Homemade Stickers
Make your own stickers with this projects. This is a recipe for you to make the adhesive for your own lick and stick stickers. Click on the picture below and it will take you to a full size version which you can either print or save to you computer. 

 1 packet (1/4 ounce) unflavored gelatin 
 1 tablespoon cold water 
 3 tablespoons boiling water 
 1/2 teaspoon white corn syrup or sugar 
 1/2 teaspoon lemon or vanilla extract 

In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin into cold water. Let soften for 5 minutes. Pour boiling water into softened gelatin and stir until dissolved. Add corn syrup or sugar and extract. Mix well.

Brush the gum thinly on the back of the sticker. I find that it works better if you do a whole sheet and then cut after it's dried. The page will curl up but after it has dried you can press it under something heavy such as the phone book. When dry just moisten the sticker and apply.

The gum will gel overnight. Place the adhesive in a pan of hot water to return it to liquid state. You may store this in the refrigerator in a sealed jar for months. Have fun.

Play Dough
 1 cup flour 
 1 cup warm water 
 2 teaspoons cream of tarter 
 1 teaspoon oil 
 1/4 cup salt 
 food coloring 

Mix all ingredients (add food coloring last). Stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from pan, let cool slightly,  and knead until blended and smooth. Store in a plastic bag or airtight container when cooled.

Modeling Dough
 1 cup flour 
 1/2 cup salt 
 1/2 cup water 

Mix the flour and the salt together first. Add water and mix until it starts to pull away from the bowl. Turn the dough out onto a board and knead until smooth and elastic. This dough dries very quickly while working with it pinch off only what you need and store the rest in a bag until you need more. To help pieces stick together (if you're making a snowman for instance and wanted three balls put together) make a paste of flour and water and use it like glue when putting the pieces together. Once the project is finished, fire in the oven at 175 degrees. You'll have to check each piece periodically as the thicker the piece the longer the dry time. If you desire you may paint your piece. It's usually a good idea to seal it with varnish.

A good tip for making hair is to push a small amount of dough through a garlic press.

Cornstarch Clay
 1 cup cornstarch 
 2 cups salt 
 1 1/3 cups cold water 

Put salt and 2/3 cup water into a pan and bring to a boil. Mix the cornstarch with 2/3 cup water and stir well. Add this mixture to the first and knead into a clay. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. While working with a project it is a good idea to pinch off only as much as you need and keep the rest in a closed bag because it tends to dry out fast. Air dry your finished piece, checking it periodically. The thicker the piece the longer it will take to dry. You may paint your piece once it's dry.

Bubbles
 6 cups water 
 2 cups dishwashing liquid 
 3/4 cup corn syrup 

Mix together. Let it sit for about 4 hours then enjoy.

Silly Putty
 1/2 cup liquid starch 
 1/2 cup white glue 

Mix the starch and glue together until it gels together and feels like silly putty. Store it in the fridge in an airtight container.

Finger Paints
 1/4 cup cornstarch 
 2 cups cold water 
 food coloring 

Mix cornstarch and water, while constantly stirring, bring to a boil and keep cooking until mixture thickens. Make sure you keep stirring or you'll end up with  lumps. Cool and pour into separate containers. In each container add a different food coloring

Finger Paint #2
 1/2 cup cornstarch 
 1 cup cold water 
 1 pkg. unflavored gelatin (1/4 ounce) 
 2 cups boiling water 
 food coloring or poster paint 

Mix the cornstarch with 3/4 cup cold water into a paste. Take the remaining 1/4 cup of cold water and soak the gelatin in it. Pour the 2 cups of boiling water slowly over the cornstarch mixture while stirring. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture boils and is clear. Remove from heat. Stir in gelatin. Cool and divide into separate jars. Add color. To store place in airtight container in the refrigerator.

Bookmark/Placemat
 Artwork 
 Clear Contact Paper 
 Scissors or Craft Knife 
 Ruler 

Carefully cut out the artwork ( for a bookmark a good size is about 1 1/2"x5"). You decide on the size or maybe the artwork will decide for you. Take a piece of clear contact paper a little bit larger than twice as wide as the artwork and a little bit longer. I find the easiest way to sandwich the artwork into the contact paper is to fold the contact paper in half leaving a gap between the fold line and the artwork, it doesn't matter how big the gap is as long as the artwork is completely sealed within the contact paper. Smooth any bubbles out with the ruler and then cut out around the artwork again. 

