Remember to harm none!
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Make your own Athame
Some traditions call for a specific size for the Athame,
though it usually is between six and twelve inches.
The size of your Athame should be of whatever length is comfortable for you.
Stop by your local hardware store and ask for a piece of
untempered steel that can be tempered (also known as 10/10 steel).
If they dont carry this, buy a steel file that is about three inches
longer than the knife you want to make. Also buy a corse steel file and a
fine steel file to file your new blade into shape. Be sure to get a hacksaw
and blade capable of cutting the file once you have removed the temper from it.
(Yes, files have a temper, so dont make them angry!)
I know what your first question is. "Don't you need a forge to get the steel hot
enough to remove the temper?"
Well, yes. Do you have a charcoal barbeque? Great! You have a forge! However,
in a barbeque, it takes longer. So be patient. Even the shaping of your blade will take some time.
If you are making your blade out of a file, you have one advantage. The advantage is that
you won't have to cut out the tang for your handle, as a file already comes with a tang!
You have to remove the temper from the file before you can do anything else.
To remove the temper, stock up a large pile of charcoal in your barbeque
(large enough to bury the entire file.) Once they are fully lit, bury your
file halfway deep in the pile of charcoal. Cover any exposed ends with charcoal
using a pare of long handled tongs. The file will need to stay in the charcoal
until the charcoal goes out. This may take all day, so start early in the morning.
BE SAFE! Don't leave the fire unattended! If you need to leave it for a short time,
put the cover on your barbeque untill you get back! This should be enough to remove any temper.
If the metal is still hard to work with, repeat this procedure.
You also need to do the above procedure for untempered metal, to make it soft.
If you don't have a barbeque, and no other way to do this, you can lay it on the burner
of a gas or electric stove. This will take a long time, but has the advantage of being
able to see the to-be-blade. Once it it becomes a dull red, it is ready. Turn off the
stove and let it cool down naturally.
Mark on the steel or file with a Sharpie marker (or other permanent marker with a fine point)
the shape you want your knife to be. Make sure you mark the tang as well if you are not using
a file. Just trace the one from your file. Remember, an Athame is a double edged blade. With
the hacksaw (or a power bandsaw if you have one) cut out your blade and tang, and file off any
rough edges. Now start shaping the blade area for sharpness with a grinding wheel,
if you have one. If not, then use the files, rough file first. Finish it off with two grades
of wet and dry sandpaper. If your blade is being made from a file, make sure to remove the grooves from all surfaces.
Now you have to harden and temper it. You ask "but didn't we take the temper out of it?"
Yes, but your blade will not hold an edge if we dont harden and re-temper it.
Heat up the blade again, this time making it red hot, not dull red.
Then take hold of it with a pare of pliers (the longer the handle, the better) and
immerse it into a bucket of tepid (warm) water. If the water is cold, it will crack.
Let it cool, then clean it with wet and dry sandpaper. Youv'e just hardened your blade.
Now you need to temper it. Again, reheat it. Again immerse it in tepid water and clean it
with wet and dry sandpaper. Next, heat up again to a dull red, this time keeping a good eye
on it as it changes color. It will get a bright, light straw color, then a medium straw color.
Immediatly dunk it into the tepid water and let it cool off. Do not allow it to go past the
straw color, it will go blue, then purple and green. Keep an eye on the tip, as this will
change color first. Keep the point furthest away from the heat to allow an even heating.
To make the handle, take two rectangular pieces of wood and trace the tang onto each of these.
Chisel out the marked sections one half the thickness of the tang. After this is done, the two
pieces should lay together perfectly with the tang between them. When they fit together well,
roughen the inside wood and spread a good epoxy resin glue all over, including in the tang grooves.
Put the tang in it's grooves, press the two halves together, and clamp.
Clamp slowly to give the glue a better spread. Leave clamped for three days.
When unclamped, draw the shape of the handle you desire, then cut or carve it out.
To finish, sand it down with a coarse sandpaper, then again with a fine sandpaper.
Then paint or stain the handle.
OR....
Try to find a suitable piece of steel. If one isnt available then a file or chisel will work
just as well. Whatever steel you have it is going to be hard so the first job is to soften it.
