THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 8, 1994 TAG: 9411080035
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: [Sherrie Boyer]
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
IT TOOK THE GIRLS only a moment to decide: Yes, the Pilgrims did have sparkle houses fit for movie stars. But then, why hold off on the glitter when you've already created a pink-and-purple village?
So much for the earthy Thanksgiving centerpiece we set out to create. Armed with milk cartons, paint brushes and the understanding that Pilgrims built with trees cut into logs, Allio and her friend, Katherine, both 5, chose their paint colors accordingly. Rose Shimmer instead of Territorial Beige. Pure Silver instead of Maple Syrup. Brown didn't stand a chance.
They coated their cartons, pink along edges, purple down the sides, Blue Topaz on the rear. They cut pink and yellow construction paper to glue on as windows and doors. As the houses took shape, the girls sprinkled glitter with the ample hand of a cook adding spice.
``It's a Christmas village,'' Katherine decided. ``They have their lights on.''
This is fall craft time. Time to bring in all those wonderful colors from outside - red-tinged leaves and brown acorns, blackened magnolia pods and bright berries. But the natural colors that inspired the crafts inspired the children in colors nature never intended.
We made apple turkeys for the first time, and while we did use apples, only the children could see the turkey. We layered leaves on wax paper and ironed them to make stained glass leaf pictures. We could have potted magnolia buds, fingerprinted corn stalks or carved apple faces.
All of these are fun.
To make apple turkeys, poke an apple with toothpicks and add whatever is handy. Marshmallows are traditional and usually appear as the head or giant feet. Carrot rounds are popular as feathers, although we used puffy Cheez Doodles. Raisins, cranberries and gumdrops make excellent eyes and bumpy sides. Gummy worms are great as that flappy red thing that hangs below the beak.
To make leaf pictures, place leaves between two sheets of wax paper, then top with a sheet of newspaper. Iron (you do this, not the children) with a warm steam iron. The wax will melt together, gluing the leaves down. Trim in an oval or square shape and glue strips of construction paper to the edges as a border. Tape the framed picture to a sunny window.
To make a village, use small paper milk cartons (rinsed well). Open the carton fully at the top, then cut along the folds of the two indented sides, leaving a triangle on each. When you close the carton again, the two triangles will stand up, instead of falling inward. Staple the spout closed, then paint. Once the base color dries, paint windows, doors and other trim details, or glue on construction paper details.
For wigwams or tepees, you can use upside down yogurt containers or wrap a small piece of construction paper into the shape of a birthday hat and staple. Cut a small door in one side and paint. When dry, spear the edges with glue and sprinkle with dried grass or moss. Paint a brown bag mat as the land on which the village sits.
To pot magnolia buds, cram a tuna can with old modeling clay and stand a bud upright in the center. Paint the can and bud with fall colors and tie with a yarn bow.
To make a corn stalk picture, pencil in the shape of a corn cob on paper, then dot orange, yellow and blue paint with your fingertip, letting the colors blend so the result is muted Indian corn. When the paint dries, surround the cob with a husk glued to the paper. by CNB