November 10, 2014



Easy projects for all ages
Painted and decorated Christmas baubles
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Christmas, Christmas | Tagged: decorated baubles, deorated christmas baubles, easy projects for all ages, painted baubles |
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Posted by Elaine
December 19, 2011
pompom with hole
glitter pipe cleaner/chenille stem
small red glitter pompom
googly eyes
How to make
cut pipe cleaner in half thread through the hole – the plastic inner will come out as you push the pipe cleaner through
cut theother pipe cleaner in half again wind around each side to make antlers
glue on red pompom for nose and glue on googly eyes -alternatively use sticky backed googly eyes
Can be used as a bauble on the tree.glue onto a hair slide ,glue onto a brooch back
alternative
Recycled Christmas Bauble
use a recycled bauble wind the pipe cleaner through the hanger and make up the same way as pompom reindeer
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Christmas | Tagged: how to mke a pompom reindeer tree decoration, recycled bauble reindeer |
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Posted by Elaine
December 11, 2011
Star Christmas Tree
requirements
acrylic star beads 2 large 2 medium 2 small 3 tiny
pipe cleaner/chenille stem
Instructions
Thread beads onto pipe cleaner starting with the large and decrease in size so that the tiny beads make the top of tree – the beads slot easily into place -leave a small piece of pipe cleaner at both ends curl at the bottom to stop beads from falling off and turn pipe cleaner at the top to make a hanger




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Christmas | Tagged: chenille stem, christmas tree, how to make a beaded statr tree, pipe cleaner, star beads |
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Posted by Elaine
November 13, 2011
Make your own Festive Holly Wreath. This project steps you through the assembly process of creating a personalised holly wreath that will last for ages, and with it’s construction techniques will allow it to weather the storms of winter. |
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Requirements.
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8, 10 or 12 inch Holly Ring |
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Rose wire or Reel wire |
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Green Twine |
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Straw or Newspaper. |
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Holly |
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Wire cutters / pruners |
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Garden Gloves. |
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Additional items
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Cypress, Ivy, Box, Mistletoe. |
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Silk or Plastic Flowers |
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Florist Ribbon |
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Fir Cones |
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Fruits |
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Cinnamon Sticks |
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Plastic Berries |
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Christmas Decorations
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Cherubs |
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Angels etc |
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Step One
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Choice of Holly Wreath Ring size. |
The Holly wreath rings are available in 8, 10 and 12 inch sizes. This dimension refers to the size of the ring. The completed wreath will be between 4 and 6 larger than the base ring depending on how thickly you the holly. A standard size wreath is made on an 8 inch ring. A 12 inch ring will make a large wreath for a large front door.
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Step Two
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Covering your wreath ring. |
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We have chosen to use a base of straw (hay), you should be able to acquire some from a neighbourhood farmer or equestrian centre. If you have no access to straw, you can use either newsprint or kitchen roll.
Take a handful of straw and shape it round your ring, while binding it to the ring using a strong binding twine. If using newsprint or other paper, scrunch and twist several sheets together then shape and bind to the wreath ring using the twine. You may also use Moss to wrap your wreath ring. Moss can be purchased at a good garden centre. Finish off by cutting away lose straw etc. If you intend using your wreath as a table decoration etc, you may wish to isolate the straw, or paper by wrapping strips of cling film around the ring
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A useful aid to wreath making, are skaters knee pads. Strapped to the inner side of the knees they act as a protective shield when binding the clusters to the wreath ring. |
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Step Three
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Preparing your holly sprigs for binding |
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Cut sprigs of holly, cypress, mistletoe etc. Spring should be between 4 and 10 inches long. The longer the sprigs the larger your completed wreath will be. A good selection would be a large spring with berries, a piece of cypress a piece of plain holly and a small piece of variegated holly |
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Collect the sprigs for your cluster and bind together close to the base with reel wire or rose wire. Leave a 1 inch tail of wire before tightly wrapping the wire around the cluster two or three times. Cut the wire and tie off. |
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A cluster made with berried holly, traditional spiked holly and cypress. |
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STEP FOUR
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Binding the clusters to the wreath ring |
Tie the green twine to the holly ring. Tightly bind the string around the ring about three times. While holding the string tight place your first cluster on the holly ring, towards the centre. Tightly bind the cluster to the wring with at least three rotations. Place the next cluster on the ring facing the some direction, about one inch along and towards the centre of the ring. Again tightly bind with at least three rotations. Add the third cluster facing the same direction about one inch further along and towards the outer edge of the ring. Secure tightly with three rotations of the twine. |
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Repeat this process again, starting towards the inner edge of the ring. Once you have circled the ring, lift up the first cluster and tie of the last cluster underneath. Finally tie off the twine at the back of the ring. Use a screwdriver to force the twine beneath one of the bindings and tie off securely. You could also create a hanging loop at this stage. Now firmly hold the wreath ring in one hand and with the other push the holly forwards away from the back of the to give a uniform shape. Trim any excess holly from the wreath using pruners or wire cutters
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Adding Flowers, Colour etc
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The simplest additions can be made using Christmas Rose Picks or Poinsettia Picks. The wire of these picks is strong enough to be pushed through the ring. Pull the wire from the back with pliers, bend the wire back on itself and push the sharp end back into the ring at an angle to ensure it does not exit the ring. |
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You can use other flowers etc by first wiring them to some stem wire. |
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Add florist ribbon to add colour and flair. |
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A stunning effect can be achieved with careful use of Gold or Silver Spray Paint. Simply mist spray the wreath from at least one foot away, with short bursts of spray while moving the can back and forth. |
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To add Walnuts, Fir Cones etc. Secure the Walnut by wrapping wire around the nut like you would tie up a parcel, leaving one long end of wire to secure the nut to the Wreath. Holding the nut by the wire, spray the nut with gold or silver spray paint. All to dry then secure to your wreath. When using a fir cone, secure the wire around the cone one or two levels up, and spray paint as per the walnut. |
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Add additional colour by using vividly coloured dried or artificial fruits such as Red Pepper or Tangerines. secure the fruits with wire and either build them into your clusters as at step three, or wire into the wreath. |
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Christmas | Tagged: cypress, holly, how to make a christmas holly wreath, ivy, straw base holly wreath |
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Posted by Elaine
October 29, 2011
A quick and simple Christmas Tee Light Decoration, made using an Old CD, acetate, Peel Offs Stickers, candy Tray, Transparent Glass paint (Pebeo Vitrail, Pebeo Vitrea 160 Pens) and Glue. The outline of the Pee-off’s give a leaded stained glass appearance to the design. |
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Peel Off Sticker on acetate |
Peel Off Sticker on acetate after painting |

