What would you do for fun if you didn't have TV, the Internet, telephones, video games, movie theaters, playgrounds or city parks to enjoy?
Our A Life of Faith heroines didn't have any of these luxuries, but they had fun in other ways. Remember the beautiful beaded purses that Elsie made for her father and Miss Rose? Or the delicate embroidery that she and Mrs. Travilla sewed together? Those are just two ideas for handmade crafts that are as much fun today as they were back then.
In this section we will share various clever ideas so you can experience a part of our country's history, gain insight into the entertainment of times past, and have old-fashioned fun at home! These are just some activities to get you started. Remember, your creativity and imagination are just the spark that will make these ideas come alive.
Here's some more:
PATRIOTISM PINS (Submitted by Marisa W., age 10)
Many times in history has a country been brought together by difficult and hard times. During those times courage and strength is found in God and in the encouragement of neighbors and countrymen. One way to show your support for your country is to make a "Pin Flag". This is also a good thing to make for Fourth of July Independence Day celebrations. To make an American "Pin Flag" you will need:
1 large safety pin
13 medium safety pins
Small beads in the color of your country's flag
Directions for the American Pin Flag (If you prefer to make a pin for a different flag, you will need to work out the design and bead pattern on paper first.):
Thread 4 blue beads on a med. pin. Then starting with a red bead thread 4 alternating red and white beads and close the pin. You should end up with 8 beads on the pin. Repeat on the next 5 pins, giving you a total of 6. Once you have those completed, thread the remainder medium pins with alternating red and white beads beginning with red. After the bead work is finished you then take each pin and thread the loop end onto the large safety pin. Push each med pin around the loop of the large pin until all are on the closed side. That will make it safe to open the large pin without the medium pins falling off. Also, be sure to thread each med. pin facing the same direction!
BOOK ANGEL (from Kimmie, age 16)
Items needed:
1 small hardcover book (if a notebook, use one without perforated pages or wire binding)
pretty wrapping paper
1 paper doily (any color; gold is preferable)
ribbon
wooden ball knob (size according to book)
doll hair (from Wal Mart craft department: $1.96) or string
wedding ring favors
hot glue gun
rubber cement (or glue of some kind)
To make your angel, separate the pages of the book into three sections, making sure the middle section has more pages. Fold each page of the two outside sections (next to the covers) in an upward position. These are your wings. Fold each page of the middle section, or body, in a downward position. It should now look like a book with two wings and a gown. If the covers of your book are not flowered nor have a pretty design, use some wrapping paper to make a book cover. This is the same as making one for a school book, only make sure the wrapping paper is long enough to cover the inside of the covers as well. (You want to see it in the front.) Afterwards, use rubber cement to secure the cover edges together at the top and bottom. Press a small edge of your paper doily onto the upper body. When you have the size and shape of the collar, cut it out on the folds you have made. Glue down with rubber cement. You may also want to hot glue a bow on the collar. With hot glue (have an adult help you), glue a wooden ball knob onto the top of the binding. Then, cut a few pieces of doll hair or string and hot glue around the head, finishing with a wedding ring favor on top.
BIBLE FOLDER (Submitted by Hannah L. age 10)
Get a folder, any kind will do. Print off pictures from the Life Of Faith web-site and put them in your folder. Put Bible verses and Bible saying in your folder as well. Decorate it how ever you like to! Have fun!!!!
BIBLE VERSE TRADING CARDS (Submitted by Bethany G., age 10)
Put as many good verses as you can on paper. Make a book out of it, and divide it into sections, like: Love, Faith & Trust, Jesus' Love and Life, God, etc. Or, print a lot of them out and hand them out at your Bible Study or class, or even to you friends! Make a trading card game of it! Put several verses on each card, and make a few copies. You and your friends can try to get a certain number of verses for each passage or chapter.
BIBLE PLAY (Submitted by Katie O'Sullivan Age: 9)
You will need a Bible, as many people as there are characters in the excerpt you use, and props. Choose a Bible story that you want to act out. Assign each person a character to act out, and then just act out the story. You may have an audience if you wish. Have fun!
DESIGN YOUR OWN SHOES (from Megan R., age 11)
You can design your own shoes and play with them if you do my craft. What you need: Paper; coloring utensil; cardboard; a bunch of small objects; scissors; staples. Take your paper and measure how big your shoe is going to be. Then cut that out. Take another peace of paper and trace the bottom of your foot with it. Cut that out. Remember to do this twice, one for each foot. Then, trace the bottom of your foot on the cardboard twice, one for each foot. Then staple the card board to the paper trace of the bottom of your foot. Now you can color you shoes. Now, I think that it is fun playing that you sell shoes. This is where the objects come in. You can play that you sell shoes and the objects are money. I think this is really fun to do!
PAPER CARNATIONS (Submitted by Karis, age11)
Supplies:
1 piece of tissue paper
Thread (about 7in.long)
Scissors
Directions: Fold tissue paper three times, and cut all folds. Fold paper into a fan, and tie thread in the middle of it. Starting from the middle pull the tissue paper up so it curves around and looks like a carnation.
BIBLE MAGNETS (Submitted by Samantha S. age 10)
Supplies:
white foam
scissors
magnets
foam shapes
stickers
markers
Directions: First cut out the white foam in whatever shape you want. Then write
one of your favorite bible verses on it with markers. The next step is to decorate it! You can decorate it with stickers and foam shapes. You could even use stamps or glue buttons on. Be creative. Then stick the magnet on the back and put it on the fridge. These are easy to make and are also great gifts. Have fun!
SELF PORTRAIT (Submitted by Jessie P. age 13)
Do you remember when Elsie gave a portrait of herself to her father for Christmas? Well, now you can do that to for any occasion. Just get out your drawing materials, look in the mirror and try your best! Your dad (or mom) will love it because it comes from the heart. Just remember that it is from you so make it unique—a homemade gift is always better than a one that is bought! Maybe paint or draw them next to you. Even if you are not the best artist just try anyways. Have fun!
BIBLE NOTEBOOK (Submitted by Jessica H.)
First, get an empty notebook. Fill the front with Bible verses that have special meaning to you. Underneath the verse write how the verse applies to you. At the back of the book put Bible chapters that also have special meanings. Then put your prayer lists at the back!
PAPERDOLL HOUSES (Submitted by Emily O. age 13)
With these kinds of paperdoll houses you can let your imagination soar! The main idea you have to remember is this: imagine you took the roof off of a doll house. What would you see? You will need a big sheet of paper, like a poster board size, a black marker, a pencil, crayons, and your paperdolls that you want to use for the house. Once you get your house the size you want it, you take the pencil and draw lines lightly on the paper, like a blue print of a house, to make your walls. That way you can erase and redo them if you want. Be sure to leave a blank spot where the dolls can walk in and out of the rooms. Once you've the walls to your satisfaction of mind, retrace them with a thick black marker, in order to see them easily. Now that you have the blue print of your paperdoll house, you can move in your furniture! With colorful crayons outline beds, couches, dressers, closets, counters, tables, chairs, stoves, any kind of furniture you can think of that would go in a house. The next step would be to add accessories before coloring in the furniture. Example: lamps on the dressers, plates on the tables, flowers, jewelry on counters, maybe a pot of soup on the stove; you can put anything anywhere! Then you color in the rooms, trying to coordinate colors with the rooms. Have one room purple, another yellow, another brown, and so on! Hint: when draw beds, trace around paperdoll to make the right size. I hope this will add to your fun when playing paperdolls. God bless you!
LEAF SUNCATCHERS
Most of the year you will probably be able to find leaves around your home. Try this fun and easy way to make a simple decoration much like the items pioneer people had to make to decorate their homes. What you will need: One or more flat leaves, clear contact paper, ribbon or string, hole punch. Directions: Lay leaf on contact paper and mark square or rectangle around leaf. Cut contact paper on marks and open, leaving sticky side up. Using paper piece that you just removed cut another piece the same size. Lay leaf on sticky part of contact paper and carefully lay second piece of contact paper on top of leaf. Press both pieces together. Trim around leaf, leaving approx 1/2" border. Use the hole punch where you would like the top to be, then tie a loop of ribbon to suncatcher. You can purchase suction-cup hangers for windows or just tape it to the glass. What a lovely way to appreciate some of God's handiwork. Fall leaves make especially beautiful suncatchers. They make great presents, too!
AN OLD FASHIONED BALL (Submitted by BethAnn W.)
You will need:
Fancy or old fashioned dresses
Stockings
Old fashioned shoes or high heels
Ballroom dancing music
Dancing cards (you can make these by writing you name on an index card)
Refreshments (optional)
Invite you friends over and get all dressed up. Get your brothers or fathers to be your dancing partners, or dance with each other! Don't forget to have great posture and manners and to put on airs. Dance for a while, then serve the refreshments, such as tea, punch, cookies, or biscuits. Then dance again until you're all worn out. Have fun!
NAME CARDS (Submitted by Alicia H.)
Supplies:
A piece of thin white card board
Pen
Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
In your best handwriting, write you name on the piece of cardboard. Next use your art supplies to decorate it in whatever way you want. Then you will have your very own name card.
