Make your mom or grandmother a useful gift for Christmas that she will treasure for years to come.
Christmas is coming soon and you want to help your children make a memorable gift for that special family member. What can your kids create that is attractive, inexpensive and easy to make? A mirror with a personalized frame is the perfect gift, since it is functional and pretty. This kids' Christmas craft idea was easy enough for a three year old child to make with assistance. However, children in the six to ten year old age range will be able to do this children's craft with minimal help.
To make a personalized mirror frame, you will need:
- A wooden mirror with a wide frame. The unfinished small wooden mirrors in most craft stores that have a three inch frame are ideal.
- Primer or gesso to seal the wood.
- Acrylic paint.
- Paintbrushes.
- Masking tape or paint tape.
- Digital photos of yourself, the whole family, or a favorite pet.
- Color printer and regular printer paper.
- Modge Podge or gel medium.
- Embellishments
- Sealer.
Before you begin working on your mirror craft, you should spread some newspaper on the table to protect it from paint and help keep your craft tidy as you go on to other steps. Then, cover the entire mirror surface with the tape to keep it clean and shiny while you work.
Now, you are ready to begin decorating the mirror frame. Begin by having your child paint the entire surface of the wood with the primer or gesso. Let it dry before you move on to the next step. If you use gesso, you will only need to wait a few minutes. Once the wood is primed, it is time to paint the frame. Your child will probably need to apply two coats to be sure the primer is completely covered. Let the paint dry overnight.
When your paint is dry, you are ready to make the mirror special. Choose several of your favorite digital photos and print them out. Be sure the area you want to use is under three inches wide. You may want to tear the photo down to the right size instead of cutting it down. tearing paper will create a much softer effect. Brush your Modge Podge or gel medium over the back of a photo and glue the image onto the frame. Carefully press the image down to remove any bubbles or wrinkles. Repeat the process until you have applied all of the photos you want to use. Then, apply a coat of Modge Podge or gel medium over the entire surface of the frame. Be careful not to rub back and forth on the images. You won't want to smear all of your hard work when you are almost done.
If you feel that your mirror is missing a finishing touch, it is time to add embellishments. Scrapbooking items, such as metal word tags, stickers, or buttons are all items you could use on your personalized mirror frame. Next, spray a coat of sealer on the mirror. This step should only be done by an adult, as most sealers are toxic until they are dry. Your final step is to peel off the tape protecting the mirror.
When you make this kids' Christmas craft idea and give it to that special person, just don't be surprised if you get requests for personalized mirror frames from other family members. These special gifts are sure to become treasured family heirlooms.
