Gift FAQ...Part 6...LONG
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GIFT FAQ.....PART # 6
Easter Baskets
Here is a craft my grandmother used in her classroom of first graders
for many years.
You'll need:
o pint milk or juice carton
o cotton balls
o pink yarn
o something to make eyes and nose (buttons, gumdrops or other
candy or whatever you like)
Close the top of the empty carton. Position the carton on its side
with the top closed edge vertical. Then on the side which is facing
up, cut along the two long edges and the bottom edge. Hold flap up
slightly and cut it to form two rabbit ears pointing away from the
pointed end of carton.
Cover the entire outer part of the carton with cotton balls including
the ears. Use a small piece of yarn to make outline of pink for the
inner ear. Use buttons or whatever you chose to make eyes and nose on
the pointed end of the carton. Place extra cotton balls for tail. Fill
carton with Easter grass and candy.
Nora
Bunny Mask
o paper plate
o pink construction paper
o pink and/or white pipe cleaners
o yarn
Using the paper plate, cut out eyes and nose in the plate. Cut out
bunny ears from pink paper and glue to the plate. Use pipe cleaners to
make whiskers, attach to plate by poking through and knotting at back,
or glue on. Use yarn to tie to either side of plate to tie on your
little one's head.
Chicks in a basket
o egg carton
o cotton balls
o yellow food dye
o shredded paper (optional)
o bits of orange paper
o marker
Dip one large cotton ball in yellow dye diluted with water. Let dry.
Cut egg carton so you have one section. Place a bit of shredded paper
(color optional) in bottom of section. When yellow cotton ball is dry
draw eyes on top to make eyes. Cut out very small triangle of orange
paper and glue on yellow cotton ball to make chicks beak. Sit chick in
carton section to make the chick in the basket.
Note: Many people have commented that the cotton balls - once dyed -
will not dry - or take forever - anyone out there have any suggestions
on correcting this?
Paper plate bunny
o large paper plate
o small paper plate
o glue
o pink construction paper
o cotton ball
o crayons or markers
Using paper plates, glue small one to top of large one to form head
and body. Cut out bunny ears from pink paper. Glue or staple to
head.Draw eyes and nose on face of plate with crayons or markers. Glue
a cotton ball on the back for a tail.
Easter Bunny Ears
o Construction paper (pink, white and/or brown)
o Glue
Cut out bunny ears with the white and pink paper (pink should be
slightly smaller) or use two tones of brown for a chocolate bunny.
Glue the pink on white to make ears. (or brown). Make a 2-inch band
long enough to go around your child's head. Staple in place. Attach
bunny ears to band.
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Belly Bunny
Here is an Easter idea I used to make with my Mom as a kid and plan to
make with my daughter when she is older.
Need:
o Large Styrofoam Ball
o A plastic or unbreakable jar with a screw on lid (ex. Mason Jar,
Jelly jar, Peanut butter jar, etc.)
o Construction Paper, White, Pink, and either Black, Blue, Brown,
or Green
o Cotton Balls
o Toothpicks
o A pink, blue or yellow ribbon (optional)
o Glue
A grown-up should cut the bottom of the styrofoam ball just enough so
it will sit flat on the table. Then have the kids draw and cut out
black, blue, brown, or green eyes, (if you want them to match your
child's eyes), white bunny ears with pink ear insides (both ears
should be cut so the bottom of the ear is cut straight across), and a
pink nose.
Glue a cotton ball in the center of the styrophom ball (nose) then
glue the small pink nose to the center of the cotton ball. Glue the
eyes on to the styrofoam ball. While the glue is drying take the white
bunny ears and the slightly smaller (should be same shape) pink ear
insides. Lay the white ears down and glue a tooth pick (or two for
more stability) to the front side of the white ear with half of the
toothpick/s on the ear and half hanging off the bottom of the ear.
Then take and glue the back side of the pink ear on top of the
toothpick and white ear. Do this for each ear.
