I happened on a free label maker yesterday and spend quite some time there trying out all the options they have.

Although the site provides options for beer labels, you can quite easily make personalised labels for [...]]]>

With all the free online resources available today, it is easy to create items for your child’s birthday party.

I happened on a free label maker yesterday and spend quite some time there trying out all the options they have.

Although the site provides options for beer labels, you can quite easily make personalised labels for your child’s party.

The “Sea Punch” label on the left  (just one of 5 labels I made during the time I was on the site), can for instance be used to decorate clear glass jugs, drinking glasses or paper cups when you host a mermaid party.

Take a look at Labeley (link opens in a new window) and have fun when you design your  labels.

Ideas to use labels at your child’s birthday party:

• Personalised bottle labels – water, juice, bubbles
• Personalised labels to wrap chocolate bars – not the same as the normal candy wrapper
• Decorations for favour bags
• Food labels – print labels with descriptive names for the food, cut out and attach to lollipop or paddle sticks, insert into food
• Name and address labels for invitation envelopes
• Party Favours – labels for diaries, school books, etc.

Another label I made with Labeley’s templates and graphics

Share your ideas: How do you use labels for your child’s birthday party?

As always, have fun!

There also instructions to make the salt dough, tips and ideas for baking, painting and varnishing the salt dough items as well as instructions to [...]]]>

The last few days I have been busy updating my Squidoo lens where I have a step-by step photo tutorial on how to make a nativity scene from salt dough.

There also instructions to make the salt dough, tips and ideas for baking, painting and varnishing the salt dough items as well as instructions to make a stable to display the nativity figurines.

You can also download a pdf. file with images of salt dough Christmas tree ornaments that fits well with the nativity figurines.

Every year from October to mid-December there are a lot of traffic to this lens and visitors are asking questions on how to use salt dough to make Christmas ornaments and gifts.

I love salt dough! Even though it is often only thought of as something to keep kids busy with on rainy days, adults can enjoy playing/working with it just as much as kids do.

Way back in October 2006 I started my first blog centering on “cheap” gift ideas. My first post was about the  nativity scene (on the photo) and Christmas ornaments I made from salt dough in 1993.  (We still use this nativity set every year at Christmas time although the figurines are starting to show their age now.)

For one reason or another, this gift blog evolved into a salt dough “creations” blog that lasted well into 2007. The more salt dough items I made to feature on the blog, the more ideas I came up with. So for nearly 7 months I had a wonderful and fulfilling salt dough crafting life.

Here are some of the salt dough items I featured on my ezi-gifts-galore blog:

Ok, to come back to salt dough for party activities and party favour purposes…

There are so many recipes for salt dough on the internet, but the one I like to make for children to play with, is the cooked version. It is very pliable, keep the shape of items better and also keeps longer in the fridge.

Whenever I use salt dough to make gifts or ornaments, I use the “normal” salt dough recipe where you just mix 2 cups flour and 1 cup fine table salt with one cup water. During the years I have worked with salt dough, I made a few changes to the original recipe, like adding another cup of flour to the basic recipe. Sometimes I like to add white glue to the water, sometimes a little bit of oil to make it more pliable…sometimes I just use the salt, flour and water mixture. After a while you really “feel” if the dough will work well or not.

Here are recipes for the two versions of salt dough as well as a  mashed potato edible play dough.

So, to incorporate salt dough into your party preparations, a few ideas:

• You can make playing with the salt dough, part of the party activities and then each party guests can take their salt dough back home after the party, or…

• You can make one or two batches of salt dough, divide evenly into balls and hand it out as party favours at the end of the party. You can put it into ziplock bags with a cheery bag topper together with  one or two cookie cutters.

• You can also start making small salt dough items a week or two before the party (enough time to bake, paint and varnish) and then just slip it into the party favour bags.

Smart Idea: Why not have a salt dough theme party and let all the kids make their own salt dough and items. It is a good time to teach them about the origins of salt and flour, texture, colour and shapes.

Obviously there will not be enough time for them to bake and paint the items, but they will have a great time playing with the dough. You can also offer to bake each guest’s “creations” for them afterwards. Your child can then go and deliver these when he or she delivers the thank you cards a few days after the party.

You don’t have to keep only to salt dough for this party. Let them make edible playdough too and eat their “creations” later.

