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The Ukrainian election went well. Petro Poroshenko, a minor-league oligarch with business interests in Russia, won convincingly in the first round, and 60 percent of voters actually showed up at the polls.
Even in Donetsk province, where most city centres are occupied by separatist gunmen, seven out of twelve district electoral commissions were able to operate normally. It’s a good start on stabilising the country.
So why didn’t Putin just say “recognise, when that is clearly what he will have to do in the end if Russia and Ukraine are to have peaceful relations?
Why prolong the uncertainty about his intentions in the West, where the belief that he is an “expansionist” bent on recreating the Russian/Soviet empire takes deeper root with each passing day? The answer is pride – and Russia will pay a significant price for Putin’s pride.
Last week Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, enlivened his royal tour of Canada by telling an elderly Polish immigrant that Hitler's relentless take-over of European countries in the 1930s was “not unlike what Putin is doing now”.
Prince Charles is well known for saying silly things, but what he said in Canada sounded quite sensible to many people in the West. That is a big problem for Putin.
Putin’s seizure of Crimea from Ukraine, though completely illegal, was not the first step in his plan for world conquest. That is preposterous: Russia is a relatively poor country of only 140 million people.
He encouraged pro-Russian gunmen to seize government buildings in eastern Ukraine and warned that he might intervene militarily if the Ukrainian government used force against them. He moved 40,000 troops up to Ukraine’s eastern border on “exercises”.
It was quite pointless, since he could neither annex the eastern provinces nor remove the Ukrainian government without actually invading, but he was VERY cross.
Three months of that, and the damage to his and Russia’s image is starting to pile up. Simple-minded people like Prince Charles talk about a new Hitler.
Terrified Poles, Estonians and other Eastern Europeans who used to live under the Soviet yoke fear that they might be next and demand NATO troops on their soil. And clever people in the Western military-industrial complexes see an opportunity to sell more of their wares.
So at last, in early May, Putin sobers up and calls off the fright campaign. He says that the Ukrainian election could be a move “in the right direction.”
He publicly urges the pro-Russian gunmen in Donetsk and Luhansk provinces to postpone a planned referendum on union with Russia. He even says that he is withdrawing his troops from Ukraine’s borders.
But he doesn’t really withdraw the troops yet. He doesn’t use his influence to force the separatist gunmen in eastern Ukraine to postpone their referendum, and he doesn’t actually say that he will recognise the Ukrainian election as legitimate.
Putin wants to walk away from the game, but it’s too embarrassing to do a complete about-face. So he leaves the pot of fear and suspicion boiling for another three weeks.
FINALLY, only two days before the Ukranian election, Putin says he will “respect” the result, and his tanks start to pull back from Ukraine’s border. Too damned late.
There won’t be any more Western sanctions against Russia, but Putin has managed to resurrect the image of Russia as a mortal threat to its neighbours. It will not lie down again soon.
European defence budgets will stop falling, and the integration of the armed forces of the various new NATO members in Eastern Europe will accelerate. Leading-edge technologies like missile defence will get more funding in the United States.
Foreign investment in Russia is already declining. And the countries of the European Union will move heaven and earth to cut their dependence on Russian gas exports.
SUPERBLY ERUDITE AND BRILLIANT: Pius Tawfiq Ababu Namwamba, the Honourable Member of Parliament for Budalang’i. Unlike most senior members of The Caliphate, Ababu is young, properly educated, certifiably articulate, charismatic and thoughtful. Over the years, he has demonstrated his abilities and superior intellect in and out of Parliament. Photo/Jack Owuor
It was bound to happen sooner rather than later. The superbly erudite and brilliant Pius Tawfiq Ababu Namwamba, the Honourable Member of Parliament for Budalang’i, has hit a brick wall in ODM.
Hon Ababu should take solace in the fact that he isn’t the first, nor will he be the last victim of the irrational, self-destructive and autocratic wrath of The Odinga Caliphate.
As long as Kenyan women continue to procreate, we will have courageous individuals who refuse to allow artificial stratifications, social caging and political usury by destructive Caliphates like the one currently being perpetuated by Raila Amolo Odinga, and his immediate and extended families.
Unlike most senior members of The Caliphate, Ababu is young, properly educated, certifiably articulate, charismatic and thoughtful. Over the years, he has demonstrated his abilities and superior intellect in and out of Parliament.
