Things are getting festive around here.
A little baker’s twine, a little felt, and we have a nice holiday garland. I got this idea from The Paper Mama. How in the WORLD can I not click on a website with the word “paper” in it? An aside: you guys and all your talk about a paperless society? That’s the most depressing thing ever. I love paper. I love pens and pencils. Don’t take that away from me with your fancy computers and your talk of efficiency. I’m not havin’ it. Anyway, I made this and the thing is, how do you glue felt to twine? What I mean is, what do you put under the project while the glue is drying? The HOT glue. I don’t think she included that in her directions. If I were a real DIYer and was on Pinterest I’d know, wouldn’t I? Well. Just don’t use wax paper if you try it. You’ll be sorry. A towel doesn’t work well either.
The girls made these and hung them on some of our doorknobs.
They’re just little reindeer kits that you can get at Michaels. I have a love-hate relationship with that store. Some DIYers are kind of mean, no? I feel like you can’t go in there without an idea of what you want to get. That’s not how I shop. I’m a wanderer. Plus, I’ll stand and stare at a thing for a while. This bothers people at Michaels. They know what they want. They have their coupons. Get out of their way. I try to follow the rules but I like to tease so I go in there and wander just to get on their nerves. I’ll probably do this until I die. I’m not the nicest person.
The girls also had a little winter writer’s workshop this week. I had them create some object poems. These are fun, and a great activity for young people. Like me. Here’s what you do:
Pick an object and draw a light sketch of it in pencil. Then write words that have to do with that object around the border of your picture.
Go over your words with a black pen. I suggest a Sharpie fine point pen if you have one lying around the house. If not, go to Michaels. They have them. Aisle 4. Or maybe it’s Aisle 7.
(For kiddos who might not know all their ABCs and how they work, have them tell you the words they think of and you can write them down. Working with a “very special pen from Michaels” will be satisfying for those children who like to do whatever it is their older siblings are doing.)
Then erase the pencil so the “poem” becomes the object. You can decorate as well. I always like to add a little color to my writing. Trust me, if my program didn’t require I email my assignments to my advisor, I’d probably write fancy, colorful titles and maybe even add pictures. It’s how I got through college.
Fa, la, la, yo.
Laura Brown says
I think I saw Jesse Pinkman on the street yesterday. He has a trim little goatee now. And he looks taller. Or maybe he’s standing up straighter.
I am going to do this drawing exercise. Thanks.
calliefeyen says
He should stand up a little straighter. After all, he dodged a huge bullet…no pun intended. Although, a friend of mine is concerned his demons are too large to move past all that.
I bet whatever you come up with in regards to the drawing exercise will be beautiful. I loved your daily pictures on your blog in November.
Anita says
What a good idea. Shape poems are so much fun! I’ve done them in my class before, and I think my kindergartener is about ready to give them a try. I’ll suggest it the next time he says he wants more homework. (I’m not kidding – he said it earlier this week. We’ll enjoy that while it lasts.)
calliefeyen says
Let me know how it goes, Anita. I know, Hadley was the same way in preschool. Always wanting homework. Then she got it in Kindergarten and now in first grade she’s not too keen on it. 🙂
Erin says
Callie, you are so talented! I love reading your blog and watching the your girls grow up! I am always tempted to try some of these activities and then I remember, I am a mom of two crazy boys. Oh well… : )
calliefeyen says
You are too kind, Erin. Thank you very much. (And you could totally do that garland thing!) 🙂
alison says
oh, i remember those shape poem-y things from elementary school! i loved those. thanks for the idea… oh, and i have an idea on your hot glue. what about putting the trees down first, then a dab of hot glue on the back of the tree which is face up, then lay the twine on top while it dries. would that work? i don’t know. you should see all my half-finished crafts…
calliefeyen says
OH!!! Glueing in the other direction! OK, that makes WAY more sense. Geez, if I had done that my post would’ve been a lot shorter. Next time, next time.