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Thursday, November 14, 2013

Turkey Tags







































I'm currently enjoying a love affair with paper punches. Never mind the old school discipline it took to find a suitably sized geometric, painstakingly trace it and then cut along the line to produce the same little charmer you get from one healthy push on a handy little punch. Not only am I in love, but (thankfully!) the young 'uns are too. This time of year we're gobbling up every last scrap of grandkid-water-colored pretty paper and assembling them into cute and versatile Turkey Tags!



I think what I like best about this idea is that kids who are too young to paint figuratively can participate, seeing their hand work showcased in a finished product. The punches are safe and easy to use too, so kids can operate them with success.













After watercolor abstracts have dried, cut five feathers from a 2" oval punch. Alternately, hand draw and cut them out with scissors.

The 5" tall completed bird has a 3" scalloped circle body. Head is a 1.5" diameter circle. Black paper eyes come from a hole punch and wattle and beak are triangular scraps. Assemble and glue everything to a lightweight piece of contrasting cardboard, hand draw legs and cut turkey out, allowing a narrow border all around.

Use completed tags as place cards, napkin rings, units on a seasonal garland or as accents on Mason jars filled with "pumpkiney" goodness to be trotted out by the grandkids when it's time for dessert. This year we'll use them that way, serving a family favorite Pumpkin Pie Frappe recipe. We'll decorate the jars with turkey tags, tying on raffia and ribbon, then slipping in a few fancy straws for easy use.

15 comments:

  1. These are so cute! I like paper punches too, but have not done anything all that creative with them, just cutting out for fancy holes. :) Thanks for this fun idea, J!

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  2. Oh what a clever clever idea - those punches sound like great fun. So far I'm still back in the scissor era. :-)

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  3. Those are very cute! I guess it wouldn't be as cute if I made them myself for Thanksgiving... I don't have any little kids handy!

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  4. Oh how cute! Paper punches are definitely addicting :) Happy weekend to you. Hugs!

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  5. How fun and I just love that one eyed picture! OH and that pumpkin drink does sound wonderful! Those will turn out so cute!

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  6. So cute! And it's something that all the kids can make. Hope you have a great day.

    Heidi’s Wanderings

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  7. So cute! Loving it.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

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  8. My eldest daughter — with no kids — loves paper punch crafts. I'll have to show her this and have her make a few for her nephews. Adorable! Thanks for sharing, Joyce!

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  9. Oh how cute! Those are absolutely adorable. Thanks for sharing them.

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  10. I love them!!! They are so cute. And, you have new toys (paper punches). A woman is always happy with new toys she can share with the grandkids. Hope your Thanksgiving is a wonderful one. :-)

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  11. You know, it's one of the things I look forward to the most with my toddler and infant grandchildren - doing art projects with them. Thank you for sharing these cuties!

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  12. Wonderful idea! I am always looking for things to do with my grandchildren and this looks cute and fun! Thanks for sharing of The Four Seasons Blog Hop!

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  13. oh how clever to put punches together like that to make cute little turkeys! and i must admit i am definitely a punch hoarder myself! :>O

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  14. These are adorable. I miss doing crafts with my grandchildren. They would love this one, thanks for sharing. I'm going to pass it on to my daughter, maybe she will make it with the kids.

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