12 Days of Christmas~ Day 1 {Yarn Snowflakes}

Welcome to day one of Party Starters 12 Days of Christmas Crafts and Party Favors For Kids series. Today I wanted to start our series with a cute craft I found over on Martha Stewart's craft blog. I had my 5 year old daughter, Aly help me make these yarn snowflake ornaments. These were a bit frustrating for her, but once we figured out which steps she could do herself and which ones I needed to help her with it became a fun project.

Here is what you need: 

• White School or Craft Glue
• a small bowl to pour some glue into
• white yarn
• scissors
• piece of 8 1/2" x 11" paper
• marker (any dark color)
• wax paper
• chunky glitter (optional)

Step one: 

Draw some snowflakes on your white paper. Aly started out drawing traditional shaped snowflakes, but after trying to lay pieces of yarn in these patterns it soon became messing and really just a nightmare. Obviously, Martha's people thought this through and have you design "loopy" snowflake images. 

Step two:

Pour a few tablespoons of white school glue into a small bowl. Place a piece of wax paper over your snowflake patterns. We taped ours down to the counter so that it wouldn't move on us. Without cutting your yarn, pull out a large piece so that it is easy to work with. Dip a 6 inch section in your glue then lay the glued piece of yarn onto your wax paper following the pattern. Dip more yarn in your glue as you go, then cut your yarn when you have finished your pattern. It was easiest for Aly to dip the yarn in the glue and I traced the pattern.

 Step three:

While your yarn is still wet this is when you will want to add glitter. This was a step that Aly found very enjoyable! She is the glitter master...watch out Purple Pug! Let your snowflakes dry for a few hours or if the glue is thick over night is best. You want these to be really stiff to hold their shape. 

Step four:

Use a pretty ribbon or piece of gold thread to make a hanger for our yarn snowflake ornament. 

Step five:

ENJOY decorating with these fun and unique sparkly snowflakes!

I really do think these look better with glitter on them, but of course that is optional. Aly was so proud hanging these up in our front window for everyone to see. SO cute!! They would make really cute gift packaging decorations too!

Make sure you stop back tomorrow for another fun holiday craft, this one is a sweet party favor!
Hugs,
Pam