Running with glitter

with prompting from my friends and family I've decided to write a blog about one of my favorite things... CRAFTING


I'm mostly writing this blog so I have one place with all of my crafting finds and idea's... so this blog may be a little disorganized it will be more of a list of things to do with your kids and how to make things and such.. I will also post links to site and idea's for crafty things.. Please feel free to add idea's or comments or ask questions....
ohh and Mr. K is my son... born Sept 30th 2008

here is cool way to start off my blog... did you know you can dye macaroni???
well you can ,its great for "bead" projects or to use as glued on decorations....

Things You'll Need:

* Assorted Macaroni and Pasta Shapes
* Large Zip Top Freezer Bags
* Food Colouring
* Rubbing Alcohol
* Wax Paper
* You and Your Child's Creativity!

How To Dye Pasta For Crafts

Step 1

Fill a freezer bags with assorted shapes and sizes of macaroni so that you have a good variety in each bag. Put down newspapers or table cloth to avoid any stray messes.

Step 2

Pick out the colors you want to dye your macaroni shapes.

Step 3

Add about a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol to each bag of macaroni and several drops of food coloring desired to each bag depending on how much pasta you are looking to dye. then add in the pasta Make sure the bag is securely closed and shake so that the coloring and alcohol sufficiently cover all of your macaroni.

Step 4

Make sure that the macaroni is sufficiently covered to your satisfaction and let the bags sit closed for about fifteen minutes. This will allow the dye to soak into the pasta further and make deeper richer colors.

Step 5

Lay out the newly dyed pasta in a dry kid and pet safe" area for your macaroni to dry overnight. Use large sheets of wax paper on cookie sheets and shake out the pasta to dry, dispersing large groups so that you have some breathing room between pieces. I like to do this in a well ventilated area The alcohol will evaporate overnight leaving just the neat colored pasta that you can use for crafts, decoration, I like to use ribbon and make necklaces and bracelets out of them so fun and creative....


using regular food dye is great and remember if you need more than the basic colours.....
red and blue makes purple
blue and yellow makes green
yellow and red makes orange

Here are several different Home made edible soft play dough recipes

Cooked Playdough

you will need...

3 cups flour
1.5 cups salt
6 tsp cream of tarter
3 tbsp oil
3 cups water

1. Dissolve salt in the water.
2. Pour all ingredients into a large pot.
3. Stir constantly over medium heat until a ball forms by pulling away from the sides.
4. Knead the dough mixture until the texture matches playdough (1-2 minutes).

Store in plastic container. Should last for at least 3 months.

NOTE: This recipe is made from edible ingredients and not toxic in small amounts for children. However, a dog got sick after eating a batch of play dough. It is not intended as a food item. Please be sure to put it away after your children have finished playing.

Cooked Playdough (baking soda and corn starch)

1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup corn starch
3/4 cup water

Have your child mix the baking soda and corn starch in a pot. Use hands to make sure all the lumps are broken up. Add water. The adult should put the pan on the stove over medium heat and stir constantly. As soon as the mixture gathers together, remove from the heat. When it cools, have your child knead it into a smooth playdough.

Note: Don't over cook this playdough or it will crumble when the children use it.

Alternative Recipe for childrens playdough

2 cup cornstarch
2 cup baking soda
1 1/4 cup cold water

Gradually add water till smooth. Heat, stirring constantly until mashed potato consistency. Turn onto plate, cover with damp cloth, let cool. Knead dough.

Uncooked Playdough (salt and flour)

1/4 cup salt
1 cup flour
1/4 cup water

Have your child mix the flour and salt in a bowl then add water. Knead and squeeze the dough to make a clay consistency. You may need to add more water.

Note: Your child will find that this playdough doesn't last as long as the cooked recipes.

Kool-Aid Play Dough

The children will love the smell of this playdough!

2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups boiling water
2 packages unsweetened Kool-Aid

Mix dry ingredients. Add oil and water. Wearing gloves, knead for 10 minutes. Store in zip lock bag in refrigerator.

Notes:

1. Your hands may smell of the Kool-Aid flavor even with gloves.
2. Kool-Aid is a powdered drink mix sold in North America. Parents just add sugar and water to make the drink. The powder has both flavoring and color which makes it great for this craft.

Milk Jug bath toy.....

Using a clean plastic milk jug cut an opening at the top so you can easily scoop water, be sure to keep the handle intact.... using a hole punch you can fold the plastic just and punch hols in it... if the jug is stiff run it under hot water for a bit then dry it off and punch your holes...
This can also be used as bath tub toy storage when the bath is done...


Bottle shakers...
using clear water bottles , clean and remove labels , fill with just about anything....
water and glitter
rice
white baking flower and a pack or two of cool-aid
popcorn seeds
oil and coloured water... this gives a lava lamp like effect
to secure the lid use either hot glue or super glue.. then decorate the lid with ribbons or even coloured duct tape

Mr. K likes the song "shake it" and its also a great song to sing with Friends an learn how to share..

"shake it (baby or child's name) shake it, shake it like you can.. shake it like a milk shake and pass it to a friend....."


MAKE YOUR OWN TAMBOURINE

Teach your child how to make music from this toddler craft.

You will need :
* 2 paper plates
* Stapler
* Beans or rice
* Paint
* Stickers
* Ribbon

Take two paper plates and staple them together putting beans or rice in the middle. Let the child paint or glue or put stickers and ribbon on the outside making their own tambourine.