Crow

This crow was so fun and quirky to make.


You will need:
CROW: from the Dollar Tree
WHITE CRAPE PAPER: Dollar Tree
POM POMS: Joann's
PAPER MACHE ROUND 4" BOX: Joann's
WIRED TINSEL (or if you can't find it you can use a silver pipe cleaner): Michael's
BLACK AND WHITE RIBBON: Michael's
MARTHA STEWART ONYX BLACK GLITTER: Michael's
MARTHA STEWART WHITE GOLD GLITTER: Michael's
STAMPS (optional for the spider): Michael's
SCRAP BOOK PAPER: Green Tangerine
MOD PODGE
BLACK SPRAY PAINT
HOT GLUE
Step 1: Apply a moderate amount of Mod Podge to the crow and then cover with black glitter. You can either use the standard glitter or use the tinsel glitter for a more vintage look. I cover the crow in stages to let the glitter and glue dry. I do the top (wait 30 min) side (wait) other side (wait) and then the belly. DO NOT DO THE FEET AND THE BEAK.
While you are waiting for your crow, spray paint the round paper mache box black. Just the outsides, no need to spray inside.

Step 2: Cut out 3 different size stars out of card stock and then cover them in Mod Podge and White Gold glitter. Set them aside to dry.

Step 3: For the hat, make a 1/4 of a circle about 3" tall. Hot glue the sides together and top off with a pom pom.

Step 4: Cut a piece of wired tinsel and twist the ends together to form a circle. Do not hot glue it to the hat, just let it rest. The tinsel will melt.

Step 5: Using white crepe paper, cut a small strip 1" and twist in the center.

Step 6: Glue the small White Gold star to the twisted crepe paper and then glue to the hat. Trim off the ends of the crepe paper to fit the proportions of the hat.

Step 7: For the base decoration, cut scrapbook paper into a 1 1/4"x 12" strip.

Step 8: Fold the paper accordion style, keeping the fold fairly small.

Step 9: Hot glue the ends together to form a circle.

Step 10: Hot glue a small square of card stock to the back of the folded paper to help hold the fan shape.

This is what the front should look like.

Step 11: Doing the same method, create a fan with the white crepe paper and trim with pinking shears. THE FANS ARE NOT GLUED TOGETHER YET!!!

Step 12: Using a small amount of tulle, tie a knot in the middle and then hot glue to the crepe paper. Now glue the piano paper fan to the crepe paper.

Step 13: Hot glue the ribbon to the base. You can just tie a knot with the ribbon if you really want to, it will just make your embelishment fans stick out farther. I gathered the ribbon together and then just folded the ribbon under and hot glued for a clean flat look. Be careful to not burn your fingers as I seem to do on a lot of this stuff.

Step 14: Hot glue the medium white gold star to the scrapbook piano paper and then add a topper embelishment. I used a stamp of a spider and then glittered and cut it out. Good ol' Martha has some spider stickers at Michael's that are the correct proportions and just ready to glue on, no work involved. You could also just put a jewel there - something, just have fun.

Next, hot glue the entier fan to the ribbon. Now your base is done.

Step 15: Now on to the top! Figure out where your crows feet will be and poke 2 holes in the top of the box with a fat needle. (your crow will have wires coming out of his feet).

Step 16: Make another fan out of the white crepe paper and lightly trim the edges with the pinking shears. Hot glue this to the lid of the box and then hot glue the large white gold star to the crepe paper. Let the glue dry and then with your fat needle, repoke your holes again but this time from the underside of the lid. (trust me this just makes it so much easier)

Step 17: Now insert the crow's wire through the holes and hot glue the wires to the underside of the lid. This should keep your crow perfectly upright and sturdy. (if it doesn't, feel free to add some hot glue to the bottom of his feet, but then add a little bit of glitter to hide the glue)

Feel free to cut out a nice big circle to hot glue to the underside of the lid to cover up all the wires. This is not necesary, but it looks more presentable.

And your lid is done!

Step 18: Very carefully, cut a slit in the crow's beak with a razor.

Step 19: This step can be done earlier if you wish to allow it to dry. Create a Trick or Treat sign on card stock. You can do this on the computer or with stamps. The letters are 1/4" tall and the paper is 1/2" x 4 1/2". Tear the sign after the "OR" and then using the tea bag method, age your paper and let dry completely.

Step20: While it is drying, hot glue the hat onto the crow. Put the hot glue around the brim of the hat and then press down on the crows head. When the glue has slightly cooled, push the wired tinsel into place.

Step 21: Put the sign in the crows beak and weave the rest of the sign through his toes.

Ta Da! Oh he is just so cute. Simple, involved, just to die for! Optional: put candy in the box!!! oh baby!