Tis the Season for Kid Craftin', Fa la la la la....

Well, despite the freezing weather (a whopping 2 degrees below zero--NOT counting the windchill!) my girlie wanted to mess with polymer clay today! Clay does not like the cold temps, so it took some effort to get it soft enough to work with. A Twitter pal later gave me the tip she had heard from professionals, to warm it up inside my bra!! Hey, it just might work!!

I think it is just great to give the kids some extra clay and see what they come up with. It is so good for them, and it makes a lasting item since it gets hard when baked! We worked together to make this kitty cat, which she has decided to give to her brother for Christmas.

This is my favorite polymer clay item made by my son when he was 4 or 5 years old. The arm broke off, so I had to hold it up there for the picture! It just makes me happy to look at--this funny dancing guy! It also reminds me of good times spent together with him.


We have worked on other Christmas gifts together. These are shrinky dink pins made by my son. I should have gotten the white shrinky dinks instead of the clear, since you can see the pins right through them!

This one (below) was a big hit with the kids!!! These are just bottle tops which they filled with white glue then added little toys, shells, whatnots and etcetera. They sprinkled with glitter. I added some clear resin just because that is my thing, but it wouldn't be necessary. They really had a good time doing it. I glued scrap magnets (sales, etc, that get sent in the mail, etc) to the back. I was worried they would be too heavy for those magnets, but it worked fine--although I did glue the magnets to the entire back, not just parts.
My girl loved the Pikachu (from Pokemon) pin that my son made from Shrinky Dinks for the pin shown above, so he made her a smaller one for a necklace in secret. I punched a hole (use a regular size punch, as the hold will shrink, of course!) and added a jump ring and ball chain. I think she will love it, and he is proud.

Part of the fun of Christmas is making gifts for each other, so maybe this will give you some ideas--leave comments if you have ideas of your own to share! I am *always* looking for new ideas to keep these guys busy!!

First Snowfall of the Season

How appropriate that the morning I popped out my long awaited resin snowflakes we would wake to a white, snowy world!

I like the resin ones better...

Ok, I guess it was pretty and all. And it was only 2". And we will be above freezing for our highs all week (by a few degrees). And I didn't have to drive in it when it was coming down at its worst. The kids were really excited. I didn't have trouble finding snow pants and boots (because I was in denial and didn't do it last night!!). Shoveling was not hard. Ok, how's that for bright side??? I'm trying!!!

Husband is in Tampa for the day, but he won't get to see much of it, airports and meetings all day. Left early this morning and will be back later tonight. Wouldn't want to trade, even tho' it is Tampa and we snowed!!!!

I am waiting for the plumber to call. Perhaps that sours my snow-mood as well....

Sadly, although I was able to pop the resin snowflakes out--the mold couldn't stand the pressure and cracked in many places! What a disappointment because I LOVE the way they turned out!! I know she didn't pay a whole lot for the mold, really I would consider it worth it for a one-use-mold. Now THESE snowflakes make me happy!! :-) I think they will make nice pendants, magnets, and my friend suggested a large ring. She likes large rings, and can't be the only one out there. I will have to keep one for myself, especially since the mold is gone... but which one?!