Transferring activity

I love Pom poms and as you may see there are loads of things you can do with them.

 This is a great activity as it's easy and it covers many areas of development for little people. I have an 18 month old and it's great for her, it was also a hit for my eldest when she was the same age.

All you need is two bowls and a small pair of tongs, and of course pom poms. I used to also do this when I worked in Pre schools, and I generally had the 18 month to 2 year old's, we also used dried pasta.

Some of the areas of development this is good for are,

Fine motor development

Hand and eye co ordination

Speech and Language 

Cognitive development

Dexterity

 We talk about the colours in which we are picking up, my 18 month old is slowly learning new words and enjoying to practice them. It's also great for introducing colours into her learning and play, which is great for language and cognitive skills.

The transferring of the pom poms from one bowl to another is great for her hand and eye co ordination as she has to focus on the pom pom and use her fine motor skills by using her hands to control the tongs in order to pick them up, and release them.

When my eldest became more confident with it, she would sit for ages just transferring  the pom poms between the two bowls. It kept her quiet and was a great calming activity for quiet time.

So why not give it a go, maybe try the dried pasta ( just make sure they don't eat it). The small plastic tongs to squeeze tea bags are also great for this, and also a bit easier to handle for little hands.

Em xx ♥♥♥

Pom pom glitter bunting

Another cute activity for older kids or Mum's looking to make something cheap and cute for their little ones room. 

These pom poms came in a big bag which cost $2 at a craft shop. The glitter card also cost about $2 which I bought at a dollar/pound shop. So this is quite an inexpensive way to make something a bit cute and add a bit of sparkle to any room. 

1, Find a sized circle you like and trace around it onto the back of the card, cut it in half and this will make your template. I used a plastic cup for the size of mine.

2, Now just trace it onto the rest of the card and cut out your bunting, I got 12 from 2 sheets of card.

3, Now with your hole punch, punch 2 holes in your bunting pieces, one in each corner

4, Now cut out a long length of your string (I used a gold yarn which I already had). Then thread the yarn onto the bodkin (or just a regular needle, depending on the thickness of your yarn/string). Now start with threading through a pom pom then the bunting shape, and so one, finishing with a pom pom. this is so when you tie it off it wont fall off the string.

 Now for the two ends, for each end I tied a loop and knot, then I threaded the left over yarn through the pom pom and cut it off, just to make it neat.

Now hang it up and admire it's cuteness. I used blue tack to adhere mine to the wall, but with the loops you can hang it from some hooks too.

I hung mine in my daughters room, she was pretty happy with it.

So this is a pretty easy way to make bunting that doesn't require a sewing machine.

You could use any coloured card or even foam, you could even use those lovely wool felt balls. There are lots of variations you could try. I would love to try some with my vintage wallpaper, for a vintage look. I even made some without the pom poms and just ran my cardboard through the sewing machine. This was also quite easy if you have a sewing machine.

Happy Crafting

Em xx ♥♥♥

Pom Pom Poppers

 I'm certainly not going to claim this as my idea, just showing you all the fun things you can do with pom poms. This is a fun little activity which will keep the kids entertained for a while, and not to mention finding pom poms all over the house, it's a small price for entertained kids.

 Cut a hole in the bottom of the paper cup

 Then cut the top off the balloon

 Tie a knot in the end of  the balloon. Next stretch the balloon over the bottom of the paper cup. Then tape the balloon to the cup.

Now, let the fun begin. Pop a pom pom in, and pull back on the the balloon then release. they do get a bit of distance, luckily the pom poms don't hurt or break anything.

Then get of the firing range and grab a cuppa whilst you can.

Em xx ♥♥♥ 

Pom Pom Bracelet

 This is an easy little activity I can do with my 4 and a half year old, I did need to help her with a couple of things. It turns out pretty cute for a girl who does love her accessories and dressing up.

