Pirate Finger Puppets

 

 

Yo ho ho! Look who arrived just in time for Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept. 19th, 2012).

 

 

 

I was thinking I'd have it easy this year, just making puppets for one class (2nd grade).  But my 5th grader wanted them, too!  And they are already asking what is next...

 

 

 

Meanwhile, these hearties were well received by my son's second grade teacher...  I just love it when they get put to classroom use!

 

 

I've already covered our favorite pirate books in another post but we just discovered Melinda Long's sequel, "Pirates Don't Change Diapers."  David Shannon's entertaining drawings make this a must check out from your local library!

 

 

And also look for I Love My Pirate Papa, by Laura Leuck.  Kyle Stone's illustration are cute cute CUTE!  You don't have to be a pirate fanatic to fall in love with this book.. father and son lead us through plenty a pirate escapade aboard their ship to keep us entertained, laughing, and loving.  Watch for the little mice who help with the action!

 

 

Thanksgiving Ribbon Topiary

Ribbony Goodness!

It was Courtney over at A Diamond in the Stuff who got me hooked on these ribbon topiaries. I made one for Independence day and now I can't stop... Here's a Thanksgiving version that has to be removed because Christmas is next!   I tried putting the whole thing away but the space where it stood seems so colorless and empty without that blossom of color...

The best part of this project is that it is so simple, yet satisfying. The feel and look of different ribbon types is addictive. I can sit with my boys while they are snacking and not join in because my fingers are busy! I can bring a roll of ribbon to soccer practice in my purse and snip while I'm watching!

For this easy project you need a foam ball (mine was 5", from the floral section of the craft store), a pot (mine was from Goodwill), a half styrofoam block to stick inside the pot (stabilize dowel), decorative moss to cover the styrofoam, a wooden dowel (mine was 3/8"), straight pins, and bunches of ribbon in various sizes and textures cut up in 4" (10cm) pieces (5 or 6 rolls). The different textures really add to the project. Thicker ones stick up better and help support the satiny ones.

All you do is pin loops of ribbon into the ball, one at a time, until the ball is covered. Twist the loops so they overlap in different directions. A colorful burst of fun!

Thanksgiving Fun: An Idea Collection

Ah, Thanksgiving.  A time for reflection. A time to appreciate family and friends.  A great time to be together, so why not stretch the celebration by doing a few crafts together beforehand?  A perfect way to slow things down a bit.  Here are some ideas we tried this year...

We hung a festive lighted strand of maple leaves above the windows, but somehow it looked like something was missing.  Aha!  We crafted a dozen owls from egg carton cups and hung them from the string lights with golden string. Much better!  (separate the egg cups, poke hole and tie hanging string into half of the pieces, glue together tops and bottoms, paint brown, glue on wings and beaks from craft foam, and don't forget the google eyes!)

 The autumn leaves are certainly a highlight in our area, and this year the colors were most spectacular. We collected favorites for a week or so, flattening them between books. When we were ready to craft, we spread a thin layer of watered down glue on the leaves and sprinkled glitter on top.  We flipped them over and did the other side, too. Then I sprayed clear glossy paint to hold the glitter in place and give the leaves strength. We attached some gold organdy ribbon and hung them from the lamp over the table. Festive!

I found the GIVE THANKS banner idea on pinterest.. but didn't trace back how to do it until just now... It came from Parents magazine and theirs is definitely nicer, so go check it out here.  I didn't want to make a permanent decoration that we would need to store, so we just used construction paper.  Sheets were cut in half then folded over and stapled for the background of the letters.  The most fun was gathering the materials for the letters!  I admit to doubting that we'd find enough different items to make all those letters, but it really wasn't a problem.  We used pine needles, cone flower seed heads, sticks, leaves, ferns, bark, etc. of various textures and truly enjoyed crafting each letter!  Tacky glue was perfect for adhering all the stuff.

Can a mom (or grandma) EVER have too many handprint crafts? I just had to try this with the boys after seeing it here at Almost Unschoolers...

We made a moose shaped bird seed ornament for our neighbors. Fun little surprise that kids can make to hide on doorsteps!

Lastly, we put together a couple of sweet treats and a conversation starter (quesiton on paper feather) into a paper tube decorated to look like corn. These corn party favors have become a family tradition!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Corn Treat Holders

Our family Thanksgiving  tradition includes Family Fun's corn treat holder idea. Corn plays such an important role in our early history that I just can't resist the symbolism! Where would civilization be without it? And to think we are still learning the mystery of its domestication...

