Sunday, March 15, 2015

Planting for kids to do in March to get ready for warmer weather!



Some areas in the country start getting ready to plant for the summer by starting the seedlings.  This works great if you have a lot of sun light or can setup artificial light. Some project use upcycling and will help the environment!


DIY: Flower Seed Pockets

Materials:  1/3 yard Burlap or coffee or rice bags, Gardening string, Organic potting soil, Seeds, Scissors

Directions:
Cut burlap into 6.5” squares.
Put a small handful of potting soil on each square.
Liberally sprinkle seed mix onto potting soil.
Gather the edges of the burlap up and tie shut with string.
Bury the whole pocket in the ground and the seeds will grow through the burlap.


Eggshell Planters




Materials: Empty eggs shells, Seeds, Potting soil

Directions:
Take one of the eggs shells using a serrated knife or a pair of scissors to gently remove one end of the eggshell.  Poking a couple of holes in the eggshell along the line will allow you to cut easier.
Fill the eggshell to the top with potting soil.  The soil will shrink down a bit when it gets wet.
Plant a two to four seeds in the soil, following the instructions on the seed packet.  To water use a spray bottle to lightly mist until the surface is uniformly damp. 
Put our eggshells back into the carton they came in, until they are ready to move outside.  Just make sure that your plants get plenty of sunlight so that your seedlings don't get leggy and flop over! 

Adult help is needed to drill holes in the cans!

Fence planters from cans



Materials: Empty coffee cans or small empty cans, spray paint, drill, potting soil, wire

Directions:
Drill three holes in the bottom of the can for drainage and two holes in the top for wire.
Spray paint the color of your choosing.
Fill with potting soil.
Push wire through the hole and tied around fence posts.


Share your ideas on this or anything here on the blog either here or e-mail me at stipple@verizon.net.  I look forward to hearing from you!



Saturday, March 7, 2015

St. Patrick projects for kids



A lot of individuals skip over this holiday, now. Most think if you are not Irish who cares. I think it is more of out of respect to do so since, Irish immigrants came here for a new beginning. 
Beside I am Scottish but my maiden name is spelled the Irish way and I married an Irish man.  Love you hon!


Cupcake Liner 4 Leaf Clover






Materials: cupcake liner, scissors, and green food coloring

Directions: 
Start by opening up the cupcake liner and flatten it out.
Fold it in half and then fold it in half again and one more time!
Cut a heart shape with scissors but DON’T cut all the way to the bottom! You will just get 4 hearts.
Open up the cupcake liner and you should have a beautiful 4 leaf clover!

If you are using white cupcake liners, wet them down with water and drip green food coloring on top (if you look below only the bottom 4 leaf clover was completely wet with water and turned out better)
After they dry you could add a stem.

Option:   hang them up for a St. Patrick’s

Clover Leaf Lei



Materials: string/yarn, paper clovers, scissors, cut up straws, hole punch

Directions:



















Print out the shamrocks and then cut them.
Cut out some clover leaves in varying colors and patterns from cardstock/construction paper.
Punch a hole in the center of each clover leaf. Depending on the width of your straws you might need to use a smaller than normal hole punch or poke your own holes so the straws don’t slip through.
Next cut a length of string or yarn and alternate stringing the paper clovers + straw pieces.
When it’s long enough, tie the ends of your string together and that’s it! So easy and definitely a crowd pleaser with the kids! Enjoy making your own Clover Leaf Leis!

Adult Supervision need for hot glue!

Pipe Cleaner Shamrock Bouquet



Materials: green pipe cleaners, hot glue, green buttons

Directions:
Make your shamrocks as in the picture and then hot glue the buttons on.

Option: add water with a little green food coloring.



Share your ideas on this or anything here on the blog either here or e-mail me at stipple@verizon.net.  I look forward to hearing from you!