Creative Crafts for Kids

Creative Christmas Crafts for Kids 


Hands and Feet Reindeer Craft
An easy to make reindeer craft for classrooms, a Christmas party,
or with your children at home.


You'll Need:
Large plastic eyes
Large red pom-poms (glitter pom-poms are a fun addition!)
Brown construction paper, craft foam or cardstock paper
Lighter brown or tan paper for the ears (optional)
Construction paper in any color; optional if you would like to glue
the reindeer onto another piece of paper.

How to Make It:
First, with one shade of brown, cut the antlers and reindeer,
using your child's handprint and shoeprint as a pattern.
Then, cut the ears with the other brown. We used a lighter shade of
brown to add yet another layer to the ears but that's not necessary.
Glue the antlers together at a slight angle. Then add the ears and glue
the head on last. Glue the eyes and nose the the head and add a smile with a marker.
It's that simple!



Sparkling Beaded Snowflake Ornaments

Little fingers will find these sparkling ornaments easy and fun to make!  Super for classrooms, Sunday school or scout troops!

You'll Need:
Scissors
Silver and/or blue tinsel pipe cleaners 2 per snowflake
Blue, white, silver plastic pony beads


Cut the pipe cleaners in half so that you have 4 pieces.
Make a cross with two pieces, twist and secure. then add the other
two pieces, twist and secure.
 
Add a few beads to each piece of pipe cleaner. Bend the ends of each
piece just enough to prevent the beads from falling off. Add an ornament hanger or make a loop with the pipe cleaner for hanging

Candy Cane Reindeer

You'll Need:
6 inch wrapped Candy Cane
Ribbon             

2 wiggle eyes             

Red or Brown pom pom            

2 pipe cleaners             

Craft glue or glue gun

Leave the wrapping on the candy cane. Glue eyes on rounded face of the candy cane. Glue red pompom on the face for a nose. Tie ribbon into a bow on the straight part of the candy cane. Cut one of the pipe cleaners in half. Wrap the full pipe cleaner around the crook of the candy cane to begin the antlers. Use the cut pipe cleaners to manipulate into antlers.
  

Butterscotch Marble Cake Recipe

Butterscotch Marble Cake

Makes: 12 servings

Prep: 20 minutes

Bake: 55 minutes
Cool: 2 hours

Ingredients:
1 package 2-layer-size white cake mix
1 4-serving-size package instant butterscotch pudding mix

1 cup water
1/4 cup cooking oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup chocolate-flavored syrup
2 ounces sweet baking chocolate, cut up
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 tablespoon hot water
Hot water (optional)
Directions
1. Grease and flour a 10-inch fluted tube pan; set aside.


2. In a large mixing bowl combine cake mix, pudding mix, water, oil, and eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping side of bowl often.


3. Transfer 1-1/2 cups of batter to another bowl; stir in the chocolate-flavored syrup. Pour light batter into the prepared pan. Spoon chocolate batter over top. Using a knife, gently cut through batters to marble.


4. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Remove cake from pan and cool completely on wire rack.


5. Meanwhile, for the icing, melt sweet baking chocolate and butter or margarine over low heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon hot water. Stir in additional hot water, if needed, to reach drizzling consistency.

6. Drizzle cake with icing. Makes 12 servings.


Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12 servings Calories372, Total Fat (g)13, Saturated Fat (g)4, Cholesterol (mg)76, Sodium (mg)388, Carbohydrate (g)62, Fiber (g)1, Protein (g)5, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Source: http://www.bhg.com/recipe/chocolate-cakes/butterscotch-marble-cake/

Cream Caramel Cake

Prep: 30 minutes

Bake: 25 minutes

Cool: 2 hours

Stand: 30 minutes

  Ingredients

1  cup  butter

5    eggs, separated

1  cup  buttermilk

3  cups  sifted cake flour

1  tsp.  baking powder

1  tsp.  baking soda

1/8  tsp.  salt

2-1/2  cups  sugar

5  Tbsp.  total mocha syrup, coffee liqueur, and Irish cream liqueur*

2  tsp.  vanilla extract

1  recipe  Irish Cream Frosting

Directions

1. Allow butter, egg yolks, egg whites, and buttermilk to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans; set aside. In a bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. In a mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Beat in sugar until well combined. Beat in egg yolks one at a time. Beat on high speed for 5 minutes.

3. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat on low speed after each addition just until combined. In a bowl combine mocha syrup, coffee liqueur, Irish cream liqueur, and vanilla. Gently stir into cake batter.

4. Thoroughly wash beaters. In a mixing bowl beat egg whites on medium to high speed until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Fold 1 cup of the beaten egg white mixture into the egg yolk mixture; fold remaining egg whites into egg yolk mixture.