Of course, Ababu has committed many unimaginable ‘crimes’. As an interloper in The Odinga Caliphate, he forgot that he isn’t allowed to dream. Typical of free spirits and those who aspire for greatness, Tawfiq’s unquestionable abilities, his proven tenacity and glorious ideals made him aspire for prominence within ODM.
He imagined that having earned his stripes – so to speak – through his loyalty, and by eloquently championing Raila’s cause before he had even made his maiden speech in the National Assembly in January 2008, he deserved to queue in line for transition.
With fiery and unmatched oratory, Ababu had refused to be sworn in as an MP (as previously planned by ODM), pointed a finger at former President Mwai Kibaki, and loudly stated that the person whom Kenyans had popularly elected as the President of the Republic was Raila Amolo Odinga and that it was to him that he would swear allegiance.
As his oratorical flair soared, Ababu realised that his colleagues, who were supposed to join him in defying the Kibaki state machinery, had suddenly gone mute. He had been tricked, exposed and isolated.
The second major miscalculation would occur in 2011, after he took a principled stand in my defence at an ODM guillotine conclave that the Luo Paramount Chief had organised in order to concoct 'reasons' for my ill-fated suspension. Ababu had again forgotten that the guiding principle in The Caliphate is for everyone with proven ability, integrity and commitment to be culled before they either become ambitious or before the public recognises their innate qualities.
That was principally the reason why Hon Raphael Tuju, Prof PLO Lumumba and Dr Shem Ochuodho – before him, or for that matter, Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero, Migori Governor Zackary Obado, former Siaya gubernatorial candidate William Oduol and many other popular candidates in Nyanza parliamentary, senatorial and gubernatorial races couldn’t be allowed to shine.
The Odinga Caliphate or the Orange Democratic Movement – as it is known in polite parlance – isn’t really a political party. It’s both a cult and a profit-making enterprise. (Cord's Okoa Kenya Movement or other clever variants are tributaries of The Odinga Caliphate; not independent entities).
The Caliphate has two types of members: bona fide Odinga blood (which is the royalty or blue blood), who enjoys full rights; and special privileges over and above that of the interlopers, who are invited members with specific roles. While some of the interlopers are intended for colour, beautification and sprucing up of The Caliphate (so that it has a fake resemblance of the face of Kenya), others are recruited to provide financial, logistical and other resources.
Except for the royalty, all Caliphate members have designed roles. They are expected to be inducted into delirious worship of one man called Raila Amolo Odinga. In that state, the mind is supposed to be numb and unreflective. Any sign of thoughtfulness is punishable by a life-term ban, perpetual libel and ostracism.
But more importantly, to The Odinga Caliphate, ODM – like Ford, Ford-Kenya, LDP and NDP before them – is just an instrument for controlling Luo Nyanza politics and for earning the livelihood for the entire Odinga lineage.
ODM membership fees, special contributions by elected representatives, donations, annual subscriptions and particularly nomination fees during election cycles earn The Paramount Chief millions of shillings each month.
If you top it up by other irregular 'contributions' of governors, senators, drug lords, lobbyists, influence peddlers and legitimate enterprises eager to cash in just in case The Paramount Chief were to become president, then one can start seeing why retiring from politics isn’t on the cards.
Bear in mind also that there is more money to be made if The Paramount Chief is a presidential candidate. The kind of cash Mr Odinga attracts when he runs for president is like water flowing along the Amazon River.
Senior members of The Caliphate earn tens of millions on nomination fee collections during elections, apart from other deals on the side.
Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, therefore, is just a convenient malleable busy body at Orange House. He is useful to The Caliphate because he does whatever the blue bloods want. Something my comrade Ababu wouldn’t entertain.
Ababu frightened The Caliphate by shoving aside Agnes Zani – another malleable interloper. That was the final and most fatal sin he committed. Thus, when you hear blue bloods like Oburu and Jakoyo viciously attacking Ababu and portraying him as a Jubilee agent, then you must appreciate that Ababu must have threatened the economic lifeline of The Odinga Caliphate.
