#CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--HOW CRAFTING CAN SAVE THE WORLD

March is National Craft Month. I believe that people are born creative. Just watch any baby or toddler exploring his surroundings, and you’ll see what I mean. Unfortunately, most adults start squelching that creativity (Don’t touch!) in their children early on. Eventually that innate creativity is so suppressed that it’s nearly impossible to retrieve. So why are we then surprised when our kids prefer to sit around for hours, staring at a computer monitor or TV screen? 

Solving problems and resolving conflicts require creative thinking. Creativity needs to be nurtured in order that today’s children grow up to become tomorrow’s leaders, but too many outside forces are at work, influencing our children to “color within the lines.” Now think about this: people who color within the lines never learn to think outside the box. It’s that outside the box thinking that finds solutions to the world’s problems.

One of the ways we can help our children continue to grow their creativity is to encourage them to craft, beginning at a very early age. The first step is to have creative materials around the house for children to use. Keep ample supplies of paint, glue, markers, chenille stems, craft sticks, pompoms, and other basic craft materials handy for those “I’m bored; there’s nothing to do” days.

Instead of buying another video game for that next birthday party or special occasion, buy craft kits. Keep a few kits on hand for rainy days, for when your children’s friends spend the night, or just for an impromptu surprise. Encourage children to make gifts for family members’ birthdays, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc. instead of buying gifts. Instead of hosting a child's birthday party at Chuckie Cheese, consider a home crafting party or one at your local craft store.

Remember that your children’s efforts don’t have to be perfect. Always praise the attempt and encourage children to continue creating. The act of crafting develops small motor skills and hand/eye coordination. Creativity helps grow our brains. By encouraging your children to craft, you’re giving them an incredible foundation for future endeavors.

All it takes for children to learn to love crafting is an environment in which they can satisfy their creative nature. Nurture that inborn talent, and you’ll help your children grow into creative adults that just might wind up solving many of our planet’s problems.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--GUEST AUTHOR AND CRAFTER MAGGIE TOUSSAINT AND CINNAMON STICK ORNAMENTS

Formerly an aquatic toxicologist contracted to the U.S. Army and currently a freelance reporter, Southern author Maggie Toussaint loves writing mysteries. She’s published ten novels which blend mystery and romantic suspense. Dime If I Know is her latest mystery release. Her new paranormal mystery series kicks off in May with Gone and Done It. However, today Maggie joins us to discuss her love of arts and crafts and offers directions for Cinnamon Stick Ornaments. Learn more about Maggie and her books at her website and blog. 

Cinnamon Stick Ornaments

I love arts and crafts almost as much as I love writing mysteries. When my kids were little, I’d be doing the craft project long after they left the table. Dog years ago, a fellow crafter showed me how to make these cinnamon stick ornaments, and they have become a tradition at our house. Every few years, I dust this idea off and create a new batch for family and friends. Instead of the pricey cinnamon sticks in jars at the grocery store, you can buy them in bulk at craft stores. Even the bulk-packaged sticks smell heavenly.

Materials:

Cinnamon Sticks (I use 4 to an ornament)

String, yarn, ribbon, lace, mini-garland, and/or wire

Embellishments (small decorative items)

Hot glue gun

Begin by heating up your glue gun. Glue two cinnamon sticks together, then add two more (forming a bundle,) one at a time so that you have a stack of cinnamon sticks.

Glue a piece of string/yarn/ribbon/lace/mini-garland around the sticks.

Add whatever embellishments you desire. Ideas can be as diverse as your creativity. You might select mini pine cones and a spring of evergreen. You might go for bells or old earrings or glittered sprigs of plastic plants. 

Anything goes, but secure it with glue.

Your ornament only needs a hanger now. You can use a traditional ornament hook, or make a loop with a length of anything.

TIP: After Christmas, seal the cinnamon stick ornaments in a plastic bag or container so they’ll still be fragrant next year.

Dime if I Know

Family traditions are often the glue that holds a family together. In Dime if I Know amateur sleuth, Cleopatra Jones is feeling somewhat adrift. She’s got Mama and her girls, and a St. Bernard with puppies, but she wants to be married again.

