Half Term crafting

Last week was a full-on half term for me and little one!  I didn’t realise quite how much I’d got used to the peace and quiet of term time.  Anyway, we had lots planned as well as a few free days to wind down, do homework and generally mooch about together.

I tried to do something constructive or crafty every day.  This would range from me crafting for myself or doing some kids craft.  I managed to fit n quite a lot really.  Mainly because I’ve been crocheting granny squares – to practice my treble crochet a bit more – and I can do that more-or-less anywhere.  Crochet really is the most portable of crafts.  Great to do in the car (as long as you’re the passenger that is).

Our kids craft was predominantly drawing dinosaurs (her not me) and practicing writing.  But I did manage to get the Hama beads and some shrink plastic out.

 Hama bead makes

We both had great fun sorting through the huge jar of beads.  Dinosaurs are the main focus of everything in our house at the moment, so it was no surprise that she made a dinosaur.  But we managed to have a go at a skating Poppet and a blue seahorse too.  It’s great to see her following patterns, but even better when she decides to have a go at making it up herself (dinosaur).  I made the heart and I think I might use it on a card for Mother’s Day!

The shrink plastic was a brilliant idea.  She spent ages making sure she had coloured in all the fairies and toadstools etc and then we watched them all shrink in the oven.  This is a fabulous craft with kids.  It’s so exciting and satisfying watching the pieces curl up and shrink through the oven door.  The next plan is to use them to make some jewellery.  So watch this space for that.

Shrink plastic fairies

Our only other day of crafting was to make some buns using some over-ripe banana and a few left-over blueberries.  I used an all-in-one sponge recipe from Delia Smith and my daughter added the bits of banana and blueberries.  She loves this and the best bit, they only take 15 minutes in the oven so we were able to sample our baking just as we’d finished the washing up!!

We had a lovely time baking and making over the holidays, but it’s back to school now and time for me to get back to some grown-up crafting!

Happy crafting holidays
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