I’ve been wanting to try crafts that turn plastic lids into sort of buttons, and I figured that winter is the perfect time to give this a try with a plastic lid snowman craft!

This is such a fun and forgiving craft. It’s open-ended, leaving room for creativity. It’s really easy – no special skills required. It doesn’t require you to be precise or get it perfectly right. There are no measurements, there is no template because there is no need for one!

Tips for crafting a plastic lid snowman

Since this is so open-ended, I figured I’d share some general tips for crafting plastic lid snowmen, and some fun ideas I had in mind for them.

Dressing it up

One of the most creative parts of this is dressing up your plastic lid snowmen. This makes it actually a really fun workshop activity, since you can teach the basic process of creating the plastic lid snowmen, and then offer various odds n ends to decorate it.

I created two of these to show you two different ways you can finish them off.

On one, I added earmuffs using faux fur scraps. I used felt to connect the two muffs, but you can also use a chenille stem. That might look cooler as you can allow it to stand up a bit.

For the nose, I used a flat bit of felt but you can also see how I did the nose on my snowman peg dolls for another way to craft a carrot nose from felt.

On the other one, I decided to make a beanie using a scrap of wintry fabric. I cut it into shape and rolled up the bottom, gluing it in place for the turned up rim. Pom poms make this project shine. The carrot nose is a “front view” – I used a tiny orang pom pom for that.

I definitely recommend getting creative with these and dressing them up as you see fit. You can also use a swatch of fabric for the scarf and beads or buttons fly for the buttons. I didn’t add a face (I wanted to keep it simple) but you can make that by gluing on small beads or drawing it on with a fabric marker. You may want to test the marker for bleed first.

Finishing it off

There are so many different ways you can use plastic lid snowmen – and these are just a few.

Turn it into an ornament – glue on a folded over ribbon to the top back to turn it into an ornament.

Use it as a plush figure – I honestly had it in mind originally just as a little toy that kids can play with, kind of like a mini “pet snowman”.

Add it to a keychain – While it’s pretty large in size, I think it would make a fun addition to a backpack for the season. I’d probably add a keychain by gluing on a small loop made from felt to the top back and using that to connect to keychain hardware.

Put it in a winter sensory bin – I ended up using this as part of a sensory bin featuring 2-ingredient fake snow.

What you need to craft a plastic lid snowman

• Two sizes of plastic lids – I used one from a liter bottle of seltzer, and one from a Stonyfield yogurt smoothie.
• White cotton fabric
• Polyfil fiber
• Fabric scissors
• Washable fabric marker
• White thread and needle
• To decorate it – assorted fabric and felt scraps, buttons, pom poms, etc.
• Ribbon
• Hot glue gun (check out my best hot glue guns for crafts here)

How to make a plastic lid snowman

1. Place your plastic lid on white fabric and make a circle around it. Be generous. You want it to be larger than the cap all around by roughly the height of the cap.

2. Cut out your circles.

3. Create a running stitch all around the perimeter of your circle using a needle and thread.

4. Pull it slightly so that the circle cups.

5. Stuff some Polyfil into your bottle cap.

6. Place the cap open-side-down on the circle. Try to shove all that Polyfil under.

7. Gently pull your thread to fully cinch the edge of the circle around the cap.

8. Stitch in and out of the cinched threads a few times to secure the two sides together, knot and trim.

9. Repeat with the second bottle cap.

10. Glue the two bottle caps together, one on top of the other.

11. Tie a ribbon scarf around the neck. Glue to secure if you’d like (do this if it’ll be getting any real active use).

12. Dress your bottle cap snowman up! I cut a triangle of felt for a carrot nose, bits of faux fur and felt for earmuffs, and beads for buttons.

On the other, I made a beanie using corduroy scraps (roll up and glue on the bottom) and a pom pom, added a tiny pom pom nose, and buttons for buttons.

I hope you enjoyed making a bottle cap snowman! What’ll you be using yours for? Comment below!

How to Make a Bottle Cap Snowman

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

Estimated Cost: $1

This adorable little bottle cap snowman is such a fun recycled craft to make for winter! Turn these into ornaments or little dolls for pretend play. They're easier than they look.

Print

Materials

• Two sizes of plastic lids - I used one from a liter bottle of seltzer, and one from a Stonefield yogurt smoothie.
• White cotton fabric
• White Polyfil fiber
• Fabric scissors
• Washable fabric marker
• White thread and needle
• To decorate it - assorted fabric and felt scraps, buttons, pom poms, etc.
• Ribbon - 1/4 inch grossgrain ribbon is perfect - or get bundled scraps for projects like these, like I do!
• Hot glue gun (check out my best hot glue guns for crafts here)

Instructions

1. Place your plastic lid on white fabric and make a circle around it. Be generous. You want it to be larger than the cap all around by roughly the height of the cap.

2. Cut out your circles.

3. Create a running stitch all around the perimeter of your circle using a needle and thread.

4. Pull it slightly so that the circle cups.

5. Stuff some Polyfil into your bottle cap.

6. Place the cap open-side-down on the circle. Try to shove all that Polyfil under.

7. Gently pull your thread to fully cinch the edge of the circle around the cap.

8. Stitch in and out of the cinched threads a few times to secure the two sides together, knot and trim.

9. Repeat with the second bottle cap.

10. Glue the two bottle caps together, one on top of the other.

11. Tie a ribbon scarf around the neck. Glue to secure if you'd like (do this if it'll be getting any real active use).

12. Dress your bottle cap snowman up! I cut a triangle of felt for a carrot nose, bits of faux fur and felt for earmuffs, and beads for buttons.

On the other, I made a beanie using corduroy scraps (roll up and glue on the bottom) and a pom pom, added a tiny pom pom nose, and buttons for buttons.

Notes

There are so many different ways you can use plastic lid snowmen - and these are just a few.

• Turn it into an ornament - glue on a folded over ribbon to the top back to turn it into an ornament.
• Use it as a plush figure - I had it in mind originally just as a little toy that kids can play with, kind of like a mini "pet snowman".
• Add it to a keychain - While it's pretty large in size, I think it would make a fun addition to a backpack for the season. Add a keychain by gluing on a small loop made from felt to the top back and using that to connect to keychain hardware.
• Put it in a winter sensory bin - I ended up using this as part of a sensory bin featuring 2-ingredient fake snow.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

The post Plastic Lid Snowman – Ornaments or Little Dolls! appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

I recently realized that I majorly neglect creating winter crafts. With this season so busy, and a lot of my energies directed into creating beautifully curated gift guides, I find that the season goes by too fast.

But I’m working on switching that this year, with a few new winter-focused ideas and today, I’m starting with snowman peg dolls that have been on my “to craft” list for years!

Ways to use snowman peg dolls

As with any peg doll, these snowman peg dolls are so versatile! I crafted these for use in with this 2-ingredient fake snow but you can make them for really just about any winter purpose. Here are some ideas:

• Peg dolls make great pretend play toys! You can use it with anything that comes with small figures, such as Little People play or small dollhouses. Bring these out to mix things up for winter-themed play.
• In sensory bins. Use this to play with Instant Snow or in any winter-themed sensory bin.
• Use these as a focal point in a DIY snow globe
• These make fabulous embellishments in any winter scene – a diorama, a Christmas village…
• Glue on a ribbon to turn them into adorable little ornament

There’s really so many things you can do with this – whether you’re popping it into the toy bin, or making it for something specific!