Next glue the styrofoam ball to the top of the jar lid which can be
decorated with a paper doily, markers or whatever you may have. Screw
the lid on and whichever way the bunny faces, on the other side glue a
cottonball at the bottom of the jar (tail). When the ears dry stick
the toothpick, that is hanging out from the bottom of the ears, into
the top of the styrophom ball. You can tie a ribbon around the edge of
the jar lid.
Fill your bunny with jelly beans, or M&M's or a treat like raisin's or
dried fruit. The child can take the bunny to school and share their
treats with the class. It is really cute and if the child wants to get
creative they can decorate the jar with stickers.
After easter hold crayons, marbles, pencils, etc.
Tanya A. Moore
Paper Mache Eggs
o Paper mache paste
o balloon
o tape
o 1-inch pieces newspaper, newsprint or paper toweling
o pie tin
o paint brushes
o colored tissue paper (optional)
o shellac
Paper mache recipe
o 1 cup water
o Mix in 1/4 cup flour until thin and runny
Stir this mixture into 5 cups lightly boiling water. Gently boil for
2-3 minutes. Cool until you can dip paper into mixture without burning
yourself.
Eggs
Make paper mache paste as above. When cool pour into pie tin. Blow up
a balloon and tape to a table. Dip strips of newspaper in paste and
place carefully on balloon. Continue overlapping pieces of newspaper
on balloon. Cover balloon completely and let dry. It may take
overnight to dry, particularly if children have use lots of paste.
Once dry decorate the dried ballon with paint or colored tissue in
pretty pastel Easter colors. Finish with shellac for a shiny, glazed
effect.
Easter parade bonnet
o Paper plate
o construction paper
o crayons or markers
o glue
o yarn
Children can decorate the paper plate any way they wish. Glue on
pieces of pastel paper, color flowers on plate, use your imagination.
Tie yard to each side of plate so it can be tied under child's chin.
or
o construction paper
o crayons, markers or stickers
o tape or stapler
o scissors
o elastic thread or ribbon
Let children decorate a piece of paper. Make hat by folding paper into
a cone shape, tape or staple together. Cut bottom so it is even.
Staple a length of elastic thread or ribbon on each side to hold hat
on.
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Bunnies, Ducks and Baskets
Paper plate Bunny Masks:
o staple ears to a paper plate - ones that look like rabbit ears
o cut out eyes, glue or draw on nose and mouth
o cover plate with cotton balls for fur
o attach string to hold up around head
Paper plate Duck Masks:
same idea as above , but use yellow feathers instead of cotton balls (
also, they don't have to be masks).
Egg carton Mini-Easter Baskets:
o use individual egg buckets (from egg carton)
o ribbon for handle
o put in easter grass, jelly beans, etc.
We've always done an Easter tree using budding branches from outside,
place them in a vase and decorate with homemade or store bought
decorations.
Kristin Decatur
Eggshell Mosaic
A great way to use up the remains of the Easter eggs. Children will
love breaking up the eggshells.
o Colored eggshells
o construction paper
o crayon, pen or marker
o glue
On a piece of paper have child draw a simple design (e.g. flower,
balloon, kite, egg). Spread glue in design area. Sprinkle bits of
broken eggshells onto glue. Allow to dry then hang and enjoy.
No-bake craft clay
o 1 cup cornstarch
o 1 1/4 cups cold water
o 2 cups baking soda
o food coloring (optional)
o paint (optional)
Add all ingredients in saucepan and stir over medium heat for about 4
minutes.Mixture should be consistency of moist mashed potatoes. Add
food coloring if desired.
Remove from heat, turn on a plate and cover with a damp cloth. Let
cool. When cool knead like dough. At this point you may store in an
airtight container.
For Easter shape clay into egg shapes. Let dry and paint. You may also
flatten one side and glue to brooch backs to make Easter jewellery.
