A hedgehog is a small porcupine-like creature with spikes on its back. It is often kept as a pet and is a very popular subject for Christmas decorations. Teasel, a self-propagating wild plant found around virgin areas, has a spiky inflorescence. Its spiny oval shape closely resembles the body of a hedgehog. Therefore, it forms an ideal base to create a decorative piece. However, this craft is tricky and is best handled by adults or adult children under supervision. It is advisable to hold the card in a thick folded cloth while working on it, to prevent punctures. Following systematic instructions will help you create your own cardón hedgehog for this Christmas.
Raw Materials
• Teasels
• Paint
• Craft scissors
• Kitchen knife
• Pins with large round heads (to use as eyes)
• Wooden base (optional)
• Cloth or thick folded towel
• Glue
• Velvet or other decorative fabric
• Badges, ribbons and creative lace
Steps to make a Christmas thistle hedgehog:
• Wrapping the thistle: Wrap the thistle in a thick cloth, leaving the stem side uncovered. This is for holding only, so keep it untied.
• Shaping: Use a kitchen knife to shape the end of the stem into the protruding snout of the animal. If necessary, trim part of the barbed part as well. The oval shape of the inflorescence takes care of the natural shape of the animal’s body. However, the lower part of the belly must be prepared by removing the bones from the lower side. This also prevents the part from tipping over.
• Base: This step is optional. Glue a suitable size wooden base on the bottom side prepared earlier.
• Painting: Paint the entire structure. You have several options here. You can use a color scheme that resembles the natural color of a hedgehog. However, natural tones may not go very well with the bright and colorful holiday theme. Alternatively, you can use gold or copper shades.
• Facial features: Paint the heads of three large pins black. If you have already handled black-colored pinheads, immediately fix them on the hedgehog’s ‘face’ as two eyes and a nose.
• Accessories: To add a festive touch to your animal, create a collar-like embellishment made of velvet, ribbons, lace, decorative badges, etc.