Make the Tassel

1, Wrap some of the yarn about 10 times around the piece of cardboard

2, Slide it off the cardboard, then tie some yarn at the end of the tassel then tie some yarn about 1cm down from the top

3, Snip the ends off to make the tassel neat

(this part may need an adult to help)

 Thread the elastic onto the bodkin, this might need to be done by and adult. alternatively you could used a plastic  bodkin for kids. Then thread the beads, then through the pom poms, then through the tassel and keep going. 

Then tie off the elastic into a few knots, (an adult might need to help here too)

And there you have it, a cute little bracelet. I love pom poms and love adding them to lots of little projects for my kids.

Happy Crafting

Em xx ♥♥♥

Crochet Giraffe

Just to let you know I have finally got around to fixing up my Giraffe pattern here. I made another one and this time just made him green, and I was able to amend the pattern when making him. I am pretty sure all the maths part of the pattern is now correct. There are a few changes, mainly with the head and body, with a few small changes to other parts but only missing or gaining a row.

 This is how he will look with the new changes.

Here they are together. The new little one will go to my lovely good friend who is having a boy soon, and the stripey one is for my little one, who is very over due now.

Em xx ♥♥♥

Crochet Giraffe Pattern

Amended on 22/06/13

Here is my pattern for my little Giraffe. This is the first crochet pattern I’ve written, so I hope that it’s ok. I’m the master of dropping or gaining stitches, so don’t worry if you do too.

Also, I’m sorry if any of the final quantities of stitches aren’t quite right, I wouldn’t worry too much if it’s 24 not 26 etc. I made him up as I went along, so I just hope he looks ok for everyone. Have fun .

 Emma xxx

PS: I am writing this pattern for free, if you are new to my little Blog maybe you could start following me. It's always nice to get new readers ♥♥♥

Crochet Stripy Giraffe

 What I used:

*3mm hook

*Cotton /Acrylic yarn. I used a couple of different types of yarns with slightly different thicknesses. It still turned out ok.

Abbreviations

Ch- Chain

Dec- Decrease

Sc- Single crochet

Rep- Repeat
(US Terms)

Arms (make 2)
In white
R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook
R2: Sc 2 in each sc around (12)
R3: Sc 1, 2 sc in next sc, rep 6 times (18)
R4-5: Sc 18
R6: Sc 1, dec 1 (12)
Change colour
R7- R23: Sc 12
Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing together
Stuff firmly as you go, leave near the end lightly stuffed.
Changing colour every 2 rows.
Orange, blue, pink, tan, green, light pink, brown, purple
  

Legs (make 2)

In white

R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook

R2: Sc 2 in each sc around (12)

R3: Sc 1, 2 sc in next sc, rep 6 times (18)

R4: Sc 2, 2 sc in next sc, rep 6 times (24)

R5-R8: Sc 24

R9: Sc 2, dec, rep 6 times (18)

R10: Sc 1, dec 1, rep 6 times (12)

Change colour

Changing colour every 2 rows.

Red, brown, yellow, light pink, purple, light green, tan, blue, pink, orange, green

R11-R33: Sc 12

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing together

Stuff firmly as you go, leave near the end lightly stuffed.

Horns (make 2)

In White

R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook

R2: Sc 2 in each sc around (12)

R3-R5: Sc 12

R6: Dec 1, rep 6 times (6)

R7-R13: Sc 6

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing together

Stuff firmly as you go

Head
In White
R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook
R2: Sc 2 in each sc around (12)
R3: Sc 1, 2 sc in next sc, rep 6 times (18)
R4: Sc 2, 2 sc in next sc, rep 6 times (24)
R5: Sc 3, 2 sc in next sc, rep 6 times (30)
R6: Sc 4, 2 sc in next sc, rep 6 times (36)
R7-10: Sc 36        
Change colour (purple)
R11-12: Sc 36
Change colour (yellow)
R13: Sc 36
R14: Sc 5, 2 sc in next sc, rep 6 times (42)
Change colour (red)
R15: Sc 6, 2 sc in next sc, rep 6 times (48)
R16: Sc 48
Change colour (green)
R17-18: Sc 48
Change colour (light pink)
R19: Sc 6, dec 1, rep 6 times (42)
R20: Sc 4, dec 1, rep 7 times (35)
Sew on face, Change colour (blue)
R21: Sc 3, dec 1, rep 7 times (28)
R22: Sc 2, dec 1, rep 7 times (21)
Stuff firmly, Change colour (pink)
R23: Sc 1, dec 1, rep 7 times (14)
R24: Dec 1, rep 7 times (7)
Fasten off and weave in end

