T.P. Roll Projects to the moon and back

Toilet paper roll recycled art projects 101: The skies the limit!

Flowers and stars: Cut slits evenly spaced on both ends of tube leaving one inch uncut at the center of tube. Pull tabs back until they meet and attach with tape. Continue to do the same until all tabs have been pulled back and secured with opposite tab. Hang from string or attach to a dowel, decorate with paint, paper, or whatever the heart desires.

Shakers: Seal end of tube using paper and tape. Fill slightly with rice, beans, sand, or whatever sound making item you like. Seal opposite end and decorate. Shake, shake, shake!

Rain sticks: Same as shaker but add holes w/awl along tube seam. Poke nails into hole not to breach the opposite side. Use tape to secure nails. Cover with decorative paper and tissue. Seal with Acrylic glaze.

Abstract sculpture: Making connections
Stems and holes- Prepare a pile of tubes cut to different lengths with holes punched randomly all over the tube. Cut chenille stems to different lengths. Attach tubes by connecting with chenille stems. Allow free play and "see what happens!"
Dip and stick- Mix 1 part Elmer's glue w/1 part Tacky glue. Collect several cut lengths of T.P. tubes, cardboard scraps. Use one large paper plate as a base or any scrap cardboard. Lastly, dip card board scraps and tubes into glue and stick and stack!
Stack and tape- Cut several lengths of cardboard tubes, cut slits in the ends of the tubes and demonstrate how to bend the slits to form tabs. Use bits of tape to attach tabs or just tubes, to other tube segments. More tape= more secure. Tip- tear off several pieces of  tape ahead of time to eliminate the frustration of tangled tape balls.
Slits and slips- Cut several lengths of cardboard tubes, cut slits in the ends of the tubes. This time instead of bending the tabs, attach a second tube to the first by slipping it into the slit. Continue with other tubes and form tall towers of tubes.

Chain: Cut tubes into rings that can be decorated w/any medium you choose. Cut a slit through one side of the ring and connect to a second ring. tape the slit closed and continue to add rings.

Puppet: Two fingers fit nicely into one end of the tube. decorate tube with fabric, paper, markers and paint or whichever materials are handy. Allow to dry. Use an old card board box or the open back of a dining chair and an apron or towel as a curtain for your puppet stage. Let your stories come to life!

Critters: Glue or tape cut paper strips to your T.P. rolls to create legs, antennae, stingers, tongues, etc. Use markers to add details.

Bird feeders: One tube, card board circle cut to fit bottom of roll, chenille stem to hang the feeder from, hole punch, and wooden dowel or straw, tape and craft paint. Punch two holes opposite each other at the top and bottom of the roll (two holes at top and two at bottom). Punch two more holes at the bottom each just one inch above the original holes. Insert wooden dowel (or straw) through bottom holes. In one side and out the other side to form a perch. Secure with tape on the inside of the tube. Tape cardboard circle to the bottom of the tube. Paint and seal. Hang with chenille stem and fill with birdseed.

Binoculars: Two T.P. rolls, tape, hole punch, and any decorative materials you desire + imagination

Towers and Castles: Card board base plus tubes cut to different lengths, tape, Cardboard scraps, markers and misc. materials for decorations.

Snakes and Worms: String several tubes together in a row using hole punch and string. Decorate with stripes of colored tape or paint with tempera paint. Add details with markers and misc. textures.

Wind chime/Mobile: attach several tubes to a sturdy paper plate using hole punch and string. Hang found metal objects from plate stringing each of the items through separate tubes so that they dangle loosely below. Decorate tubes and plate with paint. Coat w/protective acrylic finish.

Ornaments: Wrap T.P. segments in layers of brightly colored tissue paper and watered down craft glue. complete with glitter glue and sequins for added color and sparkle. Punch a hole and hang with chenille stem.

Mask parts: T.P tubes make great noses, ears, trunks, alien antennae, etc.

Paper Mache Armature: Use as part of a base for paper mache sculpture by attaching parts with tape and covering with layers of tinfoil to keep cardboard from becoming soggy.

Rocket ships: Paint T.P. roll with glue and cover with tinfoil. Attach scraps and thingamabobs. Cut two slits at top of T.P. roll, insert large card board triangle. Tape three small triangles to the bottom at evenly spaced increments for a tri-pod look and blast-off!

What to do with all that art?

" I did it!!!"

I love the sound of excitement and pride that comes from the children when they see what they CAN do. What may seem like simple scribbles and blobs to us are actually extremely important stages in your child's development. 

Honor those first steps by hanging your child's favorite pieces of artwork or by displaying their sculptures somewhere prominent in the home. I hang them with simple painters tape so as not to damage the paint on the walls. I have chosen a few pieces to permanently hang behind glass but mostly we (my three year old and I) decide on a rotating gallery of his "latest works". 

As he walks by the hanging pieces of art every day, once and a while he will make a comment on how he did something or what he likes about them, but mostly it makes him proud of his accomplishments. 

Toddler Art Classes Start May 5th!!!

Break out of your cocoon and spread your creative wings! These classes are a wonderful way to enjoy time with your little one while "playing" at art. At the same time giving your child critical tools to use as they develop creative problem solving skills.

Register online at:http://www.kiddywampus.com/category_s/125.htm

Hope to see you there!!

Here are some simple, but good ideas for activities to do with your little ones:
http://creativewithkids.com/activity-cupboard-easy-things-to-do-with-toddlers/

I love using bits of chenille stems like nails for styrofoam block play. Also try using golf tees and a wooden block as a hammer.

Emily L. Taylor of St. Paul has been selected to create the Official 2014 Minnesota State Fair Commemorative Art

After reviewing the 154 submissions from the Commemorative Art Call for Submissions in 2011, 2012 and 2013, a panel of judges named Taylor the Official Artist. Her original interpretation of the Great Minnesota Get-Together will be unveiled at the State Fairgrounds in June.
http://www.mnstatefair.org/art/

Join Artfulu and Foster Art Company at the Linden Hills Community Center on January 25th to create and donate artwork for the benefit of foster children.

Location: Linden Hills Community Center 3100 43rd St. W Minneapolis, MN 55410

Relief Printing Workshop: ages 13-17 yrs

Spend an afternoon with artist/Owner of Artfulu: Emily L. Taylor, and learn the art of relief printing.

• Saturday, January 25th
• 1-3:00 pm
• *All materials provided
• Maximum class size: 12
• Fee: 10.00 (all proceeds will be donated to the Children's Law Center of MN)

Watercolor Workshop: ages 1 to 5
Spend an evening with artist/Owner of Artfulu: Emily L. Taylor, as we explore watercolor painting with our little ones.

• Saturday, January 25th
• 4-5:00 pm
• *All materials provided
• Maximum class size: 10
• Fee: 10.00 (all proceeds will be donated to the Children's Law Center of MN)

Foster Art Company was founded on the belief that foster children deserve a stable, safe and loving home. Artwork from young artists is donated to Foster Art and then reproduced and sold for others to enjoy, with proceeds going toward helping children in foster care.

Giving children a voice is common ground for both Artfulu and Foster Art.

Foster Art and Artfulu are partnering to offer children the opportunity to create paintings they will donate to help raise money for Foster Art Company’s cause.

artfulu.com is up and running:) 

Classes are offered, Birthdays too!
Festivals, Events, and more coming soon!