Try and Tackle it Tuesday – make your own scarecrow
My American children's development is severely hampered by my own foreigness. There are still so many things that I do not understand about America such as why it is not possible to buy a single fitted twin sheet in Target as they are always sold in sets with pillowcases and flat sheets, why a six ounce packet of Goldfish costs $3.99 but 33 ounces costs $5.99, and why in November, when the skies are devoid of birds, and seeds won't be planted for another four months, suburban gardens are decorated with a surfeit of scarecrows.
For the most part, I put these conundrums to the back of my mind, and set about blending in instead.
Part of blending in requires one to own a broom, similar in design but with a complete set of bristles. In an attempt to maintain my green principles, this bedraggled broom is this week's tackle victim.
You will need the following:
A bedraggled broom
Bale of straw [keep the wires]
Wire cutters
Duct tape
3 foot of bamboo cane or other stick for the arms
Old children's clothes
Old gloves
Four large elastic bands
Three pipe cleaners
White and black foamy sheets for eyes
Glue
Tape the bamboo cane across the broom handle crosswise to form arms
Tape the raw ends with duct tape to prevent possible eye damage
Dress the scarecrow and stuff with straw
Use the wire to form a loop under the clothing from neck through the crotch to stop the scarecrow slithering down
Tie off the wrists and ankles with elastic bands to keep the straw in place
Stuff the gloves with straw and attach to the wrists with bands or duct tape
Cut circles of foamies to form eyes
Tuck curves of pipe-cleaners for mouth and eyebrows into the straw
Obviously one must be mentally prepared for the inevitable questions from enquiring young minds, such as the underlying purpose of scaring crows? All birds or just crows? The psychological susceptibility of crows versus other bird life and wild life?
On completion ensure that you do not use a mallet or hammer to poound the scarecrow into the ground, or alternatively, wait until there are no witnesses to note the vicious assault and battery upon the poor defenseless creature.
Ensure that you have solid arguments in rebuttal to the dual accusations of bird abuse and scarecrow sabotage. Be wise to the aggravated charge of ‘hate crime.’
November 11th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Ha! “the psychological susceptibility of crows…” Your little people think more thoughts than the average bear.
Our surfeit of crows here in the Pacific Northwest are not frightened by anything, as far as I can tell. “Scarecrows” must be downgraded to mere “straw-men”.
November 11th, 2008 at 1:26 am
Your instructions make this project sound even more enticing!
P.S. I, too, often wonder about the sheet situation at Target. What am I going to do with all these pillow cases?
November 11th, 2008 at 5:47 am
Lovely way to get rid of those old brooms, especially since the advertisers want us all to be Swiffering.
Thanks for a great project and always fun commentary, Maddy!
November 11th, 2008 at 7:22 am
What a cute tackle:-)
November 11th, 2008 at 10:50 am
LOL – I’ve missed reading your blog the past couple of days. I don’t think the crows are psychologically damaged at all, if anything, it’s the other way around. The scarecrow is probably tormented by the nasty things. You might take a peek at The Wiz for a glimpse of what I’m talking about
And I think you can buy single flat sheets – maybe find a way to gather the corners with elastic? Or how about those elastic clip on things that hold the sheets?
November 11th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Super cute! I’m going to do it when I move! We were already thinking about making a scarecrow for our garden! Great idea.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:48 am
You tackled that one very well – what an outstanding looking scarecrow and the broom face/head is quite the cleverest thing I’ve ever seen! Bravo!
November 11th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Smiles!!
Cute post
November 11th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Adorable!
November 12th, 2008 at 5:40 am
I like his shirt. ;o)
November 12th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
I’m in Canada and I can’t find any decent single fitted sheets either! I don’t want a flat sheet with it, argghhhh! LOL
November 13th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Great post! But I’m going to comment on your heating vent in the kitchen! lol. I am, because, I have that same goofy vent in mine. It really doesn’t give a lot of heat, which I suppose is why the kitchen is the coldest place in the house. I laughed when i saw that because I thought I was the only one stuck with that little puny vent! lol