Take-and-Make Instructions

September, 2022
Washcloth Owl

Usually you come to this webpage and discover step by step instructions with photos of each step for the take-and-make. This month I found the idea from a YouTube video, so instead of redoing the work of the original creator their video is linked here for you to follow along.

Hope you enjoy this craft making adorable washcloth owls! And thank you to Amanda Carlisle from A Few Shortcuts for the inspiration.

If you are doing this activity with your favorite young person or Harry Potter fan, yes this owl is flying the Gryffindor colors.

Feel free to change the color of the ribbon to fit your décor, or to match the seasons.

August, 2022
Sunflower clothespin wreath

Supplies Provided:

Black dyed clothespins
Yellow dyed clothespins
Wire wreath form
Sunflowers
Ribbon

Tools Needed:

Scissors or wire cutters
Glue gun
Blow dryer (optional)

Using the wire frame, place the yellow and black clothespins. Beginning with yellow, place the clothespin so that it covers all three wire circles on both sides of the frame.

Next place a black clothespin *in front* of the outermost ring of the frame and then open the clothespin and place it covering the inner two circles of the frame on both sides.

Alternate yellow and black around the entire circumference of the frame (you may have a few extra clothespins).

Using scissors or wire cutters, trim flowers so there is only a short piece of stem. If your flowers are misshapen from packing there are several ways to smooth and fluff them, including gentle steaming and warming with a blowdryer. For one such method, view this YouTube video.

Position the flowers and greenery as desired. Feel free to use just a few of the included flowers, or many, depending on your preference. Using a glue gun, attach the flowers to the wreath

Using the provided ribbon, thread through the frame between two clothespins in the 12 o'clock position, to create a hanging loop.

The wreath can also be hung without the included ribbon if desired.

July, 2022
Seashell or Sea glass candle holder

Supplies Provided

Glass Container

Seashells OR Sea Glass

Votive Candle

Electronic Candle

There are several different types of both sea glass and seashells, colors and size as well as quantity will vary between kits.

Some of the seashell kits are meant to be filled as shown in the photographs, while others come with enough shells to create a base in which to rest your candle, but not fill up along the sides. Each kit is unique and will make a special decoration for your home.

Directions: 1) Cover the bottom of the glass container with a small layer of shells or glass

2) Center the votive candle on top of the base layer

3) If you have remaining materials, use them to surround the votive candle, keeping the candle upright and centered.

4) Light and enjoy. Once the candle has burned down, use the electric candle to continue use. (Optionally, use the electric candle exclusively for a safer experience around pets and children).

July, 2022
Ocean Earrings

Create your own ocean themed earrings!

Supplies Provided-Jewelry Pieces
Tools Needed-Small Pliers such as needle nose pliers
-Wire Cutters

Directions
Follow the directions on the paper you receive with your supplies.
Use the supplies and your creativity for beautiful ocean themed earrings.

**Please note that most kits come with extra parts and decorations so you can personalized to your taste. For this reason you might wind up with some leftover pieces when you have completed your earrings.**

June, 2022
Wine Cork Succulents

Supplies provided:
10 corks
Succulents
Magnet

Additional tools needed:
Phillips screwdriver or dowel.
Scissors
Glue gun (optional)
Plate (optional)

Directions:

1) Using a Phillips screwdriver (preferred), dowel, or other similar tool make a hole in the cork. Do not go more than half way down. Tip: If you find the corkscrew hole and enlarge it makes it easier than starting from scratch. Repeat for all ten corks.

2) Using provided succulents, trim stem to desired length. Arrange one or more in each hole. Mix and match to your heart's content. Tip: for the smallest flowers, more than one stem in a cork looks best.

Optional: Glue in any which are not secure using Elmer's or glue gun.

Display options: To make a succulent garden centerpiece find a small plate or dish and arrange your succulents on it.

To make succulent garden magnets: Cut the magnet strip into approximately 1 inch sections. One at a time remove the backing. Using a glue gun, put glue onto the adhesive side of the magnet.

Press the magnet onto the cork and hold firm. Repeat with the remainder of the corks. Let glue fully cure before hanging on your fridge or other magnetic surface.

Arrange as desired on your fridge for a beautiful succulent garden.

If you are feeling extra crafty here are some variations to consider. 2) Before putting the succulents into the corks, paint the bottom half with your favorite acrylic paint. 2) To make a contained succulent centerpiece, group into groups of three or five and tie or glue a pretty ribbon around to secure them together. Display your bunches together or spread across your table.

April, 2022
Button Bouquet

Supplies Provided:
Buttons
Flower Stickers
Stem Wire
Floral Foam
Mini Watering Can
Felt (optional)

Tools Needed:
Scissors or wire cutters
Knife
Small nail or needle
Pencil
Pliers (optional)
Hot Glue (optional)

Instructions

1) Trim floral foam to desired size with a knife, so that it fits snugly into the watering can.

2) Select which buttons you will pair with flower stickers. Set those aside for step 4.

3) To assemble button flowers:: Thread the wire straight through a button.

Form a u shape at the end of the wire, leaving enough excess on the short end to thread back through the button’s hole.

Using fingers or pliers twist the wire end around the wire stem, trimming after if needed. Repeat to create remaining button stems.

4) To assemble flower stems with a button and a foam sticker: Pierce the center of the foam sticker using a small nail or needle, creating two holes which approximately line up with the holes in the button.

