How to Make an Earth Day Soda Bottle flower light

This flower light bulb craft is a great way to spend a rainy weekend, and also a terrific way to teach kids about recycling and reusing everyday objects. Explain to your child that there’s more than one way to recycle one thing into something else. You can turn used soda bottles into a string of flower lights for spring!

How to Make an Earth Day Soda Bottle Flower Light


flower-light-bulb-main


Crafts Materials Needed


flower-light-bulb-what-youll-need


String of small lights
A 16 oz soda bottle
Craft foam
Paint suitable for plastic (I used Calypso All-Purpose Acrylic Paint which dried nicely and fast)
Craft foam in green
Floral wire
Scissors
Tape (green tape or floral tape optional)


flower-light-bulb-step-one


1. Cut off the top section of the bottle.

2. Trim the cut end into petal shapes. Child-size scissors (and hands!) are good for this as they can maneuver more easily inside the bottle.



flower-light-bulb-step-three


3. Paint the outside of the bottle and allow to dry.


flower-light-bulb-step-four


4. While the paint is drying, cut two 5″ pieces of floral wire. Wrap around the base of the flower as shown, twisting the ends on each side of the base.


flower-light-bulb-step-five


5. Cut petal shapes into a 2″ x 5″ piece of green craft foam.


flower-light-bulb-step-six


6. When paint is dry, wrap petal piece around the base of the flower as shown. I used green floral tape to cover the regular clear tape I had used to make it look neater and prettier.


flower-light-bulb-step-seven


7. Insert a light into the hole in the base. Then take each set of two floral wire ends and wrap around the light string as seen above.


flower-light-bulb-finished-product


Voila, you have your own flower light! Repeat the process as many times as you’d like to string the lights around the yard for a party or in your child’s room.

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How to Make Pinecone Turkeys

Oh boy, do I have a fun craft for you today perfect for the Thanksgiving season.  Today I’m going to show you how to make Pinecone Turkeys perfect for Thanksgiving.  These pinecone turkeys will look great around the house as Thanksgiving decorations.  Plus, your kids will love to make them.  They are a lot of fun and your kids will have great pride in knowing they made items you could actually put around the house as decorations.  So, grab the materials needed and let’s get started.

Check out our other Thanksgiving Crafts.



How to Make Pinecone Turkeys



 

Materials Needed

Pinecone

Tan Puffball

Glue

Googly Eyes

Yellow Felt or Foam

Red Felt

Orange Pipe Cleaner

Different Color Pipe Cleaner, Construction Paper or Craft Feathers

 

Step 1



Get a pinecone.



Get a pinecone.


Step 2



Glue a tan puffball to the top of pinecone.



Glue a tan puffball to the top of pinecone.

 

Step 3



Glue googly eyes on.



Glue googly eyes on.

 

Step 4



Cut yellow triangle out of felt or foam and glue on face.



Cut yellow triangle out of felt or foam and glue on face.

 

Step 5



Draw a #7 like shape on red felt like above picture.  Glue red felt on top of beak.



Draw a #7 like shape on red felt like above picture.  Glue red felt on top of beak.

 

Step 6



Wrap orange pipe cleaner around pinecone.



Wrap orange pipe cleaner around pinecone.  Then take smaller pieces of pipe cleaner to make claws.

 

Step 7



Loop pipe cleaners and stick into back of pinecone for feathers.



Loop pipe cleaners and stick into back of pinecone for feathers.  Or, use paper or craft feathers.

And, now you are all finished.  You just made your Pincone Turkey.  Now, use it to decorate your house for Thanksgiving.  Actually, make a few to put around the house….. everyone will love it!!

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How to Make Cone May Baskets

I have a fun craft for you that will totally get you in the Spring mood.  I’m going to show you how to make a Cone May Basket.  May is all about the Spring flowers.  Well, imagine how beautiful a basket will be filled with some of those magnificent flowers.  Or, perhaps you want to give this Cone May Basket to someone special…. well, why not fill it with candy.  The receiver will surely love it!!  Either way this Cone May Basket will surely be enjoyed.  So, grab the materials needed and let’s get started.

