Home Again

I'm back from visiting my grandson and his mom who is going to be a mom again. We were busy, busy, busy but I took my camera everywhere.

Making muffins

Weston and Heather

Weston runs off with my doll stuffing.

Making a doll at Linnea's Cafe in San Luis Obispo, CA

Head and body of prim doll.

Enjoying the park the last day of my trip. He just woke up from napping on the way there in the car.

Face-Painting

Spending a week with my grandson reminded me of how much I love working with children. I'm going to try harder to book more face-painting events. I want to come up with some new designs too. I'm reminded of the importance of sketching. I need to just jot down ideas when I have them, then figure out how to paint them and then add them to my face-painting idea book.

I did face-painting on the 4th of July, and then the next two Saturdays.  I'm on a roll here.  My daughter has a face-painting gig on Friday or Saturday as well.  I love summers. Leave me a comment if you need a face-painter for a party or a festival.

Carve a Stamp and Feature it On a Leather Necklace

How to make a stamped leather necklace. This is a project I designed for an archery event on Sunday, but it would be great for a summer camp or a family picnic.

My Little Kernel

<div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/268808671479051657/' target='_blank'><img src='http://media-cache1.pinterest.com/upload/25966135321145253_3ovnIacq_c.jpg' border='0' width='400' height ='600'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://www.birthstoriesondemand.com/home/2011/10/28/its-halloween-weekend-at-bsod-finally.html'>birthstoriesondemand.com</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/pamelanred/' target='_blank'>Pamela</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div>

A baby popcorn bag is a funny idea for a costume. I'm just not sure why the embed code isn't working but you can see it Here.  Popcorn

Make a Suncatcher

This is a good choice for older kids.  Younger kids will need help with using wire cutters and pliers.

First I took a sturdy branch about a foot long.  I gathered up some wire, beads, shells, polished stones and other found objects. Drilling holes in things can be challenging so try to pick things that already have holes. I used a technique called 'looping' to encase the bigger items in wire. I think it came out lovely.

Nature Crafts

It's so important for children to get enough exercise.  So why not plan out some nature exploring and nature crafts.  Take sketchbooks and watercolor pencils, hike to a nature spot, and spend some time drawing things. Collect leaves and take them back for use as stencils. Sometimes it's harder in the city, but look for regional parks, beaches, lakes, and nature trails.  If you are allowed to glean things, bring back flowers to press. Pine cones and pine needles are useful for many crafts. Seashells are a favorite of children everywhere. Fashion simple hair ornaments using things found in nature. Or frame seashells and leaves in shadow boxes. Many places have scheduled nature walks that are kid friendly.

Plant Something For Earth Day

Help a child plant something for Earth Day. Share with them how important plants are in contributing to our health and the health of our planet. Use discarded food containers like egg cartons, margarine tubs or milk cartons to put your potting mix into. Don't forget the drain holes. Most plants don't like wet feet. Explain how plants need sunlight and water and nutrients to grow.
Or sprout some beans on moist paper towels.  If you have some glass jars or old aquariums, can make a terrarium. Or plant some bulbs. Their big size makes it easy for little hands to get a hold of.

I planted this brown eyed susan vine straight into the ground. It blooms almost constantly.

A few years ago I planted some nasturtium seeds. Now they come up by themselves

 each year.

I trained the brown eyed susan vine to grow on the gate.

This succulent was planted from a piece that broke off. It's very happy growing in a square container.

Yellow nasturtiums. The big seeds are easy for kids to plant.