Corn Dolly

How many of you ate corn on the cob for the 4th of July yesterday? Come on, raise those hands... I know I did, and as such, I had a big bag full of leftover corn husks afterwards. Why waste those precious husks on the garbage can? A compost bin is a good place to begin, but a good number of those husks can be saved and turned into corn dollies, which make great decorations for Lammas, Mabon, and even Imbolc! So go on, grab a hand-full of them. I'd recommend having 20 or so on hand, per dolly. You probably won't use all of them, but having extra is better than not enough. If you didn't happen to have any corn on the cob last night, it's okay. Most megamarts carry dried corn husks that can be used instead - just soak them in some water for about a half-hour first. You will also want a pair of scissors, some cotton balls (two or three per dolly), and a skein of yarn. I chose red, but the color is really up to you.

Head:

1. Take a single husk and place a cotton ball or two in the middle. 
2. Fold the husk in half and twist around the cotton balls to form the head.
3. Tie in place with yarn.

 Arms:

1. Take two or three corn husks, and lay them on top of each other. Fold in half, and then in half again.
2. Tie off both ends of the husks with yarn to make the arms.
3. Slide the arms between the front and back flaps of the head piece. Tie in place with yarn, wrapping around several times.

Skirt:

1. Begin layering husks around the waist of the corn doll, pointing up. Yes, that's right - it ought to look like your corn dolly pulled a Marilyn Monroe.
2. Once the skirt goes all the way around the doll, still flipped up, tie the husks to the torso tightly.
3. Begin pulling the husks down over the top of the yarn, so that her skirt appears normal, and conveniently hides some of the yarn.

Extras:
At this point, it's up to you. You could use some yarn, leftover husks, raffia, or other material to give her hair. Using glue and some beads, or just a marker, you can add a face. A poncho-style dress is easily made by taking a length of fabric twice as long as the body, folding it in half, and cutting out a circle for the head. Slide the fabric over the head, and consider tying off with ribbon or more yarn. Or, just leave the dolly as-is. You be the judge.