Beady Foam Turtle

If you have a son or daughter who always wanted a pet turtle, but YOU didn't want to take care of a pet turtle, make this cute no-mess version out of foam sheets, beads, and colorful metallic threads. Your kids will love making this easy "pet" that's pocket-sized!

If you like this project, you will love our free Summer Crafts for Kids eBook.
 

Materials:

• Green & Yellow Fun Foam (Westrim brand)
• Blue & Yellow cabochons
• 8x10 Treasure Tape Sheet
• Diamond Beadlets
• Kreinik Dimensional Threads: Gold Braid Assortment
• Template

Instructions:

1. Using the template, trace your pieces onto the green and yellow fun foam. Cut them out carefully. Use an x-acto knife to cut out the holes in the "shell" layer of the pattern. Peel back the white backer side of your tape and place the yellow body layer on the tape. Cut out the shape and repeat to apply tape to the second side. Press out from the center with your fingers to smooth out any air bubbles.
    
2. Peel back the red liner on the bottom of your yellow piece. Place your feet and tail pieces on the tape, and then align the yellow body shape with the bottom green shape. Press to adhere firmly. Peel the red liner off the top of your yellow body piece. Align the top green piece over it, and press them together.
    
3. Begin to embellish. Use your gold threads to make a pattern on your "shell".
    
4. When finished embellishing, use your red liner to press all threads firmly into the tape. Place your design in a tray or ziploc bag and pour Diamond Beadlets over the exposed tape. Swirl with your fingers to cover fully. Tap to remove excess beadlets.
    

Kreinik threads available through needlework stores or www.kreinik.com.