• Silk flowers and leaves - variety of colors and sizes. If possible, select flowers that can be separated easily from the plastic stems, leaving a hole in the center. Flowers that do not have holes at the center can be used, but you will need to sew through them.
• Large beads such as pony beads or wooden and glass beads with holes large enough to thread an embroidery needle through.
• Embroidery floss and needles
• Scissors

How to make it:

1. Take apart the silk flowers/leaves. Arrange the flowers and leaves in a pleasing pattern before threading them onto the floss.

2. Determine the finished length desired for your lei. Any length between 24 and 36 inches is typical. Cut a piece of floss a bit longer than your desired length.

3. String the flowers/leaves onto the floss with beads between each. Place four flowers/leaves and beads onto the floss at a time and slide the group all the way along the thread towards the other end, leaving several inches of extra floss to tie a knot when finished. Tie a knot in the floss between the groups to keep them from shifting.

4. Repeat this process of adding sections of approximately four flowers/leaves/beads then knotting them until you have filled in the lei.

5. When you have completed the lei, tie the ends in a tight knot.

Variations:

1. For the guys: Looking for a more masculine version? No problem! Simply forget about the flowers, add more leaves, and use more wooden beads. (The ones used here were small but larger ones can also be used.) You can string the beads all around or just use a few in the center.

2. No beads: Omit the beads and just use flowers and leaves.

3. Just a few flowers. Want a simpler version of the traditional lei? Instead of embroidery floss, use thin cording, ribbon, or leather lace and add just a few flowers, leaves, and beads so they dangle from the middle of the cord.

• One pair of white or very light colored knee-hi pantyhose
• 7 pieces of 18 gauge wire (18 inches long each)
• Floral tape
• A lid (from a jar or plastic container) that measures approximately 2 1/2 inches in diameter
• Green food coloring for the leaves and another color for the flower
• Vinegar
• 2 bowls and 2 spoons
• Plastic gloves
• Thin corsage ribbon
• Scissors, wire cutters, newspaper
• Plastic flower stamen (optional)

Print a picture of the finished project to show the group. Also, post a copy of the picture on your bulletin board to create interest in your craft activity.

1. Pour one cup of water into two bowls and add one tablespoon of vinegar to each.

2. Put 15 drops of food coloring in each bowl (green in one and the color for the flower in the other).

3. Place one knee-hi in each bowl and push it down with a spoon to saturate it. The longer you leave the hose in the solution, the darker the colors will be. If possible, do this step a day in advance and let the hose soak overnight. Stir occasionally.

4. When the hose are finished soaking, squeeze out excess liquid (with gloved hand) and set the hose aside on newspaper to dry.

5. While the knee-his are drying, prepare the 7 pieces of wire. Wrap the end of each piece of wire around a lid to make a loop, leaving enough extra to twist around and secure at the base of the loop. Set aside.

6. When the hose are dry, cut away the toes and the elastic around the top. Then, cut lengthwise to open them up to create a rectangular piece of fabric.

7. Cut the hose into 3" x 2" pieces. You will have extra pieces, which you can save for another corsage.
   

8. Take 2 pieces of green hose and 5 pieces of colored hose and stretch each over a wire loop. Pull the corners and edges down to the base of the loop so the fabric is smooth and tight. Use floral tape to secure the hose to the base of the loop. Cut away extra fabric. If any fabric is left showing, cover it with more floral tape.
   

9. Gently bend the petals into ovals. The leaves can be bent into longer, thinner ovals with pointier ends.

10. Gather all of the petals together and fan them out into a flower. If using a stamen, place it at the center. (You can also use a pipe cleaner for a stamen.) Shape the petals so they bend outward. Position the leaves below the petals.
    

11. Gather all of the wires together and wrap them securely together with floral tape along their entire length. Cut to desired length with wire cutters if needed. Finish the corsage with a pretty ribbon and attach to your garment with a pin.

For a smaller corsage, simply make smaller wire loops. Try wrapping the loops around a water/soda bottle lid instead.

Flameless Craft Stick Lantern

Use a battery-operated tea light for a lovely, useful, and safe room decoration.

You will need:

• Craft sticks - jumbo size
• Pre-cut wood shapes, found at most craft stores
• Parchment paper, waxed paper, or rice paper
• Battery-operated tea lights (short or tall)
• Heavy craft glue

Print a PICTURE for a closer look. Post a copy of the picture on your bulletin board to create interest in your craft activity.

To make it:

1. Spread a 24-inch piece of parchment paper on your work surface.

2. Starting at the bottom left-hand corner of the sheet of paper, glue four craft sticks to make a square.
   

3. Make another square of sticks that butts up to the right side of the first square. Repeat this two more times so you have four squares in a row.

4. Arrange wooden shapes in each square to make an attractive design. Glue the shapes in place and allow them to dry thoroughly.
   

5. Trim the paper along the top of the squares and any extra along the bottom.

6. Trim the paper along one side but leave about 1/2 inch extra along the other side. Put glue along the extra paper flap.

7. Fold the paper to make a cube shape and glue the extra flap in place on the inside.

8. Allow to dry completely.

9. Set a battery-operated candle inside the lantern and see how pretty it looks when the light shines through.

More August Crafts!

Visit this month's Alzheimer's Focus page and make “I’m Your Biggest Fan Door Decorations" this month.

See our Decorate & Accentuate page and make "Pineapple Hula Girl Table Decorations."

See our Ramadan page for the resources for "Making a Ramadan Lantern."

If you are looking for something new to spice up
your crafts, check out:

Retro Crafts

Get nostalgic with crafts that hark back to an era where do-it-yourself was par for the course and creative crafting reigned. Let Suzie Millions, the diva of domestic design, take your crafters on a whirlwind tour of the cute and unique projects that made the '50s and '60s such an inspiring time. This is the definitive guide to the fun and quirky world of retro crafts. It’s jam-packed with history and wonderful images from vintage pamphlets, collections, and flea market hunts. Everything memorable is included, from the ridiculous to the sublime, along with the lowdown on collecting, Junking 101, and creating a crafting group. Forty retro-inspired projects run the gamut from glitter frames and matchbox purses to bottlecap men and teacup ladies, plus lovable Plastic Flower Pixies; the Sparkling Sputnik and its desktop compadre, the Beauty Orb; and the unforgettable Reinbeer. Variations and creative suggestions will keep readers inspired. (176 pages)

For other craft resources, check out the "Arts & Crafts" section of Activity Basket.

Learning about Crafts Programs

If you would like to learn how to increase participation in your crafts programs, check out our sister site - Activity Teacher. Here you will find a course titled:

Craving Crafters:
To Increase Participation, Ya Gotta Have Heart

Take the class for CE hours or just to learn more about the topic.

Course description: Crafts are one of the staples of an activity program. After all, you are supposed to provide arts and crafts because they are one of the categories of activities that meet the needs of those individuals with “creative” personalities. However, participation can be a struggle, sometimes resulting in dropping crafts from the monthly calendar altogether. This course will give you new hope for your crafts programs. Soon your craft classes will be overflowing with eager crafters.