Project Note: This project is intended for kids ages 4+ and will need the help of an adult for a couple of steps.

First, unfold the two giant chenille stems. One will become your sloth’s arms and the other will become its legs.

#@#To make the arms, take one giant chenille stem and fold it in half. Hold the stem vertically, with the fold at the top; then make a twist about 2" below the fold to form a loop. Pull the loop’s sides apart to open it up a little.#@#ADULT: Use your hot glue gun to fasten the loop to the underside of the card box a few inches from one short end. Give the glue a few minutes to set.#@#

Next, flip the box over so the slotted lid is back on top. Pull the chenille stem’s ends out from underneath the box, so you have two (very!) long chenille arms sticking out on either side. Fold one arm in half, then wind the two halves around each other to thicken the arm. When you’ve finished wrapping, be sure to tuck in the stem’s end so it doesn’t show. Repeat this step to fold and wrap the second arm.

TIP: When you bend the arms in half, leave a little bit of a loop at the fold before you start wrapping. This will make it easier to add the claws in Step 7.

#@#Repeat Steps 2-4 to shape and attach the legs to the box as well.#@#

Make your sloth’s claws! Here’s how:

- Take a regular-sized chenille stem and fold it in half. This fold is now the center claw for one hand or foot.
- About 2" below the fold, bend one side of the chenille stem up to the same height as the center claw, then down again to make the second claw.
- Do the same for the other side of the chenille stem to make the third claw.
- Pinch each claw tip to crease it; then bend the folded claw ends over your finger to give them a bit of a curve.
- Each claw should be just about 2" long.

#@#Repeat this step to make the three remaining sets of claws. Attach each claw to a hand or foot by threading the smaller chenille stem through the folded end of a larger, white chenille stem. When all four claws are attached, bend the arms and legs so you can hook each claw into the card box’s slot. (This will help hold them in place.)#@#

Now it’s time to make your sloth’s face! Click here to view and print the template. Cut out the individual pattern pieces. Trace them and cut out each piece as follows:

- Trace the larger heart pattern onto a sheet of adhesive glitter foam and cut out the shape.
- Trace the medium heart pattern onto a sheet of white adhesive felt and cut out the shape.
- Trace the smallest heart pattern onto a sheet of pink glitter adhesive foam and cut out the shape.
- Trace the two eye patches onto the same sheet of adhesive glitter foam, and cut them both out.
- Cut a small, curved sliver from the adhesive glitter foam sheet to make your sloth’s smiling mouth.

#@#

And, here’s how to assemble your sloth’s face:

- Remove the paper backing from the medium felt heart and stick it onto the large glitter foam heart, making sure it’s centered.
- Stick the glitter foam eye patches onto the felt heart in place for his eyes.
- Remove the paper backing from the small glitter foam heart; then, place it upside-down below the eyes to make your sloth’s nose.
- Add the glittery smile underneath!
- Place an adhesive wiggle eye onto each eye patch to finish the face!

#@#Once your sloth’s adorable face is finished, remove the backing from the glitter heart and press the whole face onto the giant white pom-pom. Make sure you can see the pom-pom’s fuzzy ends all the way around.#@#ADULT: To finish, just hot glue the finished pom-pom (face/head) onto the short end of the box that’s just above the sloth’s arms.

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Sloth Valentine's Day Card Box

Instructions

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS