http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/ Crafts, Projects and Ideas, holiday craft projects, kids craft ideas. Free arts and Crafts for all ages. en 60 enlighten/misc/rss.jpg http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/turkey-on-a-hat-117/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/turkey-on-a-hat-117/ Attachment 463

Print pattern Attachment 464

Instructions:
Print out your pattern and cut it out. Trace the pattern onto desired colors of felt, or follow the example in the picture and cut out the felt pieces.

Glue the turkeys face onto the hat first so you know where the center is. Then glue the felt feathers on the top of the hat slightly overlaping. Glue the brown bib felt piece over the top of the feathers right around the hat ball part. And lastly, glue the two brown looking hands on each side of the bib shape.

Make a bow out of the paper twist and fluff up. Glue the yellow legs to the back of the hat.

Finishing touches: Using the Gold glitter and glue, add some swirls and dots on the bow and straight lines on the feather. I didn't put any more lines on the felt feathers. I didn't want it to look like leaves.

Last, secure a small piece of wire to the top back of the hat. So you can hang it on the door.

About Author
Twila Lenoir
Crafts On a Budget
http://www.geocities.com/twilagail/
I am a mother of three, and I take care of my son and my craft site during the day. Some times it's hard to do the craft site, for my son is 2 years old.At night I work at a craft store which I am so blessed in having. I live and breath crafts.]]> Tue, 20 May 2008 21:31:51 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous cupcake en http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/scarecrows-pumpkins--ghosts-oh-my-116/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/scarecrows-pumpkins--ghosts-oh-my-116/ Scarecrows are actually very easy to make and look like you spent hours assembling them. For a friendly scarecrow, use either a plastic smiling pumpkin for the head, or a carved or painted pumpkin with a happy face. Choose a long sleeved shirt or coat, a pair of pants or jeans, and a hat if you choose. You may even go so far as to include shoes for it's feet and gloves as it's hands. hallowdecor2.jpg - 2057 Bytes

Stuff the clothing with newspapers or dry leaves to keep the scarecrow from getting too heavy that you can't carry him. If you have straw available, poke some out from inside the shirt collar and wrist cuffs of the shirt. If not using gloves, you can use straw or sticks for the hands. Secure all the clothing together with safety pins, or by hand sewing 8-10 stitches every 4-6 inches or so.
Spooky Scarecrows
Follow the instructions above for the clothing, simply replace the happy pumpkin face with a scary or angry expression.

Another option is to use planks of wood set up easel style, then drape lengths of cloth all over to form ghostly apparel. Using more wood, and a few nails, hammer arms so that they are pointing out to the sides. Using a spooky carved face and leaving the hat off gives an eerie appearance! A Grim Reaper can also be constructed this way by using black sheets or cloth and forming a hood over the pumpkin head.
Carved Pumpkins
With Halloween comes the tradition of carving pumpkins. You can carve an extravagant expression or a simple smile. Be certain to use caution when using any sharp object to carve the pumpkins. Be creative. Draw your ideas on paper before carving to eliminate mistakes you cannot reverse.

For some really cool, free pumpkin carving patterns visit http://www.fabulousfoods.com/holiday...pumpplans.html and for wonderful carving instructions be sure to hit http://www.fabulousfoods.com/holiday...n/jack101.html
Painted Pumpkins
An alternative to carving is painting. This is very popular with families with small children. Kids want to be a part of the process, and this is a wonderful way to let them decorate their own pumpkin. You can use markers or tempura paints. Because you are not cutting into the pumpkin, it will last longer and you will be able to use it in recipes after the holiday. Just be sure to wash all the paint off!


Ghosts, Webs, & Spiders
Simple hanging ghosts can be made from squares of white fabric. Place the square of fabric down flat on the table. In the center of the fabric, put a balled up wad of fabric scraps, cotton, or yarn. Using newspaper as the stuffing is not recommended because of rain drenching the paper and possibly bleeding the ink through the white fabric. Wrap the fabric around the ball in the center and tie off with a piece of orange or black yarn. Use a black marker to paint on eyes and a mouth. Make longer ones by using larger scraps of fabric. Hang ghosts in a tree or from your doorway.

To see how to make Garbage Bag Cats, go here: http://www.thefamilycorner.com/cgi-b...ump.cgi?ID=567

Spiders and webs are fairly easy to decorate with. You can purchase small plastic spiders and webbing at craft and discount stores. Thread webbing across bushes and windows to create an eerie effect. String it through trees and branches and over doorways.

