Art with Alyssa: Red, White & Blue Utensil Holder

utensil holder 2345

Dress up your summer barbecue with these Red, White & Blue Utensil Holders, perfect for any July 4 or Memorial Day celebration. Glass mason jars were used for this project, but use whatever jars you have on hand (or even metal cans).

paint and jar 2345

Supplies

3 clean, dry jars or cans (slightly shorter than the utensils—canning jars are perfect)

Red, white and blue acrylic paint

Masking or painter’s tape

Paintbrush

Water cup

Something to cover your work area

Optional: white star stickers (or paint them on)

Directions

Use masking or painter’s tape to cover striped sections on two jars. The number of stripes will vary depending on the height of the jar and the width of the tape (¾ inch tape was used for this project), but try to make them even.
Paint the glass that is exposed with white paint. It may take multiple coats. Once completely dry, remove the tape.
Paint even red strips in between the white stripes. It may take multiple coats.
Paint the entire third jar blue. It may take two coats. Allow to dry completely.
Add white star stickers or paint white stars over the blue.
Arrange in a row with the blue jar on the left; fill with utensils.

Continuing the discussion (for parents/teachers):

Link arts and crafts to literature to enhance a themed project or lesson. Here are suggested books for Fourth of July:

Happy Birthday America by Mary Pope Osborne

Apple Pie 4th of July by Janet S. Wong

Celebration by Jane Thomas

___________

Alyssa Navapanich is an art enthusiast who teaches art to elementary school kids in North County.

___________

DIY Christmas Advent Calendars

Everyone loves advent calendars that reveal a daily surprise—it's also really fun to make them! Start your own family traditions in the days leading up to Christmas (or any cel . . .

Twig Christmas Tree Decorations

This is a fun Christmas craft for families that offers plenty of room for imagination and creativity! Use mini strands of tinsel to make glittery trees or twine for a more rustic look. Smaller trees . . .

Art with Alyssa: Poinsettia Yarn Painting

Create a yarn painting featuring the season's favorite festive flower, the poinsettia. Find books about poinsettias at your local library to learn more about them. Did you know? Poinsettias are nat . . .

Art with Alyssa: Christmas Village Putz Houses

Get the whole family involved in creating vintage Christmas village houses using cardboard, glitter and a whole lot of creativity! Vintage putz (or glitter houses) originated in Europe in the . . .

Art with Alyssa: DIY Menorah Craft

Get the kids involved in decorating for Hanukkah by designing a menorah with wooden blocks. Discussion Points for Parents/Teachers Talk about Hanukkah family traditions. Talk about the symbols . . .

Hanukkah Place Card Holders

These happy Hanukkah bags serve as place card (or utensil) holders for the holiday table and make festive party favors!Supplies Small, flat brown (or white) paper bagsScraps of blue, white, silver p . . .

12-Day Christmas Countdown

The whole family can help make this cheerful tree to countdown the days to Christmas! Supplies 2 sheets of heavyweight scrapbooking paper or cardstock (12” x 12”) Scraps of plain and decorativ . . .

Hanukkah Countdown Calendar

Count down to Hanukkah with this fun and easy craft—a menorah made with paper towel tubes and a few decorative supplies. Put a toy into eight of the tube “candles” to be unwrapped each night. . . .

Star of David Art Project

Supplies One 12” x 12” canvas Paintbrush Blue paint in 2-3 shades (the photo shows dark blue, light blue and turquoise) White paint Silver paint Water cup Old credit car . . .

Star of David Decorations

Supplies: 2 (or more) sheets of 12” x 12” colored or printed cardstockClear tapeDouble-sided tapeString or ribbonPencilRulerScissors•••••••••••••••••••• . . .

New Year's Eve DIY Noisemakers

Ring in the New Year with fun and festive DIY noisemakers (resolutions optional).SUPPLIES Empty aluminum soda or juice cans Pennies, small rocks, dried beans and/or jingle bells Leftover gift w . . .

Art with Alyssa: Fireworks Painting

Looking for a festive art project for July 4, using minimal materials? Making fireworks prints with cardboard tubes is fun, easy and has plenty of room for creativity with awesome results. Here’s . . .

Ice Painting

Creating art with frozen paint cubes (ice painting) is a super fun summertime or warm-weather activity. It’s also a great party activity for a Frozen-themed birthday party (or any winter-themed ce . . .

Make and Send a Hug to Loved Ones

Don’t you miss hugging people? Here’s a clever DIY hug craft that lets loved ones know they are missed! Whether it’s Mother's Day, Father’s Day, Teacher Appreciation, a birthday or some othe . . .