Salt Dough Party Favour Ideas:

• Alphabet Animals – make the first letter of a child’s name with salt dough, form a small animal and join to the letter before baking.
• Paper Weights, Pencil Holders and Pencil Toppers
• Photo Frames and Framed Handbag Mirrors
• Hanging Wall Ornaments like clowns, dolls, animals
• Earrings,  Bracelets and Necklaces
• Brooches and Badges
• Jewellery Boxes or Smaller Trinket Boxes
• Potpourri
• Mobiles

Don’t forget to watch the video to see some examples of the above-mentioned party favour ideas.

That’s it for now, so go and be creative with salt dough for your child’s next birthday party!

The following two books are filled with heaps of salt dough projects. My children and I spend lots of enjoyable hours making many of the projects featured in them.  I can recommend them with confidence if you would like to learn more about salt dough!

Have fun when you start on your journey with salt dough!

Basic Salt Dough Recipe:

Blend the flour and salt. Mix the water, oil and wood glue/wallpaper paste and and add to the dry [...]]]>

Basic Salt Dough Recipe:

• 2 level cups of plain flour
• 1 heaped cup of fine table salt
• 3/4 cup of lukewarm water
• 1 tbsp of wood glue or wallpaper paste
• 1 tbsp of vegetable/cooking oil

Blend the flour and salt. Mix the water, oil and wood glue/wallpaper paste and and add to the dry ingredients. thoroughly stir the ingredients together, then pour the mixture onto a clean work surface.

Knead for 10 – 15 minutes until firm but pliable. The dough should be reasonable firm so the models can keep their shape.

If the dough appears dry after being kneaded for 15 minutes, add a little more water. If it still sticks to your hands, add a little more flour.

When you are satisfied with the consistency of the dough, place it in a plastic bag or airtight container to prevent it from drying out. Just use enough dough at a time to make your salt dough ornaments or models.

Salt Dough – Cooked Version:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 Tbsp cooking oil
• 2 Tbsp cream of tartar

Put the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a pot and mix well. Add the oil and water. Cook over medium heat and continue to stir.

The dough will begin to thicken and form a ball. Keep cooking until the dough doesn’t seem sticky then turn it out onto some wax paper to cool a bit.

Knead dough until smooth. Divide dough into 3 – 4 balls and knead a drop or two of food coloring into each. Knead thoroughly to distribute the colour evenly. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

add food colouring to salt dough

knead salt dough to distribute colour evenly

Here are 2 more fun play dough recipes to try:

Baking Soda and Cornstarch Play Dough: – This is a beautiful, pure white clay/dough that holds it’s shape very well. You can leave the ornaments overnight to air dry.

• 1 cup baking soda
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ¾ cup water

Food coloring (optional)

In a saucepan, stir together the baking soda and cornstarch. Add the water, mixing well.

Cook the mixture over low heat (adults should supervise), stirring occasionally, until it resembles mashed potatoes, about 7 to 10 minutes. You will need to stir it almost constantly the last few minutes as it thickens.

Remove the pan from the heat and set it aside. When the dough has cooled, turn it out onto a floured board. Knead the dough with your hands, adding more cornstarch as needed, to create a workable clay.

Edible Mashed Potato Play Dough:

• 1 cup (250 ml) cooked mashed potato
• 2 cups (500 ml) icing sugar
• 1 cup (250 ml) fine biscuit crumbs

Mix the mashed potato and icing sugar until they make a thick, creamy paste. Stir in the biscuit crumbs and knead again.

Tip: Mix some cocoa powder with the dough to make brown dough. It will also give a chocolate taste to the mashed potato dough

Idea: Use the salt dough recipe (uncooked) to make party favours

Let’s start off the activities by letting the party guests make their own snow globes to take home after the party. The kids can build their “winter scenes” in the lids of [...]]]>

In this last part of the winter wonderland, snow-filled party theme, you can find a few ideas for party activities and party favours.

Let’s start off the activities by letting the party guests make their own snow globes to take home after the party. The kids can build their “winter scenes” in the lids of the bottles by gluing  miniature toys or figurines to the insides of the lids and while they are waiting for the glue to dry, they can have a “lesson” about how snowflakes are formed in nature.

Let them complete the snow globes after the lesson and then they can enjoy the rest of the party, eating, drinking and having fun. By the time they have to go home, the glue would be dry enough so they can take the snow globes home with them.

To make the snow globes, you will need the following:

• Small jars with lids that seal tightly (baby food jars are ideal)
• Strong, quick-drying glue
• Glitter – white or silver
• Miniature waterproof toys or figurines to build a “winter scene”

1.   Spray the lids in colour of choice and leave to dry.

2.   Glue the toy or the “scene” to the inside of the lid with strong glue and allow to set.

3.   Fill the jar with water and mix in a couple of tablespoons of glycerin (available from pharmacies). Make sure that the jar is filled right to the top.