  

I fill the corn holders with goodies and put them on plates at our Thanksgiving table. The treats are usually something chocolate (kisses), something mint (gum), a lip balm, and a strawberry candy. For the kids, I sometimes substitute a small lego set, the tiny promotional ones you see at Target this time of year.  Lastly, I put a paper feather in each corn that has a conversation starter on it, such as "what are you most grateful for?"

  

 

To make the corn, start with an empty paper tube and coat it with a thin layer of glue. Fringe a length of yellow crepe paper and wrap it around the tube in overlapping layers. I actually keep mine from year to year so I don't have to stress about making them the night before... I always seem to be short on time! Use a half sheet or so of green tissue paper to wrap up the corn after it is dried and filled, tying the ends to secure with ribbon. (I don't worry if the ends are totally covered, you just need them mostly closed!)

  

 

I think the feathers came from Family Fun, too, though I don't see the template when I search for it... I'd be happy to post a PDF for you. Not everyone likes to answer the questions so I don't make a big deal out of it when guests open their corns. I find that the questions are useful later, as people get relaxed and the meal progresses. We've had great conversations from them!

Sample questions:

• What is something you are glad your parents/grandparents/teacher/kids taught you?
• What are you most grateful for?
• What invention are you grateful for?
• What is one of your favorite Thanksgiving memories?
• What was the craziest thing that happened on a Thanksgiving in your past?
• What was your happiest moment this year?
• What is something you forget to be thankful for?

May your celebration be full of wonderful moments you'll treasure forever!  Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Powhatan Indian Felt Finger Puppets

Powhatan Indian felt finger puppets made for class studies on Native Americans.  The "corn" is a piece of yellow pipe cleaner wrapped in green felt leaves. The necklace is blue glass beads strung with a copper colored piece of metallic confetti (originally in a fish shape!). The feather is a piece of fringe from a trim (sewing notion).  Fabric paint for eyes, mouth and shoes.

Bird Seed Ornament Gifts

Looking for a fun way to surprise wonderful people this Thanksgiving?  How about whipping up a batch of bird seed ornaments! This idea was originally posted by eighteen25 and Design Dazzle as a summer craft idea but lends itself well to the holiday season, especially given that birds are in more need of nutrition as the weather cools.  

The recipe is easy enough for kids to do, the ingredients are simple, sharing food is a Thanksgiving tradition (even with birds!), and the gift will express thoughtfulness to recipients without being "stuff" they have to figure out what to do with after the holiday!   

What you need:

• birdseed
• cookie cutters or jar lids (to shape the ornaments)
• envelope(s) of plain gelatin (to hold birdseed together)
• wax paper (to set ornaments on while filling and drying)
• ribbon, string or twine (to hang ornament)

How To's:

1) Mix 1/4 of water with one envelope of gelatin in small saucepan.

2) Bring mixture to simmer and keep stirring until all gelatin is dissolved.

3) Remove from heat and let cool for a minute or so while you get a cup of birdseed and prepare a mold (cookie cutter) by placing it on wax paper.  I put ours on a small cookie sheet to make it easy for little hands to transport and maneuver!

4)  Stir in the birdseed.

5)  Spoon the birdseed/gelatin mixture into your mold (cookie cutter) until it is halfway full. 

6)  Lay a knotted loop of ribbon, string, or twine into the mold and bury it with more birdseed mixture until the mold is full.  Use fingers to pack the seed in and spread to edges of the mold.

7)  Let the ornaments dry overnight, then remove the mold (cookie cutter).  We needed to make a big batch in one night, so we quickly tucked the ornament in the freezer for a few minutes (while mixing up the next batch) to get a head start on the hardening.  We removed the cookie cutter carefully so the shape would still hold, but it did take overnight on the counter to completely harden.

8)  Attach a pretty tag (GIVE THANKS found for FREE here) or card and your ornament is ready for giving... or hanging!

Pumpkin Brownies

A day off of school and a day off of work... facing the list of put-off chores. Then I spied it!  A half cup of pumpkin puree left over from delicious pumpkin cookies that didn't use the whole can!  Better use it now before it grows moldy...

Found this recipe for chocolate brownies swirled with pumpkin! Yum! 


The picture is from the recipe page...

http://blogchef.net/pumpkin-brownies-recipe/


They are in the oven right now... I'll be back to let you know how they taste, Yum!


I'm back to report that they are every bit as delicious as they look, even with a couple of changes.  First, I omitted the walnuts and halved the nutmeg and cloves to help make sure I wouldn't be eating the whole batch myself.  Second, I forgot to add the chocolate chips in the making mayhem. (Following new recipes with a couple of quacking duckings in the kitchen is my excuse).  I sprinkled the chips over the warm brownies and spread them like frosting after a few minutes.  Also, they seemed a little salty... maybe I mismeasured, but I may omit that and just use salted butter next time.