Tips for crafting snowman peg dolls

This is a pretty straightforward craft that can be crafted different ways, but here are some tips for getting it right the first time.

Choosing your peg dolls

Peg dolls come in many different shapes, sizes, and styles. You can actually get snowman shaped ones, but I wanted to add more texture to mine so I wanted it without the hat.

I got a multi-pack so that I have options for different crafts, and chose a larger sized one with a straight body as the closest match.

I like to get my peg dolls from Woodpeckers because I know they’ll be high quality, and support a New Jersey based small business. You can get them on Amazon, or directly from them. If purchasing direct, use code MOMSANDCRAFTERS for 5% off your purchase.

Dressing it up

To dress up your snowman peg dolls, pull out those fabric and felt scraps! You can also use ribbons, buttons, beads, and of course, markers.

Try using winter textured fabric, such as tweed, felt, fleece, and corduroy for your accessories.

On one, I made a beanie hat. I did this using scrap tweed that I bought eons ago to make a skirt. I made a scarf using soft corduroy I had in my scrap bin.

On the other, I made a felt top hat. I perched it at an angle for a little character. I also cut off the finished edge of a fleece blanket (that I purchased to cut apart for crafts) for the scarf on this one.

I used finished/crafting wooden branches for the arms, but you can also pick twigs from outside. I used wooden beads for the buttons, but of course, if you have small buttons, use those. And the nose was hacked from a small bit of rolled up/folded felt.

I drew on the face using a paint marker (this set is double sided, with the fine side perfect for projects like this).

Variations and more ideas

This is one of those crafts that you can make a zillion times and each time it comes out different! Here are a few ideas:

• As I mentioned, use twigs from outdoors for the arms
• Again, you can use buttons for the buttons.
• Pull out the pom poms! They are fabulous for winter crafts. Tiny ones can be used as buttons, and you can use one on the hat.
• Try making the hat from bits of an old knit sweater
• The scarf can also be made using ribbon.
• Want to make earmuffs instead of a hat? Cut two small circles of felt and connect them with a thin pipe cleaner.
• Use glitter paint as a top coat to add some snow-inspired shimmer.

The possibilities for these snow man peg dolls are really endless, so pull out all your craft stuff and get creative!

How to craft snowman peg dolls

Watch the video, or scroll down for the step by step tutorial.

Materials

• Peg dolls (see notes above)
• White acrylic craft paint
• Paint Brush
• Scraps of felt and fabric
• Odds and ends like buttons, beads, pom poms, twigs
• Detail scissors
• Hot glue gun – you can check out my rundown of the best glue guns for crafts. I used this one for this craft.
• Paint markers

Process

1. Paint your peg doll white. One layer will likely give it a stained look. A second layer will look opaque. Dry time should be pretty quick.

Making the beanie hat

2. To make the beanie, cut a small rectangle. It should be slightly wider than the circumference and higher than you want it to be.

3. Roll it up twice from the bottom, keeping it as small as you can, hot gluing in place.

4. Glue one end to the other to form a circle that will be the circumference of your hat.

5. Sew a running stitch around the hat at the point where you want the hat height to end. Pull it tight.

6. Wrap thread around that point to make it as tight as you can.

7. A few stitches back and forth through the hat should finalize the shape of the beanie.

8. You can either trim off the extra and glue on a pom pom. Or, cut fringe into the extra instead to make a pom pom.

To make a top hat

9. Cut a felt circle the size you want the brim of the hat to be – a bit wider than the head of the peg doll. Cut a felt strip the height you want the hat to be. The length should be big enough to form a circle smaller than the brim, with a bit extra for gluing.

10. Glue the strip, connecting both sides to form the main part of the tophat. Using hot glue sparingly, glue the ring on the center of the felt circle.

11. Measure the circumference of the ring and use that to create the top of the tophat. Again, using hot glue sparingly, glue that on top.

Finishing it up

12. Glue the hats on the peg dolls.

13. Create carrot noses by rolling up a tiny scrap of felt, gluing it in place. Use detail scissors to cut it into shape.

13. Glue it in the center of the face.

14. Glue on 2-3 beads as buttons.

15. Draw on button eyes and mouth. I didn’t use glue-ons for this because it’s so small and I felt it would be excessive.

16. Cut a strip of fabric for a scarf. Cut a bit of fringe on the side if you want.

17. Wrap it around the neck of the peg doll. Tie it or glue it in place.

18. Glue on sticks for arms.

Your snowman peg dolls are complete! Which peg dolls would you like to see next? Comment below!

The post Snowman Peg Dolls appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

This buffalo plaid bracelet pattern is not your childhood friendship bracelet! It’s sophisticated, modern, and oh, so cool – the perfect fall or winter jewelry accessory!

The idea popped into my head the other day: I MUST figure out how to make a buffalo plaid friendship bracelet! And so started a month long process.

First, despite my huge stash of strings, I simply did not have the correct colors.

Then, the original process didn’t quite cut it. And then finally, I LOST one of the bracelets I had worked on for a long time!!

I’m really excited to finally sharing with you this buffalo plaid friendship bracelet pattern.

This bracelet uses an alpha pattern with a running string that is used in every single knot and runs from left to right and then to left again.

It’s not an easy bracelet really, since you’re working with long strings and constantly switching off, however the concept is very simple with a basic set of rules that’s easy to remember.

One of my favorite features of this buffalo plaid bracelet is that it looks fabulous on both sides!! The back takes on a basket-weave look and is quite beautiful as well.

The textile look of this bracelet is so much more sophisticated than your typical friendship bracelet and makes it a fabulous fall or winter accessory.

I tried making it in three color schemes that are relatively neutral: tans, muted reds, and olive greens. You can also make it in very seasonal colors: bright red or green, pink, blue.

As long as you choose the correct color combo, it’ll look fab – and I offer tips on that below, so you’ll get it right!

How to Make a Buffalo Plaid Bracelet

While I do outline step by step instructions below, I want to summarize the process for those of you who might be more skilled. I also share some of the crafting tips and decision making process that makes a big difference to the final bracelet here, so definitely skim it, even if you’re not a pro!

Choosing your colors

Color choice is EVERYTHING when making a buffalo plaid bracelet!

Just like when I created a 3d zig zag friendship bracelet and a 3D diamond friendship bracelet pattern, the color creates the effect. This might not be 3D but choosing the right colors is what makes it look like a Buffalo plaid bracelet.

You want a dark (which can be black, brown, charcoal gray), a light (which could be white or tinted), and a medium (a brighter color, can be more dull, as if it has some black in it.)

You can also use bright, dulled, and black as your light, medium, and dark.

If you look at classic Buffalo plaid, it often has a very bright “light”. That’s okay, as long as you can get a good medium for it. I purchased my strings individually in-store (at Michaels) from open-stock embroidery floss for this bracelet. This way, I could lay it out and choose.

