I wish I could claim credit for this lovely idea. Instead, I'll refer you over to a gifted lady who put together several small activities to create a lovely finished artwork. I think you'll enjoy the project and the lessons to be learned during the creation of the final hanging.
Click here to view Ruth's delightful project
And of course, I have to add my two bits, right?
Depending on budget and time constraints, I could easily see this project in a variety of ways.
Laminate the finished work between two clear sheets to turn it into a place mat (for a full page project) or coasters (smaller projects).
Use other images for different study models: a forest scene woven with a close up of a single tree; a vegetable garden woven with a picture of a dinner plate; a pasture with cows woven with a picture of dairy products, a Bible scene woven with a picture of an open Bible. Ruth's project provides a great way to tie together source-and-product lessons.
Thanks, Ruth, for a great project!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
What can I do with Plastic Buckets?
Have you acquired a collection of large plastic pails? Put them to use as toys, storage or decorations. Here are some ideas:
"Projects Using Recycled Plastic 5-Gallon Pails": Click here
Here are a few more ideas:
Cut holes in the lid to create a game.
Beanbag toss: Mark off an appropriate "tossing" distance on the floor using masking tape or duct tape: little ones might need just a few inches, older children a few feet.
Clothespin drop: Use smaller holes and have children stand with their toes against the bucket to drop the pins into the bucket.
Make a mini-compost bin
Poke 1/4" holes around the bucket at several levels to provide aeration. Line up several buckets to create a progressive compost, turning from one bucket to the next on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
Create an automatic plant watering device
Run cotton cord from the bucket to one or more flower pots set lower than the bucket. Fill the bucket with water and plants will be watered slowly as water wicks from the bucket to the pots.
"Projects Using Recycled Plastic 5-Gallon Pails": Click here
Here are a few more ideas:
Cut holes in the lid to create a game.
Beanbag toss: Mark off an appropriate "tossing" distance on the floor using masking tape or duct tape: little ones might need just a few inches, older children a few feet.
Clothespin drop: Use smaller holes and have children stand with their toes against the bucket to drop the pins into the bucket.
Make a mini-compost bin
Poke 1/4" holes around the bucket at several levels to provide aeration. Line up several buckets to create a progressive compost, turning from one bucket to the next on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
Create an automatic plant watering device
Run cotton cord from the bucket to one or more flower pots set lower than the bucket. Fill the bucket with water and plants will be watered slowly as water wicks from the bucket to the pots.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Fleece Blanket Instructions, Tied and Otherwise
Although the weather is warm now, we know it won't stay that way. Fleece blankets or throws make nice gifts as well as being great for personal use.
I had assignments to write two articles on making fleece blankets. You can read them here:
Fleece Tied Blanket Instructions: Click here
Directions to Make a Fleece Blanket: Click here
The first one requires no sewing, just cutting and tying. The second article offers several options for creating a fleece blanket.
Enjoy!
I had assignments to write two articles on making fleece blankets. You can read them here:
Fleece Tied Blanket Instructions: Click here
Directions to Make a Fleece Blanket: Click here
The first one requires no sewing, just cutting and tying. The second article offers several options for creating a fleece blanket.
Enjoy!
Monday, May 24, 2010
A Faux Leather Gift for Father
An Empty Box, a Roll of Masking Tape and Enthusiasm Make a Great Gift for Dad
Here’s is a project that lets children be creative, indulge in the joy of tearing something and make a gift – all at the same time! Recycle an empty box into a valet box for Dad’s dresser. Imitation leather boxes take a little time, but offer a satisfying end product.
Click here for more on this project...
Here’s is a project that lets children be creative, indulge in the joy of tearing something and make a gift – all at the same time! Recycle an empty box into a valet box for Dad’s dresser. Imitation leather boxes take a little time, but offer a satisfying end product.
Click here for more on this project...
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Crafty Cakes - Part One
Love fancy cake shapes but not the cost of fancy-shaped cake pans? Lots of cakes can be formed with standard cake pans and a little “cut and paste” daring. You don’t need the training of those bakers on cable television shows to make a nice cake for your family or a get together. (In the interest of being able to fit into my clothes, I’m showing the shapes on paper, but I’ve done many cakes of this nature through the years.)