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Egg Decorating
What would be Easter without decorating and coloring eggs? Here are
are some homemade dyes you can use and some different decorating
ideas:
The eggs
The first thing you need is either hard boiled or blown eggs. If you
use hard boiled eggs hey must be kept refrigerated if you intend to
eat them Do not eat if they have been left our or painted with acrylic
paints. If you want to keep your decorated eggs it is best to use
blown eggs. However, blown eggs are much more fragile and harder for
young kids to handle.
To make a blown egg poke a small hole in each end of the egg with a
large needle. Push needle into egg and twist around to break yoke.
Hold the egg over a bowl and blow hard through th hole until the shell
is empty. Rinse eggshells well and allow to dry. (save the raw eggs
and scramble for breakfast).
Natural dye
o Various food and plant items
o Sauce pans for each color
o Slotted spoon
o strainer
o cooking oil
o soft cloth
Pour 1/2 cup water in each sauce pan. Add cut-up fruit, vegetables or
plants (carrots, blueberries, grass, coffee all work well). Bring to a
boil and simmer until water turns color you like. Remove from heat and
strain reserving water. When water is cool add boiled or blown eggs.
Let sit until they turn the desired color. Remove with slotted spoon
and allow to dry. Polish with small amount of cooking oil and soft
cloth.
Crepe paper dye
o Different color crepe paper
o hot water
o small bowls or cups
o slotted spoon
o cooking oil
o soft cloth
Soak crepe paper in hot water in individual bowls or cups for each
color. Add eggs and allow to sit in water until he desired color is
achieved. Remove with slotted spoon and allow to dry. Polish with
small amount of cooking oil and soft cloth.
Food coloring dye
o Food coloring
o hot water
o white vinegar
o small bowls or cups
o slotted spoon
o cooking oil
o soft cloth
For each color measure 1/4 tsp. food coloring in small bowl. Add 3/4
cup hot water and 1 tbsp. white vinegar to each color. Add eggs and
allow to sit until they are the desired color. Remove with slotted
spoon. Polish dry eggs with small amount of cooking oil and soft
cloth.
Waxed eggs
o Wax crayons
o paper towels
o egg dyes in different colors
o slotted spoon
o cooking oil
o soft cloth
Draw a heavy crayon patter on hard boiled egg. Dip egg in egg dye
preferably a dark color. Leave in dye until desired color is reached.
Remove with slotted spoon and place in 200 degree F oven for a few
minutes until wax is melted. Wipe with paper towel and dip again in
lighter dye to fill in pattern where wax was. Polish finished eggs
with cooking oil and soft cloth.
Dip and dye eggs
o Masking tape
o Different color egg dye
o slotted spoon
o cooking oil
o soft cloth
Stick a pattern of masking tap on plain hard boiled egg. Dip egg in
egg dye and leave until desired color is reached. Remove with slotted
spoon and air dry. Remove masking ape when dry. Leave masked areas
white or dip again in another lighter dye. Polish finished egg with
cooking oil and soft cloth.
Marble eggs
o Large glass jar
o Crayon stubs
o Vegetable grater
o Hot water
o Waxed paper or newspaper
o Empty egg carton
o Clear acrylic spray (optional)
Grate peeled crayons over waxed paper. Fill jar with very hot water.
Drop bits of grated crayon into water. Add hard boiled or blown egg as
soon as crayon begins to melt. Twirl egg in water with spoon. the wax
should make a design on the egg. Carefully remove egg and set
upside-down in egg carton to dry. Once dry spray with clear acrylic to
seal.
Sponge painted eggs
o Liquid tempra paint
o paper cups (for each color)
o small pieces of foam or sponge
o clothes pins (for each color)
o egg cups
o clear acrylic spray
Place hard boiled or blown eggs in egg cups. Partially fill paper cups
with different colors of paint. Clip a piece of sponge to a clothes
pin and dip into paper cups, use the clothes pin as a handle. Lightly
dab the sponge over the top half of the egg. Let dry. Turn egg over
and repeat procedure. Let the egg dry completely. If using blown eggs,
spray with acrylic spray for a permanent finish.