To Raila, Oburu and Jakoyo, ODM is nothing but a gravy train, which they intend to ride into perpetuity if they can. That explains why Raila has declared his candidature for the 2017 presidency. It’s also why the referendum is a life and death operation for The Odinga Caliphate.
Virgin Valley High School A webcam in Mesquite, Nevada - camera location: Virgin Valley High School.
Dundalk striker Patrick Hoban is on target to set a new record for most goals scored in a single Premier Division season.
Former League of Ireland striker Patrick Hoban is ready and waiting to showcase himself when Swansea visit Oxford today.
The Scottish Premiership club have revealed that claims the striker is currently on trial are untrue, however.
Richie Towell, Christy Fagan, Colin Healy and Paddy Hoban have been nominated for Player of the Year meanwhile.
Patrick Hoban’s second-half equaliser ensures a point for the title pretenders but they fall to second in the table with one game left.
Stephen Kenny’s Dundalk have signed their first four players for 2013, including former Sligo Rovers winger John Dillon.
A teenager has pleaded guilty to causing a fatal hit-run crash that claimed the lives of a recently married couple, after he ran a red light in a stolen car.
Eric Victorsen, 19, on Monday admitted he was responsible for the deaths of Matt Goland and Bita Zaeim, who were killed when a stolen Lexus SUV smashed into their Holden Commodore in Wantirna South in the early hours of April 21.
Mr Goland, 38, died at the scene while Ms Zaeim, 32, died in hospital. The couple, from The Basin, had been married one year.
Victorsen appeared before Melbourne Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to two charges of culpable driving causing death, and single counts of car theft and failing to stop at the scene of an accident. Other charges were struck out, the court confirmed.
Police believe Victorsen drove the Lexus SUV at high speed when he ran a red light and crashed into the couple’s car at the intersection of Boronia and Stud roads.
Police allege a 16-year-old girl, who cannot be named, was in the passenger seat of the Lexus and arranged for others to help her and Victorsen evade police until they were arrested 12 hours after the crash.
The girl is due to face a children's court next month charged with being an accessory to culpable driving and other charges.
Victorsen was remanded in custody and is due to appear before the County Court in December for a plea hearing.
Victoria will reap almost $2.9 billion after the state government signed off on the long-term lease of a government database containing Victorians’ personal property details.
The deal provides a massive boost to the Andrews government’s coffers as it fights to be re-elected at the November poll.
Parts of Land Use Victoria are set to be privatised as part of a 40-year lease deal. Credit:Erin Jonasson
Key parts of Victoria’s land titles registry will now be placed in private hands as part of the lucrative, 40-year agreement.
First State Super was selected to run profitable functions within Land Use Victoria, which keeps records of land ownership. The private operator will get access to information about titles, registrations and discharges of mortgages.
In New South Wales the privatisation of its titles registry reportedly resulted in fee hikes for property searches.
Last year the Andrews government confirmed plans to sell or lease sections of Land Use Victoria, sparking concerns about personal information falling into private hands and fee gouging for existing services.
However, the state government insists it will retain control over prices for the land registry services.
The government said the $2.86 billion windfall would be invested in schools, hospitals and transport projects.
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) fought vigorously against the lease, arguing it generated more than $380 million in 2016/17, which would be kept in public hands.
Professional groups including the Law Institute of Victoria and the Australian Institute of Conveyancers also opposed the move.
But Treasurer Tim Pallas said the long-term lease would provide more funding to invest in infrastructure, growing the economy and creating more jobs.
“This is an outstanding result and another vote of confidence in the Victorian economy, one that will deliver a major boost to our already unprecedented investment in schools, hospitals, road and rail,” he said.
It is understood about 100 staff members from Land Use Victoria will move over to the private operator, which will be called Victorian Land Registry Services.
Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam described the lease deal as “blatant hypocrisy” from Premier Daniel Andrews.
“He makes speeches criticising privatisation while leading the biggest sell-off of public assets in Victoria since Jeff Kennett,” she said.
First State Super's head of income and real assets Damien Webb said the key elements the company leased focused on the "transactional side" of the registry, including transactions involving conveyancing and property title searches.
Opposition treasury spokesman Michael O’Brien said the Labor government had now sold off $13 billion in public assets, including the Port of Melbourne that fetched $9.7 billion.
CPSU spokesman, Julian Kennelly, described the lease as a “short-sighted revenue grab” but staff affected by the deal had been protected.
