HOW TO CRAFT A NATURAL CHRISTMAS

tamuria Christmas, Wacky Workshops 0 November 23, 2016

Welcome to another Wacky Workshops project – crafting a natural Christmas.

I love all the sparkle and glitz of the season and it just wouldn’t be the same without some glitter and tinsel.

But there is something so beautiful in the simplicity of natural decorations, using nature’s gifts to help decorate.

This week’s projects include a pinecone wreath, stars and trees made out of twigs, and sweet and simple wooden gnome decorations.

CRAFT A NATURAL CHRISTMAS

This one is so easy and the kids really had fun painting the pinecones.

Round base – I used a cardboard cake plate but you could use a paper plate or cut a cardboard circle from a box.
Pinecones
Glue
Glitter and metallic sequins and shapes – OK, I know I said we are going natural but I also admitted to LOVING glitter. So do the goddesses so I had to include it.
Box knife
Glue
Assorted paints

Use the box cutters to cut a circle from your base plate – you can use a small plate or bowl as a template.
Paint the pinecones in desired colours.
Add glitter and metallic embellishments if desired. 🙂
Glue the pine cones to the base – all done, too easy.

I love the sweet look of these little birds and using spray paint makes them extra easy to colour.

The pinecone’s bottom, where it was attached to the tree, will be where the head (the foam ball) is connected. The pine cone’s top is slightly narrower and will be the tail end of the bird.
Fashion legs and feet from the wire and glue to one side, near the top of the pinecone. NOTE: The easiest way to make the legs and feet is by twisting three pieces of wire together, gently bend in the middle, and separate the wire at one end to form feet.
Glue the foam ball to the bottom of the pinecone.
Cut the foam sheet to form wings and tail.
Glue the wings onto the side of the pinecone, opposite the feet and the tail to the top of the pinecone.
Cover the legs and feet with plastic and spray paint the bird in a Christmassy colour – I used silver paint and white glitter.
Glue on the button eyes and beak.

Do you love making things out of pinecones? How about a pinecone Santa – get the instructions here.

As long as you have a sharp knife or scissors, this craft is a breeze.

Lay the twigs across a protected surface, ensuring they sit close together and flat.
Use a marker to draw a triangle shape with the point at the top and getting wider towards the bottom.
Using the knife carefully cut the twigs following the marker line.
Add some vertical twigs to form a trunk and glue the whole thing together.

I love these little stars and they are easy to make.

Do you remember drawing stars in school using two triangle-shaped joined together? That’s all we’re doing here.
Have two twigs the same length and thickness and break each of them in half, so they are broken, but still intact.
Place one with the broken point facing up and on top of that, the other with the broken point facing down.
Measure the distance between the open ends of the sticks and break twigs to fit both openings
Weave these sticks in and out of the triangles you formed and hold in place with glue at every point where the wood touches another piece. TIP: It helps to hold in place with paper clips while you are waiting for the glue to dry.
You can hide the glue with, you guessed it, glitter, or use raffia to keep the natural look.

These are seriously cute and the painting is so easy.

Cover the point with red paint to make a hat.
Paint a white beard under this, leaving a little space in the centre for the face.
I didn’t even bother painting facial features – I love them as they are.

If you enjoyed these crafts be sure to share.

Follow my Grand Christmas Pinterest board for more fun ideas.

Happy crafting and have a gleeful week, Tamuria.