Vacation Crafting. Suzanne McNeill
a foam pom-pom onto each end of the chenille stem and bend the stem to make the antennae curve.
FIRECRACKER HAT
This fits-any-size hat is just the thing to celebrate the 4th of July, Veteran’s Day, or any holiday that could use some sparkle and pizzazz. If you don’t live in the United States, adjust the colors and lettering to reflect your own country.
MATERIALS
•9" x 12" (23 x 30.5cm) foam sheets in red, white, and blue
•12" x 18" (30.5 x 45.5cm) foam sheet in black
•1" (2.5cm) foam glitter sticker letters
•3 gold metallic chenille stems
•3 glitter 1¼" (3cm) pom-poms
•3 wood 2½" (6.5cm) craft sticks
•Gold glitter dimensional paint
•Acrylic paint in red, white, and blue
•Paintbrush
1.Cut a candle out of red, white, and blue foam and slightly round the corners with scissors. Cut a star out of red and blue foam. Cut a strip of black foam that is 1¼" (3cm) wide and long enough to fit comfortably around the head of the wearer with a little bit of overlap.
2.Glue pom-poms onto the chenille stems, then glue the chenille stems onto the backs of the candles.
3.Paint one craft stick in each color. When dry, glue one stick to the back of each candle to act as a support.
4.Glue the ends of black headband strip together. Glue the firecrackers to the front of the headband. Press on the glitter letters. Outline the stars with gold glitter paint and glue them on the hat.
LIME FUN FRAME
Quick, easy, and fun, rub-ons provide endless possibilities for giving a frame its own unique style.
MATERIALS
•Lime foam frame
•Rub-on flower designs
•Blue and green adhesive-backed rhinestones
•28" (71cm) of green ribbon, ⅜" (1cm) wide
•⅛" (0.3cm) hole punch
1.Apply rub-on flowers as desired to the entire frame. Don’t be afraid to overlap some flowers!
2.Adhere rhinestones to the centers of the flowers.
3.Punch two holes near the top corners of the frame. Thread ribbon through the holes and tie a bow for hanging.
CATERPILLAR FRAME
Foam critters sparkle on this cute frame that is perfect for any fans of creepy-crawlies who love to explore forests and streams.
MATERIALS
•Blue foam frame
•White foam adhesive letters
•Green foam caterpillar
•Green foam dragonfly with blue foam details
•Opal and blue glitter glues
•Black, blue, and white permanent markers
•4" (10cm) of silver 22-gauge wire
•Wire cutters or old scissors
•Round-nose pliers
•Glue
1.Outline circles on the caterpillar body with marker, alternating white and blue. Draw a smile and antennae. Use glitter glue to accent the body. Glue the caterpillar to the frame.
2.Outline the white letters with blue marker and adhere them to the frame.
3.Cut the wire into two 2" (5cm) pieces. Make antennae by creating a spiral on one end of each wire using round-nose pliers. Poke the other ends directly into the dragonfly’s head. Add details to the dragonfly’s body, then glue it to the frame.
SHINY FISH
Sequins transform into sparkling fish scales on this clever project for kids who can’t get enough of marine motifs.
MATERIALS
•Teal fish foam shape or sheet
•Lime sequins
•Glue
•⅛" (0.3cm) hole punch
1.If you don’t have a pre-made fish shape, cut one out. Punch a hole for the eye.
2.Draw scalloped rows on the fish with glue and apply overlapping lime sequins while the glue is wet. Let dry.
SWIRLY DOLPHIN
You’ll have fun drawing the watery swirls on this majestic mammal.
MATERIALS
•Blue dolphin foam shape or sheet
•1 small wiggle eye
•Opal glitter glue
•Glue
1.If you don’t have a pre-made dolphin shape, cut one out.
2.Using opal glitter glue, draw random swirls and squiggles onto the dolphin and let dry.
3.Glue on a single wiggle eye.
GLITTER SEAHORSE
Add some sparkle to your room or under-the-sea-themed party!
MATERIALS
•Teal seahorse foam shape or sheet
•1 small wiggle eye
•Glitter glues in teal, copper, and purple
•Glue
1.If you don’t have a pre-made seahorse shape, cut one out.
2.Apply glitter glue to the seahorse following the design shown and let dry.
3.Glue on a single wiggle eye.
FINGER PUPPET FAMILY
Project by Kathy Wegner
Create a story with finger puppets. This is a great activity for a scout meeting. It’s also fun if you want to make one to represent each member of your family!
MATERIALS
•Foam sheets/pieces in yellow, blue, green, red, tan, peach, orange, black, dark brown, and light brown—at least 4" x 5" (10 x 12.5cm) for each body
•Permanent markers in black, pink, and red
•3 white