HOMEMADE TRACTS (Submitted by Samantha S. age 10)
Supplies:
Paper
Markers or colored pencils
Your Bible
Fold the paper to look like a brochure. Use markers or colored pencils to write about how Jesus died on the cross for our sins and how three days later he rose again, along with some Bible verses about salvation. John 3:16, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, and Acts 16:31 are very good verses to use. Last, write the sinner’s prayer. Once you are through, decorate it with the markers, stickers, or anything else you want. When you go somewhere, bring your homemade tracts along and pass them out. Some people might throw them in the trash, but if just one person reads it and ask Jesus to be their Lord and Savior, it will be worth the effort. Don't give up!
SILHOUETTE PORTRAIT (Submitted by Hannah C.)
Supplies:
White paper 25cm x 30cm(10in. x 12in.)
Glue
Masking tape
A flashlight or adjustable desk lamp
Sharp pencil
Black tempera paint
Scissors
Black construction paper or Bristol board
White paper or Bristol board
Attach large white paper to a wall with masking tape. Draw the curtains so the room is dark. Have your friend sit on a chair sideways to the paper. You are going to trace the side view, or profile, of his or her face. Place a lamp so that it shines on your friends profile and cast a shadow on the paper. Move your friend farther from or closer to the wall until the shadow on the paper is the size you want. With the pencil, carefully trace the outline on the paper. This profile can either be painted or cut out. To cut it out, place black construction paper behind the traced profile. Holding the two sheets together cut around the profile. Glue the black silhouette onto a sheet of white paper or Bristol board.
HOMEMADE PANTALETS (Submitted by Rebecca H. 11)
Do you ever want to dress like Elsie or Millie. Who doesn’t to have the same dresses, petticoats, shoes, hats, stockings, and pantalets that they had? Well, now you can. Pantalets are a lot like Capri’s; except they were worn under the dress or skirt and they were a bit laceier. In the winter months they were used to keep the legs worm since ladies only wore skirts and petticoats. Take some pajama pants that still fit you, but you don’t wear any more, and cut them down so that you can't see them under a dress. Sew lace and decorations on them. Have fun and be creative! Wear them under your favorite long dress or skirt.
MINIATURE ROOM BOX (Submitted by Kaitlyn Age: 10)
First you get a wooden box about 40cm wide, 38cm high and 30cm deep. Paint the walls or you could paper them. Stain the floor. Decorate the room like Elsie's bedroom or any other room at Roselands. Try to keep every thing in proportion. Try to use odds and ends from around the house. A good scale to work in is the 1/12th scale, so one inch equals one foot. This makes it easy to get commercially made fittings and furnishings. Elsie would be about 10 cm tall and Aunt Chloe would be 14cm. Men would be 15cm. You can make your own dolls out of modeling clay, and then dress them in clothes made from scraps of fabric.
AN OLD-FASHIONED PURSE (Submitted by Felicia B.)
A little old fashioned purse is a great gift for Mother's Day or a birthday. You can make one by cutting a piece of floral fabric into a square. Sew lace around the edges and tie it up at the top. To make it have more shape, cut a circle out of cardboard and sew the same material around it. Place it at the bottom. Now you have a beautiful old-fashioned purse!
FEATHER FANS (Submitted by Katie O. Age: 9)
You will need these things:
1. a diamond-shaped piece of paper
2. artificial colored feathers
3. glue
Cut out a piece of paper to a diamond shape, then glue feathers to the diamond shaped paper. Wait 5 minutes for it to dry before fanning yourself!!! Have fun!!!
OLD-FASHIONED CALLING CARD (by Rebecca M., age 11)
In Elsie and Millie's time, if you went to visit someone (or "call on" someone) and they were not home when you visited their house, you would leave your calling card. Here are some easy steps to making you very own calling card(s). Supplies: Elmer's Glue (must be liquid glue), glue stick, thick paint brushes, clips out of magazines that describe you, index cards, permanent markers, and now the hardest ingredient to get, water. Take your magazine clips and arrange them any way want on you index card (make sure you leave room to write your name!). Then to make sure your magazine clips don't fall off, place a little bit of glue stick on the back. Now, write you name in your very best handwriting with your permanent marker. After you have written your name, dilute your liquid glue with a tiny bit of water in a small bowl. When you have finished with your glue, take you paint brush and with the glue lightly brush over the card to give it the delicate soft look. Leave you cards alone until dry. Now next time your friend is not home you can leave you card with a little note on the back if you like or you can keep your cards for yourself. Also you could give them as a gift!
A LIFE OF FAITH PASSPORT (Submitted by Olivia Blase)
Materials needed: small notebook, names of places (as many as you would like), stamper, things to decorate your notebook. 1. Get your notebook and put your name, phone number, and address on the first page. Also put a picture of yourself on the first page. 2. On every 7 pages, write down the names of the places you picked. 3. After that, you decorate your notebook. On the cover write A LIFE OF FAITH PASSPORT. 4. Now your passport is ready. All you have to do now is every time you go to one of the places in your passport, you just check it off with your stamper.
HOMEMADE BIRD FEEDERS (from Holly S., age 9)
Supplies needed: pinecone, bird seed, peanut butter, a paper plate, string, and a butter knife. 1. Tie the string onto the pinecone & place the pinecone on the plate. 2. Take the peanut butter & spread it over the pinecone. 3. Put the seed on the plate & roll the cone in it. 4. Hang the pinecone on a tree, and watch the birds eat.
HANDMADE PRAYER AND DEVOTIONAL BOOK (from Beth, Age 12)
I have an idea that would be an excellent idea for girls who have trouble doing their devotions with a kind spirit!! Your own handmade prayer and devotional book! You'll need a notebook of some sort to write in. Take and decorate your book so that it reflects you. Keep your thoughts, prayers, and you verses in it you will never feel like devotions time is a chore again!!!
WRITING A LETTER TO GOD (by Stephanie M. Age 9)
We used to do this for school. We would start out with a name: Dear _____________ (JEHOVAH, SAVIOUR, etc.) Then we would write a verse (" 'What time I am afraid I will put my trust in You', etc."). Then we will write a request and then a thank you. Then we will write Love, and put our name. I just thought this was a neat idea and I hope we can do it again. Also, I hope you will like it and it will encourage you.
HEART OF LOVE (from Karen S., age 16)
All you need is a large sheet of red paper and some photos of people you love. Cut down your photos to a reasonable size and then stick each one to a large heart shaped piece of paper and around the photo you write down what you love most about that person. You can then either keep it yourself (they are useful because when you are really annoyed or upset with that person it reminds you what you love about them and you can concentrate on that instead of what annoys or upsets you) or you can give it to the person concerned to show them how much you love them.
"TO-DO" NECKLACES (From Raeann F. Age: 10)
A "To-Do" necklace is a necklace you can make to show you things you can do to help people. Supplies Needed: Scissors, string, colored paper, and beads (optional).
1. Cut circles or other shapes out of the paper
2. Write your "to do's" on the shapes and punch a hole in them (Example, "Clear off the dinner table for my mom." Or, "Help my brother with his homework.")
3. Color the papers with crayons or markers.
4. Get string or yarn, and thread the "to do" papers on the string
5. Decorate with beads or other trinkets.
A LIFE OF FAITH JOURNAL (by Olivia Blase, age 11)
Materials---notebook, pen. All you have to do is get your notebook and pen and write in your journal. If it is small, carry it with you everywhere. Write down feelings and things you don't feel comfortable saying.
TWISTERS (from Arianne G., age 9)
This is an idea I made up. It is called twisters. All you have to do is get three pieces of plastic string and beads. Braid the string, then put the beads on. It can be a friendship bracelet or shoe lace or chain.
PAPER DOLLS
With these paper doll houses you can let your imagination soar! The main idea you have to remember is this: imagine you took the roof off of a doll house. What would you see? You will need a big sheet of paper, like a poster board size, a black marker, a pencil, crayons, and your paper dolls that you want to use for the house. Once you get your house the size you want it, you take the pencil and draw lines lightly on the paper, like a blue print of a house, to make your walls. That way you can erase and redo them if you want. Be sure to leave a blank spot where the dolls can walk in and out of the rooms. Once you've drawn the walls to your satisfaction of mind, retrace them with a thick black marker, in order to see them easily. Now that you have the blue print of your paper doll house, you can move in your furniture! With colorful crayons outline beds, couches, dressers, closets, counters, tables, chairs, stoves, any kind of furniture you can think of that would go in a house. The next step would be to add accessories before coloring in the furniture. Example: lamps on the dressers, plates on the tables, flowers, jewelry on counters, maybe a pot of soup on the stove; you can put anything anywhere! Then you color in the rooms, trying to coordinate colors with the rooms. Have one room purple, another yellow, another brown, and so on! Hint: when drawing beds, trace around your paper doll to make the right size. I hope this will add to your fun when playing paper dolls. God bless you! (submitted by Emily O. age 13)
POCKET MONEY JARS
For each child you need: 3 clean glass jars with lids, white labels, and a selection of pretty stickers. On the first label write GIVING and stick it onto your first jar, on the second label write SAVING and place it on your second jar and on the third label write SPENDING. Add your name to each label to identify your jars. Decorate each jar with lovely stickers. Mine has Victorian girls just like Elsie! When you receive your pocket money or gifts of money or money for jobs, you have to divide it up between the three jars. I use my giving money for the church collection or to buy a grocery item for the food bank. This year I also bought gifts for my Operation Christmas Child Shoe box for Samaritan's Purse by combining my giving and spending money. (From Michaela, age 7, NSW Australia)
OLD-FASHIONED PLAYING
To do this all you need to do is willing brothers or sisters or next door neighbors or you could even do it yourself!!! Just play with someone even if it's by yourself and don't do anything you think Elsie didn't have back than!! You can play dodgeball, hopscotch, jumprope, dolls, tea party, or even just talk!! You can do a lot more than that though!! But you CAN'T watch TV play computer, listen to CDs or any of that stuff ( you can use lights but you won't need them if you're outside and of course you can use bathrooms!!) See how you like it! (From Amber W.)