“The government should be the investor in the new technologies and use the increased revenue to create more jobs for Victorians,” he said.
First State Super was part of the consortium that won the $2.6 billion bid to lease the NSW land titles registry.
First State Super chief executive Michael Dwyer said his financial services group already had numerous interests in Victoria.
“We also have a number of significant investments in the state including agriculture, commercial property and infrastructure such as the new Bendigo Hospital,” Mr Dwyer said.
The company reported it owned $91 billion in retirement savings and provides superannuation and retirement services to 800,000 members and clients.
Design your own fantastical unicorn cards with my template. Make magical unicorns holding hearts as a special note for Valentine's Day, birthday or any celebration! Dazzle your friends with a handmade card with real hair, they will be so impressed. Plus I love the fact that this unicorn card has folding arms that hug a heart, write something inspiring or encouraging and share the message with a loved one.
Just take a look at what a great job Agnes from hellowonderful.co did! Didn't they come out great? Plus check out the little video she made as well... it's so fun!
Be sure to add your own special features to these cards, for example I glued on some extra long yarn to make a braid for one of my unicorns I think it looks awesome! Have fun and make lots of things!
Super Bowl 51 is here and it's between quarterbacks Tom Brady of the New England Patriots and Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons, what a showdown, make these fun tube craft printables for your game day snack table!
These guys are ready to kick off and I bet it's going to be an exciting game, who loves to place bets and watch the game with fun food and snacks? I do enjoy the excitement myself plus the halftime show and commercials, it's a few hours of pure fun! It'll be even more fun if you download these character tube crafts for free right below, you just need a few materials to get you to the touchdown! I even included faces with and without a helmet!
Having a Super Bowl extravaganza this year? Well make these super cool and funny character tube crafts for everyone to enjoy, or maybe you're looking to get the kids involved? Have 'em make one for all of your guests! They'd look fantastic propped up on the food table or how 'bout presenting them on the tray with all the snacks, your friends will get a kick outta them!
​Step 1. Print out you character. Cut out all of the pieces, there are 6 pieces in total. Be sure to keep the tab for the head intact with the body.
Step 2. Wrap the body around a toilet tube and staple in the back, if you don't want to staple it then use some glue.
Update 5/3/2017: It's "May the 4th be with you" and I'm celebrating by sharing this free x-wing printable, and boy has the "resistance" come out in full force over the last few months, not only am I showing my love for Star Wars but I'm showing my support for the resistance against our newest administration as well. I want to live in a world where the truth matters and where we teach our children that there is a difference between right and wrong, and that no matter what we should always choose what is right!
The rebel alliance has assembled and it's time for the resistance to begin. Fight the good fight against the Empire and bring justice to the galaxy with the help of the X-wing. This papercraft will surely blast you into a galaxy far, far away!
Ok, so this design is probably my most detailed of all of my papercrafts so far, but it still is only 5 separate pieces, with a bit of determination and patience you could put this rebel, stormtrooper crushing cruiser together too! How cool would this be to have as a hanging decoration in your son or daughter's Star Wars themed room, I know I would, and best part is this download is free. Putting it together is pretty self explanatory but I will try my hardest to describe it to you in the directions below.
Besides being a huge Star Wars fan, I wanted to create this papercraft as a symbol and reflection of the state of our country. To compare our state of being to a movie does seem super silly, but I do believe in the power of storytelling and I do believe that great stories are inspired by true life in the first place. I've always found so much truth in the notion of good vs. evil and the journey our beloved heroes go on to triumph over it. The success of a protagonist gives us all hope that good will conquer all, and if they don't exactly succeed, well then there's always going to be someone with the courage to challenge what isn't right.
I'm not saying that what we face is the doing of one man but it's the bigger picture we face, suppression, being told what we should believe, losing our freedom to be free thinkers and make decisions for ourselves. These are the evils we face and it starts by educating ourselves and educating each other. Don't rebel for the sake of rebelling, do it because you are passionate about finding the best solution by doing it with the best attitude, by doing it with compassion, strength and knowledge. Fight for what's right, because there is such a thing as right vs. wrong and we all have to start choosing to just do what's right.
Step 1. Be sure to print out the wings twice so that you have four in total. Start by cutting out all of the pieces, there's a total of 7.
