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2012 has been a whirlwind year filled with laughter, joy, celebrations for us at Tea! We hope your year has been memorable as well. What better way to say goodbye to 2012 and welcome 2013 than with mini party hats!
Supplies for your own NYE mini party hat.
1. Download your free Mini Party Hat Printable. Print it on heavy weight paper like cardstock.
2. Cut out your mini hat template. Score the 3 lines to create slits for putting it together. It’s best to leave this task for the parents as it does require sharp scissors or an Exacto knife.
3. Now time for the fun stuff. Roll out whatever crepe paper streamers you want to use. Cut several 12 inch sections, we had about 4- 12 inch sections in varying colors.
Step 3
4. Get your safety scissors ready and start creating the fringe! Fold the streamer in half lengthwise (hot dog style). We cut 1/2 and 2/3 way up the streamer to give it a varying look. Then cut the long strand into 2 or 3 inch pieces for easy application onto the hat.
Start your fringing engines.
5. Dot the non- fringed part of the streamer with liquid glue. Then apply the strands in a desirable pattern around the hat. The more layers of fringe the better. Naturally, you’ll want to overlap the layers of fringe.
Several dots of glue will do the trick to keep your fringe from flying away.
Partially done fringing.
6. Top off your hat with something festive and a smile! Then attach your hat onto the headband or ribbon.
Happy new year!
Learn how to make this wintery scarf.
Did you see the scarf on page 4 of our Holiday 2012 Catalog and wonder where you could find one of your own? Our prop designer created ours by shredding a rug and twisting the strips together. You can make one yourself following the steps below. We bought thick gauge acyclic yarn and used scissors to craft our own scarf.
Easiest diy scarf.
1. Unwind the yarn to desired length. Ours was around 6.5 ft to 7.5 ft long. We used the entire skein of yarn and had exercise weights as an extra set of hands. See the picture below.
We used weights to help measure the precise length of yarn.
2. Snip the yarn at half length (where the weight is positioned).
3. Divide the half into 2 even sections. Start twisting to one side. Then twist the other half to the same side (both in or both out). Then twist both previously twisted sides together. Tie a knot at the end.
Twist the halves in the same direction.
4. Repeat for the other side.
5. Twist the 2 twisted halves together and knot it at the end. Knot where you want the tassels to begin.
Our final product- a warm and cozy twisted scarf.
Look how easy it was to twist your own scarf.
*Please note that this activity should be for kids 3 years and up.
Happy twisting!
We are well into the holiday season and it’s finally time to wrap some gifts. Tired of the same old printed paper? Why not make your own? You can purchase plain brown paper or even go green and use the inside of a brown paper bag.
Reasons we liked brown wrap paper:
1) Your creativity can run wild- stamps, glitter, markers and more! You have a blank canvas to create.
2) You can personalize each gift.
3) It’s good for every occasion (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries etc)
Below are some ways we wrapped up our holiday gifts using, neon yarn, letter stamps, a brown paper bag, glittered pine cones, and of course glitter!
Who doesn't love a monogrammed present?
Why not give them a sneak peek of the gift?
A spruced up brown paper bag is an easy way to wrap a small gift.
Any budding fashionista will love the on-trend monochrome look.
Share this post with your friends. Tis the season of giving. Happy wrapping!
Here’s a fun twist to pine cones during the holidays. We thought it would be fun to add a pop of color to our cinnamon scented pine cones. It’s a guaranteed good time with your kids. Make sure your child can operate a paint brush and you are in business.
All the supplies you need for neon dipped pine cones.
It’s best to squeeze your paint onto a paper plate for easy application onto your paint brush.
Step 1: Hold the pine cone by the top branch, and apply a generous amount of paint onto your paint brush and dab the edge of the pine cone. Make sure you get an even coat as this provides for a more vibrant color. From trial and error, we learned it’s best to start working your way up from the bottom otherwise you’ll end up with neon hand prints all over your furniture.
Step 2: Let it dry overnight.
Step 3: We thought it would be fun to cut name tags from card stock. We stamped our names on them. These are great placecards for your holiday dinner party or dip a whole bunch of pine cones and display them in a glass vase. We used them around the office for some holiday pizazz. The possibilities are endless.
