DIY Nativity

Original design Fimo™sculptures by Effervescent Ethel.  Manger design and construction by our beloved Cap'n Mad Ellen.

Loosely inspired by:


http://pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com/2010/12/homemade-christmas-homemade-nativity.html

Provisions you'll need:


Figures:

-Fimo™
-*buttons (optional)
-glue

* I glued a button under the Mary and Joseph figurine so they would stand up straight. They were wobbly and uneven on the bottom.

Nativity:

-scrap cardboard or similar
-scissors
-tape (adhesive or masking)
-(optional) very small hammer
-glue
-specialty paper/construction paper and/or scrap paper to cover the box, construct the cradle and for the hay  (I used leftover scraps of paint chip sample paper to cover the floor interior, background and for the front of the manger.)

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(Photo found on Google.)

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Paint Chip Christmas Trees

Yesterday the Crafty Crew had ample time to craft our paint chip trees due to the fact we were snowbound on board her lady the Ebony Oyster.

http://blog.subtlecoolness.com/2012/11/25/christmas-tree-craft-from-paint-color


More inspiration here:





https://www.google.com/search?q=paint+chip+craft&espv=210&es_sm=119&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=jJWiUv7THojtoATqkIDYAQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1101&bih=1222&dpr=1#es_sm=119&espv=210&q=paint+chip+trees&spell=1&tbm=isch



What you'll need:

-Paint chips (various colors of your choice)

-decoration ideas: (Holiday) buttons, (holiday) stickers, jewelry findings, yarn, greeting cards, sequins/rhinestones, feathers, pearls, etc.
-specialty paper for background and also decorating (for example we used self-adhesive glitter paper to make the icicles on the trees)
-glue
-scissors
-hole punch

Cost: price varies depending on the decorations




Cap'n Mad Ellen's joined in on the crafty fun!:

Real snow background!

CHECK THIS OUT-

Expanding the craft lesson (for teachers/homeschoolers):


http://the-room-mom.com/ranking-words/
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#12: Those Pop Art Circles

Number #12

Do you remember these? I do! Not sure if "pop art circles" (or "bad boys") is the correct name but I can recall drawing countless pop art circles in grammar school (when I should have been doing my school assignments). *By the way, this is an ideal craft project for teaching basic geometric shapes.*

^^Images from the following website:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/things-you-will-never-be-able-to-forget

"50 Things You Will Never Be Able To Forget

If we forget the past, then we are doomed to eat green ketchup again."

After completing your drawing including coloring now take the piece of paper and look at it. Turn the paper 90º and look at it, repeat until you've done a 360º. What do you see? Perhaps you don't see anything at all or maybe you see a mountain, or an octopus or a flower?


Effervescent Ethel saw a "bride mermaid" and I, Cap'n Mad Ellen saw a swan and added an eye.

Total: cost of the sheets of paper, crayons

*Variation: make square and rectangle designs instead of circles!



Cap'n Mad Ellen's

EE's 'Rectangle Square Dog' (which she chose not to color):

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Coffee Filter Autumn Leaves

For full instructions go here:


http://www.lilsugar.com/Coffee-Filter-Fall-Leaves-Art-Project-Kids-25219841


Cost: not much

The coffee filters drying-

Ta da!  

Paper Apple Tree

Using pieces of scrap paper, Effervescent Ethel constructed this Apple Tree.

Sources and inspiration:

https://www.google.com/search?q=quick+thanksgiving+crafts&espv=210&es_sm=119&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=tO2MUp7QJaewjAL8q4HQCg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1101&bih=1041#es_sm=119&espv=210&q=apple+tree+craft&tbm=isch&imgdii=_

and:

http://www.iheartcraftythings.com/2012/09/apple-tree-craft.html

To make your Paper Apple Tree you will need:


-construction paper: red, two shades of green and orange
-construction paper for background, tree, apples and leaves
-glue
-red ink
-toilet paper roll or roll from a package of aluminum or paper towels cut in half lengthwise
-scissors
-(optional) we used stamps to make an apple print on red paper and a stamp to print autumn leaves on orange paper then cut them out.
-(optional) brown construction paper or brown paint for the tree trunk. I used specialty paper that looks like wood and glued it on.










Cost: hardly any cost

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Glittery Pinecones 101

Cap'n's Log--CME 21 November Year of our Lord 1713

After two days in a row, row, row your boat of craft fails (failies) the crew of the Ebony Oyster took leave to craft something that was easy, satisfying and with virtually no chance of failure:

Back on course, of course! Huzzah!

What you'll need:

-pinecones (if freshly gathered, dry them out completely overnight or in a very low oven)

-clear glue

-small paint dish 

-loose glitter (Any color of your choice. Gold always being our first choice naturally.)

-bamboo skewer, pencil or similar to 

 stir the pinecone in the glue

-wax paper to protect your craft area and to allow the pinecones to dry on a surface without sticking

-wipes or a damp towel for messes

-(optional) string, yarn, etc. to hang the pinecone.

To make: Pour some glue into a small paint dish. Toss the pinecone one at a time into the dish and swirl the dish until the pinecone is evenly coated with glue. You may need to add more glue.

Set the pinecone on a piece of wax paper and decorate all around with loose glitter. Use a skewer or similar to help turn it. 

Set the pinecone aside to dry on another piece of wax paper. 

You'll need to allow the pinecones to dry  thoroughly overnight.

(Optional) If desired, tie a piece of yarn, ribbon, string or fishing line to the top of the pinecone to hang it on a Christmas tree, in a window, from the ceiling, etc. 

Craft tip: if you use green loose glitter your pinecones will instantly become mini Christmas trees that you can decorate as desired!


Cost: Very inexpensive. You can find glitter at Dollar Tree.





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Paint Chip Thanksgiving Turkey

http://www.treehousetv.com/parents/activities/crafts/toilet-paper-roll-craft-turkey

Cap'n's Log 20 November 1713 Year of our Lord-


Another faily! Your Dear Cap'n startin' to think she's in the wrong business...The consolation is Effervescent Ethel was pleased with the results. Takes a young miss to put things in perspective. Cap'n Mad Ellen will retire to her quarters succoring a tired, small crafted out brain...


C.M.E.

Supplies:



-paint chip samples
-two toilet paper rolls (one for the body, one for the head)
-brown paint (or you can cover the toilet paper rolls with brown construction paper if you prefer)
-paint brush
-two buttons for the eyes
-glue
-scissors
-lots of tape  (To make that blasted head stay put! See photos.)

I used paint chip samples for the feathers, beak, wattle and chest. The "back end" was covered with a circle piece of brown construction paper. The feathers were arranged in a fan shape, stapled then glued onto the back end circle. I think one reason this didn't work out as well as I had planned was because I didn't cut the toilet paper roll for the head narrow enough for it to sit on top of the other toilet paper roll properly.

Cost: few copper pennies
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Tomorrow:


A Small Craft success story! Aweigh!