Day 6 - F is for . . . Fiddly Fingers Folding Fuzzy

 I'm playing along with the

Tenth Annual
Month of Holiday Cards Challenge

at Beccy's Place

FULL details about how it works are HERE

~~~*~~~*~~~

Day 6 - F

(Beccy's post with "F" inspiration words and super cute card made

using the FREE Stanley digital stamp to inspire are HERE)

My "F" project is Fiddly Fingers Folding Fuzzy pipe cleaners.

While making our 2022 Christmas cards, I'm also trying to prepare Christmas craft activities for kids in our neighbourhood too.  Today I'm preparing samples and kits for making Christmas Wreath Ornaments (inspired by THIS tutorial I found in cyberland).

Take two (green) pipe cleaners, twist together at one end, place finger at the twist, bend the pipe cleaners around finger and twist twice, bend, twist, repeat until you reach the end, finishing with a double twist.  Curve your loops into a circle and twist the ends together to make the wreath base.  Twisting the ends to form the wreath circle is probably going to be too difficult for little hands, so be prepared to give your fingers a workout to help them.  The twisted ends make the "top" of the wreath.  Use fingers to shape the circle of the wreath and spread out the smaller loops making up the wreath.

   

Take a length of fine ribbon or twine, poke the end through the wreath and tie a knot to make a loop at the "top" (where the ends are twisted together).  This loop is used to hang the ornament when it's finished.

Take a red (or whatever colour you want to make your bow) pipe cleaner, fold in half, making a sharp fold so that it's easy to see the "middle" mark.  Take one side and make a 2cm (3/4") loop, twisting the loop around the middle twice and having the tail of the bow pointing downwards.  Take the other side and make the second loop of the bow, with the second tail pointing downwards.  Use fingers to shape the loops of the bow.

Place the bow at the top of the wreath, take one bow "tail", poke through the middle of the wreath and wrap it around, up and over the top, with the tail pointing downwards at the front of the wreath, pressing firmly.  Repeat with the second tail, ensuring that the fine ribbon "hanging loop" gets secured between the two loops of the bow ... sounds pretty confusing ... here's a photo to show you.  You can add your hanging loop later but I have found that using the bow to hold it in place holds it more securely.

   

Trim the ends to suit ... DO NOT use your GOOD scissors!  I use a pair of Fiskars Kitchen Shears ... SUPERVISION is required if you allow little hands do ANY cutting.

Hang finished ornament on Christmas tree or use mini pegs (clothespins) to make a pretty garland to hang across the window.

   

*** INGREDIENTS ***

nimble fingers

assorted pipe cleaners

2 x green + 1 x red - or whatever creative little hands choose

ribbon / twine - to hang the ornament

crafting scissors

 I use a pair of Fiskars Kitchen Shears

reference - THIS tutorial I found in cyberland