Hi Connie, I have been trying so hard to get hold of you. First, I want to let you know that I really love Art Corner. Now here is what I want to ask you. My 13-year-old granddaughter and I love to do crafts together. But, I am running out of things for us to make. Do you have any ideas?              

Thanks, Michaela

--------------------     

Michaela,

I think it is wonderful that you do crafts with your grand daughter. I use to do crafts with my grandmother and we had more fun together. One of the things that my grandmother showed me how to make was Apple Head Dolls. I really think the two of you will enjoy making these.   

No two-apple heads will ever be alike. These are very durable; they should always be stored in an airy place. Through the years the apple will take on it's own personality, as it becomes darker with age, however the apple will not spoil.  

Carving the Apple Head: 

1. A vegetable peeler will be needed for carving.  

2. Choose a large apple. 

3. Wash the apple well. 

4. Peel the apple. {Do not remove the core} 

5. Using the tip of a butter knife outline the eyes, nose and mouth. 

6. Using the tip of the vegetable peeler, scoop out two shallow hollows for the eyes. 

7. Carve out wedge shaped pieces from each side of the nose. 

8. Slice out a shallow slit for the mouth. 

9. Remember to make features well defined to allow for shrinkage.    

Preserving the Apple Head: 

1. Soak the Apple Head for 10 minutes in concentrated lemon juice. 

2. Remember apples float, so make sure the apple is completely covered.   

Drying the Apple Head: 

1. Push a Popsicle stick halfway into the core of the Apple Head. 

2. Hang the Apple Head by a string in a dry place. {Not in the sun, and make sure it is not touching anything} 

3. Air-dry for 3 weeks. {A wrinkly face will appear.}   

Creating the Body: 

1. After the Apple Head is dry, make a body with pipe cleaners. 

2. Twist the corner of a pipe cleaner around the Popsicle stick just under the apple, and extend at both sides. This forms the arms. 

3. The middle of the Popsicle stick will form the body. 

4. Twist the center of another pipe cleaner around the bottom portion of the Popsicle stick and bend downward to make the legs. 

5. Beginning with the neck, twist cotton batting around the pipe cleaners, continuing wrapping arms, body and ending with the legs.   

Dressing the Apple Head Doll: 

1. Make a simple doll dress pattern. Fold the material in half. Make the shoulders of the dress at the fold. Cut a v-neck. Measure out about 3 and1/4 inches on each side of the v-neck. Cut straight down about 1 3/4 inches on each side. Then cut in about 2 and 1/2 inches back toward the v-neck. Now you have your sleeves. Angle out and cut down about 5 inches. That will give you the skirt of the dress. Turn the dress inside out and sew back to the front at the side seams. 

2. Hem the dress. 

3. Turn finished dress side out and pull over the dolls head. And place arms through the sleeves. 

4. Glue on simple felt hands and boots. Cut hands like mittens, and make simple boot shapes for boots. Then glue together over the pipe cleaners ends. 

5. Squeeze a line of glue along the hairline, I use mohair, but use whatever you like, pull the hair back and form into a bun. 

6. Press the pointy side of a popcorn seed into each eye socket. Dot each with a black marker. 

7. Add cheek and lip color with makeup.   

Have fun making your Apple Head Doll!!                                                                                        

Connie Jordan  

---