The key is in the relationship between the cake pan sizes. None of these directions are carved in stone. Feel free to play with the pans you have. If you’re working with a recipe that specifies one size of pan and you’re working with a different one, these tables may come in handy:
Cake Pan Size Conversions from AllRecipes.com
Pan Sizes and Volumes from JoyOfBaking.com
The cakes we’ll look at today begin with one square and one round pan. Do not level cakes until instructed. Some cakes may not require leveling at all. In most cases, you'll be working with a round pan with a diameter matching the side measurement of the square pan.
Heart:
Let’s start with a heart shaped cake. With a square pan and a round one whose diameter matches the length of the square pan, you can create a heart quite easily. Bake a single layer of each or make it a layer cake, if you prefer.
Single layer cake:
Do not level the cakes. Cut the round layer in half across the diameter. Place the square layer on the serving surface with one point facing toward the bottom. Place the half-round layers against the two top edges of the square, cut side toward the square. Level the cake, if necessary, but a gently rounded top is okay. Frost and decorate.
Layer cake:
Assemble the first layer as above and level the cake. Spread with frosting or filling. Place the second layer atop the first. Level if necessary. Frost and decorate.
Egg or football cake:
Position the square layer on the surface with a flat side pointing to the bottom. Place the half-round layers at opposite ends of the square layer. Level the cake if necessary. Frost and decorate.
UPDATE: I wrote an article on making a football cake for a website assignment and they wanted actual photos, so..o..o..o: Click here for the article and photos.
Butterfly cake:
Cut the square layer in half down the center. Place one half of the square layer (now a rectangle) on the serving surface. Place the half-rounds along the long sides of the rectangle, rounded side in. Cut a triangle from the remainder of the square layer for the head (or use a muffin). Frost and decorate. This is one time where a round pan with a larger diameter than the side measure of the square one will make a very nice show.
Ladybug cake:
This is a variation on the butterfly cake – put the points of the half-round at the upper corners of the rectangle and tilt slightly. Frost and decorate.
Muffin cakes:
Don’t overlook the possibility of assembling a fancy shape from cupcakes and then frosting them as a whole. This has the advantage of requiring no cutting to serve and the cupcakes can be eaten out-of-hand, without the need of a plate. Great for a crowd or where you want to have a variety of cake flavors.
The key is in the relationship between the cake pan sizes. None of these directions are carved in stone. Feel free to play with the pans you have. If you’re working with a recipe that specifies one size of pan and you’re working with a different one, these tables may come in handy:
Cake Pan Size Conversions from AllRecipes.com
Pan Sizes and Volumes from JoyOfBaking.com
The cakes we’ll look at today begin with one square and one round pan. Do not level cakes until instructed. Some cakes may not require leveling at all. In most cases, you'll be working with a round pan with a diameter matching the side measurement of the square pan.
Heart:
Let’s start with a heart shaped cake. With a square pan and a round one whose diameter matches the length of the square pan, you can create a heart quite easily. Bake a single layer of each or make it a layer cake, if you prefer.
Single layer cake:
Do not level the cakes. Cut the round layer in half across the diameter. Place the square layer on the serving surface with one point facing toward the bottom. Place the half-round layers against the two top edges of the square, cut side toward the square. Level the cake, if necessary, but a gently rounded top is okay. Frost and decorate.
Layer cake:
Assemble the first layer as above and level the cake. Spread with frosting or filling. Place the second layer atop the first. Level if necessary. Frost and decorate.
Egg or football cake:
Position the square layer on the surface with a flat side pointing to the bottom. Place the half-round layers at opposite ends of the square layer. Level the cake if necessary. Frost and decorate.
UPDATE: I wrote an article on making a football cake for a website assignment and they wanted actual photos, so..o..o..o: Click here for the article and photos.
Butterfly cake:
Cut the square layer in half down the center. Place one half of the square layer (now a rectangle) on the serving surface. Place the half-rounds along the long sides of the rectangle, rounded side in. Cut a triangle from the remainder of the square layer for the head (or use a muffin). Frost and decorate. This is one time where a round pan with a larger diameter than the side measure of the square one will make a very nice show.
Ladybug cake:
This is a variation on the butterfly cake – put the points of the half-round at the upper corners of the rectangle and tilt slightly. Frost and decorate.