5) Stack the button and the sticker, with the button on the decorated side of the sticker. Thread the wire straight through both the button and foam. Form a u shape at the end of the wire, leaving enough excess on the short end to thread back through the foam and button hole.

Using fingers or pliers twist the wire end around the wire stem, trimming after if needed.

Repeat to create the remaining sticker and button stems.

Using a pencil or other similar object, coil some of the stems around and then remove.

Do as few or as many twists around the pencil as desired, how many stems you place coils in is also a personal decision. (Optional: to cover the sharp wires in back, using felt pieces trim small circles, glue onto back of button flowers using a glue gun. I didn't take the time to do this step, and liked how it came out without the additional work. But people with little ones, or who are displaying the bouquet at their table may prefer the way this looks.)

Assemble the button bouquet. Tip: Leave the larger items taller and place them towards the back, and then build the rest of the bouquet around them. If needed, trim stems to desired length.

March, 2022
Shamrock Mug

Supplies Provided:
White Mug
Paint Marker (either Gold or Green)
Shamrock stencil

Supplies Needed:
Gentle Adhesive (glue stick etc.)
Scissors
Oven (optional, to cure paint)

Instructions:

1) Cut out the shamrock stencil.

2) Using adhesive, position on mug as desired.

3) Following packaging directions prep marker for use.

4) Using the paint marker, outline the shamrock with dots.

5) Move out from the initial outline, first placing dots close together and gradually spacing them further apart, until you are satisfied with your design. A few rows works, so does covering the whole mug. You decide!

6) Let dry fully before removing shamrock stencil.

7) (Optional) To make washable- Let paint air cure for 8 hours and then bake in an oven that WAS NOT preheated. Set the oven to 375 for forty minutes. Let the mug fully cool in the oven.

February, 2022
Valentines Mini Heart Wreath

                  Supplies provided:              Tools needed:

                      -Heart shaped wreath              -Scissors
                      -Flowers and leaves                  -Glue Gun and glue- library has some available for lending
                      -Ribbon

Instructions:

Trim the flower and leaf stems to a manageable length to work with, but long enough that they will be able to wrap around the back and/or thread into the wreath.

Thread the provided ribbon through the wooden wrap on the back of the wreath. Tie into a loop of your desired length and trim. For extra support, use glue to reinforce the hold where the ribbon threads underneath the wood.

Using some or all of the provided flowers and leaves, position and arrange them on one side of the bottom of the wreath. (Or use your creativity and place them wherever you like!)

Once you are pleased with the arrangement, using a combination of threading the stems under portions of the wreath and gluing, attach the flowers to the wreath.

(Optional) Use the remaining ribbon to create a bow or other other decoration to add to your wreath. Not pictured, because this librarian simply isn't crafty or talented enough to tie a pretty bow :)

Hang and enjoy!

January, 2022
Frosted Winter Luminaries

Tools and Supplies Needed:
Plate
Glue Gun (optional)
Alcohol (optional)

Provided Supplies:
Mod Podge
Epsom Salt
Glass Jar/Mason Jar
Sponge Brush
Twine
Tea Candle

Directions:

1) Make sure your jar is clean and dry. If needed, use alcohol to clean the surface.

2) Pour the Epsom salt onto a plate, set aside.

3) Using the sponge brush, coat the outside of the jar with Mod Podge.

4) Roll the Mod Podge coated jar in the Epsom salt. Use your hand or a spoon to sprinkle salt onto spots missed until you are satisfied with the coverage.

5) Using your hand gently press the salt into the glass to help with adhesion. 6) Set aside and let dry for at least one hour.

7) Using the twine included, tie around the top of the jar. Knot or tie a bow, as desired, then trim extra twine length.

8) Use a glue gun to tack the twine up in several spots along the circumference to prevent it from moving, if desired.

9) Put the tealight into the jar, light, and enjoy.

December, 2021
Oversized Gnome Ornament Take-and-Make

Tools Needed:
-Hot glue gun with glue (ask your librarian if you need to borrow one)
-Scissors
-Ruler
-Pencil or other long thin dowel shaped object.

Provided Supplies:
-Hat Pattern
-Yarn Ball
-Felt Sheet
-Twine
-Wood ball (1)
-Buttons (2)

Measure 5” of yarn, cut and set aside.

Take the remaining yarn and wrap loosely around the palm of your hand until you reach the end.

Using the 5” piece of yarn, tie it securely around the wrapped yarn and then remove your hand.

Cut the yarn loops on the side opposite the tie to make a pompom Set it aside.

Using the provided felt sheet and pattern, cut out a piece of felt to correspond with the pattern, creating a half circle of felt.

Wrap the felt into a cone using a pencil or other long thin dowel to help the felt form into shape. Leave a small opening at the cone tip. (Hint- the tip of the hat is made with the flat side of the half circle.)

Glue the overlapping edges of the felt cone-shaped hat to hold it in place. Set aside.

Take the twine and fold it in half.

Tie the cut ends of the twine around the pompom to secure it.

Take the prepared yarn pom pom and felt cone. Pull the looped end of the twin through the hole at the top of the hat. Pull on the twine gently to pull the gnome beard into the hat.

Glue the wood ball to the bottom edge of the hat to make the gnome's nose. Glue the two buttons onto the front of the hat.

Trim any extra long pieces of yarn if desired. (Hint: Keep the yarn in the center the longest to help lend authenticity to the beard shape!)