Guiding Gateway

SPARKLING IDEAS
GUIDING TOTE
JUICE LID FRIDGEES
BACK TO GUIDING BANNER
HOMEMADE STICKER GLUE
HOMEMADE PLAY DOUGH
SAFETY PIN CANADA FLAGS
CAMPHAT MUG UP
POPSICLE PUZZLES
GRASSKINS
CANDLE EGGS
WASHCLOTH BUNNIES
GIANT EASTER EGG
MAY DAY BASKETS
MARACAS
MOTHERS DAY POTPOURRI BALL
WELCOME TO GUIDING CONFETTI BAGS
CHINESE WAND
PAPER LANTERNS
LOVE BUGS
HOMEMADE BUBBLES
SPRING BUTTERFLIES
HOMEMADE BUBBLE BATH
IRON ON CRAYON T SHIRTS
HOMEMADE WATER SLIDE
HOMEMADE CRAZY PUTTY DOUGH
IRONED COLLAGE
NAVAJO ART
STAINED GLASS PICTURE
EAST INDIAN RICE PICTURES
POPCORN FRAME
TOOTHPICK DOLLS
GOD'S EYE
ROLLED PAPER BEADS
SPARKS BOOK OF PROMISES
SPARKS DUES BAG/BROWNIE GOLD BAG
APPLE PRINT LINENS
AGLOW APPLES
CARRY ME CAN
ROCKIN WRITERS
LASTING IMPRESSIONS
COFFEE FILTER ANGELS
BEADED BELLS
REINDEER FACE
ACORN ELVES
STACKING SANTAS
SPARKLING CONE TREES
TUMBLED CANDLES
GUIDING GET WELL MUGS
FLOWER SPRINKLED UMBRELLA
SEA GLASS JEWELLERY

SPARKLING IDEAS S

Materials required:: styrofoam balls cut in half; silver pipecleaners one per girl; either photos of each girl or materials for the; kids to draw a picture of themselves

Have the girls bring a small school photo or picture from home, or draw a picture of themselves. Have them print their names along the bottom. Into the styrofoam ball, push the pipecleaner with the girls photo or picture attached to it. This is a great way to take attendance, both coming and going. When the girls get to Sparks, they can put their picture in the ball, and take it out when they leave!!

GUIDING TOTE S/B/G/P

Materials required:: one canvas bag per girl; assorted fabric and puff paints; crests (optional)

This is a great first night craft and the girls can be as creative as they like. The objective is to make a bag to bring back and forth to meetings, carry their program book, notes to go home etc...

JUICE LID FRIDGEES S/B/G

Materials required:: one juice lid per girl; adhesive magnet tape; assorted felt/fabric scraps; glue/glue gun

This too is a great first night craft. The girls take felt scraps and turn their juice lid into a fridge magnet to hang their unit calendars and notes on, so they don't get lost. If the unit can afford it, crests look nice on these fridgees.

BACK TO GUIDING BANNERS S/B/G

Materials required:

flag shape per girl

assorted fabrics/felts/pictures

This is another creative way for a start to the year, these can be done as Get aquainted Banners, by putting things on the flag that have to do with the girl, for example, Katie may like reading, and put a book on her banner. They can also be done as a How Did you Spend Your Summer Banner or My Favorite Things Banner. The choices are limitless!!

HOMEMADE STICKER GLUE

Materials required:: 1 packet 1/4 oz. unflavoured gelatin; 1 Tbsp cold water; 3 Tbsp boiling water; 1/2 tsp white corn syrup; 1/2 tsp lemon extract

1. Sprinkle the gelatin into the cold water in a small bowl. Set aside for a few minutes, until the gelatin softens
2. Pour softened gelatin into boiling water and stir until completely dissolved.
3. Add corn syrup and lemon extract. Mix well. Makes four ounces of glue.
TO USE: Brush a thin layer of glue on the back of your "sticker" and let it dry. When you're ready to use the sticker, moisten back and apply.
TO STORE: The glue will gel overnight, and will keep several months in a small airtight bottle. When you want to use it, simply warm it up in a pan of hot water to make it liquid again!

MOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH

Materials required:: 2 cups white flour; 1/2 cup of salt; 4 Tbsps cream of tartar; 2 cups boiling water; 4 tsp food colouring; 2 TBSP vegetable oil

1. In a food processor, mix flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil.
2. Combine food colouring with boiling water to make two cups total liquid. You can also use icing colours, which are thicker and much more vibrant. Simply colour the water to the desired shade.
3. With the food processor running, pour the liquid through the spout top. Continue processing until dough begins to pull away from the sides of the processor. The more you process, the smoother your dough will be.
4. Remove warm play dough from the processor and have FUN! STORE IN ZIPLOCK BAGS!

SAFETY PIN CANADA FLAGS S/B/G

Materials required:: 1 3 cm safety pin; 9 2 cm safety pins; red and white seed beads

Thread nine red beads on two small pins for the flag borders. Thread nine white beads on two small pins for the next column inside the borders.Thread three white, one red, one white, one red, three white for the next two. Thread three white, two red, then four white for the next two. For the last and center pin, thread one white, seven red and then two white beads. Open the large pin and thread the nine small beaded pins thru their circle ends in the correct sequence and VOILA!