Check out our other Spring Crafts.



How to Make Cone May Baskets



 

Materials Needed

Printer

Paper

Scissors

Crayons or Markers

Paste

Items to Fill the Basket With

 

Click on template images below to make larger and to print.

8×11 Template



May Basket Template 8x11



 

Larger Template



May Basket Larger Template



 

Step 1



Print out template.



Print out template.


Step 2



Cut out pattern.



Cut out pattern.

 

Step 3



Decorate paper.



Decorate paper.

 

Step 4



Fold to look like image above.  Paste the tab to the other edge.



Fold to look like image above.  Paste the tab to the other edge.

 

Step 5



Cut a long strip of paper and use for the handle.



Cut a long strip of paper and use for the handle.  Paste the handle.

 

Step 6



Fill with flowers or treats.



Fill with flowers or treats.  Now your basket is finished.  What did you fill your basket with?  Are you keeping it for yourself or are you giving it away as a gift this May?  Let me know in the comments below.

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How to Make Drinking Straw Flowers

I have a fun craft for you today.  In this post I will show you how to make Drinking Straw Flowers.  The supplies are for just one flower, but make a whole bunch and you have yourself a bouquet.  They would look fun and festive this Spring in a vase or pot.  Any age child will enjoy making these flowers even the youngest of crafters.  So, grab the materials needed and let’s get started with this craft.

Check out our other Drinking Straw Crafts.



How to Make Drinking Straw Flowers



 

Materials Needed

Drinking Straw

Scissors

Green Pipe Cleaner

Colored Pom Pom

Glue

 

Step 1



Cut the end of the straw about 1/2 inch down.



Cut the end of the straw about 1/2 inch down.  Do many of these cuts.


Step 2



Cut a bit down from the slits you made.



Cut a bit down from the slits you made.

 

Step 3



Spread out petals.  Push green pipe cleaner up thru bottom.



Spread out petals.  Push green pipe cleaner up thru bottom.

 

Step 4



Bend green pipe cleaner so it won't fall out of flower.



Bend green pipe cleaner so it won’t fall out of flower.  Then glue colored pom pom in center.

 



Finished Drinking Straw Flowers



And, there you have it…. you just finished your Drinking Straw Flower.  How did it turn out for you.  Now, make a few and put together a beautiful bouquet of Drinking Straw Flowers.

Here is our video on how to Make Drinking Straw Flowers.

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How to Make Egg Carton Tulips for Spring

I have a fun and creative Spring craft for you today.  I’m going to show you how to make Egg Carton Tulips for Spring.  This craft is a great way to use up all those egg cartons you have laying around after Easter.  Nothing like recycling items and using them to create something beautiful.  And these tulips are no exception….. they come out looking so colorful.  Just the perfect craft to make and give to you Mom or Grandma to help them celebrate Spring.  They will surely love this item….. so let’s get started.

Check out our other Spring Crafts.



How to Make Egg Carton Tulips for Spring



 

Materials Needed

Egg Carton

Scissors

Different Color Paints

Pipe Cleaners

Tissue Paper same Color as Paint

Green Construction Paper

Pot full of Dirt

 

Step 1



Cut out egg carton cups so they look a bit like this.



Cut out egg carton cups so they look a bit like this.  Cut the 4 corners like above.


Step 2



Paint egg cups beautiful colors.



Paint egg cups beautiful colors.

 

Step 3



Poke hole in bottom of egg cups.



Poke hole in bottom of egg cups.  Stick pipe cleaner up this hole.

 

Step 4



Put a small square of tissue paper into the egg cup and let pipe cleaner push thru tissue paper.



Put a small square of tissue paper into the egg cup and let pipe cleaner push thru tissue paper.  Bend pipe cleaner to keep it on.

 

Step 5



Cut out a green leaf and stick it on bottom of pipe cleaner.



Cut out a green leaf … poke a hole in it… stick it on bottom of pipe cleaner.

 

Step 6



Stick pipe cleaners in vase full of dirt



Stick pipe cleaners in vase full of dirt … and leaves will stay on and flowers will stand up tall.  Give to Mom or Grandma.

