Introducing: PaigeCrafts!

We have a new contributor here at Ruffles and Stuff! I was "approached" recently by a hopeful young crafter looking to make her way in the blogging world. (Or at least Mommy's blogging world.) With her fresh outlook and youthful ideas, I thought Paige would be a great fit for out site! You'll see her pop in once in a while with ideas for our younger crowd. Crafts for kids by a kid. It should be fun!

For her first post she wanted (read: begged for days) to decorate her own socks. Seriously, it's been the first thing she's asked for every morning for three days. We had a great time! And yes, she did do them herself(with a little guidance from mom). She even took some of the photos!

So here she is, in her own words. Take it away, Paige!

(mommy's words in black, for the sake of interpretation)

"Good morning guys! Girls and boys!

My name is Paige. I am cute and I am very funny and I eat a lot of chicken peas (chick peas). I am five years old, and my mama is four. Hehe. I was just tricking you. I like to play with balloons and my bear. Oh! And also I like to read Elephant and Piggie books! I like to build, too. And sometimes I steal Daddy's hat when he has it on his head.

I wonder if it is a church day today.

Everyone: I have made my own socks. I made these socks. Me and Mommy, I mean. Socks are pretty. I showed my friends. They have little stars! My favorite pair are the ones with the hearts.

First you buy some socks, and then you paint. You get a stencil, if you have a heart stencil, and then you get a yellow or an orange and you paint inside and when you're all done painting it, you take it off. If you have a dryer you dry it. But it doesn't dry right away so you have to let 'em dry.

Why should you make them? I dont know. As a gift? It is a beautiful day. I love you. I'll see you later!

-Paige"

Painted Star or Heart Socks:

Step by step instructions:

• Squeeze some fabric paint into a small container.
• Place a stencil onto the side or front of your sock.
• Hold the stencil firmly with one hand (or have a parent hold it) while brushing on paint with the other.
• Dry with a hair dryer and enjoy!

Flower Embellished Socks:

Step by step instructions:

• Have a parent cut 9 circles of t-shirt material for each sock. 3 large, 3 medium and 3 small.
• Pull thread through a darning needle (or plastic needle) and tie the ends together in a knot.
• Put three circles on top of each other (smallest on top) and pull your needle through the middle from the back.
• Pull the needle back though the circle flower and then through your sock. Repeat 2-3 times.
• Repeat steps 3 and 4 to add the other two flowers.
• End by tying a knot in your thread and clipping with scissors.

I hope you have fun with Paige's first tutorial! This idea is probably best saved for the 5 and up crowd with adult supervision, but she will share a craft for younger kids next month.

Please feel free to leave a comment for Paige! I will be sure to read them all to her. And from me and Paige both: Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Love,

Paige

(and me)