Creepy Crawlies

PROJECTS

Creepy Crawlies
Designed By: Susan Laity Price, SCD

Typical Project Completion Time: 1-2 hours
(does not include drying time)

Spider
Large Ant
Small Ant
Caterpillar
Ladybug
Butterfly

General Directions

Caution to Parents: These "bugs" are decorations and not toys. Many of the pieces used are very small and should not be handled by young children. Be sure that all paints and glues are non-toxic.

Painting Tips: Poke a toothpick into each plastic foam piece to use as a handle while painting. Poke the opposite end of the toothpick into a scrap of STYROFOAM* Brand Products to keep the piece upright while drying. For complete coverage, use a stiff stencil brush and gently scrub the paint into the pores of the plastic foam. Allow to dry and apply a second coat if necessary.

Joining Pieces: Break a toothpick in half. Dip ends in glue and insert pick between the pieces you wish to join. Dip the end of chenille stems and flower stamens into glue before inserting into plastic foam.

Spider

MATERIALS NEEDED:

STYROFOAM Brand Products:
1- 2" ball

Other Materials:
2-12" black chenille stems
1- 5mm wiggle eyes, pair
Black acrylic paint
Thick white craft glue

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Paint plastic foam ball black.

2. Cut chenille stem into eight 3" pieces. Poke four pieces into each side for legs. When dry, bend to desired shape.

3. Glue wiggle eyes in place.

Large Ant

MATERIALS NEEDED:

STYROFOAM Brand Products:
2-1-1/4" balls

Other Materials:
2-12" black chenille stems
2- black flower stamens
1- 5mm wiggle eyes, pair
1- Toothpick
Black acrylic paint
Thick white craft glue

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Paint plastic foam balls black. Paint one end of one flower stamen red.

2. Glue plastic foam balls together in a line.

3. Cut chenille stems into six 3" lengths. Poke three pieces in each side of the center ball for legs. When dry, bend to desired shape.

4. Glue wiggle eyes in place. Cut red end from flower stamen and glue in place for the mouth. Fold remaining flower stamen in half and poke into head for antenna.

Small Ant

MATERIALS NEEDED:

STYROFOAM Brand Products:
3-1" balls

Other Materials:
1-12" black chenille stem; black acrylic paint
3- " cloth-covered floral wire; thick white craft glue

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Paint plastic foam balls black.

2. Glue plastic foam balls together in a line.

3. Cut chenille stem into six 2" lengths. Poke three pieces in each side of the center ball for legs. When dry, bend to desired shape.

4. Fold cloth-covered wire in half; paint black. Insert in head for antenna.

Caterpillar

MATERIALS NEEDED:

STYROFOAM Brand Products:
5-1-1/4 balls

Other Materials:
1 fat green chenille stem, cut to 5-1/2
1- 5mm wiggle eyes, pair
2 white flower stamens
1 Toothpick
Olive green acrylic paint
Red acrylic paint
Thick white craft glue

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Paint plastic foam balls green. Paint one end of one flower stamen red.

2. With a toothpick, poke a hole through three of the balls. Slide these three balls to the center of the chenille stem. Dip each end of the chenille stem in glue and poke one remaining ball on each end. For more flexibility, leave a portion of the chenille stem showing between each ball.

3. Glue wiggle eyes in place. Cut red end from flower stamen and glue in place for mouth. Fold remaining flower stamen in half and glue in place for antenna.

Ladybug

MATERIALS NEEDED:

STYROFOAM Brand Products:
1- 3" egg

Other Materials:
1- 5mm wiggle eyes, pair
8- 6mm black beads
3- " black chenille stem
Red acrylic paint
Black acrylic paint
Thick white craft glue
Pencil
Knife

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Horizontally slice off 1/4 of egg so it will lie flat and not roll.

2. Draw line around egg, approximately 1" from pointed end, to divide head from wings. Draw a center line down the back to divide the wings. Trace over this line to create a 1/8" indentation.

3. Paint head black and wings red.

4. Glue three beads onto each wing. Glue eyes in place. Fold chenille stem in half for antenna. Glue one bead onto each end. Glue to ladybug where wings meet head.

Butterfly

MATERIALS NEEDED:

STYROFOAM Brand Products:
1-1-1/4" ball
1- 2" egg

Other Materials:
2- 9" black chenille stems
1- 3mm wiggle eyes, pair
Mylar gift wrap or tissue paper
1- black flower stamen
Black acrylic paint
1- Toothpick
Thick white craft glue
Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Roll egg shape on a firm surface, forming a long thin tube. Flatten one end of tube. Slightly flatten one side of the ball.

2. Paint tube and ball black. Glue their two flat surfaces together.

3. Form each piece of chenille stem into a heart shape and twist the ends closed. Spread glue on one side of chenille stem and press onto Mylar. Weight while drying to keep it flat. Cut away excess Mylar around outside of chenille stem. Glue wings in place on body.

4. Glue wiggle eyes in place on head. Fold flower stamen in half and glue to head.

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