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How to Make a Nature Treasure Bowl

Mother nature is absolutely beautiful….. just breathtaking.  Did you ever wish you could hold some of nature in a jar so you can look at it whenever you want?  Well, today I’m going to show you how to do just that.  In this post I’m going to show you how to make a Nature Treasure Bowl.  Simply take a walk in a park or in the woods and collect some of the things you find along the way like acorns, stones, pine cones…. whatever you want to place in a jar.  So, let’s get started.

Laura from Dacian Moon Handmade will show you how to make this decorative bowl step by step.







 

Materials Needed

– transparent bowl
– moss – or you can use decorative green scented sand from the store, like me.
– 2 acorns
– 2 stones
– 1 pine cone
– 1 little twig






 

Step 1

Take the transparent bowl …







… and place the moss / green sand in it (about a half of bowl)







 


Step 2

Let’s start with the twig.







It should be in the middle and we’ll decorate around it.







 

Step 3

Place the stones on the sides of the twig.







 

Step 4

Add the acorns…







And in the middle of it place the pine cone.







Now it looks complete. You have a little piece of the woods in your home.







Feel free to use your own creativity to make your Nature Treasure Bowl how you see fit.  You can even do this project using normal sand, shells, starfish… to bring the sea home to you.

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How To Make a Fresh Flower Bracelet

Spring is so close you could almost taste it.  And, with that being said I thought we would celebrate Spring with doing a craft that is totally about flowers.  Today I’m going to show you how to make a Fresh Flower Bracelet.  If you would prefer you could make this into a garland by making the Fresh Flower bracelet even longer.  The choice is yours.  I used the Temple Flower for this craft.  Fresh flowers look best.  So, let’s get started.

Check out our other Spring Crafts.







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Materials Needed

8-10 pieces of fresh flowers (per bracelet, more for garland)
string
needle (medium hole)
scissors

 

Step 1

Clean flowers, make sure bugs or insects are not present. You do not necessarily need to wash them.


Step 2

Place string inside the needle hole and poke it inside the flower, with its petals facing towards you.

 

Step 3

With the needle point slightly out on the back, gently pull it out and do the same procedure until the desired length.

 

Step 4

Check length if it is enough to cover the wrist. With a scissors, cut the string.

 

Step 5

Make a knot to securely tie both ends. Adjust accordingly.

And, your gorgeous Fresh Flower Bracelet is complete.  Doesn’t it look absolutely beautiful…. and if you used fresh flowers like I did it should smell equally lovely.  Enjoy!!

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How to Make a Sunflower Full of Seeds

Spring is literally right around the corner.  And, I thought since Spring is almost here that we could make a beautiful sunflower full of seeds to hang up in your house to get you in the Spring spirit.  If you are feeling a bit of the early spring blah’s, or simply want an easy craft to do with your children, then this is the perfect craft for you.  The finished sunflower was made by a 4 year old so this is an excellent preschool craft.  So, grab the materials needed and let’s get this fun Spring craft started.

Check out our other Spring Crafts.


sunflower-finished


 

Materials Needed

  • Construction paper (brown, yellow (I used light yellow), green)
  • Scissors
  • White Glue
  • Seeds (I used a mixed seed but you can use sunflower seeds only)
  • Small Plate (to create a circle)
  • Markers


supplies


 

Step 1

After you have gathered your supplies, place the plate on the brown construction paper.  If you have a compass, you can use that but many times, I find that people don’t have some things handy.  Using a marker, trace around the plate to make a circle.  Cut out the circle and set aside.


circle


 


Step 2

With the yellow paper, cut out small finger shaped (or petal shaped) strips with a rounded edge on the top.  Cut about a dozen of the shapes and set aside for later. If your child is skilled at cutting, you can draw out the shapes and then have her cut them for you.



