Ornament Astronaut

Ornament Astronauts!

This simple craft is a BLAST!

It just needs some card stock, coloring materials, scissors, glue, a hot glue gun, something to take/print photos with, and half of a plastic ornament!

To start, you'll need a picture of your astronaut. This can be a picture from an actual camera, or a simple snapshot from a tablet or phone. It doesn't need to be on photo paper or anything... regular copy paper works just fine! 

The photo should focus on the face, because that's the only part you'll be using. (If you're feeling ambitious, you can even position the subject on the floor so their hair 'sticks up,' and then take the picture from above. It's fun to defy gravity!). The photo should be printed about wallet size. 

The next step is to color your astronaut print. (I found this astronaut clipart online, but couldn't find the source. If it's your design, let me know!) 

This should be printed off on card stock so that it's a little more stable. Decorate the space suit however you'd like! I just used colored pencils, but crayons, markers, stickers, paint, glitter, and other craft supplies could all work. They sky's the limit!

 

Cut out the face from your photo and glue it to the head of the astronaut. Once the face is secure, cut around the astronaut shape. 

Using a hot glue gun, attach one half of a clear plastic ornament over the space hood to create a 'helmet.'

And just like that... you're ready to take flight!

Moon Phase Tote

Moon Phase Tote

Here's how to make this simple Moon Phase Tote Bag!

Start with a print of 16 circles on card stock.

 

You'll want to remove all of the circles, but leave the outlines in place. The best way to achieve this is to start with a pencil (or other pointy object). 

Poke the tip of the pencil through the middle of one of your circles to create a small hole. Use this hole as a starting point for your scissors to cut out the inside of the circle design. 

 

Add a scrap of cardboard inside your tote bag to protect it from paint bleeding through. Tape the circle template to the front of the bag, making sure it lays flat.

  

Using a foam brush and white fabric paint, use the circles as a stencil for your moon pattern. Dab the paint so that some spots are more opaque than others (darker sections look like craters and shadows). You'll start by painting only the edge of the first circle, gradually adding paint a little farther in each circle after. 

         

Around the halfway point, you'll end up with a complete circle filled in. After this, gradually decrease the amount of paint in each circle, from the same side you started with. You'll basically be reversing the pattern you just created.

Give the paint a moment to dry. If you need to go over with a second layer of paint, it's best do to this before you move the stencil. Peel the template off once your paint is dry.

That's it! Your new tote is good to go!