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Preparations
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Cut a square of Acetate to approx 3.5″ by 3.5″ |
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Gently score a line approx 0.5″ up from the bottom of one side. This will act as the securing fold to the CD |
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Select an appropriate Peel Off Sticker as your design. |
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Stick this in the centre of the acetate sheet, with the base of your design between 0.25 and 0.75″ above the scored line ( or ensure that the centre of your design is approx 1.25″ above the score line. This is approx the height of the Tee Light Flame) |
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Fill in the blank areas of your Peel Off Sticker with the glass paint, or glass pen, and allow to dry |
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Stick a candy tray over the centre hole of the CD. This will hold your Tee Light in Place. Many Tee lights come with a lose metal or plastic cup. This can be used instead of the Candy Tray. |
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Method
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Once your paint is dry and your Tee light holder is secure over the centre of the CD |
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Fold the acetate sheet at right angles along the scored line away from the design. |
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Secure the acetate sheet by the folded tab to the CD. Ensuing that the acetate is 0.5 to 0.75″ away from the edge of the Tee Light. |
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Add extra detail to the Acetate sheet by sticking on spangles etc |
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CAUTION: Never leave your burning Candles unattended. Do not place your Creation in a draft or near flammable objects |
Note: Pebeo Porcelaine 150 paints and Pebeo Vitrea 160 Glass Paints are designed to be baked in an oven for a hardwearing finish. The paint will dry under normal conditions and is perfectly suitable for this project. After all You won’t be washing your decoration in the Dishwasher! Will You ??!!
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Christmas, glass painting | Tagged: glass paints, how to make a tea light holder, pebeo porcelaine paint, pebeo vitrea paint, tealight |
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Posted by Elaine
October 29, 2011

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Requirements
Method
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Cut your Glitter Chenille stem in half. (one stem will do for two reindeer) |
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Cut your half a pipe cleaner in half again |
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Thread one piece of pipe cleaner through the hole in the pom pom by pushing the plastic insert out as you thread the antler through the hole. |
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with the remaining half a pipe cleaner. cut it into three equal pieces then cut one length in half again. |
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You will have two long and two short pieces of chenille. |
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Wrap a long and short piece of chenille around each side to complete the antlers |
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Use PVA glue to stick the eyes and nose to the face. |
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Stick the Head onto the hair clip. |
A quick and easy project made in minutes. you can stick the head to anything. Try sticking it to a magnet or on a greeting card. |
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A quick and easy project suitable for children |
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Christmas, kids crafts | Tagged: christmas reindeer project suitable for children, easy quick christmas project, how to make a reindeer hair clip, pompom reindeer |
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Posted by Elaine
October 29, 2011
Pin Craft Christmas Bell Tree Decoration using Pinflair components and Christmas Ribbon
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Pin Craft or Pinflair is the art of pinning fabrics, or sequins etc to shapes or forms. Pinflair Polystyrene shapes are an ideal medium, allowing easy construction. Use filigree etc for finishing. easy to make Christmas Craft project in less than an hour |
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Requirements
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Preparation
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Cut ribbon into approx 58 10cm lengths. This number may vary depending on the closeness of the overlays |
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Method
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Find and mark the centre point of the base of the bell. |
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Place a ribbon length on a flat surface face down |
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From the centre of the the ribbon, fold over end by 45 degrees |
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Fold over the other end the same way. |
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Place the ribbon on the base of the bell and secure the fold point the the bell with a sequin pin to just off the centre point you marked on the base of the bell. |
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The ribbon can be placed either face up or face down to provide a different finished effect. The bell illustrated was made with the face down. |
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Secure the fold two fold ends to the bell. |
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Repeat the process on the opposite side, and again at ninety degrees to them. |
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This will then give a cross structure over the base of the bell. |
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Repeat this again from the centre filling the for gaps between the ribbons. |
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Depending on the width of your ribbon, and the size of the bell, you may have to add extra layers |
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Once this initial round is completed, simply repeat the effect by adding more folded ribbon in layers, moving away from the base of the Bell. |
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Continue layering until you reach the top of the bell. |
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Fold over and ribbon ends and secure a filigree cap to the top of the bell to cover the ends, using a Teardrop Hatpin. |
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Finishing Effects
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Finish off the Bell by adding:
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A hanging cord to the Filigree Cap |
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Coloured Pearl Headed Pins to the sides of the bell. |
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Secure a filigree Ball to the base of the bell using a Teardrop Hatpin to represent the bell chime |
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Hints and Tips
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Try using an egg cup or cup to hold your bell upright while working on the base. |
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Use decorative paper strips rather than ribbon |
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Use Sequins or Bridal beads to add extra glitter to your bell |
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Use a thimble for easy pin insertion and prevent finger pain. |
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Use small lengths of ribbon on small bell sizes. |
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For the accomplished pinner, try using a thinner ribbon for a very detailed effect |
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Try using other polystyrene shapes as bases. |
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As an alternative to ribbon try using Christmas Fabrics, simply cut in lengths and folded in the usual way. |
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Try starting at the top of the bell and layer your bell the opposite way. |
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Please remember that young children will be attracted to your bell, so hang it safely out of reach from children on your Christmas Tree. |
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Guidelines on Pin Crafting |