Heat the steel till it is a dull red. If you have no other way then lay it on the burner of a
gas or electric stove. You may have to leave it there for a few hours with the burner turned
on high. It will eventually turn a dull red color. Once it has reached that color,
turn off heat and let it cool down naturally. Now it will be softer and easier to work with.
Mark on the metal with a pencil the shape you want it be. With a powered bandsaw,
or a simple hack saw, cut out the profile and file off any rough edges.
Then start shaping the blade for sharpness. A grinding wheel would come in handy here,
though you can work with roughand smooth files.The blade is going to be double edged so
you are aiming for a diamond shaped cross section. Finish off the blade with two types of wet
and dry paper.
Now your blade will need to be tempered. Heat it up again this time until its red hot.
Then take hold of it with a pair of pliers and plunge into a bowl of TEPID water or oil,
not cold or the blade will crack. Allow it to cool off then clean i with wet and dry paper.
Next, to temper it, reheat the blade to a dull red again.
Again plunge it point down, into TEPID water or oil,
moving it up and down in the liquid.
Clean it with wet and dry paper then heat it up again.
**WATCH THE BLADE CAREFULLY THIS TIME AS IT CHANGES COLORS**
It will go to a bright, then light, straw color, then to a medium straw color.
Immediately plunge the blade into water and let it cool off.
(DON'T let it get past the straw color; it would go on to blue, purple,
then green) Watch the point as it will change colors first. At the first sign or of
"blueing" on the point, plunge it back into the water.
Note:
The colors will appear quickly so keep the point furthest from the heat.
Once the blade is cold take it outside and plunge it into the ground a few times
(there is a method to the madness)
Now you have:
Moved the blade through the AIR,
heated it with FIRE,
plunged into WATER,
and showed to the EARTH.
For the handle, take 2 pieces of wood. Draw around the tang, the handle part of the blade,
on each of the pieces of wood. Then chiselout the marked sections,
each one to half the thinkness of the tang. When finished,
the 2 pieces of wood should lay together perfectly
with the tang inserted between them. When youare satisfied they fit well,
slightly roughen the inside of the wood and then spread a good epoxy resin glue all over.
Put the tang in place, press the two wooden handle halves together and clamp.
When clamping, put the pressure slowly so as to give a better "spread" to the glue.
Leave clamped for AT LEAST 3 days.
When removed from the clamp, draw a profile of the handle you want on the wood and start
cutting and carving it to shape.
Some traditions call for certain signs to be carved on the handle. Even if yours doesn't,
you may wish to decorate it with some. I put my craft name and monogram on mine.
You may also wish to etch something on the blade as well.
Melt some beeswax and cover the blade with it. Then cut into the wax with sharp inscribing tool,
A nail will do the trick, in the way you want the inscription to look. Make sure that you go
right through the wax to expose the blade. Then pour on either sulphuric acid, iodine,
or a similar etching agent. Leave on for a few minutes then rinse off by holding under
running water. The acid will eat into the metal while the wax is protecting the rest of the blade.
IT WOULD BE WISE TO PRACTICE THE ETCHING ON A SCRAP PIECE OF METAL
FIRST SO YOU CAN DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF THE TIME TO LEAVE THE ACID ON BEFORE
FLUSHING IT AWAY.
Katydid's Site Index
How To Make A Robe Without Even Sewing
If you can't thread a needle even if you're life depended on it, you can still make yourself
a functional and practical ritual robe.
The first thing you will need to do is to find out your body's length from the bottom of
your neck to the knees or ankles (which ever you prefer.) This can be done one of two ways.
Have someone take a tape measurer and measure down your spinal column from the bottom
of your neck (where that funny lump is) to your knees or ankles. Once you get past the derrière,
keep the tape measurer straight if you were following the line of a rain coat.
This will give you your length.
If you can't find someone to do this, take your favorite bathrobe or any clothing you have
which is not very fitted and is long and simply measure the length from the collar
to the hem along the center of the back. This will give you your length.
Now, it's time to sit down and do some math. Take your length and divide
by 18 (Length / 18 = X). This will give you your yardage. Then it's off to the fabric store.
You will need to buy the following:
X yards of 60 inch wide fabric (45 inch if you are slim and want short sleeves).
Cotton or poly-cotten blend is best for this purpose.
(If you buy 100% cotton fabric, add 1/4 yard to your yardage to allow for shrinkage.)
