Friday, January 6, 2012

Personalize Your Own Paper Dog

Dog cut-outs can be used for many things. Backing up to the beginning of the year, many teachers give the students a body shape cut-out and have them personalize it. Instead, why not give each student a dog shape and have them decorate it with the the question "If I were a dog, what would I be and how would I look?

Last year we took pictures of the kids and glued their faces on the bodies. Then we used old wallpaper to make clothing for the cut-outs. Wallpaper books are hard to find nowadays. If you go to Home Depot and ask, they usually say they don't have any "old" ones or they are "all out." The best method is to ask an interior decorator. I got some great ones, and even some books of rug fabric!

Finding different dog shapes is the next step. The Internet is a good place to start, but I personally preferred to purchase the Fashion Angels Design a Heavenly Wardrobe. It comes with EVERYTHING!

The dogs, the clothing patterns, and some pretty paper. The dogs are very durable, which means they will last for a long time. The patterns are on cardstock, but I would suggest laminating them to be safe and maybe tracing the dogs on cardstock to have an extra set somewhere.

Another project that these dogs can be used for is Valentine's Day cards. Dress your pooch in fun Valentine's Day themed paper and stickers and on the back, have the kids write a message to their parents. What a great way to say "I woof you!"