Step 2. Next make score lines on all of the flaps and dotted gray lines, use your craft knife or the corner of a credit card to score the lines.
Step 3. Start by glueing the flaps towards the back of the body of the X-wing to the 6 sided black shape which is the back panel. Add the separate two panels next.
Step 5. Fold the wings on the dotted lines and overlap them evenly, glue them together along the end.
This beautiful story is not only vivid and bright, it shares a special message about unity and peace. I recommend this book to any teacher (especially art teachers) and parents looking to show kids that diversity is a powerful thing.
Right now, at this moment I think we as creative thinkers and artists have become so very important, it's our job to paint the world in a better light, to teach our children how to be critical thinkers, to be problem solvers, to find the beauty in ugly, to unite on the foundation of what it means to be a human being. Our creative ways pave a path down a righteous road so let's make it the most colorful one we've ever seen!
​"My Color Is Rainbow" by Agnes Hsu is a magical story about the journey of little white Arch who's trying to decide which color he wants to be. The pages are filled with beautiful, vivid colors that instantly pull you into a rich palette, colors so perfectly chosen it keeps you wondering how little Arch could pick just one.
For an art teacher this book could be a fantastic start to a lesson about color, how we choose them based on feelings and what message they convey to the viewers of our artwork. As the story unfolds each color is described, some of them as loving, peaceful and majestic, these descriptions give examples of how to personify colors and give them new meaning. A descriptive representation of color lends new vocabulary and deeper critical thinking skills to a child's creative process. Think of how they could apply these ideas to artwork, a field of red flowers to show love or painting a portrait of a person with yellow skin to show happiness.
This story opens the door to explore diversity, to show that the world isn't black and white, that color can overshadow the gray. It helps us to plant the message of acceptance in our children, to show them that we don't have to choose to be just one thing, that we can be many things, it shows them that love, peace and happiness are far more powerful than its opposite.
Step 1. Print and cut out one of the rainbow Arch patterns from my rainbow Arch printable in my previous post below.
Step 4. Hot glue the long strip to the outer edges of the rainbow piece a little bit at a time until you've gone all around.
Step 6. Prepare a bowl with a water and tacky glue mixture, it's about 2 parts glue to 1 part water. Start to papier mâché your rainbow by dipping strips of newspaper into your mixture, be sure to wipe off the excess glue and then cover your rainbow completely. Your rainbow will need about a day to dry completely.
Step 7. You can sand down some of the rough points if you'd like but it's not necessary, when you're ready, paint your rainbow as you wish!
I am lucky enough to be one of the people who got to view and enjoy the wonderful story written by Agnes Hsu of hellowonderful.co, be sure to read all about it in the post above! I've also designed this little papercraft inspired by the story's main character, Arch.
Put this super easy Rainbow Arch together and enjoy a 3D, standing paper toy of little Arch straight from the pages of this brilliant book! After cutting out the pieces you could even color the blank side and design your very own rainbow papercraft!
Step 1. Cut out all of the shapes with a scissor or craft knife, the pieces don't have to be perfect.
Step 2. Score all of the tabs on the long purple piece with a craft knife and ruler or you could use something like a credit card to make score lines. This will help fold back all of the tabs.
Step 3. Add glue to a few tabs at a time and start adhering it to the upper part of the rainbow, make your way around gluing on all of the tabs to one piece of the rainbow.
A few years back I worked with children and young adults with autism, I provided them with fun and interesting projects during their art sessions. The activities had to be relevant to their IEPs, learning and physical capabilities, which was always a challenge. What I found to be most beneficial was art projects that had lots of pieces to glue on such as a collage. Here is a project that all of the students and teachers loved. This tree is filled with lots of love hearts and looks even better when you add more and more hearts.
You'll need a few simple materials to make this project. One of which is 3D foam squares that makes the tree literally pop from the page. If you don't have foam squares then you could just use small strips or pieces of cardboard to raise your tree up. I think this is such a great way to present artwork.
Step 1. The white tree itself I cut out using my Cricut, but you don't have to do this. I think a tree made from strips of paper or torn paper would look fantastic. Have the kids put the tree together using glue before adhering it to the background.
Step 2. Using a craft punch cut hearts from solid and patterned paper, adhere the hearts to the tree.
