This morning Clara and I enjoyed some crafting fun with this quick and frugal project — it’s great practice for fine-motor skills too!
We used crab-apples from our yard, but you could substitute with balls of red tissue paper instead.
I gave Clara a small basket, and she took her time picking a bunch of crab apples from the tree. I think she really enjoyed this part!
Next, I cut the crab apples in half, and glued the top of the tree to the paper. Then, I invited her over to the table so I could trace her hand print for the branches on the tree. Put down some dots of glue.
Glue the apples to your tree!!!
When you’re all done, count up how many apples are on your tree!
Allow the glue to dry, and admire your 3-D work of art!
We have plans to go apple picking this weekend, and I can’t wait!!!
Have fun!!
I added this post to:
Made by You Monday @ Skip to My Lou
Get Your Craft On @ Today’s Creative Blog
September 7th, 2010 on 2:06 pm
Dear Valerie,
Well, I guess my crabapple pie will have to wait for another year.
Hmph.
Love,
Mark
September 8th, 2010 on 12:23 am
Don’t worry, there are plenty more crab apples to go around…. especially if Clara doesn’t get a nap this afternoon.
September 7th, 2010 on 2:09 pm
Ah-ha! So THAT’S what crab apples are good for…
September 8th, 2010 on 12:23 am
LOL yes!!
September 7th, 2010 on 2:14 pm
Very cute. We have done this with tissue paper before, but I never would have thought to use crab apples.
September 8th, 2010 on 12:24 am
When Emily came home from school, she said they look “just like real apples”!
September 7th, 2010 on 3:02 pm
Our crabapples have a big seed in the middle, I will have to pit them with the cherry pitter. But good idea. I think we will do this idea this week.
Last fall I made crabapple jam with ours. PITA to pit them all, but DH says was the best jam he has ever had.
September 8th, 2010 on 12:25 am
Yay!! You guys will have lots of fun with this. I had no idea you could make jam from crab apples!
September 7th, 2010 on 3:23 pm
What a great use for crabapples!
September 8th, 2010 on 12:26 am
They work perfectly! Have fun!!
September 7th, 2010 on 3:51 pm
Perfect timing, as we are studying apples this week and visiting a local orchard on Friday. I will definitely do this with my little guys.
September 8th, 2010 on 12:27 am
Fantastic!!! That makes me so happy!
September 7th, 2010 on 3:55 pm
I know that hunting and gathering are two very popular activities here, but somehow it never leads to crafting in my house. Maybe it’s because I cannot come up with such a terrific project for my pickings
September 8th, 2010 on 12:28 am
LOL Or you’re just too busy hunting and gathering, which is a lot of fun in itself!
September 7th, 2010 on 4:24 pm
I might try this tomorrow as I have an unplanned home day with my 3 year old. Might substitute hazelnuts for crab apples.
My grandmother always made crab apple jelly.
September 8th, 2010 on 12:29 am
Great idea!!
I’ve never had crab apple jelly, but it sounds good!
September 7th, 2010 on 9:14 pm
Love this!! And she looks so cute in her little hat with her basket
September 8th, 2010 on 12:30 am
Thanks, Rebecca! She loves to borrow my hat when we go outside.
Can’t believe she is such a fashionista at age 2!!
September 7th, 2010 on 10:10 pm
So that’s what crab apples look like. At first I thought you used those little red berries on the bushes you aren’t supposed to eat.
September 8th, 2010 on 12:31 am
I think the berries might be too mushy, but crab apples are quite hard, so they work well.
September 7th, 2010 on 10:40 pm
At first glance I thought those were the cherries from the game Hi-Ho Cherry Oh! Of course ,then it would be a cherry tree.
Great idea!
September 8th, 2010 on 12:32 am
They look JUST like the cherries from that game!!! They are even the exact same size!
September 7th, 2010 on 11:40 pm
A great way to use crab apples…usually everyone hates having to clean up the mess but now you just turned it into art!
September 8th, 2010 on 12:33 am
Thanks, Vanessa! We have a way of making crafts from trash around here — it’s fun! LOL
September 8th, 2010 on 6:56 am
I LOVE the idea of using a handprint for the branches of the tree! So cute and very realistic looking! You’re brilliant!
)
September 10th, 2010 on 12:37 pm
It’s super-easy!! Have fun!
September 8th, 2010 on 7:56 pm
We did apple picking in our yard – I posted about it, I think we will get the apples pressed into juice…YUMMY!
Your crafts looks wonderful!
September 10th, 2010 on 12:38 pm
Fantastic!! I absolutely LOVE apples — what a fun time you must have had!
September 16th, 2010 on 9:58 am
I think that rosehips would work really well for this project too. And they dry beautifully so you could keep the art for years to come if wanted.
Wonderful project, as always!
Wondering about your garden. I have been thinking of you. <3