To further embellish, place a hole up at the top of the bookmark and tie a ribbon through it or a tassel.

The same principals can be applied to making the placemat just on a larger scale. Try rounding the edges. How about taking pressed flowers and creating a collage then covering with contact paper

Transfer Ink
Use this ink to transfer designs printed with your computer printer or copy machine. You can transfer to things too small to fit into your printer or just won't go into your printer, like fabric or big poster boards. Use your imagination. Try the cartoon section of you newspaper. Just remember whatever you transfer will be the reverse image so make sure you lettering is printed in reverse image first. Note: transfer ink works well with inkjet printers and copy machines but not at all with laser printers. 

 2 tablespoons of soap powder, Ivory Snow of soap bar scrapings. Do not use detergent 
 1/4 cup hot water 
 1 tablespoon turpentine 

Combine the soap powder and the hot water in a small jar. Stir until dissolved. Add the turpentine. Remember don't use the same tablespoon you use for cooking. Let the transfer ink cool before using or putting the lid on the jar.

To transfer a design. Start with a freshly printed design. Avoid using one that has been printed weeks or months prior to project. Use a paintbrush and brush the ink over the picture to be transferred. Wait 10 seconds. Place the object to be transferred to on top of the picture (I guess you could do it in reverse and place the picture on top of the item to be transferred) and rub firmly with the back of a spoon.  Lift a corner to check if the design has transferred when completely transferred lift off completely, stand back and admire.

Storage: You may store the transfer ink unrefrigerated forever! If the ink solidifies just bring it back to  a liquid state by placing the jar in a warm pan of water. Shake well and you're ready to use it again.

Have fun thinking of new ways to use the transfer ink.

Cinnamon Ornaments
 3/4 - 1 cup applesauce 
 one 4.12oz bottle ground cinnamon 

Combine the applesauce and cinnamon to form a stiff dough. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with a cookie cutter. Make a hole for a ribbon with a straw. Place on a wire rack and let dry for several days, turning occasionally.

Cinnamon Ornaments #2
 1 cup cinnamon 
 1 tablespoon ground cloves 
 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg 
 3/4 cup applesauce (drain in a strainer for several hours) 
 2 tablespoons white glue 

Mix cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg together. Add applesauce and glue. Work mixture with hands until smooth. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut with cookie cutters. Use a straw to make a hole for ribbon. Place on wire rack and air dry for several days, making sure to turn occasionally.

Paper Beads
 Paper that has either been colored with crayons, markers or colored pencils. Color the paper in random designs using lots of different colors. You may substitute magazine pages for the decorated paper. 
 Scissors 
 Toothpick 
 White glue 

Using a piece of  paper that has been decorated (8 1/2 x 11) cut long slender triangles from the paper. You can either cut across the length or across the width of the paper. The longer the strip the thicker the bead. The large end of the triangle can range anywhere from 1/4 inch to 3/4 inch tapering down to a point and the short end.

Place a toothpick on the wide end of the triangle with the designed side facing down. Start rolling the paper around the toothpick being careful to wind it tightly and as evenly centered as possible. When you get to the end of the triangle place a dab of glue on the end and continue wrapping, sealing the end in place. Slip the toothpick out and allow the glue to dry.

You can use the beads as is, or for a shiny finish try painting clear fingernail polish over them.

Make a whole bunch and string them up for bracelets and necklaces.

Salt Art
 Salt 
 Food Coloring 

Place some salt in a bowl and add a few drops of food coloring. Mix well. Keep adding food coloring until the desired color is achieved. Make several colors.

Take a small transparent empty jar with a lid or top on it. Baby food jars are good for this or try pickle relish jars. Take the label off. Pour different colored salt in layers into the jar use a toothpick or something similar to poke the salt down and make designs.Fill the jar all the way to the top. Put the lid on the jar and admire your creation.

