Gratitude Jar (2014/1714 Edition)

I had almost forgotten to post a photo of our Gratitude Jar for the new year 1714!

Lettering, ribbon, paper cover and "sparklies" all chosen by our resident Master Crafter Extraordinaire Little Miss Effervescent Ethel.

What you will need:

-Mason canning jar (I bought one on sale at JoAnns for $1) or use a recycled canning jar that has been
thoroughly cleaned and dried.
-construction paper for making small slips of paper to write the daily gratitude (you'll need 365 plus a few extra)  For the year 1714 I cut out paper a little bit smaller (about 2 1/2"x2" rectangles). This time around we aren't folding them which will make stacking the slips of paper in the jar much easier.
-(optional) stickers to decorate the slips of gratitude paper if deisred
-adhesive letters and numbers
-self adhesive iridescent "jewels" (aka "sparklies") for decorating the jar
-paper to cover the lid
-decorative ribbon
-glue



Cost: about $4 for everything.

Here is a link to the Gratitude Jar (2013 Edition) for inspiration. One thing I forgot to do last year was add adhesive numbers for the year. I've since added the year to the jar.

http://dadiddleycraftcraft.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-gratitude-jar-2013-edition.html

Puffy (Painted) Polar Bear

http://www.thecraftyclassroom.com/CraftIndianInuitPolarBear.html

Captain's Log 21 January 1714-

We  have misplaced our barrel of shaving cream which is a valuable commodity on board our ship. (Alas, the crew of our Lady the Ebony Oyster have now resorted to using rusty galley knives to shave their beards.) In place of shaving cream used to make "puffy paint" we substituted bamboo cotton batting. It worked out well. You can cut out the polar bear template first then glue on the batting or glue on the batting first then cut out. To give the polar bear definition we cut around the black outline. After we cut out the polar bear some of the paper leftover was used to create the snowy landscape for our craft project. Waste not, want not!


This polar bear uses cotton batting or cotton balls instead of puffy paint:

http://littlesliceoflife.wordpress.com/2011/12/21/polar-bear-picture/


  Find polar bear templates here:

https://www.google.com/search?q=polar+bear+template&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=R-neUq2eB9jaoATTr4GwBQ&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1239&bih=873



Facts about Polar Bears:



http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/polar-bear/




Cost: Minimal. I had everything on hand so this cost me nothing.


Items used:

-scissors
-glue
-one dried black eye pea for polar bear's eye
-small strand of scrap black yarn for its ear and mouth
-extra fine glitter (aka "crystal diamond")
-*buffalo snowflakes aka iridescent sprinkles
-light blue background paper
-snowflake stickers, buttons and sequins
-polar bear template (see link above^^)
-(optional) foam paintbrush to help spread the glue

*

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Toilet Paper Roll Snowflake

^^The blue snowflake on the left was easier to make and it is an ideal craft for younger children.

Inspired by these:


http://tinkerlab.com/rolled-paper-snowflakes/

More toilet paper roll inspiration here:

https://www.google.com/search?q=toilet+paper+roll+snowflakes&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=9djVUprFHMfxoASXzIHQAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1239&bih=873

However I think these snowflakes are prettier although they were much more difficult to glue together, paint and add the glitter. I would save this craft for older kids. In hindsight I should have used
spray paint but then that would defeat the purpose of this being a child's craft project as I would have done most of the work.

First we painted the snowflakes and set aside to dry. Then we put placed  glue all over with a foam paintbrush and sprinkled with the extra fine glitter.

I bought a container of this glitter on sale 50% + 15% off coupon. It cost about $1.40 for
2 ounces/56 grams. This glitter will last a long time.