SCRIPTURE BOX
You get a box with a lid or a chest and decorate it. On the top you stick an envelope or a piece of paper to act as a pocket. You find a verse in the Bible that you would like to memorize. You stick the verse (written on a piece of paper) in the 'pocket' and try to learn it by the end of the day. If you manage it you put it in the box, and if you don't you leave it there for the next day. At the end of a certain period of time, say a month, you see how many verses you learned throughout the month and see how many you can still remember. Then you tie those together in a bundle at the bottom of your box and start the next month's. (From Karen S.)
BOOKMARKS TO GIVE AWAY (Amy E. Collins, age 12)
I LOVE to read and draw, and I thought that maybe I could make something to go with books. Bookmarks came to mind, and so I began. I'm drawing slippers next to a book and candle, below it says May Your Every Day Have A Good Plot And A Happy Ending, every month or two I give them to the library, or set up a stand, like a lemonade stand. Except that they don't pay, kids of all ages love my idea, and they are offering to donate some that they've made themselves!
DECORATIVE POCKET MIRROR
If you have a small pocket mirror lying around your house, here is a fun and easy craft you can make with it. What you do is make salt dough. Roll it flat until it is a half an inch wide and big enough for your mirror to fit in the center of it. Then overlap the salt dough on the mirror. Then using a small knife cut out your shape around it. Then put it on a cookie sheet and bake for 1-4 hours at a low temperature (note: you need parent supervision). When it is done let it dry and harden. It will probably take all night to dry. Then the next day you can paint it however you want. Then you have your own decorated mirror.
SWEATER PILLOW
This is a fun craft! What you need is: An old sweater, needle and thread, scissors, and soft cotton balls. Cut off the sleeves of the sweater. Now cut the stomach part into two equal squares. Now take the needle and thread and sew around the edges of the pillow, but leave a little hole. Then you fill the pillow with the cotton balls, then sew the rest shut. Now you've made a nice sweater pillow. (Submitted by Melissa E. age 11)
ANNE FRANK'S DIARY
Last year for my sister's 15th birthday I was going to make her a diary like Anne Frank's diary, but didn't have the time. Though this year I am going to make her one because I have the time and material. So my Mother and I are going to work on this birthday present together for her. In always it will be fun if you let yourself have fun. (From Sean MacKenzie Asay)
HOMEMADE HANKIE
You can cry or blow your nose with this craft. It also makes a good gift for your mom, aunt, grandma or other girl friends. First you will need will need a plain white hankie, lace trim (enough to go around the entire perimeter of the handkerchief), a needle, white thread, and embroidery thread in the color of your choice. Next you embroider the initials of yourself or the friend you choose to give it to in a corner of the hankie. Example D E S or D.E.S. or maybe D*E*S. (There are many ideas.) After that you sew on the lace with the white thread around the edge of the hankie. (Submitted by Danielle S.)
MY TWIN PAPER DOLL
What you need: Coloring stuff, scissors, and paper. What to do: Take the piece of paper and draw a picture of you on it, then you can color it in, then you can cut it out. You can make pictures of your favorite clothing for the "my twin" paper doll. If you want to, you can make toys for your doll. (Submitted by Sarah L.)
HOMEMADE STATIONARY
What you need: notebook or computer paper and crayons/colored pencils. What to do: Pick a border or design the hole page! Tip: color lightly so you are able to see writing! (Submitted by Jenna M.)
JOY BOX
What you'll need: Shoe box, Gift wrap, Stickers, Paper Pens/Pencils. What To Do: 1. Cover the shoe box with gift wrap. Cover the lid separately. Use glue or tape or glue to secure the paper. 2.Write JOY and the memory verse on the lid. 3.Decorate the box. 4.Fill the box with items that make you smile such as photos of friends, cartoons and cards you have received. (Submitted by Isolyn D. age 12)
MAKING A DOLL
Use a bunch of scrap cloth, hair colored yarn, a darning needle, stuffing and a bunch of different colored thread. First you can cut your cloth to the desired shape and size. To do the head, cut a circle and then put stuffing in the middle of the head. Put a seam around the edge of the circle and pull it tight. To hide the seam make the shirt a turtleneck. The shirt is not hard, all you do is cut to shirt shaped pieces of cloth and sew them together wrong side out. Then all you do is turn it inside out. For the legs cut two strips the same size and shape and sew them both into tubs and seal the bottom and stuff them. Then sew them to the bottom of the shirt. For a skirt, cut a strip of cloth slightly shorter than the legs and sew it into a tube and fold over the top and use a strip of yarn and a darning needle and put a seam in the top. Put the skirt on the doll. For hair sew hair into the dolls head. If it doesn't look good make a hat. I find it fun to make dolls of people from books. Try making an Elsie doll!!! (From Becky)
JESUS BOX
Do you have tradition that your family does at Christmas? My family does what we call our Jesus Box. What you will need: a shoe box, paper, and crayons or colored pencils. Start by getting your box and getting it there by you. Use your paper to draw a picture for Jesus. Then put it in the box. Now every Christmas, you can draw a picture and add it to your box!!!!! Idea's for drawing your pictures: 1. Jesus's death and resurrection 2. Jesus's birth 3. Miracles Jesus did. Or just your own creative ideas. (Submitted by Kaitlin M.)
PETAL JAR
Take a jar and fill it with dried flower petals that you collect. Tie a ribbon around the top of the jar. Attach a piece a paper to the ribbon telling who it is to and who it is from. You might include on the card something like, "Have a great day!" Also, you can paste designs or stickers on the outside of the jar. Then give the jar to someone you care about. It will make their day! (Submitted by Heidi H.)
BIBLE STUDY IN A SHOE BOX
You need: a scissors, 1 shoe box, decorating materials (such as stickers, construction paper, colored pencils, etc.), at least 20 small strips of paper, and a Bible. Directions: To Make - Take the top off the shoe box and cut a hole in it that is big enough for your hand. Decorate the lid and sides of the box. Use your Bible to find memorable or favorite verses (you need as many verses as slips of paper). Write the verses on the papers and put them into the box. To Use - Every morning pick a slip of paper without looking into the box. Read it and try to memorize the verse by time you go to bed. If you succeed, put the paper somewhere safe that isn't the box. If unsuccessful, put it back into the box and use it another day. Do this until the slips run out. After that, make new ones. To me, this method of Bible study is fun and efficient! (Submitted by Lindsey K.)
NATURE JOURNAL
Get a journal without lines and take things you see and draw them on your journal.You will have a great time - me and my mom do it too. (Submitted by Faith M.)
BEST FRIENDS BOOKMARKS
For this project you need: two colored pieces of ribbon that are made for gift wrapping and are 6 inches long (width doesn't matter), a medium size piece of tag board, a marker of any color, glitter and glue (optional), a friend, scissors, and a hole punch. A book may be useful too. Take the tag board and cut it in half, either way is fine. Give one half to your friend. Then you take your piece and cut out a cross shape. Take the hole punch and punch out a hole at the center/top. After you do that, pick up your ribbon and loop it through the hole and make a bow. If you want a sparkly bookmark, spread a thin layer of glue over the cross and put on the glitter. Let that dry. After it dries, write "Best Friends", Best Buds", their name, or a Bible verse on the bookmark. Give it to your friend and they can give the one they made to you. You now have a bookmark! If you want to make it more old-fashioned looking, replace the glitter with lace, Victorian stickers, or tiny satin bows. (Submitted by Lindsey K.)
