Window panes make a great backdrop to display certain kinds of children's artwork. Now that summer is finally here, the sunshine will stream through their works of art, making the colours glow.
MELTED WAX HANGINGS
Apart from creating a stunning window decoration, this activity uses up all those tiny wax crayon stubs that are too small for drawing.
You will need: ends of wax crayons; a large pencil sharpener; a sharp knife and cutting board (for adult use only); black card; greaseproof paper; iron and ironing board (for adult use only); an old tea towel; PVA craft glue; DARNING NEEDLE AND THREAD
What to do: Carve the wax crayon ends into small chunks and shavings. Cut two identical diamond shapes from the greaseproof paper. Sprinkle the wax on to one of the shapes and lay the other shape on top. Place a tea towel on top of the shapes and iron it until the wax has melted to create interesting patterns and colour mixes. Leave the wax to harden, 'gluing'
the two greaseproof shapes together. Make a frame for the diamond by gluing strips of black card along each edge. Sew a loop of thread through the top of the diamond and tape the thread to the window so the sunlight can shine through the wax.
Tip: Check the packet to make sure the wax crayons are not of the 'non-melt' variety.
TISSUE PAPER DECALS
Use clingfilm as a background to make a tissue paper window decal that can be taped to a window to show off the delicate, translucent tissue colours.
You will need: clingfilm (preferably the tough freezer variety); tissue paper; white PVA glue; a thick brush; a waterproof mat What to do: Spread out the clingfilm on the mat. Tear the tissue paper into strips and shapes and place a few of the pieces on top of the clingfilm.
Mix the PVA glue with water (approximately 1 part water to 1 part glue) and brush it over the tissue shapes. Arrange more tissue on top of the first layer, overlapping some of the pieces. Brush over with glue. Continue the process until you have three of four layers of tissue. Once the glue is bone-dry, peel the tissue away from the clingfilm and tape the decal to a window.
Tip: Some tissue papers are designed to 'bleed' their colour when wet.
Check first that you are using colourfast tissue.
CELLOPHANE STAINED GLASS
Although you can use tissue paper for this project, the glassy effect of cellophane gives a much more authentic look to your 'stained glass'.
You will need: black paper; a round template, such as a saucer; scissors; sheets of different coloured cellophane (available from art and craft shops); PVA craft glue
What to do: Using a round template, draw a circle on the black paper and cut it out. Fold the circle into quarters and cut triangles out of each edge. Open out the circle and glue small pieces of coloured cellophane behind each hole. Tape the finished plaque to a window so that the sunlight makes the cellophane colours glow.
Tip: Hole punchers are cheap to buy from craft shops and they come in a wide variety of shapes. You could use them instead of scissors to punch different shaped holes in the black paper and glue small pieces of different coloured cellophane behind each hole.
LAMINATE DECORATIONS
Laminate pouches make quick and easy window decorations. Beg a few spare pouches from someone with a laminator or buy a pack from any large stationers. Polypockets can also be cut in half and painted, but they are not so effective or easy to use.
You will need: laminate pouches; ready- mixed paints in squeezy bottles; sequins and metallic stickers (optional)
What to do: Open up the laminate pouch and paint on to one of the inner surfaces. Younger children can simply dab on blobs of paint; older ones can create a pattern. Make sure the paint is not too thick, or it will never dry. When finished, close the pouch and gently press the colours so that they spread and blend at the edges. Enjoy the cool squidgy feel of the paint beneath your fingers! When the paint has dried out a little, tape the decoration to a window.
Tip: Add shiny sequins or metallic stickers to the paint before closing the pouch.