To make large yard spiders, fill a black plastic garbage full with dry leaves or old newspapers. Tie off the end. Using another black garbage bag, fill again, but only 1/3 of the way. Tie off. The smaller bag is the head. Attach the head to the larger bag (body) with packing tape. Using yet another black garbage bag, cut lengthwise into thin strips, enough for eight legs. Tape or hot glue sides together once you have lined them with a filling such as leaves or newspaper. Hot glue or tape legs to body.

Halloween is such a fun holiday. Be sure to make the most of it and follow our safety precautions here http://www.thefamilycorner.com/cgi-b...ump.cgi?ID=562 for a fun night of Trick-or-Treating!
by: Amanda Formaro
Decorating your front porch, yard, or walkway for Halloween can be loads of fun. While there are probably hundreds of ways to spiff up your yard and adorn your door, let's focus on a few simple solutions that your pocket can live with.]]> Tue, 20 May 2008 21:29:20 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous cupcake en http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/bunny-crafts-115/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/bunny-crafts-115/ You will need : green, blue and white const. paper - scissors and paste

Trace around 1 hand on white paper. cut it out. Fold the middle finger under. Fold the thumb and the pinky finger forward. Cut out a strip of grass. Paste the hand print (w/fingers folded) fingers up - and the grass on blue paper. draw a face on the bunny, draw paws on the bunny, color the inside of the ears pink.
Easter Bunny
Draw around a child on butcher or white bulletin board paper. Draw in ears and bunny paws and feet. just don't draw too thin. Cut out and decorate. Let child decorate with rickrack, buttons, etc. They do like to paint them, but they don't have to. Add wiggle eyes and pipe cleaner whiskers..Sometimes I double the paper and stuff and staple the bunny. Great on the front door!!
Juice Can Rabbits
Materials:
frozen juice cans (glue white paper around)
construction paper ears (white outer & pink inner), nose (pink), eyes (or use googly eyes), and feet (white)
cotton balls (for tails)
black construction paper strips for whiskers
glue
tissue paper or Easter grass
Easter goodies

Procedure:
Children assemble rabbits by gluing rabbit parts onto juice can. Put some tissue paper or Easter grass and goodies into cans for children's Easter treats.
Cotton Ball Rabbit
Draw and cut out a rabbit shape from cardboard. Cover the ears with pieces of pink felt. Outline them with glue and cotton balls. Spread glue over the rest of the rabbit, and completely cover it with cotton balls. From felt, cut out and glue on eyes, a nose and a bow tie. Glue buttons onto the body. Glue on black yarn for the mouth. Attach a short string to the top of the rabbit for a hanger.
Fuzzy Wuzzy Pins
To make these pins, start with a large cotton ball and glue on two wiggle-eyes. (these can be bought at craft stores for pennies) Basic fuzzy-wuzzies can be turned into different creatures by adding paper ears, yarn, whiskers, and whatever else you would like to add. Use safety pins to attach the fuzzy-wuzzy to your shirt.
Bunny Ears Headband
Similar to Indian headbands made from paper to fit around child's head. Attach bunny ears decorated by children.
Paper Bag Bunnies
Materials needed:
2 paper lunch bags
newspaper
paper paste
tape
felt tip pens
one pink 1 1/2 pom pom
crepe paper or ribbon
white & pink construction paper
scissors
white pipe cleaners
cotton ball

Stuff newspapers fully into one lunch bag, Slightly into other. Tape open ends together, smaller bag on top for head. Cut features and ears out of construction paper or draw them in. Add pipe cleaner or ribbon whiskers and pom-pom nose. Draw bunny feet with pen along bottom of bag, or make from construction paper and tape to bottom. Add cotton ball tail. Tie crepe paper or ribbon in bow around neck.
Foot Bunnies
Materials needed:
Construction paper, White and pink.
Pencil
Crayons, felt-tip markers or colored pencils
scissors
glue
cottonball
pipe cleaners
curling ribbon
1/2 inch pink pom-pom.