Muffin cakes:
Don’t overlook the possibility of assembling a fancy shape from cupcakes and then frosting them as a whole. This has the advantage of requiring no cutting to serve and the cupcakes can be eaten out-of-hand, without the need of a plate. Great for a crowd or where you want to have a variety of cake flavors.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Praise Him with songs and music
Use scriptures to bring an inspirational lesson to music fun. You’ll find suggestions at the end of the article.
Paper tube rhythm instruments
Seal one end of the tube by cutting a circle of cardboard to match the size of the end. Place it in the end and secure it with a square of paper and tape. Place a tablespoon of uncooked rice or beans into the tube. Seal the open end. Decorate as desired. One rhythm instrument is ready to go.
The timbre of the instrument will vary depending on what is put inside, how much there is, how long and wide the tube is and how tightly it is sealed. With enough different “voices” you can create a real band.
Pop bottle woodwinds
A washed soda pop bottle with a little water added becomes a woodwind instrument when you blow across the top of it. Add different amounts of water to create different sounds. Ask some questions of the children: Does more water sound deeper or higher in tone than less water? Does the force of the air across the top of the bottle make a difference?
Oatmeal box and coffee canister drums
An empty oatmeal box or coffee canister (can or plastic) with a lid makes a great drum. Tap or rap on the lid to create tempo for the band. Try using plastic spoons, wooden dowels and fingertips for a variety of effects.
Tissue box dulcimer
Place rubber bands of varying thickness around an empty tissue box to make a do-it-yourself dulcimer. Sounds will vary with the width and depth of the box and the size of the rubber bands. If you don’t have a variety of rubber band thicknesses, vary tension by knotting the rubber bands to different lengths.
Play the dulcimer by sitting with it across your lap and plucking the bands, rather than strumming like a guitar.
Warning: Snapping rubber bands can be quite hazardous. Exercise extreme caution when playing a tissue box dulcimer. Use discretion as to age group.
Rhythm sticks
Lengths of dowel (eight to twelve inches long) in pairs form a simple instrument – old-fashioned rhythm sticks. By tapping one stick against the other, children can learn rhythm skills and how different tempos can combine to make music. Vary the sounds by using different thicknesses of dowel. Just beware of impromptu swordfights among the musicians.
Doing this at home? Substitute a pair of wooden spoons for dowels.
Paper tube kazoos
Okay, so they aren’t really kazoos. But kids can hum or sing into paper towel or toilet paper tubes to get some interesting harmonics going.
Jingle bells
Tie a couple of sleigh bells along a length of ribbon or yarn. Tie the ends of the ribbon or yarn together to make a loop. Shake the loop to play the bells. Punch holes through a handful of bottle caps and string them loosely on a piece of yarn or ribbon to make another jingly instrument. Metal caps will sound more “tinny” while plastic ones will be “rattle-y.”
Pot lid cymbals
Light-weight metal pot lids of similar size make dandy cymbals. Warning: don’t use enameled lids – the enamel is likely to chip.
Put together a marching band to burn off some energy, or have quiet sit down music to encourage winding down. With homemade instruments, music is just moments away.
Scripture references
Add a scripture, such as: “The Lord is my strength and song.” (Exodus 15:2, KJV) or “…therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” (Psalm 28:7b, KJV). Other possibilities: Judges 5:3; I Chronicles 16:9; I Chronicles 16: 23; Psalm 7:17; Psalm 9:2; Psalm 13:6 and many more. Use a concordance or go to Biblegateway.com to search for things like “music,” “sing,” “song,” or instrument names like trumpet or flute. You’ll find lots of choices.
Paper tube rhythm instruments
Seal one end of the tube by cutting a circle of cardboard to match the size of the end. Place it in the end and secure it with a square of paper and tape. Place a tablespoon of uncooked rice or beans into the tube. Seal the open end. Decorate as desired. One rhythm instrument is ready to go.
The timbre of the instrument will vary depending on what is put inside, how much there is, how long and wide the tube is and how tightly it is sealed. With enough different “voices” you can create a real band.
Pop bottle woodwinds
A washed soda pop bottle with a little water added becomes a woodwind instrument when you blow across the top of it. Add different amounts of water to create different sounds. Ask some questions of the children: Does more water sound deeper or higher in tone than less water? Does the force of the air across the top of the bottle make a difference?
