Simple Steps To Crafting A Cute Turtle

There are many ways to make a turtle, whether it be an origami turtle, a turtle costume, or even a turtle candy. Origami turtles can be made with a square piece of origami paper, and the paper should be folded in half and then unfolded, followed by folding the corners to the center crease. The paper should then be turned over, and the slants should be folded to meet at the center. The steps can be slightly different depending on the type of origami turtle being made. A turtle costume can be made with green clothing, green makeup, and a shell made from a roasting pan or felt. The shell can be painted to look like a turtle shell, and ribbons can be attached to hold the shell on the wearer's back. Finally, a turtle candy can be made with pecans, chocolate, and caramel. The pecans are toasted, and then the caramels are melted with evaporated milk. The pecans are arranged in clusters and the caramel is spooned over them, followed by melted chocolate.

Folding an origami turtle

Materials:

You will need a square piece of origami paper. If you only have regular 8.5x11 paper, follow these instructions to make it into a square sheet.

Step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Place the sheet of paper with the white side facing up. Fold it in half and then unfold it.

Step 2: Fold the edges to the center line and then unfold.

Step 3: Flip the paper over.

Step 4: Fold the slants to meet at the center and allow the flaps in the back to come loose.

Step 5: Flip the paper over.

Step 6: Fold to the center line, along one layer only. Make sure to not crease the flaps created in the previous step.

Step 7: Fold up, aligning the bottom edge with the center line.

Step 8: Fold the right flap down, aligning the point with the bottom edge.

Step 9: Repeat on the left side.

Step 10: Fold the top flap in half.

Step 11: Fold the flap up, aligning the circled points.

Step 12: Fold and unfold, aligning the side edges with the top edges.

Step 13: Swivel fold towards the center, using the crease made in the previous step.

Step 14: Pleat the bottom to create the tail. Flip the model around.

Step 15: Pleat the tail and narrow the body.

Step 16: Narrow the arms and legs.

Tips:

• You can pleat the arms to shorten them and give more volume to your model.
• You can also pleat the head to shorten it and give more volume to your model.

Making a turtle shell out of a roasting pan

Collecting Your Materials:

Firstly, you will need to get your hands on a disposable aluminum roasting pan, which can be found in most grocery stores and dollar stores. Look for an oval-shaped pan with a pattern stamped into the bottom, often used for roasting large birds like turkeys. Additionally, you will need dark brown and dark green spray paint, painter's tape, and wide brown ribbon for straps.

Molding the Roasting Pan:

The roasting pan will need some adjustments to resemble a turtle shell. Begin by folding over the lip of the pan into the inside to reduce the squared corners and avoid sharp edges. Then, push out from the inside of the pan to round out the bends, giving it a more turtle shell-like shape.

Creating Holes for the Straps:

Think about where the straps of a backpack would go, and poke four holes in the pan: two in the top corners and two at the bottom. The top holes should be slightly wider apart than the bottom ones, which will help cinch the straps near your waist. You can use a drill or other sharp tools like scissors or a screwdriver to make these holes.

Painting the Roasting Pan:

Cover both the inside and outside of the pan with dark brown spray paint and let it dry for about 15-20 minutes. Then, cover the molded lines in the bottom of the pan with painter's tape, as these will become the lines between the turtle's shell scales. Spray paint the outside of the pan with green spray paint, allowing some of the brown to show through for a textured look. You can also use a paintbrush and green acrylic paint to add more texture. Let the paint dry completely before removing the painter's tape to reveal the brown lines.

Adding the Straps:

Cut two slits on each side of the shell near the edge and push the brown ribbon through the holes to create shoulder straps. Tie knots on the outside of the pan to secure the ribbons. Adjust the length of the ribbons by placing the shell on your back and pulling them tight until it feels secure.

With these steps, you can create a turtle shell out of a roasting pan, forming the basis for a fun and creative turtle costume!

Making a turtle shell using felt

To make a turtle shell using felt, start by cutting an oval out of a piece of cardboard that will fit on your back. Cut two ovals from dark green felt—one that's identical in size to the cardboard oval, and one that's 3 inches (7.6 cm) larger. Sew around the edge of the larger oval with dark green thread, leaving a long stitch. Pull the thread to gather the edge of the oval, then stuff the oval with as much filling as possible. Attach the stuffed oval to the cardboard base with hot glue.

Next, cut slits in the top and bottom of the smaller oval where you will place the ribbons to create straps. Think of these straps as those on a backpack to help you place them. Place the slits in the bottom of the oval about one inch closer together than the slits on the top in order to create a cinching effect near the waist to keep the shell more secure on your back.

Cut shell scales from lighter green felt. You will need several shapes to cover the shell. Use hexagons, squares, and a four-sided shape with one rounded side, resembling an ice-cream cone shape. Attach the three whole hexagons to the centre of the rounded part of the shell, leaving enough space between them to allow the dark green felt to show through. Glue the half hexagons in place, with the points facing towards the centre of the shell. Fit the four-sided pieces into your mosaic to complete the scales, then finish the scales with the small squares, gluing them all the way around the edges of the shell.

Finally, attach the smaller oval and ribbons to the cardboard base. Put your arms through the straps and adjust the length as needed so that the shell fits snugly on your back.

Making turtle-shaped candies

Ingredients:

• Pecan halves
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Light corn syrup
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Unsalted butter
• Vanilla extract
• Milk chocolate candy coating
• Flaky sea salt (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Pecans

Start by toasting the pecan halves. You can do this in an oven at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes, or on a stovetop over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Stir the pecans occasionally to ensure even toasting. Once they are fragrant and lightly browned, remove them from the heat and let them cool.

Step 2: Create the Caramel

In a small saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, light corn syrup, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Cook and stir this mixture over medium heat until it reaches a temperature of 235-240°F. You can use a candy thermometer to check the temperature. Alternatively, you can use the ice water test by dropping a small amount of the hot caramel into a bowl of ice water. If you can roll it into a ball, it's ready.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract.

Step 3: Assemble the Turtles

Arrange the toasted pecans in small clusters of 3-5 pecans each on a lined baking sheet. Spoon the melted caramel onto the pecan clusters, ensuring that it touches each nut to hold them together. Let the caramel set.

Step 4: Add the Chocolate

Melt the milk chocolate candy coating in the microwave or on the stovetop. Stir it until smooth, and then spoon it over the caramel-pecan clusters. If desired, sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top of the chocolate before it sets.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Chill the turtle candies in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes or until the chocolate is set. Then, they are ready to be served and enjoyed!

Storage:

You can store these turtle candies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Alternatively, you can freeze them for 2-3 months.

Creating a turtle costume

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Firstly, you will need to collect the necessary items for your costume. For the turtle shell, you can choose between using a roasting pan or felt as your base material. If you opt for the roasting pan, look for a disposable aluminum pan with an oval shape and a pattern that resembles the design on a turtle's shell. These can often be found in grocery stores or dollar stores. Alternatively, if you prefer to use felt, ensure you have enough dark and light green felt to create an oval that will cover your back. You will also need a glue gun, glue sticks, a sewing machine, dark green thread, stuffing, cardboard, and wide ribbon for straps.

For the rest of the costume, gather green clothing items such as pants, socks, shoes, shirts, and mittens. A green hoodie or skullcap hat can cover your head, and green tights and a leotard can be worn underneath. Don't forget to include face paint or green makeup to complete the look!

Step 2: Create the Turtle Shell

If you are using a roasting pan, start by moulding it to look more like a turtle shell. Fold over any large lips or sharp edges, and push out from the inside to round out the bends. Poke four holes in the pan for the straps and spray paint it with dark brown and dark green paint. Cover the moulded lines with painter's tape before spraying with green paint to create a textured look. Once dry, remove the tape and thread the ribbons through the holes to create shoulder straps.

If you are using felt, cut out an oval from cardboard that will fit comfortably on your back. Trace this onto dark green felt and cut out two ovals, one slightly larger than the other. Sew around the edge of the larger oval and gather the edges to create a dome shape. Stuff the oval with as much filling as possible and attach it to the cardboard base. Cut slits in the top and bottom of the smaller oval for the straps and glue it to the cardboard. Cut out shell shapes from the lighter green felt, such as hexagons, squares, and four-sided shapes. Glue these to the shell, leaving space between each shape to resemble the lines on a turtle's shell. Finish by gluing the smaller oval over the gathered edges.

Step 3: Assemble the Costume

Now it's time to put your turtle costume together! Put on your green clothing, making sure to cover yourself from head to toe. Don't forget to add green makeup to your face, neck, and ears, and paint your hands green if you couldn't find green mittens. Finally, attach your turtle shell to your back by slipping your arms through the straps and adjusting them for a snug fit.

Step 4: Final Touches

Feel free to add any final touches to your costume to make it unique. You can add a pink bow, carry a wand, or incorporate other creative elements to stand out. Enjoy your fun and easy turtle costume!

Frequently asked questions