Craft Stick Picture Frame

Craft Stick Picture Frames are great introductory craft project for Daisy scouts, and can be completed in a 30 minute meeting.  It can be messy, so make sure the girls have old t-shirts that are okay to get paint on or smocks.  These are terrific crafts to do around Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to frame cute pictures of the girls to give to Mom or Dad!  You can also use a permanent marker to write messages on the craft sticks, like names or holiday messages.

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Materials NeededMaterials Needed:

DirectionsDirections:

  1. Paint the pre-made wooden frame and craft sticks the same color of choice; let dry.
  2. Glue craft sticks to frame, two on each side.
  3. Choose the picture to insert.  Use framing backing as template to draw around picture and then cut out.
  4. Place picture in frame.

Safety TipsSafety Tips!

  1. Be sure to use non-toxic paint.  The paints linked above are washable and non-toxic for children.
  2. Check the wooden frames and make sure that they’re sanded and splinters are minimized.
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Square Foam Candle Holder

I’ll be the first to admit that the words “foam” and “candle” don’t typically belong in the same sentence!  But in this case, there is actually a glass candle holder between the glass and the foam.  This is a great project for older girls who are more likely to be allowed to burn candles at home.  The design of papers and embellishments used can be altered to match any room decor, favorite color or theme, or holiday!

Want to share photos of your troop and finished Square Foam Candle Holder? Contact Us!

Materials NeededMaterials Needed:

DirectionsDirections:

  1. Place the glass votive holder on top of the craft foam block and trace with a pencil.  Use the serrated knife to cut on the traced line, cutting down approximately 2″.  Use a spoon to remove the foam from the cavity and shape it squarely.  Make sure the votive holder fits before moving on.
  2. Cut the base scrapbooking paper into two 6″ x 12″ pieces.  One side at a time, apply the glue to the block and wrap the paper around, smoothing to ensure there are no air pockets or wrinkles.  Glue the second piece around the other side and trim at the seam.
  3. Fold and glue the edges at the top and bottom of the block.  Cut at the corners to remove any excess.
  4. For the top and bottom of the block, cut two 5″ squares from the scrapbooking paper and glue to the top and bottom.  For the top, cut slits in a pie pattern on the back covering the opening of the block.  Glue and fold to the inside of the opening.  To line the opening, cut a 2″x9″ piece of paper.  Apply the glue and inser the paper.
  5. Attach the grosgrain ribbon around the base of the block to accent, overlapping the ends.
  6. Replace the glass votive holder into the block.  To add another design touch, display your foam block on top of contrasting fabric, furniture, or paper to really pop.

Safety TipsSafety Tips!

  1. Adults should supervise the use of the serrated knife.
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Wall Names

I love this project because the things you can do with it go beyond personalizing a room!  I always wanted to make wall names for my room, but sharing it with my brother and not wanting to make one for him too, that was an idea quickly squashed!  Kids, especially creative girls, love to put a personal touch on things.  With the permission of the parents, this is a great project for girls to help decorate their bedrooms or playrooms.  I suggest 7″ letters as they seem to be the most widely available, however you can use whatever size letters you want to make the project more feasible for your troop.  Since the wooden letters are the most customized of all the supplies, you can also request that the girl’s supply the letters – they can do their names, or words!

Want to share photos of your troop and finished projects? Contact Us!

Materials NeededMaterials Needed:

DirectionsDirections:

  1. Remember, first, to allow the paint to dry between each step.
  2. Lay down the newspapers to protect your work area.  Paint edges all around the letters.
  3. Plan out what patterns of paper should be used for each letter.  Apply the glue stick to the front of the letter and smooth over the paper, removing any air pockets or wrinkles.  Turn the letter paper side down onto the cutting mat.  Have an adult use the craft knife to cut away the excess paper around the letters.
  4. You can also use the letters and trace out the shape onto the back side of the paper with a pencil and cut out the letters with scissors, then glue the paper onto the letters.
  5. Use outward strokes to sand the edges of the letters.  This will create a slightly distressed look and secures the paper to the letters.
  6. Use tacky glue to attach felt flowers or other embellishments of choice to the letters.  For a finishing touch, spray glitter spray over the entire letter.

Safety TipsSafety Tips!