Remove one shoe; leave sock on. Bunny's head and body are made by tracing your foot onto white construction paper with a pencil. Cut out. Turn tracing upside down. Cut out 2 long ears from white & pink paper. Glue pink pieces on white pieces. Then glue on top of heel outline. Color in bunny features with crayons, felt-tip markers. You can glue on pipe cleaners or curling ribbon make fine whiskers, pom-pom for nose and bunny needs a cotton tail!
Bunny Spoon Puppet
Using a white plastic spoon >draw two buck teeth on the back of the spoon on the bottom section. I use a sharpie permanent marker. Above the teeth hot glue on two 1/4 inch white pom poms for the cheeks. Now above the 2 pom poms I glue on a 5mm pink or white pom pom. This will become the nose. These 5mm pom poms are tiny. I can never find them in pink so I just use white & then I touch them with a pink marker after they have been glued on. The marker will turn them pink. Now glue on 2 wiggle eyes above the nose. Now using fun foam in the color of white cut out two ears. Then color the middle area of the ear with pink marker. Let dry. Now hot glue these two ears to the top inside or back of the spoon. Now I put a dot of hot glue to the upper handle of the spoon & press a lollipop into the glue. The top of the lollipop will rest in the dip or back of the spoon & the handle or stick of the lollipop will run down the handle of the spoon. Only apply a dot of glue or your kids won't be able to pull of the lollipop.After the kids take off the lollipop they can use these as puppets. These are really cute.
Circle Bunny
Trace circles on white or pink paper. Cut them out. Cut ears from the sides of one circle leaving an hour glass shape in the center - use that as a bow tie - Draw a bunny face on the other circle. Glue ears and bow on rabbit face. Color - place on large sheet of const. paper
Puffy Bunny Paint
You'll need:
Shaving Cream White Glue Food Coloring (or I prefer Liquid Tempera)
Margarine Containers (or similar with covers)

Mix Puffy Paint with the children: Squirt shaving cream in the small containers until full. Use as many containers as you want colors. Squirt in one big blob of white glue in each container. Stir in small amounts of color until you get desired color. Please note: stirring will not deflate shaving cream. Cover until ready to use.

Paint with PUFFY PAINT: You can use assorted size brushes, q-tips, or hands and have children paint as they want. The puffier the better! Let dry. Your children will love the experience! Great smell too!
Bunnies in the Grass
Supplies:
White Paper
Crayons
Glue
Pom-poms or cotton balls

Have kids color a white sheet of paper all green (scribbling is just perfect) then have them glue on 10-15 1/2" pom poms or pieces of cotton balls - wa la you now have "Baby Bunnies Hiding in the Grass!!"
Tuna Can Bunnies
Collect tuna cans until each child has one. Cover them with felt. Cotton balls can be used for tail. Use paper, markers, any combination can be used to make face and whiskers at the opposite end of the can. Put on paper ears and you have a bunny that can double as a jelly bean holder.
Bunny Mask
You can make a bunny mask out of a paper plate. Cut holes out for the eyes. Draw on the nose, add felt strips or yarn for the whiskers, make a mouth and glue on 2 chicklets for the teeth. Add ears that you have precut. Attach elastic to tie around the child's head.]]> Tue, 20 May 2008 21:27:29 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous cupcake en http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/chick-crafts-114/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/chick-crafts-114/ yellow, blue, white and orange const paper - scissors and paste

Trace around 1 hand on white paper, cut it out. Cut out a yellow duck body and yellow duck head, orange feet and an orange bill. Glue them on blue paper - using the hand print sideways as the ducks wings. Draw an eye on the duck and water lines around the duck.
Handprint Chick
Trace around 2 hands on white paper - cut them out. Cut out a yellow circle (chicks head) and a large yellow egg shape (chicks body). Cut out 2 orange feet, 2 white eyes and an orange beak using the handprints (fingers down) for wings glue the body parts on green paper. Glue white or yellow tissue paper onto chicks for feathers
Chicken in a Shell
Cut a large oval egg form wall paper or white paper. Draw jagged line across half of egg and cut. If white paper is used, it should be decorated. Make a chick's head out of yellow or white construction paper. Color beak and eyes black. Paste chick to bottom half of egg shell. Fasten top and bottom shell together with paper fastener so top half of shell can be moved to reveal chick.
Easter Chicks
Supplies:
2 Cotton Balls
Orange and Black Construction Paper
Dry, Yellow tempera Paint
Glue
Empty, Clean Egg Shell

Put some of the paint in a Ziploc Bag, put in the 2 cotton balls and shake until they are yellow. Glue together to make chick's body. Feet, eyes, and beaks can be cut from orange & black construction paper and glued on. Then you can glue the chick into half of the egg shell.
Barefoot Chick
Supplies:
Yellow Paint
construction Paper
Crayons
Glue
Cornmeal

