Painting Rocks....simple and fun

While I was working on a painting project today, the kids wanted to join in the fun.  So, we found some rock for them to paint.  The excitement was over whelming!

This is a nice, quick, any time project.  You just need some rocks and some paint and then let them have at it!

Here are some pictures of their pet rocks.

Gloria getting started on her rock.  She was sooo thrilled with this project.

 

Madison wanted to make her self a shiney gold rock

Gloria is such a sweetie.  She decided to paint her rock to look like THE HULK for her little brother. 

Landon working hard on his rock.

Logan's rock

Landon's rock.

Logan's rock on the left, Madison's on the right.  Logan's WAS half red, half black and then he made it all black.  I think he is going to be adding more eventually.

Gloria's finished HULK rock :-)

 Now go, find some rocks and have fun painting!!!

Bubble Snake

My kids LOVE blowing bubbles.  It is one of those simple activities that no matter how old they get, they still LOVE IT.  

I have seen these project many times and finally decided to give it a try today.  To say it was a huge hit is an understatement. 

Here is what you need:

- An old sock

- A soda or water bottle (cut the bottom off)

- Dish soap and water in a bowl

- Rubberbands

I had a really long sock so I cut it in half and the bottle I had was really tall so I cut that smaller also.  Then I just slide the sock up over the cut end of the bottle so that the sock end is nice and flat.  Secure with a rubberband.

Now all you need is to add some dish soap and water to your dish/bowl.  You just need enough to dip the sock end of the bottle into.

I added some food coloring to the bottom of the sock but I think I added too much because some how we ended up being covered in food coloring more then the bubbles were!  LOL  I suggest just using the dish soap and water....it is JUST as fun!

This is BEFORE we all became a colored mess!  haha

Then you just dip the sock end into the soap and blow, blow, blow.  It doesn't take much soap/water at all and you can make quite a few bubble snakes before you need to re dip.  A little goes a long way.

We may never buy store bought bubbles ever again!!!

Crayon bits sun cathcers

If you are like me, you probably have tons of crayons all over your house.  Lots of broken pieces too.  This is a great project for the older kids.  The young one would enjoy it too but I recommend lots of adult help/supervision.  

Here is what you need to get started:

- Crayons (old or new)

- Wax Paper

- Thick craft paper or newspaper

- Iron (use on low setting)

- Cheese grater

Step 1: 

Lay out your wax paper.  The first time, we traced and cut out the shapes BEFORE adding the crayon shavings.  We found it easier to just shave the crayons onto a large sheet of wax paper, melt and cut out the shape later.  

Step 2:

Shave your crayons on to one of the pieces of wax paper.

Step 3:

Place the second piece of wax paper on top of the first piece and the crayon shavings.  Place your thick  craft paper or newspaper on top of this and IRON.  You just need a few quick passes to melt it.  It happens super quick.  You want to make sure they are melted enough to hold the two pieces together.  The more they melt, the more the colors will mix so be careful not to over heat it.  

Step 4:

Cut the shape that you want out of the wax paper and hang up :-)

This was a lot of fun.  I recommend laying a mat down on the table for easier clean up though.  We have a tile top table and I spent more time getting crayon bits out of the cracks then we did on the actual project.  Next time I will be smarter...LOL  

ENJOY!

Melting Pony Beads

Have tons of plastic beads laying around and not sure what to do with them?  MELT THEM!  

If you are a mom of a little girl you probably already have tons of plastic beads laying around.

If you don't already have a stash of pony beads (or other plastic beads) laying around, no worries....they are easily found at all craft stores, even Walmart :-)

Here are the ones I purchased at Michaels.  They are 1lb containers for $5.99.  You can find these in smaller containers or in big bags as well. 

You can make many things by melting pony beads, here are a few ideas:

- bowls

- coasters

- placemats 

- center pieces

- sun catchers

Here is what you need to get started:

- Non stick pans

- Plastic beads

- Oven (preheat to 400 degrees)

- Good ventilation (it STINKS!)  

Step ONE:

Start arranging your beads in your pan.

You can do this anyway you want.  Make a design, random or even just dump them in all messy.  Just make sure you keep them as a SINGLE layer in the pan.

STEP 2:

All done, ready for the oven.

Put them in the oven.  Temp should be preheated at 400 degrees.  They will need to stay in for 20-30 minutes.  I set the timer for 20 minutes and then kept a close eye on them until they looked ready (all melted and nice and smooth).  You could also do this in a toaster oven set outside.

 Step 3:

Take it out of the oven and let it cool off.  It actually cooled off really quickly. 

Once it cools, it just pops right out. 

At this point you can do anything you want with it.  It would make a great center piece, cookie platter, decorative plate etc.  You could also put it back in the oven sitting on top of a rounded (oven safe) cup or bowl (upside down).  The heat will melt this down around the shape of the bowl and you will have a bead bowl :-)  This would make an amazing large sun catcher if you used some clear beads in there. 

We wanted to make a few smaller sun catchers.  So we used a muffin tin and some of the clear/colored pony beads.  

A few have asked about the edges.  NO, there is nothing added to the edges.  That is just how they look once melted :-)  VERY COOL, I think!

Now, if you want to hang them, you can just drill a small hole near one edge.  Get some thin floral wire (or any kind of string or wire will work) and some little suction cups....ta da, you have made a beautiful sun catcher.