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This tradition is
enjoyed by Hindus, Muslims and Christians alike. Because the scarecrow is
thought to ward off predators that would take the harvest it is an
important symbol. Using two straw hats, it is easy to make an adorable
scarecrow to dress up you home for the harvest season.
You will need the following supplies for
this craft:
1 Large Straw Hat
1 Small Straw Hat
Hot Glue Gun
Decorative Crafting Ribbon (3 yards)
Dried Wheat Sprig and Silk Flowers
1" or 2" Sponge Brush
Med. Stipple Brush
Natural Colored Raffia
Permanent Black Marker or Paint Pen
Acrylic Paints
Orange
Flesh Color or Off-White
Red and other Harvest Colors
Clear Coat Spray Sealer
Start by cutting the small straw hat in two
right down the middle leaving half the brim and crown of the hat on one
side and half on the other side. You will only need one side for this
craft.
Next, paint the crown of the large straw
hat flesh color or off-white using your sponge brush. This will be the
scarecrow's face. Do not paint the brim of the large hat, leave it the
natural straw color to match the small straw hat.
After the paint has dried. Paint on the
rest of the scarecrows facial features. This part can be as easy or as
advanced as you want it to be. For a simple scarecrow, painting the nose
red or orange in the shape of a triangle. (pointy end up) Eyes can be oval
or triangle shaped as well. Always allow one color of paint to dry before
applying the next.
To paint the cheeks, use a dry stipple
brush and work off most of the red paint blotting it on a paper towel.
Using a pouncing motion gently pounce the cheeks in a circular motion.
Feather lightly around the edges.
Using a black paint pen or sharpie
permanent marker, outline the nose. Then, lightly draw a black line down
the center of the face on either side of the nose. Add fun stitch marks to
the dividing face seam line and around the nose if desired. Next draw on
the mouth to connect the cheeks. You may want to dot a white glint in the
eyes with the end of a paint brush and highlight the nose also for an
added dimensional touch.
To protect the paint for many years of
inside and outside decorating, lightly spray the face with a clear coat
spray sealer found at hardware and crafting stores. Do not spray a heavy
coat. Many black paint pens will run if sprayed to heavily. Several light
coats of spray is sufficient.
Hot glue the cut small straw hat to the top
the painted scarecrow face. Cut small bunches of raffia and hot glue in
sections to either side of the scarecrow face. Full straggly raffia will
cover any of the seam lines and give a finished look.
Embellish the scarecrows new hat by hot
gluing silk flowers and a wheat sprig to one side of the small hat. Silk
sunflowers or rusty colored chrysanthemums look especially cute!
Last, make a large bow with crafting ribbon
and glue it under the scarecrow's chin.
You can hang your scarecrow on the wall or
on your front door to greet your guests.
You can hang your scarecrow on the wall or
on your front door to greet your guests. You could also wire the scarecrow
head to the top of a cross post and dress a real scarecrow body for a yard
decoration.
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