CAMP HAT MUG UP S/B/G/P

Materials required:: One film canister per girl; One 2 inch long piece of black pipecleaner; cotton batting or a cotton ball; one circle of brown felt 2 inches diameter; Three or four 3mm white pompoms; One small gold safety pin

Cut the film canister in half and poke two small holes in one side. Insert the ends of the pipecleaners into the holes and twist together, forming a handle with the loop on the outside.
Put a small amount of batting or cotton ball into the cup. Cover the cotton with the circle of felt tucking in the edge and securing it with a little white glue.
Glue pompoms to the top of felt (for marshmallows) and attach the craft to your camp hat with the gold safety pin! Voila, A mug of Hot chocolate!

POPSICLE PUZZLES S/B/G

Materials required:: standard popsicle sticks; celophane or masking tape; markers, crayons or paint; stencils (optional)

Place 10 popsicle sticks side by side to form a square and tape at bottom and top to secure. Use stencils and paint, or freehand marker or crayon designs across the face of the popsicle square. Make the image fill up as much of the square as possible. Do another pattern on the back if you want. When the designs are dry, take off the tape. Now you have a popsicle puzzle!

GRASSKINS B/G

Materials required:: 1.5 MM googly eyes; grass seed; sawdust; string; pantyhose/stockings; pink or red fabric paint

Cut a piece of pantyhose about 25 cm long and tie a knot in one end. Turn in so the knot is on the inside. Put in a handful of grass seed and stuff the rest full of sawdust. Pack it down until it is about the size of a softball. Tie a knot in the bottom, leaving alittle slack for the ears and nose. Halfway between the two knots, pinch and tie a string aound to create a small ball(nose). Repeat to create ears.(Elastic bands work well for this too!) Glue on eyes and paint a happy face!

CANDLE EGGS G(with help)P,SRB,A

Materials required:: Several Eggs; Pin or Turkey skewer; Small bowl; Egg carton; Old Candles, Parrafin wax; Wax colouring; double boiler; Small funnel; wired wicks; Tape; Soft rag

Hollow out several eggs by gently poking a hole in one end with the pin or skewer. Scramble the egg inside with the skewer and let egg drip out. Rinse clean, set the eggshells in the egg carton. Melt the old candles, or parrafin and wax colouring in the double boiler over low heat. Place the funnel over the opening of the egg. Carefully pour the wax into the hollw eggshell in the carton. Allow the wax to cool and harden, then break off the shell and buff the candle with a soft rag. Light your candle and watch it glow! You could also use different colours of wax and layer them, by letting them cool between additions. You could also add glitter, or confetti. You could also use wax crayons to colour your wax. Be sure your eggshell is dry before you fill it.

WASHCLOTH BUNNIES B/G

Materials required:: Washcloth(pink, blue, yellow, white); Rubber Band; Ribbon; Googly eyes; glue; String; Yarn; Cotton ball

Making stuffed animals doesn't have to be hard, as this cute little washcloth bunny prooves! Takes about a half hour to complete. Place the washcloth flat on the table. Tightly roll one corner to the center of the cloth. Keep the rolled section in place as you turn the cloth around and roll the opposite corner towards the center. Turn over. With the rolled side down, fold the washcloth in half. Then fold back about 2 inches from one end. Place a rubber band around this section to form bunny's head. Tie a ribbon over the rubber band. Glue on googly eyes, a yarn nose, and string whiskers to the head. Glue on a cotton ball for the tail. Brownies will need help, it sems to require more than two hands for the younger ones. If the intent os to give this craft to a baby, please remember to use permanent marker for eyes and sew on the nose and whiskers, for safety reasons.

GIANT EASTER EGG B/G

Materials required:: Crochet thread (pink, blue, yellow, multi coloured); Balloon; Starch or white glue; Large paint brush; Scissors

This giant easter egg makes a nice easter basket filler, or decoration for an Easter celebration! Blow up the balloon and tie a 2 foot piece of thread to the bottom of it. Cover the entire balloon with starch or watered down glue using the large paint brush. Wrap the thread around the balloon in one direction, leaving small gaps about 1/2 inch wide so the balloon isn't completely covered. Wrapping doesn't have to be perfect, but try to be even. Apply another layer of starch or glue lightly over the thread and wrap another layer of thread in the opposite direction. Repaeat one more time until the balloon is fairly well covered with crochet thread. Hang the balloon from the bottom to dry for about 24 hours. When fully dry, pop the balloon and gently pull it out of the thread. You can cut a hole in the center when dry and fill with treats, easter grass and/or a stuffed animal. You can also flatten out the bottom by pressing gently, so it will stand on one end. This makes a nice table centerpiece.