The thing is, her love interest, sexy golf pro Rafe Golden, is happy with the status quo of dating. While Cleo wrestles with her traditional sensibilities, Rafe is accused of murdering a former girlfriend. Cleo’s as loyal as they come, and she rises to the challenge of proving his innocence, only the deeper she digs, the more dirty laundry gets aired.

She’s left to wonder if we ever truly know the people we meet.

Buy Links:

ebook 

hardcover 

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--SNOWFLAKE TRIVETS

Snowflake Trivets

Hot snowflakes? Oxymorons aside, that’s what you’ll have when you stencil snowflakes onto cork trivets. I first featured this project in the early days of Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers back in 2010. I'm repeating it today for all our newer followers.

Materials:8” x 10” plastic stencil sheet
permanent ink marker
X-acto knife with new blade
repositionable adhesive
7” round cork trivets
stencil paint in your choice of color(s)
stencil brush
clear satin acrylic spray

1. Enlarge the snowflake pattern to 6”. Tape to underside of plastic stencil sheet. Using permanent ink marker, trace pattern onto stencil sheet.

2. Carefully cut out snowflake. If you make a mistake while cutting, you can repair the stencil plastic with tape and recut. When you’re finished you’ll have two stencils, one a positive image of the snowflake and one a negative image.

3.  Apply repositionable adhesive to the back of the stencils. Allow to dry.

4. Place stencil centered over cork trivet.

5.  To stencil, dip the tip of the stencil brush into the stencil paint. Remove excess paint by tapping the brush onto a folded paper towel. Hold the brush perpendicular to the stencil and dab the brush in an up and down motion over the cutout edges of the negative snowflake stencil and around the cut edges of the positive snowflake stencil.

6. When stenciling is complete, carefully lift the stencil from cork. Allow the paint to dry 24 hours.

7. Spray surface of stenciled cork with two coats of clear satin acrylic. 

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--VALENTINE TOPIARY

Valentine Topiary

Last week’s craft project used Valentine candy hearts. There was some candy left over from the bag that I bought. If I’m going to consume candy calories, you better believe it’s going to be really good candy. Candy hearts are cute to look at and use for craft projects around Valentine’s Day, but as far as candies go, they’re at the bottom of the yummy list.

So I decided to use the remainder of the candy pieces in another craft project, a Valentine Topiary. You could also make these with colored mints for a baby or bridal shower.

Materials:

4 ounce canning jar, candy hearts, 8” Styrofoam cone, assorted trims, ribbons, and laces, 1” white silk rose, low temp glue gun

1. Fill jar with candy hearts. Close jar. Glue cone to lid of jar.

2. Beginning at the bottom of the cone and working toward top, glue assorted laces, ribbons, and trims around cone.

3. Glue ribbon rose to top of cone.

4. Glue candy hearts randomly around cone.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--CANDY HEARTS VALENTINE BOX

Candy Hearts Valentine Box

Materials: fine grit sandpaper, wooden box with lid, primer, mint green acrylic paint, foam brush, candy hearts, tacky glue, pink rickrack, satin finish acrylic sealer

1. Lightly sand the box and lid.

2. Apply a coat of primer to the box and lid. Allow to dry completely, then lightly sand.

3. Apply a coat of mint green paint. Allow to dry completely, then lightly sand. Apply a second coat.

4. Position candy hearts on box lid. Glue in place. Tip: glue the perimeter candy first and allow to dry before gluing the remainder of the hearts.

5. Glue rickrack around side edges of lid.

6. Apply several light coats of sealer to box and lid.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA - PATCHWORK VASE

Patchwork Vase

Make a series of these to run down the middle of a dining room table for a unique centerpiece. Choose colors to coordinate with your decor or for each holiday. The sample was made from a 9.5 oz. coffee drink bottle, but you can use any size or shape bottle.

Materials:

glass bottle with smooth surface

rubbing alcohol

assorted small print cotton or cotton blend fabric scraps

pinking shears

decoupage medium

foam brush

raffia

1. Clean glass with alcohol.

2. Cut fabric into squares and rectangles ranging between 1” – 2”

3. Apply decoupage medium to back of fabric square and adhere to glass. Smooth out any wrinkles and bubbles with fingers. Continue applying fabric randomly, overlapping slightly, until entire surface is covered. Be sure to wrap fabric around to inside of bottle and bottom edge. Allow decoupage medium to dry.

