Ho,Ho,Ho...Santa Claus is coming to town

Well...Thanksgiving dinner has been eaten. Bellies are full and people are traveling back home after a fun filled Thanksgiving. Now it's time to think about Christmas crafts and here is a cute idea for the older kids and Mom.


Materials needed:
clothespins
red embroidery thread
white embroidery thread
green embroidery thread
craft glue or glue gun (with supervision)
permanent marker
toothpicks
red felt
little white pom-pom


Directions: 
Santa Claus-
Step#1---Take two toothpicks and wrap each pick tightly with red embroidery thread.
Once you have wrapped the arms cut the tread and glue the end piece to hold it in place. 


Step#2--Now take 1 clothespin and wrap each leg in red embroidery thread. After you wrap the second leg continue wrapping up to the neck of the clothespin. The round part of the clothespin is the head of Santa Claus. Once you secure the thread you can proceed to the next step.


Step#3--Glue arms to body. Once the arms are secure you can take the red thread and go around the entire body (chest area) to help with securing the arms.


Step#4--Once arms are secure you need to add white thread around Santa's legs and waist...and create his beard. I created his beard by taking a bit of white thread and gluing it to his face but you could also use a white cotton ball if this is easier for you.



Step#5--Make a little hat out of red felt and glue it to Santa's head. Once it is secure you can wrap some white embroidery thread around the base of the hat so that it looks like Santa's hat. Glue a little white pom-pom to the end of the hat and voila!


Step#6--Take your permanent black  marker and make Santa a happy face.


And some terrific Holiday Books---

Room for a little one:A Christmas Tale
Reviewed on Amazon--"My daughter is 19 months old and loves this book, which was a surprise to me. She loves finding the mouse, which is very small and somewhat difficult to find. The animals are very real-looking, which is kinda eery, but very beautiful. My daughter enjoys pointing out Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. It is definitely a beautiful book with a neat story. A great christmas gift!" For more info

Merry Christmas, Stinky Face
We really enjoy the "Stinky Face" series of books. My only surprise was that it was a board book, but that's okay because I have a 2 and 7 year old. McCourt is so creative and if you don't have this book for Christmas, I'd suggest you get it. For more info

Halloween Clothes Pin People

This is such a cute craft and as you can see in the video even the little ones were involved in the making of the craft.

Here is what you are going to need:

Clothes Pins (the non-springy kind)

Paint Brush

Acrylic Paint

Newspaper

Palette (to put paints in)



**I want to thank Green Apple for a cool craft idea. We are always looking for cool craft ideas so if you have any please send them to us. Info on contact page. Thanks ---Fran

Books related to our project:



HALLOWEEN NIGHT                                      Reviewed on Amazon--"Rising Moon Publishing is well known for its beautiful children's books, and they continue to raise the bar with this holiday offering for young children. A simple Halloween story that invites young Wenzel illustrations will also appeal to adults who love Halloween and they will want to add this book to their own library." For more info 

                                       THE HALLOWEEN TREE

I first tried to read this book when I was around the suggested reading age (about 12 years old). Now that I'm 18 I finally tuly appreciated this masterpiece. Never before have I seen the true essence of Halloween captured on paper so perfectly. Life and death, night and day, Autumn and Summer, courage and friendship, Halloween and all it's components are presented to the reader in fantastic imagery that will transport you back to those Halloween nights that we miss so much. The nights when you could taste the magic in the air. Bradbury is an artist and these 145 pages are his canvas. If you are a true fan of Halloween or want to become one this book is for you. For More Info