OLD-FASHIONED PHOTOS
To add a colorful touch to an old-fashioned black and white photograph, use colored pencils and/or crayons to go over the light spaces on the photo. If you want, pose a black and white photograph of your friends dressed in their most old-fashioned dresses and aprons (and maybe a bonnet or a frilly hat from your Grandmother's trunk.) Be sure not to color with markers because the harsh colors might ruin the pretty effect. This is a unique way to capture special memories. Years from now, your grandchildren will want to know all about when "Grandma" was a little girl - "back" in the "old'n" days. (Submitted by Anjali S. age 10)
SUNSHINE BOX
See the "Acts of Kindness" Section of the Club
ELSIE OR MILLIE CALENDAR
All you need is 12 pieces of notebook paper, a stapler, hole puncher, crayons or markers. Try to remember the clothes that they wear on the book cover or make up your own design. Look at one of your mom's or dad's calendars-a new one. Copy how the calendar looks. Take the hole puncher and punch a hole at the bottom each piece of paper, then stack them from December to January. Then staple at the top of the paper. Color any time you want. P.S. When you are drawing, don't draw on both sides of the paper. The other piece of paper will be upside down. (Submitted by Brittany M. age 11)
WORM BOOKMARKS
What you will need: a thin piece of ribbon of any color; small round wooden beads (found at craft stores); large round wooden beads. What to do: Cut a seven inch to twelve inch piece of ribbon put a knot at the top large enough so the large bead won't come back. Put the large bead on the top and put a smiley face at the large bead. Then put on six small beads on the ribbon. Then put a knot right below so the beads don't come off. Last of all, put a knot on the bottom of the ribbon, and there you have it, a Worm Bookmark!
SOAPS FROM SCRATCH
Do you ever throw away your left over soaps when they start to crumble or turn to the size of a sugar cube? Well, I've got an idea for you. Take a couple of your left over soaps, put them into a bowl filled with hot water and wait until they are formable. Form them into any shape you want and set out to dry on a windowsill or a safe place outside and you have another usable soap. If you would like to be creative, you can add glitter or noncooked oatmeal (which is very good for your skin).- Submitted by Abigail S. age 13
JESUS JOURNAL
To make a "Jesus Journal", you need a notebook, a pencil, and a heart full of love for our Savior. Simply write an entry in your journal every day. Treat it as a prayer book and you can also write verses in it that help you do His will. Also, you can use it to draw pictures in of things having to deal with the Christian. It can prove to be very useful if you are lonely, sad, or just in the mood to have a conversation with Christ. (Submitted by: Lindsey K.)
ELSIE SCRAPBOOK
Make a scrapbook like one Elsie might have made. Include a diary entry, a letter from Elsie to another character about a problem, a letter from the other character to Elsie with the solution, a journal entry, souvenirs and mementos. Also make pictures of Elsie and of her family and friends and scenes from her books and include them too. This is an assignment my teacher gave us for doing a book report, but it is a fun idea and something you can make too! (Submitted by Rachel)
GUARDIAN ANGELS
"Guardian Angels" are simple to make. They take 3-10 minutes. The needed supplies are: colored paper tissue, 2 feathers [bird feathers, pillow feathers, and crafting feathers will do], 1 rubber band, if wanted some yarn, and markers, and 1-3 cotton balls. First stuff 1-3 cotton balls in the middle of the tissue paper for the head. Then tie the rubber band tightly to secure the cotton balls in the head. Next draw a face and hair. [If preferred yarn is good hair, too.] Fourth, stick the 2 feathers in the rubber band for the wings. Last but not least, decorate the dress in your own decision. Some people use garland for a necklace or the dress. Handkerchiefs can also be used. If it were up to me, I'd say you should be 6 years of age and up to know how to value and own a "Guardian Angel" properly. May God bless you all and keep you far from sin and the serpent. I hope you treasure your "Guardian Angel" forever. (Kaitlin Elizabeth O. age 9)
A LOVELY MOTHER OR FATHERS' POP-OUT CARD
It's very simple! All you need is: Paper, colored pencils (and if you don't want colored pencils, you don't have to use them), a little spring, glue, cardboard, and scissors. Take the paper and fold it in half (the long way). Then fold it again (the other way). Now all you need to do is take the spring and glue and open up the card, glue the spring onto the inside of the card!! Now (we're almost done!) color the card however you like, but make sure you put who it's to and from. Finally, last but not least, take the cardboard and cut it into a heart shaped piece. Then color it, write on it something nice about that person, and then just simply glue it on! (Submitted by Alicia P.)
A HOMEMADE BOOK
Have you ever made a book? Three other girls and I sat down and made up stories and put them on paper. They don't have to be long stories, and you can even add illustrations in it. Then when you're done, staple the stories together, and you've got a book! Give it to a toddler or read it to them, they'll love it. (Submitted by Victoria C. age 12)
DEVOTION PARTY INVITATION
Hello! My name is Ashley B. and I am 9 years old. I wanted to send you an idea. Have a devotion party! Here's how to make the invitation. Step1: use any kind of paper for the invitation and cut it into a Bible. Step2: write where, when, date, time, and R.S.V.P. Step3: at the bottom of the invitation write ''IT'S A DEVOTION PARTY!"
PAPER DOLLS
All you need to do is get some colored pencils and paper. Pretend you're drawing a person and then cut it out. You can make them houses out of shoeboxes or draw the houses on paper. HAVE FUN! (Submitted by Rebecca, age 9, Michigan)
LITTLE PRAYER BOOK
In a small notebook, list all your prayers or concerns on the left side with the date you started praying for them. Pray for these every day. Leave room on the right to put down an answered column and put down the day they were answered. It's fun to see how God works in His own timing! (Submitted by Susan S. age 12)
A BOOK OF PRAYERS
All you need is an empty book or journal, and some great prayer ideas! What you can do is decorate a book or journal very pretty, and write some of your favorite verses on the cover or back cover. Search your Bible for some written out prayers or just make up your own and write them in your book! Every morning, night, or whenever you want, you can just open it up and say
a prayer to the Lord for comfort, or the comfort of others! It's REALLY fun! Try it! (Submitted by Diane R. age 14)
PRAISE JAR
Take a jar of any size, but small works best. Cover the jar with pretty tissue paper that has been soaked in glue or homemade paste. Fill the jar with strips of paper on which you have written compliments or praises of your loved one. Add a ribbon around the cover. This is a good gift for Father's or Mother's Day or birthdays. (Submitted by TKR)
3-D SNOWFLAKES
Get a bowl (small, like a cereal bowl) and flip it over on a sheet of paper. Trace it and then cut out the circle. Fold the circle in half three times (it will look like an ice cream cone). Get some scissors and cut out parts of it. For example, the tip. Cut out half-hearts off the sides. Make sure you don't cut off all of both of the sides. Unfold. And you have your snowflake.
SACHETS
These make nice gifts. Items Needed: wire screen, colored ribbon, dried flowers, perfume (flower scents are ideal) OR potpourri, scissors. What to do: Cut the screen into the shape you want (make sure that you double the screen so you only have to cut once). Then, make slits all around the shape and lace a ribbon around one side. This is so you can make a bow at the end. Then, take the potpourri and put it inside the sachet. Then lace up the other side. Finally, put bows on it. Have fun! (Submitted by Katie B.)
PRAYER JOURNAL
You can make your own prayer journal! First, take a notebook and decorate the front. Then, inside, make a place for the day you put in your request, and a larger space for the request. Make sure you put in requests for other people as well as yourself! This is a PRIVATE book, so you can put in things that are just between you and God. Cut up slips of colorful paper (as wide as your spaces) and every time God answers your prayer, glue one strip of paper over that request. Keep adding requests! Another fun idea is to put someone's picture on a separate page and put down specific requests for that person. I met a little girl on an airplane one time and now I pray for her! (Submitted by Elizabeth S., age 12)
BUBBLE BATH JELLY
Take 1/2 liquid soap; 1/4 hot water; scents; food coloring; and unflavored gelatin. Mix hot water and gelatin together really well. Add scents and coloring. Then add soap. You can use any kind of liquid soap or bubble bath you have. Do not start too hard or it will start bubbling and you do not want it to bubble yet. Pour into a jar or any little container you have. Let set in icebox for about 3 hours. You can add beads to spell you name or other message. Just push them into the jelly after you take it out of the icebox. Have fun making labels and decorating your jar. Tie string around the top of your jar to make a necklace with the beads when you use all your jelly.
DUSTING POWDER
Take 1/2 baking soda; 1/2 cornstarch; scents; and glitter. Mix baking soda and cornstarch then sift it 3 or 4 times. Add the amount of scent and glitter you want. The scents will turn into little beads. Smash them and sift 3 or 4 more times. Put into old salt and pepper shakers.
BATH SALTS
Take 1 cup Epsom salts; scents; food coloring. Mix all together and put into whatever little container you have.
BUTTON BOOKMARK VARIATION
I was reading how to make the Button Bookmark in the Homemade Fun section and thought of another bookmark variation you could add. Instead of making the ribbon straight, fold it in half at an angle so that both sides show. You could sew the button a little ways down from the fold. Sew the button on so that it holds the folds together. It will sort of look like an award ribbon when you are finished. (Submitted by Jessica R.)
HOMEMADE HAT
What you need: A straw hat, lace, flowers, silk flowers, buttons, a glue gun, and an adult's help. Glue your things on it and try it on your doll. Try on big hats for your self. (Submitted by Sierra)
SHOE BOX FUN
All you need is a friend, a shoe box and some odds and ends. You and your friend exchange the box every week and each time you add something to the box. (Submitted by Mary C.)