Sunflower Leaves



 

Step 3

Draw the stem and leaves in the green construction paper and either cut it out yourself or have your child cut it.


sunflower-stem


 

Step 4

Once you have everything cut out, it is time to assemble the sunflower.  Start by gluing the “petals” around the outer edge of the circle.  Once your child has placed all the petals, have them place a small dot of glue onto the front of the stem and then attach it to the back of the sunflower.


supplies-2


 

Step 5

Spread glue to the center of the sunflower on the front and then spread seeds across the glued surface.  Tap off the excess and then lay it flat to dry.


seeds


Once the artwork is dry, you can hang it on the wall or in a window to bring a bit of sunshine into your house…. even if it is raining outside.  Enjoy!!

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How to Make a Leaf Print Picture

Spring will be here before you know it.  And this activity is a great excuse to spend some time outdoors.   With this activity you will need to go outdoors and collect leaves of different shapes and sizes.  You will paint them and use them as a stamp to create a picture of your choosing.  This craft is a lot of fun and the cool part is that no Leaf Print Picture will ever be the same.  Use your creativity to paint a bunch of different pictures.  So, grab some leaves and let’s get started.

Check out our other Garden & Plant Crafts.









 

Materials Needed

Leaves

Tempera paints

Paintbrush

Paper





 

Step 1

Collect leaves of different shapes and sizes.  Arrange them to form a design that you like.





 


Step 2

Apply paint on the underside of a leaf.







 

Step 3

Press it on the paper to form a print.







 

Step 4

Print more leaves similarly to form a design.







 

Step 5

Add a border and other details.









And, there you have it….. now, put it up on your wall and celebrate the coming of Spring!!  How did your Leaf Print Picture turn out?  Let me know in the comments below.  And, make sure to take a picture of it and add that to the comments as well…. I’d love to see it.

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How to Make Leaf Print Gift Wrap Paper

Celebrate spring by making this pretty wrapping paper with leaves from the garden. All you need is some paper, paint and a leaf.  It’s lots of fun to do, and it will be great to wrap your next birthday gift in.  I don’t know about you, but I never seem to have enough wrapping paper in the house.  Or, I have wrapping paper, but it is the same wrapping paper I use for everyone’s gift.  You can be rest assured that no one else will have this Leaf Print Gift Wrap.  So, let’s get started.







 

Materials Needed

Gold paint

Leaf

Black chart paper

Paintbrush







 

Step 1

Take a leaf with a pretty design and paint gold paint on the underside.







 


Step 2

Press the painted side on the black paper. You can use a piece of newspaper to press it on to the black paper.







 

Step 3

Repeat this process many times to make a beautiful pattern.







 

Step 4

Your gift paper is ready. Let it dry and store it for later use.  Imagine how impressed the receiver of this gift wrap will be?!  So impressed!!  The paper really turns out beautiful.

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How to Make a Dried Flower Pendant

Today I’m going to show you how to make a Dried Flower Pendant.  I know we are smack dab in the middle of Winter, but I thought this would be a great way to bring a bit of Spring back in our lives.  Using a few dried flowers, or whatever materials you would rather use, you can make this super beautiful Pendant.  Imagine all the comments you would get on this pendant when you wore it…. and your excitement telling them that you made it yourself.  You would be so proud.  So, grab the materials needed and let’s get started.

Check out our other Jewelry Crafts.

Step by step tutorial offered by Laura from Dacian Moon Handmade







 

Materials Needed

– cardboard (4 cm x 4 cm)
– dried flower
– dried moss (or you can use decorative green scented sand from the store, like me)
– craft glue
– scissors
– pin






 

Step 1

Cut the cardboard in the shape you want your pendant to be.







I chose this shape because this way my pendant will be easier to match with my clothes.







 


Step 2

Make a hole on the upper part of the pendant, so you can put it on chain or cord when it is ready. For the moment keep the pin there, to prevent the glue from going there.







 

Step 3

Apply a generous layer of glue.







 

Step 4

Carefully place the moss on the glue, or pour decorative sand on it (plenty of it).







 

Step 5

Let it dry well.







 

Step 6

When is completely dried, turn it upside down so the extra decorative sand falls off.

*If you use dried moss you don’t need to do that.







 

Step 7

Apply a layer of glue on the dried flower (on one part of it)…







… and place it where you want on the pendant. Press as hard as you can without destroying the flower.