4. Apply a coat of decoupage medium over entire surface of bottle.

5. Tie raffia around bottle neck.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA - FELT PUPPETS

Star Wars puppet show

November is a month where kids are rarely in school for a full week. Between Election Day, Veteran’s Day, parent/teacher conferences, teacher convention (if you live in NJ), and Thanksgiving, chances are there won’t be a week where the kids have school a full five days.

That calls for some creativity if you don’t want your kids camped in front of the TV or computer games all day, especially since the weather is often getting miserable, and there’s less chance for playing outside.

Why not have them stage a puppet show?

Head over to your local craft store and stock up on assorted sheets of felt and a bottle of fabric glue. You might also want to pick up some sequins, pompoms, other assorted trims, and a few thin markers.

Unless the child is very young, he or she should be able to do most of the cutting, decorating, and gluing. You might have to assist younger children.

Place the child’s hand on a piece of paper, and trace around it 1/2” from the hand. Continue the tracing 1-1/2” – 2” below the wrist. Draw a line straight across to connect the tracing. Add 1-1/2” wide arms on either side for thumb and pinky.

Have the child cut out the pattern. Place the pattern over a sheet of felt and trace. Cut out the felt, then another piece.

Using the fabric glue, draw a thin line of glue close to the edge of felt around all but the straight bottom edge. Glue the front and back pieces together. Allow to dry completely. (This will be the hardest part for the kids because they’ll want to start decorating their puppets.

Once the glue is completely dry, let the kids decorate the puppets with additional pieces of felt, sequins, pompoms, fabric scraps, yarn, buttons, etc.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA - GUEST CRAFTER PATRICK DEL ROSARIO

Anastasia is taking the day off and has invited Patrick Del Rosario to guest blog today about turning art into cash. Patrick is part of the team behind Open Colleges, one of Australia’s pioneer and leading providers of human resources courses. When not working, Patrick enjoys blogging about career and business. Patrick is also a photography enthusiast and is currently running a photography studio in the Philippines. Learn more about Patrick at  Google+. 

Turn Art into Cash: 6 In-demand Products That Only Need a Touch of Creativity to Sell

If you have hobbies or skills that you enjoy practicing in your spare time, there’s a very good chance that you could be making money by doing what you love. Whether you enjoy photography or arts and crafts, there is always a way to turn your art into cash, you just need a bit of creativity and a plan of action.

Here are six creative products you could sell, either online or at craft shows, fairs and markets:

1. Gardening

These days there is a huge demand for locally grown fruits and vegetables, and if you can grow them organically there will be even more demand for them.

Gardening is an extremely relaxing way to pass the time and can actually be therapeutic and is known to reduce stress and improve both mental and physical health. If you have a plot of land behind your house that isn’t being used for anything, you can start your own little vegetable plot, growing things like fresh herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach and lettuce.

Not only will this save you money (you won’t have to buy vegetables anymore), but you could even make a bit of money on the side by selling your extra produce to neighbors and friends or at local farmers markets.

2. Baking

If you already love baking, why not turn it into something that brings you a little profit, either on the side or fulltime? I personally know a number of people who love baking and made their hobby into a business, creating wedding and birthday cakes as well as party snacks for different events.

You can start out small, with a few people you know, and eventually it can grow into something much bigger, if you want it to that is. It is easy enough to set up your own website or blog, where you can post pictures of some of your creations and allow people to order cakes or other delicacies for their birthday parties, anniversaries or whatever event they are hosting.

3. Photography

Despite the fact that most people these days have fairly high quality cameras on their phones, there is still a high demand for professional photographers. Do you love taking nature shots or doing candid street photography? These types of photos could be sold online from your own website.

You could also choose to hire yourself out as a photographer for events like weddings or family get-togethers. Family portraits are also very popular, and if you have a good camera and a bit of experience, you’ll be able to make quite a bit of money from your hobby.

Before offering your services, make sure you build up a portfolio of high quality photos. There are plenty of freelance photographers out there today, so you’ll need to distinguish yourself by showing potential clients that you know what you’re doing.