Step 3. If you'd like, add a ground to your background paper, you can paint one with a textured roller or glue on tissue paper squares.
Remember to add your own personal touches to a project like this, there are so many creative options and kids really love getting creative!
I am pretty super stoked about these three sports cars, creating them has been on my mind for a long time and I thought that Valentine's Day would be the perfect opportunity to zoom into action! Haha. It started with one and then I thought I'd make it in different colors, who doesn't love seeing their car in all different colors? Plus it's always smart to have a variety.
I also wanted to create something that boys could relate to, oftentimes crating isn't so much a boy activity but throw in a cool racer and you got a happy bunch. Valentine's Day is also one of those anti boy things, however today's modern kids are far more into it and it doesn't have to be a day to celebrate a lover but to celebrate your friends too, so why not check out this fantastic, fun sports car papercraft and give 'em out to all your friends (some assembly required ;-)).
This papercraft requires a bit of cutting and glueing but that is the fun part... when I'm in the process of getting these little designs together there's a feeling going through my bones that I can't quite describe, I just love seeing something flat, and seemingly uninteresting spring to life. Papercrafting is a fun and easy way to work on motor and conceptual skills. Show your kids that it is possible to create something amazing from a piece of paper, and who knows maybe soon they'll be creating their own three dimensional structures!
Be sure to check out the shop where you can find this exciting paper craft along with many other cool designs!
Poppy and Branch have been "tubified" because I couldn't resist working in that fabulous hair. Give out Poppy and Branch as Troll-tastic Valentine's for Valentine's Day! A couple of months ago I posted a Trolls movie paper craft and it seemed to be a hit. I thought it would be great to make these guys into Valentine's for kids to give to their friends, plus it gave me the chance to do something fun with their iconic Troll hair!
Step 2. Cut a cardboard tube the correct height. Poppy and a branch are shorter than a standard toilet tube.
Step 3. Wrap your tube with tissue paper twice the height of the tube, fill with treats, twist to secure the ends.
For Poppy, I tied her hair up like she wore it in the movie but you don't have to, that's up to you! Have fun making your Trolls crafts I hope all of your friends enjoy this activity as much as I do.
Hand out this nostalgic looking gumball machine to all your friends for Valentine's Day, add the message with a little string and you're all set to "chews" your Valentine! I wanted to create a totally different and fun theme for this tube craft printable and what better than a gumball machine, I love the shape, it's perfect for a toilet tube. Kids will love making their gumball machine including the part where they fill it with treats to hand out to all of their classmates.
Try out the color your own gumball machine this way kids can make them whatever colors they'd like! Remember to add your own touches of love and personality, how about glueing on some colorful pom-poms or even some round gems to represent gumballs in the machine!
If you plan to fill the tubes with treats, do that first then add the details. Remember to add your own fun embellishments to this Valentine's Day craft.
So I've featured these two butterfly and bee tube crafts before at The Art Dream, but I thought it would be so fun to dress them up for Valentine's Day and remind you that I've made them downloadable for free to color yourself. Color them with pinks and reds and these two will be the loveliest love bugs you can find!
Be creative and add your own details to these love bugs like feathers, glitter, wiggle eyes, yarn, paper cutouts, the options are really endless!
The season of peace and hope is here, download these festive holiday characters for kids to make anywhere or anytime. Santa, gingerbread man and a snowman make the season merry and bright!
Who doesn't love the holiday season? And who doesn't like making holiday crafts with the kids, if there's anytime of year that you're gonna craft it's gonna be now! These tube crafts for the holidays are great for the classroom, keep the kids busy for an afternoon or two with these happy and lovable characters!
To print these correctly, download the files to your computer, open the files from your downloads section and print from there. If you print directly from the web the images do not come out at the correct size.
You can even try out the color your own versions of these holiday favorites! The downloads are below...
Be sure to add your own personal touches to these crafts, I glued on pom-poms to the hats of Santa and the snowman and of course the buttons of the gingerbread man!
This Owl Craft is probably one of my favorites, perfect for any season, use whites, creams and gold to dress these owls perfectly for the winter holiday season! Picture a whole family of these fantastically magical owls hanging from a sparkling lit birch tree, they will impress all of your guests, there'll be no doubt these were bought in the store!