MAY DAY BASKETSS/B/G

Materials required:: Ice cream cones, one per basket; Basket fillings, candies or small toys, flowers..; Scissors; Plastic wrap or cellophane; Narrow ribbon, 4 feet per cone

It's a May Day tradition to make baskets to hang on the doors of friends. Here's a quick basket that's easy and edible, too! Fill an ice cream cone with candies, flowers or small toys. Cut a large circle out of the plastic wrap or cellophane and lay it over the top of the cone. Cut the ribbon into 2 2 foot lengths. Wrap the ribbons around the rim of the cone and tie at opposite sides. Bring the four ends up and tie together ina bow to form a handle. You could use a paper cup instead for these baskets. Be careful with the cones so they don't break. Have extras handy, Just in case!

MARACASB(with assistance)/G

Materials required:: 1/4 cup flour; 2-3 TBSP water; Large bowl; Spoon; Toilet Paper or paper towel tube; Tape; Balloon; Popcorn Kernels; Newspaper; Scissors; Colourful tissue paper; Pin; Felt tip pen or stickers; Oven, pre heated to 450 OPTIONAL

This is a nice craft to celebrate Cinco De Mayo, a Mexican holiday recognizing the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862. Mexican troops were outnumbered that day and still defeated Napoleon's French forces. Mexicans celebrate with parades, dances, music and pinatas. Would make a nice theme night for a unit. This craft takes about fourty five minutes and younger ones will need some help.
Combine flour and water in the bowl until you get a thick paste. Place a handful of popcorn kernels into the balloon and then carefully blow it up and tie it off. Tape the toilet paper tube to the balloon so it forms a handle.
Cut the newspaper into 1 inch strips and tear the tissue paper into medium sized pieces. Dip the strips of newspaper into the paste. Wrap around the balloon and tube, being sure to cover completely several times. Stuff some paper into the tube before covering it. Cover the balloon and tube with two layers of the torn tissue paper. Let dry for 24 hours or bake in oven for 5 - 10 mins.
When the shell is hard, pop the balloon with a pin. Decorate with the pen or stickers. Shake!

POTPOURRI BALLSS/B/G

Materials required:: Tennis Ball; Glue; Potpourri; Ribbon

Great idea for Mother's Day, and easy enough for Sparks to do quickly. Cover the tennis ball with glue and roll it in potpurri until it's completely covered. Let dry for 1 hour. Tie ribbon around the ball. Make sure the coat of glue is pretty thick.

WELCOME TO GUIDING CONFETTIS/B/G

Materials required:: markers (all colours); lunch size paper bags; crepe paper (all colours); scissors; string

5,4,3,2,1 CELEBRATE. This is a great way to celebrate many occassions, not the least of which is the first cool event of the Guiding year, or a part of a welcome to Guiding celebration!
Use markers to draw festive designs on the paper bags. Cut/rip the crepe paper into tiny pieces to use as the confetti. Put the confetti into the bags. Blow up the bags and tie them shut with the string. Pop the bags at the appropriate moment. Nice way to celebrate an enrolment too, now that I think of it...Why not have a clean up race after the confetti explosion, you can also save your pieces for pinata decorating, or collage making....

CHINESE WANDS/B

Materials required:: Ribbon or crepe paper; Scissors; pencil or chopstick; tape

Bright colours are a favorite part of the Chinese New Year celebration. Wave these colourful Chines Wands!
Cut a piece of ribbon/crepe paper as long as each person is tall.Securely tape the ribbon to a pencil or chopstick. Wave around and enjoy yourself!

PAPER LANTERNSB/G

Materials required:: construction paper (red, yellow and blue); Glue or stapler; pencil; scissors and ruler

Red, a lucky colour in China, is the main colour in Chinese New year decor. Red brings good luck, good will, harmony and beauty. Fold a red piece of construction paper in half lengthwise. Use the pencil and ruler to draw lines every 1/2 inch along the folded edge. Cut on these lines from the fold to 1/2 to 1 inch from the edge of the papaer.
Open the paper. Curl it into a sylinder with the short ends at the top and bottom..
Glue or staple the edges of the paper lantern together.
Draw four rectangles 1-1/4 inch by 3-1/2 inches on the blue construction paper. These will be your candles.
Draw and cut out eight large yellow flames and eight small red flames.
Glue a yellow flame on both sides of the blue candle, then glue a red flame in the centre of each yellow flame.
Glue the paper candles to the inside of the lantern.
Cut a piece of construction paper into a strip about 1 to 2 inches wide by about 8 to 10 inches long. Glue or staple to the top of the lantern for a handle.

LOVE BUGSS/B/G

Materials required:: felt (red, pink, purple, white and blue); scissors; felt tip pens; pipe cleaners; glue; tongue depressors

Cut two 2 inch hearts and one 1 inch heart out of felt.Draw a funny face on the smaller heart with a black felt tip pen. Draw a design of your choice on the larger hearts. (these will be the bugs wings).
Glue two short pieces of pipe cleaner to the top of the small heart and twist the ends.(these will be the bugs antennae)
Glue the larger hearts(wings) across from each other on a tongue depressor.
Glue the small heart (head onto the top of the tongue depressor. The felt can be cut ahead of time for the younger ones.