4. Handmade jewelry

Everyone loves handmade jewelry, and if it’s well done you can actually sell it for quite a good price, although of course you have to factor in the costs of buying the materials, but if you shop wisely you’ll come out on top. Some good websites to check include The Beadin Path, EEBeads and Charm Factory. Of course, these are just a few suggestions. There are many more out there. It just takes a bit of time to find the ones that offer what you are looking for.

You could sell your handmade earrings, bracelets and necklaces on your own website or visit markets and fairs where you can showcase your work. When just starting out, you could approach your friends, who could then do a little word-of-mouth advertising for you.

5. Arts and crafts

“Arts and crafts” is a rather broad category, and can mean anything from metal and woodwork to knitting or patchwork and even calligraphy.

If you have a skill along these lines you should try to develop it according to consumer demands. Have a look on website selling things similar to what you are making. Maybe you’ll find that carved figurines are popular, or perhaps there is a high demand for knitted scarves and hats.

Even if your skill isn’t very mainstream, there are always niche markets where you can promote your work and build up a steady client base. Websites like Etsy.com allow you to set up your own small business in a well-established community, selling just about anything, from handmade quilts to household knick-knacks.

6. Customized clothing

One of the main frustrations that many people have with affordable fashion is that it is produced in bulk, and it can be hard to differentiate your style when on a limited budget.

The best solution to this problem is to customize your own clothing. You can buy simple and plain t-shirts, jeans, shoes or bags, and give them your own unique twist.

If you get pretty good at transforming dull white t-shirts or tired old sweaters into hip-looking fashion items, you can be sure that there will be a demand for your services.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- NATIONAL CRAFTS MONTH

March is National Crafts Month. So I thought I'd update a blog originally posted when Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers was in its infancy. This is a topic near and dear to my heart, and many of you may have missed it the first time around. -- AP

It’s no secret that I think more people should do crafts.  If people didn’t craft, I’d be out of a job, and with all the debt Dead Louse of a Spouse dumped on me before cashing in his chips, the last thing I need is to lose my job!  So it will come as no surprise that I’m all in favor of adults and kids alike stepping away from the video games and picking up glue guns and paint brushes.  Besides, crafting might just save the world some day.

All right.  You can stop snickering.  I really mean it, and here’s why:

Creativity is a skill that needs to be nurtured in order for our kids to grow into the leaders of tomorrow.  Solving problems and resolving conflicts require creative thinking.  Although children are born with wonderful curiosity and creativity, very early on both tend to be squelched.  With outside influences trying to make children conform to a prescribed norm, our homes should be a center for our kids to have the freedom to express themselves.  Sometimes it’s just way better to color outside the lines.

The more kids see their parents engaging in creative pastimes, the more likely they’ll want to join in.  Keep ample supplies of paint, glue, markers, paper, chenille stems, craft sticks, pompoms and other basic craft materials handy for those “I’m bored; there’s nothing to do” days, and forget about the mess they’ll make.  We all need the freedom to make messes.

Finally, you can help spread the crafting message to others.  Instead of buying another video game the next time your child is invited to a birthday party, consider purchasing a craft kit or craft supplies instead.

So how do you promote creativity in your own kids?  Share your experiences with us.  What’s worked for you and your family and what hasn’t? Post a comment for a chance to win a book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- DECORATIVE CANISTERS

Who doesn’t need extra storage? I recently came across some cupcake themed ribbon and thought, wouldn’t that look cute on some decorative canisters? The ones shown in the photo are made from coffee and bread crumb cans and are easy enough for kids to make. Use them in your kitchen or anywhere else you need to gather up and contain clutter. -- AP

Materials:
clean food canister

felt square in color of choice

decorative ribbon or other trims such as rick rack

tacky glue

1. Clean and dry canister.

2. Measure the height of the canister between top and bottom lips. Measure the circumference of the canister. Cut a piece of felt the size of these two measurements.