BEST FRIENDS BOOK
All you need is a friend, a pencil and a couple pieces of paper. You and your friend each write a story about your friendship for one year. Then at the end of the year you put both stories together. (Submitted by Mary C.)
SNOWFLAKES
What you need: paper, CD, pen, scissors. What you do: Place CD on paper, trace. Cut out the circle. Fold the circle in half, then in quarters, then in eighths. Use your pen to make designs on the folded circle. Unfold when done. Presto! A snowflake! (Submitted by Anne)
SNOWMEN
What you need: Two styrofoam balls, three toothpicks, a black marker. What to do: put one toothpick into one of the styrofoam balls and put the other styrofoam ball on top of the other one. Then put one toothpick into the side of the snow man (for one arm) and the other toothpick in the other side of the snow man for the other arm, then use the black marker to make the face and maybe some buttons for the snow man. If you want to make a snow girl, then take some gold (or any other colors) pipe cleaners and use scissors to clip one pipe cleaner into tiny sticks and wind them around a pencil, and pull them off the pencil and stick them in the snow girl's head for curls. (Submitted by Sarah L.)
MYSTERY DINNER
This is lots of fun for birthday parties. You just invite a couple of
friends over for dinner, except the menus are a little different. You give each thing that is on the menu a strange name. For example, someone might order "snow with muddy creek water on top" and end up with mashed potatoes with gravy on top. But the trick is they have to eat it before they can have any more food. (Submitted by Mary C.)
A POCKET BIBLE BOOKMARK
It's extremely simple! All you have to do is to take a 1/2 wide and about 3 inches tall ribbon [it doesn't matter what color]. Simply take it and either write your favorite Bible verse on it or you can write something else, and that's all! (Submitted by Alicia P.)
MAKING YOUR OWN PLUSH BEANIE TOY
(Younger children must have adult supervision!) All you need is: school beans, a needle, thread, scissors, and an old stuffed animal! Step #1, take your stuffed animal and scissors and cut open the animal's stomach. Step #2, simply stuff it with beans. Step #3, just sew it up! (Submitted by Alicia P.)
COZY CORNER
What you need: pillow and blankets, crafting supplies, your favorite "Elsie" books (and any other books you like). What to do: Go find a place to make your cozy corner. Then you lay out your things and make your cozy corner. (Submitted by Sarah L.)
SNOW GLOBE
What you need: a jar with screw on lid; plastic figurines; glitter; food coloring; hot glue; water. What You do: Place the plastic figurines where you want the on the lid. Hot glue them to the lid. Let dry. Fill the jar with water put a few drops of food coloring into the water, glitter is optional. Screw on the lid very tightly, shake it up and you have your snow globe!!! (Submitted by Nicole F.)
KLEENEX DOLLS
Take some Kleenex and wad into a ball for a head. Then take some more Kleenex and put over the head for a dress. You can use different colors of Kleenex if you want. Oh, be sure you tie a ribbon around the neck so the dress will stay on. You can then add eyes, nose and mouth by drawing them, or buying eyes and craft pom-poms. It is nice for a gift or decoration. (Submitted by Heidi H.)
CROSS NECKLACE/BOOKMARK/ETC.
This craft is very simple and not incredibly time-consuming. MATERIALS: Two 2 inch sticks and Ribbon. PROCEDURE: Place the two sticks in a cross-shaped position. Take the ribbon and tie them together. (The ribbon should make a x-shape on the cross.) Be sure to tie them tightly. Here is the part where you get creative---you can tie it around your neck or make a bookmark...etc. The possibilities are endless! (Submitted by Brittany B.)
A NOT-SO-OLD-FASHIONED INVITATION:
Supplies - 4" x 6" Index cards (without lines); glitter, stamps, stickers, scissors, glue, construction paper, or just a few crayons, markers, and colored pencils -that means whatever the imagination will allow; postage stamps or post card stamps; and, of course, the addresses of the invited people. Directions - 1. Decorate one side of the index card with what-and-how ever you want; 2. On that side write the type, date, time, place, what to bring and wear, and how/when to contact you to notify you of their appearance (RSVP); 3. Use the other side to address and postmark the invitation; 4. But remember, HAVE FUN!!!!
FLORAL WREATHS
For this homemade fun idea, you will need some wild flowers and ten foot-long pieces of wire. Wrap the wire several times around each stem. Leave about three inches on each end of the wire so you can connect it with the other wires. Keep wrapping until you have used up all of the wire. Then put it on your head and have fun! (Submitted by Esther B.)
OLD-FASHIONED GREETING CARDS
Get a piece of paper (any color shape size) and fold it neatly in half. Paste stickers, drawings, lace, etc. on front (make sure it looks old-fashioned). Inside the card write your note in fancy writing. When you finish, put it in a plain white envelope. If you have a wax seal set use that to seal your envelope. On the front of the envelope again in fancy (but clear) writing, put your recipients name and address. Then send it and wait for a reply. (Submitted by Amber)
TUSSIE MUSSIES
People used to wear them to parties and to Church to smell good. All you need to make a tussie mussie is: a doily; a small flower; herbs; two pieces of string; a rubber band. Step One: Take your herbs and flowers and arrange them the way you would like to. Step Two: Take your rubber band and tie the flowers and herbs together. Step Three: Take your flowers and herbs and put the doily together and tie them together with your pieces of string. (Submitted by Christina C.)
EASY PINS
What you need: Different colors of hardening clay, the metal part of pins and tacky glue (everything found in craft stores). Take the main color of clay you want and mold it into the shape you want. Then, make eyes, ears, nose etc. in different colors (if they have them). Use the instructions on the clay to harden it. Next, take your tacky glue and glue the pinback in place. Let the glue dry overnight and Voila! You have a pin! (Submitted by Morgan B.)
MAGAZINE BEADS (Submitted by Kyleigh F., age 11)
Supplies: Magazine strips, Scissors, Glue, Pencil.
Instructions: Wrap a magazine strip part way around the pencil, then glue the rest around it by rolling it up. Slip it off and you have a bead. They should look almost Indian.
BIBLE VERSE PUZZLE (Submitted by Tabitha S. 11years old)
Do you want to learn a long Bible verse but don't know how? Well, here is a way! Supplies: A sheet of paper, a piece of cardboard that's the same size as the paper, a pen and markers, strong glue.
Directions: Write the Bible verse that you want to use down on the sheet of paper. If you want you can decorate it. When you're done with that you can glue it on to the piece of cardboard, and then cut apart each sentence of the verse. For each week you can learn one or two sentences. When you have learned a sentence you can add it to the puzzle. When you're finished with the verse, you'll have a nice Bible verse puzzle!
HOOP SKIRT
Supplies: One embroidery hoop, one hula hoop, measured fabric, scissors, sewing machine. All you need to do is put the fabric into the embroidery hoop and drape it over the hula hoop. Then you sew the edges together at the very bottom and wear it!
PRAYER JOURNAL (Submitted by Spenser, age 12)
If any of you like to write this is a great activity. Keeping a journal is very important; prayer journals, writing journals, and sketching journals are all great. This "prayer" journal is a mix between a writing and prayer journal. You can start off the page with "Dear God" or "Lord" and just write!! It doesn't have to be prayer format it can just be like a journal. Pour out your heart to God, tell Him secrets, tell Him what you did that day. It is a really nice way to get closer to get to God and it doesn't make you fell as antzy if your just sitting there and praying!! I sometimes I have a problem with sitting still and praying so this is a great way to do it.
BOOK WORM (Submitted by Chelsea B.)
Supplies: Construction paper, glue, googly eyes, hole punch, ribbon or string, pencil.
Directions: Take construction paper and draw a face on it, then put googly eyes on it. Punch a hole in the paper and put string through it. Now you have a book mark.
FLOWER PEN AND HOLDER (Submitted by Victoria G., age 10)
Supplies: Empty toilet paper roll, metal can lid (watch out for sharp edges!), fake flower (any kind) with leaves that can slide off, florist tape, black construction paper, any ink-color pen, raffia, spray paint (green pebble look), scissors, hot glue gun (get an adult to help with the glue gun). Instructions: Take the leaves off the flower stem. Take the flower, cut stem to 6 cm and put the stem alongside the top of the pen so that the flower sticks over the end. Wrap it on with florist tape. The flower stem should not be more than 1/3 of the way down the pen. Put the leaves back on the middle of the stem and wrap the florist tape around the pen without covering up the leaves. Continue wrapping the pen with florist tape until only 3 cm. (1 inch) of pen is showing. This will leave your writing tip free. You should wrap the cap, too. Cut a piece of black construction paper so that it will fit inside the toilet paper roll (4 inches x 6 inches). Roll it up and slide it inside the toilet paper roll to line it. Hot glue the metal can lid to one end of the toilet paper roll so that it is centered in the middle of the lid. Spray paint the outside of the toilet paper roll and metal can lid. Do not paint the bottom of the lid. Let it dry overnight. Take some raffia and tie it in a bow around the roll to decorate it. Put the pen inside. You now have a flower pen and pretty holder to sit on your desk.