HOMEMADE BUBBLESS/B/G

Materials required:: bowl or small container; 2 cups warm water; 6 tablespoons glycerin (available at drug stores); 6 tablespoons liquid dish soap (Dawn works best i've found); dash of sugar; blower

In the small bowl or container, mix the water, glycerin, dish detergent and sugar.(This makes the bubbles last longer). Make a blower by one of the following methods: bend a wire into a circle, allowing part to be the stem, use a plastic straw or several straws taped together, puch a hole in the bottom of a paper cup, or simply use an old store bought one.
Dip the blower in the bubbles and blow! blow! blow!

SPRING BUTTERFLIESS/B/G

Materials required:: food colouring; small bowls; water; coffee filters; eye dropper; wooden clothes pins-the kind with the hinge; pipe cleaners; felt tip pens

Colour small bowls of water with the food colouring. Using the eye dropper, scatter drops of coloured water onto the round coffee filter and watch the colours bleed and blend.
While the filters dry, draw eyes and body details on the wooden clothes pins. Gather each coffee filter up in the centre and clip with a clothespin.
Make antennae for each butterfly by inserting a pipe cleaner into the end of the clothes pin and twisting it secure. Bend the ends of the pipe cleaner.

HOMEMADE BUBBLE BATHB/G

Materials required:: 3 cups of Epsom salts (Available at drug stores); glass jar with lid; small bowl, spoon; 1 tablespoon glycerin; food colouring; perfume; paper; felt tip pens or crayons; scissors; tape; ribbon

Place the Epsom salts in the glass jar. In the small bowl combine the glycerin with 2 drops of the food colouring and a few drops of the perfume.Add the mixture to the epsom salts and stir thoroughly.
Use a piece of paper to make a label for the jar. Tape it to the jar and tie a ribbon around it.

IRON ON CRAYON T SHIRTSS/B/G

Materials required:: White t shirt, poly cotton, more poly than cotton.; textile dye crayons (available at craft stores); 4 sheets blank white paper; towel or newspaper; ironing board; iron; scissors; colourful beads

Pressing firmly, draw a design on a sheet of paper with the textile crayons. The design will turn out backwards on the shirt, so draw accordingly.
Place a towel or layers of newspaper on the ironing pad, then place a sheet of the unprinted white paper on the very top. This will prevent colour from bleeding onto the ironing pad.
Place the shirt on the ironing pad with a sheet of blank paper between the front and back of shirt to prevent the colours from transferring to the opposite side of the shirt. Lay the designed paper face down on the fabric with a piece of blank paper on top of it to prevent the colours from smearing onto the iron.
Set the iron to cotton setting with no steam. Iron until the image becomes slightly visible through the paper.
Carefully remove the designed paper. The design will come out in brilliant colours and will remain on the shirt permanently.
Cut a fringe design along the bottom of the shirt and attach the large colourful beads and tie them securely.

HOMEMADE WATERSLIDES/B/G

Materials required:: Plastic sheet, table cloth, shower curtain or large garbage bag.; tent hooks or heavy objects (nothing sharp); hose with spray nozzle

Lay the plastic piece out on a clear area of the lawn or campsite. Don't put it too close to any trees, shrubs, birdbaths, firepit:o)
Secure the corners with tent pegs. NO SHARP OBJECTS. Turn the hose nozzle on the "spray" setting and set it at the edge of the plastic. Run, slip and slide!

HOMEMADE CRAZY PUTTY DOUGH S/B/G

Materials required:: 1/3 cup liquid starch; baking sheet; 1 cup craft glue; craft stick or small spoon; newspaper comics; drawing paper

Pour 1/3 cup liquid staarch on a baking sheet. Using a craft stick, slowly stir in 1 cup craft glue. After the mixture starts to clump, let it set for 5 minutes. Dab a small amount of starch on your fingers and knead the mixture. Now you can pull it, roll it and stretch it - just like putty! As you experimaent, use the baking sheet as your work surface, you wouldn't want to get any of this on carpet or furniture! You can also use this putty to make prints of your favorite comic, picture from your program book or whatever theme you are using. You then peel it off the picture and press the putty onto a piece of paper. When you're finished, store in a small, airtight plastic container! Have fun!!!

IRONED COLLAGEB/G

Materials required:: collage items like coloured tissue, doilies, glitter, tinsel; plastic sandwich bag; aluminum foil; iron and ironing board; needle and thread

Arrange coloured tissue, doilies, glitter, tinsel and anyo other thin flat items in d design or pattern inside a plastic sandwich bag. You can overlap different colours to create new combinations, sprinkle glitter to add sparkle, create flowers, whatever you like. Seal the bag shut. Then place the bag between two pieces of aluminum foil. WITH AN ADULTS HELP iron the "snadwiched" bag for about 15 seconds. The bag will melt and hold your collage in place. After the collage has cooled, poke a hole in the top centre of the bag with a needle. String it with thread to hang in a window! This is a great way to use left over ribbons, and other craft supplies we all have hanging around!

