Decoupage and cornstarch clay

Tissue squares were mod podged onto an empty wipes container and then we glued glittered snowflakes on top. The snowflakes had been made the week prior and left to dry before attaching them to this project.

This was a "pull something out of my hat" craft when the supplies that I needed for the planned craft got left at home

We used craft sticks to form a square and painted it blue. Leftover wood shapes of sea horses were painted and glittered and then attached to the wood square. A few sea shells livened it up... a google eye and some twisted blue paper for a hanger finished the project.

I know, I know--- it's been awhile!!

Been sooo busy! (the usual excuse)... we've still been doing crafts weekly so I will put some pix of a few up.

This first one is my take on reverse glass painting; picked up some very inexpensive frames and used fabric paint to outline a simple design on the glass. My residents filled in the design with glass paints. The cardboard back of the frame is covered in a sparkly wrapping paper. We used nail polish to color sections of the frame.

Merry, merry Christmas!

Boy, have I been busy!! But now Christmas is behind us and things should slow up considerably.

Here are some carollers that we made last week; they turned out really cute! They were inspired by a project that I saw on Family Fun website:
http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/christmas-decorations/festive-christmas-displays/christmas-choir-661390/

Hope that everyone had a wonderful, blessed and peaceful holiday!

Sherry

Autumn Angels

Here is a fun project that we did.

It was inspired by a craft that I saw in a magazine years back. I modified it to meet the needs of my crafting residents.

We plan to make others; using seasonal silk flowers to make angels for each season.

Ice Cream Sundaes!!! (but don't eat 'em!)

Here are some photos of some of the ice cream sundaes made by residents during the dog days of summer. (One sweet lady keeps hers in the refrigerator?)

They are made with styrofoam balls and peanuts... cold porcelain.... and modeling paste... along with some paint and glue. Mmmmmm!

Birthday Place Mats

Our morning activity for Black Friday was to decorate paper placemats for birthdays.

I set out markers, stickers, crayons and stamps with stamp pads and let them go at it!

It was fun for all and now we have lots of decorated placemats for birthdays.

Let's Make a Deal Bingo was a big success!!!

We had a good, good turn-out for our Black Friday Let's Make a Deal Bingo game!!

Everyone had fun; lots of laughs and giggles. I was so busy, though, I had no time to take photos :(

Grand prize was a silver coated photo tree that had been donated for the occasion... We also gave away a felt throw (free gift from Fingerhut)--  a box of chocolate covered cherries-- several gag gifts. The recipient of the Emergency Clown nose proceeded to open the jar and immediately put the nose on!!!

All in all, I deem it a very successful event!

Happy Turkey Day!!

Our residents are having their second Thanksgiving dinner today. Last Friday was our Family Thanksgiving Dinner where residents' families were invited to come partake of a fabulous meal and some great entertainment. 

I hope that all of you have a wonderful holiday!!!

Mmmm!! Cinnamon rolls!!! (they're not real!!)

This week, my ladies made these luscious looking cinnamon rolls; don't they look delish?

Well, they are high in fiber; loaded with cotton batting!

And the nuts are painted clay kitty litter!!!!

But, they smell and look fantastic! Everyone was so impressed by them.

Our current group of crafters include people with visual disabilities and others who have difficulty with fine motor skills; this craft accomodated them all. I did offer assistance in some of the hand sewing.

I got this idea from http://oodlekadoodleprimitives.blogspot.com/2010/09/faux-cinnamon-buns-linen-spray.html

(It's a great site!)

Beaded Crafts

This is the craft that our lady residents made last week. They turned out nice, don't you think? All of my ladies are wearing theirs proudly.

However..... a couple of the women did have some difficulty with the beading due to various physical difficulties. (As an activity professional, you are constantly changing craft techniques and materials to meet the needs of your current residents.)

So.... I will put my beading crafts away for now.

Here is what first inspired me to include beading as a craft activity:

I got it for a quarter at a yard sale! 

I modified the assembly and bead sizes and colors and here's the results:

These baskets grace the window sills in our residents' rooms. They turned out great!


Here's another very successful beading project:
SNOWFLAKES!

If you haven't yet tried beading with your residents and think it may be something that they are capable of and will enjoy, TRY IT!  Plastic beads are inexpensive at many online stores. The transparent ones are beautiful in sunlight. Surprisingly, chennile stems thread right through most bead holes.