Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

By General Crafts Contributor Melissa, from the blog MeloMomma.

Got ten minutes and a paper plate? Well then you can create this fun little turkey craft with me!

By Crafts for Learning Contributor, Danielle from the blog Crayonbox Learning.

Materials:

• Construction Paper (brown, orange, yellow, red)
• Cardstock (white)
• Glue Stick
• Squiggle Eyes
• Recycled Soup Can (clean and dry)
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Candy (optional)
• Fall/Thanksgiving Center Piece Template

Directions:

This activity was designed as a project for young children to make for the holidays.  It is an activity that can be done in small groups or individually depending on the age of the children and skill level.

1. Print out a copy of of the Fall/Thanksgiving Center Piece Template for each child onto white cardstock.  White is used so that the children can use their imaginations to color the turkey head themselves.
2. Give each child a piece of yellow, orange, red, and brown construction paper.
3. Instruct each child to color the head, beak, and waddle part of the turkey face (optional, the pieces can be cut out of the construction paper as shown in the sample image).  After the face piece is colored, set aside.
4. Lay a brown piece of construction paper flat on the work space.  Lay the recycled can on top flat so that you can measure how much brown construction paper you will need to wrap around the can. Use your pencil to mark the lines if needed.
5. Cut the brown construction paper.  Using a glue stick, rub the glue along the sides of the can. Affix the construction paper around the can.  (Make sure that the edge of the paper is glued real well so it will not come loose).
6. On the yellow, orange, and red construction paper,  have each child trace their hand prints.  The hand prints will be used for “feathers” of the center piece.  Depending on the size of the children’s hands, you’ll need 4-5 different colored hand prints.   Once they handprints have been traced, cut them out.
7. Turn the can with the brown construction paper on it and look for the seam.  This is the side where you are going to glue on the hand cut outs.  In a fan shape (see photo), glue the hand cut outs.
8. Cut out the turkey head from the template.  With your can in front of you (feathers AWAY from you), glue the turkey head on the inside of the can on the side farthest away from you.  (see photo).
9. Using scraps from your hand cut outs, cut out a beak and waddle for the turkey face.  Glue onto the turkey face where applicable.
10. Glue the squiggle eyes onto the turkey.
11. Let the turkey dry so that all of the glue is completely dry before use.
12. After the turkey is dry,  fill the bottom with some holiday tissue paper half way. Fill the remainder with holiday candy.  You can fill the whole can with candy if you prefer.

By General Crafts Contributor Sara, from the blog Clever Pink Pirate. 

Wreaths are very popular, especially during the Winter and Fall holidays. I created a Fall wreath from a hula hoop from the dollar store. I used burlap fabric from the hardware store making this project very inexpensive and yet Fall festive!

What You’ll Need:

• Hula Hoop
• Burlap Fabric
• Faux Leaves
• Jute Twine
• Hot Glue Gun
• Scissors

Directions:

Cut along the length of the fabric, about 2-3 in strips.

Carefully hot glue a starting spot on the hula hoop, then adhering the end of the burlap strip on the spot. Carefully wrap the hoop, doubling up the coverage. After about 2 inches, continue to use hot glue to adhere it to the hula hoop, preventing it from coming unraveled while you wrap.

After the hoop is completely covered with the burlap, tie a piece of jute along the top of the hoop for the leaf bunting. After it’s tied, tie the leaves along the jute twine all the way across. Tie one more piece of twine onto the top to hold the wreath on a door or wall.

By Kid’s Craft Contributor Tracey, from the blog We Made That.

One of the many things I think of in the fall is scare crows, which then in turn makes me think of black crows.  This year I wanted to make some decorations for fall, not just for the holidays.  So I thought it would be fun to make a family of black crows.

A few weeks ago we went on a camping trip and searched for some great pinecones to use, but were very unsuccessful.  So I ended up having to buy them, so if you don’t find your own pinecones rest assured you can purchase them to make these cute crow’s.

I found that when painting pinecones it is best to use spray paint.  It is a LOT easier to get it covered that way.  Depending on the age of your children, you may choose to do the painting yourself (I did).   However the rest of the project can be done by the kids.  Remember though to supervise the kids when using the glue gun.

Supplies

• Pinecones
• Black Spray Paint
• Small Straw Hat
• Googly Eyes
• Orange Felt
• Black Feathers
• Glue Gun

Directions

Start by spray painting your pinecones black.  It is best to do this outside.

Once your paint dries bring your pinecones inside and glue on your googly eyes.

Then cut a triangle out of your orange felt (this will be the beak).

Glue your beak onto your pinecone.

Next glue your small straw hat on to the top of your pinecone.

Finally glue your black feathers onto the sides of your pinecone to finish off your crow.

These make a great fall decoration for your home or they make a fun toy for your kids to play with (as long as they are old enough not to eat it or the items you glued to it).

By Card Making & Scrapbooking Contributor, Peg Rounds from Peg’s Crafting Corner.

It has been a tradition for many years for my family to go to the pumpkin patch and get a pumpkin to carve.  This year there were so many great pumpkins that I just had to take a couple of pictures to remember them.  I love the white colored ones!  Do you often see things that may be you wouldn’t normally think of taking a picture of or scrapping?  Would you like some new creative ideas to showcase the photos you will be taking?  I’ve shared the fun and creative ideas I used on this layout with you so that you can enjoy them on your next layout.

The photos were my first inspiration for this layout, but the paper is a close second.  I love the Fall & Halloween Designer Pad by K & Company.   There are so many great papers in it and I just had to choose this gorgeous pumpkin paper to showcase my photos.

I wanted a different look for my title other than using letter stickers or cut outs which are also great ways to create the titles for your layouts.  I used a piece of vellum and a brass stencil on my light box to create the letters by laying the stencil on the light box and placing the vellum on top of it and tracing the letters using a stylus.