2 Yards of Ribbon or Trim to match fabric.
4 yards of 1/2 inch permanent fusible web tape (this goes by a variety of brand names)
(Have the store where you buy the fabric make sure both edges are cut straight.)
When you get home, wash and dry the fabric.
Then iron out any wrinkles.
Now you are ready to make your robe.
Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and hold it up to your shoulders to check the length.
Trim off excess fabric if necessary.
At one end (the short side) fold the fabric up 1/2 inch (this will make your hem).
Then following the instructions on the package of fusible web, gently steam the webbing in
place along the hem.
Then fold again and press in place.
Repeat for the other end.
Fold the fabric into quarters making sure all edges are even and lay out on a large
surface or floor.
Measure three inches from the outside edge along Fold A.
Then cut along the fold towards Fold B.
To finish the neck opening, steam the fusible webbing to the wrong side of your ribbon.
Then pin to neckline.
Press permanently onto the neck line.
(You may need to add extra webbing to each corner or V to ensure it stays in place.)
You're robe is now done! Congratulations!. To wear, simple put on over your shoulders,
fold the front edges back and belt.
The back hangs free like a small cape. If you want a bit more security, you can either
pin the back or add ties to the edge.
Katydid's Site Index
How to Make Scented Rocks
You Will Need:
1/2 cup plain flour
1/2 cup salt
1/4 teaspoon essential oil (your favorite scent)
2/3 cups boiling water
food coloring, if desired
Procedure:
In bowl, mix dry ingredients well.
Add essential oil, and boiling water to dry ingredients.
(Scent will be strong, but will fade slightly when dry.)
For colored stones, blend in food coloring, one drop at a time until desired shade is reached.
Blend ingredients, and form balls into different shape and sizes to look like stones.
Allow stones to dry.
Katydid's Site Index
A Colored Hat For All Reasons
(Blood/Harvest Moon)
Use this spell to solve a specific problem.
You will need a comfortable chair and a hat. Use the color of hat that corresponds to the
problem you want to ponder: white and purple for spiritual matters, pink for love,
green for health, and blue and red for problems regarding business or your life’s quest.
Sit down in your comfortable chair with your colored thinking hat by your side, and think
about the problem for a few minutes. With both of your hands, place the hat on your head.
Say:
Divine hat of wisdom
Give me insights into my problem.
Relax in your chair by sitting back and taking several deep breaths. Imagine a bright
light shining down from the hat into your mind. The light shines everywhere looking for
the solution to your problem. Take several more deep breaths and sense yourself letting go of the problem and thinking of he best thing that happened to you today.
Set the hat near the head of your bed before you go to sleep.
While drifting to sleep, give yourself the suggestion that the solution to our
problem will be clear to you by morning.
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Closet Monsters
Put some friendly monsters in your closet for the Halloween season.
You Will Need:
hanger
poster board
card stock
tacky glue
tape
Procedure:
For each, trace the body of a hanger onto poster board, then cut out the shape.
Cut facial features from poster board and card stock, adhering them to the base
shape with tacky glue.
Let the glue dry, then tape the poster board face to the hanger.
Katydid's Site Index
Bat-o'-Lanterns
You Will Need:
Black acrylic paint
Ornamental (miniature) pumpkins
Black and white craft foam
Wings,ears & eyes template
Hole punch
Glue dots
Black duct tape
Toothpicks
Wooden skewers
Procedure:
Cover your work surface with a drop cloth or newspaper, then paint the pumpkins.
Allow them to dry completely.
For each bat, choose a style of wings and eyes from the template.
Then, trace and cut out two identical eyes from the white craft foam and use the hole punch to make pupils.
Adhere the eyes to the pumpkin with glue dots.
Cut a matching pairs of ears and wings from the black craft foam (our wings are about 6 inches long).
Attach the ears by taping a toothpick to the back of each one, leaving about 1 1/2 inches of the toothpick exposed, then inserting it into the top of the pumpkin.
Finally, tape a skewer to the back of each wing, leaving a 2-inch point exposed, and push it in place.
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Acorn Pumpkins
You Will Need:
acorns
orange acrylic paint
brown acrylic paint
black permanent marker
Procedure:
Remove the caps from a handful of acorns.
Coat each one with orange acrylic paint, adding a bit of brown to the acorn's point for a stem.
