Mummy Votives

Halloween is upon us and The Munchkin and I needed an easy project that he could do with minimal supervision...er, intervention.

My friend Aimee over at Aimee's Laboratory made these darling Mummy Candle Holders. They turned out to be the perfect project for a little guy!

Mummy Votive Holders:

This project was lots of fun and minimal investment. Everything we used, we already had on hand.



I cut the gauze roll in half, lengthwise, to give us double the length. Then, because I have a slight obsession with setting things on fire, I singed the edges.

Apparently The Munchkin, also has a thing for fire...let's just say, a torch to gauze doesn't disappoint, so be sure to have some water close by.



The only "Booglie" Eyes I had on hand were these from my up-cycled puppet project. They have a post on the back. I wouldn't recommend using them for this kind of project.



The Little Guy helped me wrap, tape and glue the eyes and gauze to my vases. He was so excited about the finished product! (They look a little angry if you ask me.)

All finished! This was a fun and easy project, and when Halloween ends, I can unwrap the gauze and use my vases for the next holiday!

Thanks for the fun craft idea, Aimee!

Pom Pom People - Tutorial

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These puffy, rough, yellow Pom Poms were initially intended to be made into fluffy yellow chicks. But, like so many other projects, ideas change.

My little 4-year-0ld Munchkin loves to play with these Pom Poms. He's been begging me for days to help him glue "Boogly Eyes" onto them to make a "Fuzzy Monster."

This is such a fun and simple activity.

What you need:

1 big Pom Pom for the body (you can make your own or purchase bigger ones)
1 tiny Pom Pom for his nose
2 Pipe Cleaners
2 Googly Eyes (or "Boogly Eyes" as they're called around here.)
Any other embellishment you'd like to add (The Munchkin bent some leftover pipe cleaner and asked me to add the mustache.)

Bend one pipe cleaner in half. These will be your legs.
Cut the other pip cleaner in quarters. These will be your toes.

Spread the Pom Pom fuzz apart near the center. Add a dab of hot glue. This is where you'll put the center of your bent legs. Once it's glued, cover the pipe cleaner back up with the Pom Pom fuzz.

Do the same thing with the legs. Move the fuzz back and glue the legs to the center of the ball. Cover all exposed pipe cleaner w/ Pom Pom fuzz.

Bend the tips of your pipe cleaner to make a small loop.


Next, take your quartered pipe cleaner and bend the ends to the center. Wrap them around your little foot. Dab some hot glue to secure.

Gently move fuzz.
With a dab of hot glue, affix eyes, nose, and any other embellishments you'd like to add.

You're done!

Monster Bean Bags - Tutorial

For my dear, sweet, sister A. Have fun making these little monsters with your little munchkins!

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What you'll need:

1. 5-7 Felt Squares - Any Color (1 black & 1 white for eyes)
2. Glue Gun/Glue Sticks
3. Cheap Bag of Beans
4. Zipper Sandwich Baggies
5. Scraps of Yarn (not pictured)
   

Getting Started: Cutting

Body: For each Monster fold one felt square in half. Cut about 3 inches off the edge. You will be left with a 6 inch square (folded).

Eyes: For each Monster cut two large white rounds, two medium colored rounds, and two small black rounds.

Mouth: Use your imagination! For each Monster cut black backing in a strip or round, lips in a slightly smaller strip or round, and jagged teeth.

Spots: Here is where a 3-Year-Old comes in handy. Have your Munchkin(s) practice their scissor skills. They are great at cutting odd shaped spots - and teeth!

At this point - layer Eyes, Mouth and Teeth to get an idea of how your Monster will look!

Assembly: Gluing

Beans/Body: Scoop about 2/3 cup of dry beans into a zipper sandwich bag. Press out extra air and fold over excess plastic. Unfold square. Place beans in center. About one inch from edge place a line of hot glue. Fold and press two halves together.

Mouth: Take the mouth pieces you layered earlier and glue them to the body starting with the bottom (black) piece. Glue teeth in place last.

Eyes: Take the eye pieces you layered earlier and glue them to the body starting with the bottom (white) piece. Glue pupil in place last.

Spots: Take the spots you had your little Munchkin cut out. Glue them randomly to the body - both front and back.

Finish: Edging/Fringe and Horns

Fringe Edge: Cut strips about 1/2 inch deep (to glue line). Fringe strips can be exact width, or varying widths.

Horns: Fold fringe in corners, tie scrap yarn leaving an end long enough to tie a knot. Wrap yarn several times. Tie off and trim edges (see pic below).

***For a variation on the fringe/horns - cut along fold of the body, glue all four sides, cut fringe on all four sides, and wrap horns in each corner. (See red Monster Bag for reference).

Pull off all excess hot glue strings and you're DONE!

Enjoy your new Monster Bean Bags!

Our Monster Bash

I've been super busy the past couple of weeks.

Today just happened to be a free day - nothing pressing.

I didn't have anything I HAD to do or anywhere I HAD to be. Just me, and my little people. So, when The Baby went down for her morning nap, I pulled out a stack of felt squares from my stash and The 3-Year-Old and I made
Monsters!


All you need is a Paper Towel Tube cut in two, Colorful Felt Squares, a Small Baggie of Rice or Beans (to keep it from toppling over), Hot Glue, and your Imagination!


They're cute coming AND going...


The Munchkin did most of the cutting. Actually, I think he perfected his scissor skills today. He pulverized two sheets of felt. At least we got, spots, teeth (most of them), and part of the eyes from the scraps he left.

He dressed himself today. His shirt is on inside out and backwards. Since he put the sweater over it I didn't bother making him turn it around - not to mention that I got to have a little chuckle to myself every time I looked at him and saw "5t" peaking out through the collar of his sweater.



When we finished the Monsters, he asked if he could watch a "show" with "the guys."

His show choice - Frosty the Snowman. Perfect for two Halloween Monsters, don't you think?