Paint (giggling allowed!) the bottom of the child's foot with yellow washable liquid paint. Have him press his foot onto a sheet of construction paper. When the child's foot is clean and the paint is dry, have him use crayons to add an eye, beak, and legs to his chick. Finally have him spread glue along the bottom of the paper, then sprinkle the glue with cornmeal.
Chick Stick Puppets
Glue a yellow pom pom to a craft stick and add eyes and beak.
Barnyard Chicks
Have the children create a barnyard scene to decorate. Use a sheet of blue construction paper for the background and add green and brown for the grass and ground. Children can do some sponge painting on white paper with yellow paint; when the paint is dry, cut out a chick shape. Use construction paper to add eyes, beak and feet. Glue on some yellow feathers to add realistic effect(available at craft stores). Glue the chicks on the background paper and add a barn and other details to create a farm scene.
Fuzzy Wuzzy Pins
To make these pins, start with a large cotton ball and glue on two wiggle-eyes. (these can be bought at craft stores for pennies) Basic fuzzy-wuzzies can be turned into different creatures by adding paper ears, yarn, whiskers, and whatever else you would like to add. Use safety pins to attach the fuzzy-wuzzy to your shirt.]]> Tue, 20 May 2008 21:24:45 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous cupcake en http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/easter-basket-crafts-113/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/easter-basket-crafts-113/ One plastic foam egg carton will make three baskets. Cut off top of carton. Cut the carton into three sections, each containing four cups. One section makes a basket. Make small holes on 2 opposite sides of each basket. Twist 2 pipe cleaners together to form a handle. Push the ends of the handle into holes. Fill basket with cellophane grass. Decorate handle with ribbons.
Egg Basket
Have children cut strips of colored paper and weave them in and out of tomato or strawberry basket. (the small, green ones) Fill with Easter grass and put in cady or a couple eggs. Use pipe cleaners for handle and decorate with ribbons.
Cone Basket
1. Fill an empty ice-cream cone with assorted candies.

2. Cut a circle from plastic food wrap, and lay it over the top of the cone. Tie 2 ribbons around the top rim of the cone, and knot at the opposite sides.

3. Bring the 4 ends of the ribbons up, and tie them in a bow to make the handle. Hang the cone basket on someones doorknob.
Baskets
Take two sheets of large construction paper and cut in circles the size of a large record or dinner plate. Take a paintbrush and paint liquid starch generously on one of the circles. Take the other circle and place neatly on top of the starched circle. Then center the stuck-together circles over a mayonnaise jar with the lid on and pull down the sides and put a rubber band around the lid and the circles. Flare out the edges of the circles and leave them on the jars over night. They will look like lampshades. After the night, take them off and turn them over. You will have a frilly-looking basket, and it is sturdy too. Then the children can decorate it. You can use wadded up pieces of tissue paper that they dip in glue and stick to their baskets. You can make the baskets two tone by using two colors of paper. You can also use large drinking glasses for a mold. The handle can be a long pipe cleaner.
Woven Baskets
Pastel colored construction paper two colors
Scissors
Glue or stapler

Directions:
Using one piece of paper cut horizontal straight lines about one inch in from side to side across paper, about 1/2 inch a part from each other. The paper should be covered from top to bottom with these slits. Next take the other color of paper and cut 1/2 strips. Weave these strips in and out of the slits in the first paper. When completed with all the strips glue the ends of the strips to the first paper to hold in place. Next fold up the sides to make a basket shape. Staple or glue in place. With a contrasting color make a handle on your basket and staple or glue. Basket can then be filled with shredded paper to make a nest in the bottom.
Easter Grass Baskets
Plant grass seed in saran wrap lined berry baskets.
Another Easter Grass Basket
You can use the bottom of 1/2 gallon milk jugs-cut them off 3 or 4 inches from the bottom, line with colored saran wrap, and plant as you were going to- a little more sturdy.
Paper Bag Bunny Basket
At open end of bag, draw bunny ears along outside edges and cut. Decorate bag on one side with face of bunny. Staple ears together at top. Stand bag up and open. Fill bottom with cellophane grass and fill!
Paper Mache Easter Basket
Blow up a large balloon - cover with paper mache - when dry pop the balloon and cut a handle into the paper mache to form a basket - paint and fill with grass and goodies!!!!
Bunny Baskets
Supplies:
Empty, Clean Small Milk Carton
Construction Paper
Glue
Crayons or Markers

Cut off the top 1/3 of the milk carton. Staple a 1" strip of paper across the top for a handle. Cut out bunny shapes; sitting up bunny - ears on top, round head and fat body. Make sure it is the width of the milk carton (a bit like the traditional cat drawing). Decorate the basket with paper chips (small pieces of paper cut or torn) and draw on bunny's face. You can also paint the basket with glue and dip it into a container of confetti. Glue on a cotton ball on the opposite side of basket for bunny's tail.
Bunny Pop Basket
Supplies:
2 Lt. Pop Bottle
Felt
Wiggle Eyes
Glue
Pom-pom or cotton ball