 

Step 8

Let it dry well.







This is the finished pendant, ready to be worn.







Doesn’t it turn out nice?  Did you make your pendant like mine or were you super creative and did it differently from mine?  Let me know in the comments below.  Don’t forget you can take a picture of your Dried Flower Pendant and leave it in your comments as well.  I’d love to see it.

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How to Make a Miniature Garden Craft

We are right smack in the middle of Winter…. and if you are anything like me you are missing Spring pretty badly about now.  Well, I have a way to bring a little bit of Spring into your house.  Today I’m going to show you how to make a Miniature Garden for your house.  We are going to build this miniature garden in an ice cube tray.  So, ask your Mom or Dad if they have an extra ice cube tray for you to borrow.   You can follow my miniature garden step-by-step or you can be creative and come up with your own variations.  Either way….. let’s get started.







 

Materials Needed

Ice cube tray

Popsicle sticks

Twigs

Craft paper

Crepe paper- green

Cellophane paper/ transparent plastic

Scissors

Tape







 

Step 1

Cut bits of blue paper and use it to line a few cubes to make a pond.







 


Step 2

Cut a few pieces of cellophane paper and put it in the cubes. Seal the top with a layer of tape to give it a shining top.







 

Step 3

Take brown and black paper and make small balls. Fill up a few cubes to make a rockery.







 

Step 4

Cut out strips of green crepe paper and make slits on the top as shown and put them in the rest of the cubes for grass. Cut wider strips at the back to make taller grass.







 

Step 5

Cut out outlines of trees and tape the back to a Popsicle stick to make trees. Tape them to the edge of the cubes.







 

Step 6

Cut out flowers and tape them to the back of twigs and tape these to the sides of the cube.







 

Step 7

Your garden is ready.







And there you go…. you have just finished your very own miniature garden craft.  You now have a little touch of spring for your house.  Put it on a window sill where you can see it often…. it will remind you that Spring is on its way.

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How to Make a Pressed Flower Card

Today I’m going to show you how to make a Pressed Flower Card.  This card can be used for any occasion that comes around.  Imagine the excitement of anyone who receives this greeting card.  They are sure to love it.  Made from flowers and construction paper your kids are sure to have a lot fun making this card.  So grab the materials needed and let’s get started.

Check out our other Greeting Card crafts.

   





 

Materials Needed

fresh flowers of your choice (can include a little stem and leaves)

Construction Paper (any preferred color and size)

book

glue

scissors

colored pen

 

Step 1

Make sure flowers are free from insects. Arrange flowers and gently press it against the pages of the book. Leave it there for 2 hours or more.


Step 2

Fold paper crosswise so it resembles a greeting card.

 

Step 3

When the flowers are ready, gently take them out and place them in the front side of the card… this is to roughly measure if there is enough space. Trimming stems and leaves may be necessary to fit in the card. Be careful when holding the flowers as they are fragile.

 

Step 4

With a glue, slowly start tracing the stems first. Let glue sit there for about a minute before placing flowers back. Then continue with the leaves, finishing with the flowers.

 

Step 5

With all parts glued to the paper, press it again with the book and leave it for 30 minutes or so.

 

Step 6

Check if all flower parts are properly glued. Then using a colored pen, write your message inside the card.

 

And your card is ready!   How beautiful is this card?!  And, it is unique from any other card…. that makes this greeting card even cooler.  You will find no other card like this.  Now, who are you going to send your first Pressed Flower Card to?

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How to Make Wallpaper Wax Flower Sculptures

This craft is all about taking ugly wallpaper and transforming it into beautiful 3-dimensional flowers. This craft only has 3 steps and is pretty simple to complete once you get the hang of it. You will need an adult, such as mom or dad, to assist you with dipping the wallpaper flower structures into hot wax. But other than that, you can complete these on your own.

How to Make Wallpaper Wax Flower Sculptures



How to Make Wallpaper Wax Sculptures



CRAFTS MATERIALS NEEDED

Flowers cut from Wallpaper

Melted candles or parafin wax (adult supervision / assistance needed)

2 Pronged Paper Fasteners

MAKING THE WAX SCULPTURES

Step 1


wallpaper-wax-sculptures-01


Cut out flower cluster from wall paper, as in Figure 1.

