Arts and Crafts

As the cold weather kicks in and it starts to get darker much earlier, it is no surprise that our moods deteriorate a little. If you’re looking for a pick-me-up or something to brighten up your mood, during these winter months, here are some colorful craft ideas that you can enjoy with all the family or on your own.

Finger knitted owls

Finger knitting owls are a fun craft activity to do with kids. You can use these as a keychain or a charm for a rucksack. You will need:

  • Two googly eyes
  • Felt
  • Glue
  • White yarn and another contrasting color – choose your favorite color.

If you don’t know how to finger knit, check out this guide that walks you this craft project through step by step.

Here’s how to create your owl:

1. Double up your white yarn and knit using two strands.

2. Begin by having two finger knitted rows of double white yarn – the rows include the casting on, so cast on and knit your first row then add an additional two rows.

3. Now you need to switch one of your white yarn strips with the other color you have chosen. Either knot this it in place now or later, whatever is easier for you.

4. Continue to finger knit your other three rows and then cast off.

5. Knot off the pieces of yarn at the back and weave into your fingers. Leave a long pieced of white yarn at the top so that you can use it for hanging once completed.

6. The basic shape of your owl is now finished.

7. Cut out the shape of your owl in the felt – two circles, a triangular beak and a small heart.

8. Glue on your beak where the white meets your other chosen color. Your remaining pieces of felt will then need gluing before adding the eyes.

There you have your finger knitted owl. Hang this in your home for a fun decoration or add some glitter to use it as a tree decoration once Christmas arrives.

Rainbow in a jar

A terrarium featuring lots of different colored sand is a fun craft project but will also look great in your home – you could also wrap the finished design up and give this to friends and family as a present.

For this you will need:

  • A glass bottle
  • A funnel
  • Colored sand – you can buy this in 100g bags from a site such as Homecrafts, three of four colors are a good choice to create a fun rainbow effect.
  • Succulent plants, stones or twigs.
  • Cork or lid
  • Hot glue gun
  • A paintbrush or spoon – for moving the sand.

Follow these steps to create your rainbow sand terrarium.

1. Start by using your funnel to layer different colored sand in your glass bottle. Move the funnel around to directly aim where you want the sand to lie. An uneven look is best.

2. If you want to add objects, then do so. Things such as small rocks, plants or twigs are good ideas. Depending on the size of your bottle you could add a smaller bottle inside it and put the sand around it, this means you can put things inside the smaller vase or bottle to give off the effect that it is buried deep within the sand.

3. Once you are happy with your design, take your cork or lid and using the hot glue secure this in place to keep the sand in. Put just a thin line on the top of the lid or cork as you don’t want this to spread into the sand spreading everywhere. This step isn’t essential but having a lid will prevent any sand from spilling out, should it get knocked over.

Paper Doily Christmas Tree Ornament

With Christmas on the way, it’s a good idea to plan in some Christmas crafts to get you and your family in the festive mood. Here’s how to create a delicate festive ornament shaped like a Christmas tree, using paper doilies and items from around your home.

You will need:

  • Paper doilies – choose whatever colors or sizes you like but 4 inches is best
  • Scissors
  • Ice lolly stick
  • Ribbon
  • Glue
  • Pens to decorate with

1. Using a pencil to draw a dot in the center of your doily.

2. Use scissors to cut a line from the edge of your doily to the center dot, move round and do this until you have cut out two or three triangles.

3. Then arrange your triangles from the smallest to the largest.

4. Glue the largest triangle to the bottom of your lolly stick but be sure to leave some wood at the bottom to act as the trunk of the tree.

5. Then glue your smallest triangle above the big doily triangle and overlap it slightly. Ensure the edge of the doily is at the bottom of the triangle to create a pretty effect.

6. Do this with all of your triangles to create a tree shape.

7. Glue some ribbon to the back, so you can hang it from your real Christmas tree.

Try out these three crafts this winter to brighten your mood, get you in the festive spirit and keep everyone entertained this season.