Free Printable Stencils, Patterns for Crafts, Painting

Stenciling is a heritage craft that had it's zenith in Victorian times with the arts and crafts, prairie and revival architecture periods. There are dozens of craft projects that employ stenciling, especially holiday crafts. Here are free printable stencils and patterns for stenciling. Use these stencils for wall border painting, fabric and canvas painting, sewing, quilting, applique, drawing and design.

Trace these stencils onto Mylar plastic or recycle old plastic containers and trace the stencil patterns onto flat surfaces. You can also make sturdy, reusable stencils by tracing patterns on recycled cardboard boxes (flattened cereal boxes work very well). Tape the edges to strengthen them and make the stencils last longer.

For links to printables, visit free printable Martha Stewart craft patterns to make many amazing crafts. This craft guru literally has crafts, recipes and printables for every holiday, theme and occasion. Whatever holiday is coming next is featured on the homepage. There's a timeline of holidays along the banner menu, so you can scroll through and find printable craft patterns and templates for past or upcoming holidays. What do I mean when I say "every" holiday? Okay, hold on, here are some.

New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Epiphany (Three Kings Day, Twelfth Night), Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Chinese New Year, President's Day, Valentine's Day, Purim, St. Patrick's Day, Passover, Easter, Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, Shavuot, Memorial Day, Father's Day, Sweetest Day, Summer Solstice, 4th of July, Labor Day, Sukkot, Grandparents' Day, Rosh Hashanah, Columbus Day, Halloween, Day of the Dead, Diwali, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa--to name a few!

Plus there are seasonal printable crafts for winter, summer, spring fall, Plus there are all occasion crafts: baptism, new baby, anniversary, wedding, bridal shower, bat and bar mitzvahs, birthday, graduation, retirement and more! What kind of free printable crafts can you get from Martha Stewart? There are greeting cards, invitations, party planners, decorations, party games, banners, cut and paste, children's activities, gift crafts and more. Did I mention there are scads of printable holiday recipes, too?

Martha Stewart has all the free printable craft stencils, patterns and templates you need to make lots of cute stuff. I'm quite taken with the adorable vintage Father's Day cards and patriotic Memorial Day paper lanterns. Oh, and parents (grandparents, daycare providers) if you have to occupy youngsters, why not have them make the party crafts? You provide the craft supplies and they will reward you with hours of blissful productivity. Teachers, why not use these free printable crafts in class?

For more free printable craft projects and holiday decor, visit my blogs Green Crafts, Free Printable Holiday and Free Printable Lesson Plans.

Free Printable Origami, Kirigami, Pop up Scissors Craft Patterns, Stencils, Templates

Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding and kirigami is the art of cutting paper to create stand up, pop up or three dimensional figures. Here are free printable origami and kirigami patterns and template for you to cut, fold and create. Family Fun Magazine has free printable origami with patterns and folding lines printed on the paper. There are is a free printable origami frog, fish, turtle, pond scene and origami boat. For details click Free Printable Origami, Kirigami and Pop-up Scissors Craft Patterns, Stencils and Templates 

Free Printable Easter Crafts Activities--Color-Your-Own Cards, Games, Puzzles, 3D Crafts

Easter is the highest season in the Christian church and the second largest national holiday in most countries. Easter has taken on a secular side. If you celebrate Easter with eggs, bunnies and Easter baskets here free printable Easter crafts and activities. Here are websites with free printable Easter crafts, greeting cards, Easter party games, Easter cut and fold crafts, Easter baskets, Easter bunny coloring pages, puzzles, mazes, plus a whole lot more. You can print crafts with Easter baskets, Easter eggs, bunnies, baby animals and all the cute Spring and Easter decorations. Read more at Free Printable Easter Crafts and Activities: Color Your Own Cards, Games, Puzzles, 3D Crafts 

Rediscover the Barney bag for green, cheap kids' craft fun

Barney the bouncy purple dinosaur celebrates his 20th anniversary this year. In 1992, PBS adopted the character into the series Barney & Friends. Over the years, the children's show and its outgoing host have gotten mixed reviews; people either love or despise it. I was early in my mom career with a 3-year-old, 2-year-old and infant when the show aired. My children didn't watch much television and when they did, Barney wasn't their first choice. We did pick up one idea that has become a family tradition: the Barney Bag. Looking for green, inexpensive, easy, creative crafts for anywhere-anytime fun? Why not revisit the Barney Bag? Here's a Q-and-A to get started. Read more at Rediscover the Barney bag for green, cheap kids' craft fun

Lenten Church, Religious Education or Family Devotional Craft

One of the symbols of the Church is the image of a family gathered at table for a meal. We partake of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity or Our Lord as He instructed us. The whole family can relate to the elements of a family meal. From the food to the dishes, vessels and even the tablecloth. We use different table linens to reflect the different seasons in our life. In the summer, we might have a light cloth with images of sun and water and fun. In spring, our table will reflect plants, growing, flowers, etc. At Christmas, the red and green decorates our table. When the table is set, we know that good things will come and we will be nourished.

So many years ago, I decided to make a Lenten tablecloth to focus our thoughts upon the Passion of Christ. It was a family activity that we all could share in and have a part. You can make on just as easily with your family, classroom or religious education class. Read more at Lenten Church, Religious Education or Family Devotional Craft

Free Printable Valentines, Coloring Pages, Cards, Craft Activities

Let's get crafty-cal, crafty-cal! (I know right? Just don't sing the real version!) At Green Crafts we're crafty with a twist: a reduce-renew-reuse-recycle twist. Other than paying for printer ink, these crafts are free. All of them can be printed on any kind of recycled paper you like.

At each holiday I have a few bookmarked websites that I check for free printable crafts, greeting cards, coloring pages and activities. Here are my top favorite free printable valentines crafts websites for Valentine's Day activities. The Toymaker for whimsical, Victorian-inspired Valentine's Day crafts, you can't beat Marilyn's collection at The Toymaker. I've linked you to the Holidays - Valentine's Day page, but be sure to check out all the free printable toys, games, crafts, cut and paste, coloring and novelties at The Toymaker. For Valentine's Day, there are free printable valentine cards, treat boxes, a cute elephant valentine holder, valentine ornaments, treat boxes, a Celtic Valentine's Day treat box, a pixie box, door hangers, party decorations and more. Perfect for preschoolers, homeschoolers, classroom crafts and nursing home craft projects. Let's not forget our senior friends; they love crafts. Read more at Free Printable Valentines, Coloring Pages, Cards, Craft Activities

Free Printable Very Hungry Caterpillar Games

Free Printable Eric Carle Activities from The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle is a beloved childrens' illustrator and author of dozens of books about insects and animals. Here are free printable cut and paste crafts, games, activities, lessons, puzzles and coloring pages from Eric Carle's best known book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. In the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a little caterpillar eats his way through different foods each day of the week. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is used in preschool and kindergarten classrooms teach and explore caterpillars and butterflies, sequencing and days of the week. Read more...