DMC Colors I used (dark to light):

• Green bracelet: 500, 501, 504
• Red bracelet: 3371, 3830, 3779
• Brown bracelet: 3021, 3790, 3033

The Basic Rules to Making a Buffalo Plaid Bracelet

To make a buffalo plaid bracelet, you do NOT need to sit with an actual pattern in front of you. Remember to follow these basic rules:

• You’re creating 4×4 squares of each color of knot.
• The medium color moves throughout the bracelet and is involved in each knot – either it’s being knotted or knotted around.
• You have alternating mediums in each row, but dark or light in every other row. And medium should never be on top of medium – it should always be under dark or light.
• Whether you knot the medium or around the medium depends where in your pattern you’re up to – a light row or a dark row.

And that pretty much sums up the rules of making a buffalo plaid bracelet! See? No pattern needed! But I’ll give you one anyway.

Buffalo Plaid Bracelet Pattern Summary (for pros)

This is for those of you who just want the process in brief, without step-by-step photos. There is a printable version at the end of this post.

Cut strings: Light: 72 inches, cut 2; Dark: 72 inches, cut 2; Medium: about 13 feet (or half a skein)

Arrange strings: Medium single, Light doubled over, Dark doubled over, Light doubled over, Dark doubled over. You have a total of nine working strands.

Knots used: Forward, backward.

Row 1: Work this row left to right. Make sure that with each knot the medium one moves one to the right. Forward knot medium around light, then light. Backward knot dark around medium. Backward knot next dark around medium. Forward knot medium around light and again around the next light. Backward knot dark around medium and again with the next dark.

Row 2: Work this row right to left. Make sure that with each knot the medium one moves to the left. Mimic the row before: each knot should be the same as the one above. Forward knot dark (the one you just used) around medium. Forward knot next dark around medium. Backward knot medium around light and again around light. Forward knot dark around medium and next dark around medium. Backward knot medium around light and then the next light.

Row 3: Work this row left to right. Make sure that with each knot the medium one moves one to the right. Backward knot light around medium, then the next light around medium. Forward knot medium around dark, and then medium around the next dark. Backward knot the following light around medium, and again with the next. Forward knot medium around the next dark, and then the next.

Row 4: Work this row right to left. Make sure that with each knot the medium one moves to the left. Mimic the row before: each knot should be the same as the one above. Backward knot medium around dark, and again around dark. Forward knot the next light around medium, and same with the next light. Backward knot medium around the next two dark (separately). And then forward knot the next two lights (individually) around medium.

Repeat these four rows until your bracelet is complete!

Starting and finishing your bracelet

When it comes to classier friendship bracelets like this one, I like to give it that kind of respect. Therefore, I used the ribbon crimp method to finish this off.

This not only gives it a polished “real jewelry” touch, but it also allows it to be taken on and off more easily. It also makes it fabulous to stack with real jewelry. Simply make sure to get the correct size crimp. This will depend in part on the size of your string and the tension of your knots. I purchased this package which has a few sizes that are close enough that you have what to choose from.

There are more traditional ways to finish this off – you can read how to start and finish a friendship bracelet.

Step by Step Tutorial for a Buffalo Plaid Friendship Bracelet

Supplies needed

• Light, medium, and dark of the same color embroidery floss (I used DMC 25 open stock)
• Thread snips
• Washi tape (or other low-tack tape)
• Ribbon crimps
• Chain nose pliers
• Hot glue gun
• Clasp and jump rings

Starting your bracelet

1. Cut your string as follows: Light: 72 inches. Cut two of these and fold each in half. Dark: 72 inches. Cut two of these and fold each in half. Medium: 13 feet. It can be hard to work with a very long string, so you may want to wrap it around a scrap of cardboard with wider ends, to make a mini skein.

2. Arrange your strings as follows: Medium single, Light doubled over, Dark doubled over, Light doubled over, Dark doubled over. You have a total of nine working strands.

Tape them down with a bit of tape. I found it best to start this bracelet flat and NOT with a knot. It’s just clearer. To do this, I started it taped in order (closer than pictured) to a surface. after one round, I was able to remove it from the surface. You can also simply lay it on a flat piece of tape in order, and place another piece of tape on top, if you prefer not to work attached to a surface.

Knotting your bracelet

To make this, you NEED to know how to make forward and backward knots. It’s not really a total beginner bracelet (although it’s not very complex.) If you don’t yet, first learn how to make a friendship bracelet and then come back to this tutorial.

Rule: you’re always moving your ONE medium colored string along to the next knot.

Row 1:

Work this row from left to right, moving your medium string along to the next position with each knot.

1. Start with your left (medium) string. Forward knot it around the string to its right (light) and pull tight.

2. Forward knot the same (medium) string around the next light to the right.

3. Backwards knot the next string to the right of your medium (dark) around the medium. The next string to the right will again be a dark. Backward knot it around your medium.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 with the next four strings. Forward knot your medium around the light to its right. You’ll have another light to its right so forward knot medium around it. The next string is a dark so backward knot the dark around the medium and repeat with the next dark.

Row 2:

Row two needs to look exactly like row one, only you’re working from right to left since your medium string is at the right.

5. Forward knot the dark to the left of your medium around your medium. This IS the string you just worked with.

6. Forward knot the next dark around medium.

7. Backward knot medium around the right to the left of it. Repeat with the next light that’s now to the left of it.

8. Repeat: Forward knot dark around medium, forward knot dark around medium, backward knot medium around dark, and backward knot medium around dark until you’re back at your starting point and your original string order.

Rows 3 & 4:

Row 3 works left to right, moving the medium along as you did before and row 4 mimics row 3, working from right to left.

9. Backward knot light around medium. Repeat with the next light to the right: backward knot around medium.

10. Forward knot medium around dark. Forward knot medium again around the next dark.

11. Repeat: Backward knot light around medium, and the next light around medium. Forward knot medium around dark, and then around the next dark.

12. Repeat row 3 working from right to left. Backwards knot medium around dark, medium around dark. Forward knot light around medium, light around medium. Backwards knot medium around dark, medium around dark. Forward knot light around medium, light around medium.

Repeat this process until your bracelet is almost long enough to wear! Leave an inch for the clasp and crimps.

Finishing it off

13. Carefully remove the starting tape and hold your strings so that they form a row no wider than the width of your bracelet. Place a thin line of hot glue where the strings end. Repeat on the finishing point of your bracelet. When the hot glue is totally dry, flip it over and repeat on the back .

14. When your hot glue is dry on both sides, attach a ribbon crimp to each end. Attach a clasp and connector to your ribbon crimp – or read this tutorial for how to add a clasp to a friendship bracelet. Your buffalo plaid bracelet is complete!

I hope you love your gorgeous buffalo plaid friendship bracelet and wear it all year long! Which color combination will YOU try? Comment below!

How to Make a Buffalo Plaid Friendship Bracelet

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Active Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Estimated Cost: $1

Learn how to make a gorgeous, sophisticated buffalo plaid firnedship bracelet - or micro macrame! This stunning winter accessory is simple to DIY and fun for teens through adults.

