou in the arts &crafts section! Yay! She has all the directions, but I'll give them to you, as well.
On an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of white card stock color very hard onto your card stock. It doesn't have to be a picture, just blocks of different colors. Be sure to color hard until it is waxy looking. I found that it helps to draw a rectangle on the paper as the area to color in. That way, on your next step you won't be painting to the very edge of the paper.
Then mix together some black acrylic paint(maybe 2 Tbsp.) and a couple drops of dish detergent. Mix together and with a foam brush paint over the crayon. Let dry for an hour or longer.
Next, take a toothpick and scratch off the paint to make a picture or whatever design you like. I did a simple one to show how it looks. Hmmm. Looking at this I can't help but think of my 7th grade art teacher, Mrs. Stokes, and how she told us that the sun doesn't have sticks coming out of it. Ha!! Oh well, I like my pink and purple stick sun!
The kids at school had a lot of fun with this! We also did this for a family night activity,well, we still have to scratch ours. But my kids we're really into it. Give it a try!!
A fun craft to share with you today that I first tried my hand at years ago, marble magnets. I think these are so fun. You can personalize them to your own taste by using scrapbook papers or even pictures.
I made marble magnets recently at the middle school's after school class where I do arts & crafts with the kids. They loved making these. My own kids did, as well when we made them for our family night activity not too long ago. They really get into picking out their own papers to go on the marble. With the exception of my 3 yr. old, my kids were able to do this little craft by themselves. Well, I did trim up the paper with my Cutter Bee scissors which I do not let them use because they are so sharp. They turned out super cute and now we have magnets to use on the fridge and on the girls' magnet board(that is still not made).
To make marble magnets you will need a bag of the clear decorator marbles with a flat side.(I got mine at Dollar Tree) You will also need a hole punch (I used 1 1/4"), magnet buttons, Sobo glue(use in a well ventilated area),foam brush, and patterned scrapbook paper or small pictures(which I forgot to include in the picture).
First, punch out a circle from scrapbook paper you have selected. Next, with a foam brush, rub the glue on the printed side of the circle and stick it to the flat side of the marble. Be sure to rub out any air bubbles. Then, take a magnet and put just a dab of glue on it and attach to the flat side of the marble. Press down and let dry. You might have to trim up the paper if it is sticking out beyond the marble. Have fun!
A while back I was looking for a yummy cake recipe that would feed the masses and stumbled upon this yum pumpkin sheet cake from All Recipes. It is very good! I love it because it feeds so many, tastes great and is simple to make. This cake is great for potlucks. I just took it to one yesterday. I came home with an empty pan. : ) My pic is not so great. I remembered to take it right before we left for church. It's already cut and has toothpicks stuck in it so I can put foil over it. Here I've sprinkled half the cake with chopped pecans and left the other half without nuts for those who don't prefer them. Also, I took a short cut this time and frosted it with canned cream cheese frosting. Yes, I did. I found that it is much better, of course, when I make the cream cheese frosting. You can really taste the difference. Give this cake a try for your next gathering!
Pumpkin Sheet Cake
1 (15 oz.) can canned pumpkin puree
2 c. white sugar
1 c. vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 c. all -purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
Cream Cheese Frosting
1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
5 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 3/4 c. confectioner's sugar
3 tsp. milk
1 c. chopped walnuts or pecans
Grease and flour a 15x10 sheet pan.In mixing bowl, beat pumpkin, 2 c. white sugar and oil. Add eggs and mix well. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and beat until well blended. Pour batter into a greased and floured 15x10 inch sheet baking pan. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add 1 3/4 c. confectioner's sugar and mix well. Add milk until frosting reaches desired spreading consistency. Frost cake and sprinkle with nuts.** A note about the frosting, you might want to double the recipe if you like a thicker coat of frosting. This makes enough for a thin layer of frosting.
