Giving Thanks...

Preschool was at my house this week. Tuesday, was the same as always, but on Thursday, one of the other moms came over too. We did a lot of different activities, and crafts and not a lot of talking. I really wanted to teach the kids that Thanksgiving is more than just eating food. So I made sure that we talked a lot about being grateful.

First we made "Thanks" signs with Elmer's glue and food(beans, couscous, and dried peas).

Then I let the kids make(shaped) rolls (I made dough in the bread maker and

had it set to finish at about 45 minutes after they got here).

And my friend helped the kids make hats. Then we let the kids make butter

(to put on the rolls, of course).

I used heavy whipping cream, so it didn't

take very long. Also when the kids got tired we

took a turn helping them shake it.

The last thing we did was make pine cone turkeys.

Using pinecones, felt, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, and hot glue(an adult's job).

My kids did not have time to finish their signs, so after the others left, we finished them.

I even made one, since there was an extra piece of foam core board.

After I finished, the girls were still not done, so I made a turkey too.

What a fun day! I love, love, love crafting with the kids!!!!!

The Last Minute Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!! (with free bonus pattern in post)

The Last Minute Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!! (with free bonus pattern in post)

Aunty Ollie $100 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Aunty Ollie $100 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/11/handmade-dress-patterns-guest-giveaway.html

http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/11/handmade-dress-patterns-guest-giveaway.html

Letter Hunting...

Today we went for a letter hunt in our neighborhood. I used the "big" camera, and let the girls use the "little" camera. They love taking pictures. And they loved looking for letters.

Leaf Dipping!
I wanted to preserve the color of the leaves that we found the other day, so we dipped them in wax.
It is easy!
Put a smaller can into a larger can (mine were 15 oz, and 28 oz), but any cans would work.
Fill the larger one with water to about an inch from the top (when the other can is inside) and put a small amount of water in the bottom of the smaller can and a block (1/4 lb) of parafin wax.
Then heat on the stove. DO NOT ALLOW THE WAX/WATER TO COME TO A ROLLING BOIL.
The wax will float to the top, then just dip the leaves in the wax and allow to cool on waxed paper.

Easy, and fun. Easy enough for even small children, just tell them to hold the end on the stem, and only give them long stemmed leaves.

Leftovers

I made this skirt out of the scraps from a quilt I just finished. It is just a simple elastic waist skirt. And for the shirt. I have been making dresses for my girls and some of my nieces. When I was cutting them out, I accidentally cut out 4 backs and no fronts in the size 2T. So rather than waste them, I cut out fronts and sleeves. And made two shirts. I used the same pattern as I did for the white dresses I made for my girls, but instead of using elastic thread, I made a casing for the sleeves and used 1/4" elastic. After she put it on, I thought it would look better with a sash. So I cut a 3" strip serged the top and long side, turned it, then topstitched the long side and both ends. I love how it turned out.