Step 1. Cut a piece of paper at about 6" x 4 1/4 wrap it around the tube and secure, I use a stapler.
Step 2. Punch circles from cardstock and specialty paper, I used two different sizes for the eyes and a heart punch for the face.
Step 4. Glue the heart on and the eyes and beak to follow, glue on some belly feathers and real feathers for the wings!
For and extra touch of winter you could use some self adhesive flock. Mix it with iridescent glitter then sprits the owl with a water spray bottle and sprinkle the flock on top of your owl.
I love the idea of art inside a shadow box, here's a winter scene in its own little paper frame. Add your own special touches to this charming papercraft. Make a mini snowman out of model magic and nestle him in this landscape. How about sprinkling this whole craft with super fine glitter. Punch a hole in the top and hang this on the Christmas tree! Find this download in the shop at The Art Dream!
I normally would never speak out about politics especially through social media in particular but this year's election has placed its presence in our homes, our workplaces and our schools. It's hard to avoid and even more so difficult to not form an opinion, so I'll say this...
In light of all the political division in our country it's important to remember that we are and will always be a people of a certain resilience, survivors and hopefuls. That we are stronger together in a world where literary themes are not just devices of good storytelling but allegorical of our actual lives, good versus evil, love conquers all, light through the darkness, knowledge versus ignorance. And even though not all stories end well, let's use them as a lesson, let's learn from them whether the outcome is good or bad because it's only through our experiences that we learn to fight for what is right, that we face the darkness in order to see the light, and that we finally can see that love and acceptance conquers all.
My Speedball stamp is one of my most favorite things, a printing block is so versitle and easy you use. You could make your own personalized Christmas cards that no one in the world will have! Make prints over and over for many projects with a ton of personality.
I know it's a little early for snowy scenery but hey, Thanksgiving is already around the corner and the winter months are soon to follow. Like I said I can't get enough of this birch tree print.
You can check out my birch tree tutorial here, I created a Halloween image with it, but here you can see a peaceful winter scene, and just how fantastically adaptable a carving can be! Add other details like animals, background or even some text. I sprinkled on self adhesive flock immediately after I peeled the paper from the block. The flock sticks to the wet paint and creates this fuzzy, three dimensional quality to this beautiful art project representing serenity and peace!
Have you seen the new Trolls movie from Dreamworks yet? I have not but the characters have already caught my eye. Even if you haven't indulged in the movie just yet, who doesn't remember and love trolls from the 80's and 90's?!?! I know I remember having a collection of them, that crazy hair, the gems on their bellies and their little bare butts! Haha they turned out to be quite the little figurines.
I decided to make this paper art project with my special needs class, we'll see how they like it! I thought it would be a nice way to get them to use some felt. I really didn't put together a step by step for this, it's pretty simple and you can refer to my images below for help copying this project, but I'll still give you an idea of my procedure below!
For their heads, the shape is basically a football with ears, I cut several out at once, then with a craft knife cut a mouth into each face. Their noses are more of a specific shape, you could simply glue 3 circles together or use an image printed from the web to trace.
The eyes and cheeks are cut using circle craft punches. I have them in literally every size, they are incredibly useful and very convenient.
The hair is cut from felt, I had the vision of using actual craft fur but the craft store has very limited colors. You may have other ideas for the fuzzy hair at least the felt has a fabric (furry) texture. Another idea might be to cut it up into strips and let the kids put it where they'd like. You may also want to use yarn, that would be a pretty awesome alternative and great for older kids too!
Lastly cut simple shapes for the neck and body, a rectangle for the neck and a "hill" shape for the body.
Gobble, gobble time is here and all the trimmings along with it! This little turkey tube craft is happy to be a part of the feast! Easily download, print and use a toilet tube as the support for your turkey.
So Halloween is over (I am very sad about that) and the holiday feasting has begun though which is eaqually exciting! The kids will adore this turkey craft and his large display of tail feathers, put these around your holiday table or set the kids up with the color your own version at the kiddie table! This is sure to keep them busy, well, maybe until all the food is served!
In order to print the turkey and his tail properly, download and print from the saved file, don't print directly from the internet!
You'll be needing some materials like toilet or paper towel tubes, scissors, a stapler and white cardstock!