Some More Craft Fun

The Kid’s Guide to Making Scrapbooks & Photo Albums!: How to Collect, Design, Assemble, Decorate

by Laura Check

Have you ever thought about using the pictures and things you collected from a trip or special event to create a scrapbook? This nonfiction book can help you complete one. There are several chapters within this book that include: collecting and sorting your stuff, making almost-instant albums, cool covers, papers galore, jazzing it up, photography fun, and creative lettering and journaling. The important thing that the author wants readers to remember is that there is no right or wrong way to make a scrapbook and to have lots of fun while making it. Some other tools that you might need are rulers, different shapes, papers, paper trimmers or shape cutters, pens, protective sleeves or containers, punches, rubber stamps, stencils or templates, and stickers. There are also some suggestions about different kinds of paper, things, to collect, and other supplies. There are tips on how to cut the paper, secure the paper and photos to the album, and mount the pictures. The first big step is to take everything for your scrapbook and decide the order and amount of things that you want to include in your scrapbook. There are several ways to choose from to complete your scrapbook. You can punch three holes in the side of the paper and put it in an easy loose-ring binder, use a hole punch to make holes all down the sides of the paper and tie a string through each of the holes, make an accordion book, make a wrap-around album, and many more. Most of the pages have an illustration that shows you how to create the type of album that you would like to put your memories in. This book has lots of great ideas to help you get started.

Junk Drawer Jewelry

by Rachel di Salle and Ellen Warwick

Did you know that you can make really cool jewelry from “junk” that you just have lying around the house? In this nonfiction book, these authors will show you some cool jewelry items that you can make with this “junk.” Before getting started, make sure to look at the safety tips that the authors have listed to make sure that you can get your jewelry made without anyone getting hurt (especially yourself). Some of the tools you will need are pliers and wire cutters, shrinkable plastic, clasps, jump rings, head pins and eye pins, earring wires, and ribbon closures. Some of the jewelry creations include: washer rings, vinyl wristbands, sequined earrings, button bonanza bracelet, galaxy-girl charm bracelet, and daring duct tape wristband. Each piece of jewelry shows a drawing of each step to take during the process of making the piece of jewelry, and there is also a picture of the finished piece at the beginning of each piece. At the end of the book are some templates to use when making some of the pieces.

You Can Weave!: Projects for Young Weavers

by Kathleen Monaghan and Hermon Joyner

You do not necessarily need to know how to crochet or knit in order to create a woven masterpiece. This nonfiction book can show you some other creative ways of creating woven projects. The chapters include: The Weaving Process, Cardboard Looms, Frame Looms, Back Strap Looms, and Beads, Braids, and Baskets. The projects that the authors have included within this book get you introduced to weaving terms and techniques. One project is just weaving with construction paper. Each project has a picture of some finished projects, and there are pictures of each step of the process, too. Another material to use in weaving is straw, to create the second project with a straw loom (a bookmark). Some other projects are created with cardboard looms (mug rugs, tapestry, or woven pouch). You can also create a frame loom to create different styles of weave (such as plaid). Finally, you can use the back strap loom to create things like belts or bracelets. This book contains lots of methods and examples to find the one that is best for you. At the end of the book are some diagrams for creating the looms.

The New Jumbo Book of Easy Crafts

by Judy Ann Sadler and illustrated by Caroline Price

This book is filled with lots of fun ideas for making cool crafts. There are crafts to Imagine and Create, Wear and Use, Make and Play, and Decorate and Celebrate. At the beginning is a list of materials that you will need to use to make the crafts: glue, pipe cleaners, cardboard, and decorating supplies, along with things like cereal boxes, scrap paper, egg cartons, and plastic bottles. You might also get some items from the craft store, such as beads or buttons. One thing to make sure is to stay safe when making your crafts, having some adult supervision when using things like irons or knives, and wear clothes that you do not mind getting messy. Some of the crafts include: squashed-paint pictures, thumbuddies, paper weaving, cotton-ball sheep, button puppies, drinking-straw bead bracelets, a royal crown, button frame, braided bookmark, tissue-box dollhouses, puzzles, and many, many more.