CROSS STITCH SAMPLES (Submitted by Bekah W., age 11)
This is a fun and easy old-fashioned project. In Millie's time, a girl made her first sampler as soon as she could sew well and kept it forever. It was a big milestone to make a sampler. Supplies:
A wooden hoop (you can get this at a crafts store)
Colored embroidery thread
A good needle
White cloth as big as you like
A pencil.
To start, think of a design in your head. Then draw little lines of x's where your design will be on the cloth.(Try to center the design) Then, put the cloth into the hoop and put the screw in tightly. It is ok if you cannot fit all of your design into the hoop at once; just do it in parts. Then choose a color of embroidery thread and start sewing over the little x's. After you have finished the design, you can make a colorful embroidered hem or a plain white one. Have fun!
HOLY JOURNAL (Submitted by Hannah W.)
Get a notebook or a regular journal and paste a colorful sheet of paper on the front and back. Decorate the paper with some of your favorite scriptures, or can draw pictures of your favorite Bible stories. Take it with you every time a colorful sheet of paper you go to church, and take notes in it. You can also write to Jesus, sharing problems or things you want him to know. It is a private journal for just you and Jesus.
PINECONE FEEDERS (Submitted by Hana D., age 9)
Supplies: Pinecones (1-3), peanut butter, bird seed, string, plate, spoon.
Directions: Spoon out peanut butter onto the plate. Roll pinecone in the peanut butter. Shake some bird seed onto the plate. Roll the pinecone in that too. Tie the string to the stem, hang it on a tree's low branch, and let the birds (or squirrels) enjoy!
CANDLEHOLDERS (Submitted by Catherine P., age 12)
Supplies: An old glass jar, a candle, PVA glue, salt, stickers.
Direction: First take the wrapper/label off the jar. Then choose a few stickers to stick to the outside of the jar. Next spread PVA glue over the stickers and over the rest of the glass, Sprinkle lots of salt over the glue and let it dry for about 2-3 hours. When it is dry, shake the unused salt off. Light a candle, Place a little bit of melted wax and pour onto the bottom of the jar, then stick the candle on that wax and let it dry. Light the candle and you have yourself a candleholder!
POPCORN STRINGS (Submitted by Hana D.)
Supplies: Popped popcorn, bagged cranberries, needle, and thread.
Direction: Have an adult thread the needle for you. String a cranberry on the thread. String 5 popcorn pieces on the thread. Repeat until the string is filled. Hang it outside and let the birds enjoy.
SAND PICTURES (from Karen S. age 16)
All you need is an unwanted photo frame, 2 photos or postcards and some sand or soil. Open the photo frame and put it glass down on the table (maybe on newspaper would be a good idea) fill it about a quarter full with sand or soil. Stick one photo in one end of the photo frame and one the other way up at the other end. Close the photo frame and check where the sand covers if you can see the bottom of one photo as well as the other photo, put some more sand in. When you have the right amount of sand close the photo frame and secure it with glue. When you turn the frame upside down you can see the other picture.
PUZZLE PICTURE FRAME (Submitted by Bethany S., age 10)
All you need is a cardboard picture frame, a puzzle that you don't want, some paint, (optional) and glue. Take some puzzle pieces and if you want to you can paint them any color you want. Glue them around the picture frame and wait until it dries. You can also make a picture frame! Just get a bag of popsicle sticks and follow these instructions, take four popsicle sticks and glue them OVERLAPING each other, then take four more and glue them the same way to the other popsicle sticks so that there is a space between them to put a picture! Glue on the puzzle pieces and add your picture to the frame. Have fun!
SPARKLING SEASHELL ORNAMENTS (from Aubrey R., age 9)
What you need: Seashells; Glitter glue (optional); Ribbon or string; Hot glue (normal glue works okay also); Paper towel. Take a seashell and spread glitter glue all over it until it is very shiny. (Or put as much shine as you want on it) Let it dry. Then glue on the ribbon or string so you can hang it on your tree. Let the shinny ornament dry on a paper towel.
HOMEMADE SCARF (from Abby, age 13)
Here is a fun and money-free scarf you can make. It may not be as fancy as a store-bought scarf, but it will help keep you warm! Take an old, thick sweater that's too small for you and cut a long piece out. (Hint: start cutting on the side seams of the sweater and cut in a circle around it horizontally.) Cut it about ten inches wide or more, however you choose. Then, wrap it around your neck and you're done! Make sure you have your parents' permission before you cut off of the old sweater.
YARN DOLL (submitted by Bethany S. age 10)
You will need: a ball of yarn, scissors, and a book. Take the yarn and wrap it around the book 50 times. Next, cut the yarn and tie it on another piece of yarn that is already around the book. Then, slide the yarn off the book so that it is in a loop. Cut the bottom of the loop and tie a short piece of yarn around the top of the part that is still connected. Separate a little of the yarn on each side and cut them as short as you want the arms to be. Tie another short piece of yarn in the middle of the doll to make the waist. Then take two more short pieces of string and tie them at the bottom of the arms to make the hands. To make a boy doll, separate the yarn at the bottom and tie two short pieces of yarn at the bottom of the separated pieces of yarn to make the legs and feet. If you want a girl doll, don't make legs and feet.
HOOPSKIRTS (Submitted by Lauren Henry Age: 9)
Materials needed: 2 sheets of poster board, scissors, and tape. To Do: First, take one sheet of poster board and cut ten strips about one inch wide. Next take the other sheet of poster board and cut a strip out about 3 inches wide. Then cut out another strip about 1inch wide. Then take your 5 inch wide strip and tape it in a circle to fit your waist. Next take ten of your 1 inch wide strips and tape them long way onto the wider strip. Then tape the last 1 inch wide strip to the bottom of the hoop skirt bottom pieces so you don't have a hula skirt! Make the bottom strip wide enough to make the skirt you wear it under will be like a bell around you.
MOBILE (from Karen S. age 16)
All you need are a few objects- a range of sea shells is ideal- and some string and a length of wood-say a branch would be useful. All you do is you attach the objects to different lengths of string which in turn are attached to the wood. If you have baby brothers or sisters it would be the ideal thing to hang over the cot/ cradle.
PERFUME
Things you need: 2 cups of water; 1-1/2 cups of your favorite flower pedals; Stove
Pot; Turn stove on high wait 2 min. and put petals in the pot. Let boil for 10 min. let sit for 30 min. and then skim out the petals and throw them in the trash. Pour perfume into a bottle and use at leisure. If you want baby powder to smell like your perfume get 1/2 a cup of powder and spray 7 squirts of your perfume. Then stir gently or powder will fly around. ENJOY!!!
CREATIONS WITH COLOR (Submitted by Danae W.)
If you're bored, take out some paper and crayons or markers and make a card!
They're fun to make and people get to see you're work! If your room looks dull but you can't paint it, here are a few things you can do to liven it up! Take a few knickknacks around the house like a paper cup. Then take a piece of string and tape. Take paints or markers and draw on the paper cup then tape the string to your paper cup and tape it on the wall!! You can make tons of these with different decorations! They're fun to make and they liven up you're room!!!!
WEATHER VANE (submitted by the Spences)
You will need: a piece of poster board that is 7 inches on each side, a spool, a stick that is about a foot long, some clay, and some duck tape. Take the poster board and write N on one corner, S on another, W on another, and E on another. Hold your stick in the middle and put the clay around it so that the stick stays up. Put a strip of duck tape with a small piece of paper that is smaller than the duck tape on one side of the spool so that it covers the hole on that side. Cut two arrows that are the same out of the leftover poster board. Glue one arrow on one side of the spool, and the other on the other side. Put the spool on the stick and when the clay dries, put it outside!
ROCK GARDEN DECORATIONS (Submitted by Samantha C.)
You Will Need: Assorted Colored and Sized Rocks; Paint (optional); Hot Glue Gun (optional). If you can get your rocks from somewhere outside, it helps add to the frontier fun. If not, you can get smooth river rocks from a craft or home decorating store. Take your rocks and find a nice empty area in your yard. You can arrange your rocks in any way you want to create a picture. It is also fun to write your name. I have found that people love the surprise they get when they discover a mini masterpiece in their very own yard! You can also paint the rocks if you want, but they look very good natural too. If you don't have a yard (or just want your rocks inside) you can hot glue the rocks to make a sculpture, like a snowman. **IMPORTANT: Make sure an adult helps with the glue, it can burn!
WAX-SEALED INVITATIONS FOR TEA PARTY OR ANY PARTY
(Submitted by Flipper) First you need: thick paper or just regular paper (colored makes it nice), a candle or wax that can be melted (scented and colored makes it nice), Pen, Stamp, Markers. What to do: 1) take your paper and fold it into thirds; 2) open the paper and address saying when, where, why and who make sure that once you're done you dress it up with makers; 3) once you have it the way you want it take your candle or wax and melt it over the stove. ** Make sure you ask your mom about which pan you use and have adult supervision while you are doing it!!** 4) Then QUICKLY while the wax is still moldable pour or spoon onto paper and then press stamp into hot wax; 5) allow to cool, and give out at school.
