Apple Craft with Yarn

Today I thought it would be fun to post an Autumn craft using chunky yarn, some recycled cardboard and other found materials! 

As I mentioned before, I am homeschooling our twin preschoolers this year. Our letter of the week was A so I decided to do an Apple yarn craft. The materials were ones I already had in my craft stash. The idea sparked from a similar craft my Mom used to do with us when we were kids!

Easy, eco-friendly and kids of all ages can enjoy!

First, we took two round cardboard pieces that I saved from frozen pizza packages. 

There are many choices of recycled cardboard you can find around the house: old cereal boxes, boxes from mailed packages, appliance boxes, old cardboard storage boxes, etc.

Then, I cut a slight rounded V shape into the top and a little dip into the bottom to give it more of an apple shape.

We used this chunky Lion Brand yarn. Chunkier yarn is better because it covers more surface quickly. 

We also used old-fashioned Elmer's white glue. It was the easiest choice for little hands to squeeze and apply themselves.

Next came the application of the yarn. I cut about 12 arm lengths of yarn for this project 

which seemed to work out just perfectly. 

We started from the outside and squeezed one line of glue around the entire shape of the apple.

Here is row #2! Once the first line was in place, it was easier for them to keep going around and around to complete rows. 

You can also easily help adjust the rows because the glue is slow to dry. 

Don't worry about mistakes or drips on the yarn, the glue dries clear! 

After the project was complete, we went on a search for the perfect apple stick! This gave the project an opportunity to dry and the twins got time to stretch their legs and play in the the backyard scouting for a stick to use.  

Then, we applied it to the back using masking tape! 

For a finishing touch, I dug a few green pipe cleaners from my stash, twisted both ends onto the stick and had them shape it into a leaf. A great craft to do on an Autumn afternoon!!

Think of the all the possible different shapes for holiday crafting using this simple yarn technique: pumpkins, autumn leaves, hearts, candy canes, shamrocks, stars... just about anything your imagination can dream up! 

** Happy Crafting! **

Oh, Autumn!

Autumn has arrived! I am so happy to be able to open up the windows and breathe in crisp air again. This season rejuvenates me. You, too?

 As much as I try to avoid the word, "busy", we have definitely been so. Back to school for the oldest three, homeschooling preschool with the twins, softball for Madelyn and Lana with practice sessions twice a week and two games on both Saturday and Sunday for each.

I am still undecided on the scheduled time we have to commit to with two girls in softball. I am conflicted because they enjoy it and we enjoy watching them. Mike is a coach on Lana's team this season. We love seeing them develop their skills and their interest level for the game is high. They do very well!

Their practice sessions run about two hours twice a week. Each game on the weekend is two hours long. Some days the games are back to back which has us all at the field in excess of four hours. Entertaining their four sisters through these games is not always easy and the weekends leave me exhausted.

Mealtimes are slacking because of the rush to get out the door on time, the housework is slipping (I am in need of a major Fall Cleaning!), and I will try not to think about the pile of laundry that is inevitably not getting completed (due to lack of time...and then a broken hose in the washer which certainly  help.)
 

I have also started a new crochet project. A brightly colored granny square afghan. I am loving the combination of colors. It is cheerful and reminds me of summer! It has gotten a bit bigger since I took this photo. I am not great with finishing projects but I am determined to see this one through.

Speaking of unfinished projects, I have had this quilt for Lana's bed sitting in my laundry room for about six years. No joke. My most dreaded part of quilting is the basting and binding. I finally decided to just DO it and now it only needs a binding. I am closer to a finished quilt than I was before. For that I am glad.

We have also been working on a budget revamp. I switched our cable to a different provider. They gave us an offer we could not refuse saving us $65 monthly with no change to our service. We have a mortgage refinance almost settled. I switched our only credit card to a 0% interest for 12 months, and I am also looking into switching our trash to a different company to save about $10 monthly. Little things are adding up.

Here's hoping Autumn brings us new beginnings, 

winning games, lower bills, wider smiles, and lighter hearts!