Let the paints dry, then add a jack-o'-lantern face with a black permanent marker.
Tips & Warning:
As several Family Fun readers who made this craft found out, some acorns
are infested with weevils. The weevils feed on the nutmeat while they develop over the summer,
and when the acorns hit the ground in the fall, these insects know it's time to start chewing
their way out and into the ground -- or your home. Reader Janie Foster offers a solution:
before you start the project, bake the acorns in a slow oven to kill the weevils.
Just be careful not to burn the acorns!
Katydid's Site Index
Broomstick Bags
You Will Need:
brown paper lunch bag
party favors
12- to 18-inch long stick or dowel
raffia
black spider ring
Procedure:
For each broom, use pinking shears or regular scissors to trim the top few
inches from a brown paper lunch bag.
Fill the bag about halfway with party favors.
Place a 12- to 18-inch-long stick or dowel into the bag and use a piece of raffia
to cinch the bag around the stick, about two inches down from the bag's top.
Trim a handful of raffia strands so that they're as long as the bag is high.
Use another length of raffia to tie the strands to the bag, then spread them out to
cover the bag evenly.
Thread a black spider ring onto the tied raffia.
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Spirit Jugs
You Will Need:
Clean plastic gallon milk jugs
Black permanent marker
Craft knife
String of 50 clear low-wattage holiday lights
Procedure:
Draw ghost eyes and mouths on the jugs.
Tip: Leave the caps on while you do this, so the jugs don't dent.
Use the craft knife to cut a half-dollar-size hole in the back of each jug (a parent's job).
Arrange the ghosts near each other and string the lights between them, stuffing several bulbs
into each of the jugs.
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Halloween Pin
These pins are a fun and festive way to celebrate the season. With their flashing lights,
these pins can help identify the trick or treaters when they're out in the neighborhood.
You Will Need:
Printed design
Craft Foam
Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
Scissors
Adhesive backed paper or paper and glue
Colored cellophane
Flashing magnetic pin
Procedure:
Choose from the Witch, Pumpkin or Monster Design.
Print pattern on paper (use a colored design or print in black to color it yourself).
Use scissors to cut out the design.
Trace around the outside lines of the mouth and cut out the craft foam and colored cellophane,
cut slightly outside the lines.
Cut out the inside of the mouth on the craft foam, cutting slightly outside the traced line.
For the colored cellophane, cut slightly outside the lines to leave the ability to glue to
the design.
Apply glue to the back of design or remove adhesive backing paper.
With back side up, place the colored cellophane over the mouth opening.
Using a thin layer of glue, adhere flashing magnetic pin to the back of foam making sure
it is inside the mouth.
Set aside to dry.
Note: These pins are intended for children over 5 years of age and with parental supervision.
There is a small magnet on the back that could be swallowed by younger children.
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Halloween Danglers
You Will Need:
5 Small & 3 Medium-sized Terra Cotta Clay Pots
3 Styrofoam Balls (4" in diameter)
Natural-finish Jute Cord (2.5 mm in diameter)
11 Wooden Spools
Low Temperature Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Fabric
Green, Orange, and Natural Raffia
Acrylic Craft Paint (Yellow, Black, White, Purple, Orange & Green)
Wiggle Eyes
Black Feathers
Doll Hair
Straw Hat (to fit head)
Small Pom Poms
Black Marker
Yellow and Black Craft Foam
Halloween Embellishment - Witch's Broom
REESE'S PIECES Candy
Procedure:
Scare-Crow
Using the black acrylic paint, apply paint to the Styrofoam ball (placing the ball
on a small wooden stick or a pencil will help make painting and drying easier).
For the medium-sized terra cotta pot, paint it gray and after the paint dries,
lightly dab on some black paint for texture.
Then apply yellow acrylic paint to two small terra cotta pots and two wooden spools.
Let everything dry completely.
Poke a hole through the Styrofoam ball and then cut a 24" piece of the jute cord
and tie it around an unpainted wooden spool.
Using the free end of the cord, thread it through the large pot (making sure the
pot is upside down) and through the Styrofoam ball.
The spool will act as an anchor and you can attach the arms and legs to the center string.
This will also enable you to hang the Halloween Dangler.