Print

Materials

• Light, medium, and dark of the same color embroidery floss (I used DMC 25 open stock)
• Washi tape (or other low-tack tape)
• Ribbon crimps
• Clasp and connector - I used jump rings

Tools

• Chain nose pliers
• Hot glue gun
• Thread snips

Instructions

Cut strings: Light: 72 inches, cut 2; Dark: 72 inches, cut 2; Medium: about 13 feet (or half a skein)

Arrange strings: Medium single, Light doubled over, Dark doubled over, Light doubled over, Dark doubled over. You have a total of nine working strands.

Knots used: Forward, backward.

Row 1: Work this row left to right. Make sure that with each knot the medium one moves one to the right. Forward knot medium around light, then light. Backward knot dark around medium. Backward knot next dark around medium. Forward knot medium around light and again around the next light. Backward knot dark around medium and again with the next dark.

Row 2: Work this row right to left. Make sure that with each knot the medium one moves to the left. Mimic the row before: each knot should be the same as the one above. Forward knot dark (the one you just used) around medium. Forward knot next dark around medium. Backward knot medium around light and again around light. Forward knot dark around medium and next dark around medium. Backward knot medium around light and then the next light.

Row 3: Work this row left to right. Make sure that with each knot the medium one moves one to the right. Backward knot light around medium, then the next light around medium. Forward knot medium around dark, and then medium around the next dark. Backward knot the following light around medium, and again with the next. Forward knot medium around the next dark, and then the next.

Row 4: Work this row right to left. Make sure that with each knot the medium one moves to the left. Mimic the row before: each knot should be the same as the one above. Backward knot medium around dark, and again around dark. Forward knot the next light around medium, and same with the next light. Backward knot medium around the next two dark (separately). And then forward knot the next two lights (individually) around medium.

Repeat these four rows until your bracelet is complete!

Notes

Color choice is EVERYTHING when making a buffalo plaid bracelet!

You want a dark (which can be black, brown, charcoal gray), a light (which could be white or tinted), and a medium (a brighter color, can be more dull, as if it has some black in it.)

You can also use bright, dulled, and black as your light, medium, and dark.

This bracelet follows basic rules:

• You're creating 4x4 squares of each color of knot.
• The medium color moves throughout the bracelet and is involved in each knot - either it's being knotted or knotted around.
• You have alternating mediums in each row, but dark or light in every other row. And medium should never be on top of medium - it should always be under dark or light.
• Whether you knot the medium or around the medium depends where in your pattern you're up to - a light row or a dark row.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

The post Buffalo Plaid Friendship Bracelet Pattern appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Winter is just ripe with sensory play opportunities, and yes, I am all about sharing those this year!

And all it takes is two ingredients to make the best, softest play dough that you’ll ever play with – because yes, you’re gonna steal this one from the kids.

Since it’s a bright white color, it’s absolutely fabulous to treat as a moldable snow! The main difference between this and play snow is simply that this snow dough has enough of a binder to be fully moldable and have a dough texture – not quite a snow texture.

And the secret to the super soft texture? One of the main ingredients is lotion! So yes, kids will actually be moisturizing their hands, thanks to the dough’s conditioners, as they play. Isn’t that just perfect for those drying winter months?

Unlike fake snow, which is much harsher, this one is great for the skin. The corn starch is much gentler than baking soda, and of course, you can use a kids’ lotion to add a soft touch that you’ll never get with shaving cream.

Play ideas & add-ins for snow dough

This snow dough is so heavenly to squish that it can be simply used as a slime-type sensory activity. Squish it, mold it, have fun with it.

But of course, you can take it a step further with play invitations.

My favorite is a “build a snowman” invitation. Give kids buttons, beads, broken orange craft stick or felt shapes, random sticks and twigs, strips of ribbon (scarves) and more to make their own snowmen.

Lay these out neatly on a tray, or package it in a container like you get slime, as a “deconstructed snowman.”

You can spice this up by adding glitter for a shimmery finish, or even use very small amounts of food color to dye it.

Play around with it as you would any play dough but with a winter theme. You can shape them into the alphabet, use sticks to connect balls of dough into letters or shape, or cut them into shapes using clay cutters.

Tips for making Snow Dough from corn starch and lotion

There is a bit of an art to making this work (or a science I should say, but it’s really the same right?)

Getting the texture right

One thing you might notice about any snow dough recipe you use, whether it’s this corn starch and lotion formula or the corn starch and conditioner version is that they vary wildly. Some call for a 1:1 proportion. Some need a 2:1 corn starch to lotion. Mine needed much less lotion.

The reason for that is simple: lotions vary wildly in density.

So you’re going to need to figure it out with your lotion. Ha! Oh well, here you thought you’d get an exact recipe.

But you see, I’m a crafter, not a recipe developer. So I’m good at developing processes over exact formulas, which is why you need me for this.

The trick to getting your snow dough recipe straight is to start with the cornstarch and add lotion slowly.

I say this is so important because honestly there is no way for me to know which lotion you’re using, and even within a brand it can change from year to year. And I do hope people will still be using this snow dough recipe in a year from now.

So I’ll provide a recipe for the lotion that I used (Babyganics) but I’ll tell you – if using a cheap lotion, you’ll probably need much more.

Storing it properly

To store this snow dough from time to time, use an airtight container and double it up. You can insert a small container into a larger one, or toss it into a Ziploc bag.

The texture is absolutely magical when fresh, but you can reconstitute it as needed with lotion. Dried dough crumbles apart, taking you closer to to the cornstarch stage, so adding bits more lotion will bring you back to the snow dough…

How to make Snow Dough

I’m sharing the process and quantities as I did it, however please be aware that the quantities you may need will vary widely.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cornstarch (have extra handy)
• Lotion (1/2 cup to 2 cups depending on brand)

Equipment

• Mixing bowl or container
• Mixing spoon (you WILL want to start the mixing process with a spoon)
• Measuring cups
• Storage container

Process

1. Measure two cups of cornstarch into a bowl or container.

2. Add half a cup of lotion and mix with a spoon. Ignore the measurements listed on my photos 🙂

2. If you have a very cornstarch-y mixture add half a cup at a time until it starts really combining. When it looks like it’s forming the right texture, revert to mixing with your hands.

Fine tune the texture – if too crumbly, add a squirt or two of lotion at a time. If you overdo it, add a few tablespoons of cornstarch.

Enjoy your snow dough – and don’t forget to share this snow dough recipe with your loved ones!

How to make snow dough

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Make this super easy snow dough that is a moldable dough that is ready for pretend play and sensory fun! It's white and heavenly soft, moisturizing your hands as you play with it.

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Ingredients

• 2 cups cornstarch (have extra handy)
• Lotion (1/2 cup to 2 cups depending on brand)

Equipment

Toggle ingredient group

• Mixing bowl or container
• Mixing spoon (you WILL want to start the mixing process with a spoon)
• Measuring cups
• Storage container

Instructions

1. Measure two cups of cornstarch into a bowl or container.
2.  Add half a cup of lotion and mix with a spoon.
3. If you have a very cornstarch-y mixture add half a cup at a time until it starts really combining. When it looks like it’s forming the right texture, revert to mixing with your hands.
4. Fine tune the texture – if too crumbly, add a squirt or two of lotion at a time. If you overdo it, add a few tablespoons of cornstarch.