5. Divide batter among prepared pans. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until tops spring back when touched. Cool cakes in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans; cool thoroughly on racks.

6. To assemble cake, place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread top of cake with 3/4 cup of the Irish Cream frosting. Top with a second cake layer. Spread top of cake with 3/4 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread remaining frosting on top and sides of cake. Makes 12 to 16 servings.

Irish Cream Frosting: In a mixing bowl beat 1 cup butter, softened, with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until smooth. Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar, beating well. Slowly beat in 6 tablespoons total: mocha syrup, coffee liqueur, and Irish cream liqueur.* Beat in 2 tablespoons vanilla. Gradually add 6 cups powdered sugar, beating until smooth and of spreading consistency.

Note: Strong brewed coffee may be substituted for the liqueurs.

Source :http://www.bhg.com/recipe/layer-cakes/cream-caramel-cake/

 

D.I.Y Holiday Decorations

Christmas Decorations made from felt

Felt Poinsettia Bloom

Create everlasting felt poinsettia stems that you can display all winter long.

Materials:

• Dark blue, bright red, dark red, and aqua felt
• Green paper-covered floral wires
• 6 turquoise self-shank buttons
• Blue and red embroidery floss

Instructions:

1. For the center of the flower, cut six dark blue felt circles slightly larger than the buttons to help camouflage wires. Thread a floral wire through a circle and a button and twist the ends of the wire to secure. Repeat for all six buttons and circles, then wire the stems together.
2. Create five medium and seven large leaf shapes by stacking bright red felt atop dark red felt. Use a dark blue running stitch to secure. When stitching, leave an opening in the curved base of each leaf.
3. Make 2-inch loops at the ends of 12 floral wires. Insert a looped end into each petal base. Arrange medium and then larger petals around button stem. Twist additional floral wires tightly around all of the stems to create one thick stem.
4. Accentuate the buttons with five small petals, created by stacking aqua felt on top of dark blue felt and securing with a centered red-floss running stitch. Tuck small petals under buttons and adhere with fabric glue.

Festive Felt Table Runner

 After decorating your tree with ornaments, decorate your table with trees. Cut evergreen tree shapes from green felt, cutting some of the trees in half lengthwise. Cut felt circles from two contrasting colors; glue the circles on the trees. Place a white runner in the center of your table, and then simply layer the felt trees on the runner.

Felt Holly Tree Skirt

Make a tree skirt that you won't want to cover with gifts. For the skirt, cut a desired-size circle with a slit for the tree. Cut holly leaves in two colors and sizes (24 and 26 inches long) and red circles for berries. Hand-stitch long straight stitches with embroidery floss down the center of the leaves. Glue on leaves and red berries.

 

Felt Advent Calendar

Reflect on the meaning of the season with a spirited felt Advent calendar.

 

Materials

• Turquoise, dark blue, dark red, and white felt
• Dark blue, turquoise, dark red, and white embroidery floss
• Assorted buttons
• 2-inch-wide double-sided satin ribbon
• 2 bamboo skewers or dowels cut to size

Instructions:

1. For wordy rectangles: Cut five 5-1/4 x 2-2/3-inch rectangles from felt. (We used two turquoise, two blue, and one red as backdrops for our white-lettered words.) Use a running stitch and contrasting-hue floss to stitch a line around the perimeter of each rectangle.
2. To create the backing: Cut five slightly larger felt rectangles. Layer each small rectangle atop a larger contrasting-color rectangle and pin pieces together.

3. Determine which buttons you will use on each set of rectangles. Mark the center on each set of rectangles. Use a sewing machine and thread matching the smaller rectangle to create centered buttonholes. (Remember, when layering buttons, holes should accommodate the largest button in the stack.)

4. Remove pins. Secure each set of rectangles together with fabric glue. With smallest rectangles facing up, trim edges of larger contrasting rectangles, leaving a small border that will highlight the stitch-edged rectangles.
5. Cut letters from white felt to spell out words. Glue letters in place on small rectangles.
6. For banner, cut a 7x21-inch turquoise felt panel and a 7-1/2x21-inch dark blue felt panel. Center turquoise panel on dark blue panel and pin together.
7. Machine-stitch panels together along 21-inch sides. Create rod pockets at top and bottom of banner. Fold top and bottom edges over 3/4 inch and pin. Machine-stitch 1/2 inch out from fold. For hanger, pin an 8-inch length of ribbon to top the back corners of banner and stitch in place, following rod-pocket stitch line. Slip bamboo skewers or cut-to-fit dowels into rod pockets to help banner hold its shape.
8. To pull it all together, position and stitch buttons on front of banner. If desired, stack on another button and stitch through first button to attach to banner. Button on the embellished felt rectangles, with flowers facing up and lettered sides facing banner.

