Wire and Clay Play

"What can you do with a big bin of telephone wire and some air dry clay?" You may not have asked yourself that questions but you can bet that I certainly did. 

The activity I planned for this particular Super Saturday seemed rather dull now.  I dug through the cupboards for materials that might inspire a more interesting project and was intrigued by this bin of wire so I set it out.  I also found some packages of air dry clay so I thought that might help to hold thing together.  

I sat down and started working on this guy and as people came in I suggested they help themselves to these materials and see what they can make from them. 

Today was all about original ideas.  I was glad to see the nobody else made a giraffe.  

What transpired was truly magic.  Ideas grew even more out of the chatter that filled the room. 

Caitlyn was certain that my giraffe needed a purse!!

Sometimes no plan is the best plan.  What a great day!

Popsicle Stick Puzzles

Here's a simple and fun project to keep little ones, and big ones amused - for a few minutes anyway.  Only a few supplies are needed - popsicle sticks, markers, paper (for a pre-drawing) glue and cardboard (if you wish to make a frame) 

 Even a very simple line drawing can create a challenging puzzle.  

It's a good idea to take 4 popsicle sticks and glue them down on a piece of cardboard or matte board to act as a frame that holds the remaining popsicle sticks in place while drawing on them. 

We put our ideas down on paper first before drawing on the sticks.

Hmmmmm... that's puzzling :)

It was quite fun to put together each puzzle as they were finished. I did them all and I have to say that this was the most challenging puzzle of the day.

Dream Catchers

For Good Dreams

"The night air is filled with dreams. Good dreams are clear and know the way to the dreamer, descending through the feathers. The slightest movement of the feathers indicated the passage of yet another beautiful dream. Bad dreams, however, are confused and confusing. They cannot find their way through the web and are trapped there until the sun rises and evaporates them like the morning dew". - http://www.dream-catchers.org/what-is-a-dream-catcher/

Start off with plastic lids - cut out the centre with an exacto knife and use the remaining rim

Gather up some string/yarn, beads, feathers and other trinkets

Wrap the lid ring with yarn/string - the variations are endless! 

We doubled the yarn to make this process a little quicker.  

Simply tie off and tuck the ends in under the wrapped yarn. 

Next, wrap another colour yarn/string around the outer edges of the ring to create a web in the middle of it.  Be careful not to pull this too taunt or the ring will warp.

Tie on yarn/string of different lengths to hang from the bottom of the circle and add beads and feather to them.  Tie on some charms or keys or bells or twigs - whatever you can find. 

Busy hands and busy minds, this group was utterly focused!

Hang above your bed and enjoy good dreams!