Crafts

Nightmare

Materials:
An empty milk carton, nontoxic paint, glitter, white glue, popsicle
sticks, 10" wooden dowel w/ 1/4" diameter, wire hanger (cut bottom
of hanger for inserting into milk carton), birdseed.
Rinse out milk carton thoroughly. Do not completely open top, rather
glue open spout back together. Cut 3" wide by 4" long arched
openings on "spout" side and opposite side of carton, with base of
opening approx. 3" from bottom of carton. Let the child paint the
outside of the carton .Before the paint dries let child sprinkle colored glitter all
over the carton, (birds are attracted to shiny objects). Let carton
dry. Glue painted or non-painted popsicle stick shingles onto the
top of the carton as a roof. For the perches, poke holes in the
carton just below the openings, and slip the wooden dowel through
the holes. Poke two holes in the top of the carton just under the
roof, insert one end of the cut hanger into each hole. Fill the
bottom of the carton with wild birdseed. Hang in a spot that is easy
to view, but far enough away from fences or other objects to thwart
predators.

Nightmare

Materials:
Use natural items found in the yard, tape, and glue.
The easiest kind of puppets can be made from a twig. Select a twig
that forks. You now have 2 arms and a handle to hold the puppet
with. Find a fallen flower, and tape the stem to the handle for the
head. You can also tape the stem of a fallen leaf to the handle for
the head. For clothing, wrap a leaf around the handle, and your
puppet has natural summer wear.
Another puppet can be made with a pine cone. Glue the pine cone to
the forked twig, for the head. Dried and fresh grass make loads of
hair styles, beards, and mustaches. Use seeds or small rocks for
eyes, nose, and mouth. Make clothing out of leaves and bonnets out
of flower petals or acorn caps.
Use a large box or table for the stage, and enjoy the show.

Nightmare

Materials:
Large carrots, popsicle sticks, cream cheese, raisins or olives,
celery, parsley, green beans, radishes, cauliflower buds, broccoli
buds, cucumber spears, any other desired vegetable, and cheese
slices.
Having trouble getting the younger children to eat their vegetables?
Let them play with their food! Peel several large carrots and cut
off both ends. With a paring knife (adults only) cut a slit in the
bottom of the larger end. Place several carrots on a plate. On a
serving tray, in the middle place a small bowl of cream cheese, and
surround with "garnishing vegetables". Cut cheese slices lengthwise
to strips of hair.
Insert popsicle stick in the slit in a carrot. Using the cream
cheese as glue, attach raisins or olives as eyes, and other assorted
vegetables as arms, legs, hair, etc. Let the child(ren) put on a
mealtime play before eating the characters. Lots of fun for the
whole family!

Nightmare

MAKING THE MOLDS
For round stepping-stones, use a handsaw to cut a 2 1/2-inch-wide
section from the building form. In the area where you'll be setting
the path, dig a hole just large enough to accommodate the form and
set it into the ground, firming the soil around it. Alternatively,
you can create a free-form stone by simply digging a hole in the
shape you desire, roughly 2 1/2 inches deep. Once the mold is
complete, place a 1-inch layer of pebbles, small stones or gravel in
the bottom.
MIXING THE CONCRETE
Following the directions on the bag, combine the concrete with water
in a mixing tub, stirring it with a hoe. It's ready to pour when it
doesn't fall off a hoe held nearly parallel to the ground. Use the
hoe and a trowel, if necessary, to scoop the concrete into each
form. Smooth the surface with a scrap of wood.
ADDING MEMENTOS
When your fingertip leaves a lasting impression in the mixture
(usually after one to two hours), you can start customizing. Using a
stick or pebbles, write your name and the date, make impressions (of
your hand, a favorite toy, a prize begonia) and add your mementos.
Let the stones cure for several days. If your winters are severe,
cover the stones with a cloth and mist them with water several times
a day for three or four days to keep them from cracking. Remove the
cardboard forms with a craft knife.

Nightmare

Cinnamon is not only easy to craft with, but it's a smell that reflects the
warmth and charm of a cozy winter home more than any other. These gifts can be
used as additions to baskets filled with homemade breads, muffins or
cookies. You can also package them alone
for small gifts to give teachers, friends and house guests.

Mulled Tea Bags
5 tsp. loose black tea
4 whole cloves
6 whole allspice berries
2 tsp. coarsely crushed cinnamon stick
1 tsp. grated orange rind
1/2 tsp. grated lemon rind
fine-mesh cheesecloth
Cotton string
Cut two five inch squares out of the cheese cloth. Place 1/2 of your tea
ingredients on one square, and the other 1/2 on the second one.
Bring the corners together and tie into a bag with the string. Place the
teabags into a mug, with these instructions:
To brew place one tea bag in a mug and 1 cup of boiling water. Steep 5
minutes and enjoy!
If you wish you can also include a small jar of honey, an antique spoon
(easily found at a thrift store), 2 cinnamon sticks for stirring and a novel to
enjoy reading while drinking.

Nightmare

These fragrant stars are a great addition to potpourri. They can
also be used as ornaments or glued to craft projects.
Mix together in a plastic bag:
1/2 cup powdered cinnamon
1 tablespoon powdered ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
In a small bowl, mix together:
3/8 cup smooth applesauce
1 tablespoon white craft glue
Add the applesauce mixture to the bag. Close the bag and squeeze to
mix until the mixture forms a ball.Take out and knead on a cinnamon
sprinkled surface. Roll out the dough to a 1/4" thickness and cut
into shapes with small cookie cutters. For ornaments, use a straw to
make a hole before drying. Let the stars dry slowly, turning the
frequently. Enjoy!

