Thursday, November 18, 2010

Gratitude Turkey Centerpiece

I think this is the idea that started this whole children's theme! And, I saw it in a Publix grocery store magazine last November! I've had my turkey made for several months - but just added his feathers last night.

This is my least frugal idea of the whole week! However, if you watch for sales on styrofoam balls or use 40% off coupons at Hobby Lobby - you can do this for fairly little expense!

Here are the supplies you'll need to create the main body and head of the turkey:

One large styrofoam ball - it is up to you how big you want to make it, I think mine is probably about a six or eight inch ball. The smaller one is about a two inch - the same size frequently used for ornaments. Then you will need some lighter yarn for the face and darker yarn for the body. I liked the kind with flecks - but you can use whatever you have or like best.

Take the large ball and cut a flat spot on one side - this will help your turkey to sit better!

Next, you will want to wrap the balls with yarn until they are covered to your liking. My friend Grace helped me make this and I think we tied a knot at the end to hold the end in place plus covered that spot with some hot glue just to ensure it stayed put!

Now, attach the head to a wooden skewer and then poke the other end into the body to join the two pieces.

Glue on a felt beak and waddle plus a couple of googly eyes to make the face.

Now, cut feather shapes out of construction paper and fold in half lengthwise. Hot glue onto wooden skewers and poke into the turkey until he is feathered to your taste!

I went ahead and put the feathers in my turkey - but the idea here is to write things you are thankful for on each of the feathers - which I will help with. You may prefer to have the feathers sitting nearby and let your guests write things before placing them into your turkey!

You'll just have to use your imagination on the thankful part of this turkey!
We'll enjoy doing this together next Thursday!

8 comments:

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

That's such a cute project ;) :) :) I like the idea of writing "thankful" items on each feather ;) Oh, Hobby Lobby...there was an interesting article about the CEO on CBN.com...really good article about how the CEO runs the company. I was sort of familiar with Hobby Lobby...but mainly through customers I'd talk with at work who lived in the South :) :) It sounds like a ton of fu n :) :) Have a Happy Thanksgiving :) Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

Anonymous said...

Very cute!!!

Lynette said...

So cute! I love it!

Jo Ann said...

LOVE this! I like that I could reuse it by just replacing the "thankful" feathers each year.

Southern Sundries said...

I just came across your blog and I totally love it! The design is so calming and the content is so timely!

I've "liked" you on Facebook to be able to keep up with your posts.

angie said...

I didn't see the link for this turkey centerpiece the first time I read through your wrap-up post. I thought maybe you were keeping this cute idea to yourself! So glad you shared this craft, the inspiration for your whole homespun Thanksgiving.
Do you wrap the bottom of the body styrofoam ball with yarn?

Unknown said...

My 6yr old saw me looking at this on pinterest and wanted to make it, so we went and got all of our supplies and are making it now. We put the head on and it tipped over! Our head might be slightly too big, maybe that's the problem, but I'm hoping after we put the feathers on it will even out. If not, I'll come up with something, but I just wondered if you had this problem. It's really cute though, thanks!

Monica Wilkinson said...

I do remember it being a bit top heavy - but I moved the head around a bit until it would sit better. If it is still having trouble - try folding a roll of packing or duct tape and putting that underneath where it won't show but hopefully that will help balance it on the table. Happy Thanksgiving!