The last holiday project I’d like to share is my friend Regina’s amazing Christmas Tree Wreath that I spied as I was finishing my family visit in Tennessee. Regina is the owner of Whitney Hill Estates, and the host of my art retreat every summer. She just has more artsy skills in her fingertips than anyone I know. She briefly … Read More
Here’s another look at Model Magic project from last year, Gingerbread boys and girls, displayed on their own baking sheet trays. I’ve found that if you want to give your Model Magic creations a bit of a longer life, spray them with a clear gloss when finished. It does make the color last longer, not forever, but at least a … Read More
Here’s a holiday ornament idea that fulfills all the requirements of being easy, inexpensive, flexible, and most important, a little sparkly for the students. To make your life really easy, I recommend getting an industrial craft punch like the one shown above. I use mine all the time, mostly for craft stick projects like this. It can even cut through … Read More
This is one of my student’s favorite Christmas drawing ideas, and I think it’s because it’s a new point of view for them, and offers all kinds of color and pattern possibilities. The one issue that I have been meaning to address with this project is the drawing of the elf feet. I first did this with older students (grade … Read More
This is one of my favorite Christmas drawings for cards. It uses a little positive / negative space and symmetry lesson too. This is also a good project to bring out the best fine tip markers you have. I love my new Stabilo Fine Lines that were part of my popular Zentangle Snowflake posting. The tips are thin, yet very … Read More
Here’s a thank you to hard-working teachers and parents everywhere, a free Christmas Wreath coloring project. May it add a little extra cheer to your home or classroom. PDF FILE INCLUDES: • 4 Coloring Pages (8.5″ x 11″) • Coloring Guide • Single Page Version FINISHED DIMENSIONS: 15″ x 15″ RECOMMENDED MEDIA: Portfolio Oil Pastels, 24 pack • Download Christmas Wreath PDF … Read More
A simple search will show you many tutorials on how to make pom pom balls. Some take tools and adult-size patience, but these require neither. Every time I bring out this project, kids as young as kinder have a ball making something that is more like a toy than a decoration to them. I’ve just learned that you need an … Read More
My favorite way to show students how to draw a star is to connect the dots. Have the dots touch the edge of a paper to get stars that fill up the page. I describe the star as having a head, two arms and two legs. Yes, much like Patrick Star from Spongebob if that helps. Instruct students to make … Read More
If you need Christmas drawing ideas for kids, this one is works for many different religions. It’s made of simple shapes that are easy for all to draw. I recommend drawing the candle and tracing all the lines several times with a black pastel so they are really thick. When you color in the shapes at the end, you will … Read More
Zentangle art is drawing with repetitive patterns. My snowflakes may look complex, but they are made from just adding lots of arrows to my star template. I tried out some new Stabilo markers for this drawing, and totally love the pointMax set. The tips are nice and firm, so it makes them a pleasure to draw with. The company makes … Read More
Keep your Santa Claus drawing easy by making him with symmetrical shapes. It really helps students see and draw him in a logical kind of way. My tutorials always have grid lines on them so students can target where to place their lines. A quick option is to have students fold the paper to make crease lines to follow. I … Read More
You can make this winter tree drawing with the help of bleeding tissue paper. Just apply water to small squares and they leave behind amazing swirly winter skies. This worked for a series of art trading cards today, but I can’t wait to try it on a larger format. You would think that a bunch of tissue squares would leave … Read More
Poinsettias are always a good theme for Christmas art projects. Try tearing red and green tissue paper for a more natural petal shape. MATERIALS Multimedia paper Tissue paper: green, red and yellow White glue Water and container Brush Oil pastels DIRECTIONS Rectangles of red, green and yellow tissue paper are needed (the craft kind, NOT any that says ‘bleeding paper‘). … Read More
Make your own handmade greeting cards with my sticker snowman project. Animate your snowman by moving the arms and hat and adjusting placement of the face. These snowman trading cards make use of a trading card sleeve to line them up for display, but you always just glue the cards to a folded sheet to make a card. I love how … Read More
Try using colorful Post-its for this papel picado project. The squares come in very festive colors and can be found at your local office supply store. Papel picado is a Mexican folk art craft. It is the art of cutting paper into beautiful and elaborate designs for holidays and celebrations. What I liked about making this picado card with Post-its was … Read More
These pop up Christmas cards are easy to make, thanks to the fact that you can now get circle paper punches in a variety of sizes. Just be sure to cut all the circles and flakes ahead of time. Don’t make the mistake I did which was to think I could punch out plenty while students worked. Stress is when … Read More
Here’s how to draw a poinsettia, which my students are turning into decorations for our holiday show in a couple of weeks. We’re making em big, on 12′ square heavy paper, and cutting the poinsettias out so they can be arranged on the wall of the auditorium. I’m proud that I was able to sneak in a little bit of … Read More
Need a step by step Elf drawing tutorial? Here’s a pretty cute guy to draw (which could easily be turned into a girl, by the way.) MATERIALS Draw Elf PDF Tutorial Drawing paper Black marker Crayons DIRECTIONS Prep: Print tutorial for each student. Draw guide lines on paper or fold in half to make creases. Students follow the tutorial to … Read More
I’ve been scouring for recycled craft with CDs ideas, due to a stash that just keeps growing. Glueing yarn to make an ornament or wreath is one way to go. MATERIALS • Old CDs • Bernat Blanket Yarn • Scissors • Craft glue in a cup • Craft glue in a bottle • Popsicle stick for spreading glue • Pom … Read More
My school had a nutcracker theme for their holiday show one year, so I showed students how to draw a giant nutcracker on butcher paper. Now you can download your own diagram to help you make your own. Folding the paper to create guide lines really helps with the proportion. • View and download Giant Nutcracker Tutorial MATERIALS … Read More
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