NAVAJO ART S/B/G

Materials required:: Cardboard or posterboard; pencil; glue; water and paintbrush; coloured sand

The Navajo people have made sand paintings for centuries. They almost always show nature: trees, plants, animals, lightning and other natural things. To make your own painting, you'll need several colours of sand. You can collect this sand from nature, or purchase it at craft stores. Start with your posterboard. Put it on lots of newspaper to collect any mess you might make. use the pencil to draw out your nature picture. Next make a mixture of half white glue and half water. Use the paintbrush to paint a thin, even layer of the glue and water mixture every place hwere you want sand. Do this one colour at a time. Sprinkle sand over the painted areas and let dry for a few minutes. Turn your picture over and tap off the extra sand. Repeat with each colour of sand you have.

STAINED GLASS PICTURE S/B/G

Materials required:: construction paper; pencil and crayons or markers; glue; food colouring; toothpicks

This makes a great picture that looks stained glass, but the great thing is, it won't break!! With your pencil, draw a picture on a piece of construction paper. When you've drawn the picture, use lines to divide it into "pieces" just like a stained glass picture. Add 5 to 10 drops of food colouring to a bottle of glue. Squeeze a line of glue along the lines of the picture to outline each big shape. Use a toothpick to wipe away excess glue. When the glue dries, colour in each area with crayons or markers to give your picture a stained glass look!

EAST INDIAN RICE PICTURES B/G/P

Materials required:: pastel chalk or spices ike ground mustard, cinnamon and paprika; cheese grater; glue; paper plates; white rice; old paintbrush; construction paper

In Eastern India, finger paintings using rice powder mixed with water are painted on walls and floors to accompany harvest and religious festivals. The younger girls will need an adults help, or have the chalk pregrated for them. Grate the chalk onto paper plates, one for each colour. If using spices, put different coloured spices onto different paper plates. Mix uncooked white rice into each colour.
next, dilute craft glue with water. use an old paintbrush to paint a picture on a sheet of construction paper with the diluted glue. Choosing one colour of rice, hold the paper plate like a funnel and pour the coloured rice over the glue. Let it set, then pour off the excess rice. Repeat the process using different colours of rice.

POPCORN FRAME S/B/G

Materials required:: popcorn, air popped or plain microwaved works best; small self standing picture frame, bought or made from cardboard; glue; coloured pebbles or marbles

Be sure to let the popcorn cool off before you begin this cool frame! Don't put butter or salt on it, either. First, glue a layer of popcorn around the edge of the frame. Let the glue dry, then glue some pebble, marbles or any other kind of colourful decorations on the frame. Be creative! Let the glue dry again, and then fill in the gaps with more popcorn!

TOOTHPICK DOLLS B/G

Materials required:: 5 toothpicks; ruler; glue; scissors; embroidery floss

These tiny people make great camp hat crafts, use appropriate Guiding colour floss and they make great gifts for bridging events too!
Smaller girls may need an adults help for this part, or they can be pre done before getting underway with the craft! First cut off 1 1/4" from one end of 1 toothpick. This is the body.
For the legs, cut off 5/8" from the end of 2 toothpicks.
To make the arms, cut off 1 3/4" from one end of the remaining 2 toothpicks. throw away your scraps.
Glue one leg to each side of the toothpick body. Let the glue set. Apply a drop of glue to the side of one leg near the top, and place the end of the embroidery floss on the glue. Wrap the floss around both toothpicks until you get about halfway down, then continue to wrap the floss around just one of the toothpicks, working your way all the way to the bottom.
Trim the floss and glue the end in place.
For the second leg, place a dab of glue just where the floss ended, then put another piece of floss on the glue and wrap it around the toothpick until you get to the bottom. Trim the floss and glue the ends in place.
Wrap each toothpick arm in floss and then glue the arms to the sides of the wrapped body. To make the shoulders, add a dot of glue to the toothpick body just above the floss. Place the end of the floss on the glue and wrap it down around the body 6 or 7 times. Trim and glue the end.
make the head by wrapping floss into a ball around the top of the toothpick body. Trim the floss and glue the end in the back. To make hair, cut several strands of floss, hold together and glue to the top of the head. Trim any excess.

GOD'S EYE B/G/P

Materials required:: 2 sticks the same size (cotton swabs, pencils, popsicle sticks); yarn (several colours look prettiest

This is a nice activity for camp hats (cotton swab size) or as a spare time camp craft. Place 2 sticks together to form an "X". this is the frame for your God's eye. Tie one end of a piece of yarn around the centre of the crossed sticks to hold them together. Make sure the knot is nice and tight so your sticks aren't loose. Hold the frame in one hand and keep the sticks in place. Witht he other hand, wrap the yarn over and around the next arm, and so on. Pull the yarn tight each time. Every time you wrap an arm, push the yarn down snuggly towards the centre. Continue working this way until the God's eye is completed.
You can wrap the entire "X" with the same colour or you can add different colours.
To start a new colour, tie the end of the old colour yarn to an arm of the "X". Make a double knot. Now start a new colour of yarn in the same place by tying it on. continue wrapping. You can add as many colours as you like. Once you get the hang of it, you can make giant ones by using rulers, or teeny tiny ones by using toothpicks!

