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Turkey Table Runner

November 15, 2017 By Erica Deuel Leave a Comment

Turkey Table Runner CraftThis table runner is one of my most sentimental mom projects we’ve done to date. Those little hands grow so quickly, and having something that captures all the stages is pretty special. Let me tell you how to make your own turkey table runner keepsake.

Once upon a time, I shared this Thanksgiving playdate we had with friends. Over the years, I’ve had numerous messages and emails asking questions about how I did it. I’m pretty sure that original post was two computers ago, and I can’t find the original pictures. I hope this tutorial post helps YOU be able to create your own tradition with your kids.

Start your project by getting a basic, plain table runner. You can buy these anywhere. Mine is from Ikea. It doesn’t even have to be new. Mine had stains, and I’ll show you how that’s ok.

Turkey Table Runner CraftStart by painting your kid’s hands. I use a foam brush because it absorbs the paint quickly and gets it on pretty evenly. My kids are a bit older this time around, so they were able to paint their own hands. Mamas of littles, just have your baby wipes ready to start grabbing and cleaning their hands after you get their hand painted and stamped onto your table runner. Turkey Table Runner CraftTurkey Table Runner CraftPart of the fun of using an old table runner is you can place your handprints right on top of the stain to cover it up. Once your hand is painted and stamped onto your table runner, press on each finger to make sure the paint transferred to the runner well.

Turkey Table Runner Craft

turkey table runnerSome ideas for your turkeys:

  • You can add a new turkey every year to the table runner. With this idea, you will see how their hands (ahem…turkeys get larger every year)
  • You can color code each child their own color or you could have them choose their favorite color that year to use for their turkey. This is fun because you can see their interests as well.

turkey table runnerOnce your handprints are down, you can embellish your print to look like a turkey. Use any colors or design that you like! I painted my kid’s turkeys this time, but your kids might have fun adding onto their handprint by themselves. This is the season of smears and some imperfections. It’s part of the beauty. ENJOY it! They will be grown before we know it.

turkey table runnerturkey table runnerAfter your turkeys are complete, you can have your child write their name beside their turkey. Make sure you date your group of turkeys. If you add on to your table runner the following year, you can clearly see the changes in years. (At the end of this turkey craft, you can see my table runner with 2011 and 2012 handprints). I will be going back and adding the year to this table runner.

turkey table runnerWhat do you think!? Can you see yourself making a table runner keepsake!? I recommend spot cleaning these. If you want to be extra protective, maybe you display it on a buffet or somewhere away from the primary food table.

Let me know, if you have any more questions and I will try to clear those up!

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Stick Turkey (Thanksgiving Decoration from your back yard)

November 8, 2013 By Erica Deuel 2 Comments

thanksgiving_table_decorCan you believe Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away!?

I cannot.

Christmas is on my mind. I have been crafting for it and preparing my Handmade Christmas party (that you are invited too!), but I don’t want to skip Thanksgiving in the process. Fall is one of my favorite times of year. I love the changing colors and the special time it is to reflect on all we have to be thankful for.

I made this simple, rustic stick turkey as an easy decorative element to add to my Thanksgiving decor. It cost me less than $3.00 (since I had all the supplies but the wood egg) and was so easy! If you would like to make one too, here are the supplies you will need:

Materials:

  • Wood sticks
  • Wood Egg
  • Hot glue gun with glue sticks
  • Rust-oleum Paprika Spray paint
  • Felt scrap (for beak)
  • Two beads (for eyes)
  • Feathers (add for decorative)

stick_craftsI started by spray painting my wood egg a really pretty fall color with Rust-oleum’s Paprika. After it was dry, I lightly sanded it to give the wood egg a little beat up more rustic charming look.

Fall_spraypaintI then searched through my sticks to find a good round one that would work as the head. I liked the stick I found because it was flat at one end to hot glue tightly on to the egg. I placed a little hot glue  to the back of the stick and stuck it in place about two-thirds down the egg. I held it in place while the glue set and then hot glued a small thin stick on either side of it to create a fuller round turkey head.

wood_turkey

wood_turkey_craft

The next part was to turn the egg around and start on the tail. I put a strand of hot glue down the middle of the egg and stuck one of my taller sticks on it. I used that stick as the middle stick and started placing sticks (going smaller in size) down on either side of it. Note: Make sure to not glue the sticks too far down towards the base of the egg that would prevent the turkey from sitting upright.

hot_glue_sticks

wood_thanksgiving_craft

wood_craft_turkey

DIY_thanksgiving_decorOnce you have a wide tail that you like, it is complete! I used 11 sticks to create the width tail I liked. Depending on your size stick and wood egg you might want more or less.

Next, I used a small felt scrap and two beads to embellish my turkey’s face. I just used a little hot glue to hold them in place. I decided to add a few feathers to my tail to make it a more obvious turkey. You, of course, don’t have to do this and can keep the tail more rustic by just using the sticks. Once all of these elements were on, my stick turkey was finished! I added him to my table’s centerpiece and love how he sits all proud and happy on it!

turkey decorI think the natural wood elements in the turkey look so good with the pine cones and real fall leaves we gathered on a hike this week. You add in my hand print table runner, burlap strips make shift table-cloth, and Happy Thanksgiving banner, and we have a really simple pretty fall display. I love it.

thanksgiving_centerpiece

Happy_thanksgiving_bannerWhat about you? Do you love Thanksgiving too or is Christmas already on your mind?

Is it possible to decorate for BOTH holidays at the same time. I need tips since we are having a Thanks-mas (Thanksgiving + Christmas celebration) at my house with my whole family. So, please tell me how you do this month’s decor!

Happy Friday! I hope you all have a great weekend!

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