Never be stuck for something to do! Keep your hands and brain busy with glue, tape and scissors – and have crafty fun with Fifi!
An adult Greek tortoise, like Torty, is around 20cm long. But you can make a mini one from a walnut shell! Torty has some toes missing from her run in with an artillery gun in 1916. Can you see which ones they are?
![](https://www.thesapling.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/09ef90_1adb08da0e874d299c1aba0f9c36763c-mv2.jpg)
You will need:
- Walnut shells (halved and kernels removed) NB These are in-season this month & next, so ought to be available at supermarkets and roadside stalls.
- Torty template
- Craft glue
- Scissors (small ones are best)
- Felt tipped pens (optional)
![](https://www.thesapling.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/09ef90_7e5d6ccccb4b42089aea03915315e81d-mv2.jpg)
1. Print out
![](https://www.thesapling.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/09ef90_09805927002d42f19b4e09c7f9c638f2-mv2.jpg)
Print off the template onto heavy paper or thin card.
2. Colour
![](https://www.thesapling.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/09ef90_4868f29893ba4ebbb464caf12338d3fe-mv2.jpg)
Colour in a tortoise, or use a pre-coloured one.
3. Cut & glue
![](https://www.thesapling.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/09ef90_8781a4d8e61b4fd59e084ebac770f636-mv2.jpg)
![](https://www.thesapling.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/09ef90_0bfbf7465528425bb97b25bfe49d27c0-mv2.jpg)
Cut it out and dot glue onto the legs.
4. Stick & flip
![](https://www.thesapling.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/09ef90_60232432e608459f9ee5ff4ef9fcd4a4-mv2.jpg)
Stick the shell to the tortoise and flip it onto its back to dry.
5. Finishing touches
![test alt text](https://www.thesapling.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/09ef90_1adb08da0e874d299c1aba0f9c36763c-mv2.jpg)
When it is completely dry, bend the neck, legs and tail to make the tortoise stand. Pinch the nose a little to give the head shape.
Make a whole bunch! Did you know a group of them is called ‘a creep’ of tortoises?
Print this craft out and save it for later: Here’s the PDF, incorporating both templates
![](https://www.thesapling.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/fifi-colston-150x150.jpg)
Fifi Colston
Fifi Colston is a freelancer with fingers in many creative pies. She is a published junior fiction novelist, children’s book illustrator of more than 50 titles, poet and a long-standing television presenter of arts and crafts on firstly TVNZ’s WhatNowand then TheGoodMorningShow. Fifi is a veteran of Wearable Arts; a finalist and award winner over 26 years with 26 entries in show. She also works in the New Zealand film industry as a costumier, puppet maker and illustrator.
When she has a moment, Fifi visits schools and community groups, inspires budding artists and writers and runs workshops in creative process. You can find her at fificolston.com.