Crafty Christmas

Seasonal crafts which are inexpensive to make and fun for all skill levels.

Sunday, Dec. 6

Woven Paper Hearts

Supplies needed:

Colored construction paper (can also incorporate gift wrap if it is sturdy – or even a brown paper bag)
Ruler
Pencil
Scissors
If you wish – added décor: sequins, buttons, yarn, mini pom-poms, and colored markers.

1: Fold two pieces of different-colored construction paper in half widthwise. Cut the paper in half on that crease.

2: Take those two half sheets and fold them in half widthwise. Take your ruler and mark that folded paper into 2” strips.

3: Take your ruler and mark ½” marks across the bottom of that strip. Also measure up so the strip is about 4” long.

4: Mark a half circle at the top of the strip.

5: Cut the half-inch strips up about 3”; Cut the half circle at the top of the strip.

6: Separate the colored paper. Leave the strips folded in half, and begin weaving them. First inside, then outside the strip of the other color.

7: Continue weaving until all four tabs are woven to make a heart.

8: Make as many hearts as you wish all at once. Once you get the hang of it you can increase or decrease the size of your hearts as you wish.

9: Once the hearts are woven, you can add additional decorations as you wish.

10: The final step is to glue a strip of paper to make a handle to hang the heart. It can be a tree ornament, or you can put a gift card in it. Or … put a handful of Hershey Kisses in them as a holiday treat.

Monday, Nov. 30

Paper Stars/Poinsettias

Today’s craft is shared by Vinci Paterson, Director of Community Engagement for The Grotto.

Supplies Needed:

8 1/2×11 construction paper or copy paper
Scissors
Ruler
Glue
(for added accents you can use buttons, little stars, mini poms or whatever you wish)

1: Cut pieces of construction paper in half to make 2 rectangles.

2: Roll the paper into a long narrow tube- about the diameter of a paper towel roll.

3: Place a line of glue where the edge of the paper meets the roll. Then flatten the roll so the seam is up. Go ahead and make as many different colors of tubes and set them all aside to dry for about 15 minutes.

4: Lay a ruler along one tube and mark at the ½” mark all along the tube. Cut into strips.

5: Glue flattened rings of paper at one end. Glue 6, 7, or 8 of them together in a row. Once it is try you can take each end and pull them into a circle and glue the final two petals to each other. Hold for a couple of moments for glue to set. Continue making as many as you like.

6: You can add buttons, little stars, mini poms for the flower center, if you wish.

Please note: Once these are dry, you can play with the petals – if you push the tip of the petal toward the center of the flower it makes the petal more pointed like a poinsettia or a star.