Patsy Reiter

Writing stories for children and adults for over fifteen years

Christmas Tree Craft

For unto you is born this day…a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.         Luke 2:11

If you need a cute last-minute Christmas tree craft for children, this fork painted tree is fun. I found the original design on Pinterest. You can tweak it and let children create with their own ideas. We made trees in our preschool church class. The children’s director creates handmade cards and used stamps and punches for the star and gifts under the tree. Children can use scraps of paper. Supplies needed are listed below. Have fun.

   

Supplies:

  • white cardstock
  • green craft paint
  • plastic forks
  • confetti for bulbs
  • blow dryer (dry tree slightly before adding confetti)
  • glue
  • colored cardstock or scraps of paper
  • large piece of scrap paper to work on
  • optional:  stamps and punches for the star and gifts

    Merry Christmas

and

Happy New Year!

Crock-Pot Candy Turtles

My friend, Becky, shared a wonderful crock-pot candy turtle recipe. I knew right away I wanted to make this for Christmas. It’s an easy and yummy treat/gift for someone special on your list. Great for shut-ins, secret Santas, co-workers, or an overdue thank you.

I packaged mine in boxes and Christmas tins.

Crock-Pot Candy Turtles

Ingredients:

  • 1 (16 ounce) package dry roasted salted peanuts
  • 1 (16 ounce) package unsalted dry roasted peanuts
  • 1 (12 ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate bits
  • 1 (4 ounce) German chocolate bar
  • 32 ounces white almond bark

Directions:

Put peanuts in bottom of crock-pot; add other ingredients.

Cook on low setting for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Place rounded spoonfuls onto wax paper and allow to cool.

Enjoy!

 

Thanksgiving Scarecrows

   

Paper plate scarecrows are fun and easy to make. A great Thanksgiving craft for children.

Supplies needed:

I chose cardstock over construction paper. Your decision. Be as creative as you want. I didn’t have Zots on hand, so I substituted with double-sided tape for the hat, leaves, and ribbon. I used regular tape to hold the raffia down. Glue will work, and I used that on everything else. Have fun with your little ones as they delve into this inexpensive project.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

 

Applesauce and Spiders

No better time to make homemade crockpot applesauce and an easy spider craft for children. The Dum Dum spiders are easy and inexpensive to create. They make a great children’s party addition. And the applesauce will WOW even picky eaters.

Spider supplies:

  • black pipe cleaners
  • Dum Dum suckers
  • glue
  • eyes

Cut the pipe cleaners in half and wrap tightly around the front of the sucker stick. Bend the tips for legs. You can trim the pipe cleaners to even out. Give yourself a little leeway when wrapping the pipe cleaners. Glue on eyes.

I found a great crockpot applesauce recipe online and doubled it.

Crockpot Applesauce

Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds apples, peeled, cored and sliced (about 6 medium apples–your favorite)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup water

Place the peeled, sliced apples into the crockpot bowl. Sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon over the apples and mix well. Pour the water into the crockpot and place the lid on top. Cook on high for four hours. (Mine took about 2 1/2 hours).

When cooking time is up, remove the lid and mix the apples using a wire whisk, stirring until smooth.

Allow to cool completely then place in a sealed container in the fridge.

Enjoy these fun and easy projects.

Happy Autumn!