Source: http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/crafts/felt-decorations/

DIY Holidays Wreaths

Wreath with a Satin Cuff

       From the magazine, Holiday Decorating

Source:

http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/wreaths/wreaths-for-a-holiday-door/?page=12

This berry-laden wreath looks complex, but it's really quite easy. It starts with a florist's foam wreath form, cedar sprigs, and berries.
Though we've used fresh greenery, artificial greenery will create a longer-lasting wreath with no maintenance.
Note: For best results, when made with fresh greenery, this wreath should be hung in a protected area or indoors.
Find a list of materials and how-tos below.

Supplies

• Cedar
• Holly foliage
• Hypericum berries, twigs
• Floral foam wreath (made of oasis -- for fresh flowers)
• Sharp knife or clippers
• Florist's wire
• Smaller wreath made of grapevine or stems
• Artificial "frosted" or beaded berries
• Wide satin or grosgrain ribbon

  

Instructions

1. Submerge the foam wreath form into water and let soak thoroughly. To enhance water retention, insert a small knife, twisting slightly to create small butterfly-shaped marks into the foam. Make these cuts 3 or 4 inches apart all over the wreath. (These small holes will help funnel water into the center of the foam.)
2. Using a sharp knife or garden clippers, cut up greenery into small, 4- to 6-inch sprigs. Insert greenery all over to cover the form completely. Tip: Working with one type of material at a time will help evenly distribute each variety.
3. Next, cut the berries so stems are about 3 inches long and insert into the foam.
4. Decorate the smaller vine wreath with artificial beaded berries and twigs, wiring or gluing these on as needed.
5. Attach the smaller wreath into the center of the evergreen wreath, wiring it to the larger wreath in at least three places.
6. Tie a length of wide ribbon around the top of the wreath, making a square knot at the top. Clip the ends into a wide V-shape.
7. Tip: Misting daily will help keep the foam damp and the wreath fresh. However, water may spot ribbon

Happy Holidays Wreath Project

Greet your visitors with a special message embedded in a pretty green wreath.

This unusual oval wreath greets visitors even before they ring the doorbell.
The letters on this wreath are twine-wrapped wooden cutouts. However, craft stores may have other options for your holiday message.
Wreaths with these types of decorations may need to be kept out of direct weather so the colors won't fade or run. Therefore, it's best to place it under a covered entryway or porch, or use it inside.

Corded Letters

Wooden craft store letters can be painted any color, yet these get a creative makeover -- they're wrapped with silky twine secured with dabs of hot glue. The twine also conceals the wire used to attach the letters to the wreath.

A bead of hot glue on the back
of each letter will help hold
the silk cord.

Attaching the Message

Wires were wrapped around the center of each letter before the cording was attached.
Leave about 12 inches of wire so it can be threaded through the wreath and bent around the back to hold the letter securely in place.

 

Hang on the Door

Green, red, and gold are the colors of this holiday doorway. Elegant topiary trees flank the columns and are decorated with beautiful red bows.

Wreaths Slide Show

Florists often make custom wreaths from a variety of greens. This adds texture and visual interest. Get this look on a budget by inserting various leaves and pine cuttings into a premade wreath. Wire these in if necessary.

 

Holly Jolly

 

Though prickly, holly wreaths make a definite holiday statement. Artificial berry clusters were added to this one since the real berries tend to dry and drop off.

D.I.Y X-MAS CARDS

Make a Trimming-the-Tree Holiday Card

Convey your holiday sentiments with a Christmas tree card decorated with tiny ornaments.

What You Need:

• Card stock in green and crimson
• Ribbon
• Scrapbooking embellishment ornaments
• Black fine-tip marker
• Glue

How to Make It

1. Fold a piece of crimson card stock in half.
2. Cut out a handmade tree from the green card stock, gluing it to the red card stock
3. Tie a ribbon to the cover.
4. Handwrite text with a fine-tip marker.
5. Add cute ornaments to the tree to complete the joyful holiday greeting.

Holiday Star Christmas Cards

Even the youngest child can enjoy a holiday craft with these sticker-laden greetings.

Get your kids involved in holiday crafts with these colorful and fast-to-fix cards. All you need are star stickers in various colors, some card stock, a few cookie cutters, and a little imagination.

Materials and Tools

• 5-x-8-inch plain index cards in white or colors
• Metallic star stickers in various colors
• Cookie cutters
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Fold the index cards to make a 4-x-5-inch card.
2. Trace a shape on the front of each card with a pencil, using the cookie cutters as a guide.
3. Fill in the design with creative sticker arranging

Source:  http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/cards/make-your-own-christmas-cards/?page=12