Kids Crafts: Painted Art Canvas and Paper Flower Bouquet

by Paige Hill on May 8th, 2019 | 1 Comment »

As a long time creative person and Mom, I am always thinking of ideas that help instill creativity in my kids. One of my favorite ways to do this is by teaching my children to create handmade gifts. I know my most treasured things have been lovingly created by little hands. And with a Grandma's birthday coming up, it was the perfect time to make something she'd love. My youngest child Emma and I brainstormed about what she'd like to make her. "A picture to go on her wall" ... "Oh and some flowers" was Emma's suggestion.

And that's what we did. Presenting Emma's FANTASTIC Birthday Surprise Art Canvas!

How to Make an Art Canvas with Your Kids

Supplies for Art Canvas:

A 12x12 art canvas
Plaid Crafts Apple Barrel paints in desired colors
Paint brushes
A foam paint brush
Gesso
Silk Flowers
Buttons
Needle and linen (or other heavy duty) thread
Paper Piercing tool
A good cover for your creating area (acrylic paints are PERMANENT!)
A craft apron for your child (see previous comment!)

Directions:

Emma and I used the gesso and a foam brush to seal our canvas. Gesso fills the pores of the canvas to create a smoother surface, which is easier to paint, especially for the younger ones. While we waited for the gesso to dry ...

We cut out a variety of floral shapes using my die cutter and floral dies. If you don't have a die cut machine, you can simply trace floral cookie cutters and cut them out.

Next, Emma uses her Plaid Craft paints to create a variety of flowers. What a lovely garden!

By this time the gesso had dried and guess what? My 17 year old Colter joined us to create his own masterpiece! He is still working on his canvas, but I will post the finished product on my blog when he's done.

Emma painted her garden and then showed me where she wanted the silk flowers to go.

Parent Help: I placed them on the canvas, added a button to each center, then pierced holes through the buttons. Using linen thread, I sewed the buttons to the canvas using the holes I had pierced as a guide.

The proud Artist!

Next, we worked on the flower bouquet.

How to Make a Paper Flower Bouquet with Your Kids

Supplies for Paper Flower Bouquet

A brown paper bag
A die cut machine (or flower shaped cookie cutters or simply draw and cut out a flower shape)
Medium circle punch
Plaid Crafts Paints and brushes
Patterned paper
Buttons
Floral stem wire
Paper piercing tool

Directions:

Using coordinating patterned paper, we cut out more flowers and used the circle punch to make centers for the flowers.

Then we picked out some buttons to match.

To assemble our flowers, we put three different size flowers together, added a circle in the middle, then added a button.

Parent Help: I then poked holes through the button so I could pull the wire through. To attach your flower to the wire stem, pull the wire through the back of the flower and through the button (you might need to use pliers to pull). Then simply thread the wire through the other hole of the button and pull it out the back of the flower. Using the pliers, twist the excess wire around as shown.

VOILA! You have a flower bouquet!

They're so easy. We'll probably make a bunch! I might even attach them to a frame. Wouldn't that make a great Mother's Day gift? HMMM ... Stay tuned to my blog to see what I do:)

Have a great time creating with your kids. 🙂

What is your favorite art project you've done with your kids?

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Paige Hill

From an early age Paige Wayment Hill has been a creative soul. One of her favorite childhood activities was creating things—holiday decorations, pinecone wreaths and paintings. Her love for her family and for boundless creativity have found an outlet in scrapbooking, sewing, and other crafty endeavors. She is the author of four books, and a contributor to countless others. In 2006 (while eight months pregnant!), she was featured on HGTV’s That’s Cleaver. Currently Paige is the Internet Marketing Manager for Riley Blake Designs as well as their Project Design Team Coordinator, a job she truly loves. In her spare time she loves mountain biking, hiking, and being with her family. Please visit her at www.paigehill.blogspot.com or www.cricketwallace.com