  1. Craft knife should only be used by adults, or with adult supervision for older girls.
  2. Use glitter spray only outside or in a well-ventilated area.
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Ice Candles

This was one of my most memorable projects while at camp, and one of the super easiest!  It sticks out in my memory because we made traditional dipped candles every year at camp, but this was something new and different.

Want to share photos of your troop and finished projects? Contact Us!

Materials NeededMaterials Needed:

DirectionsDirections:

  1. For larger candles, wash and dry the inside of a wax-lined milk carton.  For smaller candles, use wax-lined paper cups.  They should be clean enough out of the package that you won’t need to wash them first.
  2. Use or make a tapered (dripped) candle to use as the center to avoid having holes around the wick.
  3. Break wax into chunks and estimate how much you’ll need to fill half of the carton. Too much is always better than not enough.
  4. Make a double boiler by putting about an inch of water in a saucepan. Set a clean coffee can upright in the water.
  5. Set the heat to low and melt the wax in the coffee can.
  6. Add dye chips if you want colors. (you can substitute old crayons pieces)
  7. Fill the carton with ice cubes.
  8. Pour the melted wax on top of the ice.
  9. Let it cool.
  10. Pour out the water.
  11. Tear away the carton.
  12. Wait a few days before burning the candle – it needs time to dry.

Safety TipsSafety Tips!

  1. Always have adult supervision around hot wax.
  2. An adult should operate the double boiler.
  3. Steps 9-12 can be done by the troop leader between meetings since there may not be time during one meeting.  If in a camp setting, you can hold onto the candles until the groups’ next arts & crafts time.
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Paper-Embellished Luminaries

Paper-Embellished Luminaries are a great project for both younger girls and older girls.  You can use these luminance bags to decorate for a awards ceremony, or theme them for a holiday to decorate a house hold.  This project shouldn’t require much skill and should be able to be done in about 45 minutes.  You can make a trip out of going to a craft store to learn more about scrapbooking papers and let the girls pick out their favorite sheets, or buy a multi-pack using a theme.  Another alternative to the decorative scrapbooking paper is plain construction paper.

Materials NeededMaterials Needed:

DirectionsDirections:

  1. Wash glass containers.
  2. Measure height of glass containers.  Cut a piece of scrapbook paper 12″ plus the height.  Use decorative-edge scissors along bottom and top edge.  Center this piece round the glass container.  It will fit the 3″ square glass overlapping by 1/8″.  On the large containers, the 12″ width will not cover completely.  Measure the height and cut 2 pieces, 12″ wide plus the height.  Wrap the tape measure around the containers to get the amount needed to cover completely and add 1/8″.  Cut this measurement from the second piece.
  3. Wrap scrapbook paper around glass containers and use your fingers to crease on all corners.  Remove paper and crease all folds.
  4. To make the cutout designs, place the paper punch along the folds to reach the center section and along the corner edges.  Make soft folds in the center of the paper to punch this area.  Align the punch along the soft folds.  Punch firmly.
  5. Once you have punched the entire area, including the extra piece, use double-sided tape to hold paper to the glass, beginning with the largest piece.
  6. Tape ribbon in place overlapping the ends slightly.  Secure with double sided tape.
  7. Place flame-less candles inside for a soft glow.

Safety TipsSafety Tips!

  1. Use flame-less candles instead of real candles.  The paper is highly flammable, of course, so the flame-less candles will make the project safe for girls of all ages.
  2. Paper trimmers for cutting the large initial pieces should be used by adults when working with younger girls, or with adult supervision when working with older girls.
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Clothespin Reindeer

This Clothespin Reindeer is a great easy craft for younger girls.  I used to make these with my grandmother too, so it’s a great family craft.  You can use these very basic instructions or allow the girls to embellish the reindeer clothespins more with paints, glitter, ribbons, etc.  Super easy and super cheap.

Materials NeededMaterials Needed:

DirectionsDirections:

  1. Paint wood area of three clothespins Honey Brown.  Let dry.
  2. Position two clothespins side-by-side and adhere with glue.
  3. Position third clothespin in opposite direction and adhere to small end of double clothespins for reindeer head.
  4. Position and adhere eyes and pom pom nose.

Safety TipsSafety Tips!

  1. Adults should work with the hot glue gun only.
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