We use a lot of pom poms in our crafting, they’re just so much fun! We also have a basket of them on the side which the kids use for pretend snowball fights. They’re so versatile and so easy to make too, so I thought I would show your our favorite 2 ways to make perfect pom poms!
Method 1 – using a pom pom maker
Pom pom makers are our go to when we want perfect pom poms. This brand in particular is great especially when crafting with kids. They’re nice and chunky so are easy to grip and the ridges are a helpful guide as to when the pom poms are ready to snip. if you want to spend a little i highly recommend these clover pom pom makers (availabe here for our American friends) – there is a very good reason why they’re so popular!. We find that these are the best way to get perfectly round and fluffy pom poms but if you’re looking for a fast and free way why not check out method 2 – finger pom poms!
Take your yarn and wrap it around one side of the pom pom maker. Continue wrapping it around until its even all the way across. This particular brand of pom pom maker is super handy because you’ll know its ready when the ridges are totally rounded. But otherwise you can just adjust your yarn to your desired thickness – we usually do 3-4 layers when using dk yarn.
Repeat the previous step on the the other side of the pom pom maker.
Place the scissors inside the gap on the edge of the pom pom maker. Slowly snip all the way around both edges making sure you hold the pom pom maker together securely.
Take a separate length of yarn, slot it through the edge of the pom pom maker then pull it into a taught knot. Bring the two ends of yarn around to the other side of the pom pom maker and tie it into a double knot to secure.
Pull open the two arms of the pom pom maker and separate the two halves. Remove the pom pom, fluff it up, then take the scissors and trim it down removing any stray ends. Your perfect pom pom is finished! These pom pom makers are fab, we love using ours.
Method 2 – making pom poms using fingers.
Wrap the yarn several times around the middle three fingers (you can adjust the amount of fingers you use to alter the sizes).
Once you’re happy with the thickness of your yarn, carefully slip if off of your fingers and onto the table. Take a length of string and tie it around the centre of your entire yarn, flip the pom pom around and tie it on the other side in a double knot to secure.
Pop your scissors into the edge of your pom pom and slowly snip the loops open at their central point. Fluff up your pom pom.
Take your scissors and snip all around your pom pom until you are happy with it. Though the pom poms don’t turn out quite as perfect looking this way they are still super cute, plus its fast and free!
Following my last post with the popsicle stick bumble bees I wanted to share these cute little popsicle stick dragonflies with you all. They’re really similar to the bees and just as simple to make. Dragonflies are so beautiful, we see some really lovely brightly coloured ones around here during the warmer months and the beautiful colours are what make these little guys such a great craft! My little boy loved combining all the different colours to create his beautiful dragonflies – Don’t they look adorable? Each dragonfly turns out unique which makes it great as a group craft too.
Here’s what we used
Coloured (or painted) popsicle sticks
Pipe cleaner
Pom poms
Googly eyes
Scissors
Glue
How to make our popsicle stick dragonflies.
Take two popsicle sticks and glue them into a flattened X shape to make the wings. Take a third stick and glue it in the middle of your x shape as you can see above, this makes the dragonflies body.
Coat the body of the dragonfly in glue and stick the pom poms along it using a larger one for the head. Leave your pom poms to dry in place.
Take a length of pipe cleaner and twist it equally just behind the head piece on you Popsicle stick body. Finish your dragonfly by adding two googly eyes and optionally any decoration on the wings!
I know, a Christmas tree craft in may! What am I thinking?! Let’s be honest though this little embellished Christmas tree craft is pretty adorable. I came up with the idea whilst we were making our fingerprint apple trees. I had to get them written down as by December I know that I would’ve completely forgotten the idea. These little trees are perfect as a little handmade gift or for decorating your home. I’m definitely going to be popping ours into our Christmas keepsakes box.
Here’s what we used
Green and Yellow card
Embellishments (we used buttons and pom poms)
Cardboard Tube (you can use to rolls but your tree will need to be smaller than ours. We used the inside of a silver roll and just cut it to length)
Brown paint
Marker
Pen
Scissors
How to make our embellished Christmas tree craft
Take your piece of card and fold it in half. Draw a curve starting in the bottom right corner going up to just past the halfway line of your fold. Your curve should look like a quarter of a circle.
Cut out your shape and fold it in half at the point trim off any excess card so that your curve is even all the way around.
Open your shape out to reveal four equal sections. Decorate three of your sections with your cute embellishments and leave one of the end sections clear. Put your tree aside to dry.
Whilst your tree is drying, take your cardboard tube and cover it in brown paint to make the trunk.
Once your tree is dry, cover your decorated triangle in glue. Pull the glued triangle around and stick it on the inside of your other end triangle to make a pyramid shaped cone.
Cut out a star, pop some glue on the back and then pinch it on to your tree until it sticks.
Finish off by balancing your Christmas tree on your cardboard tube! Don’t they just look so fun and festive, i love how each one is unique!
It’s been a while since I’ve posted, Cold and flu season combined with Christmas and new year has made for a very busy few weeks. But now we’re back in the swing of things and my son and I have been cooking up some fun new crafts to share with you; Starting with these cute handmade penguin bookmarks!
You will need
Popsicle sticks Pom poms Googly eyes Yellow paper Black foam (or card) Coloured pens or paints Stickers (optional)
Using paints or felt tips, decorate your popsicle stick and put it aside to dry.
Now to make your penguins face! To make the beak; take your yellow paper and fold it in half, using the fold as the base cut out a small triangle. You should end up with a folded diamond shape. Glue one half of the triangle to your black Pom Pom and leave the other side free. Then glue two googly eyes just above where you stuck the beak. Put aside to dry.
Now take your black Foam (or card) and cut out two wing shapes. Glue them centrally at the top of your popsicle stick.
Glue your penguin’s head on top of the wings. optionally add some stickers or decorations to your stick and your penguin bookmark is finished!
like these Handmade Penguin Bookmarks? why not check out this Paper plate penguin?
Today I’m sharing a craft a little outside of my usual. This Stuffed yarn wrapped Christmas tree is a bit too tricky for young children but is a craft I’ve always enjoyed making myself and wanted to share. This craft is perfect for making whilst snuggled up with a hot chocolate and a Christmas movie!
Glue 3 of your sticks together in a triangle shape. Then, cut the fourth stick in half and glue one half to the bottom of your triangle to make the tree trunk.
Take one end of your yarn and tie it in a knot around your tree frame.
Now it’s time to start wrapping the yarn around your Christmas tree! You need to pull the yarn tight on the first loop. Don’t worry about the corners on the first trip around, they’re easier to place on the second lap and this prevents them from being too thick.
loop your string round a second time, this time including corners. to make the corners easier I usually wrap one side to the middle and then bring the other side in to meet it. you will need to wrap the string a little more loose this time to prevent it separating the first layer and creating a gap.
Do a third wrap around to even out your Christmas tree. Then, to secure your tree either thread the loose end under your previous loops or use a glue gun to secure it at the back.
To make the loop to hang your decoration; take a length of string or yarn and thread one end under the wrapped yarn at the top of your tree. Tie the two loose ends together.
Take a length of your green yarn. attach it to the tree by tying it on or by using a glue gun. Then repeatedly wrap the yarn around your triangle horizontally to create a cage for your pom poms, make sure the rows are close enough together that the pom poms won’t fall out. secure the loose end as before.
Stuff your tree with pom poms by squeezing them in through the cage. Cut out a card star and stick to the top of your tree. Finish off by hanging your fab new decoration!
Did you enjoy this Stuffed yarn wrapped Christmas tree craft? why not check out my wooden spoon angels?!