ROLLED PAPER BEADS B/G/P

Materials required:: old magazines; scissors; ruler; pencil; craft glue; yarn or dental floss; spray acrylic sealer

Cut out 2 or 3 colourful pages from a magazine. use a ruler to mark an inch along the edge of a magazine page. Continue making inch marks along the page, starting at the first 1 inch mark, cut a long triangle from the magazine page. Repeat until you have 20 to 30 triangles.
Starting with the wide end of the triangle, roll it around a pencil. Continue rolling until you reach the point of the triangle. Place a dot of glue at the point of the paper, and smooth the point down. slide the paper bead off the pencil. Repeat until you've made 20 to 30 beads, depending how long you want your necklace to be.
String the beads onto yarn or dental floss. tie the ends together in a double knot. Spread newspaper over your work area and place the necklace on it. With an adult's help, spray acrylic sealer to give your beads a shiny finish!

SPARKS BOOK OF PROMISES S

Materials required:: construction paper; scissors; markers or coloured pencils; pencil; printer paper; stapler

This work work equally well with any age level, but it lends itself particularly well to our little sisters who Promise to Share and Be a Friend!
To make a cover for your book, fold a piece of pink construction paper in half. Draw a heart, with the two bumps at the top and the point facing down. Cut it out, but be sure you don't cut along the fold in the paper at the top of the heart! Fold 3 pieces of printer paper together. Trace the heart on the top piece of paper and cut it out. Write a Promise on each page - they can be serious or silly depending on the occasion. Decorate the pages with pictures that illustrate your promise. Insert your pages into the cover and have your Guider staple the spine.

DUES BAG/CHARM BAG FOR OLDER GIRLS S/B/G

Materials required:: 1 piece of cloth or felt 4x12 inches; 1 piece of string or cord; needle and thread or sewing machine for younger girls

Sparks and Brownies would love this dues bag as a gift on their first night,Guides would love making this cool charm holder for themselves!
Fold the short end of the cloth down 1 inch, making a flap.
Sew the flap about 1/4 inch from the edge. Leave the ends open.
Do the same for the other end of the cloth.
this makes 2 tubes at opposite ends of the cloth. Later, you will put a piece of string or cord through here to make a drawstring.
Next, fold the cloth in half. If the cloth has a pattern, fold so the pattern is on the inside. Sew the sides together about 1/4 inch in from the edge. Stop sewing right before you reach the tubes. Turn your charm bag inside out. Push a piece of string through both tubes and tie the ends of the string together!

APPLE PRINT LINENS S/B/G

Materials required:: 1 Apples; 1 sharp knife; acrylic paints in apple green and red; 1 paper plate; printer paper; purchased fabric napkins/placemats (dollar stores are great!~)/dd>; permanent red marker

On a cutting surface, or for the younger girls have these predone...cut an apple in half, cutting from the top to the bottom and leaving the stem on one side. Be sure to cut straight and smooth so the apple can be used as a stamp for printing.
Put some paints on a paper plate, dip the apple half with stem into the paint, covering the apple and stem. Dab off on paper. Press onto the napkin and placemat where you like it and carefully likft from the fabric.
Repeat this process to desired effect, then let your paint dry.
Use a permanent marker to write sute phrases such as an apple a day...good for you...and more!

AGLOW APPLES S/B/G

Materials required:: 1 variety of apples; sharp knife; hydrogen peroxide; short taper candles; metallic coloured piplecleaners; scissors; ruler; coloured beads/dd>; sequins

choose a variety of apples with fairly symmetrical shapes. Wash and dry the apples. using a knife, cut a hole in the centre of the apple to remove core. Pour hydrogen peroxide into the hole. This prevents the apple from turning brown. drain it. Insert the candle into the hole.
Cutt several pipecleaners to lengths ranging from 6 to 10 inches long. String different beads and sequins onto the chenille stems (pipecleaners). Curl the ends of the pipecleaners if you like. Insert the finished pipecleaners into the apples around the candle. Makes a lovely centre piece for fall camp. This craft can be done with the younger girls if Guiders do alot of the prep work.Don't forget to discuss the dangers of playing with matches and other fire safety topics!