Commercial shrink wraps
Most retailers now sell plastic shrink wraps for egg decorating. All
you do is cut out the wraps. Slip over a hard boiled egg and dip in
boiling water. Wrap will shrink onto the eggs. There are several
designs available on the market.
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World's Best Chocolate Easter Eggs
These delicious cream filled eggs taste just like a very famous store
bought one. They are easy to make and kids and adults love them.
Ingredients:
o 1 cup soft butter
o 2 tsp salt
o 4 tsp vanilla
o 1 can condensed milk (Eagle Brand)
o 10 cups icing sugar
o 1 tsp. yellow food coloring
o 1 lb. semi-sweet chocolate
Method:
Beat butter, salt and vanilla until fluffy. Add milk, beat in sugar.
Blend until stiff. Dust with brown sugar. Knead til smooth.
Set aside more then 2/3 of mixture. To the remaining mixture add
yellow food coloring. Blend in well. Divde yellow and white into 16 or
24 pieces. Shape yellow into ball, mould white around yellow to form
an egg shape. Dry at room temperature on paper towels for 24 hours.
Melt chocolate in double boiler or in microwave until smooth. Dip eggs
in chocolate. (parafin wax may be added and melted with chocolate to
prevent chocolate from melting in your hands). Once dipped cool at
room temperature. Refrigerate after cool.
When sliced these eggs will have a white cream filling with a yellow
filling that appears to be the yolk. They look nice sitting in an
Easter basket!!
Bird Nest Cupcakes
o Your favorite cupcake mix
o Your favorite frosting mix
o Long strand coconut
o jelly beans (pastel easter colors)
Bake your cupcakes. When cool frost with white or chocolate frosting.
Decorate with coconut around the outside circle of cupcake. Place
colored jelly beans in centre. Coconut can be toasted if you prefer a
brown nest!
Easter Cupcakes
Want to make a hit? For holiday,birthday or any occasion you can think
of, make your favorite cupcakes and then...buy any design of stickers.
Cover the sticky side with colored paper or just a white piece of a
page.Either cover the whole picture with Saran wrap and place directly
on previously frosted cupcakes or make sure the picture has a pretty
stiff back, glue or scotch tape a toothpick to the back of the picture
and insert in the cupcake.
There are a multitute of stickers out there.Look around and have fun.
Syliva Garcia
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Seed Pocket Valentine
1. Trace the pattern onto brown paper with black ink or marker.
2. Paint banners, leaves and flowers with a light wash of color, referring
to photograph.
3. After acrylic paint has dried, go over lettering and other area with ink
as needed.
4. Cut out pockets with pinking shears. Glue pockets to batting.
5. Pink edges of batting 1/4 inch larger all around the pocket.
6. Glue batting to a second layer of brown paper, leaving top edge open.
7. Pink edges of bottom layer of brown paper 1/4 inch larger. Glue flowers
in pocket.
8. Tie a small bow in the center of a length of jute. Secure knot with
FrayCheck.
9. Knot jute ends together, glue to back of pocket. Glue a strip of brown
paper over knot.
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TIE TREE SKIRT
What You Need:
* Needle
* Thread
* Embroidery Floss (3-4 colors)
* Sewing Scissors
* Fabric Scissors
* Marker
* Straight Edge
* Tape measure
* Approximately 30 old neckties (pick-up from thrift
stores, yard sales, flea markets)
* Fusible web
* Iron
* Pins
Instructions:
1) Take each tie fold in half to at least 28" in length
from the front tip. Cut. Then with a sharp scissor or seam
ripper, snip the stitches up the length of the back seam.
Remove interfacing. Repeat with each tie. Back of tie
becomes seam allowance.
2) Place together two ties with right sides facing, taking
care to match tips. On one side, pin together long edges
only following the crease of the tie tapering in towards
the center. (If it is easier, use a straight edge and
marker to mark the pin line).
