Felt Snake Bookmark for the Chinese New Year

The snake is a symbol that is used for Chinese New Year. Each new year one of 12 animals is the symbol for the year with the snake as the sixth character. The snake stands for intuition and wisdom. As children join their elders in preparing for the new year celebration they enjoy making decorations and gifts. Any child can make crafts to honor the Chinese New Year. A snake bookmark is an item that can be used daily and makes a nice gift for a child to give to a grandparent, teacher, friend or adult.

Snake Bookmark Supply List: Assorted felt colors in full sheets or remnants, black seed beads, black thread, needle, 1/2 inch wide satin ribbon, craft knife, cutting mat and ruler.

Step One: Trace around a round milk or juice bottle cap on recycled cereal box cardboard. Cut out the circle for a pattern piece.

Step Two: Place the pattern piece on a felt piece. Trace around the pattern with a pencil or marker with a line that is readily visible. Let the children cut out the circles with sewing scissors if time permits.

Step Three: Cut a 10 to 12 inch piece of satin ribbon. Tie a knot in one end. Pin a tiny safety pin through the other end. Set aside.

Step Four: Place the felt circles on the cutting mat. Cut two slits that are 1/2 inch wide and 1/2 inch apart from one another in the center of the circle.

Step Five: Line up six to eight circle in front of each child. Show the children how to thread the tiny safety pin ribbon end through the top slit from the bottom side. Bring the ribbon up through and go back down through the other slit. Pull all the way to the end positioning the knot at the back underside of the circle. Thread the ribbon through the next circle and continue until all circles are on the ribbon piece. Set aside.

Step Six: Place the pattern on a piece of felt and use it for a guide to make a heart shape that is larger than the circles. Cut two slits in it.

Step Seven: Thread the needle with black thread. Sew the beads on to the head for eyes.

Step Eight: Thread the satin ribbon through this heart head piece. Cut excess ribbon to allow enough to jut out from the head in the form of a V-notched tongue. Glue the ribbon under the head of the snake with thick craft glue. Set aside to dry.

Young children, ages 4 to 7 can glue pieces of felt on to craft foam for an easier craft when you have limited time in a classroom.

Source: http://www.daniellesplace.com/HTML/snakecrafts.html