We had a couple friends over yesterday to make stained glass leaves with us. We used crayon shavings and waxed paper and made them much the way we made our valentine hearts.
These are just taped to the window though, rather than hung by string. I love how they look with the sun shining through them!
Maia and I also had fun making these stained glass jack-o-lanterns.
She’s very excited about Halloween and has been talking a lot lately about costume possibilities and what people will dress up as. This conversation usually segues into a discussion about what people will be when they grow up—as if there’s a connection. Since she’s planning to be a red dragon for Halloween, I think that’s pretty funny.
Pin It For Later
Quince and Quire
October 24, 2009 at 5:36 amYour stained glass leaves are so pretty. I haven’t made any in years–might be great for our rainy weekend!
The red dragon costume sounds wonderful. I hope you share some pictures. My daughter used to choose things like a tiger costume, or snow leopard–now it’s all ballerinas and princesses. I miss the fierce costumes!
You have been so busy. So many posts! I am impressed, given you have a newborn at home.
Jennifer
October 24, 2009 at 6:12 amI love the leaves, I haven’t made those since I was a kid. They look beautiful with the light shining through them.
Amanda
October 24, 2009 at 8:57 amwhat a pretty idea! Thank you!
Jill
October 24, 2009 at 9:18 amHi Jean, My second baby is due in just 3 weeks, and I feel so hopeful about being able to keep up and continue to enjoy the days with my 3 year old daughter from your posts since Daphne has been born. Baking, art, fresh library books…all our favorite things too. Thanks so much for continuing to share here.
The Artful Parent
October 24, 2009 at 8:22 amI know. I thought I wouldn’t be able to do or post much with a newborn, but it seems like I’ve been doing and posting more lately. Luckily, this babe is sweet and easy so far which makes it possible. She sleeps in the sling a lot. And I’m probably neglecting other things I should be doing!
Lynelle
October 24, 2009 at 6:37 pmMay I ask what a day in the week is like for you? Are you a scheduled mom with breakfast at certain time, art at another, nap etc..? I would love to hear how you manage the two and time for art. Thanks. =)
Winston
October 24, 2009 at 7:23 pmDumb question: How did you cut such perfect maple leaf forms?
Jen
October 26, 2009 at 7:26 amWe just finished this project. Perfect for my little ones thanks
Jenni
October 27, 2009 at 11:43 amHi.
I’m wondering what is that wax paper? Where do you get that? What kind of paper is that? Where do you use it?
I love your site and I visit here now and then.
Greetings from Finland!!!
The Artful Parent
October 27, 2009 at 12:35 pmYes, it’s waxed paper which I just purchased at the grocery store (in the aisle with aluminum foil, plastic wrap, etc). It’s fairly transparent and has a waxy surface that melts slightly when ironed. Hope you can find some. It’s a fun project! -Jean
The Artful Parent
October 27, 2009 at 12:37 pmI printed out a leaf template from online (just did a google search for “leaf template” and chose one I liked), then traced the leaf onto cardstock (I used an old file folder) and cut it out to make a stronger template that I could use for tracing. -Jean
The Artful Parent
October 27, 2009 at 12:44 pmHi Lynelle, I’m not a scheduled mom at all. I often wish I were! I’ve tried several times, but am more of a winging-it-as-I-go type of person. Most of our art projects don’t take much time, luckily. Sorry I’m just now responding to your comment. I tried answering your question in my post today: http://artfulparent.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/making-time-for-art/.
MaryAnn Kohl
October 28, 2009 at 4:48 pmDoes this make all of you as happy as it makes me? LOVE LOVE LOVE the bright colors! Remember to do this project throughout the year with other themes, like blue and white for snowflakes and snowmen, red for Valentines, etc. Great fun, and a traditional art experience all kids should explore over and over. Jean, the Artful Parent is my favorite blog. Thank you.
MaryAnn Kohl, author
http://www.brightring.com
Monique
November 11, 2009 at 3:44 pmWe finally made these yesterday. They are gorgeous!! Thank you, thank you!!! We hung them with thread and the colors truly blend in with the few remaining leaves on the bush outside our window. Magical!
Tina
August 18, 2012 at 2:33 amI love this idea!! And I have done this MANY years ago with kiddos, but the above link no longer works and I have forgotten how exactly this works… Is there any way you could re-visit this project and tell me the steps? I would love to do this with my daughter this fall/Halloween!!
Mandy
September 5, 2012 at 12:52 pmI ditto what Tina said! Do you melt the crayon between 2 pieces of wax paper using an iron?
Jean Van't Hul
September 6, 2012 at 5:35 amYes, Mandy. We melt crayon shavings between two pieces of wax paper with an iron. Make sure to have some newsprint under and on top of your wax paper during the ironing process, though!
Jean Van't Hul
September 6, 2012 at 5:36 amI just realized that my link to the previous time we did this project (with the step-by-step instructions) was broken. Sorry! I just fixed it:
https://artfulparent.com/2009/02/stained-glass-hearts-for-valentines-day.html
Jean Van't Hul
September 6, 2012 at 5:36 amLove that idea!
Jennifer
October 9, 2012 at 3:58 pmHello, I was curious what you use to grate the crayon up with? Do you just use a kitchen grater or do you use a knife? Thank you.