This was an simple craft that I used the Cricut to make but it would be easy to recreate without the Cricut.
Cut out a yellow circle and a rainbow of color paper strips. Or tear paper to make the strips.
Cut out black circles for the eyes, use a hole punch to create the small hole in the circle.
Either draw on a smile or cut out from black paper.
This is an easy idea for all ages. I used it for our Adult Take & Make program. It might also work well during the summer months as an in-person program.
Archie Snufflekins Oliver Valentine Cupcake Tiberius Cat by Katie Harnett is a cute book about a neighborhood cat that has many names.
I enlarged a picture from the book and traced it to create a template.
Print the PDF on white cardstock and cut out.
I used the Cricut for this project. I’ve included a jpg version that can be uploaded to Cricut Design Space. I didn’t realize what a wobbly job I do at hand tracing until watching the Cricut cut out something I’ve uploaded. 🙂
Glue tail to body of cat.
We used watercolors to paint Archie but you could use crayons, markers, or whatever you have available.
Glue eyes onto the cat’s face after painting.
Berryville Public Library offers an Adult Take & Make program. We provide a set number of kits on the 3rd Monday of each month. This is one our most popular programs. A free kit to complete at your leisure!
The goal is to give patrons an opportunity to try something new. We provide the supplies that a maker might not readily have on hand but assume that they’d have access to some of the more basic supplies.
It can be challenging to come up with ideas month after month. I’m always looking for inspiration. Whether that be on Pinterest, magazines, or just something I’m personally interested in.
I want to share some of our past Take & Makes as another resource for fellow librarians. (And anyone looking for bulk affordable making kit ideas!)
Berryville Public Library offers an Adult Take & Make program. We provide a set number of kits on the 3rd Monday of each month. This is one our most popular programs. A free kit to complete at your leisure!
The goal is to give patrons an opportunity to try something new. We provide the supplies that a maker might not readily have on hand but assume that they’d have access to some of the more basic supplies.
It can be challenging to come up with ideas month after month. I’m always looking for inspiration. Whether that be on Pinterest, magazines, or just something I’m personally interested in.
I want to share some of our past Take & Makes as another resource for fellow librarians. (And anyone looking for bulk affordable making kit ideas!)
This was a labor intensive craft with just me and a pair of scissors.
The craft was inspired by Mr. Panda’s pajamas in Good Night Mr. Panda//Buenas Noches, Sr. Panda by Steve Antony.
Copy the larger donut shapes onto the color of paper you would like for your donuts. Copy the small ring shape onto colorful paper for your icing colors.
Use the scraps from the icing colors to cut sprinkles.
Cut out donut and icing shapes. Cut out center circles for the donut hole.
Use a hole punch to add holes to the donuts and string for garland.
The Bus Driver’s hat was made using the Paper Visor Template from firstpalette. Firstpalette has a number of useful (and free) templates. It’s one of my favorite resources.
Copy the paper visor template onto black paper and cut out.
Copy the top part of the hat onto the desired color of paper.
Cut strips from the remainder of paper to make the headband.
I designed a simple Bus Driver badge in Canva.
First of all, please excuse my dry hands. I blame the pandemic.
This was a hybrid of a 2 different butterfly crafts.
Copy Butterfly template onto black paper (or desired color)
Cut out butterfly and use an X-acto knife to cut along lines to create a space for finger.
Use 2 colors of paper and cut out various shapes for mosaic effect.
Glue mosaic shapes onto butterfly.
This rainbow was inspired by Handmade Charlotte. I definitely think theirs is cuter but I was working with what I had.
Trim the bottom off of a paper plate and then cut out a ‘U’ shape.
Paint on the colors of your rainbow and add face.
Use crepe paper streamers for tails. I cut the lengths in half so they would fit.
Attach a piece of string to the back to display.
I love crafting for Mo Willems’ books! This time using the illustrations from Pigs Make Me Sneeze, we made Doctor Cat.
Copy Doctor Cat’s body on orange cardstock and cut out. Copy the stethoscope on green paper and cut out. I used a 1 inch circle punch for the gray part of the stethoscope. Cut out thermometers.
Assemble Doctor Cat and draw on face and paws.
Our library also has a Bilingual Storytime! This month they read Chancho el Pug by Aaron Blabey.
Out of context, this pug looks extra creepy (his body looks like a gray chicken). I decided not to add the teeth. I thought it would make things even worse. 🙂
Copy the pug’s body on gray paper and cut out.
Print the mouth and ears on white paper and cut out.
I used 3 sizes of circle punches for the eyes and layered them.
I printed a generic ball image from the internet and colored it.
I freehanded the nose by cutting a triangle from black paper and drawing on the nostrils.
Assemble the pug.
We revisited a favorite Storytime book, Chicks Run Wild by Sudipita Bardhan Quallen.
I saw this craft on Pinterest and thought it would be a great fit for this book. The craft is linked to TMACSKY but I just watched the video on Pinterest and made the craft from that.
I used a large circle punch (3.5 inches) and punched out white circles. Fold them in half and cut out small triangles across the center but not too close to the edge.
Copy the egg shape on yellow paper and cut out.
I free handed the beak and feather tuft. I used a heart punch for the wings.
Glue all pieces together and add googly eyes. The chickens will actually rock side to side.