The final texture should keep your hands clean, feel smooth, and not be sticky at all. It should be totally moldable and playable and hold its shape well.

Notes

The tricky part of this snow dough recipe is that lotions really vary by brand. Some are much denser than others. That means that you'll find that the quantity needed has extreme variations.

I used Babyganics lotion and used about 1/2-2/3 cup for 2 cups of cornstarch. Start with less, add more as needed.

I recommend starting your mixing with a spoon because it's really hard to combine by hand. Once it really starts to fully clump up, use your hands to finish it off.

The snow dough will very much take on the scent of the lotion you use. Choose wisely.

Store snow dough in an airtight container. I recommend double packaging it - you can place it in a zip seal bag too.

To reconstitute dry dough, simply add lotion in small batches.

Use this in play dough invitations to build snowmen - add in beads and buttons, orange craft stick ends, twigs, ribbons, and more.

Or package it up like slime and gift it as is.

Use this as a winter recipe activity or sensory play activity.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

The post Snow Dough Recipe appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

I was looking for a really cool winter activity to do with a group of four year olds, and decided that play snow is the way to go! There hasn’t been that much snow in NYC in the past few years (read: the lifetime of the four year olds) making it a fun way to sort of introduce it to them.

I found many 2-ingredient snow recipes but decided to try the baking soda and shaving cream version. I wasn’t so happy with it so I tweaked it a bit and decided to share the results.

Super cool ideas for 2 ingredient fake snow

Different ways you can use it

First of all, what would you use fake snow for? You probably came to this post one of two ways: you were proactively looking for a 2 ingredient fake snow recipe and you probably know what you want it for, or you bumped into it somewhere on social media.

In case you belong to the second category, here are some things this 2 ingredient fake snow is spot on for:

• Sensory bins – Thanks to the cold feeling and the scent of the shaving cream, it’s the ultimate multisensory experience!! More on this below…
• Small world trays – The main difference between sensory and small world play is that small world usually recreates a scene for kids to pretend with, and sensory bins create more of a digging, feeling experience without necessarily a play structure involved. I mixed both in one, and if you use this very sensory snow, any small world tray will feel that way. But you can still choose a small world direction or a sensory focus.
• Winter decor – If you’re looking for something to add a snow look to your winter decor, this is perfect. It holds in clumps but also powders, so you can make piles with it, or sprinkle some lightly on little houses, etc. Just know: it will harden, but very crumby and brittle, so use it sparingly and contain it. If you’re making a winter display on a tray, you can us it, but it’ll be a disaster if it isn’t somehow contained.
• Winter science – Challenge kids to ask: why does the snow feel cold? I answer this later in this post.

Note: this is NOT a good fake snow to mix into slime. It breaks down the slime and totally ruins it.

Fake snow sensory bins/small world trays

I turned this into a cross between a sensory bin and small world tray.

I used large-sized sheet pans and spread the snow. I added these DIY snowman peg dolls, and bottle cap snowmen (tutorial coming soon.)

I also tossed in loads of white pom pom “snowballs” and crafted some larger pom pom snowballs using chenille yarn and a pom pom maker (learn how to make pom poms from yarn here). These added loads of texture to the already very sensory tray.

More ideas to mix into a 2-ingredient fake snow sensory bin/small world tray:

• If you want it even more small-world focused, you can add little toy houses, people (peg dolls or even Little People – such as this Frozen set – can work), and little tractor toys as snow plows.
• Add in some little trees to cover with snow.
• Toss in some toy spades (or if you can find it, snow shovels) for scooping fun.
• Add glittery foam snowflakes for more texture variety.
• If you’re truly brave, you can even add some glitter to the snow itself.

Why does fake snow feel cold?

Yes, this fake snow is cool to the touch! Would you believe it? You don’t even need to freeze it or refrigerate it. When you squish the snow, the room temperature ingredients turn cold.

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) combined with the fatty acids in shaving cream creates a reaction that causes the snow to feel cold. This is called an endothermic reaction. That means that it absorbs heat from its surroundings (in this case your hands) and makes things feel cold.

That makes this ridiculously easy 2-ingredient fake snow a super cool science experiment as well!

Tips for making 2 ingredient fake snow

Getting the texture right

The texture of the snow can really vary but I found that if it was too powdery, it had an unpleasant feel. It was even better a little too wet – although it’s messier like that.

The trick is to start with baking soda, and incorporate the shaving cream slowly. As long as it leaves a powder on your finger, mix in small amounts of additional shaving cream. If it gets a bit too wet, add in a very small amount of baking soda at a time.

The ideal texture is one that leaves the hands almost clean, and squishes together similarly to Kinetic Sand. But, if you squish it, it falls apart.

With that texture, you can form snow balls, mounds, and pack it down to resemble real snow. You can sprinkle it on toy trees and houses too.

Controlling the smell

Another very critical tip is to be aware of the smell of your shaving creams. It’s tempting to hit up the dollar tree and get super cheap shaving cream – which is what I did – but the smell can be really potent.

If you have a shaving cream that you personally like, you can use that one. If you don’t try to go for unscented (you can always add a bit of essential oil for scent) rather than getting one with an overwhelming scent.

Recipe for 2 ingredient fake snow

Again, the recipe isn’t perfect because it’s not as easy as just scooping in measurements to replicate, but I’ve formulated it as best as I can so that you can get good results.

Ingredients

• 3 lb baking soda
• 1.5 cans shaving cream (11-12 oz)

Note: This recipe is designed to make a nice amount to play with and fill a sensory bin. You can start with one lb. baking soda and half a can of shaving cream if you just need a little bit for decor.

Either way, have extra of both handy in case you need to tweak the texture.

Equipment

• A bowl or container to mix up your sensory snow in
• A spoon to mix it with
• For play: trays such as baking sheets, snow man figures, etc.

Process

1. Pour all three baking sodas into the container. Shake up your shaving cream, and squirt a whole can in.

2. Mix it up well with the spoon.

3. Slowly add small amounts of shaving cream from the second can, mixing as you go along. Feel it along the way and test to see if you like the texture. If it leaves a bit of icky feeling powder on your hands, squirt in more – a two-second squirt at a time.

4. If you add too much shaving cream, add more baking soda 1-2 T at a time (you don’t need to measure, but that’s the rough quantity you’ll need).

And that, my friends, is how you make a fabulous 2-ingredient fake snow that is perfect for decor, play, and winter fun!

Fake Snow for Sensory Bins

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Make this super easy 2 ingredient play snow that's perfect for sensory bins! This winter activity can double as a science experiment - since it feels cold due to a chemical reaction!

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Ingredients

• 3 lb baking soda
• 1.5 cans shaving cream (11-12 oz each)
• Have extra of each in case you need to adjust the texture.

