Easter Craft Project: Juggling Balls

April 13, 2017 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

I know, I know…making juggling balls isn’t your usual Easter craft project, but I’ve had so much fun that I thought I’d share them with you anyway.

. . . . .

Start with three pieces of scrap fabric, each 10cm wide by 18cm long. Woven or jersey cottons work well.

Fold one piece of fabric in half, right sides together, and stitch along both sides to form a small bag…

Turn it right side out and poke out the corners…

Fill with 75g of rice, lentils or small beans…

Bring the seam lines together at the top to close…

Fold under a small seam allowance and pin…

Now either handstitch the opening closed with a small slip stitch OR carefully machine it closed, making sure not to run over any of the filling (a narrow machine foot helps here, as does making the bag from stretch fabric)…

Make a big bowl of these little pyramid sacks and leave them on the table for folks to play with. Small people love them and they’re relatively painless on impact (I’ve been throwing them at the boys to check).

There’s a lot of research to suggest that learning to juggle is good for your brain – I’m a bit rusty at the moment, but I’ve been practising hard!

Here’s my earlier post on juggling, and my video from 2014…

Have a fun Easter break!

Posted in Cool Things, Food & Friends, Frugal Living | 21 Comments

21 Responses

on April 13, 2017 at 2:46 pm | Reply Manuela

Hahaha! I love the part where you throw them at the boys to check if they hurt on impact. I have lots of scraps….I think the boys would love these. Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful Easter!
- on April 13, 2017 at 2:47 pm | Reply Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Can’t put small people at risk, Manuela! :D Happy Easter to you all too!
on April 13, 2017 at 5:09 pm | Reply Anne Wheaton

Such concentration! I might pinch some wheat from the chooks’ feed bin and make some of these. Happy Easter Celia.
on April 13, 2017 at 5:23 pm | Reply jayssimpleliving

Your attempt at juggling is much better than l could ever do. Happy Easter to you and your family Celia:)
on April 13, 2017 at 5:43 pm | Reply Jan

Oh, great idea- and they look so nice. I have tried juggling because i also read that it’s good for your brain but i was pretty rubbish at it. I love that your boys were your crash test dummies. Happy Easter, Celia and thank you for bunspiration:)
on April 13, 2017 at 5:48 pm | Reply helenogorman2013

Need a rhyme to sing while you are juggling Celia like we all did in the playground as kids!!
on April 13, 2017 at 8:59 pm | Reply Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

I think this is what Americans would call hacky sack, right? You are very clever, Ms. Celia!
on April 13, 2017 at 9:21 pm | Reply thesnowwoman

Wow, you really are a woman of many talents!
on April 13, 2017 at 11:11 pm | Reply onecreativefamily

I think I will make some of these in bright colors and just put them in a Piece of pottery I have sitting on my table. Could be fun.
on April 14, 2017 at 12:14 am | Reply dianeskitchentable

Celia, you could go downtown with a cup for contributions and put on a nice juggling show. Happy Easter to you and your family.
on April 14, 2017 at 4:55 am | Reply Liz @ spades, spatulas, and spoons

Amazing, Celia you are a woman of many talents!
on April 14, 2017 at 9:27 am | Reply Francesca

Did I see those socks again? As always, you amaze me with your energy and positive approach to life. I watched the video twice, just to see your happy face.
on April 14, 2017 at 11:42 am | Reply equipsblog

I believe it is hackysack in the United States. I’m impressed with your ability to juggle. Happy Easter.
on April 15, 2017 at 9:48 am | Reply Viki Jones-Lambley

this looks like such a fun idea, Happy Easter
on April 15, 2017 at 10:44 am | Reply Shelley Brunson

Happy Easter to you my jugglin friend! Keep the socks coming…. EVERYONE loves them! Hey, great jugglin material! Lol. Shelley and the Volunteers at MustardSeed Op Shop!
- on April 15, 2017 at 11:12 am | Reply Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Bad news Shelley, the socks are finished! They’ve improved scanning technology so that they don’t need to use socks anymore. Glad we got a big batch last time!
on April 15, 2017 at 10:46 am | Reply Shelley Brunson

FYI American Hackey Sack is kicked with feet in circle to others!
on April 17, 2017 at 10:26 am | Reply Anne

Great timing! I also heard that juggling is good for the brain…and mine needs all the help it can get so I’m definitely making these.
on April 18, 2017 at 5:15 am | Reply Anne

What a lovely idea!
on April 24, 2017 at 2:14 am | Reply themateriallady

I love that you threw these at your boys to check if they hurt – didn’t you think that they could probably throw so much harder back if they had????
I had a sudden thought when I saw these that they would be good to have as missiles to get the grey squirrels off the bird feeders in my garden. They are getting a bit brazen now and don’t bother leaving unless I go out shouting and waving my arms. This would introduce an element of surprise ;)
on May 2, 2017 at 8:22 am | Reply Eva Taylor

What an incredibly cool shop! You have inspired me to make my own crossover bag to take with me on my morning walks, the one I have is just too big, I just need a small place for my wallet, a spot for my iPhone and a spot for a bottle of water and a hook for an umbrella. I am just doing a plain one from the leftover awning fabric and an old red plastic zipper, I still need to get red trim. Those vintage fabrics would make amazing little crossover bags! Once I perfect the pattern, I may post it.