Borax/Powdered Milk Paint
 2 Tablespoons Borax

 1/2 Cup Warm Water

 1/4 Cup Powdered Nonfat Milk

 Powdered Pigments

Dissolve the borax in warm water. Add powdered milk. Stir until completely dissolved. This should be a thick creamy mixture. To use, place a small amount of the medium on the palette and mix in the powdered pigment, this way the medium can be used to make a variety of colors. This dries to a semi-gloss finish. To clean brushes use soap and water. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several weeks.

Powdered Milk Paint
 1/2 Cup Powdered Nonfat Milk

 1/2 Cup Water

 Powdered Paint Pigment

Mix milk and water. Stir until dissolved. Combine only as much medium with powdered pigment as needed. You may mix this right on the palette. This paint dries quickly to a glossy, opaque finish. It is chip resistant. Clean up with soap and water. Store in a tightly covered jar in the refrigerator for several weeks.

Glue Paint
 2 Parts Glue

 1 Part Water

 Powdered Pigment

Mix glue and water. Add mixture to powdered pigment. This paint has a flat finish, it is especially useful for painting on waxed surfaces such as milk cartons. Use soap and water to clean up. Store in tightly covered jar.

Homemade Rubber Stamp Ink
 Powdered Clothes Dye (any color)

 1/4 Teaspoon Alcohol

 5 Tablespoons Glycerin

Mix dye with alcohol to the consistency of thin cream. Add glycerin. Stir until well blended. This makes enough to replenish a stamp pad several times. Pour ink over stamp pad or a foam-rubber pad that is fine grained. To make the stamp pad you will need foam rubber and a small plastic box with lid (such as a travel soap box). Cut the foam rubber to fit inside the plastic box. Spread the ink evenly with a brush or a tongue depressor.

Designer Crayon Cloth
 Cloth

 Crayons

 Iron

 Drawing Board

 Thumbtacks

 Newspapers

 1/2 Cup Vinegar

 1 Cup Water

 3 Tablespoons Salt

 1 Quart Water

 Pressing Cloth

Make sure that all the sizing is removed from the fabric by washing it first. Stretch the fabric out on the shirtboard and thumbtack securely in place. Color in your design with crayons. Thick heavier the application of crayons the deeper the color will be. When finished place the design face down on several sheets of newspaper. Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 cup water. Dip a pressing cloth into the vinegar mixture and squeeze out most of the liquid. Place the pressing cloth over the designed cloth and press with a hot iron. Mix  3 tablespoons salt and 1 quart of water. Soak the cloth in this solution for 3 to 4 hours. Gently wash in lukewarm water using a mild soap. After the cloth has dried, the design will become permanent. You can launder from now on in warm water and mild soap.

Waterproof Ink
 1 Tablespoon Powdered Clothes Dye (add a little more for a deeper color)

 2 Teaspoons Peppermint Extract

 1 Tablespoons Glycerin

 3/4 Cup Distilled Water

Dissolve dye in extract. Mix with glycerin. Dissolve mixture in distilled water. Makes about 3/4 cup. This can be used to stencil or paint directly on fabric. It is waterproof and permanent. Store in a tightly covered jar.

Marbleized Paper
 8 Packets ( 2 ounces) Unflavored Gelatin

 1 Pint (2 cups) Boiling Water

 5 Pints ( 10 cups) Cold Water

 Shallow Baking Pan

 Oil Paints

 Turpentine

 Brown Wrapping Paper or Paper Bags

Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Pour mixture into shallow pan and add cold water. Mix oil paints with a bit of turpentine to the consistency of thick cream. Drop a few drops of color into the pan. If the color sinks, it is too thick, thin with a little more turpentine. If the color spreads, it is too thin, add a little more paint. When the right thickness is achieved, drop large spots of color, one at a time onto the solution. With a spoon or a stick, swirl into patterns. Cut a piece of brown paper slightly smaller than the size of the pan. Holding opposite corners of the paper, lower on to the solution. Lift the paper carefully and place right side up on a stack of newspaper to dry. You can use this paper to decorate notebooks, lampshades, wastebaskets and much more.