Nightmare

By Brenda Hyde

Place cards:
Glue small acorns to a small business card size piece of cardstock
and tuck little pieces of dried flowers or spanish moss around them.
Glue it to the left side, and write your guests name to the right.
Set it directly in front of each place setting.

Bird house roofs:
Buy or make small bird houses and glue just the tops of the acorns
onto the roofs. You can do this with full size birdhouses too-if it's
placed outside spray with a clean sealer.

Wreaths:
I love using the 6-8 inch grapevine wreaths found in craft stores.
They are usually less than a dollar and you can do so much with them!
In this case, glue a row of acorns (try to pick ones of the same size
if possible) around the wreath, centering them, so that you have room
to tuck baby's breath or other tiny dried flowers around and
inbetween. I've also gotten very rustic and used moss and dried seeds
with the acorns. Place on a simple raffia bow and a loop in the back
to hang. Note-if the tops come loose simply glue them back on!

Old Frames:
Hot glue acorns around a small frame then spray with a clear sealer.
I always have old frames laying around, so this is an easy one! I
like using the 5x7 size and putting in a picture of the kids doing
some autumn activity! If the frame is still too nice to cover
completely, you can just glue them in the corners as accents. Oh, and
take the glass out when you are working with it-add it and the
picture back in when it's dry and set.

There are many little odd things we do with acorns too. Other years
we collected them at my parents' house-for which they were grateful
I like putting them in baskets with pinecones and seedpods. We also
make silly crafts with construction paper and glue. Acorn people are
a favorite. One note- don't keep your acorns in a sealed plastic bag.
They most often still have moisture inside and will mold. Collecting
them in baskets works great!

Nightmare

A rich, autumnal potpourri blend, Enchanted Forest is rich in balsam,
vanilla, and patchouli -- earthy, sensual, and mysterious. It is
gorgeous in forest green and shades of brown, with sprinkles of
moonlight thrown in.
You will need:
Dried Flowers and Herbs
2 cups deer's-tongue leaves
2 cups patchouli leaves
1 cup balsam fir needles
Essential Oils
20 drops patchouli oil
10 drops sandalwood oil
8 drops vanilla oil
Fixative
1/4 cup cut or ground oakmoss
Textured Elements
1/2 cup orange peel
1/2 cup sassafras root bark
1/4 cup sandalwood chips
1/4 cup cinnamon chips
1/4 cup vanilla bean chunks
Finishing Touches
1/4 cup vervain blossoms
1/4 cup silver-painted pinecones
1/4 cup foxglove flowers
1/4 cup silver glitter

Nightmare

Hard boiled eggs
For each batch of dye:
1 cup hot water
1/4 cup white vinegar
8 -10 drops of liquid food coloring
2 -3 tablespoons Oil
Paper towels
Adult supervision is advised. Cover work surface with newspaper. In
a glass container large enough to hold an egg and dye, combine the
hot water, white vinegar and food coloring.
Stir in 3 tablespoons Oil. Repeat to create an assortment of dye
colors.
Gently submerge an egg into the dye; with a slotted spoon, lift and
lower several times.
Remove to paper towels and gently blot completely dry before dying
in a second color. Patterns can be made using a paint brush.
For best results, don't use more than 2-3 colors per egg. Dry
completely on paper towels.
Store in the refrigerator. (Note: Reserve egg cartons for storage).
Note: USE FOOD DYES ONLY

Nightmare

1 clear glass votive candle holder
about 20 cinnamon sticks
transparent tape
scissors
hot glue gun, glue sticks
Measure the height of your holder, and add 1/2 inch. This is the
length you will need to cut your cinnamon sticks. Cover the holder
completely with tape. Hot glue does not adhere well to glass, so
this will give you a good surface to glue to. Glue each stick
vertically to the holder, making sure they are placed evenly, until
the entire surface is covered. Use like this, or decorate with
raffia, or other small holiday decorations.

Nightmare

Two recipes, both simple, for making these neat ornaments that can
also be used as package toppers. If making ahead, I would put each
one in it's own plastic bag and store in a cool dry place.
4 ounces of ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup of applesauce
2 tablespoons of white craft glue
These are not edible because of the glue. Mix together well, roll
out and cut your shapes. Poke a hole at the top of each one for
hanging before they dry. Put them on a wire rack for about a week
and let them dry, turning them over about once a day.

Cinnamon Ornaments
3/4 cup applesauce
1 4.12 ounce bottle ground cinnamon
Mix together to form a stiff dough. Roll dough to 1/4 inch
thickness. Cut with cookie cutters. Make hole at top of ornaments on
rack to dry. Let dry 1-2 days or until thoroughly dry, turning
occasionally. Hang with decorative thread, ribbon or natural raffia.
Makes 12-15 ornaments.

Nightmare

1 6 inch long cinnamon stick
red, peach or cream, black and pink acrylic paint
small paintbrush
tiny stiff paintbrush for textured paint
"snow" textured paint
Paint Santa's hat on a 1/2 inch space at the top of the stick, using
textured paint for ball and trim. For face, paint 3/4 below the hat
using peach or cream paint, paint eyes black and cheeks pink. Lastly
use texture paint and the stiff brush to paint eyebrows and the
beard. These make charming gift toppers, or additions to gift
baskets and flower arrangements.