When I was a kid, we had an encyclopedia set that included the volume, “Things to Make and Do”. It was magical. You could open it up and find instructions on anything and everything a kid might possibly be able to tackle. Today, of course, we have
Instructables, the website that gives instructions on anything you might possibly want to tackle at any age.
We’ve been discussing vacation plans and realized that what we really want is a make and do break. The husband wants to build adirondack chairs. I want to paint a mandala and make a hammock. We need to build the kids’ playset. So we’re going to take some time off for creative projects, the kind of thing we don’t usually have time to do between work and chores.
What do you want to make or do?
We had a “Things to Make and Do” book as well. I used a lot of wooden thread spools and paperplates. *g*
Not sure what I’d like to make or do this summer. Something to think about.
Plan a treasure hunt for my niece.
Her birthday is later this summer. I did one for her brother a couple years ago, so I can’t repeat clue types, which means I get to think up new and devious ways to make kids’ brains work. Bonus: I just discovered the book “Geek Dad: Awesomely Geeky Projects and Activities for Dads and Kids to Share.”
But first, alas, I must write about healthcare recruitment outsourcing, and integrating accounts payable and receivable for small businesses.
Don’t forget popsicle sticks, recycled paper towel cardboard tubes, and pipe cleaners. *g*
Summer is probably when you desperately want outside; it might be easier for you to make things in the winter when it’s too freaking cold to leave your house.
MJ, what a great idea! Treasure hunt sounds fun for you and her. Maybe you can write a riddle for every page of business writing you do as a reward.
Husband just downloaded “Geek Dad”. Much geeky fun ahead.
Aside from the new container gardening project, this summer I want to design and make an art doll based on one of my characters. I’ve been working up my nerve by reading dollmaker magazines and practicing different techniques with bears and stuffies. I’ve never worked in paper clay or any of the doll-sculpting materials so I might do a few practice runs with that to see how hard it is to work with before I commit 100%.
Oh, wow, dollmaking sounds like an incredible project. Hope the container garden is going well!
So far, I’ve done some preliminary sketching for my mandala, and decided to try it in acrylics instead of watercolors because I want to really pop the colors. That means I’ll need to practice acrylic techniques.
Acrylic is a great medium, but you do have to work fast because it dries so quickly. One of my tricks is to squeeze the paint from the tube into little margarine tubs I’ve washed & saved after emptying. When you’re finished painting for the day, mist the paint with a little water, seal the lid and keep in a cool spot. If the tub seals well the paint should stay wet and workable for up to a week. 🙂
Oh, nice trick, thanks!
Also, acrylic medium (matte or gloss) helps extend the drying time. I found it extremely useful when DH and I painted our bench.
MJ, good to know, thanks.