4.   Add some glitter, but not more than half a teaspoon or the water will become too cloudy. Screw the lid closed.

5.   Smear some waterproof glue around the rim of the jar before sealing it tightly. Leave until the glue has set.

Tip: If you do not have glycerin, dissolve a few teaspoons of sugar in hot water, leave to cool completely and pour into the jar. The glycerin or sugar makes the water “thicker” so that the glitter falls more slowly.

Bubble Fun:

Buy or make your own bubbles to add to the favour bags so that the kids can have fun with them at home. Decorate the bottles of bubbles with a pompom and make a face and hat.  Add a scarf by cutting a thin strip of green felt, fringe it by snipping the edges, wrap it around the neck of the bottle and glue in place.

Quick and easy favour bags:

Fill small plastic bags (small freezer bags work well), with a selection of white sweets and beaded snowflakes. Cut stiff white paper into 5cm snowflake patterns and print a child’s name on each tag.

Have them laminated (optional), and cut out the snowflakes, leaving a 2mm rim of laminate around each. Punch a hole in each one and secure with an eyelet. Thread a key ring through the eyelet and slip the ring over the top of the bag. Secure each bag with silver cord with a pompom on each end.

If you do not want to use plastic freezer bags for the favours, buy snowflake patterned cellophane bags or make your own favour bags using gift wrap paper with snowflake patterns, or use plain green or light blue paper and decorate with snowflake stickers before you make the favour bags.

Lesson Time:

Teach them more about the wonderful world of snowflakes.

Here are the other parts of the snow party theme:

Winter Wonderland Snow Party Invitations

Winter Wonderland Snow Party Decorations

Winter Wonderland Snow Party Birthday Cake (Snow Village)

Winter Wonderland Snow Party Food and Snacks

Remember to stay warm when you plan this winter wonderland snow party and if you live in a part of the world where it never snows… stay cool!

On second thought, you also need lots of patience to cut the cellophane strips and a few hours to complete the boa. A [...]]]>

You don’t need feathers to make this colourful boa for your daughter’s next dressing up theme party. Just use strips of coloured cellophane and an old pair of pantyhose to make it.

On second thought, you also need lots of patience to cut the cellophane strips and a few hours to complete the boa. A total of 294 strips of cellophane were used for the 150 cm long boa I made for my granddaughter. It took about 4 hours from start to finish.

Perhaps the time spend tying the cellophane strips will be less if you use only one colour cellophane instead of different colours like I did, as I used left over cellophane from a my granddaughter’s Finding Nemo theme party and had to work out a colour sequence.

A small tip: Although my granddaughter loves the boa, she complains that it “tickles” her face and neck if she wears it. As the length of each cellophane strip is 25cm,  it can easily be cut a little shorter for the part that goes around the neck.

If you do decide to make a few of these cellophane boas for a dressing up party, don’t leave it until the last minute! As I mentioned earlier, it took me 4 hours to make my granddaughter’s, so put it on your party planning list of “things to do at least a week or two” before the actual party. The girls can also take it home after the party, which will leave you with one less worry about party favours.

You will need the following to make the cellophane boas:

• old pair(s) of pantyhose
• coloured cellophane
• scissors

1.   Cut off the top of the pantyhose about 10 cm down from the waistband.

2.   Spread the legs in opposite directions and tie them to something like sturdy chairs. (Stretch the pantyhose as far as the legs can go).

3.   Cut the cellophane into several 25cm x 3cm strips.

4.   With a single knot, tie the cellophane around the pantyhose legs. Starting at one end, work your way across to the other  side, keeping the knots as closely together as possible.

5.   Once the pantyhose legs are completely covered, loosen from the chairs, tie knots in both ends and cut off the excess material on each side.

Enjoy watching your daughter parading around with her boa and don’t forget to take a few photos for your digital scrapbooking.

A question for you: Do you think it is worth spending 3-4 hours making these boas or would you rather opt for shop-bought ones?

A caterpillar made from small pompoms is the perfect party favour when [...]]]>

With all the tutorials during September on how to make your own pompoms and pompom teddy bear party favours, I thought it would be appropriate to give you another idea on this last day of September to use pompoms to make party favours.

A caterpillar made from small pompoms is the perfect party favour when your child is having a caterpillar party.