The chocolate faces on the happy ducklings about sums it up!  This recipe is moved to the family favorites!

Chestnut & Pistachio Shell Turkey Craft

Letting a toddler take you for a walk in the fall can bless you with pockets full of treasures!

Add a pompom head, some googly eyes, craft foam feet, and a pistachio shell beak with a little hot glue and you never know what kind of treasure creature may emerge...

Hey, who said all turkeys had to be cute, anyway?  :)  These goofy guys make us giggle!

Raven (or Crow) Felt Finger Puppet

Caw, Caw! Share some of that lunch?

How-to Hints:  Cut 2 body shapes out of black felt (template below).  Glue two pieces of black feather boa to the middle of the back piece.  When dry, sew front and back together.  Cut small feet and beak from orange felt.  I added a small piece of yellow feathery yarn behind the top of the beak for whimsy. For eyes, I cut a gold sequin in half and added black beads.  Fabric paint would also work well.  I also shoved a little pillow stuffing in the head with a pencil to give it a rounded, 3D (sort-of) look... Have fun!

For a story to go with these puppets, try Martha, by Gennady Spirin.  It's about a family who rescues an injured crow.  They take the crow to the vet, who advises putting it down. The family decides to see if they can nurse it back to health. They succeed, and the crow gets into a little mischief along the way (imagine a crow in your house!).  Eventually, Martha is set free, healed and flying. This compassionate tale is made all the better by extraordinary art work. Little ones will be able to "see" the story before they can read it, pointing out details that the text doesn't cover.  But that's not all!!  The setting of the tale is in Moscow, so kids end up with a window into another culture.  Check it out!

Raven Finger Puppet Pattern

Thanksgiving Turkeys

Black Widow Spider Felt Finger Puppets

What would Halloween be without a few spooky spiders? Aw, the smile on these guys will surely help get a giggle out of whomever they tickle with their soft, yarn legs.

Creation Tips:  Use sparkly fabric paint to add 8 tiny eyes.  For 8 legs, cut 4 lengths of thick yarn that stretch across body to other side.  Glue lightly in middle of back piece to hold in place for sewing.

Add bits of red felt for abdomen stripes.

Black Widow Spider Finger Puppet Pattern

Our favorite spider story to go along with this puppet.. you just can't beat Diane Cronin's Diary of a Spider.  The vivid accounts of spider's daily life will not only have you laughing as you learn spider facts, but will have your kids empathizing with these much maligned invertebrates in no time!  

 Another fun story expressing the spider's perspective is Aaaarrgghh!  Spider!, by Lydia Monks.  A spider wants to become a family pet but despite her best attempts to show them how cool she is, it is soon apparent that no one in the family appreciates her.  So, the spider finally stays outside.  And that's when she captivates them! Her beautiful webs make everyone think twice about her!  You will think twice, two, because the page is sparkly with silver glitter webs... I am a sucker for touchy-feely books!  The display leads the family to decide she'd make a great pet afterall... until one day when she invites in some of her friends.... Aaaarrgghh, Spider!

Batty Ghosts

How to's: Trace two copies of your favorite ghosty shape onto white felt. Use sparkle or flash felt for even more glittery fun! Glue hands together with tacky glue. Sew together! Use 3D fabric paint for mouths and eyes. Trick or treat fun!

Ghost Finger Puppet Pattern

When my kids were little, I struggled a bit with the whole idea of introducing them to "ghosts" but was quickly reminded that they saw them as just another character in their list of learning, like a cartoon. There are so many cute ghost crafts for toddlers, I didn't want to miss out! My boys also had (have!) a particular fondness for walking around with sleeping bags or blankets over their heads (ouch!).

Lynda Graham-Barber's, SAY BOO! was our family's introduction to the concept of ghosts. It is a darling story about a little ghost having trouble pronouncing BOO! You can use the story literally, to show how one letter changes the word (rhyming moo, boo, whoo, etc.) but also to discuss feelings as little boo gets frustrated by not being able to make the right sound. Barbara Lehman's illustrations are colorful and have just the right detail to capture the concepts.

If you haven't read David LaRochelle's, The Haunted Hamburger and other Ghostly Stories, you must put it on your (kids) Halloween reading list this year. Paul Meisel's illustrations are expressive and detailed, highlighting all the emotion in the stories as well as the concepts. While trying to get his kids to bed, father ghost spins three tall tales to entertain them. These three tales are scary for the ghosts (being turned into a diaper, being tricked by a hamburger, and kissed by a granny), but will leave kids laughing. You'll surely catch kids of many ages reading this creative story again on their own.