For the arms, cut a 12" piece of the jute and tie it to the center string (between the
Styrofoam ball and the pot), take each free end and thread them through the yellow spools
(hands).
Make a knot at each end.
For the legs, cut a 24" piece of the jute string and tie the string around the center "anchor"
spool inside the large pot, take the two free ends and thread them through the small yellow pots.
Knot each end to prevent the little pot feet from falling off.
For the beak, cut out a small triangle from the yellow craft foam, then using the glue gun,
attach the beak, wiggle eyes, feathers, and REESE'S PIECES Candy buttons.
Lastly, poke a hole through the top of the straw hat, thread the center string through it,
and tie a small knot at the top of the hat, to keep the Dangler all together.
Let the Scare-Crow dry completely and then hang him up.
To keep him looking new, make sure to shelter him from the outdoor elements.
Completed craft is for decorative purposes only. Candy used in craft should not be eaten.
Witchy
Using the green acrylic paint, apply paint to the Styrofoam ball (placing the ball on a small
wooden stick or a pencil will help make painting and drying easier).
For the medium-sized terra cotta pot, paint it purple and yellow at the base.
Then apply green acrylic paint to two small terra cotta pots and two wooden spools.
Let everything dry.
Poke a hole through the Styrofoam ball and then cut a 24" piece of the jute cord and tie it
around an unpainted wooden spool.
Using the free end of the cord, thread it through the large pot (making sure the pot is upside
down) and through the Styrofoam ball.
The spool will act as an anchor and you can attach the arms and legs to the center string.
This will also enable you to hang the Halloween Dangler.
For the arms, cut a 12" piece of the jute and tie it to the center string (between the
Styrofoam ball and the pot), take each free end and thread them through the green spools (hands).
Make a knot at each end.
For the legs, cut a 24" piece of the jute string and tie the string around the center "anchor"
spool inside the large pot, take the two free ends and thread them through the small green pots.
Knot each end to prevent the little pot feet from falling off.
For the hat, cut a 5" circle from the black craft foam as the hat brim and a 4" cone shape
for the pointed top.
Attach the two pieces with the glue gun and let dry completely.
Then use the glue gun to attach the wiggle eyes, small black pom pom for the nose,
and doll hair to the Styrofoam ball.
Next cut a small piece of fabric and glue it to the pot for a cape, add pom poms,
as an embellishment, and REESE'S PIECES Candy buttons.
Lastly, thread the center string through the hat and hot glue the hat brim to the
Dangler's hair. For a little extra flourish, glue the yellow and green pom poms and
a black feather to the hat.
Add the Halloween embellishment- witch's broom to the large pot.
Let Witchy dry completely and then hang her up.
To keep her looking new, make sure to shelter her from the outdoor elements.
Completed craft is for decorative purposes only.
Candy used in craft should not be eaten.
Pumpkin Man
Using the orange acrylic paint, apply paint to the Styrofoam ball
(placing the ball on a small wooden stick or a pencil will help make
painting and drying easier).
For the medium-sized terra cotta pot, paint it orange and black at the base.
Then paint the small terra cotta pot black.
After the paint dries, lightly add some green paint to the black base
and the small pot for texture.
Next, apply orange acrylic paint to four wooden spools.
Let everything dry completely.
Poke a hole through the Styrofoam ball and then cut a 24" piece of the jute
cord and tie it around an unpainted wooden spool.
Using the free end of the cord, thread it through the large pot (making sure the
pot is upside down) and through the Styrofoam ball.
The spool will act as an anchor and you can attach the arms and legs to the center string.
This will also enable you to hang the Halloween Dangler.
For the arms, cut a 12" piece of the jute and tie it to the center string (between the
Styrofoam ball and the pot), take each free end and thread them through the orange spools (hands).
Make a knot at each end.
For the legs, cut a 24" piece of the jute string and tie the string around the center "anchor"
spool inside the large pot, take the two free ends and thread them through the small
orange spools.
Knot each end to prevent the little spool feet from falling off.
For the face, use the black marker to draw a jack-o-lantern face.
You can use our pumpkin stencils for inspiration.
For the bow tie, take the orange raffia and tie it around the center string.
Then using the glue gun, attach green raffia to the Styrofoam ball for the hair and add
REESE'S PIECES Candy buttons.