Next up, another Bilingual Storytime tie in, Dragones y Tacos by Adam Rubin.
I think I had too much with this craft. Originally I had planned for the dragon to be sitting up but it’s easier to make the craft as a side profile and this was the final result.
We used a craft roll as the base for the body of the dragon.
Copy the dragon body and tail on to desired color of paper and cut out. (The template is in red but I copied it on to various colors and the scales looked fine on any color). I used a contrasting color of paper for the wings and belly.
I free handed some horns for the head and spikes for the tail.
I used a 1 inch circle punch for the tacos. I cut the yellow circle in half and drew on the toppings.
This craft is a lot of cutting but I definitely think it’s worth the effort! Of course, I’m biased. 🙂
Final craft for the month, not original but I made some templates for it. I also didn’t save where I saw it.
Copy the egg shape and rabbit ears on to desired color of paper and cut out.
I used scrapbook paper for the chick and bunny’s clothes. Copy template for clothes on the back side of decorative paper and cut out.
I used a circle punch for the bunny’s nose and center circle for the bow/tie and freehanded the chick’s beak and bowtie.
Color the inner area of the bunny’s ears. Glue all pieces together, draw on face, and glue on googly eyes.
We started off February with a few cute Valentine card crafts.
I found this adorable cactus card on I Heart Crafty Things.
Copy the templates on to card stock and cut out.
Fortunately, I have a tiny heart punch! But if you don’t, you could use stickers or even draw on hearts with a marker. Add googly eyes and draw on a mouth.
Glued To My Crafts had an adorable idea for a gnome Valentine card.
I used some patterned scrapbook paper for the triangle/gnome hat and heart doily for the beard/face. For the nose, I used foam heart stickers. Glue gnome on a folded piece of colored paper. It’s a super quick and easy card.
We made a treasure map to tie in with a themed storytime.
I found an image of a blank map and printed it on ivory paper. I used free images from Canva for the symbols. I drew waves, palm trees, etc with markers.
I have done a craft for the Little Red Hen in the past. This time I was inspired to do something different. I envisioned the children as being a helper to the Little Red Hen.
To make the apron, you will need 2 pieces of card stock.
For the piece that will be have the pocket, round all 4 corners and punch holes in 2 corners.
For tall/bib piece, round the top 2 corners and punch holes. Position 2 pieces of card stock together in a “T” shape and glue together.
I used patterned scrapbook paper for the pocket. Template is included.
Copy the chef’s hat template on to white card stock and cut out. Cut out 2 additional strips for the headband.
Copy the wooden spoons on to brown or Kraft cad stock and cut out.
This month I was inspired by other talented crafters! I only had to think of one original craft.
I might be a little bit obsessed with Paper Magic Reny! (Follow her @paper_magic_reny on Instagram for amazing craft ideas.) Paper Magic Reny shared an idea for a snowman made from snowflakes. I modified that slightly to make the snowman using coffee filters. Making snowflakes from coffee filters is easy for younger children (that can use scissors). Fold the coffee filter, my co-worker had a method for symmetry but I just fold them in half and half again. To make one snowflake smaller, trim the outer edge after you have it folded.
Next use scissors to cut out a design. I also used a cupcake liner for the smallest snowflake.
Using a large piece of paper as your background, glue on the coffee filter snowflakes to make your snowman.
I free handed a coffee cup shape and twig arms.
Copy the carrot template on to orange paper.
We have a lot of white dot stickers at our disposal and I added those for additional snow falling. I used a circle punch for the mouth and buttons.
I saw a few variations of this ice skate craft on Pinterest. I did make my own template for this craft but it is not a craft that I came up with.
Copy the ice skate template on to paper of your choice. For speedier cutting, this template can be folded in half and cut out. Then you only have to cut the skates apart in the center.
Punch holes for laces and string with yarn. Add embellishments or designs and glue on craft sticks for blades. The craft sticks could be colored.
A Stack of Alpacas by Matt Cosgrove inspired an original craft.
Copy each alpaca template on to a different color of paper and cut out.
I used a paper punch for the eyes.
Glue the alpaca’s onto each other to form a stack. I also thought this would have made a cute garland.
My life motto seems to be how can I make this harder? 😛 I found a really cute Christmas countdown that I modified, to make more complicated! I did not design the beard with the numbers but I did make templates to add some layers to the craft.
Copy the mustache and trim for the hat on to white paper and cut out. Copy the hat shape on to red paper and cut out. I used a circle punch for the nose and the pom pom for the hat. I colored Santa’s face with colored pencils. Glue all the parts to the paper with the numbered beard. Use whatever method you prefer to fill in circles as Christmas nears.
Another craft idea from Paper Magic Reny! Hot Chocolate Mugs!
I cut two wide strips of patterned paper and glued them together. I cut two narrow strips of patterned paper and glue them together. Fold the ends of the narrow strip like show to make a handle. Glue the wide strips into a tube shape and glue on handle. I used a circle punch for the eyes and nose. I free hand cut the mouth.
First Palette has many free templates that I have used for different crafts over the years.
Using the cone template we made Christmas Trees.
Print the template on patterned or plain paper. Cut out and glue along edge. Embellish as desired.
Using the birthday hat template we made a New Year’s Hat.
Print hate template on plain or patterned paper. Cut out and glue. Add embellishments as desired.
Berryville Library Crafts 
