Summer is Here! Solstice Sun Puppets

Solistice is almost here... whether you are ready or not, here comes the sun!

Create some sun finger puppets to celebrate?  These were for the last day of third grade...

Check out this darling felt solstice craft idea from Twig and Toadstool

What kid wouldn't have fun with a summer solstice wand via the tutorial at Natural Kids? 

For the sweeter treat, taste of home has a cute sun cupcake idea...

I would have a harder time passing up Becky Charm's Lemony Lemon Brownies though! 

And don't forget a story or two! Sunbread, by Elisa Kleven, is sweetly illustrated and comes with a real recipe at the end:

 Or this magical Swedish tale from Elsa Beskow.  Did the sun lose it's egg, like an egg from a bird?

We liked this one, found at our library, about a Cranky Sun that refuses to go down until a boy has a kind conversation with him.

HAPPY SOLSTICE!

Ladybug Ribbon Topiary

Ribbony goodness! 


I blame Courtney over at  A Diamond in the Stuff for getting me hooked on these ribbon topiaries.  I made one for Independence day and now I can't stop... Here's a summer ladybug version that has to be removed because Halloween is next!  I will store this with summer things and begin on a new foam ball soon.  I have the ribbon ready to go, and even some extra to make one for Mom!

The best part of this project is that it is so simple, yet satisfying. The feel and look of different ribbon types is addictive.  I can sit with my boys while they are snacking and not join in because my fingers are busy!  I can bring a roll of ribbon to soccer practice in my purse and snip while I'm watching!

For this easy project you need a foam ball (mine was 5", from the floral section of the craft store), a pot (mine was from Goodwill), a styrofoam block to stick inside the pot (stabilize dowel), decorative moss to cover the styrofoam, a wooden dowel (mine was 3/8"), straight pins, and bunches of ribbon in various sizes and textures cut up in 4" (10cm) pieces (5 or 6 rolls). The different textures really add to the project. Thicker ones stick up better and help support the satiny ones.   Watch the color on the INSIDE of your ribbon though. The ladybug one I used was white on the inside, which made the topiary look less full, like you could still see the white ball underneath.

All you do is pin loops of ribbon into the ball, one at a time, until the ball is covered. Twist the loops so they overlap in different directions.  A colorful burst of fun! 

Ants! Ants!

These little pests may actually be welcome guests at the summer picnic!

Fun to make for party favors or just because!  Great with insect, garden, or Earth Day themes, too!

Tips:

Use fabric paint to add eyes and smile. 

Use metallic, sparkly cordage for legs and antennae.

Cut 3 lengths of cord that extend through body to other side to get 6 legs when sewn together.  Adhere cordage to back of ant's body with a bit of glue prior to sewing to help hold legs in place.

Ant Felt Finger Puppet Pattern

Our favorite ant story stars leaf cutter ants and a grouchy cockroach.  It takes a master story teller for us to develop empathy for such creatures, and Janell Cannon (Stellaluna) is just the one in her tale of Crickwing.  After being picked on by other animals, Crickwing (so named because an injury twisted his wing) turns to pass the injustice on to creatures smaller than himself.  However, the leaf cutter ants turn out to be tougher than he counted on as they tie him up as an offering to army ants!  In the end, the leaf cutters release him at great risk to themselves, thinking that even bullies don't deserve that sort of treatment.  Crickwing returns their kindness and helps the ants defend themselves in a grand way.  A gorgeously illustrated tale that reminds us of the power of compassion!   

Salute to the Space Shuttle

Today is the scheduled launch of the last space shuttle, Atlantis.  Mark this historic day with some fun activities.  Or save some for when the shuttle lands!

Upload your photo to MY FACE IN SPACE so you can go along with the mission. You can print out a Flight Certificate when the shuttle lands, as a souvenir!

What would your face (or the astronauts) be viewing? If you have little kids, try this chalk on black paper solar system here.  My sensitive kiddo can't use chalk without being covered in goosebumps, so he made his with crayons, which works just fine!

The darling little origami space shuttles in the above photos came from here.  They fit in the palm of your hand. I had to make an extra so I could put in on my sun hat.  Just for today. Ok, maybe when the shuttle lands, too.  :)

Build a scale model of the space shuttle and see if you can get it to fly farther than your brother...  But an easier construction paper/towel tube shuttle can be found here, and maybe even a hubble telescope while you're at it.  A milk carton/dixie cup version of a space shuttle is here. 

Don't forget the snacks, all astronauts need to eat!  Here's a shuttle out of bread, peanut butter, and veggies.  We made space ship rice crispie treats:

In case you don't recognize the ingredients, the wings are fruit leather, the tips are swirled nestle morsels, and the rockets are mini marshmallows with food coloring penned letters.

NASA astronaut shirt, anyone? It has a free template for the front design.

Build a space shuttle pinata and launch/open it when the shuttle lands.

Build a space vehicle out of cardboard boxes and pretend you're on your own missions.

And don't forget the picture books!  We love, Me and My Place in Space, by Joan Sweeney, book for getting the kids to think about space from their perspectives...

Anne Rockwell's Our Stars, gives a very simple, yet enjoyable overview for young readers (through first grade).  It tackles questions that curious little minds have about stars and planets by using words that they will understand.