Step 2


wallpaper-wax-sculptures-02


Cut out several single flowers of the same design. Cut hides of flower petals into center, as shown by broken line in Figure 2.

Step 3



wallpaper-wax-sculptures-03




With a two-pronged paper fastener, attach single flowers to center flower in flower cluster. (Figure 1) Bend petals of top flowers upward.

An adult should do this next part. Ask an adult to dip assembled flower into melted wax. These flower. will float, as in Figure 3.

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How to Make Paper Lantern for The Chinese New Years Celebration

The Chinese New Year is coming up and this crafts project reminded me of a Chinese Paper Lantern. Today, we will show you how to make this easy-to-make arts and crafts project. These are also great for birthday parties, Christmas decorations, and other joyous get-together celebrations where you need fun decorations. Have fun..the instructions are below.

Here are Even More Chinese New Years Crafts



How to Make Paper Lantern for The Chinese New Years Celebration



How to Make Paper Lantern for The Chinese New Years Celebration

Crafts Materials Needed

– Sheet of colored paper 9 inches and 6 inches wide

– Scissors

– Ruler

– Glue or Paste

– ( Optional ) Jar Cover Lid and Tape

– String to String Up the Lantern to a Tree or Something Else

Step 1



Step 1 : Making Chinese Paper Lanterns Arts and Crafts Project Ideas



Take a sheet of colored paper 9 inches and 6 inches wide and draw 2 lines 1/2 inch from each edge as shown in Figure 1.

Step 2



Step 2 : Making Chinese Paper Lanterns Arts and Crafts Project Ideas



Then fold the paper in the middle lengthwise. Now cut the paper as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. These lines measure 1/4 of an inch apart. After all the cuts have been made, cut off the left-hand strip marked A in Fig.2.


Step 3



Step 3 : Making Chinese Paper Lanterns Arts and Crafts Project Ideas



Now open the paper. Figure 3.



bend the cut paper to form a circle. Paste end tabs B and C to those marked D and E.



Put paste on the end tabs, marked B and C, and bend the cut paper to form a circle. Paste end tabs B and C to those marked D and E. When this has been done you will have a paper lantern like the one shown in Fig. 4. Add a handle to the lantern. It is then ready to be used for a Halloween, a Christmas tree, The Chinese New Year,  or garden party decoration.

If desired, a jar lid / cover may be used for a bottom to your paper lantern. This cover must fit exactly into the space at the bottom of the lantern, and be pasted or Scotch-taped into place.



String Up Your Paper Lanters for a Party



Now String up those paper lanterns to help celebrate The Chinese New Year, or other fun party get-together…such as a birthday party.

Here are Even More Chinese New Years Crafts

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Make Mom a Mother’s Day Flower Card Crafts Activity for Kids

Mother’s Day is a special day for Moms and all Moms want to be treated special on that day (and all days actually). Make this beautiful card for mother’s day with the following easy directions for the following arts and crafts activity for kids. Its something new, unique and different and I’m sure mom will love it!!

Make Mom a Mother’s Day Flower Card Crafts Activity for Kids







Craft materials required:

Thick colored paper

Scissors

Glue







Step 1

Fold a piece of paper the size of a card into two







Step 2

Cut a few strips of colored paper about 1/4th of an inch wide.








Step 3

Roll it into a ball as shown.







Step 4

Leave it loose to get the effect shown below. Glue the end of the roll, so that it cannot unravel further.







Step 5

Now press one edge between your fingers so that it looks like a petal







Step 6

Make a few petals like this and glue them together as shown.







Step 7

Cut a strip of green paper of the same width







Step 8

Roll it around a crayon







Step 9

cut out a piece about 3 inches long







Step 10

Fold the edge as shown







Step 11

Glue the other end to the folded part to make a leaf.





Step 12

Glue it on your card to make a flower as shown below. Write a message for your mom and give it to her.







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