3) With a needle and thread, sew pieces together with a
simple straight stitch. Repeat, adding each tie in the same
manner. Work with only 6-7 ties (or about 1/4 of finished
skirt) at a time.
4) When through, sew together each quarter in the same
manner, leaving the last seam open for the back split.
5) Turn under raw edges of last seam, pin and stitch.
6) Press seams down.
7) To finish center (neck), turn under raw edges and pin,
snipping as you go to create inner circle. Stitch.
8) For backing: Lay sewn tie skirt right side up on top of
fusible web (adhesive side up). Trace outline of skirt onto
web with marker. Cut web approximately 1/4" less than
outline.
9) With hot (silk setting) dry iron, press skirt to web
taking care not to wrinkle silks. Press one at a timeto
ensure no wrinkling. Do not pass iron back and forth. Give
firm pressure in each spot for approximately 10 seconds.
10) Further embellish with decorative stitches. Use a few
colors of embroidery floss to embellish skirt with a
whipstitch, herringbone or blanket stitch.
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Valentine Crafts
Heart People
Using red,white and pink construction paper, trace and cut
different sizes of hearts ranging in size from two to six inches.
Glue the hearts together in different combinations to form heart
people, using large hearts for the head and body, smaller ones
for arms and legs, etc. You can also try making Heart Animals.
Draw on eyes, noses, ears and whiskers!!
Weave a Heart for Valentine's Day
1. Use two colors of construction paper or shiny red paper combined
with heavy white paper or two contrasting colors of any sturdy
paper.
2. Cut a 4 inch by 12 inch strip from each color of paper. Fold each
piece in half crosswise to measure 4 inches by 6 inches. Cut into
the folded edge at 1 inch intervals, to make three slashes about
4 1/4 inches long.
3. To weave the first row, (illustration A) slip row 1 into row A,
slip row A into row 2, slip row 3 into row A, and slip row A into
row 4.
4. To weave the second row, (illustration B) slip row B into row 1,
slip row 2 into row B, slip row B into row 3, and slip row 4 into
row D.
5. For row three, row C follows the same weaving as row A and for
the fourth row, row D follows the same weaving as row B. Adjust
the rows to fit neatly.
6. Round the open ends to resemble a heart and line the heart with
a paper doily (illustration C). Use your creative ability to
decorate the heart in novel ways for the special people you want
to remember on Valentine's Day. Fill the heart with wrapped
candies, cookies, or a handwritten love note. Deliver carefully
and present with a hug.
Chain of love
Cut strips of red, white and pink construction paper, three to
four inches long, and one-half to one inch wide. Form a circle
with one strip, gluing or stapling the ends together. Take the
next strip and loop it through the first circle, again gluing or
stapling the ends together. Continue on and make a chain as long
as you wish. Use to decorate walls, windows and doorways.
A picture says a thousand words
Make simple frames - heart shaped - from cardboard and red or
pink construction paper. Use the cardboard shape for the back.
Use the construction paper for front. Cut out shape so picture
can be put between both. (Choose picture of your favorite sweetie
or children) Glue edges when all together. Glue a magnet to the
back for hanging on the refrigerator.
Heart brooch
Use the following simple Play Dough recipe to make heart
shaped broaches. Make the dough then shape into hearts.
Before dry press pins into backs of hearts (these can be bought
at any craft store). When dry paint with Valentine colors and had
out to friends.
Play Dough
1 cup flour
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon oil
1/4 cup salt
food coloring
Mix all ingredients, adding food coloring last. Stir over medium
heat until smooth. Remove from pan and knead until blended
smooth. Place in plastic bag or airtight container when cooled.
Will last for a long time.
Kool-Aid Play Dough
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid
1/4 cup salt
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
1 cup water
Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar and Kool-Aid in a medium pot Add
water and oil. Stir over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes. When mixture
forms a ball in pot, remove. Knead until smooth. Put in a plastic
bag and refrigerate.
Hearts from the Hands
What kids don't love finger painting. Make a special batch of
red, white and pink paint up for Valentines and let the kids go
crazy creating special Holiday pictures.
