For example, one of Josephine's birthday presents was wrapped in some super cute paper, and I really really liked it. I liked it too much for it to go to waste, so I hovered and whined and asked Steve to help her gently ease the gift out of the paper (that means just do it himself) so I could save it. And, in a rather quick turnover time for me, it only sat around, still in its box shape for about a week.
One night while we watched a movie, I cut out all the figures (not a toddler-friendly activity if one wants it to be done well - but a really absorbing adult activity I quite enjoyed, and I recommend using tiny nail scissors). Then, I picked up a stretched canvas while running errands (much nicer than a canvasboard, which was my first intent), and then Josie and I decoupaged the stuff I'd arranged on there (a toddler-friendly activity, as long as it's understood that Podge does NOT come out of clothing). The background/sky was some of the tissue that came in her gifts - a layer of white over a deep teal. The uneven adhesion added to its charm. REALLY. Oh, ModPodge, how I huff thee.
Ta-DAAA!
I'm going to hang it by the gray ribbon that came with the present, tacking it around the edges of the canvas.
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Yesterday we ran some errands, and in a Hallmark store, we saw these adorable resin chicks with wire feet. And that is the only description you'll get, because I can't find an image and there are enough Hallmark stores in the world that you have probably seen them yourself. Of course Josie and I loved them, and I thought they were rather charming and faux-rustic-folk-arty and quirky - but I thought "Hey! We could make something like that!" and then I said it out loud, which meant we had to. and toddlers also think that means right away.
On the walk home, I thought about how we could make a palm-sized chick out of what we had around the house, the thoughts weaving in and out with toddler whines about walking and conversations about mud and melting snow.
So, with no further suspense - here's what came out of it all:Yesterday we ran some errands, and in a Hallmark store, we saw these adorable resin chicks with wire feet. And that is the only description you'll get, because I can't find an image and there are enough Hallmark stores in the world that you have probably seen them yourself. Of course Josie and I loved them, and I thought they were rather charming and faux-rustic-folk-arty and quirky - but I thought "Hey! We could make something like that!" and then I said it out loud, which meant we had to. and toddlers also think that means right away.
On the walk home, I thought about how we could make a palm-sized chick out of what we had around the house, the thoughts weaving in and out with toddler whines about walking and conversations about mud and melting snow.
"Papier Mache! Hmmm...maybe around a wad of tape! Or maybe just some cotton batting? But I don't know how to make it yellow...OH! Tissue! We have lots left over from Josie's birthday. I don't think there's yellow. I know I have googly eyes somewhere...Thank goodness I'm the kind of person who has very fine faux-rusted wire lying around from an old craft when I made a crown of thorns out of it! OH! I could use some of my vintage silk flowers to make it pretty!"
Now, while I used to teach actual classes to grown-ups who paid a not inconsiderable amount of money for them, imparting specific knowledge and all that, here is why I do not write craft tutorials.
Here's the tutorial, as if it were in real time, which was half an hour before dinner:
Hey! I have two styrofoam balls from that cotton-batting covered snowman that was in Martha Stewart's Christmas issue that we never made!
Hmmm...How should we stick them together?
Rummages in drawer. Wooden toothpicks! Using just one on its own broke. So use five! Toddlers love sticking toothpicks in things. Give her another ball and toothpicks so she'll just go away and do that.
Finds half-dried out congealed yellow paint (yellow's not a favourite colour around here) and mixes it in Podge (because I always have Podge) with a chopstick left over from Josie's party.
Brush that all over balls (snicker - jokes with Steve ensue), forming two pieces into fluffier "wing" shapes in the appropriate areas.
Bends "rusty" wire into feet shape. Toddler helps stick in at charmingly skewed angles. Sticking things in things is the BEST toddler activity ever.
Cuts roundish base out of two layers of corrugated cardboard, and glue them together. One of them is a beautiful green colour, so that takes care of "grass".
Fucking thing won't stand. Steve gets the idea to stick a nail through the bottom of the cardboard up the thing's bum, and it will now be a sitting chick (Adult jokes ensue, including one Fusilli joke). Answer Josephine's forty questions about why it won't stand.
Set it aside to dry near floor register with toddler sitting next to it expectantly, and make meatballs. Project resumed after dinner, despite my already being a bit sick of it.
The beak is a bit of orange ribbon left over from a present years ago, cut in a square, folded in half. Actually have to get the iron out to make the crease. (Curses). Use hot glue gun along the fold.
Googly eyes (yes, I have them lying around too) look tacky. Steve gets the idea to use furniture tacks from abandoned re-upholstery project. Much discussion about placement, as the difference in expression based on location is astounding. Too close together really give it an idiotic look. Too wide apart looks cretinous. Find a happy blank-expressioned medium.
Garnished with vintage flowers, and another used ribbon around its neck.
Chick is huge, and awkward, and is immediately dubbed "Chickysaurus" by Steve.
Chickysaurus is much beloved by Josephine, and must travel with her everywhere, including to the desk where it can gaze upon her as she is rocked to sleep.
This morning she found a rubbery grub pulled out of her "Pat the Beastie" book, and that was Chickysaurus' breakfast.
Welcome to the family, Chickysaurus. It's a bit weird here, but so are you. We like to think it's a charming kind of weird though.
