School is More Fun in Spring

Since Spring and mild weather has arrived, suddenly, as always (I took this photo just a week ago and it already looks so much more lush, green and grown out there!), we've been enjoying whatever work takes us outdoors, including school work.

I didn't order a science curriculum for Roks this year, since he is only 5, and not quite ready to be bored to death with a formal science study. So I have put together a little science/nature course for him, and we are focusing on seasons/observation/plant study.

This child is very artistic and loves to draw, amongst all the other artistic things he does. Right now, one of his most favorite prized posessions is his nature journal (working on his second one now). I make the journals at home since all those little books are so expensive at the ed. supply store. I just fold used printer paper/junk mail/old assignments so that the clean side is showing, then staple the loose edges into the fold of a piece of construction paper, for the cover. I made a whole bunch of them this year and we use them for Roks' language arts assignments, journals, or any time he wants to write a book. They are fun and free. :-)

Yesterday we went out to observe "nature" -- taking note of what we could see, hear and smell. Some of the things we could see and hear were: redwing blackbirds, a woodpecker, a hole in the tree, the next-door-neighbor's dog, a big hawk, bees and ants, blue sky, and lots of green grass with drifts of little pink-white flowers. We smelled lilacs-- just starting to bloom, jonquils, and a sampling of all the herbs that are reappearing this year. Mint, chives, thyme, parsley, sage, and lavendar. Then Roks drew an ant. :-)

Joman has a really interesting curriculum this year, studying the nations of the East, including Australia. Many neat enrichment activities with this curriculum.
Of course, the nice weather is so distracting....

and so is this.

Visiting On Wednesday

Hi! So glad you could visit again today!

Sorry you missed lunch, but it was just leftovers for me, and cheese, toast and fruit for the boys. Miss Rose and Joman are at their waldorf farm program today, and the Princess is sleeping. You've arrived at a good time. :-)

I've just finished cooking up some playdough to keep the boys occupied while we visit. We haven't had playdough for a very long time; and last time, I didn't color it, so Jr Spragus thought it was real dough, and tried to eat it. Ooops.
Now, if I just pop it here on their table, with the cookie cutters, how long do you think it will take them to discover it?

About 30 seconds. :-) Children can sense "new" a mile off.

What shall we do while the boys are occupied? I'd like to take the afternoon and, maybe, work on some crafts that are laying away, waiting to be finished.

The trouble is, deciding which one to work on?

This year's afghan?

Last year's little boy Christmas present?

Last year's crewelwork?

Maybe the Noah's Ark cross-stitch for the baby's room -- 2 babies ago....

Or -- I know -- we could finish up this scrapbook page...

Hmmm...could get out the machine and complete Joman's BBQ apron....it should fit Jr Spragus by now....
Maybe put the backing on the Spring, 2004, tablerunner...

Or, you could show me how to back and quilt this quilt top from 2002....

Oh...it would be easy enough to finish the Disney scrapbook I started in 2000...

Or, finally complete this cross-stitch I started as a gift for Grandma C back in 1997...

I wouldn't really even know where to begin to end this cross-stitch I tried to design when I was in 9th grade -- in 1986....


Oh, my, reminiscing gets you nowhere and everywhere, doesn't it!! And here, a new, sweet project is about to wake and need a feed and some love. The time just flies...and the projects have been put away, once again, for another day.

Speaking of the little Princess, I do believe SOMEBODY made a comment about her hair?

Problem recognized and remedied, MAMMAM.

Little Jr Spragus has been completely engrossed in his playdough art for hours now, and Woby's in bed napping. Here, Jr's made 2 strawberries, an orange, a "tormado," a blueberry sandwich, 2 whatsits, and a blue bowl to keep them in. Clever bubba. :-)

I'll take a quick nap before the soccer game, too, since the Princess was up until almost 3am (but then, she did sleep for 6 1/2 hours straight) and I had to get up on time to have the older two out the door to their program...so I'm tired....

Come along to the game! Joman is a star. Well, to us, he is.



The game was won, although none of us actually figured out what the score WAS, but we think it was 3-1. The important thing is that Joman did well, and he scored one of the goals. He played halfback and forward today.

Daddy -- isn't he the picture of the BEST kind of soccer dad.


Hope to see you tomorrow!

Jewels' Stars -- Additional Info

I know that many people love Jewels from her blog, Eyes of Wonder, and loved her stars. A long while back, I did make stars that are, as best as I can tell, pretty much exactly like the ones she had made. They are shown in this photo.

If you wanted to make stars just like hers, you will need to cut your tissue pieces with a ratio of 1:2 -- for instance, the large star above was made from 3"x6" pieces. I adapted that to a 3"x5" size so it would be easier to measure and cut with a regular 3"x5" index card. But if you look, you will see that the stars do look slightly different because of the way the folded tissue overlaps.

Just thought you ought to know :-)

This is such a fun craft!

Simple Window Stars Tutorial

Making beautiful window stars is easy! First, gather up your tissue paper, in whichever colors you like; a pencil; scissors; white glue; a 3x5 card; cello tape.
Trace around your 3x5 card, onto the tissue paper. (Oh, and use hand lotion regularly to avoid dry wrinkly hands like mine!!)

Cut out your pieces. For this project, you will need 8 pieces. (I cut 16 for two star variations.)

Iron your cut pieces.

Here are the pretty , pressed pieces, ready for folding.

Step 1: fold a piece in half lengthwise, matching edges.

Unfold. Fold the bottom two corners in so they meet the middle line.

Fold the top two corners in so that they meet the middle line.

Now fold the top two corners in again, so the former 45 degree angle fold now meets the middle line.Do the same with the other top side.

Drop some tiny dots of glue in the folded corners, so your piece will hold its shape.

Once all your pieces have been folded and glued, arrange the colors into the formation you desire.
Three dots of glue is sufficient to hold the star together. Only put glue on one side at a time. Also, use very small dots of glue -- otherwise your colors will run together.

Match the edge of the top piece to the middle line of the piece underneath. Match center points.

When you have worked your way to the last piece, you will want to slip it between the two surrounding pieces. Glue it to the underneath piece (yellow), then fold back the overlapping piece at the center line (purple) and dot glue on the last piece (blue). Then unfold the overlapping piece (purple) and stick it down.
Voila!
Now press your finished star to really hold those folds in and let the light shine through each overlapping layer clearly. I suggest pressing the star from the back, so you don't accidentally catch the edges of your folds.

Use your cello tape to make tiny tape rolls, and stick your star to the window! If you would like to make a "removable" star which won't be damaged by moving it, you can tape small pieces of tape flat to the back of your star to make non-sticky tabs. Then affix your tape "rolls" to the non-sticky tabs on the back of your star.

Once you have the hang of the basic star, it is very simple to modify your folds to make more intricate patterns. As long as you have the 45 degree angled folds in the center, you can use your 8 pieces to make a star. This second star was made using the same colors and the same angles, but I added a few tiny internal folds to the major folds I had done on the previous star, and you can see how it adds a diamond-like pattern to the center and points.

This final star is one I made months ago, with pastel colors. It is the same basic folds, with even more tiny internal folds. You see the dimensions and angles are the same.

So have fun! Experiment!

If you love papercrafts and are looking for even more great ideas, think about trying a Craftsy class.  I have taken numerous Craftsy classes and love them so much!  Excellent tuition, excellent instructors, excellent ideas -- and right now, half price on most classes.  Here is a great papercrafts class:   Online Paper Crafts Class  from Craftsy!  

(disclosure: I'm a Craftsy affiliate and big fan!) 

Oh, and -- buy this book for even more great ideas!!!