Ninja Finger Puppets

Ninjas! Ninjas!

            We see ninjas everywhere!    If you have read my blog,  I love to make felt finger puppets for my grandchildren and grand nieces and nephews.   In talking to my nieces, they mentioned that their boys like to play ninjas with their friends.   I should have known that.   So I decided to make a set of felt ninja finger puppets.

            A couple of years ago while on a family vacation, I gave each grandniece and nephew a little Altoid box with a little felt animal inside.    They were a hit with the kiddos.   So now when I get to visit the kids, I like to have some little handmade toy to play with. 

           My felt finger puppets are made from small scrap felt pieces.    These little guys are about 1 1/2 inches wide and 2 1/2 to 3 inches tall.      They are big enough to fit comfortably on your fingers and those of children, too.    I cut the body and other shapes free hand so none are exactly alike.      With a "pattern in my "mind's eye", the finger puppet begins to take shape.    So if you are going to make these, pick up your scissors and begin to snip here and there.      As you can see, black, browns, grays, and a green felt were used for the bodies.      Tiny scraps of red, yellow, and black were used for their belts.
  

             The only part that was hand stitched were the tiny eyes peeking out from each mask. The rest of the sewing was done by machine.   (Many of my finger puppets are completely hand stitched, but I wanted these to be a bit more durable because the boys will be playing with them.  

      Ninjas can be educational, too! 
             These little warriors can always be used for counting, sorting,  and matching activities.    Matching the belts or the color of the clothing could be fun.     Properties of same and different can be used in sorting.   They can also be placed in order from smallest to largest.      The educational possibilities  are endless.


          Give these little fellows a try if you enjoy making felt finger puppets!  I  do hope some lucky little boys and girls enjoy their ninjas!


Beti

Animal Bed Tins

Animal Bed Tins

            I love making little things for little children to play with.  These little felt animals are so perfect for little hands and fingers. Eye hand coordination and manual dexterity certainly needs to be developed in young children.  This is a great you for quiet time or interaction between children.

   

         Left over felt and mint tins are a good combination for a little summer project.  During the summer our family will be getting together for a week long extended family summer vacation.  I told my nieces that we would do some craft projects.  I thought that these might be a good jumping off place to get us started. Some years have been so very nice Up North in Michigan, but some have been cold and rainy.  You have to prepare for both.

       So, I made these little animals that the kids could play with. Possibly the older girls might make more for themselves. Basically, an egg or oval shape for the body and some small scraps of felt for the arms, legs, and ears.

        

    
                    Today I am linking up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics for 

Monday Made It! 

Check out all the great links and ideas.

www.4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com 

I gave this penguin a fish.

    
       I started out sewing them by hand.  The little brown bear is hand sewn,  All the others are mostly done on my sewing machine. 

       Here they are tucked into their little beds. They each have a tiny pillow, sheet, and blanket made from felt scraps.

Raccoon

Brown Bear

Wise Old Owl

Of course the bunny needed a carrot!

                     This tiny bunny would make a darling addition to any Easter basket this year.
    
   My nieces and nephews enjoyed playing with their new little friends. Tucking them into bed each night was a great way to end a busy day while on vacation.

 I saw this idea, Bedtime and Picnic Playset  on www.jenimadeit.com

Please leave a comment if you have a spare minute. I'd love to hear from you.

 Enjoy your day!

Beti  

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/15849271/?claim=7eacm6kgma7">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Bunny Peg Dolls

Hippity Hop!

       It is never too early to see some cute little 🐇 bunnies hopping around. Easter and Spring are a few weeks away.  The bunnies are everywhere! I was walking around Target and Oh My! Bunnies everywhere!

           Now is the time to make some Bunny Peg dolls to place in those Easter baskets.  I used clothes pins to make my peg dolls.  It is so much less expensive to use clothes pins than the wooden pegs from the craft store.

         To begin with, I sawed off about an inch from the bottom of each clothes pin. Some a little more, some a little less.  This way each peg doll can have its own personality and character. I know some people like to standardize and make items to exactly to the pattern.  I am more of a "free hand" crafter not using an exact pattern.  I look at an example for inspiration and go from there to design something.  Pinterest gives me such great inspiration to work from.

           After shortening the clothes pins, sanding is the next step.  I have to make sure that each peg can stand on its own.  My sawing isn't always very precise!
The head also needs to be rounded a bit.  But it doesn't have to be perfect.
Just make sure the rough edges are nice and smooth.

       The bunnies are given a good coat of white paint.  When I think about it, bunnies could be tan, light brown, gray, or even pink.  Eyes, nose, and mouth were fun to do.  They each have a cute little expression different from the next.
I suppose I could have put on whiskers, but I an not the best with fine lines.  So, no whiskers for these bunnies!

      Each got a pink tummy, tail, and little pink and white paws with sprigs of green grass. These could be different colors such as tan or gray. I gave the girl bunnies tiny flowers on their heads and the male bunnies received bow ties just for fun!  

       After all the painting was complete, they were given a coat of gloss varnish to seal the colors. For the finishing touch, small felt ears were glued on to the heads.  Some have pom pom tails glued on their backsides.

       Each bunny has its own little Altoid box with felt blanket to sleep in. Here this  peg doll bunny has a finger puppet friend to play with.  They are sharing an Altoid box with an Easter egg and carrot in case they get a bit hungry.

       Please don't forget the real meaning of Easter when making these little bunnies.  Jesus Christ died for all mankind.

Beti

Girl Scout Peg Dolls

Hello Girl Scouts!

        During the winter into early spring the Girl Scouts come out of their meetings and are ready to sell their famous Girl Scout cookies. How can any reasonable person not want to buy those delicious little cookies. The cookie sales fund troop activities for the girls. I remember selling Girl Scout cookies many years ago.

        Recently, my  two nieces sent me sent me an email asking if we would like to buy cookies. The problem is that they live in New York and we live in Michigan. I knew we would be traveling to New York, so we would get the cookies sooner or later. 

        When looking on Pinterest, I noticed Girl Scout Peg Dolls.  They were so cute with smiles on their little faces. I have recently started working on peg dolls made from clothes pins.  So, these Girl Scouts would be my next project.
My idea was that when we pick up the cookies, I can give the girls each a peg doll set resembling themselves. One brunette and one blonde peg doll. They each have a white blouse, green shirt or shorts, and a sash with badges.  Their white blouse is kind of hard to see because the skin tone is very light. I guess I should have done a little something around the collar to make it stand out. Oh well, I don't think the girls will mind.

     Each little Girl Scout will have their own little tin box for a bed. A small, fluffy green felt blanket will keep each one nice and cozy.  The little sets would not be complete without some tiny felt rectangles.  The rectangles look like small soft pillows on a miniature bed. 

         Now, if you use your imagination, like all girls do, these  colorful rectangles will be the perfect size to represent the boxes of Girl Scout cookies for this little Girl Scout to sell! 

    This could be a recycling activity for your Girl Scout to try. Altoid tins and scrap felt can always be recycled into something fun and useful.
       
    If you have a Girl Scout in your family or neighborhood, be sure to buy a box or two of cookies this year.  It really is a good cause.  Scouting gives girls the confidence needed to become strong independent women.

 

Beti