Instructions

1. Pour all three baking sodas into the container. Shake up your shaving cream, and squirt a whole can in.
2. Mix it up well with the spoon.
3. Slowly add small amounts of shaving cream from the second can, mixing as you go along. Feel it along the way and test to see if you like the texture. If it leaves a bit of icky feeling powder on your hands, squirt in more - a two-second squirt at a time.
4. If you add too much shaving cream, add more baking soda 1-2 T at a time (you don't need to measure, but that's the rough quantity you'll need).

Notes

• This recipe is designed to make a nice amount to play with and fill a sensory bin. You can start with one lb. baking soda and half a can of shaving cream if you just need a little bit for decor.
• Have extra of your ingredients handy to tweak the texture of your sensory snow.
• While this can work for winter scenes and decor, it can get messy. Have your fake snow contained if using it in decor. It'll dry brittle and crumby, and does not work as a dough.
• This sensory snow can be prepped in advance and stored in an airtight container. I don't know exactly how long it lasts, but mine was prepped a few days ago and it's still good...
• Use it as a science experiment to teach kids about endothermic reactions. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) combined with the fatty acids in shaving cream creates a reaction that causes the snow to feel cold.
• Be careful with the smell of your shaving cream. It'll come off strong as kids play with it, you want it to be a gentle, pleasant smell.
• Place it on a baking sheet with snow man figures and peg dolls, mini houses, tiny spades, etc for a fun winter sensory activity.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

The post 2 Ingredient Fake Snow Recipe – that feels cold! appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

New Year’s is such an exciting time! I love looking at the blank new calendar waiting to be filled with special occasions. This year’s calendar will be extra fun to look at because we’re decorating it with fuse beads!

Note: the images show 2024, but the download has been updated for 2025!

I have a confession to make about that.

I love fuse beads (also known as Perler or Hama beads). I love when my kids do fuse beads. It’s excellent for their fine motor skills, visual coordination, and focusing ability. I love making magnets, key chains, accessories, and toys out of fuse beads.

Here’s a totally fresh craft you can use your fuse beads for (assuming you already got some good use out of our last fuse bead tutorial – Fall/Thanksgiving napkin rings). We’re going to use fuse beads to give our new year calendars a major upgrade!

Each month will really pop with a cute, colorful, seasonal fuse bead symbol. Just follow the provided patterns to create the pictures, then glue them onto the calendar template. If some of the pictures aren’t relevant to your personal or family culture, feel free to swap them out for another design – you can create your own or find one online.

If you’re fuse bead fans, you might want to even give the Smart Pixelator a go – it converts any image into a fuse bead design (you can also use their images). Their beads are a bit smaller (it allows you to get more detail) so it’s not compatible with regular beads, but it’s totally cool if you want to make things like this without needing my templates!

We’re providing you with a free mini calendar of the whole year to go with the mini fuse bead icons. But you can also find a larger, monthly calendar to stick each picture to, if you find that type of calendar more useful. You can even do both! The calendar provided is for 2024, but you can reuse or re-do this project for any year by finding and printing a calendar with the correct dates and simply attaching your fuse bead projects to that.

You can do this project all at once, or you can print the calendar and then add the new picture each month. Or you can do the opposite – take one down each month, as a new “prize” to use each month for a magnet, keychain, bookmark topper, or what-have-you.

You’ll want to print the calendar on something firm like cardstock and/or glue it to a cardboard backing to make it strong enough to hold up the fuse bead icons. You could also consider laminating it for extra strength.

Because the individual pieces are small, they won’t take up a whole pegboard. That’s totally fine, just leave the extra pegs empty. If you’re using a large pegboard, you can even do a few shapes on the same board – but you’ll need to be more careful when ironing because it’s easy to knock over neighboring beads by mistake. It’s totally doable, though.

Let’s make it a great year!

What you need

• Fuse bead board, any size
• Fuse beads in assorted colors
• Parchment paper
• Clothes iron (or heat press)
• Glue or double-sided tape
• Templates (download and print at the end of this post)

Craft your fuse bead calendar

1. Print the template. If you’re planning to place your bead tray directly onto the pattern, make sure to print it at 100% scale and print a copy for each person doing the craft.

2. Using the dots on the template as a guide, copy the design by placing beads onto the little pegs. You can copy by matching the pattern, or you can lay your tray on top of the pattern sheet and place the beads directly on top of each colored dot as shown.

3. When all the beads are laid out, carefully cover them with a piece of fuse bead or parchment paper. It is helpful to cut the paper down to a size just a little larger than the peg board.

Preheat the iron to a medium setting, or the level indicated by the instructions on your bead package.

4. Place the iron carefully on top of the paper. Apply very gentle pressure while moving it in small circles to heat the entire project evenly. Do this for 30 seconds OR as indicated by the instructions on your bead package.

5. Gently lift a corner of the paper. Observe if the tops of the beads have become stuck together. If they seem loose, put down the paper and repeat the ironing for another 10 seconds, and check again.

When the tops of the beads seem to be stuck together, turn the project upside down and carefully lift off the peg board.

6. Cover the exposed side of the pattern with another sheet of the paper. Iron it the same way you did the first side. When done, the beads should be firmly fused together. Allow it to cool on a flat surface.

7. After completing all the patterns, glue or tape them to the calendar in the indicated spaces. Glue the calendar to a piece of firm cardboard for added strength.

Download the Fuse Bead Calendar Template

To download, fill out the form below. You’ll be signed up for our free newsletter – unsubscribe at any time in the footer of the emails. I respect your privacy and the law and won’t share your information with anyone.

Who will you be making this calendar fuse bead template with? Will you be replacing any images? Comment below!

The post Calendar Fuse Bead Templates – 2025 Updated! appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

I’m always torn whether or not I should offer a free printable calendar each year. The problem is that for the work it takes, the life of the post is way too short!

However, I decided to do it this year anyway – with a bit of a creative twist!

The idea is that you can draw your own little image into each month! Do this all at once as a New Year’s Eve activity to help count down the hours. You can even draw a new image every hour starting at noon!

Or, celebrate each new month with a little sketch.

As an example, I illustrated January for you, with the classic snowman celebrating the snow image. The truth is, it is a small space to work with, but still a fun little sketch.

This 2023 Draw Your Own calendar *now updated with the 2025 calendar* is perfect for placing on a family bulletin board with important dates circled in red. It’s a fun thing for students to keep in the clear cover pockets – or inside/front – of a binder. You can even add it to your planner as an extra page for yearly reference if you’d like!

Download it in one – or all – of four colors, to suit your style. And when you’re done, just enjoy your small low-key pieces of artwork!

What should you draw for each month?

Here’s a quick list of ideas for adding to your calendar each month!

January – New Year’s – fireworks, fancy 2023 numbers, snowman, snowflakes

February – More snow! Hearts for Valentine’s, cupid…

March – Purim, Books for Read Across America Day, rainbows, St. Patrick’s,

April – Easter, Passover drawings. Rain/umbrella for April showers.

May – May Flowers, Lag Ba’omer drawings. Mother’s Day, anything outdoorsy, or springy like park benches, trees, etc. Print some step by step flower drawing tutorials.

June – bugs, bees, Shavuot drawings, Father’s Day, more flowers and outdoors! Learn how to draw insects.

