Paper-Tube Tree and Wreath

A quick Christmas craft that's kind to the earth!

Tree Materials

Large paper grocery bag
Six T-P rolls
Green tempera paint
Thick craft glue
Compass, pencil, scissors, sponge brush

Tree Instructions

1 For branches, cut each tube lengthwise into three pieces with different widths. Paint all sides green. Let dry. Cut into 1/4" to 1/2" wide pieces.

2 For base, cut an 11" circle from paper bag. Cut circle in half. Roll 1/2 circle into cone shape and glue to hold.

3 To finish tree, start at bottom and glue tube strips around cone, overlapping rows slightly. Trim top branches into points.

Wreath Materials

Cereal box
Two T-P rolls
Tempera paint: green, red
10 red 1/4" pom poms
Lightweight paper bag
Thick craft glue
Compass, pencil, scissors, sponge brush

Wreath Instructions

1 Cut T-P roll in half lengthwise. Paint both sides green. Cut into 1" strips crosswise.

2 Cut a 6" ring with a 3" diameter opening from cereal-box cardboard. Paint both sides green. Fold and glue 1" strips as shown in this unpainted model. Glue on pom poms.

3 To make bow, cut side from paper bag. Paint both sides red. Cut 2" strips, crinkle, and unfold carefully. Make bow as shown in Figure 1. Scrunch A & B together. Glue strip around center.

Crazy Catapult (Project)

Crazy Catapult

(Caution: Not intended for young children. Do not use catapult to hurl any hard or sharp objects.)

GET READY . . .

One 9" long x 2" wide x 3/4" thick board
Nine craftsticks*: eight jumbo and one regular
One six-inch length of 1/8" diameter dowel
One spring-type clothespin
One heavy-duty rubber band
Plastic spoon
Glue gun and glue sticks*
Coping saw (finishing saw), ,
Drill with 1/8" bit
Screw and screw driver

(Note: Adult supervision is needed when using a glue gun, drill, and saw, and when breaking spoon.

Make the arm. Stack two jumbo sticks together. Measure and drill a hole centered 1/2" from one end. Use saw to cut a one-inch long x 1/8" wide horizontal slit centered through both sticks at opposite end. For arm grippers, cut 1-1/4" from each end of regular craft stick. Cut short piece of craft stick for spacer. Sandwich grippers and spacer between arm pieces while gluing together. Cut ends of grippers should be at a slight slant 1/2" apart with first gripper 1/2" from slot, between arm pieces. Position spacer 1/2" from holes at opposite end of arm. Break off spoon handle leaving 1-1/2" of the handle. Glue handle into slit in arm. Set aside.
Assemble the catapult. See Figure and Photo. Glue two jumbo craftsticks (uprights) perpendicular to the base opposite each other 3" from one end. Glue two jumbo craftsticks at an angle on each side for stabilizers as shown in photo. Let dry. Drill one hole 1/2" from top of stabilizers on both sides. Cut dowel in half. Slide one dowel through the holes and glue into place. Drill a hole in each upright 2" from bottom. Slide remaining dowel through one side of upright, then through the hole in the catapult arm, then through the other upright. Glue into place.
Attach the firing mechanism, load, and FIRE! To attach clothespin, position clothespin so it will grasp the end gripper when arm is in down position. Insert screw through spring in clothespin. Turn screw into board. Attach rubber band to top dowel using a lark's head knot. Slide opposite end over arm between grippers. Velocity can be adjusted by placement of rubber band. The further back on the arm the rubber band is placed, the more momentum. Push arm down until end of gripper fits inside of clothespin. Catapult is ready to fire!

Red & Blue Birds (Project)

Red & Blue Birds

These craft-stick birds are a great activity. Have kids help decorate the house or tree with their cardinals or blue jays, have them write their name on their bird and hang it on the wall!

GET READY . . .

(For one bird)

Construction paper: yellow, red, or blue
One 7mm wiggle eye
Five regular craft sticks
Watercolor paints or red and blue markers
Thread, string, or yarn
One fine-line black permanent marker
Thick craft glue
Bowl with water
Paintbrush
Paper towels
Scissors
Transparent tape

GO!

Cut out patterns, paint wings and tail feathers. Cut out patterns on page 63. Use red or blue watercolors or markers to paint the craft sticks. Paint fronts, sides, and backs. Let dry. (Hint: If using watercolors, don't get the brush too wet, or color will look "washed out.")
Assemble the bird. See Photo. Glue yellow beak to head, making sure beak covers pointed "beak" area on head and that sides of beak and head are even. Glue wiggle eye to head just behind beak. For wings, glue two craft sticks side by side and angling downward on top of body. Let dry.
Finish Up. For tail, turn bird over so back is facing up. Glue three craft sticks side by side and angling upward to back of body. Make sure the end of the center "feather" sticks out slightly farther than other feathers. For hanger, cut and fold an eight-inch length of thread, string, or yarn in half. Knot ends together forming a loop. Tape hanger to back of body. Use marker to write name on bird. Hang on bulletin board or window.

Cutting-Remarks Magnets

GET READY . . .

·Plastic knives* ·Self-adhesive magnetic strip* ·Plastic model cement (optional) ·Fine-line permanent black marker ·Scissors (Note: Adult supervision is needed when using plastic-model cement. *Buy knives in 400 count boxes through local wholesale clubs or ask for donations from fast-food restaurants. Ask local sign shops for magnetic sign scraps.)

GO!

See Photo. Use marker to write saying across front of knife. Let dry. (Note: Marker will smear if touched while wet.) Make up your own sayings using words associated with knives such as cut, sharp, knife, and edge. For instance: "Look sharp, be sharp, "Cooks are cut-ups," or "Beware of sharp wit." To finish, cut a length of magnet, peel off paper backing and press to back of knife. Or glue magnet with plastic model cement. Let dry.

Macaroni-Dinner Box Purse (Project)

Macaroni-Dinner Box Purse

GET READY . . .

One macaroni and cheese dinner
Paint (color of choice)
One button with shank
Elastic thread, cord or clothesline
Two medium eyelets (optional)
Trims: ribbon, lace, or other
Thick craft glue
Bamboo skewer or toothpick
Paintbrush
Sharp scissors

(*A Kraft" Macaroni and Cheese Dinner box was used for this project.)

GO!

See Photo. Cut box as shown and remove contents. Paint box with two coats of paint, letting paint dry between coats. For handle. Cut a hole in each side of box, then glue eyelets in holes. Working from the outside of purse, thread one end of cord or clothesline through holes and knot ends. For button latch, cut a small slit just below point of flap. Cut a one-inch length from center of toothpick or skewer. Insert shank of button through slit in purse. Insert toothpick length through shank on inside of purse. Cover shank and toothpick with glue. Cut and fold a piece of elastic thread forming a loop. Knot the ends of loop. Glue knot to back of flap at point. Add lace and other trims as desired. Let dry.

Expandable Cards

Use paper and markers to send one-of-a -kind greetings!

Materials

3-1/2" x 18" water-color paper strips
Water-color markers
Fine-line permanent marker, pencil, ruler

Instructions

Fold the paper like this:
First, use pencil to draw a picture of your choice on the closed front like this:
Open the card and finish the inside of the picture like this:
Use markers to color the drawing.
To make the picture stand out, outline with black permanent marker.