While sugar cubes are not used as often anymore they can be used to make a delightful craft. This easy to use and easy to afford craft material can make some fun craft projects starting with this sugar cube igloo craft-
What you will need:
- A large box of sugar cubes (how many you will use will depend on the size of your igloo)
- 2 egg whites
- 3 cups of confectioners (also called powdered) sugar
- A seven inch cardboard circle
Instructions for the project: Start by mixing up your “mortar”. Beat the egg white slightly and add the confectioner’s sugar a little bit at a time until you make a fairly thick slurry. This is what you will use to hold your sugar cube igloo together. Start by laying a base row of sugar cubes around a 7-inch-diameter cardboard circle, leaving space for the entrance. Add subsequent layers of cubes, one row at a time, decreasing the circumference gradually as you go. Be sure to apply the mortar to the top cubes, not to those already in place. Also it works best to work alternately left and right from the entrance toward the back of the igloo and stagger the cubes the way a builder lays bricks. You will want to build a total of 10 layers, stopping halfway through the construction to let the igloo dry. You can make the arch and roof separately, working on a flat surface. When they are completely dry, glue them in place. Be sure to allow the igloo to dry completely, and then sprinkle with a blizzard of sugar.
For a variation on making a sugar cube igloo try this project:
What you will need:
- Paper plate
- Sugar cubes
- White icing
- Dried, shredded coconut
Instructions for the project: Have each child begin by spreading a circle of white icing on a paper plate. Have them lay sugar cubes end to end to make most of a circle. (Don’t forget to leave a space for the door!) Have each child spread more icing on top of the layer of sugar cubes. Carefully place another row of sugar cubes on top of the first, making sure to indent them a little so they hang over into the center. Spread more icing on top and keep going until the walls of the igloo meet at the top. You can then make a door out of a few more sugar cubes and icing. Allow the igloo to dry completely, and then sprinkle with shredded coconut to create a winter scene.
For a more advanced look for your sugar cube igloo you can try this variation:
What you will need:
- Paper plate
- Toothpicks
- Popsicle sticks
- Sugar cubes
- Frosting, preferably white
- Aluminum foil
- Marshmallows
- Shredded coconut
Instructions for the project: The first step is to create a base for your igloo and snowman. Completely cover the paper plate with the aluminum foil. The next step is to take a Popsicle stick and place a generous amount of frosting on your plate to create a foundation for your igloo. Keep in mind that you want to concentrate on having the frosting mostly on the sides and you can push it out once you have it down. But you also will want a little bit out in front of the circle just to have an entryway for your igloo. Now you can start placing the sugar cubes. You want to firmly press them down into the frosting so that the frosting comes up around the edges of each cube. After you place the first level of sugar cubes coat another layer of frosting on top and then repeat the first step. Remember to push down on the sugar cubes to get the frosting to come out through the cracks. Each layer you will want to gradually move in towards the center so that then you get a rounded igloo, instead of a straight wall. Feel free to make the front entryway however you like it. Decorate the outside of your igloo with marshmallows and shredded coconut.
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