Our finished product!
Share this post with your friends & leave a comment if you try this activity. We’d love to hear about your experience!
Guest blogger, Alyson, shares a kid- friendly Swedish Apple Pie recipe with us.
The kids and I whipped up this quick, easy, fun dessert. Apple pie is a popular dessert in Sweden. We loved making this crust-less apple pie because the kids could pitch in. Who doesn’t love practicing your counting and getting rewarded with a sweet treat at the end? You can bet they enjoyed each bite of this dessert. Things always do taste better when you bake it yourself. Here’s how you and your kids can whip up this recipe in a pinch.
Ingredients:
4 – 5 medium apples
1 and ¼ cups sugar
3 teaspoons cinnamon
¾ cup butter
1 cup flour
1 egg
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Peel the apples and slice them. Put them into a pie pan.
Peeling apples is a kid-friendly task.
Eric (five-and-a-half) was able to do it by himself, and Abigail (almost four) needed a little assistance. The kids loved this! (Peeling carrots is another favorite activity.)
3. Mix ¼ cup sugar and 3 teaspoons of cinnamon.
4. Sprinkle this mixture over the apples.
5. In a pan, melt the butter and then remove from the heat.
6. Add the remaining ingredients to the butter and mix.
7. Pour evenly over the apples.
8. Bake 45 minutes.
The finished product. Time to dig in.
Image courtesy of Food.com.
See the full recipe.
Here is a fresh new center piece that you and your kids can make together! We think there can never be too much enthusiasm for glitter especially during the holidays.
- All you need to create a festive holiday centerpiece!
When taking a walk one day, I realized how pretty these little eucalyptus acorns can be. I thought to myself, there must be some craft that I could do. Lo and behold there was! Glittered acorns. Take a walk and gather some acorns with your kids, don’t forget to bundle up in your favorite Tea sweater first. After you get home, shake out all the loose dirt, nobody wants dirt in their Christmas centerpiece.
Step 1: In many craft sessions, I have learned that it’s best to squeeze liquid glue into a paper plate or bowl so it’s easy for you to dip your paint brush into. Next, cover your entire acorn in glue. The more the better!
Step 1: Cover the entire acorn in glue.
Step 2: Next, sprinkle your choice of colored glitter all over the acorn. Tap the acorn to rid of excess glitter. It’s best to glitter over a newspapered surface for easy clean-up and recycling of glitter. Shake and repeat the steps for as many acorns as you have.
Step 3: We let our acorn sticks dry standing upright in potted plants. The dirt keeps the sticks and acorns from touching any clean surfaces. Let it dry overnight and you’ll have centerpieces by the morning. Santa did really come to town!
Add some sparkle to your holiday party!
Nordic inspired paper slotted animals.
Cutting out the slotted animals.
A little crafter's original creation of Luke Skywalker and Jabba the Hut.
The kids enjoying their slotted animals.
Making them is easy. Just cut out a body shape and two legs. Then cut slots so you can stand them up. Click here for a Made by Joel for Tea Paper Slot Animals Printable or you can make your own designs! If you use a thicker paper, then you might need to cut your slots slightly wider so the feet stay straight.
After you finish, you can take them apart and put them in a little box or envelope. Then you can take them on the go to restaurants, etc.
Time to put you glasses on boys and girls! Find this gnome’s twin.
Once you’re done, submit your creation to blog@teacollection.com for your chance to win a $100 Tea gift certificate! Every month, Tea staff will pick one artistic little citizen to win! Honorable mentions will also be uploaded into their own featured blog post. Let your creative juices flow and show us your inner artist!
Download your own copy of spot the gnome.
Help our friendly Viking friend, Halldor, grow his beard so he can stay warm during the cold winter months. Maybe even hide a treasure or two inside!
Download your copy of Build a Beard here.
Once you’re done, submit your creation to blog@teacollection.com for your chance to win a $100 Tea gift certificate! Every month, Tea staff will pick one artistic little citizen to win! Honorable mentions will also be uploaded into their own featured blog post. Let your creative juices flow and show us your inner artist!
Get your Viking beard shirt today!
Since you little guy can't grow a beard yet, he can wear one.