Cedric... my elf. I constructed him of paper, chenille stems, and yarn. His simple sweetness has found its way into my heart.
Cedric's tinkle toes are Shiny Brite bells purchased years ago at Gambles. In my childhood, Gambles Hardware Store in downtown Brainerd (Minnesota) was a frequent stop on our Saturday trips to town. This memory prompted me to hang the two remaining bells, that are wired to their display cardboard, on a tree branch.
I saved the directions from a November 2001 issue of Better Homes and Gardens. The "Holiday Countdown" article in the BH&G Kids section of the magazine provides directions, but they are a little sketchy. Along with the magazine's instructions, I've provided you with a few extra hints. With supplies you probably already have in your craft stash, he is so quick to make.
The wood ball knob looks likes this:
To make Cedric's tunic, I cut a piece of paper 6 3/4 in. long x 4 in. wide then folded it in half. For the hat, I cut a 3 1/2-inch diameter circle with a Making Memories Circle Cutter that I had purchased at Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts a few years ago. (Michael's sells a Martha Stewart Circle Cutter that cuts up to 12" circles.) I cut the circle in half then formed a cone shape that is the perfect size. When attaching the yarn, I applied Tacky glue to the sides of the wooden ball as well as the top so that the "hair" lays flatter on the head. This allows the hat to sit more snugly on Cedric's head. I attached a tiny pom-pom to the hat by threading some red and white twine onto a needle, inserted it into the pom-pom, and tied a knot. I poked the other end of the string into the tiny opening at the point of the hat and secured it with a drop of glue.