Does your family love pie? The Perfect Pumpkin Pie, by Denys Cazet, is a tasty pie ghost story, although a slight step up on the spooky scale than the two stories above. The spooky part is that Mr. Wilkerson actually dies, is buried and turns into a ghost (in the first pages). If your kids can get past that (we looked at each other with wrinkled eyebrows), they'll be hooked on the rest. The granny and boy face the ghost without fear (all he wants is pie). The prose is clever, fun to read aloud and easy to add character voices... Pumpkins, pumpkins,/pumpkin pie!/I must have one/before I die./It must be round/and brown as toast,/or I'll haunt this house/a hungry ghost! The wonderfully detailed illustrations are reminiscent of David Catrow, and really add to the tale. So much to look for on each page!

I searched a little on Amazon to get a few more ideas together:

The adorable illustrations in Kristen Depken's One, Two Boo! caught my attention right away. This lift the flap book would have been on my interest list when my boys were toddlers.

This one got me right from the title, ghosts aren't supposed to be timid! Ten Timid Ghosts, by Jennifer O'Connell, is a count down book that would surely appeal to the preschool/kinder audience interested that may feel timid about ghosts themselves! The plot involves a witch employing a clever scheme to scare away the ghosts, and builds in math concepts (counting, subtraction).

Ghosts in the House, by Kazuno Kohara will leave you in great "spirits" at how resourceful the clever heroine is... Got ghosts? Just put them in the laundry and turn them into something else! Eyecatching drawings and a perfect blend of sweet and spooky for Halloween storytimes.

Vampires

Spooky Trees

These not-so-scary trees can be fun favors for a Halloween or Harvest celebration.  Also, consider using them for environmental education-- wildlife trees or snags!
Spooky Tree Felt Finger Puppet Pattern

Monster Mash! A Frankie Felt Finger Puppet

Frankie Finger Puppet Pattern

Goin' Bats! Felt Finger Puppets

Trace and cut out pieces below.  You will need two body pieces and two wing pieces for each puppet. Sparingly glue together to hold for sewing.  I added a piece of fringe under the eyes for eyelashes, and purple thread for whiskers (knot together a few lengths and glue under small felt triangle nose). Fabric paint works great for eyes and details!

I found this awesome purple and black flash felt in a multi-pack of felt one year... I'd love to make these again but get disappointed... can't find ANY flash felt anywhere. Grrrr.

 The classic Stellaluna, by Janelle Cannon, is surely a must-read bat story.I  love Brian Lies' Bats at the Beach, too, for a fun bat story that will have kids reminiscing about summer fun! 

Bat Finger Puppet Pattern

I want my MUMMY!

Darling little sweeties (BOO!) so easy to make!

Tips:

Wrap mummy in narrow strips of cheesecloth prior to sewing.

Use fabric paint to add eyes. 

Glue on tiny pompom (3-4mm) for nose.

Mummy Felt Finger Puppet Pattern

Little Witches Felt Finger Puppets

Not so scary witches for little sweeties!   Trace (template) and cut out pieces below and sparingly glue to hold for sewing.  I used sparkle black felt for glamour!  Her hair is a 1" or so piece of fringe/trim, with bangs cut out. Also, I added an extra layer for her skirt with purple sparkle dots on black mesh (tiny fabric piece). Fabric paint works great for eyes and details!  I used purple sparkly paint for buttons and hat trim.  Hands can be sewn on to make sure they stay, or if you are making a bunch of these, a generous dab of tacky glue will do the trick.

Favorite witch stories to go with these little gals:  Room on the Broom, by Julia Donaldson and Alice and Greta, by Steven J. Simmons, and the Little Witch series by Lieve Baeton.

 

I eagerly admit to being a BIG fan of Cyd Moore's artwork, which is how I found this great witchy series, Alice and Greta. Oh, the choices we have to make in life. Do good, do bad. Are you going to follow the dark side? This story follows two witches who make two different choices and introduces the "Brewmerang Principle," which is basically, you reap what you sow. Greta's Revenge, the sequel, is the must read follow up... yes, the good side wins in the end!

 

Room on the Broom is a happy tale for younger audiences.  A warm-hearted witch finds room for all her animal friends on her broom.  When the broom finally breaks and the witch is in danger, all her friends pull together for a brave rescue and a happy ending!

 

 

 The illustrations in Lieve Baeton's Little Witch series are so detailed and magical they will draw you right in for more and more re-reads... there is always something more to discover. The stories are sweet, simple, but fresh, too. For example, my boys really enjoyed one part where Little Witch needs to go to the bathroom but she is flying on her carpet (in Up and Away with the Little Witch)!  What one of us can't relate to that?

 
 

Witch Finger Puppet Pattern