La Befana Christmas Decor

by pizzidave in Living > Holidays

1016 Views, 0 Favorites, 0 Comments

La Befana Christmas Decor

IMG_20181126_110004.jpg
IMG_20181126_105321.jpg

So last year I was made aware of La Befana by a friend and instantly loved her story. I knew I wanted to incorporate her into my holiday decor. This is what I came up with!

Here's some info on her and her story, La Befana . Hopefully you will fall in love too!

Materials

Foam head

Old lady/witch mask

Plastic eyes

White/gray wig

Head scarf

Large head pins or T pins

Push pins

Tattered or worn clothes

Old shoes

Pool noodles

Floral wire

Foam rollers

Garden gloves

Large plastic container

Utility knife

Zip ties

Glue

Broomstick

Cinnamon broom

Fabric bag

Utility cord

Pantyhose (optional)

Mesh Bows (optional)

Creating the Head

IMG_20181126_110324.jpg
IMG_20181201_164442.jpg
IMG_20181201_164521.jpg
IMG_20181201_164544.jpg
IMG_20181201_164550.jpg
IMG_20181201_164627.jpg
IMG_20181201_164717.jpg
IMG_20181201_164706.jpg

Apparently, wicked elves have taken the original pictures I took of this step. I retook them using a different mask, wig and scarf.

Prepare your mask to look the way you want. I took alcohol swabs to remove some of the paint and bring the flesh tone through. Then I touched up the moles with a brown marker.

Take the foam head, place the mask on it. Secure it in place with pins.

Place the wig on and secure on with pins.

Place the head scarf on and secure in place with pins.

Since my mask did not have eyes, I purchased some online and glued some push pins on the back, secured with glue when pushed into foam head.

Forming the Body

IMG_20181125_170049.jpg
IMG_20181125_170112.jpg
IMG_20181125_170252.jpg
IMG_20181125_170444.jpg
IMG_20181125_170527.jpg
IMG_20181125_170624.jpg
IMG_20181125_170953.jpg
IMG_20181125_173456.jpg
IMG_20181125_173526.jpg
IMG_20181125_173606.jpg
IMG_20181125_173653.jpg
IMG_20181125_173834.jpg
IMG_20181125_181130.jpg
IMG_20181201_164951.jpg
IMG_20181201_165003.jpg
IMG_20181201_165153.jpg
IMG_20181201_165215.jpg
IMG_20181201_165238.jpg

Using a utility knife cut arm and leg holes into the large plastic container.

Use the foam noodles to create the arms and legs.

Run the floral wire through the foam noodle to make it keep form when bending and forming the limbs.

Place the foam rollers in the fingers of the garden gloves, place at the ends of the arms and secure on with a zip tie.

For the feet, I placed an old pair of shoes on the end of the noodle and I zip-tied them in place.

For a wrinkly skin effect on the legs, I placed a pair of pantyhose on the legs. This is optional.

To attach the head, I cut a hole on the top of the container that would secure the head. I placed the head in the opening and made sure it was a snug fit.

Dressing and Finishing Touches

IMG_20181125_181652.jpg
IMG_20181125_181112.jpg
IMG_20181125_181117.jpg
IMG_20181126_111141.jpg

Dress the body and use glue, pins, and zip ties to secure the clothing in place.

Zip tie the broomstick to the hands and feet areas.. Zip tie the cinnamon broom to the end of the broomstick.

I created her bag with tattered fabric pieces over a foam block. I ended putting another bag over the initial bag.

Attach her bag and secure with zip ties.

I also added mesh bows to embellish her (optional)

Hanging La Befana

IMG_20181126_111130.jpg

Using the utility cord attach it to the body near the base of the neck. That's it, hang and enjoy!