Valentines Day Swap Project

You have to love it when a project you have thought about in your mind comes to fruition on paper! My Valentine Day Swap Card is coming along terrific and I am so excited. Here is a preview:

It is still a work in progress, I have words to add and some more embellishments, but so far I am really happy.

Just had to share with you this morning, have a great day!

Ramona

AAJ Annual Valentines Swap

AAJ is starting to take sign-ups for our annual Valentine's swap.

The rules, just in case you are new:

• Sign up by Junary 26th
• 10 participants (or less) per group
• Each participants makes 9 Valentine cards
• Each participant mails one card to each participant by February 10th
• In return, each participant receives 9 hand-made Valentines

If you want to join the swap, email your name and address to alteredartjunkies@yahoo.com. In a few days we will confirm your participation.

Swapping is a lot of fun as it gives everyone a reason to play with paper, glue and scissors. It's also a great way to see the amazing craftiness of others!

Join now & be crafty!

AAJ

Hi there cutie! Where you've been?

I saw this crafty robot about a year ago when I was surfing craft sites and he's been on my mind ever since. I made him this weekend and it was a lot of fun and everyone at the party absolutely loved it.

Here's a list of the supplies you need and directions how to put him together:

Supplies:

- Large clear plastic paint can (purchased at Michael's craft store)

- Quart size empty paint can (purchased at Home Depot)

- 2 empty soup cans (opened with a safety can opener which prevents sharp edges)

- 2 - 3" long of thin (about 1/2") cardboard tube (I used a cardboard roll from wrapping paper)

- 2 bottle caps

- 1 washer

- small piece of electrical tape

- floral wire

- pliers

- big heavy duty wire cutters

- book binder tool or ice pick

I painted the cans before I assembled, you can do the same or wait until after he's assembled.

It's rather simple to put him together. First place all cans in place, this helped me think about how to attach the cans together. I then decided to punch holes and run wire through the cans to attach them.

First I punched 2 holes, with the ice pick, to the bottom of each soup can. I then punched 4 matching holes in the bottom of the plastic clear can, string floral wire through one soup can to the matching holes of the clear can, turn and tighten wire and cut extra wire. Attach the other soup can using the same steps. The robot now has his legs.

Before we attach his head we need to cut the handle of the clear paint can. This is where the heavy duty wire cutters are needed, the wire is very thick so you may want someone with big muscles to do it. Cut the wire right in the middle. Remove the wire from the sockets and get the pliers to bend the wires in half but leave about a 1/2" bend gap, this gap holds the cardboard arms (tubes). Here's a picture of the bent wire as it's quite hard to explain. The black tape was needed because I initially cut the wire too short and had to tape it on to hold the arm.

Once the arms are done, we can attach the head (quart can) to the body (lid of plastic can).

Punch 2 holes to the bottom of the quart can and 2 holes to the lid of the clear paint can. String the wire through the holes attaching the lid and the quart can, twist wire and cut extra wire.

The final touches are to add the eyes (bottle caps), nose (washer) and electric tape for mouth. I used glue dots to attach eyes and nose.

Our little man is done, all you have to do is fill him with goodies. Fun thing about this project is you can make it for anyone, a little boy, girl, or even a grown up.

Be crafty!

Samantha

Plastic Cup Airplanes

You are not going to believe what we found on vacation. A recycled airplane made out of plastic cups, a bottle cap, dowel, paper tail, string and a pin.

I know it sounds like a lot of things, but these inexpensive toys were selling like hotcakes! My son couldn't wait to get his hands on one. Here is a picture of the plane I paid $2.00 dollars for, this would sell at craft fairs like crazy.

Bonus, it makes so much noise the boys were running all around with these. Here is the video.

I will attempt to explain how it is put together. The dowel runs through the cup with a bottle cap on one end and the paper tail on the other.

A pin is glued on the cup, pointing out towards the bottle cap. (This is what makes the noise the cup vibrates and increases the sound)

You can see the cup has been melted and the pin inserted. I would just poke it through the bottom of the cup and then put some glue to hold in in place. Now I know this isn't the safest toy, but an alternative would be a paperclip.

The cups have holes put in to add string. The cups are glued together.

Spongy material has been added to give the appearance of wings. You could use anything that is lightweight, even allow the kids to cut up old sponges or Styrofoam.

Finally you use a small dowel as the handle. Tie the string onto the dowel and you are all set to fly! 
Great party favor for a boys party and inexpensive. The boys could use markers to draw on their cups.

Back from vacation and starting on some new projects using the Cricut die cutting machine. Stay Tuned.

Ramona