This week for our Make Something Monday, my daughter and I made a fun little art project with cotton balls. The craft was so simple and fun and the finished art made a huge impact!
The project involved a small amount of preparation and just a few hours for the cotton balls to dry, but the brilliantly colored cotton balls make any extra steps worthwhile.
Supplies needed:
- Cotton balls
- Food coloring
- Vinegar
- Water
- Small bowls
- Scissors
- Gloves (optional)
- Paper
- Glue
Mix about 1/2 cup of water, tsp of vinegar and 10 to 20 drops of food coloring in a small bowl. Add cotton balls and let them absorb the color for a few minutes.
Squeeze out excess color and lay on a protected baking sheet to dry.
You may want to use a glove of some sort or your hands and nails will look like this for a few days…
Set the cotton balls out in the sun for an hour or two to dry. Once dry cut the cotton into pieces and then pull the smaller pieces apart so the cotton was fluffier. ( I found it easier to use scissors to cut the cotton first.)
You can see in the photo below how fluffy the cotton balls were after I pulled them apart.
I gave my little one the glue and she went to town. For smaller children, you may want to handle the glue or use a glue stick.
Have fun!
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FabricFascination says
Excellent, I may use it as a children's fellowship project this Sunday. I had to laugh at your dyed hands – that would be me for sure if I hadn't had your warning first.
Karen says
Jamie — thanks for the post — and here's an added twist to preserve the piece…..
Have the cotton balls placed and glued on fabric (instead of paper) – any old fabric, even an old sheet or towel. When the "artwork" is complete, lay a piece of Organza over the top of it (to hold it in place). Pin around the edges and use a sewing machine or hand sew around the border — and through the artwork too if you like. Make a little edge binding and you have a finished piece to keep forever. You could use them as the child's place mat or just to hang on their bedroom door !! An heirloom…
Thanks for the inspiration !!
BeeSewSweet says
Fun craft idea! Thanks for sharing it. My daughter will love it!
Mama Jodi says
This is so much fun! I absolutely love this creative craft. Thanks! jodi @ http://www.meaningfulmama.com
Sarah Forhan says
Such a great idea! I know that our readers will love it, too. If you get a chance we would love for you to link up this craft at our weekly Bowdabra Saturday Showcase. http://bowdabrablog.com
surabhi says
Fun craft…I'm sure my kids will love to make this
http://homekidsandcrafts.blogspot.com/
Coupons In Motion says
Thanks for sharing. I love seeing moms and kids working together. Going to pin it for you.
Crafty Mischief says
What a fun idea! My kiddos are always looking for new art projects. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
[email protected] Made Me says
This is ridiculously cute! And such a fun idea. My daughter is a little too young for this now but I would love to try this in the future! And your daughter is adorable. I'm thinking my daughter's hair color might look just like hers when she gets older! So pretty! I would love if you shared this at my Throwback Thursday party {runs through Sunday night}. I hope to see you there! http://www.hubbymademe.com/throwback-thursday-no-4/
LessonPlans-CraftGossip says
So much fun!!! I love the bright colors!! Just posted on Craft Gossip:) Happy creating!
http://lessonplans.craftgossip.com/?p=6732
Jane Campbell says
I started this for my grandchildren yesterday and after a day mine still aren’t dry. I guestimated quantities so perhaps too much vinegar? Any clues? Thank you for the great idea.
Jamie Sanders says
no idea, may depend on the type and size of cotton balls. Possibly weather/humidity too. It was probably over 100 degrees when we did this craft.
Jane Campbell says
They took three days to dry but were perfect. Just had to learn a bit of patience. Kiddos had lots of fun with them. Thank you for tge great idea.