Hands On Crafts for Kids

by Jeanne Jacobowski
of Michael’s Arts & Crafts Store
Michaels.com

Visit the small towns nestled in the foothills of the Appalachians and you will find many log homes. As these towns were settled it was difficult to bring building materials into the mountains, so often the local trees were used to create log cabins; but none smell as sweet as our cinnamon house.

You will need:

Square tissue box
2 Pkg. cinnamon sticks
White craft paper
Acrylic paint - brown, grey
Glue
Texture medium
Two 1” foam brushes
Scissors
Pencil
Ruler

Instructions:

1. Cut top off of box. Turn upside down and cut doors and windows as shown. Leave door attached at one side so that it can close.
2. Measure and cut a 5” x 9” piece of white craft paper for roof top.
2. Trace and cut 2 side roof sections from white craft paper. Mark dotted lines on side roof pieces.
3. Fold roof top in half. Bend flaps on side roof pieces inward at dotted lines and glue to inside of roof top. Glue completed roof to the edge of tissue box. Let dry.
4. Apply one coat of texture medium to roof, making rough lines to represent shingles. Let dry.
5. Paint box grey, using straight strokes so that it resembles wood grain. Paint roof and door grey with a little brown paint swirled in to add texture. Let dry.
6. Lay the cabin on its side. Break or cut cinnamon stick to sizes needed as you work around the cabin. Apply small pieces of cinnamon stick around windows and doors for trim, and then fill in all sides. Do one side at a time and let dry before turning cabin to next side. Add a small piece of cinnamon to door for handle.

Cut 2 Roof Sides

Fold roof sides along dotted lines

Beacon™ Kids Choice Glue™; Delta Ceramcoat® Acrylic Paint, Texture Medium;
Fiskars® Scissors