Take a clear 2 lt. pop bottle take off the bottom support if there is one. Cut the bottle in half so you remove the opening. Next cut down on the bottle till there is about 3-4" left which will be the body. Move left or right about 4-5" and cut down the same distance. Remove this section that is loose. Go to the opposite side and diagonally cut two pointed ears (don't cut them off). Cut out pink felt and glue on to the plastic ears. Glue on eyes (wiggle or paper), pink triangle felt nose (or paper) with little strips of white paper to resemble wiskers. Don't forget the cotton ball or white pompom for the tail! Fill with easter grass.]]> Tue, 20 May 2008 21:22:17 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous cupcake en http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/easter-egg-crafts-112/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/easter-egg-crafts-112/ Cut out two large paper eggs. Cut one in half . Staple the half to the front of the egg....have a pocket. Fill it with paper flowers, bunnies, chicks etc....
Egg Tree
The seasonal tree lends itself to Easter. Get a branch with no leaves from outside, and "plant" it in a pot of plaster. Let set. Have children bring in eggs. At home, poke hole in either end and blow the insides out. These can be used for scrambled eggs, baking etc.. Then string fine wire through Children can paint eggs with pastel colored tempera paints. Be sure to put name on eggs, using masking tape. Hang eggs onto tree branches. Let the children take their egg home when it's time.
Egg Carton Place Card
(makes a cute cubby marker)

Cut two cups from a cardboard egg carton for each place card. Glue the two cups together (bottom to bottom). Cut a chick from const. paper. Add features with paper and glue the chick inside the cup. Print a name on a piece of paper and glue it to the front of the cup - put a few jelly beans inside if you want.
Easter Egg Collage
Give each child a large egg shape cut from construction paper. Have the children decorate with anything/everything (glitter, sequins, scrap fabric, foil, buttons, crayons, markers).
Egg Shell collage
Make a collage from crushed egg shells. Egg shells may be colored or white. Brush diluted glue into an outline shape and then place egg shells into the shape. The children can create their own designs or you may provide them with the shape of a rabbit, chick or egg to fill in with the egg shells.
Basket of Eggs
Trace around 2 hands on green paper - cut them out. Cut out a large basket shape from brown paper and four eggs on colored paper - glue the hands(fingers up) as grass behind the eggs and basket on blue paper.
Egg Creatures
Supplies:
Eggs (not hard-boiled)
Sharp Nail
Glue
Misc. Supplies

Pierce each end of egg with sharp nail. Blow firmly into large end, over dish to catch egg liquid (which you can use for a recipe). Let shells dry. Decorate to resemble rabbits, chicks, or cartoon characters using markers, paint, glued on construction paper, etc. To make stand upright: Cut =strip of sturdy paper 1/2 inch by 4-6 ins. Glue into circle, sit egg in it. This paper stand could also be incorporated into design as a collar.
Giant Easter Eggs
Supplies:
Balloon
Liquid Starch or Watered Down Glue Large
Paintbrushes
Crochet Thread

Blow up a balloon and tie a 2 ft. piece of thread to the bottom of it. Cover the entire balloon with starch or watered down glue, using a large paint brush. Wrap crochet thread around the balloon in one direction, leaving small gaps about 1/2 inch wide so the balloon isn't completely covered. Wrapping doesn't have to be perfect. Apply another light layer of starch or glue on top of the thread and wrap with another layer of crochet thread in another direction. Repeat one or more times until the balloon is covered with thread. Hang the balloon from the bottom thread to dry for about 24 hours. When fully dry, pop the balloon and gently pull it out of the thread. Hang the giant egg from the ceiling or place it in a giant easter basket.

Variations: Use multicolored thread or yarn. You can flatten the end of the egg by pressing on it gently so it will stand on end. Leave an intentional opening to set figurines and eggs/candy in. They are very pretty this way. Practical tips: Work quickly before the glue/starch dries or add more when necessary. Handle the egg with care after it dries, as it may cave in if you squish it.
Filter Paper Eggs
Supplies:
Coffee Filters
Food Coloring
Eye Droppers or Straws

Precut egg shapes out of coffee filters. Mix water and food coloring in a baby food jar. (Make several different colors) Let the children use eyedroppers or straws to drip colors on the filter shape. The colors will run together and make beautiful eggs.
Styrofoam Egg
Supplies:
Styrofoam Eggs
Paint Push
Pins
Misc. Craft Items

We took big styrofoam eggs and painted them. Then we used little jems from the craft store, like the kind for making jewelry and crafts. We used the flower shaped ones. Get a bunch of pins, the kind with the ball. When inserted through the plastic things, they look like little flowers. Cover the egg in these.
Egg carton cup
1. Cut 1 section from cardboard eggcarton. Scallop the edge with scissors.

