Quilted-Collage American Flag

PROJECT OVERVIEW:
Create an American Flag in a quilted-style using paper scraps from (magazines, mail, scrap drawer, etc). Kids will use the paper pieces as if they were quilt sections. Patch them together on a letter sized piece of paper, glue down and then use permanent black marker to create a stitch-effect (making the flag look like it was sewn together like a quilt).

The quilted style is to symbolize our country's history, representing unity/togetherness and the melting-pot of our citizens.

This project works great as individual or group art. Classrooms and large groups might try this on a large sheet of paper or cardboard to cover an entire wall!

SUPPLY LIST:
- letter sized sheet of card stock or card board
- scrap papers from: magazines, junk mail, newspaper, etc.
- pencil
- scissors
- glue
- black permanent marker

DIRECTIONS:
1) Find a piece of white card stock or heavy white paper to create your flag on. TIP: Cream paper would create an antique-style flag.

2) Lightly draw a flag on your card stock. Kids might want to do an abbreviated version of the flag since it might be hard to include all 50 stars and 13 stripes. NOTE: Kids can be creative with the number of stars and stripes they use. Emphasize the importance of having a red strip on top and bottom (white stripes on the outside will get dirty faster).

3) Find red and blue scrap paper pieces to form your flag with. The white sections = the white of the paper, but kids can use white paper for the star/s if they choose. Cut the pieces out with scissors and sort into a red and blue pile. NOTE: there will be a variety of blues and reds creating the flag. Consider using red/blue sections that have patterns so that it will look like fabric. Avoid using colored sections with text, solid color blocks or color patterns will work best.

4) Glue the pieces down on flag, in quilt-like sections. Start with red stripes first, then the blue section.

5) Let glued pieces dry.

6) Use permanent marker to create a stitch effect at the seam of each quilt section (the seam of each paper piece). TIP: If the flag was done as a group, consider having each kid sign their name or write a short message about America. 

7) Hang up and enjoy!

Glass Decoupage Vase

PROJECT OVERVIEW:
Recycle a glass container into a beautiful decoupage vase. Glue tissue paper squares onto the glass vase creating a unique color pattern.

SUPPLY LIST:
- Empty glass bottle/container that has the following:
- good vase-like shape
- smooth glass surface (no ridges or bumps in the glass)
- removable wrapper (so that it is a plain glass "vase" when removed)
**WARNING: The safest containers to use are empty food & beverage containers. Do not use a container that held dangerous chemicals/cleaners.

- colored tissue paper (2-5 different tissue paper colors)
- glue
- paper towel
- scissors (optional)

DIRECTIONS: (refer to sketches above)
1) Find a glass bottle with the above qualities to use as your vase. Below are some container ideas for a vase:
- glass salad dressing bottle (some have really unique shapes)
- glass beverage bottle (juice bottles, soda bottles, etc)
- glass vinegar or olive oil bottle (some olive oil bottles have unique square sides)

2) Have an adult rinse out/clean your vase container and peel off the outside label. *TIP: Soak in hot sudsy water to loosen stubborn labels. Let dry.

3) Select several tissue paper colors to design a pattern for your vase. 2-4 colored patterns work best.

4) Rip or cut uniform tissue paper squares to decorate your vase. Squares should be roughly 1/2" x 1/2" size for easy designing. Try to eyeball how many squares your vase will need (this depends on the size of your vase). NOTE: Ripping tissue squares will create a different effect than scissor cutting.

5) Starting from the bottom of your vase up... apply a THIN layer of glue about 1/2 way up the bottle. *NOTE: Do not cover your entire vase with glue or it may dry by the time you are ready to decorate. Decorate in sections instead.

6) Glue tissue squares onto vase pressing slightly on each square so that the entire tissue paper piece is adhered to glass. Dab any excess glue with a paper towel.

7) Create a pattern using the colors you selected. For example: stripes, polka-dots, swirls, squares, hoops, etc. Repeat the pattern until you reach the top of your vase and all glass is covered by tissue paper pieces.

8) Set aside to dry.

9) Fill vase with water and flowers! *TIP: There are many beautiful wild flowers and grasses that make a unique arrangement. Silk flowers are wonderful too!

Self Portrait Collage

PROJECT OVERVIEW:
This should pretty much be a free-for-all type thing... focussing on really using found materials to "draw" the portrait. Materials such as: cereal boxes, magazines, newspapers, bulk mail, candy wrappers, caps, buttons, cut plastics (from packaging), labels, fabrics, tin foil, yarn, foam, etc, etc!! Kids are encouraged to find materials with a variety of textures and dimensions. The collage doesn't have to just be made of paper for example... the collage should have a 3D look.

Children can interpret this differently and hopefully use materials that represent themselves... for example, if one's favorite candy is skittles... maybe that makes its way into the collage. The self portrait will most likely look like an abstract version of each child - but could also incorporate their favorite things and hints of their personality/family/home ,etc.

SUPPLY LIST:
- paper backing such as cardboard or cardstock (to build collage on)
- "found materials" such as: cereal boxes, magazines, newspapers, bulk mail, candy wrappers, caps, buttons, cut plastics (from packaging), labels, fabrics, tin foil, yarn, foam, etc, etc!
- glue or tape
- sissors

DIRECTIONS:
1) Find a piece of stiff cardboard to build your portrait on

2) Collect various "found materials" as mentioned above, to build your self portrait. Consider incorporating items that are unique to you or represent you.

3) Use the materials to "draw" your self portrait!

4) Let dry then hang somewhere to express yourself!

REMEMBER:
No rules!! - Except be creative!

Torn Paper Monogram Wall Art

Create modern art to decorate your room with a personalized touch! Easy, quick and fun to do!

SUPPLY LIST:
- scrap papers (old magazines, junk mail, newspaper, etc)
- glue
- backing paper (stiffer construction paper, cardstock, etc)
This can be in whatever size you want your monogram to be, letter size, poster size... as big or small as you like!

DIRECTIONS:
1) Select the backing paper you will create your monogram on. Again, make this whatever size you like! Consider cutting a big scrap piece of cardboard into a fun shape like a star or circle... be unique!

2) Using pencil, sketch out the letter for your monogram. Try bubble letters, block, even cursive. Do your first initial, last or all three!

3) Gather scrap papers (old magazines, junk mail, newspaper, etc) to tear pieces of paper from and build your monogram.
Tip: Your monogram will stand out more if just 2 colors are used.


4) Tear uniform scraps from your scrap papers roughly 1" x 1" in size and set aside to use in your design.
Tip: Sort your pieces in color piles, one for your letter and one for the background color.


5) Apply a thin layer of glue to your backing paper.

6) Start adhering torn papers to your monogram, keeping in mind your letter should be a different color scheme from the background. Continue until your entire backing paper is covered.

7) Set aside to dry.

8) When dry, find a fun place to hang... maybe above your bed or on your bedroom door. :) You might even want to frame for a professional look!