Oatmeal box and coffee canister drums
An empty oatmeal box or coffee canister (can or plastic) with a lid makes a great drum. Tap or rap on the lid to create tempo for the band. Try using plastic spoons, wooden dowels and fingertips for a variety of effects.
Tissue box dulcimer
Place rubber bands of varying thickness around an empty tissue box to make a do-it-yourself dulcimer. Sounds will vary with the width and depth of the box and the size of the rubber bands. If you don’t have a variety of rubber band thicknesses, vary tension by knotting the rubber bands to different lengths.
Play the dulcimer by sitting with it across your lap and plucking the bands, rather than strumming like a guitar.
Warning: Snapping rubber bands can be quite hazardous. Exercise extreme caution when playing a tissue box dulcimer. Use discretion as to age group.
Rhythm sticks
Lengths of dowel (eight to twelve inches long) in pairs form a simple instrument – old-fashioned rhythm sticks. By tapping one stick against the other, children can learn rhythm skills and how different tempos can combine to make music. Vary the sounds by using different thicknesses of dowel. Just beware of impromptu swordfights among the musicians.
Doing this at home? Substitute a pair of wooden spoons for dowels.
Paper tube kazoos
Okay, so they aren’t really kazoos. But kids can hum or sing into paper towel or toilet paper tubes to get some interesting harmonics going.
Jingle bells
Tie a couple of sleigh bells along a length of ribbon or yarn. Tie the ends of the ribbon or yarn together to make a loop. Shake the loop to play the bells. Punch holes through a handful of bottle caps and string them loosely on a piece of yarn or ribbon to make another jingly instrument. Metal caps will sound more “tinny” while plastic ones will be “rattle-y.”
Pot lid cymbals
Light-weight metal pot lids of similar size make dandy cymbals. Warning: don’t use enameled lids – the enamel is likely to chip.
Put together a marching band to burn off some energy, or have quiet sit down music to encourage winding down. With homemade instruments, music is just moments away.
Scripture references
Add a scripture, such as: “The Lord is my strength and song.” (Exodus 15:2, KJV) or “…therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” (Psalm 28:7b, KJV). Other possibilities: Judges 5:3; I Chronicles 16:9; I Chronicles 16: 23; Psalm 7:17; Psalm 9:2; Psalm 13:6 and many more. Use a concordance or go to Biblegateway.com to search for things like “music,” “sing,” “song,” or instrument names like trumpet or flute. You’ll find lots of choices.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Faux King Cake -- a Mardi Gras treat for those who can't make it to New Orleans!
Yesterday was January 6, Epiphany or King's Day. It marks the beginning of the Mardi Gras season. Like me, many New Orleans expatriates are going through King Cake withdrawal.
Here's a quick and easy way to enjoy a similar sensation without the big bucks of shipping!
Purchase several tubes of bake and serve cinnamon rolls. The exact number will depend on how large you want your finished cake to be.
Open the cans and separate the individual rolls, then unroll them into rope-like shapes. Braid the ropes, taking care to stagger the ends of the ropes. Braids may be three ropes or more, depending on the size of the ropes.
Shape the braided dough into a circle on a greased baking sheet. Let rest in a warm, moist area for 30-45 minutes.
Bake the cake according to package instructions. Cool slightly, then insert a token (such as a pecan or plastic baby) in the underside of the cake.
Frost and decorate with colored sugar, jimmies or some other decorative product in the traditional purple, green and gold colors of Mardi Gras.
Enjoy!
Here's a quick and easy way to enjoy a similar sensation without the big bucks of shipping!
Purchase several tubes of bake and serve cinnamon rolls. The exact number will depend on how large you want your finished cake to be.
Open the cans and separate the individual rolls, then unroll them into rope-like shapes. Braid the ropes, taking care to stagger the ends of the ropes. Braids may be three ropes or more, depending on the size of the ropes.
Shape the braided dough into a circle on a greased baking sheet. Let rest in a warm, moist area for 30-45 minutes.
Bake the cake according to package instructions. Cool slightly, then insert a token (such as a pecan or plastic baby) in the underside of the cake.
Frost and decorate with colored sugar, jimmies or some other decorative product in the traditional purple, green and gold colors of Mardi Gras.
Enjoy!
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