Tie-dying T-shirts, socks and pajamas has become a creative summer art project that kids love. Before your children embark on a "wearable art" project, give them several practice rounds using paper towels and food dyes. The results will be spectacular! They can use the final creations for custom gift wrap and cards or for pompon flowers. Here's how:
On a newspaper-covered table, stir several drops of food coloring into small bowls of water. (A muffin pan also works well.) Fold a piece of white paper toweling in half and then in half again two or three more times. Dip each corner of the folded towel in the bowls of dye of your choice. It only takes a second or two for the towel to absorb the color. Carefully unfold the towel to reveal the colorful design. Hang the finished designs on a clothesline or lay them flat on the grass to dry.To make a bouquet of cheery flowers:
Cut six 4-inch by 4-inch squares from the dyed towels and place them one on top of the other to form a pile. Pinch all layers of the pile together at its center point and wrap a pipe cleaner or a piece of florist's wire where your finger bunches the layers. Leave enough wire for the stem. Spread the layer of towels apart for a flower in full bloom.
Make several flowers and arrange in a vase or make a bouquet and wrap in colorful tissue paper to present to a favorite neighbor.