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Shrinky Dinks®
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Craft Eggs
Teachers' Learning Tree
Approx. Craft Time:
30 minutes
Skill Level:
3(1 being the easiest)
Yield:
1 tree
Tip
Number the canvas backs in the order they will be displayed.
Materials List
• Pattern
• 2-pack of 16x20 canvas
• 2-pack of 11x14 canvas
• 2-pack of 8x10 canvas
• 2 natural cork liner rolls: 18x4
• Foamies extra firm super thick foam: Black
• ¼ hole punch
• Laras Crafts Jute: 330
• Paper: colors of choice
• Floss: black
• Recollections® Alphabet Stickers: 7/16 Block, Black Licorice
• Quartet cork tiles: 6x6
• Clear push pins
• Craftsmart Acrylic Paint: Pale Blue, White
• Wiggle Eyes Stack Pack
• Craft knife
• Cutting mat
• Clear tape
• Drop cloth
• Fine-point marker: Black
• Copy machine
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Pen
• Paint brush
• Aleene's® Tacky Glue Stick
• Paper plate
• Low-heat glue gun (adult use only)
Step 1
Enlarge tree template to desired size. Tape papers together so entire tree shape is before you. Prune tree branches to form desired shape. Re-tape if necessary. Be sure to make a spot for your owl and swing. Set aside.
Step 2
Arrange your canvases on a work surface. Leave approximately a 1 border around all canvas sides. Be sure to have some horizontal and vertical canvases. Lay tree template on top of canvases and make sure that the tree edges do not hang off outside edges.
Step 3
Lightly mark the tree portions that are over the gaps between the canvases. This is so that you know not to cut out that portion. Starting at the top or bottom, number the tree parts that are on top of each canvas. The numbering should also go on the canvas back of the coordinating canvas. This will help when hanging them on the wall.
Step 4
Cut out the tree parts. Be sure to double-check that you have numbered both tree/canvas correctly. Set templates and canvases aside.
Step 5
Unroll the cork onto your work surface paper side up. It will help to place a heavy book/object at each end to keep it from rolling back up.
Step 6
Take one tree template at a time and turn it upside down onto cork paper. Trace them. Then, number the cork outline to match the template. Try to arrange them close together in order to fit as many as possible onto one roll. Use second roll if necessary.
Step 7
Once all the templates are traced, cut them out and set them aside.
Step 8
Arrange canvases on top of the drop cloth in the correct order/direction. Squirt puddles of both paint colors onto a palette about 1 apart. Load paints onto brush, one color on each half of the bristles. Paint all the canvases using horizontal strokes until completed. Be sure to do the sides as well. Allow canvases to dry completely between each coat.
Step 9
Find the tree parts for your number one canvas and the canvases that border that one. Lay the parts on top of their coordinating canvases. Peel the number one tree parts and place onto canvas so that they will line up with tree parts on border canvases. Do the same for parts on the border canvases. Continue in this way until the entire tree is done. Set aside.
Step 10
Get your colored paper and patterns. Trace templates onto desired papers and cut out. Use photo and glue stick to assemble your owl. Put your name onto the owls chest with sticker letters. Use glue gun to attach owl onto branch of choice on your tree. Set aside.
Step 11
Use the cutting mat, craft knife and ruler to cut a 1/2x4 piece of the thick black foam. Put aside remaining piece for future projects. Use hole punch to punch a hole at each end of foam. Set aside.
Step 12
Cut six 16 lengths of jute and put into two piles of three strands each. Pick up three strands and gather three ends together. Put a dab of hot glue on the ends to hold them together. Braid the three strands and tie the ends into a knot. Take canvas where swing will hang and line up the glued end to the top of branch edge. Place a pen mark onto jute at the bottom edge of branch. Pick up the black foam piece and thread glued end through one of the holes. Find pen mark on jute and tie a knot that sits right at the mark's base. Use glue gun to attach jute on top of cork branch. The knot should rest under the bottom edge of the branch. Refer to photo if necessary.
Step 13
Braid the other three strands following the directions in step 12. You will need to thread the glued end through other hole in black foam as before. Then, lay the braid onto the canvas over the same branch. Make sure your swing is perpendicular to the bottom edge of canvas. Once swing is positioned glue into place. Be sure to attach it so the star can sit on it.
Step 14
Tie a knot on the second braid that also sits right under the branch. If any of the braid sticks out over the top of branch, cut it off and re-glue the end. Glue the braid to branch as before.
Step 15
Trace the star and the sign templates onto paper of choice and cut out. Set star aside. Use glue stick to put sign together and use sticker letters to put Star Student onto sign. Cut a 7 piece of black floss and tie a bow at the center. Decide length of floss to attach to sign back and cut any excess off. Use craft glue to attach sign to the braid on right side of swing.
Step 16
Glue the smallest size wiggle eyes onto star and draw mouth with the black marker. Refer to photo. Bend the star points that represent the legs so they will sit onto the swing. Bend the arm points in order to wrap them around the jute. Glue star seat to swing and wrap points around jute and glue in place.
Step 17
Use cutting mat, craft knife, ruler and pencil or pen to cut rectangles out of cork tiles. Youll need one 1x3 and seven 1-1/4x5. Set the 3 piece aside. Paint the seven longer pieces exactly how you did the canvases (including the sides). Allow to dry between coats.
Step 18
Glue the 3 unpainted piece across the front of the star on swing. Lay out the seven painted pieces onto canvas for placement. When satisfied, glue into place. Set canvas aside.
Step 19
Trace leaf template onto papers of choice. Be sure to trace more leaves than students. Cut out all the leaves and allow students to pick which leaf they like.
Step 20
Put the students name on the front of their leaf with sticker letters and let them place their leaf on the tree. Continue until all students have positioned their leaves.
Step 21
Add additional leaves if necessary to balance tree and use glue gun to attach. You may want to use a fun tack in order to reuse your tree year after year.
Step 22
Cut pieces out of white paper to match the sizes of cork tiles attached to canvas. Write questions for the star student to answer on the backside of the seven longer pieces. Send home for the student to fill in the other side with their answers. Have the student write their name onto the 3 piece. Attach to cork on stars chest with push pins.
Craft Notes
Due to the seasonal nature of some merchandise, actual availability of some products listed may vary.
The information on this instruction sheet is presented in good faith and without warranty. Results are not guaranteed. Michaels Stores, Inc., recommends adult supervision at all times and disclaims all liability from any injury resulting from improper safety precautions. Quantities and selections may vary at each store. ©2010 Michaels Stores, Inc.
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