Finger Paint
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 cups cold water
food coloring
Mix ingredients in saucepan. Boil until mixture thickens. Cool,
pour into containers I usually double this recipe, omit the food
coloring, and pour this into several jars, then add the food
colors.
Valentine Placemats
Gather up Valentines cards from past years. Glue onto
light cardboard or construction paper in decorative
fashion the size of a placemat. Cover this collage with clear
contact paper to seal the placemat. Be sure to have your child
date and sign it. These make great gifts for grandparents.
Cinnamon ornaments
No baking and simple for kids! Mix 3/4-1 cup applesauce with one
4.12-oz. bottle ground cinnamon to form a stiff dough. Roll out
to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutter (heart shape of
course). Make hole for ribbon. Carefully put on rack to dry. Let
air dry several days, turning occasionally. Makes 12 sweet
smelling ornaments.
Cinnamon ornaments
1 cup cinnamon
1tbsp cloves
1tbsp Nutmeg
3/4 cup applesauce (Let drain in a strainer for several hours)
2 tbsp white glue
Mix cinnamon, cloves & nutmeg add applesauce & glue. Work mixture
with hands until smooth and well mixed. Divide into 4 portions
roll out to 1/4 inch thickness cut with cookies cutters. Use
straw to make hole for hanging (if needed). Put on wire rack to
dry at room temp for several days. Turn twice daily so they don't
curl. Use ribbon to hang if needed.
Cinnamon figurines
3 3/4 ounces of ground cinnamon
23 ounce jar applesauce
Pour cinnamon into bowl. Add applesauce by the spoonful, stirring
until a stiff dough forms. Mix dough thoroughly by hand.
This recipe is for making little bear figurines, so you basically
roll the dough into balls for the body, head, etc and mush them
together. The same recipe would probably work for other kinds of
modeling or for rolling out and using cookie cutters.
Window dressing
Fold several pieces of paper in half and cut out heart shapes in
varying sizes. Use the pieces of paper that the hearts have been
cut out of as stencils. Tape them to a window in an interesting
arrangement and spray with artificial snow. Remove stencils to
see the heart shapes on the windows.
Fancy mobile
Have your child punch holes in his/her valentines, thread and
hang them from a hanger to create a mobile. Or take two hangers
and cross them together then hang valentines from them. Hang
finished mobile from a curtain rod or picture hook.
Holiday hairpiece
Using play dough make several small heart shapes. Let dry. When
dry paint with red, pink or white tempra paint. Hot glue the
small hearts to old hair barettes, add some ribbon and you have
some festive holiday hair clips.
Heart Lunch Bags
Decorate your children's brown paper lunch bags for the occasion.
Use potatoes cut in half and carved into the shape of hearts. Dip
in paint and press onto paper bags. Use red, white and pink
paints for that festive touch.
Holiday food
Gelatin Hearts
The idea for these gelatin hearts is based on the recipe for Knox
Blocks first developed by Knox Gelatin Inc. They are "great for
children's snacks and they make lovely garnishes for sweet salads
or desserts. Most kids just love them!
Gelatin Hearts
2 1/2 cups of water or fruit juice
4 (3 ounce) packages of strawberry, raspberry or cherry gelatin
(may use sugar-free gelatin, if desired)
Combine water and gelatin in 2-quart glass measure and heat on
HIGH power in the microwave for 3 to 5 minutes or until the water
is boiling. Stir until gelatin is dissolved. Pour into heart
shaped molds, or pour in a 9 or 10 inch square pan and
refrigerate until gelatin is set. Unmold heart shapes or use a
small heart shaped cookie cutter to cut out hearts.
Jello Jiggler Hearts
SImilar to Knox recipe. Use recipe on boxes of Jello. Make jello
using 3 small boxes of jello and 3 cups hot water. Set in baking
pan with edges. When set cut into shapes with cookie cutter -
heart of course is the most popular shape this time of year.