Make a dragonfly with Em

I'm sure I've said this here before, but I'm never totally sure who all is out there reading Penny Carnival. It's so fun to receive comments on posts to get to know people better, but I know there are still others hanging around who don't chime in. Lurk all you want! That's perfectly fine! (Although I do love to hear from folks.)

One reader I do know about is my 6-year-old niece Em (not her real name, but close). Em loves to dance, sing, go to kindergarten, make art and be a fabulous big sister and cousin. When she was a tiny baby, she was all eyes. She would lock her gaze on you with her great big beautiful peepers, melting everyone's hearts. She's still taking the world in, one wonder at a time (and taking it by storm often, too).

I'm across the state right now in my hometown, visiting my parents and sister. We were doing crafts with the kids the other day and Em had a great idea--how about if she created a tutorial for Penny Carnival? Fabulous. I'm on the mend from strep throat, so I'm thrilled to get some help around here. 

She invented this dragonfly craft on her own and dictated the directions to me as I took notes and photos. 

So here you have it ... a dragonfly craft courtesy of future craft blogger and wonder girl Em. I wish you could hear her voice as she explained these steps. Carol Duvall in training. The comments in parentheses are mine ...

1. Fold a piece of construction paper, starting on the long end. Keep folding, (accordion style) until you get to the end.

2. Choose a twist tie, whatever color you want. Twist it around, then you twist it around again.

3. Then choose whatever color paper you want. Cut a circle. This is going to be the head. At the very bottom put a little bit of glue. Then stick it onto your dragonfly wings.

4. Then flip it over and that’s the front of your dragonfly. Draw a face on the front.

5. Then cut antlers (yes, antlers! squeal!!!) from either the same color or a different color. Cut two little squares out. With a glue stick, you glue the antlers on.

And there you have it! A dragonfly.

Not to be outdone by her older cousin, Bo had to get in on the action. So here's her tutorial for coloring on a piece of paper, delivered in the same Carol Duvall tone:

1. I colored in. I colored like this and this. And then I made this. And then watch. I do this color in. Then what you do is put the cap back on.

2. Then just fold it and get another color to color with. Blue, yellow, pink. Any color. Color like this, this and this.

3. Snap it back on (the cap) and that’s the end.

That's it. I'm going to Bermuda. You're in good hands here.

Comments

[Carolyn L.]

Adorable! Especially Bo's haircut ... may have to show it to a certain 4-year-old I know.

[Apryl]

super cute post & cute pics! the girls are adorable!

[Sarah Vine]

My 5 year old son loved the tutorial - he had me read through it for him then made a dragonfly of his his own! I've a photo of him proudly displaying the result if Em wants to see. Then, he taught his 3 year old sister how to do one too. Thanks for the afternoon's activity! Thumbs up.x

[Megan]

That's so great, Sarah!! I can't wait to tell Em. She'll be over the moon. I see from your blog that you're in Israel. I'm going to show her where that is on the map. I'd love it if you would e-mail me the photo and let me post it here (but no worries if you don't want to do that).
Thanks, Apryl and Carolyn! Hope all is well.

[Dena]

I can't believe how much "Em" looks like her Mom, also and "Em". Can't wait to see in person!!!! Love you all

[Megan]

That's so funny you say that, Dena, because I was showing my mom your facebook page the other night and we were talking about how much your "Em" (or "Eee," I guess) looks like you. xoxo