FRONTIER DOLLS (Submitted by Samantha W.)
Many times in the frontier little girls would get bored and need something to do. What other to do then make paper dolls and doll clothes. What you need: Scrap material {Square any size}, Colored permanent markers {They used berry die}, Colored Ribbon or rubber band, Glue {hot glue gun works best}, Scissors. How to make it: 1. Ball your fist or finger {depending on size of material square} and stick in the middle of the square material. 2. Push down on the sides and then wrap a ribbon or rubber band around it creating a head. 3. Take the top of the head and pull up only a little - to make a better sized head. 4. Take another piece of ribbon or rubber band and cut it into hair. 5. Glue the hair to the head. 6. Decorate face with colored permanent markers. To make doll clothes you will need: Scrap material, Ribbon, Glue {hot glue gun works best}. 1. Take the material and cut it into a square- little smaller than your dolls. 2. Glue ribbon to 2 of the sides opposite each other on the square. 3. Then tie them around your doll- you can decorate with most anything. 4. Take scissors and cut the bottom into frills or another design.
POPSICLE STICK BOAT (Submitted by Erin S.)
Items needed: regular glue, box of Popsicle sticks (usually found at a craft store). Take eight sticks and glue them together, side-by-side. This makes the bottom of the boat. This is a harder step and may take longer. After the eight sticks dry, get four sticks and glue them to the bottom of the boat. Continue this until the boat is the height you want. Let it dry over night. In the morning, your boat will be ready to float!!! P.S. If you want a string attached, glue it on.
GUARDIAN ANGELS (Submitted by Kaitlin O. age 10)
You need 1-3 cotton balls, 2 feathers, colored tissue paper, optional yarn or garland. First grab the cotton balls and tissue paper. Put the cotton in the tissue. Tie it together with garland, yarn, or a rubber band. Put the feathers in the tie around the neck for wings. Now you have your very own Guardian Angel! However if you have a baby sibling, try to keep your angel up high so that they don't get a hold of it.
BACON AND EGGS PIN
Needed: 1 bottle cap, 1 piece of black felt, brown felt, white, yellow, and red. Standard Elmer’s glue or glue gun. Directions: 1. Take your bottle cap and take one little piece of black felt and glue it to one side of the bottle cap and let dry. 2. Take your bottle cap and cut two pieces of red felt and glue them it the inside of the bottle cap. 3. Cut two nail head-size piece of white felt and then glue those on and also glue two yellow pieces of felt to each of the white pieces and the yellow pieces should be slightly smaller than the white. 4. For the pin make the piece of the black felt a little larger so that you can put your pin through it. Also make sure that the black felt can withhold a pin it because the pin eventually tear the felt. When the pin is finished it will give the impression of a pan with bacon and eggs in it.
LEAF PATTERNS (Submitted by Kaitlin M.)
Items Needed: Paper, leafs, and crayons. Get your paper and put a leaf under it. On the top of the paper, color with your crayons. The leaf will come onto the paper. Make as many as you want !!!!!! Enjoy!!!!!!
JEWEL BOX (Submitted by Laurel J. age 11)
This is a very cool craft. All you need is: a wooden box, shells, (optional: jewels), and gold paint. First you paint the wooden box with the gold paint (lid and all) then let it dry. After it has dried glue the shells and/or jewels onto the lid of the box, and viola, you have a cute little box for anything you want in it.
DRESSING UP CANDLES (Submitted by Tabitha E.)
Go to your craft store and buy plastic like paper and buy a candle and wrap the paper around the candle. Cut the paper if needed and tape it with clear tape. Then wrap ribbon or raffia around it and also for safety cut the paper 1" inch or more lower than the candle so it will not catch on fire. I tried it and people loved it!
CORN HUSK DOLLS (Submitted by Lauryssa, age 12)
If I lived in Millie's times I might play with corn husk dolls and go and pick wild flowers on the frontier.
HANDKERCHIEF DOLLS (Submitted by Melanie)
What you need: 1 or more handkerchiefs (it depends on how many dolls you want to make), ribbon or string, 1 cotton ball, needle and thread, a scrap of white or beige cloth. What to do: 1. Lie the handkerchief down in the shape of a diamond. 2. Now take two corners across from each other. 3. Roll them up until they meet in the middle. 4. Now take the ribbon and wrap it around the rolled up handkerchief, tie a bow in the front. Lay it aside. 5. Take the scrap of cloth and lay it down. 6. Put the cotton ball in the middle. 7. Sew the cloth tightly around the handkerchief. Cut off excess cloth. 8. Place the cotton ball on top of the rolled up hankie [like a head of a doll]. 9. Stitch it in place. 10. Draw a face on the cotton ball.
KEEPSAKE BOX (Submitted by Melissa E. age 11)
What you need: A little cardboard box (you can find these at a discount store, like Wal-Mart, in the craft department); A bunch of pictures (like flowers) from magazines (flowers are a good idea because they give it an old-fashioned look, and it helps if the pictures are small); Watered down glue or paste. First get out your box and separate the lid from the bottom. Cut out the pictures you want if you haven't already done so. Take the pictures and glue them all over the box. Try not to have any cardboard showing. Then let dry. Now you have a very nice keepsake box!!
MAKING A PAPER DOLL (From Meri T. age 10)
When you make a paper doll, the materials you'll need are: 1 sheet of paper, 1 piece of cardboard, crayons or markers, scissors, movie tabs cut into strips, pencil, and glue.
Instructions: You'll want to draw the doll first, and make sure she has something to stand on (like an invisible platform). Second, you'll need to color her, and then cut her out. Then, cut out a strip of paper that isn't too thin. Make it like the length of a pen. Then you'll want to glue the doll and strip of paper on the cardboard. While it sits and dries, you'll have some time to get the things for the dresses. You'll want to start planning what time period she'll be in. For instance, if you're doing a pioneer girl like Millie, you'll want a more casual dress and an apron and perhaps some boots. When the glue has dried, you need to cut out the doll and the strip, and then make two slits in the little platform. And be sure they are not too close together. You'll need them big enough for the slip of paper to go through. Now you can make the dresses. If you're making an "Elsie" doll, you'll need to make hats, fancy dresses with shoes and maybe a doll like the one her father gave her in book two. These are just ideas to start you off with. When you've made your dolls' dresses you'll want to put on the tabs. What I mean by tabs are the things you use to mark a tape. You'll need them cut up just big enough for the dresses. Now you'll need to put the tabs on the dresses and once you have that done you can put the dresses on the doll!
POTPOURRI (From Polly, age 13)
What you need: good smelling flowers, thread, needle, materiel scrap, yarn (about 5 inches long). What to do: Take the flowers and hang them upside for a couple of days until they are dry. Sew the scrap into a small bag and use the yarn to make a draw string, then take the petals off the flowers and put them into the bag. You can either use them as gifts or put them in your dresser drawers to make your clothes smell good! Or even just place them over the house.
PICTURE FRAME
What you need is: sea shells, paint, card board picture frame, Elmer's glue. First you paint the frame. After it dries, glue the sea shells to the frame. After that, put a picture in it. Then give it to someone as a gift.
APPLE WREATH (From Abby, age12)
What you need: dried cranberries (raisins will work too!), ribbon, wire, apples, scissors, cinnamon sticks (NOT necessary). Instructions: After you have gathered these things, bind the wire into a circle shape. Then, cut up any kind of apple and make a hole in each circular apple piece (do this the night before so that you can dry them out overnight). Once the apples are dried, then take the cranberries (or raisins), dried apples, and the ribbon and put and tie them on the wire to make a really neat pattern! At the end you can bend the other top of the wire that you have not bent, into a hook and latch the two ends together to form a wreath!! Optional- tie with ribbon the cinnamon sticks at the very top to cover up the hook!
HOMEMADE HAIR BOW (From Pasque T.)
All you need is a big hair clip, some wide ribbon in your favorite print, and a hot glue gun. Tie your ribbon in a bow (or a design of your choice) and hot
glue it to the hair clip. You could make it look like something Millie or Elsie would use. Be creative and use your imagination!
AN OLD-FASHIONED ROOM (from Tanya T.)
You will need a cardboard box and various materials such as wrapping paper, paper towel rolls, paint, etc. Think of your favorite era in time. For example, I chose old Rome. Cut the lid off the box and the front wall. Start using your material to make wallpaper, illustrious columns, statues, whatever interests you.
MILLIE AND ELSIE PAPERDOLLS (from Haley G.)
My frontier fun idea is that you should make paperdolls. You could make one of Millie and her family. And one of Millie's friends. And make her house and school and a general store and a church! Then do the same for Elsie Dinsmore (including the same things I mentioned for Millie). Then share them with your friends.
DUCK TAPE WALLETS
What you need: duck tape {color of your choice}; scissors. What to do: Cut the duck tape into 9-inch long strips, and lay them on top of each other half way up, sticky side to sticky side. Continue doing this until you have a 9 by 7 inch sheet. Then fold down the two sticky ends until you have a solid black sheet, fold this into a wallet shape, use spare duck tape to hold together and Voila! You have a duck tape wallet.