CRUMPLED COVERS G/P

Materials required:: brown paper bags, scissors, album to cover; oil pastel sticks; newspapers, brown shoe polish, paper towel,; gold spray paint, spray adhesive, iron; dried pressed leaves; raffia; glossy decoupage medium; paintbrush/dd>

Cut a piece of brown paper bag larger than the size of the photo album you want to be covered. Lay it flat and color the entire surface randomly using the oil pastel sticks. Apply the colour heavily, overlap it if you like.
Crumple the coloured paper with colour side inward. Holding under running water, squeeze paper until completely soaked. Then squeeze out the extra water.
Lay the wet, wrinkled coloured paper onto newspapers. Begin dabbing a generous amount of shoepolish onto the wet wrinkled paper. Let the polish soak into the wrinkles. Dab off extra shoe polish with paper towels. This will add a lovely aged effect to your album cover.
Lay the wet, coloured, wrinkled and now shoe polished paper onto newspaper and lightly spray with a mist of gold spray paint from an angle. Spray lightly so the paint does not cover the crevices. Let the paper dry.
Cover ironing board. Iron with a cool iron on wrong side (coloured and painted side DOWN)leaving a texture. Apply spray adhesive to the back of the paper and lay on work surface with sticky side up. Lay album front onto paper, allowing the paper to extend off the edges. Trim each side to make a neat edge, leaving enought to fold inward. Fold them in neatly, using extra adhesive if required.
Paint a coat of glossy decoupage medium over surface of the now covered album. Let dry.
Spray a dried, pressed leaf and a small amount of raffia gold. Let them dry.
Apply a generous amount of decoupage medium to area where you want the leaf and raffia placed. Arrange items on paper, paint decoupage over leaf and raffia until secured.
Enjoy your beautifully home made album!

CARRY ME CAN S/B

Materials required:: tall can, like pringles...; construction paper; thick white craft glue; stickers or paper cut outs; clear self adhesive vinyl (mack tack); ribbon; ice pick; 2 brad fasteners

Wrap the container with paper, gluing the ends to the container. Let the glue dry.
Place stickers or glue cut outs onto paper as desired. Cover the container with vinyl. Wrap and glue ribbon around the top and bottom of the container. Let that dry.
Poke holes on both sides of the top of the can using the ice pick (GROWN UP JOB!!!) Insert brad fasteners into the holes. Tie the ends of the ribbon to the fasteners to create a handle. Carry circle pencils, dues or anything, would look really sute with a circle emblem glued to the lid.

ROCKIN WRITERS S/B

Materials required:: 2 pipecleaners; 1 1/2 inch wood bead; scissors; 2 small beads; thumbtack; pencil; permanent marker

Fold a pipecleaner in ahlf, making a small loop in the middle. Bring the pipecleaner ends together. Push wood bead over both ends. Wrap the middle of the second pipecleaner below the wood bead to create the creatures arms.
Trim about 1 inch off the arms and loop one small bead on either emd to form hands. Attach the creature the pencil by inserting a thumbtack through the creatures feet and then push into the pencil eraser.
Give your creature character by drawing a funny face on the wood bead with permanent marker.

LASTING IMPRESSIONS S/B

Materials required:: clean foam food tray; dull pencil; washable paint; paintbrush; heavy weight paper

This is a great way to make holidat cards with the little ones! Using a dull pencil, draw a picture in the bottom of a clean foam tray. Then brush washable paint over the drawing in the tray.
Then lay a piece of construction paper over the painted area. Gently press down and then peel up the paper and let dry! Quick and simple!

COFFEE FILTER ANGELS G

Materials required:: 3 coffee filters; 3 inch foam cone, styrofoam; 1 inch foam ball, styrofoam; 12 inches of 1/4 inch gold ribbon; white thread, hot glue gun and sticks; 1 gold plastic ring; 1 round toothpick

Centre one coffee filter on the top of the cone. Push the toothpick three quarters of the way into the cone and filter. Push the 1 inch ball onto the tooth pick to add the head.
Centre the second filter over the head. tie a ribbon bow around the neck.
Fold the third filter in half and pleat it at the centre to form wings. Tie in the centre with thread. Hot glue the centre of the wings to the back of the angel at the neck. Glue the ring to the top of the head for a halo, and voila, a christmas angel!

BEADED BELLS G/P

Materials required:: beading wire and wire cutters; glass beads; 2 jingle bells; green ribbon; cord or thin ribbon for hanging; ruler

Thread a 2 foot length of wire full of glass beads. Form the length of the beaded wire into a bell shape by bending it back and forth into approximately 14 rows.the first row should be about 1 1/2 inches wide. The following rows should increase in width slowly until the last row is about 3 inches.
Cut 2 lengths of wire, each 6 inches long. Thread the wire down through the end bead of each row. Use one wire for each side of the bell. These 2 wires will hold the bell together. Thread the jingle bells onto a 3 inch length of wire and twist them to the middle base of the bell.
Loop ahanging cord throught the top of the bell and then tie a green ribbon bow to the hanging cord.

REINDEER FACE S/B

Materials required:: construction paper in red, white, black, brown,yellow and green; scissors; glue or tape; pencil

For the head, trace around a large shoe onto the brown construction paper. For the antlers, trace aound your hands on the yellow construction paper. Cut out the pieces.
Cut out 2 white circles and 2 smaller black circles for the eyes. Cut out a red circle for the nose.For the hat, cut out a red triangle, a white circle and white "fur trim". Cut out a green bow tie. Glue together all your pieces for a cute reindeer holiday face!

