Getting Creative with Kids: Watercolor Paint Cards + A Giveaway!

I'm so excited to share an awesome tutorial with you today courtesy of the lovely Cynthia from Make Paper Crafts.  Her website is chock full of great information, tips, and techniques on all things PAPER!  Here's a little blip from her site to give you an idea of what's so great about paper and what you can find at Make Paper Crafts:

Whether you are just discovering your passion for paper or have had a long love affair with manipulating paper there is something here for you! Learn how to make jewelry, decorations, or wall art. Already an avid paper enthusiast?  Come in share your expertise and inspire others. Discover and share new ideas for creating with paper.

So yes, you simply must visit.  It's that good.

Now onto the tutorial!  Do any of you remember Paint with Water books?  I haven't seen them for sale in ages (maybe I just don't shop at the right stores anymore), but they were HUGE when I was a kid.  And they were a super great craft gift for kids because they are SO EASY to do.  Grab a Dixie cup of water and a little brush and paint a rainbow [brite] of colors, NO PAINT NECESSARY!

When Cynthia told me that she had a DIY version of Paint with Water in mind for this tutorial I was geeked beyond belief.  This would be a great project to do with your kids, you could make a little book of your own drawings for a gift, heck . . . these look so cool and I'm feeling all nostalgic now I may just have to do a couple for myself.  :)

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Watercolor Paint Cards

Do your kids love to paint?  My daughter does but sometimes the mess is shall we say, "messy"?  Here is a fun DIY that little ones can enjoy and you can relax knowing there won't be too much mess! 

Tools and Supplies

·  Watercolor Paper (the more water your child likes to play in, the thicker the paper you want!)

·  Watercolor Pencils

·  Paint Brush

·  Water

·  Permanent Marker

·  Pencil

·  Tape (optional)

·  Container

·  Sketch Paper

·  Sunlight and Window if your tracing

·  Paper cutter or Scissors 

Step 1. Cut your paper down to size.  I started with a 9 x 12 sheet that I cut down to 4 pieces. Whatever is easiest for your little ones will work.

Step 2. Once you have your paper cut to a nice size sketch your drawings.  For the best results, I recommend using sketch paper to get a picture you like and then tracing onto watercolor paper.  Hold/tape your sketch paper onto a window with your watercolor paper over it for easy tracing!

Step 3.  Trace all of your drawings in permanent marker and lightly erase pencil marks.

Step 4. Get your drawings and watercolor pencils ready!

Step 5. Outline all of your drawings with the pencils.  The thicker and darker the lines, the more paint will be available to cover the picture.

*Tip for a younger child you may want to use one or two colors for the entire picture or they may get disappointed if they turn a rainbow of colors brown!

Step 6. Drawings, check.  Water, check. Paintbrush, check!

Step 7.  Grab your kiddos and present them with this awesomeness or sneak and do them yourself!

Step 8.  Let your masterpieces dry and bask in your glory!

~Happy Crafting!~ 

About the Author--Cynthia Devening is the owner of Make Paper Crafts, the site where paper and creativity go hand in hand.  She is also the creator of Bead Head Art and has a new line in the works! 

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Um, ok.  Did anyone else think that was completely awesome?!


If you liked that you're going to love this.  Cynthia is providing the amazing prize for Skooks' Playground's first ever

Giveaway!!

Here is your chance to win a new 5x7 Print from Bead Head Art's upcoming line....

*********EDITED: THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED**********  

P.S. Thanks, Cynthia!  You're a paper-crafting rock star.

P.P.S  I'm hooking up with some awesome Linky Parties this week.  Find out which ones here.