HOMEMADE POTPOURRI (submitted by Michelle, age 12)
You will need one apple, one orange and three cinnamon sticks for the potpourri. First, you take your fruit and slice it into wedges; peel the orange after you slice it. Put it outside for 1 1/2 weeks or until it is dry and hard in the sun under a thin clothe. Mix it together with your hands. Then, put it in a bowl your parents do not mind you using and cover it with white tulle or netting (you can get it at craft stores). Secure it with a rubber band and you have your homemade potpourri!
HOMEMADE DRESS-UP DRESSES (from Lauren H. Age 10)
What you need: Bed sheet, plain or patterned; string; beads; scissors; any kind of decoration to make it one of a kind. Instructions: Take your bed sheet and fold it in half hamburger style. Cut a hole at the top of the fold big enough to get your head through. Put it on and tie string around your waist to close it. You can put beads on the string so it is prettier. Then you can put the rest of you decorations on it to make a brand new dress-up dress.
1830'S DRESSES (by Karen S. Age 16)
If you have some material, a pair of scissors, a needle and some thread, you could have a go at trying to make your own 1830's dresses. You could make dresses for your dolls if you have them. If you feel that you are too old for dolls you could make them for your little sisters or a friend. Just ask your parents before cutting up the front curtains or something.
LOVE JOURNAL TO JESUS (Submitted by Kimmie Toth)
My heart is in my writings. My journal is not an ordinary notebook or writing pad, it's my love letter to Jesus, just like He wrote to me (the Bible). When my journal gets filled up, I sign the inside of its cover: "To Jesus, my bridegroom, my beloved. Love Kimmie. These are my thoughts, my failures, my desires, my heart... everything that I am ~ and every one is Yours." It is the most precious thing I could ever give Him. I make it special for us (He and I) to cherish together. I once pressed a small bouquet of flowers in it. On a day when I was very sad, the flowers floated down to me from the flowering tree I sat under. I just knew it came from Jesus, for it gave me hope ~ I knew that He loved me. I also draw pictures to illustrate scriptures and things the Lord has impressed upon me. Sometimes when I meditate on a Bible verse, I can almost see the reality of it in my mind. The pictures help me to understand the Scriptures clearer and remember them better.
ART BOOKS (Submitted by Carmen-Lee K. Age: 12)
Are you really artistic and draw a lot of pictures but do not know what to do with your picture? What you need is some pictures (more than 3), string, and a hole-puncher. How to make your art book: take your pictures and put them in order as you prefer them. Then punch a hole in your papers and thread your string through the papers.
BABY FACES
What you'll need: Paper, Crayons and/or color pencils, Scissors. Take your piece of paper and draw a large circle in the middle of it. If it's a picture of a girl that you want to draw, you could draw rosy cheeks and a baby bonnet. Draw your eyes and designs and then take your scissors to cut out the face. You could put it on the wall of your bedroom, or you can put it on a letter to your mom, or lot's of other things!
ALOF PASSPORT JOURNAL (Submitted by Rachel, Age 11)
All you need is a binder with a see-through cover that you can slide papers through. Have a cover in the inside of every section of your journal! Write in it every day!
SNOWMAN ORNAMENTS
Supplies: Ball of wood, pinecone, white spray paint, black pen, wire, glue gun, orange pen, triangular piece of cloth. Instructions: Glue the ball to the pine cone. Then spray the white spray paint on the pinecone and then make a face with the pens. Then put the triangular piece of cloth around the snowman like a shawl. Then put the wire around the top so that you can put it on your tree. Hang it up and you have yourself a new ornament!
PIONEER DOLLS (Submitted by Miss House)
Pioneer Dolls are really cute and very fun to make. You Need: Fabric in any pattern or color, a round object such as a large shooter marble, a pebble, or a ball of tin foil.
What you do: 1. Cut 17 strips of fabric one foot long and 1 inch wide. 2. Grab 15 strips end even them out, now take 1 strip and tie it firmly in the center of the pile. 3. Position your round object on top of the knot you just tied, fold the left side of fabric strips on to the right side, grab firmly around the bottom of the round object and tie 1 strip of fabric firmly to create the neck and head. Set aside. 4. Cut 2, 5 inch strips of fabric and set aside, cut 10 7 inch strips 1 inch wide, form a pile, tie the two five inch strips (one on each end), trim, that is her arms. 5. Pick up your dolls body again and split strips in half position her "arms" in center, fold back and tie forming a "waist." Now you can decorate her and make her your own.
FANCY HATS (Submitted by Rebecca H.)
Haven't you always wanted to live the period of time that Millie did? Well, we can't, but it's always nice to dress up or just keep yourself busy the way Millie did. You can do this by reading your Bible, baking & cooking, caring for your brother or sister, or going outside to pray and enjoy the beauty surrounding you! This idea for a hat will help you feel like you are part of Millie's time era. What you'll need: sharp knife or craft knife; cutting board; ruler; straw hat; 5 one-foot piece of satin ribbon, 2 inches wide; scissors; silk flowers; colorful feathers; extra ribbon for bows; fabric glue (hot glue works good for this, just make sure you have a parent's permission first); paper towels . Directions: 1. Have an adult help you use the knife to cut a 1-inch slit where the crown of the hat meets the brim. 2. Cut another 1-inch slit on the opposite side of the hat. 3. Starting on the underside of the hat, thread the ribbon through one of the slits. 4. Next, pull the ribbon over the crown of the hat and thread it through the other slit. 5. Keep pulling the ribbon through the slits until you have the same length of ribbon on both sides. Then cut the ribbon ends at a slant. 6. If you're using silk flowers, cut off the stems just below the blossoms. 7. Plan your hat design. Decide what kinds and colors of flowers, feathers, and ribbons you like best. Arrange them on your hat to see what looks best together. 8. When you're happy with your hat design, glue on your decorations. If any glue seeps through the straw, wipe it off with a paper towel. 9. After the glue has dried, your hat is ready to wear. Tie the ribbon ends under your chin, and you're all set for a walk to the pond!
OLD FASHIONED SOAP (Submitted by Isabella Age: 13)
Here's a really fun way to make some old-time soap. In the craft section of any store (Michaels, Wal-Mart, JoAnn's, etc.) you can find blocks of un-melted glycerin soap. You will also need a soap mold. Get craft glitter, soap color, and soap scents to add a nice look and smell (any sales person from that section can show you were these things are). The directions are on the soap. Want a hint of how hard it is? Cut the soap into 1-inch squares. Microwave for 20 seconds over and over until melted. Stir in glitter, color, and scent. Pour into mold. Let cool for an hour in the fridge. See? Easy! This soap makes a really pretty gift for anyone you love. You can also save the extra soap to use next time. Have fun!
MEMORY VERSE KEY-CHAINS, INITIALIZED (Submitted by Cheyne W.)
Materials: oven; polymer clay (found at any craft store); individual letter stamps, rubber or metal (found at any craft store); tooth-pick or pencil; cookie sheet overlaid with foil; thin permanent marker; chain, string, key-chain hoop, or lobster-claw clasp. Creating the Craft: Pre-heat oven to 275 degrees. Mold the clay into any flat shape you choose, heart, circle, oval, etc. Stamp initials onto one side of the shape. Make a hole with the tooth-pick/pencil where you want the key-chain to hang from. Place the key-chain on the cookie sheet and place in oven for 10 minutes. When cool, write a short memory verse on the blank side of your key-chain, such as one of the Ten Commandments. Put hanging tool through the hole. Share with someone who needs to know the One who will always be there for them! Always ask for an adult's help.
VICTORIAN HAT MIRROR (Submitted by Samantha S. Age: 10)
You will need an inexpensive hand mirror, artificial flowers, some ribbon, and a glue gun. Cut the flowers off their stems and, with your glue gun, glue them on the back of the mirror. Next cut a piece of ribbon and tie it in a bow and glue it where the handle starts. Let it dry for a little while. Now you have a beautiful hand mirror just like Elsie might have had.
MAGIC WALLET (Submitted by Meredith M., Age 12)
Materials: fine sandpaper,; 2 blocks of wood, 6-in long, 3inches wide, and 1/2 inch thick; hammer; 8 flathead thumbtacks; 2 pieces of 3/8-inch grosgrain ribbon, each 5 inches long; 2 pieces of 3/8-inch grosgrain ribbon, each 6 inches long; scissors.
Direction:
1. Sand the wood blocks until they are smooth.
2. Gently tack one end of each-5-inch ribbon to the edge of one of the blocks, using a hammer.
3. Now tack one end of each 6-inch ribbon to the opposite edge of the same wood block, criss-cross the ribbon and lay them across the block.
4. Place the other wood block on top of the first wood block, with the ribbons in the middle. Let the ribbon tails hang out from the sides.
5. Open your wallet and lay it on the table.
6. Place a dollar bill under the ribbons on the right half of the wallet.
7. Now open the wallet to the left. The dollar bill will have magically jumped to the other side!