Lastly, thread the center string through the small black terra cotta pot, for the hat,
and tie a small knot at the top of the hat, to keep the Dangler all together.
Let the Pumpkin Man dry completely and then hang him up.
To keep him looking new, make sure to shelter him from the outdoor elements.
Completed craft is for decorative purposes only.
Candy used in craft should not be eaten.
Katydid's Site Index
Spooky Luminaries
You Will Need:
Paper Bags
Pencil
A Precision Cutting Tool
Sand
Battery-Operated Candles
Piece of Cardboard or Wood
Procedure:
Print out one of our Pumpkin Stencil designs.
To transfer the design to the paper bag, scribble on the back of the stencil with a pencil,
and then place the stencil face up on the paper bag (you will want to place the scribble side
on top of the bag).
Using the pencil, trace the outline of the design.
Make sure to press hard and the design should transfer onto the paper bag.
Remove the stencil and place a piece of cardboard or wood inside the bag.
Using the precision cutting tool, cut out the design on the bag (if you do not
put something inside the bag, you may cut right through both sides of the bag).
Once the design has been cut out, remove the wood and fill the bottom of the bag
with sand to weigh it down.
Finally, place a battery-operated candle into the bag, on top of the sand,
and turn it on to create an eerie glow.
Caution: Do not use regular candles in the creation of the luminaries.
Katydid's Site Index
Window Clings
These fun Halloween decorations are crafted using transparent materials and clear
repositionable plastic film.
You Will Need:
Orange tissue paper for pumpkins
White tissue paper for ghosts
Printed facial features and accessories
Scissors
Adhesive backed paper or paper and glue
Clear repositionable plastic film - must be repositionable
Crayons, colored pencils or markers
Black marker
Orange, white and yellow acrylic craft paint (optional)
Paint brush about 1" wide (optional)
Procedure:
Cut pattern out for a pumpkin or create your own pattern.
Crumple tissue paper to create texture.
Straighten tissue paper and lay flat.
Trace outside line of pumpkin design on tissue paper and cut using scissors.
Chose facial features and apply using glue or remove adhesive backing and apply.
Add color to face and accessories using marker or paint.
Use paint and brush to highlight the background and to accentuate texture (work paint well
into the bristles and use light pressure - optional).
Outline the pumpkin or ghost with broken lines of black marker.
Lay design on paper side of repositionable film, then trace around outside edge leaving a 2"
border.
Cut along the outside line of the design.
Remove paper backing and lay film sticky side up.
Position the ghost or pumpkin face up in the center (if applying to a wall or mirror,
place ghost or pumpkin face down).
To decorate, rub the border edge securely in place.
To store, place on the shiny side of freezer paper, roll and secure with a rubber band.
Note: Check your local craft supply store for materials.
Katydid's Site Index
Spooky Scarecrow
You Will Need:
4" Styrofoam egg-shaped ball.
2 Wood 1/4" dowels - 12" length
Off white or burlap fabric cut in a 18" square
Orange construction paper or foam
Black marker
2 wiggle eyes
Straw hat to fit head
Flannel shirt - child's small
Raffia
Low temperature hot glue gun
Scissors
Clay pot
Halloween embellishments
Craft or florist wire
Various Halloween chocolates and candies from HERSHEY'S
Procedure:
Take the two dowel pieces and form a cross.
Move one dowel up so it is 5 inches from the top of the other dowel.
Wire them together where they cross.
Push the short end of the dowel into the bottom of the foam ball.
Cover it with off-white fabric.
Using a wire or a rubber band, secure the fabric to the dowel, at the base of the foam ball.
Fit the straw hat on the top temporarily, to find correct placement of the eyes.
Glue wiggle eyes to the fabric.
Between them, glue an orange triangle for the nose cut from construction paper or foam.
Using the black marker, draw the mouth.
To make the hair, remove the hat and cut raffia into 8-inch pieces.
Unwrap each piece at the ends, and cut the ends of the flattened raffia to look like straw.
Glue the raffia on to the top of the cloth-covered foam egg.
Lastly, glue the hat on top of raffia hair.
Tie some additional pieces of the raffia under the head.
For the arms, cut four pieces of raffia, each 8 inches in length.
Unwrap only one end and cut strips as you did for the hair.
Do this for all four pieces.
Glue two pieces together and then glue to the end of one of the arms.
