Handcrafts & Holidays

With the upcoming holiday season, I thought it would be fun to get a head start on our holiday gifts. I thereby planned an afternoon of handcrafts for our newly formed 4-H Adventurers club. Coincidentally, we haven't yet come up with a clever name for our group - if you have an idea, please share! :D

There were 6 stations set up throughout our house... allowing the kids to choose what was of most interest to them. Though everyone had an opportunity to do ALL of the stations at least once. A few stations were visited a second time once everyone had had an opportunity to complete the project.

Everyone had different opinions about what was their favorite station. Sweetie said she most enjoyed making the magical fairy. Buddy opted to play with his friends rather than do the planned activity. Given the option, I figured he would. With so many little friends in the house, I always get a little nervous. I was delighted that we all had a great time and there were absolutely no conflicts! Scented Pine Cones ~ 1. Paint Elmer's glue onto a pine cone. 2. Put the cone into a shoe box with a mix of spices (ground gloves, all spice, cinnamon, etc.) and shake vigorously. 3. Set aside to dry. 4. Tie on a colorful ribbon.Glass Bulbs w/ Paper Strips ~ 1. Carefully slip rolled slips of patterned scrapbook paper into a clear glass bulb style ornament. The more paper the better. 2. Tie on a ribbon or two.Polymer Clay Keychains ~ 1. Roll out a small ball (about the same diameter as a quarter) of polymer clay. We used Sculpey Ultra Light (it's white, easily moldable and can be painted once baked hard). 2. Gently squish down to flatten (about 5mm thick). 3. Press a rubber stamp image onto the clay. 4. Poke a hole near the top for a jump ring. 5. Bake in an oven according to package instructions (takes about 15 min). 6. Paint as desired and allow to dry. 7. Attach jump ring and key ring. *Can alternatively be used as a pendant. (This was my favorite! I plan to make several more for friends.)
Imaginative Nature Craft ~ Using their imaginations, materials found in nature (pine cones, pieces of pine cones, seeds, twigs, seashells, etc.), and man made materials (ribbon, confetti, etc.) the kids made sculptures with hot glue guns (YES - A mom did the glueing for the little ones). Sweetie loved this station! She made a little fairy, complete with a magic wand.Cloth Wrapped Wire ~ 1. Cut a desired length of wire. We used 20 gauge galvanized wire and it was difficult to manipulate but it did the job. 2. Bend and twist the wire into desired shape. 3. Twist the ends together to close the shape. 4. Wrap with strips of fabric. 5. When the two ends come together, tie them as you would your shoe laces (bow not necessary). Optional: Glue on a couple of buttons.Wooden Ornament ~ 1. Use decoupage or diluted Elmer's glue to adhere torn pieces of patterned scrapbook paper or tissue paper to a wooden shape. We used 'bulb shaped' pieces of balsa wood (pre-cut shapes available at a craft store) and cardboard stars and hearts. 2. Glue on gems or glitter if desired. 3. Add a ribbon loop for hanging.

It was a great afternoon for everyone!

If you would like more ideas for the upcoming holidays - including freebies - follow this link to Lilliput's Online Christmas Party!