Craft items used:

-toilet paper rolls
-scissors
-paintbrush including a foam paint brush for spreading glue
-clothespins to glue the snowflake pieces together while they dry
-white paint and some white paint mixed with blue
-snow white loose 'Crystal Diamond' glitter
-loose silver glitter for the blue snowflake
-glue
-few snowflake sequins
-" iridescent sequins
-" 'rhinestone' sequins
- (optional) yarn, string, nylon thread, fishing line or similar (if you want to hang the snowflakes)

Cost: about $1-$3



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Singing Pirate and Pigs by Marc Davis, watercolor, 1965.

Paint Chip Snowmen

For paint chip sample snowmen ideas:

https://www.google.com/search?q=thumbprint+snowman&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=BtrAUs7aI4_moASJqoHQBQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1239&bih=873#q=paint+chip+snowman&tbm=isch

Craft items we used:

-paint chip samples
-glue
-scissors
-buttons
-sequins
-scrap paper including scrap greeting cards
-grey metallic specialty paper  (for background)
-iridescent elastic string (used for beading)
-small jingle bell (for snowbaby's jingle belt)
-ribbon scraps
-black paint (for snowbaby's eyes)
-toothpick (used as a paintbrush to make the eyes)
-stickers
-hole punch

Cost: hardly any cost
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Captain William Bligh: [pointing at three sailors] You, you, you, step forward! You three are a disgrace to salt water! Ten days half rations.

DIY Lalaloopsy Clouds

Happy New Year 2014!






Meet the DIY LALALOOPSY CLOUDS

The clouds were taped to the ceiling and the excess yarn snipped off.

Greetings and Happy New Year 1714-

Effervescent Ethel asked me a few months ago if I could make her some "Lalaloopsy clouds" to hang from the ceiling. They are a perfect garnish with the IKEA cloud light cover in her quarters. The paint texture on the ceiling lends a nebulous vibe.


CME

Inspiration found in EE's Lalaloopsy books and online:

Notice in this next photo that my top thread for sewing on the yarn strings was pink. I was too lazy to switch out the pink for white thread. You can't see it anyway when the clouds are up hanging from the ceiling. Besides, seam ripping at 11:00 p.m. wasn't my idea of fun.

NEED:



-white felt, fleece or Ecofelt (I used *Ecofelt because it is sturdy and very similar to a heavy duty interfacing. I just like working with it and use this product often.)
-needle, either sewing needle or embroidery needle (the clouds can also be sewn together on the sewing machine using a long stitch)
-sky blue thread or embroidery floss
-white thread, invisible thread, white yarn or embroidery floss or similar for hanging
-stuffing/polyfill
-tape (update: the tape isn't working. I have to find another method for attaching the clouds to the ceiling.) *2nd Update: I'm back to using clear thumb tacks to attach the clouds to the ceiling. 
-buttons to decorate (they had a 2 for 1 sale recently at JoAnns)
-safety pin(s), for decoration (at the time I could only find black safety pins). I like *these and if I can find in town I might switch out the black safety pin:

Note: *I opted not to use straight sewing pins to decorate the clouds for obvious reasons. If I can devise a method for attaching a straight pin with a colorful pearl head, I will try my best and update this post. Also, avoid bending the Ecofelt. Once it is folded or bent you cannot smooth out the wrinkles or folds.

*

* Read about Ecofelt here: http://www.joann.com/kunin-foss-rainbow-classic-felt-9inx12in-violet-sky-6-pcs/2773471.html



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Eyebombing! And God said, "Let there be Googly Eyes..."

...and they were good!

23 December 1713

We, the crew of Ebony Oyster wish you a Merry Christmas! See you in 1714 with more small craft adventures on the high seas!



Signed,

 Captain Mad Ellen  and Effervescent Ethel

CME

"Humanizing the world, one googly eye at a time..."

http://eyebombing.com/

Photos from the website.

TO BE CONTINUED...;)

IKEA doll bed part II

Making its Broadway debut: IKEA Doll Bed painted and with new mattress pad, pillow and quilt! I had to take these pictures quickly and slickly! (And wait for the rain to stop.)

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