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Christmas | Tagged: filigree, how to make a pinflair sequin bell, polystyrene bell, ribbon, sequin pins, sequins |
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Posted by Elaine
October 21, 2011
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Required Components
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Materials Required
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1SILVER 12”PIPE CLEANER (chenille Stems) |
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3 SILVER SPRAYS |
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Instructions
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Make a small loop at each end, twist to secure |
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Twist and secure sprays to pipecleaner |
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Bend pipecleaner into a half circle. |
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Secure the tiara to hair with hair grips |
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Hints and Tips.
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Always use an odd number of sprays. |
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You can add height by building a larger spray using three sprays wound together. |
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Christmas, Kids Crafts | Tagged: chenille stem, glitter pipe cleaner, how to make a childs christmas tiara, pearl sprays |
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Posted by Elaine
October 18, 2011
Punchinella Angel
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Materials Required
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25cm (approx 10″) Punchinella |
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Glitter Chenille stem (pipe cleaner) |
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Polystyrene ball, bead, beaded head or a holy pom-pom 1.5cm |
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Tools Required
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Scissors |
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Felt Tipped Pens, or Acrylic Paint (Pebeo Deco) |
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Knitting needle (if using a polystyrene ball) |
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Method
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Cut two pieces of Punchinella
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10 cm long |
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15 cm long |
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Fold the Punchinella back and forth along its width. Making the folds 1cm apart. Repeat the process on the second piece of Punchinella. |
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While pinching one end of the larger piece of folded Punchinella, thread about 3 inches of the glitter chenille through the top hole, bend back and twist around the longer length to secure. |
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Pinch the smaller folded piece of Punchinella in the middle and fold |
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Secure this at 90 degrees to the top of the body piece, by placing the fold between the two lengths of chenille. Twist the chenille to secure the wings to the body. |
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If using a polystyrene shape. Paint or colour a face to the polystyrene ball using either paints or felt tipped pens. Allow to dry. Make a hole through the head by inserting the knitting needle. |
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Thread both the long and short lengths of chenille stem through the head. Pull the head down to the top of the wings. |
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Push the end of the small length back down the top of the head, making a halo loop around your finger. |
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Insert the end of the longer chenille stem back into the top of the head, twisting the chenille to secure. |
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If using a pom-pom or wooden bead, add facial features using wiggly eyes, felt pens etc |
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Punchinella or Sequin waste is the left over strip of material used to make Sequins. It is a strong flexible, inexpensive material with a host of crafting uses. Available in Circular or Star designs in a variety of colours.
Punchinella sold by the metre
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Fig 1.
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left 15cm length of folded punchinella |
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right 10cm length of folded punchinella. |
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Fig 2.
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Thread the glitter chenille through the top of the larger piece of punchinella. |
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Secure the middle of the small piece to the top of the larger by placing it between the two lengths of chenille, twisting to secure. |
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Finally
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fluff open the body and wings. |
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hang your creation on the Christmas Tree |
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These items are so quick and simple and ideal for children to make. |
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Create a themed Christmas Tree by making dozens of angels to decorate your tree. |
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Fig 3.
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Thread the two lengths through the head. |
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Insert the ends back in the head. |
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twist to secure. |
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make a halo loop with the short end |
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use the larger loop to hang your angel on the Christmas Tree. |
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Christmas | Tagged: how to make a punchinella angel |
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Posted by Elaine