You can either make your own pompoms using the circular cardboard method or the finger/cardboard rectangle method described in the previous posts, or buy small, ready made pompoms from craft shops.

You will need florist wire to make the pompom caterpillar, but if you are going to make it for younger children, I suggest you use something safer like fishing line to string the pompoms together, even if this will give you a floppy caterpillar. You can also substitute the wiggly eyes with small circles of black and white felt.

Here is what you need for the pompom caterpillar:

Florist wire, 47 cm long
Pom-poms in variety of colours
Orange pipe cleaner
Two plastic wiggly eyes
Two plastic beads
Clear craft glue

To make:

Bend the one end of the florist wire into a loop to prevent the last pom-pom from falling off.  Push 17 pom-poms onto the wire, varying the colours and ending with a yellow one and 1cm of  wire leftover. Thread a green bead onto each end of the orange pipe cleaner and bend the ends over to secure the bead. Fold the pipe cleaner in half and bending the remaining 1cm of wire over the bent part, pierce back into the top of the pom-pom “head” to secure. Glue the two eyes on with craft glue.

That’s it!

Pop these pompom caterpillars into favour bags made from brightly coloured caterpillar paper (gift wrap or designed on your computer with images from the internet or from a card program, then printed out on your printer), add some mini marshmallow caterpillars (just string a few mini marshmallows together with sewing thread, paint eyes and a mouth using a cocktail stick and food colouring), caterpillar stickers, a caterpillar colouring page and  a small box of crayons, and you will have a  favour bag that will delight every party guest at your child’s birthday party!

As always, have fun when you plan your child’s birthday party!

The blue and white bear measures about 10cm (4 in) high. The pink teddy bear is 6cm (2.4 in) high.

I used single ply wool for the [...]]]>

These two mini teddy bears were made from pompoms, but the method to make the pompoms differ quite a lot from the pompoms made with circular cardboard templates.

The blue and white bear measures about 10cm (4 in) high. The pink teddy bear is 6cm (2.4 in) high.

I used single ply wool for the blue and white teddy bear and a chunky knit to make the pink teddy bear. (Click on the image to enlarge and see the difference between the two bears).

The big pompoms for the bodies were made by wrapping yarn around my fingers. The small pompoms were made by wrapping yarn around a small rectangular piece of cardboard.

Here is how to make pompoms with a rectangular piece of cardboard:

These images are for making small pompoms, (approximately 2,5cm (1 in) in diameter. The cardboard rectangle that I used measured 5,5cm x 3,5cm. (I cut the rectangle from an empty toilet roll, but you can use any other thick cardboard like an empty cereal box).  Fold the rectangle in half after cutting it to measurement. Wind a small ball of wool, then start wrapping it evenly around the piece of cardboard until you are satisfied with the thickness. (I wrapped the wool 50 times).

Using another piece of wool, thread a darning needle and insert it in one open end of the rectangle. Pull through to the other side, then begin a knot and pull tightly,  then start cutting through the loops. Finish off the knot and you will have a small pompom as shown in the image.

Holding the pompom by the tying strings, you now have to trim it with a pair of scissors by cutting down your pompom until it is round. (Be prepared to cut off a lot of wool to get it all fluffy and shaped). Fluff it up with your fingers during the trimming session and also trim on the bottom end where the tying string is. Be careful not to cut off the tying string. If you are satisfied with the way your pompom looks, you can start on the next one.

Tip: I like to fluff up the pompom with the help of a hairbrush to get a really fluffy look and making it easier to trim away the uneven ends.

How to make pompoms by wrapping wool around your fingers:

Wrap wool around two fingers, but be careful not to pull too tightly or you will end up with blue fingers and you will not be able to insert a tying string between your fingers. Keep wrapping until you think you have the right thickness for your pompom. (For the pink teddy bear’s body and head, I wrapped the wool 50 times as it was a chunky yarn and quite thick).

Using a blunt darning needle, thread a separate piece of wool and insert it through your fingers between the pompom and your palm, then bring the other end up through your fingers at the tips.  Begin a knot, pulling as tightly as you can. Gently slip the wool from your fingers, then finish off the knot.

Using scissors, cut through all the loops to end up with your untrimmed pompom. Follow the steps as described for the small pompoms to finish your two- finger pompom.

(I found the instructions for this method from this tutorial)

If you would like to make bigger pompoms, you can use more fingers and wrap the yarn more times around your fingers.

The six pompoms I used for the pink teddy bear – the big pompoms were made using the 2-fingers method, wrapping the yarn 50 times.