2. For a base, draw and cut out the green leafy part of a flower from construction paper. Then cut a flower with long petals. Glue the leaf section and flower together.

3. Glu the eggcarton section to the middle of the base. Put suckers in the cup.
Crepe Paper Eggs
Cut out several egg shapes from different colors of crepe paper. On a large piece of manila paper, pin eggs randomly around paper. Have children use a paintbrush to paint over eggs with water. Allow to dry. Remove pins and lift crepe paper. Like magic the color from the crepe paper will have appeared on the manila paper.
Stained Glass Easter Egg
Cut an egg shape out of construction paper. Set the egg shape aside, you will be using the outline that you cut out. Put a sheet of clear contact paper over this outline. Flip it over and then have children glue tissue paper (with watered down glue) to the plastic until the "egg hole" is covered. When it is dry hang it in the window as a stained glass egg!]]> Tue, 20 May 2008 21:20:15 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous cupcake en http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/general-easter-crafts-111/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/general-easter-crafts-111/ Fun art for any season. You will need a bobby pin to use as a needle, colored yarn approx. 14 inches long, and colored straws cut into 1-inch pieces. Also have egg shapes cut from paper with a hole punched at top. String straw pieces onto yarn and intersperse egg shapes until yarn is filled. Tie ends to form a necklace. Substitute shapes for different seasons or holidays.
Easter Egg Stands
Toilet paper rolls cut into 1-inch long pieces make great egg stands. Have children decorate with stickers, paint, confetti, etc before using.
Easter Party Invitations
Draw and cut out a basket shape and eggs from construction paper. Glue the eggs and some plastic grass to the basket. Write your invitation on the outside of the basket.
Easter Bonnet
Decorate a paper plate with tissue paper flowers and leaves. Staple or glue decorations on bonnet. Poke a hole on each side. Put a ribbon through from the top and tie under chin. Have an Easter Parade wearing the bonnets.
Easter Bonnets
Supplies:
Paper Plate
Styrofoam Plates
Glue
Crayons or Markers
Misc Supplies Make

Easter bonnets from Styrofoam soup bowls stapled to paper plates that have the center cut out of them. Let the children decorate them as desired. Supply them with cut out flowers, ribbon, and anything else you like
Puzzle Wreaths for Easter
Materials:
old puzzle pieces
glue
green good coloring
paper plate or cardboard
scissors
yarn
plastic wrap
various craft supplies

1. Mix four drops of green food coloring with a cup of white glue. Mix the green glue with all the puzzle pieces in a large bowl. If the mixture seems too drippy add more puzzle pieces. Stir until the pieces are evenly coated with glue.

2. Cut the center out of a paper plate or cardboard to form a wreath shape. Punch a hole in the edge of the rim and tie a piece of yarn through it to make a hanger.

3. Set the rim on a piece of plastic wrap on a flat surface where the wreath will be able to dry for several days without being moved. Pile spoonfuls of the puzzle-piece mixture around the rim to form a three-dimensional wreath. You may not need to use all of the mixture. Add or subtract pieces until the wreath looks right to you.

4. When the wreath has dried completely, you can decorate it by glueing on some artificial flowers. I used little easter decorations like eggs and bunnies from the craft store..]]> Tue, 20 May 2008 21:18:29 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous cupcake en http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/lamb-crafts-110/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/lamb-crafts-110/ Supplies:
Black construction Paper
Cotton Balls
White Chalk

Have the child trace their hands on the black paper. Cut these out, placing the "hands" upside down so that the four fingers are the legs and the thumb is the head. Have the kids glue cotton balls to the "body". Use chalk or construction paper or whatever to make the eyes.
Lambs
Supplies:
White Paper
Black Paint
Glue
Packing Popcorn, etc.

Use black paint on the hands and stamp them on a white piece of paper, then decorate. The lambs look cute with packing "popcorn" or white paper reinforcements make great "wool". Also, left-over batting or stuffing can be used.]]> Tue, 20 May 2008 21:14:52 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous cupcake en http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/religious-easter-activities-109/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/religious-easter-activities-109/ To be made the evening before Easter

You need:
1c. whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1c. sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300.

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1c. sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God' s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66. GO TO BED!

Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt. 28:1-9

(special note) Great to use for a Sunday School Class or Vacation Bible School too... Cookies can be left on a very very low temp..like 250 degrees. and be ready in a couple of hours...when surface of cookie looks dry and cracked....they are ready to eat!!!!!
Jesus Jelly Bean Bags
Place jelly beans in a snack size ziplock bag and attach the following prayer:

Red is for the blood He gave,
Green is for the grass He made,
Yellow is for the sun so bright,
Orange is for the edge of night.
Black is for the sins that were made,
White is for the grace He gave.
Purple is for the hour of sorrow,
Pink is for the new tomorrow.
A bag full of jelly beans,
Colorful and sweet,
Is a Prayer...is a Promise... Is an Easter treat!
The Resurrection of Jesus
The story of Jesus tells us of Jesus's greatest miracle. He rose form the dead. Read the story to the children and have them follow along with the actions.

