Crafty kids: Mardi Gras mask
Celebrate the Carnival season with this colorful, festive craft.
/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-pmn.s3.amazonaws.com/public/QB7VFLJZV5GBBCHVH5ZL7G75B4.jpg)
THIS WINTER hasn't been an easy one for those of us in the Philly area, and if Punxsutawney Phil's prediction is right, we still have a few more weeks of frigid weather.
Chase away the winter blahs with a Mardi Gras celebration. It's Carnival time in New Orleans, where the parade season is in full swing. Although many activities are for adults, there are parades planned especially for kids, such as the Krewe of Little Rascals parade in Metairie, La., just outside New Orleans. Kids will also be on hand to watch four-legged parade participants strut their pedigrees in the Mystic Krewe of Barkus parade.
If you're stuck indoors because of the weather, you can enjoy Mardi Gras on Tuesday by throwing a party with a Carnival flavor. Make decorations in the official Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold. Use beads and doubloons for party favors, and make masks using things you have at home plus a few items from a craft store.
Supplies you will need
* Mask
* Purple acrylic paint and brush
* White glue
* Green crepe paper
* Hole punch
* Strings of beads and/or sequins
* 12-inch dowel
* Thin ribbons in yellow, green and purple
* Feathers
* Beads
How to make it
Paint the mask purple. While it dries, take a 12-inch square of green crepe paper and fold in half four to six times. Randomly punch holes in the paper to make it look like lace. Unfold the paper. Brush glue on the mask and place the paper on top of the mask, carefully smoothing the paper down flat. When dry, trim the paper from around the mask and eye holes.
While the glue is drying, wrap the ribbons around the dowel. Tie off each end and secure with a drop of glue to keep the ribbons from unraveling. Thread a few beads or buttons onto the end of three 12-inch lengths of ribbons and tie to the top of the dowel.
Line your mask with strands of sequins, beads or both. Glue feathers to the back of the mask at the top and trim.
Glue the dowel to the back, upper-right corner of the mask with the ribbons hanging from the top. Let dry overnight.