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Paper Designs for Kids

Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-802 -- More Projects »
PHOTO

Magic Marbleizing begins by swirling food coloring through shaving cream with a toothpick.
Help children make their own fun and fancy papers for thank-you notes and wrapping paper using flowers, food coloring and shaving cream. Kids' craft guru John Thomas explains how.

Magic Marbleizing

It's great to for making wrapping paper, gift bags, stationery or picture mats.

Materials:

shaving cream
plastic plate
spatula
food coloring
toothpicks
paper towels

Steps:

  1. Spray a layer of shaving cream on a plastic plate and smooth it out with a spatula so it has a flat surface.

  2. Add drops of food coloring across the surface.

  3. Swirl the colors with a toothpick (see top photo).
PHOTO

Figure A
PHOTO

Figure B
  • Gently press paper on top of shaving cream and rub lightly. (You can get two transfers per batch of shaving cream and food coloring.)

  • Turn paper over and set on a solid surface (figure A).

  • Wipe off shaving cream with a paper towel, and the food coloring will remain on the paper in a colorful marble pattern (figure B).

    Flowered Paper

    Use roses, geraniums, pansies, impatiens or any other colorful fresh flower for this project.

    Steps:

    1. Place fresh flowers facedown on paper or an envelope and cover with a piece of plastic wrap.
    • PHOTO

    Figure C
  • Strike all the flowers with a hammer or rubber mallet (figure C).

  • Scrape the flowers off the paper and they will leave behind an imprint.

    Marble Art

    Materials:

    plastic cups
    nontoxic tempera or poster paint
    marbles
    paper
    tin roasting pan
    plastic spoon

    Steps:

    1. Fill cups with nontoxic tempera or poster paint.

    2. Put in marbles, then swirl around the paint to thoroughly cover the marbles.
    • PHOTO

    Figure D
    PHOTO

    Figure E
  • Place a sheet of paper in a tin pan.

  • Use a plastic spoon to drop scoops of paint and marbles onto the pan (figure D).

  • Pick up pan and move the marbles around to swirl colors and make patterns on the paper (figure E).
    • Resources
    The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions: More Than 65 Wacky, Wild & Crazy Concoctions
    by John E. Thomas, Danita Pagel Thomas
    Kid Concoctions Company, 1998
    Order this title from Amazon.com.

    The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions 2: More Than 65 Wacky, Wild & Crazy Concoctions
    by John E. Thomas, Danita Pagel Thomas
    Kid Concoctions Company, 2000
    Order this title from Amazon.com.
    Guests
    John E. Thomas
    Kids' Crafts Expert / Video Producer / Author / Co-Owner, Kid Concoctions Company
    Website: www.kidconcoctions.com
    Also in this Episode
    Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-802
    •Taste of Asia
    •Paper Designs for Kids
    •Caring for Small Pets
    •Smart Solution of the Day
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