Leaf Critters

Via http://tinkerlab.com/fall-craft-ideas-leaf-critters/

Notes from the Cap'n's Log: Educators-this is a good project for teaching the indefinite articles 'a' and 'an'.   


To make this project you will need:

-autumn leaves in a variety of shapes, dried and cleaned
-permanent markers in assorted colors or acrylic paint (we used the former)
-glue
-white sheet of paper 
-*hobby/craft spray to preserve the flowers (optional but strongly recommended)

Cost: nothing

*Which reminds ye ol' Cap'n Mad Ellen... Adding this crafty item to the provisions' grocery list. X marks the spot.



 

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Creature Features: Toilet Paper Roll Mr. and Mrs. Prometheus

Update: Oooops! Mr. Prometheus required some fine tuning and reconstructive surgery last night (while it thunderstormed.) Patient is resting comfortably and feasting on wild harvested plants, nuts and berries.

Inspiration:




http://tpcraft.blogspot.com/2011/10/toilet-paper-roll-frankenstein.html

http://mysocalledgrownuplife.com/31-days-of-halloween-frightful-frankensteins-bride/

https://www.google.com/search?q=bride+of+frankenstein&biw=1138&bih=798&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=H049VJe9H4fjoATzwoC4Cg&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ



Supplies:


-toilet paper rolls
-paint
-paintbrushes
-black permanent marker
-scissors
-glue
-toilet paper or paper towel (for the Bride's garment)
-scrap pieces of toilet paper roll for the Bride's arms
-metal screws, washers, silver, clear or white pushpins (for Frankie's facelift)





Cost: ø

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Acorn Cap Jewels

http://www.kiwicrate.com/projects/Acorn-Cap-Jewels/574

DAY 1

DAY 2.5

To make you will need:

-acorn caps, cleaned of any dirt and dry
-color markers
-white glue
-*loose glitter?
-sand, clay/Playdough™, dried beans, wire rack or similar to dry the acorns
-patience (at least 48 hours of drying time is required)
-file or sandpaper to file the cap  "stems" so that the caps lay flat.

Cost: ø

*~CME~: I was curious as to what would happen if I used clear glue instead of white glue. I poured clear glue into an empty acorn cap then sprinkled some glitter on top. I think it's pretty, don't you?

DAY 1 We'll check back in 24 hours and see what we have.

DAY 3 

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Dia de los Muertos' Masks

What fun we had crafting yesterday with the cousins!

 ^^ This mask is Effervescent Ethel's.                                         

                                                     ^^Cap'n Mad Ellen's mask.

 
^^This mask won Best Oscar for Use of One Hand 

 ^^ This mask won an Oscar for Best Minimalism.

^^ Waiting for the spray paint to dry...

 ...

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS' MASKS



These *wood laser cut Dia de los muertos' masks were scooped up last month while poking around at Micheals' crafts. At the time the masks were $2.99/25% off and I bought about six (I wasn't sure how quickly they would sell out). A couple days ago I stopped in at Michaels again and they had four masks left in stock and they were half off!


*If you cannot find the wood laser cut masks locally, an alternative would be to make the masks using paper plates. See this link:

http://scrumdillydo.blogspot.com/2010/10/make-paper-plate-calaveras-masks.html


Craft items used:



-spray paint for the background (We use Krylon™ Short Cuts® craft spray paint in the 3 ounce cans. This spray paint comes in a wide range of colors: http://www.krylon.com/products/short-cuts-aerosol-paints/ )
-Sharpie™ permanent markers in a variety of colors including neon colors; metallic colors in silver and bronze
-clear glue
-scissors
-various types of sequins
-cotton swabs/Q Tips™ for spreading glue
-loose glitter in different colors
-plastic beads, assortmend of (I found "frosted" plastic beads for .5-.10 cents each at Ben Franklin)
-a selection of self-adhesive ribbon and rhinestones
-ribbon, string or similar to hang the mask (optional)

In a nutshell: 

1. Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday observed throughout Mexico and around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died.

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   DAY OF THE DEAD SKULLS

   
   

   The prominence of skulls as a Day of the Dead icon harkens back to the days of the Aztecs. Back then, skulls were important icons that illustrated their belief in the existence of an active afterlife. In Mexican culture, skulls continue to symbolize death and rebirth.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   

   Day of the Dead skulls take on many appearances in modern Day of the Dead celebrations. You'll see them as:

   
   

   • Sugar skulls
   • Chocolate candies
   • Pan de muerto(Bread of the Dead)
   • Masks
   • Face-paintings, as part of costumes
   • Papel picado
   • T-shirts and jewelry
   • 
     

   Day of the Dead skulls show up on altars and ofrendas, as well as graveyards and shop windows. Some people people paint their faces with black and white make-up to resemble skulls, while others may wear skull t-shirts bearing colorful sugar skull designs. Wooden or paper skull masks are also popular to wear during Day of the Dead festivities. Sugar skullsand chocolate skulls are popular gifts enjoyed by both the living and the dead. You can get them customized with the recipient's name written upon the skull's forehead. It's not creepy – it's cool!

   
   

   Skulls are called calaverasin Spanish, so you will often see Day of the Dead skulls referred to as "calaveras".

   
   
   Text is copyright protected © Thaneeya LLC:http://www.celebrate-day-of-the-dead.com/day-of-the-dead-icons.html#ixzz3FmqwLoxw

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Painted Pine Cone Pumpkins

http://www.allfreekidscrafts.com/Fall-Kids-Crafts/Pine-Cone-Pumpkin-Crafts-from-Plaid

To make these, you will need:


-orange paint
-pine cones, dried
-green paint, optional (*if* you want to paint the twig stem green)
-clear glue
-twigs for the pumpkins' stems
-green florist wire, thin (we can buy these individually at most any florist's shop)
-wire rack to dry the pine cones

Cost: ø

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Floral Wire Pumpkins

Found here: http://madincrafts.com/dollar-store-floral-wire-pumpkins/

~CME~: The original directions use a "twistie tie" to connect the pumpkin but I cut the orange wire long enough to wrap it around to secure the pumpkin together. Then, using the same orange wire, I used it to attach the green wire stem.

You will need:


-wire: orange for the pumpkin and green for the stem (don't use a wire gauge that is too thin or too thick for the pumpkins. My orange colored 22 gauge wire was a bit too flimsy for this craft project.)
-wire cutters
-cylindrical objects to wrap the wire (we tested with two different size dowels, a ball point pen, a pencil, a knitting needle and a crochet hook)

Cost: ø





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WHoooo Framed Fabric Owl?

Drawing our inspiration from this owl pattern design:

http://www.twomoreminutes.com/blog/owl-tag-toy-pattern-and-tutorial


'WHoooo Framed Fabric Owl?' by Effervescent Ethel 

 Tools:


-scrap fabric pieces or specialty paper for the body parts
-fabric or background paper for the frame
-pattern (see link above)
-fabric glue (such as Alene's™)
-sewing and craft scissors
-ribbon for the feathers and talons
-pencil or fabric pencil for tracing
-lightweight iron on Pellon™ (optional but recommended for more stability)
-iron
-Fray Check™ for the ribbons ends (optional unless you like the ends raveled)
-wire rack or similar for drying the owl


Cost: $1.00 for frame (Dollar Tree)

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