Some men in power hated Jesus (Children shake fists in anger.)

He was arrested. They placed a crown, made from thorns, on his head. (Children place hands on top of head, cupped like a crown.)

They placed Him on a cross to die. Friends took His body and placed it in a tomb. (Children stretch out arms and look towards sky.)

A large stone was placed over the opening ot the tomb. (Children sit on floor quietly.)

On Easter morning some women went to the tomb. The heavy stone was gone. An angel was there and said, "Jesus has gone! He is alive! Go and tell His disciples He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him." (Children jump up smiling, filled with joy.)

Jesus stayed on Earth for several days so His disciples could see Him and know God was really His Father. Then one day while He was talking to the disciples, He disappeared into the clouds. God took Him back to heaven.

That is how we know Jesus was God's Son. That is why we love and worship Jesus on Easter morning and on every day of our lives. Jesus lived on Earth to tell people about His Father in heaven.
Countdown To Easter:
Using 12 plastic eggs that can be opened and filled, either you give a basket with all 12 eggs (label each with the number of the day, i.e. Day 12, Day 11) , or give one egg each day to be opened. (Day 1 is "Easter Day", so start 11 days before Easter with "Day 12")

Day 12 = Place a cracker or small piece of cracker inside the first egg with a slip of paper explaining how this symbolizes the bread & wine of the Last Supper. (Putting in the appropriate Bible verse/verses for the contents of each egg would REALLY be neat and SUCH a "reinforcing learning tool", too!)

Day 11 = Place 3 dimes to symbolize the "30 pieces of silver" that Judus received to betray Jesus.

Day 10 = Place a toy soldier or picture of a soldier to symbolize the soldier who arrested Jesus.

Day 9 = Place a "feather" to symbolize the cock rooster that crowed 3 times.

Day 8 = Place a die or a couple of dice to symbolize the "lots that were cast" for Jesus's clothing.

Day 7 = Place a "thorn" in to symbolize the "crown of thorns" that Jesus wore.

Day 6 = Place a "sponge" in to symbolize the sponge that was dipped in vinegar when Jesus said, "I thirst".

Day 5 = Place a "piece of cloth" in to symbolize the cloth that Joseph wrapped the body of Jesus in.

Day 4 = Place a "piece of black paper or black cloth" into the egg to symbolize the "shadow of darkness" that covered the Earth.

Day 3 = Place a "cross" inside to symbolize the cross on which Jesus was crucified.

Day 2 = Place a "rock" inside the egg to symbolize the stone that was rolled away.

Day 1 = EASTER MORNING! This egg will be "empty" to symbolize the tomb that was empty, that Jesus was "risen" !!

... Be sure to write the symbolization description and appropriate Bible verses on slips of paper to go into each of the eggs.
Finger play: Jesus is Alive!
Pretty flowers blooming, see how they grow. (Children crouch low, stretching arms up. Rise slowly.)

Pretty flowers coming up. Jesus is alive we know. (Children point toward heaven.)

Hear the church bells ringing Jesus is alive we know. (Hands locked together, swing arms as a clapper.)

Let's shout the good news Everywhere we go. (Cup hands around mouth and children join leader in calling out.)]]> Tue, 20 May 2008 21:13:03 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous cupcake en http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/a-few-really-simple-christmas-crafts-108/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/a-few-really-simple-christmas-crafts-108/
Get a large roll of craft or butcher paper. Make sponge cut outs of stars, ornaments, etc, & let the kids make their own wrapping paper

On a white hand towel, use fabric paint and do the kids hand prints. Write with fabric paint "See, I DID wash my hands" you could do red & green hand prints & make these little Christmas towels to set out for guests.

Tie three bells together and make a pretty bow on top.

Angel-Paint old fashioned clothes pin white. Paint knob on top like a face. Cut out wings & glue to back.

Glue star mint candies to lid of jar. Fill jar with candies for parent gift.

Glue two perfectly shaped triangles together to make a six pointed star. Cover with macaroni, glitter or both.

Cover toilet paper roll with colored paper. Add colored leaves around the bottom & a flame to the top.

Cover a pine cone with glue & glitter.

Make sweatshirts w/hand print Christmas trees for the moms and for the dads ties with hand prints

Cut out a candy cane shape & let the children glue red & white pom-poms alternating to give the appearance of a candy cane.