3. Apply tacky glue to exterior of canister. Attach felt.

4. Apply tacky glue to the back of ribbon or rick rack. Attach to top and bottom of canister over felt.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- DECORATIVE LACE TOTE

Why carry your lunch to work in a paper bag? This lacy tote is a snap to make and an elegant way to carry your tuna fish sandwich. Or make a larger one for a reusable shopping bag. The blank canvas totes come in a variety of sizes and are available at craft stores. -- AP

Materials:
9” x 11” natural canvas tote

3/4-yd. 2” wide gathered natural Cluny lace

3/4-yd. 7/8” wide flat natural Cluny lace

7 assorted 2” natural lace medallions

assorted white, clear, and natural buttons in varying sizes

fabric glue

gem glue

air-soluble fabric marker

ruler

1. Using the fabric marker, draw two perpendicular lines 2” from center of tote.

2. Cut the flat Cluny lace into two equal pieces. Using the fabric glue, glue the flat edge of each piece to the outside of each line, lining up the top edge with the top of the tote and wrapping the bottom edge around to the bottom of the tote.

3. Using the fabric glue, glue the gathered Cluny lace to the top edge of the tote, overlapping cut ends at center back.

4. Using the fabric glue, glue the lace medallions randomly onto the tote, two on either side and three in the middle section.

5. Using the gem glue, glue the buttons randomly around the lace medallions.



Our Book Club Friday guest this week has a very special treat for our readers. Be sure to stop by on Friday to find out what it is. -- AP

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- LEGOs

As I’ve mentioned many times, there are all different types of crafters, and many crafts take little or no talent. Then there are the crafts that take a special kind of talent, but employs a skill that doesn’t involve a glue gun or an embroidery needle. Some crafters work with beads, some with clay, some with paint, and some with…LEGOs.

Bet you never thought of those little colored bricks as a craft, did you? But why not? Creating with LEGOs is still creating. Crafting is crafting, no matter what the medium.

Over Christmas Lois Winston (the author who writes those books about me,) visited family in Georgia. While reading the newspaper one morning, she learned about a Lego exhibit at a Honda dealer in Roswell, a town about an hour north of Atlanta. Being a fan of LEGOs, she had to check out the exhibit. So the entire family piled into the car and drove over to Honda Carland.

Once there, they found a 15 foot tall cityscape made from over half a million LEGOs with 1500 LEGO figures, including Santa Claus and characters from Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Harry Potter. The cityscape was created by Harry Nijenkamp and his son Austin, and they estimate it took over 500 hours to complete. Along with the skyscrapers and an amphitheater, there’s an oriental garden and a DragonCon parade that weaves through the city streets. 

Photos by James Barker

So the next time you’re thinking about crafts, don’t forget to think a bit outside the box. Anyone can craft. And with any medium.

Post a comment to enter the drawing for books plus a special gift from our Book Club Friday author this week. -- AP

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- SEA SHELL PHOTO FRAME

The final seashell craft for the month is the simplest. Make up several in varying sizes to form a grouping of your vacation memories. -- AP

SEASHELL FRAME

MATERIALS: wooden frame, assorted shells, hot glue gun and glue sticks.

Glue shells in a grouping at one corner of frame or all around frame.

Now, really, can it get any easier than that? -- AP

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- ESPRESSO BEAN TOPIARY

Today I’m repeating one of the crafts that appeared last year when the blog was in its infancy and had far fewer regular readers. The Espresso Bean Topiary is a quick and easy craft that produces a finished product that looks anything but quick and easy. Try substituting dried beans for a slightly different look and color scheme or make several topiaries using a variety of different sized pots and foam cones. -- AP

ESPRESSO BEAN TOPIARY

Materials: 3” x 6” craft foam cone; 6” cinnamon stick; dk. brown acrylic paint; satin finish acrylic sealer; ¾ cup espresso beans; tacky glue; 3” clay pot; floral foam; Spanish moss; 1” foam brush; 4 strands raffia in color of your choice.

Note: Allow paint, glue, and sealer to dry between steps.

1.  Poke a hole for cinnamon stick in bottom of cone.

2. Paint cone with dk. brown paint.

3.  Glue cinnamon stick into hole in bottom of cone.

4.  Beginning at bottom edge of cone and working up, glue beans side by side in rows around cone.

5.  Apply sealer to beans.

6.  Glue Spanish moss over floral foam.

7.  Tie raffia into a bow and glue to front of pot.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--BASIC YARN DOLL

BASIC 12” YARN DOLL DIRECTIONS

Yarn dolls can be used as ornaments, tree toppers, garlands, wreath decorations, package decorations, centerpieces, shower gifts, wall and door hangings, and much more. 