For up to grade 3, try The Best Book of Spaceships, by Ian Graham.  This fact and picture filled book tackles subjects like satellites and space suits in detail. Great for car rides!

For preschoolers, our favorite space FICTION books were Roaring Rockets, by Tony Mitton, and Sheep in Space, by Nancy Shaw.  Cute illustration, fun rhyming text in both!

For readers, we give our highest recommendations to Lucy and Stephen Hawkings space fact filled novels, George's Secret Key to the Universe and its sequel, George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt.  Space enthusiasts will learn all sorts of space details while being entertained by a clever space travel story.  You can't go wrong with that combination!

Patriotic Window Treatment Idea: Fabric Wrapped Stars

Here is an Americana craft/decoration idea just in time for Independence Day!  This 4th of July window treatment is super easy, cheap to make, and gives the space where it hangs a subtle festive feeling.

Here is the spot I was looking to add a little seasonal color.... I usually wrap a plastic flower garland around the tension rod above my kitchen sink to add a little seasonal festivity to an otherwise hard to decorate room.  This is my REAL office, by definition of the place where I spend the most time working...

What I had available... some fabric remnants, ribbon, yarn, and stem wires in the right colors.

First, to make the stars, I bent the stem wires into star shapes. I overlapped the edges and twisted them together on some of the stars, and just overlapped the edges on others.  Cut the fabric into thin strips (< 1/2 inch or about 1 cm) and rough up the edges by running the strip through your hands until the edges start to fray (a great kid job).

 

Put a little tacky glue on the overlapped edges and start wrapping! 

 Wrap the entire star. Then, use a little tacky glue to secure the end of the fabric strip.

 I had some white feathery "yarn" to use for hanging the stars, but any sort of white ribbon would do the trick.  At this point, the stars could hang in a window as is, or be part of a garland or window treatment like below.

To cover the tension rod, I cut another strip of fabric wide enough to wrap around the rod to make a fabric sleeve.  I sewed two lengths together so that the fabric could bunch up along the rod.  Then, I cut a bunch of small pieces of ribbon to make loops for hanging the stars.  Turn the ribbon shiny side down and space them where you like (I used a ruler width).  My very fancy method of holding the ribbon in place was a small piece of transparent tape! Fold over the edges and sew together, inside out.

When you turnover the rod sleeve (outside in), you can remove the tape and admire your loops!

Here is the rod sleeve with loops, all done and ready for the stars!

Here is the finished product, with stars attached:

Happy 4th of July to you!

I've linked this project up with a whole bunch of creatively awesome crafts here:

Spreading Patriotic Cheer With Craft Foam: A 4th of July Decoration Idea

Looking for an inexpensive way to add some patriotic cheer to your yard or porch? Don't forget about craft foam!  Foam is easy to write on, cut out, and glue, is inexpensive, and will last through rain and sun for at least a few seasons (the color will eventually fade). 

Try simple star bangles to hang from a tree or hooks on the porch.  An instant splash of color and porch bling!

Free star template below.
Sloppy Stars
DreamHost promotional codes

Patriotic Leapin' Uncle Sam! An Independence Day Paper Craft

These patriotic leapin' fellas are sure to bring a smile any place they hang!  A free template follows the directions. Happy 4th of July, everyone! 


Materials
paper (red, white, blue, black)
poster board or other stiff paper for backing
white paint (eyes)
markers (for eyes and mouth)
scissors, hole punch, & glue (rubber cement)
ruler (optional, for making striped paper)
brass brad fasteners
embroidery floss
beads (optional decoration for pull string)

How to's
1) Print out template below and cut out pieces.

2) Trace template pieces to paper and cut out.

3)  I made striped paper by using a white sharpie marker and a ruler. However, it would certainly be easier if you had striped paper already!  The white marker has a wide tip which makes drawing stripes challenging.  Paint would work too, with a steady hand.  Of course, plain red pants would work fine. Or, a different pattern!  I had the pen on hand from trying different methods to trace patterns onto dark felt (a reject!).

 4)  Glue pieces together. My favorite glue for this kind of paper craft is rubber cement.  Use an eraser to rub off any extra!

5)  My favorite way to make eyes on paper crafts is to dot a Q-tip (cotton swab) in white paint.  You could also glue on white hole punch remains as an alternative.

6)  Use colored markers to add eyes (sharpie!) and mouth.  For the hat brim, I tried a ribbon on some and the red striped paper on others. 

7) Use a hole punch to put holes in places indicated on the template.

8)  Insert brass fasteners through body, then lower hole on legs and arms.  Don't push the fasteners too tight or the legs/arms won't move freely.

9) Align legs and arms in a relaxed/resting position. Tie arms together with a small piece of embroidery floss. Repeat for legs.

10)  Connect the leg string to the arm string, leaving a length of floss at the bottom as a pull string.  I  cut a length of floss and knotted it to the leg string first. Then connected that to the arm string.  Lastly, I tied red, white, and blue pony beads to the bottom of the floss for a pull "handle."

11)  Add a hole and loop of floss to the hat for hanging.  Pull on the string to make Uncle Sam dance!   

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, EVERYONE!

Jumping Uncle Sam
I've linked here: