The little Wusel story
Puschel placed two dry pinecones on the workshop table. One stood up. The other rolled onto its side. Puschel“That one would like a little rest first,” Puschel said.
Flauschi laid blue and orange felt beside them. Flauschi“Perhaps our little Wusels need somewhere steady for their feet.” Together they drew wide oval bases on sturdy card and covered them with felt.
Puschel had cut out an especially grand tail. When he held it behind his cone, the felt hung over the edge and pulled the little fellow sideways. He quickly steadied the cone. Puschel“A splendid tail. Just a little too much Wusel behind it.”
Flauschi“Shall we try everything without glue first?” Flauschi asked. She slid the bottom of the tail onto the base behind the cone. Puschel tried a smaller shape. Now it could lean against the pinecone instead of pulling everything backwards.
Only when they liked the arrangement did they glue the pieces down. The cones stayed on their bases while the glue dried. Puschel peered at them. Puschel“Waiting is the part my paws find hardest.” Flauschi passed him some paper. Flauschi“Your paws could draw two noses while we wait.”
Puschel drew small dark eyes and a round nose on his paper face. With help, Flauschi cut out the ears and placed a tiny paper flower beside her orange Wusel’s left ear. They drew the eyes; they did not need little plastic googly eyes.
Once everything was firm, two pinecone Wusels stood side by side. Puschel raised a paw. Puschel“Hello, little Puschel. You’re remarkably quiet today.” Flauschi waved to her cone. Flauschi“Perhaps they’re thinking up a story.”
Puschel“Then let’s sit with them,” said Puschel. Puschel“Perhaps it’s about someone who makes a far-too-big tail.” Flauschi giggled. The little pinecones did not say a word. They left the storytelling to the bigger Wusels.
What you need
- two clean, completely dry, undamaged fallen pinecones, collected only where permitted
- sturdy card for two wide oval bases, about 10 × 8 cm; use larger bases for larger cones
- blue, orange and pale felt scraps or sturdy coloured paper
- pale paper for faces, a dark pen and optional paper for a flower
- child-friendly craft glue suitable for card, felt and natural materials according to its packaging
- children’s scissors, a pencil and a protective work mat
How it works
- An adult checks the cones for damp, mould, sharp points and small creatures. Use suitable dry cones only. Do not heat natural materials in an oven or microwave.
- Draw a wide oval card base for each cone. An adult helps cut it out. Cover the top with felt or paper.
- Stand the cone on its base without glue. Try a small felt tail behind it: its bottom rests flat on the base and the top leans against the cone. The cone should stay upright.
- If it tips, change the tail size or widen the base. Only after testing, glue the cone and the bottom of the tail to the base. Use glue sparingly and follow its instructions.
- While the pieces dry undisturbed, draw eyes, nose and mouth on a small paper face. Cut two ears from felt or paper. Flauschi can have a paper flower beside her left ear.
- Glue the face and ears to suitable cone scales. Do not lift the figure until every join is completely dry and firm; follow the drying time on the glue packaging.
- Lift finished Wusels by their bases. If anything is loose, put them down and ask an adult to help reglue it. Invent a little greeting for your pinecone figures.
Adult help: Adults supervise collecting, check natural materials and help with cutting and glue. Do not use hot glue. Small felt and paper pieces or cone scales may come loose: unsuitable for children under three and never for mouthing. Wash hands after handling natural materials.
One more idea
- If a cone will not stand, try another or make a wider base.
- You can arrange the pieces loosely and photograph them instead of gluing.