Kaleidocycle {aka folding paper toy!}

Handmade geometric stamps for Handmade Living By Kate on January 11, 2012 I‘ve tried to make my own rubber stamps on many occasions but never really got the hang of it. I think half the reason is that it’s impossible to buy the proper carving blocks here in the UK. So…I put an article together for this months issue of Handmade Living on easy rubber stamps. (I actually wrote this article about three months ago….it’s taking me a while to get used to the print ‘time-lag’ thing). These stamps are made from erasers, using a craft knife and ruler. If you want to see how hand carved stamps are done the proper way then check out this ace tutorial at Geninne’s Art Blog. Hama bead weaving tutorial on its way early next week! You can pick up a copy of Handmade Living from Morrisons, Asda, Sainsburys, Martins, WH Smiths, Hobbycraft plus a number of independent shops and newsagents.

Laura Hodges Super excited to see the look book i’ve been working on with jewellery magician Ivy Nixon. In the mean time here’s a little look at what’s to come. High Resolution So long 2013, on to the next one! Way back in July, I was lucky enough to meet with artist Sarah Applebaum who kindly showed me around her amazing studio in San Francisco.She creates beautifully vibrant, playful sculptures and installations that have an undercurrent of darkness that keeps you on your toes.You can see more of her work HERE » SarahApplebaum.com I was recently interviewed by South Korean magazine, Avec for their Light issue, which also features one of my images.For a closer look at the issue, or to buy a copy visit their website Avec Magazine Sunday Singles Club #8 bedislandbooks:The Sunday Singles Club aims to showcase exciting new photography and expose it to others.Reblog this post and go follow the people featured here for some awesome new work on your dashboard.

Paper gems (+ templates) This has got to be one of my favourite projects to date…which is a good job because I nearly broke my brain putting the templates together!! I’m not so good at maths and figuring out angles (my lovely Mum is a retired maths teacher so I should know better!). By the way this project is quite fiddly so more aimed at grown-ups or older kids. My paper gems were very influenced by these wonderful crayons (via Deborah’s Pinterest board). You can use these paper gems as hanging decorations (for your Christmas tree) or you can incorporate them into a mobile or garland. If you spray them lightly on one side they look very pretty and a bit more crystal-like! If you love crystals and gems as much as I do then check out these cool projects: Home-made rock candyHome grown geodes Edited to add: Check out this great advent calendar idea using my paper gems. Kids craft coming up next week…I absolutely promise this time! I’ve been a total slacker on email lately…but intend to catch up over the next week. !!

Approximate Book Binding - KROKODIL Experimental book design and book binding project Paper beads I made these paper beads a while ago and dug them out the other day for my eldest son to play with. At three and a half he’s grown out of playing with his chunky threading beads – so these were the perfect replacement. They are so easy to make and surprisingly sturdy. I used some sheets of origami paper to make mine but you can use any kind of paper. For example magazine scraps are particularly good for making beads with a more ethnic feel. To make them simply cut out some very long isosceles triangles. You can experiment with paper length/width and make beads of different shapes and sizes. The beads are perfect for little kids to thread.

LEGO Math Ideas Part 1 My family adores LEGO bricks and most of my students enjoy them too. They can be a powerful learning tool as well. This is going to be a 5 part post about using LEGO bricks to teach math concepts. This first post will be a DIY of how to make a travel size container of LEGO pieces to keep your tutoring space tidy and easy to take with you. The version I came up with is slightly different. I found a small plastic box with flip tabs on the sides. Next, I went and got Command double sided refills. Then I rummaged through my boys LEGO collection looking for the right pieces. Take the Command refill strips and peel off the backing. The Results! You’ll need the following pieces to teach math lessons: Flat LEGO Plates-find a size that fits on the lid 1 by 11 by 21 by 41 by 61 by 81 by 10 If possible try to get the same measurements in 2 wide. It’s also fun to include a few LEGO Mini-figures and unconventional pieces and allow your student a few minutes to create something with the LEGO pieces.

Classroom DIY: DIY Mental Math Game Need a great mental math game? Items to Gather: wooden sticksSharpies Instructions: Step 1: First start with your first stick and write start.Step 2: Next start writing your clues and the answers on the tip. Other Tips/Suggestions: You can make all of the facts connect or make them different like I did above. Have fun, Plastic Eggs! Fraction Eggs This activity can also be changed to a fraction activity. Eggs are not labeled, but filled with pom pom ball colors. Place Value Eggs Students count out pom pom balls in eggs labeled thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones. Money Eggs Put various coins inside numbered plastic eggs. Inference Eggs Have each student bring a plastic egg to school with a top secret surprise inside! Equation Eggs Students open an egg and write down the number inside of the egg, using a crayon that matches the egg color.