Trace & cut out the child s hand on red or green felt. With fingers pointing down, place a small heart also cut out of felt (diff color) & write to Mom & Dad or whoever, Merry Christmas Love the child's name & date.

Cut out a large Christmas tree for each child (or one huge one for a wall mural) and have the children glue on painted macaroni, Fruit Loops, popped popcorn, and Cheerios as ornaments.

Make candy cane outlines on red construction paper. Help each child make stripes with white shoe polish (squeeze applicator). The kids can cut out the candy canes shapes when dry.

Make a wall mural of a chimney. Have children paint it. Staple together two paper stockings (from construction paper). Decorate with glitter, markers, and add cotton balls to top of stocking for trim. Put a child's name on each stocking. Hang them on the chimney.

Put a big picture of Santa and his sack or sleigh on the bulletin board or wall. Have the children cut out magazine pictures of toys to go into the sack and paste onto the picture.

Children can string popcorn and cranberries,using their own patterns. Young children can string round cereal.

Birdseed ornaments - tie a yarn loop on a pine cone, spread peanut butter all over pine cone, roll in birdseed, hang outside a window.

Pine cone ornaments - children can paint pine cones and decorate them with glue and glitter.

You can make white collages on dark paper our of white lace, ribbon, Styrofoam packing peanuts, tissue paper, construction paper...anything white.]]> Tue, 20 May 2008 21:10:46 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous cupcake en http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/cotton-ball-rabbit-107/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/cotton-ball-rabbit-107/
2. Spread glue over the rest of the rabbit, and completely cover it with cotton balls.

3. From felt, cut out and glue on eyes, a nose and a bow tie. Glue buttons onto the body. Glue on black yarn for the mouth.

4. Attach a piece of short string to the top of the rabbit for a hanger.]]> Tue, 20 May 2008 19:55:54 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous cupcake en http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/fun-foam-clocks-106/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/fun-foam-clocks-106/ Trace and cut out a dinner plate sized circle from one sheet of fun foam. Use one color 3D paint pen to write the numbers on the clockface. Use another color to draw small lines marking 5 minutes (one line by each number on the clockface). Use a third color to draw lines indicating the remaining minutes. Allow the paint to dry overnight. Next, cut a short and long arrow shape from the second sheet of fun foam. Use the hole punch on both arrows. Poke a small hole in the center of the clockface with scissors. Using a grommet, attach the arrows to the clockface.
Use:
Use the foam clock to demonstrate movement of the hour and minute hand. Point out the significance of the minute demarcations as well as the 5 minute demarcations. Count all lines showing the 60 minutes of each hour. Alternate setting the clock and having your child identify the time with calling out a time and having your child set the clock accordingly.
About Author
Catie Gosselin is editor/owner of http://WomanLinks.com; a community of support, spirituality and empowerment for women. She is also the seasoned homeschooling mother of two.]]> Tue, 20 May 2008 19:52:50 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous cupcake en http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/ghost-105/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/ghost-105/ Paint ice cream stick white and allow to dry. With black marker, draw on eyes and mouth. Poke ice cream stick through bottom third of Kleenex. Using white chenille stick, wrap short end of Kleenex (back of ghost) around the ice cream stick to secure it in place. Fringe the front of the Kleenex tissue by carefully cutting slits up from the bottom. Tue, 20 May 2008 15:42:29 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous cupcake en http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/handy-herman-104/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/handy-herman-104/ Tue, 20 May 2008 15:40:59 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous cupcake en http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/ghostly-tree-103/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/miscellaneous-22/ghostly-tree-103/ Paint ice cream stick green and allow to dry. Wrap 2 of the chenille stick around the bottom of the ice cream stick to create roots or feet for the tree to stand on. With remaining chenille sticks, create branches by wrapping around ice cream stick and then bending in different directions. Fold Kleenex at the seam. Holding seam in your fingers, cut along the seam, about 2 inches down from seam. You should end up with a piece as long as the original Kleenex, but only about 2 inches high that can be unfolded into a 4 inch strip. From this strip, cut into sections about 1 inch long each. From these small pieces, create tiny ghosts by twisting into a ghost shape. Using the chenille branches, carefully wrap the end of the branch around the ghost necks until there is a ghost on each branch. Move branches around so there are some in the front, back and on the sides to make your tree more dimensional. With black marker, carefully dot on eyes and a mouth for each ghost, draw an oval on the tree truck for the hollow effect, and draw a few lines up and down the trunk for bark. Tue, 20 May 2008 15:37:24 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous cupcake en