I made the blue and white teddy bear’s head pompom with  two different coloured, 4 ply wool,  wrapping the wool 100 times around my fingers, and a 4 -finger pompom for the body, wrapping the yarn 150 times around my fingers.

To make the mini teddy bears, make the pompoms as described above and then join the pompoms as described for the bigger pompom teddy bear.

There’s one more thing I want to show you before I leave you to make pompoms and teddy bears of all sizes, and it is the difference between the amounts of wool you will have to cut off  in the different methods of making pompoms.

I used the 4-finger method for the blue and orange pompom and had to cut away like crazy to have a firm, round pompom. The orange pompom was made with the circular cardboard template method and you can really see how little I had to cut away to have a nice, round pompom.

Tip: If you quickly need a small pompom, I would say…  go for the cardboard or finger method. It is quicker to make,  but if you don’t want to waste a lot of wool, use the slower, but more economic circular cardboard template method.

That is it for the time being on how to make tutorials and using them to make teddy bears. With a little imagination, you can come up with all kinds of fluffy animals and other creatures to use as party favours.

Don’t forget to have fun when you make pompoms and to share your ideas and creations with the other readers of  this site.

This week you can use the pompoms to make  soft and cuddly teddy bears that you can use for party favours or even as table decorations at your child’s birthday party.

To make a teddy [...]]]>

Last week I showed you how to make pompoms from circular templates and I hope you tried making a few.

This week you can use the pompoms to make  soft and cuddly teddy bears that you can use for party favours or even as table decorations at your child’s birthday party.

To make a teddy bear like the one in the photo, you will need two big pompoms, 6 smaller ones and another small one for the nose (optional). The teddy bear measures about 14cm in height.

You will need approximately 100g of Double Knit wool or 2 x 50g balls of different shades to achieve the mottled effect for the body and head of the teddy bear in the image.

Cut two circle templates with an outer diameter of 9cm and inner diameter of 4cm for the big pompoms.

Cut another two circle templates with an outer diameter of 4,5cm and inner diameter of 2cm for the small pompoms.

Make two big pompoms for the body and head, make 6 smaller pompoms for the arms, legs and ears. (See how to make pompoms here).

Make a smaller,  loose pompom  to use for the nose. Using the photo as a guideline, join the pompoms to form the teddy bear.

All pompoms are joined by threading the tying yarns through the center of the next pompom using a darning needle and then tie knot to secure these yarns.

Attach the smaller pompoms in the same way. I found that it is easier to “assemble” the whole bear before cutting the tying yarns after knotting them. In this way you will be still be able to untie,  join and tie again if you are not quite satisfied with the position of the smaller pompoms.

Tie the two big pompoms together to form the body. Tie two of the smaller pompoms to the top of the second big pompom for the arms. To make the legs, tie two small pompoms to the bottom of the second big pompom, making sure that they are placed slightly forward so that the teddy looks as if it is sitting. Tie the remaining two pompoms to each side of the top pompom for the ears. Either tie or glue the last, small pompom to the top pompom to form the nose

If you are satisfied with how the bear looks, cut the tying yarns at the same length as the yarns of the pompoms and just fluff them up nicely. Don’t be afraid to trim again after you have tied the pompoms together.

Tie a bow and glue it at the neck. Glue googly eyes in position (I used craft glue). Cut a tongue from a small piece of felt and glue in position. I used a button for the nose and glued it to the nose pompom.

And that’s it. A nice, fluffly teddy bear that even your kids (depending on their ages) can easily make on their own.

What kind of animal would you make from the pompoms? Why don’t you use the comment box to tell me about your ideas? It’s easy to do it and you will also get a little link love to your site.

Oh, and don’t forget to have lots of fun when you plan your child’s birthday party!

P.S. A special thank you to my mother for making the pompoms I used for this teddy bear! She used to make quite a lot of pompoms when I was a child. I cannot remember anymore what she used the pompoms for, but I do remember her making them. And she has not lost her touch after all these years.

There are a few different ways that you can make pompoms. In today’s post I am going to show you how to make pompoms using circular templates. [...]]]>

Pompoms are easy to make and they are fun to use. You can make lots of small animals and other creatures that can be used as party favours.

There are a few different ways that you can make pompoms. In today’s post I am going to show you how to make pompoms using circular templates. You can use stiff cardboard  to cut the templates from or as you will see on the photos, you can also cut the templates from plastic coffee tin lids.

You can use a compass to draw the circles or if you don’t have a compass, just use a glass for the outer circle and a coin for the inner circle.

