POTATO Art Craft - How to Make Your Own Wrapping Paper

 Do you remember doing this kind of potato art in school?  It is such a fun kid (or adult) craft!  You can use almost any vegetable and just GO FOR IT! 

You can even use the potato art on a big roll of paper and use it as your own special wrapping paper. 

My friend Kaylene did this with her girls and sent over the tutorial.  Most of you have met Kaylene before.  She's my crazy talented friend that is currently enrolled in the Portland Art Institute.  I've told her many times I'd adore her to be a monthly contributor to the blog, but going back to school with three little kids means there isn't a lot of time to do anything else!  So, I'll take whatever I can get from her......keep them coming Kaylene!!!

Collect all your supplies:

-Printing surface: fabric, paper, etc.

-Variety of paint, paint brushes

-Vegetables - whatever you might have available

-Cutting board, knife, exacto knife, cookie cutters

-Papertowel

 

1. Cover space with paper towel to protect surface from paint bleedthrough

2. Lay down fabric or paper you want stamped

3. Design color scheme and choice of vegetables, or be random

4. On the potato, use a Sharpee to draw on a relief pattern to cut out, or use cookie cutters to make a more precise stamp

5. Cut other vegetables in any way to find a pattern or relief to your liking (mushroom, corn, bok choy, celery, broccoli, etc)

6. Apply paint to vegetable with brush or foam brush and go for it!

7. Allow to dry thoroughly

8. Uses: gift wrap, art, custom textiles for clothing or home decor, etc.

Pick your print!

Cut out the relief

Paint over the shape

Make your masterpiece!

TA DA!

Oh the CREATIVITY!!!  Wouldn't this make amazing wrapping paper!!!!

Potato Hearts (Valentines Day or Christmas?)

Bok Choy Flowers (Easter or Birthday?)

Potatoes and Large Portobello Mushrooms!




Potato Reindeer (Christmas)

Fun mix of vegetables.



Are you going to give it a try??  Wouldn't this ALSO be a fun craft to do with your kids or in a classroom?  You could totally do this before Christmas and your kids could wrap a school made gift in it.  Double the Sentimental Value!!!

What do you think?

Thank you Kaylene!!!!

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Need a Fun Fall Kid Craft? Fall Decor - Shaved Crayon Stained Glass

This is a great fall kid craft that I have done many times with my kids or in their classrooms.  The colors can be so vibrant and fall like and is a great way to decorate come fall or any season!  It does need adult supervision though.    

DIRECTIONS

First off, lay out a sheet of wax paper on the table.

Have fun by using a pencil sharpener (can purchase a set of these at the dollar store) and begin shaving your favorite colors onto the paper.

Once you have thinly spread out the shavings lay another piece of wax paper over the top.

Have your iron setting on low and carefully iron right over the top of the wax paper (this would be for an older sibling or an adult to do)  Some of the crayon wax may squeeze out of the wax paper so putting a towel under the project is a good idea.

Now you have your beautiful "stain glass" and now you just need to print  out your favorite shape, (just Google "leaf shape image" or whatever you are interested in) put it under the wax paper and use a black sharpie to draw the shape.

Carefully cut out your shape and enjoy!!

You can tape these to your window or insert a hole punch and hang them!  A bunch of leaves would be a beautiful classroom decoration.

Some other seasonal ideas would be using green crayon shavings with red dots for Christmas trees or what about white and blue for a snowman!  This can be a craft for ALL seasons, it's just my mind is focused on beautifully changing leaves right now - :-)

Be sure and check out this fun ACORN treat post I did from last fall.  You can put it in cute packaging and give it to a teacher or as a fun fall treat in your children's lunch!

What is your favorite fall kid craft?  If they are simple, tell us in the comments!  Be sure to tell us if you have any other advice or tips for a craft like this. :-)