Wrap the raffia around the arm with wire to make it secure.
Repeat for the other side.
Place the child's shirt over the horizontal dowel, allowing some of the tied raffia to
poke out of the top.
You can also use the same technique that you used for the hands to create straw pieces
to stick out from the shirt.
Tie a piece of wire around the waist of the shirt to secure it to the length you want.
Place the base of the scarecrow (including the shirt) into the clay pot.
Cover with candy to hold the scarecrow upright.
Glue Halloween-themed embellishments to the front of the pot.
Completed craft is for decorative purposes only.
Candy used in craft should not be eaten.
Katydid's Site Index
Beautiful Apple Crafts For Autumn
The aroma of fresh apple pie straight from the oven is unmistakenly blissful!
Would you like to create that aroma in your own home or give as a gift for your
loved ones and friends? Here are a few simple Apple Crafts just in time for Autumn~
For each apple craft
You Will Need:
Juice of approximately 8-10 lemons
2 teaspoons salt
8 - 10 large firm apples
8 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons allspice
1 teaspoon cloves
8" - 10" sturdy, heavy gauge wire (for a wreath)
Jute (for garland or apple stacker)
1 - 1 1/2 yards of ribbon or fabric scraps
Procedure:
To prepare and dry your apples
Place lemon juice in a large bowl, and stir in salt.
Peel, core, and slice apples horizontally into 1/4" thick circles.
Soak slices in lemon juice bowl for approximately 6-10 minutes, making sure each
side of the slices has a chance to absorb some of the lemon juice.
Meanwhile, mix spices in a bowl and blend well.
Remove the slices from the bowl and place them on paper towels.
Pat tops of apple slices with paper towels.
Dust apples slices with spice mixture.
Turn slices over and repeat on opposite side.
Place apples slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Bake at 150-200 degrees F for 6 hours or until completely dried.
Apple slices should be slightly pliable.
"174">To Create An Apple Wreath
Fold each apple slice in half, and then into quarters and thread the apples slices onto the wire.
Continue to pack on the folded apples until the wire is completely filled.
When the wire is completely covered, use pliers to bend ends into hooks so
that they can connect and close.
Carefully shape wire into desired shape.
I recommend either a circle or heart shape.
Using your ribbon or fabric scraps, create a hanger for your wreath.
Hang on your wall, or package as a gift for someone special.
To Create An Apple Stacker
Using an approximate 12" piece of jute, tie one end to about three cinnamon sticks that
are laid in a a bundle.
Being to string on apple slices by pushing jute through the center of each slice.
Consider alternating several slices with a piece of fabric tied on.
When apple stacker is the desired length, end with three more cinnamon sticks in a bundle
and tie a loop so that you can hang your apple stacker proudly!
How To Make An Acorn Wreath
A very beautiful Autumn Craft to hang on your door and just in time for Mabon.
Buy a Wreath Hanger since this will be heavy~Make sure you collect a lot of acorns
for this project
You Will Need:
Acorns
Wicker wreath
Hot glue gun
Glue sticks
Newspaper
Flowers or other decoration
Procedure:
First, spread the newspaper on a flat surface. Lay your wreath down flat.
Heat your glue gun.
Next, starting in the middle of the wreath begin gluing the bottom of the acorn.
Place the glued part of the acorn in the middle of the wreath and stand the acorn straight up.
Make 1 row in a straight line going all the way around the wreath.
Repeat the process from top to bottom with the wreath still laying flat.
Then decorate with flowers, bows, or even holiday ornaments.
Be sure not to leave any open spaces except in the back.
The back of the wreath shouldn't have any acorns on it so when you lay it down it is flat.
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Centipede Halloween Craft
Centipede can be a great idea for those who are looking for some last minute Halloween crafts.
Your centipede requires the minimum material and can be made in just a matter of times.
In fact, centipedes have never failed to intrigue children, owing to their weird physicality
and size. Therefore, making a centipede can be a nice option to involve your kids
and can also be used as a decorative piece to display at your home.
Read the article to know the material required and directions to prepare centipede Halloween craft.
You Will Need:
Ice Cream Stick
Orange Tempura Paint
6 (12' long) Orange Chenille Sticks
Red Glitter Glue
2 Wiggle Eyes
Tacky Glue
Procedure:
Paint the ice cream stick in orange color.