July – Fireworks, flag, Uncle Sam for 4th of July. Summer things- bathing suit, beach, sunhat.

August – More summer things! Shining suns, sunglasses, picnics, vacation photos, camper.

September – Back to school images, Rosh Hashanah drawings, acorns, squirrels, beginnings of Fall – so leaves and pine cones. Learn how to draw an easy maple leaf.

October – Halloween or Sukkot, witches, fall leaves, bare trees, Jack O Lanterns, black cats

November – Turkey! Or anything Thanksgiving, more fall, harvest drawings such as corn, pumpkins, apples, etc.

December – Christmas or Hanukkah, a touch of winter too.

Download the free printable 2025 Draw Your Own Calendar

To download, fill out the form below. You’ll be signed up for our free newsletter – unsubscribe at any time in the footer of the emails. I respect your privacy and the law and won’t share your information with anyone.

I hope you enjoy adding art to your Draw Your Own calendar! Got ideas for each month? Comment below!

The post Draw Your Own Calendar (Updated for 2025) – Free Printable appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Are you ready for a sweet stitching project that’s both adorable and functional? This teacup bookmark is an excellent craft for those who like to sew but don’t have much time, or those who are newer to sewing. Or just anyone who likes cute things in miniature (that’s me!)

What I love the most about this bookmark design is that it’s really something different – instead of a piece of paper sticking up out of the edge of your book with some cute but random design, in this case the bookmark is a real part of the tea motif, with the string from the tea bag holding your place. I also love this because a simple strand of yarn is very low-profile and won’t cause your book’s pages to wrinkle at all.

The stitching gives this project a quaint, cottage look that goes with the classic feeling of a warm cup of tea. It will go perfectly with a relaxing book under a cozy throw blanket!

The tea motif also makes this a great activity for a tea party. It’s easy enough to do in a group, as long as you have enough needles to go around. Due to the small size of the pieces and the needlework, this project requires good fine motor skills and is best suited for a party of crafters in or beyond middle school. (Of course, if you’re doing it individually and not in a group, you can assess your own or your child’s level of capability at any age and provide support as needed.)

If you love the idea but want to use it with younger crafters, you can use the same template for the shapes, substituting foam instead of felt and craft glue instead of sewing. 

The instructions below do not specify what type of stitches to use for sewing, leaving you the choice of whether to do what is most comfortable for you or to learn or practice something new! Beginners might want to start with a simple whip stitch or running stitch, while those who are ready for something more can try using a blanket stitch around the edges of the cup and tag.

The illustrations suggest colors to use for each of the parts, but this too is your choice. Choose felt sheets or scraps in colors that make you happy! Make sure to use nice, sharp scissors to cut the felt cleanly.

I love crafting things like this as a sweet gift for the book lover in your life, and it’s a fabulous companion gift to bundle with a favorite book

What you need

• Soft felt sheets
• Scissors – I recommend having good, sharp fabric and detail scissors handy.
• Yarn (white) 
• Embroidery floss or thread
• Sewing needle
• Marker or fabric chalk
• Teacup template (download and print at the end of this post)

Instructions:

1. Print and cut out the template pieces – three teacup parts, tea, tea bag tag, flower, and leaf. Trace them onto the felt colors of your choice, and cut them out.

2. Take one of the tea bag tags and place a leaf cutout on it. Arrange the flower pieces on the front teacup piece.

Thread a needle with thread that matches or complements the flower.

3. Sew the center of the flower (the circle) around the edge. Go through all the layers,  attaching both the circle and the flower petals to the cup.

Arrange the flower leaves around the flower and thread your needle with a color that matches or complements the leaves.

4. Stitch the leaves down their centers to attach them to the teacup. 

Because the shapes are so small, these few stitches will hold them all together – you don’t need to sew around the edges of the leaves or petals.

5. Sew the leaf on the tea bag tag by stitching around the edges.

Cut a length of yarn a little longer than the height of a typical book. Place about an inch of the yarn on top of the unused tea bag tag. Thread your needle with white thread.

6. Place the tag with the leaf on top of the plain tag, with the end of the yarn in between them.

7. Stitch the tags together along the edges. Get some of the top stitches going through the strand of yarn to secure it (you can also use some glue to help hold the yarn in place. You won’t see it inside the tag.)

8. Take the back of the cup cutout and place the handle on one side, slightly overlapping the side of the cup.

9. Put the tea near the top of the teacup base.

10. Put the front of the cup on top – line up the bottom against the bottom of the teacup back, and make the top overlap the tea.

Thread your needle with a color that matches or complements the teacup.

11. Sew together the teacup pieces around the outside edge (bottom and sides). Make sure to attach the handle as you go around that side.

12. Leave the top open for now.

13. Place the other end of the yarn from the tea bag between the tea and the back of the teacup. Thread the needle with a color similar to the tea.

14. Sew the tea to the back of the teacup, making sure to attach the strand of yarn in middle.

There you go – your teacup bookmark craft is comlete!! Use the yarn to mark your place in a book, with the tea bag tag hanging out one end and the teacup on the other. When you’re ready to keep reading, just tug on the tag like you would when making real tea!

Download your Teacup Bookmark Template:

To download, fill out the form below. You’ll be signed up for our free newsletter – unsubscribe at any time in the footer of the emails. I respect your privacy and the law and won’t share your information with anyone.

The post Teacup Bookmark Craft appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Brrrr… winter is definitely here (for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, anyway). It would be tough getting through all the cold weather if it didn’t come with so many perks – dazzling sparkly snowscapes, cozy hot cocoa waiting at home, and of course all our favorite winter sports. 

Today we’re going to celebrate that timeless winter favorite: Ice skating! Using simple, inexpensive materials, we’re going to craft a beautiful pair of decorative ice skates.

This craft is very versatile. While we’ve suggested colors and accents, you can easily substitute many of the colors or materials. For example, I’ve decorated my skates with wooden snowflakes and sparkly pom poms, but if you don’t have those available or prefer a different design, you can either skip that or make something else – perhaps cut a decorative shape out of felt scraps, make a design out of sequins, or use paint or glitter glue directly on the skates.

You can also try making a miniature version using smaller craft sticks and printing the template at 50%. A smaller size might be useful for decorating winter greeting cards, for example. They can also appeal to those kids (often the preteens) who are just into anything mini.

This is a moderately child-friendly craft, meaning that kids of various ages should be able to do it with a little assistance. 

Here are some ways you can adapt the felt ice skate craft to enable even younger kids to do it more independently:

• Cut the craft sticks in half ahead of time (each skate requires one stick cut in half and one whole stick). Watch out for splinters.
• Use foam sheets instead of felt. You’ll lose the delightful softness, but you’ll be able to trace the template instead of using pins, and it can be easier to cut. Using stiff felt sheets rather than the soft kind could also be easier on the tracing and cutting.
• If you don’t have a strong hole punch such as Crop-A-Dile, I have seen regular hole punches work on foam sheets (not felt).
• Use liquid glue instead of hot glue, allowing extra drying time.

Choose the materials you feel the most comfortable with and get ready to add some sporty sparkle to your winter decor!

