Don't throw away that plastic cup! Instead, use it to create a Whimsical Chicken Noisemaker from Heidi Borchers! Crafts made from recycled materials are a great way to trim your trash and be eco-friendly! Plus, who wouldn't want this little cutie on their desk or table?

Materials:
- 16” square of yellow print fabric
- Felt scraps: yellow, red, orange
- Cotton crochet thread
- Glue
- Styrofoam ball 2” diameter - cut in half
- Polyester stuffing
- Plastic cup 10 ounce
- Wiggle eyes-2- 1/2”
- Push pin
- Bead- small for end of thread
Instructions:
- Use the push pin to poke a hole in the center of the bottom of the cup.

- Push one end of the thread through the hole. (Hint-Place small amount of glue on the end of the thread, let dry, then insert into hole).
- Place the small bead onto the thread on the outside bottom of the cup and knot bead onto the thread.

- Glue half of the Styrofoam ball onto the bottom flat area of cup covering the knot. Let dry.

- Transfer the body pattern to the fabric and cut out.
- Be sure to leave a seam allowance of 1/2”.

- Squeeze a line of glue on the right side of one body piece, leaving bottom edges unglued.

- With right sides facing and raw edges aligned, lay the other piece of the body fabric down to glue the pieces together.
- Let the glue dry.

- Clip the curves. This makes the seam nice and smooth when it's turned right side out.

- Turn the body right side out.

- Place a small amount of stuffing on top of the Styrofoam ball.

- Carefully pull the fabric body over the cup.

- Pull the fabric taut.
- Place glue on the inside bottom edge of the cup.

- Fold the fabric up inside the cup into the glue.
- Use clothespins to help hold until the glue dries.

- Cut the remaining patterns from felt, and glue into place using the photo as a guide for placement.
- Glue on the wiggle eyes.
- Let glue dry.

- To create the ‘noise’, cut a piece of fabric 3” to 4” square.
- Dampen the fabric square with water and fold in half around string.
- Jerk fabric down string to make noise.

For a comprehensive video tutorial, check out How to Make a Chicken Noisemaker.