Easter Bunny Sewing Craft

This week we hand sewed "Stuffed Alien Wabbits" from soft polar fleece fabric. 

In the interest of time, I pre-traced the bunny template so the children could focus on the hand-sewing part of the craft. 

Using embroidery floss and a "crewel #2" sewing needle, the facial features were first sewn into place. A thick knot was used for the pupil of the eye, and corners of the mouth. 

For outer the edges of the bunny, a simple "over-under stitch" or "whip stitch" worked beautifully. For those who have a little more stitching experience, a "blanket stitch" is also nice.

We stuffed the bunnies with polyester fiberfill purchased from Joannes fabrics.

Age: 2nd grade and older    
Time allowed: 2 hours

Recycled Vinyl Records Craft

  

I first saw the idea of recycling old vinyl records and turning them into spinning tops many years ago in an article by Karen Powell of "KidsCraft Magazine ." I decided to try it with my after-school-class. It was a huge success.

Several of my students had never seen a vinyl record before so I began with a short history lesson using an old portable record player I brought to the classroom. I demonstrated how to play records by lifting the player arm, finding the wide spaces between grooves, and gently placing the needle into the grooves. I showed different record speeds, 33, 45 and 78. They loved the fast speed that made the music sound like chipmunks were singing! We talked about how rap musicians turn the record back and forth to make scratchy tones common in their music today. The kids were simply fascinated.

There is an abundance of old records today because we don't use vinyl anymore. Vinyl records have been replaced by C.D.s and portable downloads. So it's fun to find ways
 to recycle old records and give them a second life.

Instructions:
1) Begin with a clean old record. You can find them in places like garage sales, goodwill or even at your parents and grandparent's homes.

2)  Next, cut several shapes of colored paper and glue them onto the record with a glue stick, or modgepodge. Punch the center hole with a sharp pencil, or icepick. Help the students with this process.

3) Insert an old pencil pointed end first, coming up from the under side of the record, until it catches on the metal band around the eraser.

4) Next, take a soft plastic lid - the kind used on milk jugs - and poke a hole into the center with a nail or ice pick. Carefully help the students do this to avoid injury. Place the lid over the pencil and push it down to the record. This will keep the paper and pencil in place.

5) Decorate the pencil with pipe cleaners and paper.

6) To spin, hold both sides of the record like a steering wheel and spin.

Paper Poppies Craft

Does this poppy look real to you?

Would you believe it's made from paper napkins from the Dollar Store?

This craft is one of my favorites. It's simple enough for children to make, and priced to fit any budget. 

The result? Happiness and a smile.

These napkin flowers are perfect decorations for just about any occasion. Bridal Shower... Baby Shower...Birthday party.... You name it. 

I hosted a craft party at my home recently with a group of other parents. Together we made an assortment of colorful bouquets that will grace tables and halls during our local elementary school Art Show.

Read on for a list of supplies and instructions.

Thanksgiving Feather Craft

Recently I needed an easy Thanksgiving craft for preschoolers to do at our local hospital. I remembered a feathered mask I tried on after a Las Vegas Cirque Du Soleil Show.

It became the inspiration for my simplified version that could work easily as a Thanksgiving Indian feathered headpiece. Read on for instructions and sources.

1) Start with packages of bulk feathers. They come in many colors and are fairly inexpensive. I found mine at Walmart, Micheals, and Joannes.

2) Cut a large piece of brown sheet foam into several 2 inch wide strips, using the entire lenth of sheeting. These will be the imitation "leather" headband.

3) Punch holes aproximately 1" apart (horizontally) and 1/2" apart vertically from each other in each of the "leather" bands with a 1/8" paper punch.

4) Tie a 6" length of ribbon on each end of the headband.

5) Let the children pick their feathers, then inserted them one at a time into each top hole, and back through the bottom. Easy peesy. No messy glue and the feathers really held in place well.

This headband was made using white Turkey Feather Quills. I love how it turned out.

Day of the Dead skull sewing craft

 For the fun Mexican Holiday, Day of the Dead, my class made stuffed plushy skulls.

 We embellished with a smattering of sequins.

Once completed, the skulls measure about 11" tall and 8" wide.

Day of the Dead is on November 1st. It's a great way to celebrate the life of those who have passed in a fun, happy and colorful way.

Happy Dia De Los Muertos!