Sunday, December 12, 2010

How To Make an Alphabet Block Elf Christmas Ornament




Here is an oldie but a goodie....another craft for Christmas Craft Day, an alphabet block elf.

These can hang on your tree or sit on your mantle...you can make several and have them spell out a word like JOY, NOEL, MERRY.

Easy to make so follow along.....


MATERIALS REQUIRED:


- alphabet blocks, I get mine from the dollar store for $2.00 for 15 blocks
- red, green, blue, white, and yellow felt
- tacky glue
- 1 inch Styrofoam balls or wood beads
- small googly eyes
- small pompoms
- little bells (optional)
- acrylic paint in flesh and pink
- glue gun (optional)
- templates if needed



For Christmas Craft day we are using Styrofoam balls (more economical for 150 kids). 

Due to this we have to paint our head with flesh color paint in any tone that fits for you.

If you are using wood beads you can skip this step.




Using the end of a pencil dab on some rosy cheeks with pink acrylic paint.



Using tacky glue add some googly eyes and a pompom nose.




Using a red sharpie give your elf a smile!




Now we need to cut out some bits and bobs from our felt.  We are starting with the hat as it takes the longest to dry.

The easiest way to cut a hat is on the fold.  You can find a template here.



Add some tacky glue down one side.




Fold over and use some clothespins to hold together while glue is setting up.




Next I took a small cup and traced out a circle on white felt.  Cut out.  (you can use my template here).




Next we have to cut out the arms.  You need a strip that is approximately 4.5 inches or 11 cm long.

Round the edges a bit.







Now we have to cut out the legs which are about 3 inches or 8 cm long.

I cut out a shape like this. (see template if needed)




Then I cut out a narrow triangle out of the center.

Round your corners at the bottom.




Now we will put our elf together.

Put some glue on the top of your legs and place your block on top.  Make sure you have the side you want facing forward.




Put some glue on the top of the block and lay your arms on top, try to center it the best you can.



Put some more glue on top of the arms and stick on your white circle.




Now we will put on the hat.  Put some glue inside the felt hat.







Place hat on top of head and then add a pompom to the tip.  Initially I was going to tacky glue the head to the block but this didn't work so good so.......




So now I will have a few Mom volunteers manning the glue guns to stick on the heads.  We will also add these little bells I found at the dollar store to the feet with the glue gun as well.

When finished you can add a string for hanging if needed.



That's it...so easy and so cute.  I know you are just dying to make one or 3 or 6.


See you next time.

12 comments:

  1. how fun! you always have the cutest projects :)

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  2. This is the best. It is so cool that the supplies you used are so readily available and low cost. With 150 I guess it needs to be. Thanks for sharing this tutorial - Love all things gnomes and elves.

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  3. Very, very charming. But, glue guns ... I never have any luck with glue guns.

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  4. That is so cute! And there's so much room for adding embellishments like tiny jingle bells or jewels!

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  5. I figured it was time for me to quit lurking and let you know how much I appreciate you! I homeschool my three children, and your site is a treasure for us! Our "art class" wouldn't be the same without all your great ideas. Thank you so much for taking the time to share with the world. You may not realize you are investing in kids you've never met! Merry Christmas to you.

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  6. Oh My Goodness! That is the BEST Holiday Ornament I have seen this year! You Win!!!! I love these little guys!!!

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  7. Got my alphabet blocks today so my girls and I can make these this week - can't wait! We're going to make them for family and friends using each person's initial. Thanks for the great idea and step-by-step! :)

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  8. Those are adorable! What a cute idea.

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  9. It doesn't get any cuter! I think you could make these with different doll themes for a whole year long project idea! If i ever come across vintage blocks at a tagsale I'll buy them!

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  10. I just found this post... two years later... BUT I am thrilled to make this ELF and Substitute It for the popular "Elf on a Shelf". Way more economical than the $29.95 I was going to spend! Thank you so much!

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  11. Love these! Just finished making them this morning. Thanks for the great idea - they just so cute!

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  12. My own kids got these at Christmas years ago and I've made these for my kindergarten class. The hardest part was finding all the letters!

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