You’re stuck in the house on a rainy day with children or grandchildren climbing the walls because they have nothing to do. Why not teach them to stitch? Here’s a very easy beginner plastic canvas project that children as young as 6 years old will have no trouble mastering, and you probably have materials left over from other project lying around the house that you’ll be able to use. For very young children, an adult should cut out the plastic canvas. You may also want to let the child practice stitching on a scrap of plastic canvas before beginning the project. -- AP
PLASTIC CANVAS PICTURE FRAME MAGNET
Materials: 25 bars x 25 bars of 7-hole clear plastic canvas; permanent ink marker; pink, blue, and white worsted weight yarn or your choice of any three colors; #16 tapestry needle; 3-3/4” x 3-3/4” cardboard; double-sided, acid-free tape; 1/2-yd. 3/4” wide white gathered eyelet; 3” magnetic strip; 2” x 2” photo; scissors; tacky glue.
1. (Note: for very young children, adult should cut out the plastic canvas.) Following the chart and using the marker, draw the inside line onto the plastic canvas. Cut out the inside square, cutting up to but not into the drawn line. Remove the marker with a dry tissue.
2. Following the chart, stitch the design in Continental stitch.
3. Fill in the uncharted areas of the background with white yarn.
4. Overcast the interior and exterior edges in white yarn.
5. Using double-sided the tape, secure the photo to the center of the cardboard.
6. Glue the eyelet to the back edge of the stitched frame, beginning at bottom center and overlapping ends. (Hint: Use spring-type clothespins to hold eyelet in place while drying.)
7. Glue the cardboard to the back of the stitching with the photo showing through the cut-out square.
8. Attach the magnet strip to the back of the cardboard.
How do you keep your kids or grandkids occupied on rainy days? Let’s hear from you. Post a comment to be eligible for a free book this week from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP
I spent several hours Saturday night with kids 2, 5 and 10 years of age. We assembled and played with a marble run - challenging and fun for all of us.
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun - but I'm 300+ miles from my nearest "young" candidate. . .
ReplyDeleteI used to do all kinds of things like that, for myself not just the kids. well the kids have scattered and I started writing seriously. Still have my glue gun though. lol
ReplyDeleteMarble runs are fun, Aileen, but try crafts next time.
ReplyDeletePatty, now you'll have a project for the next time you and your young candidate get together.
Larrianne, I'm a firm believer in keeping that glue gun handy!
I used to do plastic canvas way back when, It was very relaxing.
ReplyDeleteI still have quite a few "projects" around the house
I love plastic canvas stitched with pearl cotton. Also, one of the nicest things about plastic canvas is that it's an inexpensive way to teach children how to do needlepoint.
ReplyDelete