What you need

Tip: a lot of these can be purchased at the Dollar store, but I like to link online for those who can’t make it.

• Jumbo craft sticks
• Wooden snowflakes
• White (sparkly) pom poms
• Iridescent or white glitter glue
• Acrylic craft paint – white, gray
• Felt sheets – gray, blue
• Permanent marker (black)
• Yarn – white
• Glue gun with glue sticks (or felt/tacky glue)
• Paintbrush
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Tape
• Crop-A-Dile or other hole punch that’ll work for felt (if need be, cut holes with detail scissors)
• Template – download and print at the end of this post.

How to make a felt ice skate craft

1. Cut two of the jumbo craft sticks in half. Paint all four halves plus two whole craft sticks with gray craft paint. Let dry and apply a second coat if necessary.

2. Print and cut out the ice skate template. Use straight pins to attach the skate shape to the gray felt sheet. Cut out the shape and repeat for a second ice skate.

3. Make a boot template by cutting the sole and heel off of the full skate template. Pin the boot shape onto the blue felt sheet. Cut out the boot, and repeat to make a second felt boot shape.

4. Use a glue gun to attach the blue boot shapes to the gray ice skates. When dry, flip over the skates and trim off any excess gray felt that sticks out.

5. Punch holes in the paper template where shown. Transfer the design to the ice skates by using a permanent marker through the holes. Use Crop-A-Dile to punch the holes in the felt.

6. Glue two of the half craft sticks to the back of the ice skate, one at the heel and one closer to the toe. Flip the skate over to the front, and glue one of the full craft sticks horizontally to make the blade of the ice skate. Repeat to add the blade to the other skate.

7. Measure and cut about 48” of white yarn for each skate. Wrap the end of the yarn in clear tape to make it easier to lace.

Starting at the top of the skate, leave some yarn sticking out and thread the longer end of the yarn through all the holes. When you reach the bottom, thread the yarn through the last hole a second time and then lace back up to the top.

Tie the yarn in a bow and trim the ends to the desired length. Repeat for the second skate.

8. Paint two wooden snowflakes with white paint. Let dry and apply a second coat if necessary.

Use glitter glue to create sparkle accents on the skate blades and snowflakes.

Attach a small white pom pom to the center of each snowflake.

Glue the snowflakes to the ice skates to complete the design.

Download the Felt Ice Skate Template

To download, fill out the form below. You’ll be signed up for our free newsletter – unsubscribe at any time in the footer of the emails. I respect your privacy and the law and won’t share your information with anyone.

The post Felt Ice Skate Craft – Free Template appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Twinkle, twinkle away – with the nights getting longer and earlier here in the Northern hemisphere, we need as much light as we can get! Add some sparkle and shine to your winter decor with these simple, elegant origami star shapes.

While 5 pointed origami stars may seem like a very basic shape, that’s exactly what makes them so versatile. The little kids among us might want to glue them to the tip of a stick or dowel to make a wand or scepter for a fairy, princess, or angel.

 For some more sophisticated decor, try stringing them together in a garland or banner, or hang them from a clothes hanger or embroidery hoop to create a mobile. You can use them to decorate your holiday or party table, either as place cards, stand-alone accents, or as part of a centerpiece.

Because the shape is so simple, this is the perfect base for some fancy decorating. Try using a patterned or shiny paper, or create your own pattern with markers or glitter on your finished stars.

So, how do you make a 5 pointed origami star out of a 4-cornered paper? It’s not hard at all with these simple-to-follow origami directions. All you need is a lightweight paper that’s easy to fold (plain copy paper or origami paper works fine.) If you’d like, you can also use a tool to flatten your creases, such as a bone folder or plastic ruler. Get your stuff together and let’s make the magic happen!

What you need to make a 5 pointed origami star

• Paper
• Glue (optional)

• Bone folder (optional)

How to fold a 5 pointed origami star

1. Start with a square paper. If your paper is rectangular, cut it down to a square shape.

2. Fold the top down to the bottom to create a horizontal fold.

3. Open the fold.

4. Fold one side to the other to create a vertical fold.

5. Open the fold.

6. Turn the paper over.

7. Fold it in half along the square’s diagonal.

8. Open the fold.

9. Fold it in half along the other diagonal.

10. Open the fold. 

11. Bring the straight edges upward toward the center, folding it along the creases.

12. Flatten it to make a triangle with two layers.

13. Take the top flap on the left and fold it up to the middle crease.

14. Fold the right flap the same way.

15. Undo the last two folds to leave creases.

16. Take the flap on the right and fold it up to the diagonal crease on the left side.

17. Open the fold.

18. Fold the left flap up to the diagonal crease on the right side.

19. Open the fold.

20. Now each side has two diagonal creases after the middle crease. Take the left flap and fold it accordion-style so that the edge formed by the second crease touches the middle. 

21. Fold the right flap the same way, so that the two folded parts meet in the middle with points sticking up. 

22. Flip the whole thing over to the side that isn’t folded yet (the flat triangle)

23. Repeat steps 13-21 so that both sides look the same.

24. Pick up the whole project so that the single point is pointing downward. There are four tips pointing toward you. Grasping the project by the middle, bring the top two points downward toward you, as if opening the pages of a book.

25. You will begin to notice how this forms a star shape. Position the points at an angle that looks good, and flatten it out. Apply glue if you’d like to help hold the flattened shape.

26. Flip the project over to display the smoother side.

You’ve successfully made a 5 pointed origami star. What will you be using yours for? Comment below!

5-Point Origami Star

Print

Materials

• Paper
• Glue (optional)
• Bone folder (optional)

Instructions

1. Start with a square paper. If your paper is rectangular, cut it down to a square shape.
2. Fold the top down to the bottom to create a horizontal fold.
3. Open the fold.
4. Fold one side to the other to create a vertical fold.
5. Open the fold.
6. Turn the paper over.
7. Fold it in half along the square’s diagonal.
8. Open the fold.
9. Fold it in half along the other diagonal.
10. Open the fold.
11. Bring the straight edges upward toward the center, folding it along the creases.
12. Flatten it to make a triangle with two layers.
13. Take the top flap on the left and fold it up to the middle crease.
14. Fold the right flap the same way.
15. Undo the last two folds to leave creases.
16. Take the flap on the right and fold it up to the diagonal crease on the left side.
17. Open the fold.
18. Fold the left flap up to the diagonal crease on the right side.
19. Open the fold.
20. Now each side has two diagonal creases after the middle crease. Take the left flap and fold it accordion-style so that the edge formed by the second crease touches the middle.
21. Fold the right flap the same way, so that the two folded parts meet in the middle with points sticking up.
22. Flip the whole thing over to the side that isn’t folded yet (the flat triangle)
23. Repeat steps 13-21 so that both sides look the same.
24. Pick up the whole project so that the single point is pointing downward. There are four tips pointing toward you. Grasping the project by the middle, bring the top two points downward toward you, as if opening the pages of a book.
25. You will begin to notice how this forms a star shape. Position the points at an angle that looks good, and flatten it out. Apply glue if you’d like to help hold the flattened shape.
26. Flip the project over to display the smoother side.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

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