~Terrarium Tutorial

I'm not sure why I have neglected my senses and gone my entire life without terrariums. I first saw a similar design on Pinterest, and immediately went in search of some apothecary jars with character. (These are from Fred Meyer)

The kids and I took a nice walk through our lush, wet woods in search of specimens for our containers. I was so excited when my son found this gorgeous mustard colored lichen. It is nicely complimented by the greens of the moss and the blue-grey of the lichens. If you want to try making your own, follow these easy steps.

Start by gathering your supplies:

Glass Jar (Mason Jar, candy jar, aquarium, vintage jars, any open or closed clear jar.)

Small pebbles or sand

Activated charcoal (For closed lid containers. Helps to filter the air and keep it fresh. Can be found at aquarium or pet stores)

Sphagnum Moss

Rich soil or compost

Plants (Such as Tillandsia, Ferns, small houseplants, sedums, succulents.)

Rocks, Pinecones, Mosses, items of your choice

2. Begin with a thin layer of sand or small pebbles, followed by a layer of charcoal. Cover with a layer of the sphagnum moss. The moss acts as a filter to keep your soil from draining into the rocks and charcoal. If you don't have sphagnum moss, a very small screen will work, but will need to be replaced as it rusts.

Add soil. I prefer a nice homemade compost, but a regular potting soil works fine. If you are creating a desert terrarium, you will need a succulent soil, or cactus mix.

3. Choose specimens from your plant/seed/moss collections. Place them carefully in your container for an eye pleasing arrangement. Finish with decorations or ornaments of your choice. Consider adding stones, shells, polished rocks, pinecones, or unique mosses and lichens.

4. Care for your new Terrarium - designate a spray bottle for watering your terrariums. If you have a lidded container, you will not need to water as regularly as an open dish or container. Watch your plants for signs of dehydration!

5. Enjoy your masterpiece.

...and be careful. You may become addicted.

~iMamaManda

Reusable Grocery Bags

They're all the rave. It's fun to make a few with whatever extra fabric you have laying around the house, or make a set of color-coordinating bags as I did, using this Crafster tutorial.

Here's my new stash! Now I just have to try to remember to get them back in the car for the next grocery trip after I unload them...

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

Sidewalk chalk is an item in high demand at our house. Our driveway, porch, sidewalks, and sometimes the neighbor's driveways, are always covered in colorful designs and scribbles. I found a recipe for homemade chalk in one of my craft books, and decided to give it a try. It would have turned out great...if I'd made sure the paint I used was TEMPERA, and not just a washable paint. Out secind try turned out perfect, colorful chalk!

Try it out for yourself! The kids will love helping create their own chalk. Mine were so proud of their chalk that they waited a few days before breaking it in half.
Here's the recipe:

YOU'LL NEED
Toilet paper or paper towel tubes
Scissors
Duct Tape
Wax Paper
3/4 cup warm water
Small bucket or disposable container
1 1/2 cups Plaster of Paris
2-3 tablespoons tempera paint

Begin by cutting any paper towel tubes to match the length of the toilet paper tubes, or in half. Cut one piece of wax paper for each tube. The waxed paper should be as long as your tubes by 4 inches wide. Cover one end of each tube with duct tape, then roll the waxed paper and drop into the tubes to line them. They should open up to lay flat against the insides of the tubes. Stand the empty tubes in a baking dish or tray, taped side down.

In the bucket, mix the water and the Plaster of Paris by slowly adding the P.o.P to the water, and mixing thoroughly. Add the Tempera Paint. You can mix colors for your own custom color, or add white for lighter colors.

3. The plaster mixture should be thin enough that it can be poured. Pour the wet plaster mixture into the tubes. Release any bubbles in the tubes by tapping gently on the sides. Set them aside to dry. The drying process typically takes a few days. Once they are dry, tear off the tubes and wax paper, and send them outside with the kids!

Rock Creatures

My children enjoy searching the beaches, riverbeds, and woods for small, smooth rocks that intruigue them. They pack them home, and desposit them around the yard and house.

Until recently, I have been unable to decide what to do with these little pretties. A friend of mine gave the kids a rock painting kit for their birthday, and the kids loved painting every rock in the kit, then turned their attention to their outdoor collection. They've been creating everything from spiders, to funny looking faces. Now their rock hunting involves searching for stones that "look" like a creature, (butterfly, shark, flower) and have the best surface for painting.

I you want to try it yourself, here's what you'll need to do:

1. Go on a rock hunt. Find rocks of different shapes & sizes.

2. Gather supplies for creating your creatures or images.

*Acrylic or Tempera Paint (Remember, Acrylic may not wash out of all fabrics.)

*Paint brushes of all sizes.

*Decorative accessories, such as pipecleaners, small feathers, glitter, wiggly eyes, recycled plastics, dried grass for hair, clay for eyes or noses, gemstones, small beads, felt pieces, etc.

*Recycled Newspaper for paint surface.

3. Wash rocks and allow to dry before painting. If you wish to glue rocks together to create shapes like, cars, turtles, snowmen, etc., do so now before the painting process. Encourage your child to come up with ideas on his own, but if he is too young, showing him pictures of ideas may be helpful. Encourage your child to be creative, and add other items to complete his creature or object.

We'd love to see your rock creations too! If you have a link to your blog or photo album where they can be viewed, please share it with us!