Paint Strip Turkey

 

Ahhhh, Thanksgiving...how do I love thee? Let me count the caloric intake! Here's a cute and quick craft for children to complete in preparation for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday:

 

 

Materials:

 

-toilet paper tube

-brown construction paper

-orange construction paper (scraps work well)

-google eyes

-paint strips in fall colors (5-6)

-glue

-stapler and staples

 

Instructions:

 

1. Wrap toilet paper tube in brown construction paper and staple to hold in place Trim remaining paper.

 

2. Cut out two feet out of brown construction paper and glue to the bottom of the tube. You could also use orange construction paper for the feet, if you so choose.

 

3. Using the orange construction paper, cut out a small triangle and glue toward the top of the tube for the beak.

 

4. Glue 2 google eyes above the beak.

 

5. Spread out paint strips and staple to tube

 

This year, I am unbelievably thankful for family, friends, good health...and quick, craft projects! Whoop!!!

Ribbon Turkey Vase

With turkey day fast approaching, I thought I'd add a little throwback project into the mix! While putting out Thanksgiving decorations, I came across this little gem I made a few years back for an online competition run by The Dollar Tree (2nd place, what what?!?!) using items found at their stores. The coolest part? The vase used as a base for this project gives this turkey a huge number of possibilities: add lights for extra sparkle, use it as a candy holder, the sky is the limit! Here's how to  make an adorable gobbler of your own:

Materials:

-scissors   
                                    
-1/2” width red ribbon spool                      

-1 ½” width brown ribbon         

-glue gun and sticks

-1 ½“ width orange ribbon

-pipe cleaners                     
      
-large google eyes

-glass vase

Instructions:

 

1.    Wrap brown ribbon around the glass vase in a criss-cross fashion, adding dots of hot glue to secure

2.    Cut two “wings” out of brown ribbon and glue to the sides of the vase.

3.    Using the brown and orange ribbon, cut four feather shapes out of each color. Cut pipe cleaners to the length of the feathers and glue along the middle of each “feather” so that they are now sturdier and more flexible (the pipe cleaner side of the feather will be facing away from the turkey when pieced together)

4.     Fan out the brown and orange feathers and glue towards the opening of the vase on the side that you have designated to be the back of the turkey.

5.   Using the orange ribbon, cut off a 4” piece and fold in half without creasing. Glue the ends of the ribbon together to form the turkey’s “beak” and glue the opposing end of the ribbon to the front of the vase near the opening.

6.    Fold and glue red ribbon into “B” shape and glue beside the beak for the “gobbler”

7.    Glue google eyes toward the top of the vase

Light-Up Ribbon Vase Turkey

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Here are instructions for one of my favorite craft projects. This light-up turkey was created out of objects purchased at the Dollar Tree and entered into their Flair for Crafts contest last year. I had such a blasty-blast taking trips through the store and brainstorming various ideas for projects that it inspired me to create many, many other Dollar Tree-inspired crafts. Mark my words, there will be a book someday!!!

Materials Needed:

-scissors     
                                      
-1/2” width red ribbon spool                      

-1 ½” width brown ribbon         
      
-glue gun and sticks

-1 ½“ width orange ribbon     
        
-battery-operated light strand

-pipe cleaners                       
        
-large google eyes

-glass vase

Instructions:

1.    Wrap brown ribbon around the glass vase in a criss-cross fashion, adding dots of hot glue to secure

2.    Cut two “wings” out of brown ribbon and glue to the sides of the vase.

3.    Using the brown and orange ribbon, cut four feather shapes out of each color. Cut pipe cleaners to the length of the feathers and glue along the middle of each “feather” so that they are now sturdier and more flexible

4.     Fan out the brown and orange feathers and glue towards the opening of the vase on the side that you have designated to be the back of the turkey.

5.   Using the orange ribbon, cut off a 4” piece and fold in half without creasing. Glue the ends of the ribbon together to form the turkey’s “bead” and glue the opposing end of the ribbon to the front of the vase near the opening.

6.    Fold and glue red ribbon into “B” shape and glue beside the beak for the “gobbler”

7.    Glue google eyes toward the top of the vase

8.    Place the battery-operated light strand into the vase and watch it glow!!!