Ears (make 2)

Orange

R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook

R2: Sc 2 in each sc around (12)

R3: Sc 1, 2 sc in next sc, rep 6 times (18)

R4-9: Sc 18

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing together

When attaching the ears to the head, pinch the outsides of the ears in to make them more life-like.

Body
Red
R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook
R2: Sc 2 in each sc around (12)
R3: Sc 1, 2 sc in next sc, rep 6 times (18)
R4: Sc 2, 2 sc in next sc, rep 6 times (24)
R5: Sc 3, 2 sc in next sc, rep 6 times (30)
R6: Sc 4, 2 sc in next sc, rep 6 times (36)
Change colour (purple)
R7: Sc 5, 2 sc in next sc, rep 6 times (42)
R8: Sc 6, 2 sc in next sc, rep 6 times (48)
Change colour (orange)
R9: Sc 7, 2 sc in next sc, rep 6 times (54)
R10: Sc 54           
Change colour (light green)
R11-12: Sc 54     
Change colour (white)
R13-14: Sc 54     
Change colour (pink)
R15-16: Sc 54     
Change colour (blue)
R17-18: Sc 54     
Change colour (yellow)
R19: Sc54
R20: Sc 7, dec 1, rep 6 times (48)
Change colour (Green)
R21: Sc 6, dec 1, rep 6 times (42)
R22: Sc 5, dec 1, rep 6 times (36)
Change colour (tan)
R23: Sc 4, dec 1, rep 6 times (30)
Stuff firmly
R24: Sc 3, dec 1, rep 6 times (24)
Change colour (pink)
R25-26: Sc 24
Change colour (red)
R27-28: Sc 24
Change colour (white)
R29-30: Sc 24
Change colour (brown)
R31-32: Sc 24
Change colour (light green)
R33-34: Sc 24
Change colour (pink)
R35-36: Sc 24
Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing together
Firm stuffing as you go
.

 ♥Em xx ♥

Play Dough 101

I thought I would do a post on Play Dough. After years of making at pre school I am now making it at home. If you think making it yourself is too hard and messy read on, it really isn't and it's much cheaper than the store bought variety. It seriously took me 5 to 10 Min's max.

Ingredients

2 cups plain flour

4tbs Cream of tartar

2tbs cooking oil (I only have olive oil and it works fine)

1 cup salt

2 cups water (boiling water, read on)

food colouring

Now the back of the box says cook on a medium heat, but who has the time or wants the mess on their good cook wear. I use boiling water and mix it in a bowl (wear gloves so we don't burn your hands). For the mix I have made I only used half the recipe as I only have Ruby and don't need loads. It makes a fair amount with the full mixture.

 I made it with Ruby

 I think the red on red probably wasn't a good idea for the photo's.

 This is with the boiling water in and mixing, steaming play dough.

 Mix it for a while and when you think it is looking congealed, take it out and knead on a floured surface.

 This is it just taken out without being kneaded, it is lovely and warm great to make in winter.

 All ready to play with now.

I gave Ruby what I had which was muffin tins, patty pans, rolling pin, heart cutter and big button's. But this is where you can get really creative.

Use Paddle pop sticks, glitter (lots looks amazing), match sticks, animals anything really.

I have made before the mix without colour in it. When I was kneading it I made 4 balls and mixed colours in then and made 4 colours, it looks great until it gets all mixed together to a khaki colour. You could try using 2 primary colours so when it gets mixed together it makes a secondary colour. This is great for learning colours also.

So there you have it, it wasn't so hard and all I have to clean is a bowl and spoon and a cup. Have a go, if you look after it it lasts really well. I always knead it back into a ball and put it in an air tight container or bag. It can be stored in the fridge or just leave it out, it still lasts well.

Em xx