Poppers

This is fun to make for children. They are called poppers. You need 1 tube,(toilet paper, paper towels work best) Colored tissue paper, wrapping paper, and small toys, candy, and or something you want to put inside. Cut the tube in half. put the tubes back together and wrap the tissue paper around and then wrapping paper on top leaving ends open. Put the toy or candy inside and close the ends with a string or ribbon. To make popper pop, hold 1 end in each hand and break it in half. I have also used these for a baby shower and birthday party. A good place to get little toys is http://www.oriental.com

Geode In A Nutshell

You make a "geode" in a half walnut shell. You dissolve alum (kitchen spice rack) in hot water to saturation point. Then pour it into clean walnut shells. (I had the kids make supports from play dough so they would stand straight.) You can also add food coloring. Set them where they won't jiggle or be tipped for several days. The water evaporates and leaves crystals behind coating the inside of the walnut. I hot- glued a red ribbon around the edge and hung it in our window. They sparkle nicely:)

**** I used one small container of alum in about 1/2 cup of hot water for 24 walnut half-shells. It's like a 2 parts water to 1 part alum mixture.

Baby Jar Bears

This was sent to me by a friend:

Merle, I buy the little jointed teddy bears (Easter rabbits at Easter time), I separate the parts, and glue the legs to the sides of the jar in a sitting position, the arms to the top sides towards the front a bit, and then I glue a gathered fabric ruffle on the lid of the jar, so it extends out over the lid and covers the lid.( I double over the fabric, then do a running stitch and gather, so the right side of the fabric is on both sides of the ruffle. I then hot glue gun the head to the lid. I add a bow or other embellishments to the bears head. I then fill the little jar with candies, like Hershey kisses, jelly beans,peppermints, etc. They make great little gifts for kids, or even adults.