Wrap chenille sticks around body to form legs.
Bend legs into position.
Glue two wiggle eyes on the head.
Fill in the gaps with red glitter glue.
Your Halloween centipede is ready!
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Casper The Friendly Ghost
Casper the friendly Ghost is a famous cartoon character of the Famous Studios’
theatrical animated cartoon series by the same name. He is different from the
usual ghosts, in the sense that he is friendly and personable.
Casper has been loved by children ever since the character was launched.
In fact, crafting Casper can be a great idea on Halloween, as it is the night of
ghosts and spirits. Kids will be absolutely delighted with this rocking idea.
Read on to know the method and the material required for making Casper the friendly Ghost.
How To Make Casper The Friendly Ghost
You Will Need:
24' x 30' White Sheet
24' x 24' White Sheet
White Tube Sock
3 Buttons
Fiberfill
Black Marker
Long strands of Raffia
36' long red Polka-Dotted Ribbon
3 (12' long) Chenille Sticks
Black Film Canister
Black Paint
Thin Cardboard
Small Silk Flowers
Powder Blush
Glue
Scissors
Procedure:
Stuff the sock with fiberfill.
Tie the bottom of the sock with one of the chenille sticks.
Wrap a chenille stick tightly around the neck, to create the head.
Stick the last chenille stick through neck stick and twist it, to tighten,
and create a loop to hang your ghost with.
Using the black marker, draw facial features and brush powder-blush on cheeks.
Using a pair of sharp scissors, cut slits all around the fabric square, to create a fringe
appearance.
Cut an oval in the center of the square and rectangle fabrics to slip the head through it.
Tie red polka-dotted ribbon together with raffia strands.
Slide the head of the ghost through the rectangular piece and then the square piece.
Tie the ribbon bow around both layers.
Glue buttons to the front of the ghost.
Make the hat of your ghost by fitting the film canister through the thin cardboard
circle for the rim.
Paint the brim black and let it dry.
Paste silk flower to the brim of the hat and glue it to the ghost's head.
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Hocus-Pocus Hats
12 chocolate cones
1 pint premium ice cream, softened
12 candy icing decorations
1/2 cup chocolate chips
12 chocolate wafers
Sprinkles
Procedure:
Using a small spoon, fill cones with softened ice cream.
Place an icing decoration in each, facing up.
Freeze for 3 hours to set.
Microwave chocolate chips for 15-second intervals, stirring in between until melted.
Spread 1 teaspoon on each wafer, and top with a filled ice-cream cone.
Coat edge with sprinkles.
Freeze immediately.
Wire Wrapping Crystals
You Will Need:
crystal
wire
Procedure:
Do you have a special crystal that you want to be more focused?
Here is a simple method to wire wrap it and help focus the crystals energies:
Choose your wire based on a color compared to what you are focusing the crystal towards
{Copper for love, etc.}
Once you have selected your wire, place about 1/8" of the wire straight down the side
of the crystal.
Bend the wire over the top of the crystal and wrap tightly and closely down until
the wire going down the side cannot be seen.
With broader wraps go all of the way down the crystal with no more than a few wraps.
Go up with the same style of wrap making a criss-cross pattern.
When you reach the top wrap tightly and closely a few times.
Coat top of crystal with melted resin to seal it.
Once resin has dried, burn away the outer layer with a candle, leaving onley the
resin inside it wire, sealing it.
Types Of Wood For Crafting
This list can be consulted when crafting altars, magick wands,
and other spell craft tools created from wood.
Balsa: psychic awareness
Cedar: healing, purification, protection
Cherry: love
Ebony: protection
Elder: spirituality, protection
Eucalyptus: healing
Maple: love, money
Oak: strength, health
Pine: money, healing, exorcism
Walnut: health
Willow: psychic awareness, blessings of the moon
How To Make An Herb Broom
You Will Need:
collect handfuls of plants to use ,such as:
yarrow
cedar
juniper
fruit tree sprigs
oak tree sprigs
birch or ash sprigs
Procedure:
Bundle plants together and tie cut ends together.
The bundle may be tied to a branch if a longer handle is desired.
Use the broom to sweep away negativity and to sweep your magic circle clean.
Remember to harm none!!!!
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