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crafting

How to make a whirly gig

On the last day of school term the children received the gift of play in the form of a whirly gig! It was the perfect way to start the holidays. With the children heading home with colourful whirly gigs spinning in their wake.

At home we used some wet-on-wet watercolour paintings to make more, using the first as a template (and here is a template for you).

Together we cut around the outside of the whirly gig and down the middle to make the propeller. Then we cut the two smaller cuts into the body of the whirly gig. Next we folded one propeller part forward and one back. The sides of the body were folded in from where we made the smaller cuts too (like in the photo above).

Then the kids made some new wool twisties ~ with a bead in the middle ~ to tie through the end of their whirly gigs (see how here).

Then we were all running around the house and backyard making them spin!

Happy crafting, Kelly

January 26, 2015 by

Making Christmas bells

There is a merry little sight as you walk up the path to our home at the moment. A shimmer of glitter and the invitation to ring two pretty Christmas bells. They make a lovely ringing sound, more than you might expect from a terracotta pot and wooden bead.

We crafted on a stormy afternoon. With terracotta pots, wooden beads, wool and a little glue. And while the rain poured down and the thunder crashed above our heads we covered everything in glitter. Or so it would seem *grin*

We made twisties using Christmas-y coloured wool (we share how here). Then threaded a bead onto the twistie to ring against the side of the terracotta pot. To keep the bead in the right spot, we also tied a double knot up a bit higher to rest near the small drainage hole in the pot. Making sure on both ends to leave some of the twistie for tying the bell, and ringing it.

Outside we went as the skies cleared, to find the perfect spots for our little bells.

Happy crafting,
Kelly

December 8, 2014 by