ACORN ELVES G/P

Materials required:: acorns with caps; hot glue gun and glue sticks; Pistachio shells; Coriander seeds or simlar sized seed; gold spray paint; small paintbrush and acrylic paints in red, green and blue; fine black permanent marker; drill with very fine bit; fine gold wire; wire cutters; multi coloured beads

Wash and dry the acorns. Their caps may come off, but they can be easily glued back on.
Using the hot glue gun, glue on ears and nose. Use the pistachio shells for ears and the coriander seeds for the nose. Glue the nose in the centre of the face area, about 1/3 of the way down, so it sits on the top portion of the face.
Lay acorns on a paper and spray with the gold paint. Let dry, then turn over and spray the other side. Spray a second coat if needed.
Paint caps any colour of the acrylic paint that you like. Use the small paintbrush for this.Let dry.
Use the fine permanent marker to draw faces. You can add eyelids or lashes or whatever you like.
Drill small holes in the stems with a very fine drill bit. String a 14 inch piece of very fine wire through the hole. Bring the ends up equally on both sides and twist wire together. String about 2 inches of multicoloured beads to the wire.
Make a loop to hang ornament and string the loose end of the wire back down into the beads until secured.

STACKING SANTAS S/B

Materials required:: dinner and snack sized paper plates in holiday colours; scissors, stapler, tracing paper, pencil; thick white glue; white felt, coloured paper or foamie; googly eyes, pom poms, buttons or other desired trim; embroidery floss in red and green

Cut the paper plate in half. Overlap the cut ends and staple together.
use a large circle of flesh coloured foamie for Santas face. Glue on his google eyes.
Use the white felt, paper or foamie to give santa white hair and a beard.
use a small pink pom pom for his nose. Embellish with paper gloves, buttons and pom poms as you like. use the embroidery floss at the top in hanging fashion. If you make 3 Santas in different sizes, you can stack them as a cute holiday decoration!

SPARKLING CONE TREES G/P

Materials required:: foam cones, styrofoam; crepe paper (streamers in shades of green); gold headed pins or straight pins; gold star sequins; gold beads; thin pipecleaners

Starting at the base of the foam cone, wrap the streamer around the cone, working upwards, overlapping the layers until the entire cone is covered. Insert a pin into the top of the cone to secure the crepe paper.
Decorate the tree by threading a gold bead, then a star, then a sequin onto a gold pin. Push them into the crepe covered cone. Repeat the process until the tree is decorated to your satisfaction.
Thread 3 gold beads onto a thin pipecleaner, fold the stem then thread on 3 more. This creates one star point. Twist the pipecleaner stems together to form a star. Push the pipecleaner into the top of the cone.

TUMBLED CANDLES G/P

Materials required:: glass tumblers; tissue paper in assorted colours; glue stick; scissors; small candle/dd>

Carefully cut out holiday shapes out of the tissue paper, stars, trees, holly and berries are just some ideas.
Apply glue stick to the back of the tissue paper shapes and press them onto the outside of the tumbler. Experiment with layering colourful shapes over one another! Just remember, never leave a burning candle unattended!

GUIDING GET WELL MUG S/B/G/P

Materials required:: oven safe mug or soup bowl; ceramic paints in bright colours, like bold guiding colours; disposable plate; paintbrushes in a variety of thicknesses

This is a great craft for everyone in Guiding to make when they know of someone who is ill, it is also a great idea for a community service craft!
Wash and dry the bowl or mug, the dollar store is a great place to find these oversized mugs! Avoid touching where you want to paint.
Place small amounts of paint onto a disposable plate. This paint dries fast, though. Paint desired \phrases in random directions, even overlapping one another! use a wide brush for wide letters and a thin brush for the smaller ones. Guiders could help the little ones, or they could copy phrases written on a board for them such as "Get well...feel better...love you...hugs and kisses...rest up etc
let the sentiments dry.
Adults, or older girls, bake the painted piece in the oven if required (depends on the paint you bought) Let cool, and make a person feeling blue feel better!

FLOWER SPRINKLED UMBRELLA S/B/G

Materials required:: flat, expandable sponges; permanent black marking pen; scissors; fabric paint in bright colours; umbrella

Draw simple stem, leaf, tulip shape on sponges using the marker and cut out. Thses can be done ahead of time for the girls. You could use templates or cookie cutters if you like. Soak the sponges and then wring out.
Cover a work surface with newspapers. Squeeze green paints on the stem and leaves. Open your umbrella. hold the stem sponge by it's sides and press it on the fabric. Hold your other hand undernath the umbrella to add pressure.
use the same method to stamp your flowers onto the umbrella. use your imagination and let dry! Great spring camp craft! (Wouldn't they be cute in Spark pink and Brownie Peach??!!

SEA GLASS JEWELLERY G/P

Materials required:: sea glass; gold wire, jump rings; leather cord

This is a sure fire hit with the older girls! Wrap each piece of glass with a 6 inch piece of wire carefully trapping the glass on all sides. Attach to the leather cording and tightly twist the wires together, then cut away the extra. Fold the twisted flat wire against the glass.