Today we have the directions for the basic yarn doll. Next week and in weeks to come you'll find directions for taking the basic yarn doll and adding hair, clothing, and accessories for a variety of different looks.

Materials:
2” Dylite (smooth) craft foam ball
52 strands 18” lengths of 4-ply yarn
13 strands 10” lengths of 4-ply yarn
2-3/4” x 2-3/4” piece of muslin
8” chenille stem that matches yarn color
2 blue or black glass head straight pins
circle template or compass
yardstick
scissors
tacky glue

1. Place 50 of the 18” lengths of yarn on a flat surface with ends even. Using one additional 18” piece, tie the yarn into a bundle at the mid-point for the body.

2. Using the circle template or compass, draw a 2-3/4” circle on the muslin. Cut out. Make 1/4” deep cuts around the perimeter of the circle.

3. Glue the muslin to the craft foam ball.

4. Poke a hole in the bottom of the craft foam ball for neck. Place some glue on the end of the chenille stem and insert it into the hole.

5. Wrap the chenille stem once around the tied center of the body so that the body touches the craft foam ball head. Hold in place with a small amount of glue. Allow the remainder of the chenille stem to hang in the center of the yarn body.

6. Braid 12 pieces of the 10” long yarn for arms. Tie at each end with half the remaining piece of 10” yarn.

7. Place the braid centered inside the yarn body. Tie the body under the arms with the remaining 18” length of yarn.

8. Dip the straight pins in a small amount of glue. Insert into the head for eyes.

Check back next Monday for directions on personalizing your yarn doll.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- SPOOL NECKLACE

Spring isn't all sunshine and flowers, as you all know. We still get cool temps and lots of rain that can make for very long weekends, especially if you've got kids climbing the walls.

Few parents want their kids glued to the TV or playing video games all weekend, so it’s time to haul out the crafts supplies and get creative. How about having the kids make spool necklaces?

To be prepared for those rainy weekends, head to the crafts store to buy a bag of wood spools, a bag of pony beads, and some plastic lacing (the kind you used to make lanyards out of back in summer camp.) Make sure you have a large selection of acrylic paint colors and brushes of various sizes.

Have the kids paint the spools in different colors. When the spools are dry, they can add decorative patterns to them.

After all the painting is finished and dried, have the kids string the painted spools onto the plastic lacing, alternating spools and pony beads. Tie the ends together to form the necklaces.


One bad weather afternoon down. Here’s hoping you don’t have too many more. Post a comment to be entered in the drawing for a free book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- LACE TRIMMED EASTER EGG

Our final Easter egg craft uses scraps of lace, ribbon, and pearl trims. 

LACE TRIMMED EASTER EGG

Materials:
1-7/8” x 2-1/2” Styrofoam egg
24” lengths of ribbon, lace, and pearl trims
sequin pins

Today’s decorative Easter egg requires no gluing. The lace trims are attached with sequin pins. Begin by pinning the widest trim to the bottom of the egg. Wrap the trim over the top of the egg and back to the bottom, securing with pins. Trim. Using the same trim, repeat, bisecting the first layer at the top center of the egg. The next widest trim is attached in the same manner to cover more of the egg. Keep adding trim until the entire egg is covered.


Readers, don't forget to post a comment to be entered into this week's drawing for a book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- PEARL COTTON EASTER EGG

Today’s Easter egg craft helps you use up all those scraps of pearl cotton leftover from needlework projects. Don’t have any pearl cotton? Use embroidery floss or yarn.

PEARL COTTON EASTER EGG

Materials:
1-7/8” x 2-1/2” Styrofoam egg
#3 pearl cotton in various colors
tacky glue

This is about as easy a craft as you can get. Simply apply glue to the egg. Then wrap lengths of pearl cotton around the egg. Begin at the center of the egg and work outwards toward the top and bottom of the egg. For ease in working, poke a piece of heavy gauge wire or thin dowel to the bottom of the egg and hold the wire or dowel as you glue on the pearl cotton.


Post a comment, and you could win the book being given away this week by our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP