Number Collage

Each month I come up with a seasonal craft to share. While brainstorming ideas, I decided to research January holidays. Of course we have the traditional New Year’s Eve countdown, the fact that we are starting a new calendar year, Ben Franklin’s birthday, Sir Isaac Newton’s birthday and many other fun days to celebrate. What stood out to me was January dealt with a lot of numbers! Counting down on New Year’s Eve, new numbers to remember when writing the date, Ben Franklin and the Magic Squares, and Sir Isaac Newton and all his mathematical and scientific genius. So I decided it would be fun to create a family number collage.

Supplies:

Wooden numbers
Memory Tray, shadow box, canvas, or foam core board
foam brushes
Mod Podge
scrapbook paper
paint
strong adhesive such as E-6000
various embellishments- optional

I gave all of my kids a wooden number to paint.

While they were painting, I added scrapbook paper to the Memory Tray. I found this in the scrapbooking aisle at my local chain craft store. First I trimmed the scrapbook paper to fit in the slots. Next I used Mod Podge to adhere it to the frame. The trick with Mod Podge is to use light layers. I painted a thin layer at the top and placed the top of the paper on the tray. Then while holding the paper up, I applied thin layers on the tray and pressed the paper down as I went. You might get some bubbles, but don’t worry about it. They usually smooth out on their own. Once the paper is down, let dry and apply a thin top-coat of Mod Podge.

Once the numbers were all painted and dry, I applied a top-coat of Mod Podge.

I glued the wooden numbers on the tray with a strong adhesive (I like E-6000.) Each child picked some small objects that represented something they were interested in to glue along with the numbers. My number 2 child loved Legos while my number 3 child likes to draw.

We ended up with a personalized family-craft that looks great on my mantle.

Here are some options for creating a number collage:

*Use a canvas as a background and stamp random numbers.

*Cut a piece of foam core board to fit in a frame. Use number stickers to create a number collage.

*Use a white crayon on a piece of white cardstock to write numbers. Paint over the cardstock and crayon with water color paints.

Have fun crafting with you family!

Maureen is a former elementary school teacher who now has a classroom of 6 at home. She blogs at Spell Outloud sharing toddler activities and homeschool highlights.