Remember that the inner circle should not be too big. If it is too big, you will need a lot of wool to complete the pompom as you have to wind the strands of yarn around the circle until the hole is completely filled. In this way you will get nice, fat and round pompoms.

You can make different sized pompoms by cutting different sized circles. The size of your finished pompoms will also differ depending upon the thickness of the yarn you use.  In the same way it will  differ if you use a single strand of yarn as opposed to using double strands of wool. The two different sized white pompoms show the difference between one strand and two strands clearly.

Ok, let us make some pompoms:

Cut two circular wheel like templates from cardboard (or as I have done, from plastic lids). Cut several strands of yarn the same length, place the circles together and begin winding the yarn around the frame as evenly as possible.

When the center hole is almost filled and you can’t push the yarn through with your finger, thread the yarn into a blunt-pointed needle and continue until the hole is completely filled. The better filled the hole is, the fatter and rounder the pompom. When you have completed this phase, begin to cut the strands of yarn at the outside edge.

Use sharp scissors and only cut a few strands at a time. Do not pull on the loops as you cut or you will pull the strands out of shape. When all the strands are cut begin to open the cardboard rings, using the tips of the scissors.

When you have exposed the center, tie it around with string and make a strong knot. When this is done,  remove the cardboard or plastic, either by slowly pulling the wool out of the inner circles or by snipping carefully through the rings. You can use the same rings again by just taping up the slits you cut.

Fluff up the wool, then trim the untidy ends,  but be careful not to cut the tying string.

Repeat this process to make as many pompons as you need.

In the next post I will show you how to make a fluffy teddy bear with pompoms made with the method I showed you today.

Until then, have fun when you make something for your child’s birthday party.

Make initial stamps from Plaster of Paris that can be used to personalise envelopes or favour bags that you have made yourself.

The stamps can also be used to decorate paper cups and napkins. Use them on large sheets of paper [...]]]>

Here is another quick and easy craft idea for your child’s next birthday party!

Make initial stamps from Plaster of Paris that can be used to personalise envelopes or favour bags that you have made yourself.

The stamps can also be used to decorate paper cups and napkins. Use them on large sheets of paper to decorate the party table with.

But you do not need to only use it for decoration purposes. The stamps will also make good party favours if you make one for each of the party guests.

How to make the stamps:-

You will need the following:

• Modeling clay  (I used my granddaughter’s plasticine)

• Plaster of Paris and a disposable container (like a small empty yogurt container) to mix it in

• Thick paper to make tubes

• Craft knife, scissors, tape and a piece of fine sand paper

• Enamel or poster/craft paint and a paintbrush

Form the modeling clay into a round shape. Use a toothpick or pencil to lightly trace the initial in the center of  the clay, then use a knife or other sharp object to carve the initial until you are satisfied with how it looks.

Cut the piece of paper about 5 cm wide and long enough to wrap around the clay model with a little left over. Roll the paper tightly around the model so the ends overlap. Anchor the paper tube firmly with tape. This will stop the plaster from leaking out.

Half fill the yogurt container with water and gradually sprinkle the plaster of Paris powder on the water. Mix it with your fingers or a plastic spoon until the mixture is lump free and thick.

Pour the plaster into the paper tube on top of the clay model. Let leftover plaster dry, wrap in newspaper and throw it in a garbage can. Never dispose of it in the sink. The pipes will block.

Let the stamp dry overnight. Tear off the paper when the plaster is quite dry. Pull away the clay model and use a piece of sand paper to smooth rough edges if necessary. To print your initials or patterns on paper, brush the stamp with poster paint. Press the stamp carefully on paper while the paint is still wet.

Idea: Objects with raised surfaces like shells, buttons, beans and even pasta can make interesting designs. Simply press the object into the clay and then carefully remove from the clay. Follow the above instructions to finish the stamps.

Other materials that can be used to make stamps:-

Glue thick string or rope on cardboard, polystyrene or wooden blocks. I have even used lids of empty herb containers for the rope stamps as you can see in the last photo.

Cut shapes out of very thick cardboard (the type that is used for packing books send by mail order) or polystyrene containers and glue to cardboard or polystyrene blocks.

Tip: Make wrapping paper by printing designs all over a sheet of paper.

What  materials do you use to make stamps and what do you use the stamps for? You can use the comment section to share your ideas with the other readers here and if you want to, you can even send me photos of your stamps and the items you make with them.

So, until next time, have fun when you plan your kid’s birthday party!