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! **

New Spring Arrivals

I've caught a creative bug and it just may stick around for awhile! On a recent craft run, I bought a ton of new things for some new Spring projects.

We've used other kits before but this Tie Dye Kit by Jacquard is the best I've come across so far. It has a dye fixer which is the key to bright, vibrant colors. I'm hoping to purchase some blank dresses from Dharma Trading Co. for a big tie dying party!



Another project I thought I'd tackle were the pajama bottoms from Heather Ross's new book, Weekend Sewing: More Than 40 Projects and Ideas for Inspired Stitching.

My mom had recently purchased this book and created some fabric napkins (which are super nice and a great way to reduce paper napkin usage, by the way) and I was more than willing to steal borrow it from her!

I got some cotton fabric from Joann's, held my breath and hoped for something slightly better than terrible. I actually completed Lana's pair today. Here they are!





I have some other project ideas rattling around in my head as well. I bought this cotton yarn by Sugar'n Cream to create a mini version of a vintage granny square afghan.

Cross your fingers on this one. I'll show you the finished product when it's complete. That may not come for some time, though. I'm quite an accomplished procrastinator.



Also, snagged these bandanas to make a couple of dresses seen on the Daisy Janie blog. I gave myself plenty of time for this one, however I may still be working on them come midnight of July 3rd.

Just kidding! Two cute babies I know will definitely be sporting these at the local parade this year!



What crafty project ideas are tugging at your art strings these days?