What is it? Doodle Waiting Game

Here is a fun game I played with my kids whenever we had to wait quietly somewhere. All you need is something to write with and something to write on. The first person begins with a simple doodle. The next adds to the doodle (or with 2 players finishes it). The only limits are your imagination and whatever rules you decide to impose. Here are 2 samples that show how the image evolved with the first, second and final doodles. Have fun!

Tissue paper flowers...

Hi Everyone,
I had planned to make tissue paper flowers and post the photos for this month's kid's craft, but we are re-doing our kitchen this week and I ran out of time. I will get to it ASAP and post directions and photos for you to have fun with. Thank you for your patience!
Kristi

Hand print flowers coming....

Using tempera or other washable paint-mix 2 light-ish colors for the flowers. ( It's ok to add white, but don't use more than 2 other colors or when mixed together you will have brownish flowers!) Paint on hands and press onto card stock or paper plates. Overlap palm print and face fingers the opposite direction for second handprint to complete flower. Let dry and add marker or crayon to center and to outline. Try cutting them out and hanging from a string in a hole punched through the top for a cheerful, moving spring display!Send me a photo of your child's creations and I will post them here!

Thanks for visiting my blog. Have a creative day! Kristi

Kid Craft- Valentine Pop-up card

What you need: Plain white card stock; colored construction paper; glue stick; markers, crayons or colored pencils.
How to do it: 1. Fold a piece of card stock in half.
2. Mark 2 parallel lines in approximately the center of the card about an inch apart and cut on them.
3. Fold this section to the inside and crease the 2 folds.
4. Fold a section of a colored piece of construction paper along one edge- make this folded section about 2 1/2 inches wide.
5. Draw 1/2 of a heart so the center of the heart is on the fold, then cut on the line. Make the widest part of the heart no more than 2" from the fold.

6. Using a glue stick, glue the left hand side of the heart to the left-hand side of the small inside fold you created in the card. Close the card to make sure the heart doesn't stick out.
7. Use markers, colored pencils or crayons to add words or designs to the heart and inside of the card.

8. If desired, glue another piece of colored construction paper on the outside of the card to hide the cut-out piece of the pop-up and decorate that.
Have fun!
Thank you to Hannah Jaros for the instructions on the pop-up card.

new art

I've just completed a new watercolor painting of the Point Judith Lighthouse in RI. I'm debating on whether or not to paint it with snow on the ground...

Crayon muffins

Crayon muffins are a fun way to use up old, broken crayons and make way for those new boxes that arrived with the holidays!
Line muffin tins with metal liners. Let the kids peel off ALL of the paper anf break the crayons into pieces small enough to fit into the muffin cups. Sort the colors by color family and place in the muffin cups. Remember- it wont' make mud if you keep the colors related: blue/yellow/green; blue/red/purple; red/yellow/orange; white/gray/black; brown/tan/yellow.
Of course pinks go with any reds and peaches with any yellows- you get the idea! Sorting is half of the fun to see how many ways you can get similar colors together. This re-inforces the color-family idea. These are also known as analagous colors. Make sure not to over-fill the liners. Half-full or less is best.
Next, place the muffin tins in the oven at about 300 degrees F.-It won't take more than 5 minutes and maybe less depending on the brand of crayons and how full the tins are, so keep your eyes on it. Take them out when the colors are melted. Let cool completely. Let the kids peel off the liners and have some crazy, coloring fun with your recycled crayons! These are great for coloring large areas, making backgrounds and for use with small hands.

Chocoate Truffle Cookies

By popular request, here is the recipe for the cookies I made for the Mansfield Downtown Holiday Mingle last weekend. They are perfect for a cookie exchange because they make so many (you might even have some to keep!)
Enjoy!
Chocolate Truffle Cookies
Beat together: 1 1/4 c. softened butter, 2 1/4 c. confectioners sugar, 1/3 c. baking cocoa powder. Stir in: 1/4 c. sour cream, 1 Tablespoon good vanilla extract.
Stir in: 2 1/4 c. general purpose flour.
Mix in 2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Refrigerate for 1 hour. Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees F.
Scoop dough into 1" balls and dip tops in chocolate sprinkes (you will need approximately 1/4 c. of sprinkles for all of the dough). Place on ungreased cookie sheets about 2" apart and bake for 10-12 minutes or just until set. Let cool 5 minutes then remove to rack and let cool completely. Makes approximately 5 1/2 dozen yummy, fudgy cookies!