• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
Animal BrethrenMaterials:
�
An apple
�
paring knife
�
lemon juice
�
whole cloves
�
pencil
�
jar
�
glove
�
felt scraps
�
gluePeel the apple and remove some of the core from the bottom. (Parents)To carve the animal's face, cut two holes for the eyes,slice two triangle flaps for the ears, cut a deep "X" forthe nose and mouth, and some shallow slits for whiskers.Soak the apple in the lemon juice for about 15 minutes,then remove to a paper towel to dry.Insert cloves into the eye holes.Push the pencil into the bottom of the apple,and set it in a jar to dry.To hasten drying process, a food dehydrator works great!As the apple dries, lift the ears so they dry upright.When the head has dried, use the glove and felt scrapsto make the body. Glue on markings and paws.Cut off the middle finger of the glove,and drop the pencil through it, with the head attached.Have the child grab the pencil with their 3 middle fingers,while using the thumb and pinkie for the animal's forelegs.( Discuss the habits of different animals during the wintermonths. Explain why we leave bird food and other tidbitsout for our winged and furry brothers.)------------------------A Mabon CenterpieceMaterials:A basket (in fall colors or with trimmings to make itautumn-oriented)A doll-sized scarecrow (or materials to make one of your own)Real or fake autumn leavesReal or fake gourds/nuts/seeds of the seasonDried herbs or potpourri of the season (apple scent works well)Directions:
 
First youll want to prepare your basket.
�
It can be a small or large basket of any style,but you can decorate it for the season any way you desire(if it has a handle, consider winding or gluing acornstrings around it).Into the center of the basket, you place your scarecrow figure.It can be bought as a harvest decoration at a store,or it can be one you make yourself out of straw and fabric
�
if you opt to make your own, you can dress it upappropriately and give it season-appropriate clothing and symbols.There is the option of making only the torso of the figure sinceonly that will show, but if youve already got one with legs,
�
they will be covered up by the ornamentation.Find a way to anchor the doll into the basket.Then you can dump an apple-cinnamon or autumn-flavoredpotpourri or series of dried herbs around the scarecrowin the basket, and intersperse this with leaves, nuts,and gourds.Buying tiny craft gourds around this time of year is easy andcheap, and they dont go rancid in the middle of the season,
�
which is a plus.You might even throw in stars made out of twigs and tied togetherwith wire, or any other symbol that means something to you.The basket has a nice effect of decorating a table or altarfor the time between the autumn equinox and the landmarkof Halloween.Ritual use:In ritual, you can use an actual corn dolly instead of acrafty scarecrow, so that it has more meaning,and each item added to the basket can have symbolic value.One suggestion is to gather up enough acorns to stand foryour wishes for the season, and ceremoniously place eachin the basket as you think of its purpose.The basket can be anointed and dedicated to a deity if you wish.----------------------------------------Apple DollsApple Dolls seem to be a custom practiced mainly in thesoutheastern United States.They take a bit more skill than Corn Dollies.Because they require the use of a knife and sewing needle,this is not an activity that is recommended for childrenunless an adult is willing to take on the potentiallydangerous jobs.
 
To make them you will need apples that are not very ripe.You dont want them too juicy or mushy.
�
You will also need stuffing, cloth for the clothes, anda short stick to attach the body to the apple head.With a small, sharp knife, carve a face into one side of the apple.Wrap the apple in a brown paper bag and put it aside in a cool,dark place until the apple is dry.While you are waiting for it to dry, you can make the clothesfor your Apple Doll. Did the face you carve have a certainpersonality or age? Is there a color or theme you want tobring into your festivities this year?Do you want a modern doll or one that represents your ancestors?The answers to these questions will determine theclothing you create.Make the body first, about six inches long.Sew up the sides and leave the neck area open.Turn it inside out so that the seems are on the inside and stuff it.Almost anything can be used as stuffing from old dryer lint topotpourri, just keep in mind that the more hard pieces you includeinside, the bumpier your dolls skin will be.
�
Sew the neck nearly closed, leaving a hole for the stick.Once the apple is dry, insert the stick into the body.Sew the body tight around the stick.Depending on how well you sew, you might want to add a fewdrops of glue around the stick so the stuffing doesnt come out.
�
Then dress and decorate your Apple Doll to your hearts content.
�
Add a little corn silk or yarn hair, dress it in specialclothing, give it a hat or a staff, or even a mini-cornucopia.---------------------------------------Apple Head Crone DollsYou will need:apples, potato peeler and paring knife, colored markers,wool yarn, empty 16 ounce plastic bottle, bottle cork,10x16 inch piece of fabric, rubber band.When choosing an apple for the doll's head,remember that a carved fruit will shrink to about2/3 it's original size.Peel and core the apple.
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...