Recycled Thanksgiving turkey napkin rings

These napkin rings are quick, easy, and inexpensive to create and they match the previous tutorial --Thanksgiving turkey silverware pockets. The fun part is that they are also dimensional with the turkeys standing at attention.  They will surely get the attention of your guests as well.

You will need:

Cardboard tube from the inside of a paper towel roll

Embossed felt

Small foam turkey stickers

22-gauge wire

Scissors

Ruler

White colored pencil for marking on dark felt

Tacky craft glue

Wire cutters

1/8” hole punch

E size seed bead for each napkin ring

Clothespins are handy for holding felt till the glue dries

1.     Measure and cut four pieces off the cardboard tube to 1 ½” lengths.  Trim the rings evenly around.

2.     Measure and cut 4 pieces of embossed felt 1 ½” x 6”.

3.     It is a good idea to put two fingers inside the ring to hold it while you are gluing.  Spread a generous amount of glue all over the outside of the ring. Attach the felt piece working around to cover. Trim the ends to make sure the ends meet. Let dry.  Trim the felt all around the edges of the cardboard to form the ring base.

4.     On the opposite side from where the ends meet, punch a hole in the center with a 1/8” hole punch.

5.     Using the wire cutters cut a 2 ½” piece of 22 gauge wire.  Thread an E sized seed bead on it and bend in half.  (See photo) Thread the bended wire with the seed bead attached through the inside of the napkin ring base.  Two wire pieces will protrude.

6.     Remove the paper backing from one small foam turkey sticker and attach to the two wire pieces protruding from the napkin ring.  Make sure the turkey bottom touches the base.  Trim wire if necessary.

7.     Remove the paper backing from a second turkey and attach to the first turkey covering the wires.

8.     Add your napkins and enjoy!

Thanksgiving turkey silverware pocket

This silverware pocket is quick to make, and will add a decorative touch to your holiday table.  In addition, it’s an easy and fun craft for the kids.  The supplies are inexpensive and readily available at craft stores.

You will need:

Embossed or regular 12 x 9 inch felt (I used embossed)

Package of foam turkey stickers (48 came in my pack)

Brown, tan and orange feathers

Striped orange chenille stem (you may substitute any color if desired)

Tacky Craft glue

Scissors

Ruler

White colored pencil to mark on dark felt

Cardboard

Scraps of decorative trim in matching shade

Clothespins for holding till the glue sets

1.     Prepare the turkeys.  Remove the paper backing from the turkey and attach three feathers, fanning out.  Trim the feathers to the desired size if necessary

2.     Cut a chenille stem 2.”  Bend it in half and then and bend each end upward. (Legs made, see photo) Attach the legs to the center back of the turkeys with some tacky glue. 

3.     Make the felt pockets.  Felt comes in 12 x 9 sections.  Each section will make two silverware pockets.  Cut the felt to 10” x 9.” Measure and cut two rectangles 4 ½” x 5.”  Fold each 4 ½” x 5” rectangle in half lengthwise.

4.     Measure and mark 1” from the folded bottom and 1” from the side.  Meet the lines and cut on a diagonal.  Repeat on the other side.  (See photo)

5.     Open the sections and run a bead of tacky glue on the inside all around leaving the top unglued.  (See photo)  Press together and secure with clothespins until the glue sets. Let dry. Cut a piece of matching decorative trim 4 ½” and glue to the top edge.  Center a prepared turkey on the pocket bottom and attach with some tacky glue.  Let dry.

6.      Cut a piece of cardboard 3 ½” x 3 ½” and insert in the pocket for added firmness.  Add your silverware in each pocket and enjoy.

Aleene'S 40454 Aleene's Thick Designer "Tacky"Glue (Google Affiliate Ad)

Recycled K-Cup skeleton Halloween candy favor

If you have been saving your used K-cups and need some quick party favors for your Halloween party you are all set to make these quick and easy little containers. Fill them with candy, small treats or whatever your little ghouls desire.

You will need:

White K-Cup with the filter removed and washed

Small sharp scissors

1/8” hole punch

Black sharpie marker

One White and silver chenille stem

1.     Using a black sharpie marker to draw a curved line on one side.  Repeat with a corresponding line on the opposite side.  (See photo)

2.     Drawing with the black sharpie make two round eyeholes in the center thickening the lines on the left bottom edges to represent shadows.  (See photo)

3.     Continue with the marker by making two smaller oval shapes for the nose. (See photo)

4.     Finish the face by drawing two rows of teeth to the bottom edge of the K-cup.

5.     Use the black sharpie to color in the entire back meeting both curved lines you created in the beginning.

6.     Cut the top lip off with the small sharp scissors.  (This will make it easier to punch the holes for the handle.)

7.     Use a 1/8” hole punch to make two holes on each side making sure they are parallel.  Thread a chenille stem on one side and twist to secure, pull the opposite side through the other hole and twist as before.  Fill with small treats or candy.

You can use these same instructions to make a witch’s cauldron party favor too!  Use a black K-Cup, gold chenille stem, and a silver Sharpie to write –

Recycled CD snowflake ornament

It’s not too early to think about making Christmas ornaments.  The tree will be up before you know it.  The lights reflect off this snowflake to shine and sparkle.  With a little help from a parent this is a great “keep em busy” kid’s project!

You will need:

Two discarded CD or DVDs

Old scissors or tin snips

Tacky craft glue

Paper mache snowflake ornament (available from craft stores)

The one I used had a ¼” thickness.

Gold glitter dimensional fabric paint

1.     Cut the Cd or DVD up into various sized pieces.  Smaller areas will need smaller pieces. 

2.     Begin gluing the pieces shiny side up onto the paper mache ornament.  Leave some space between the pieces.  After you have filled up one side glue on some small pieces to the edges all around. (Since adding fabric paint to the edges may not be easy for kids, if you desire, you can butt the CD pieces on the edges together and eliminate the fabric paint between)

3.     After one side has dried, turn over and add pieces to the opposite side. 

4.     Shake down the fabric paint to remove any bubbles.  Test on scrap paper before using.  Fill in the gaps between the CD pieces with the dimensional fabric paint on one side and the edges around.  Let dry completely. After the fabric paint has dried, turn the ornament over and fill in the gaps with the fabric paint on the opposite side.  Let dry.