RAINSTICK FROM CARDBOARD TUBE

(free clipart from http://www.free-clipart-pictures.net/spring_clipart.html)

My son loves the sound of the rain and as a present for Easter I want to make him a rainstick out of a cardboard tube.

I couldn't remember exactly how these were made so I surfed and found this one which is as close as I can recall except it uses popsicle sticks instead of cardboard inserts, uses pasta and rice in addition to beans and is decorated in yarn instead of painted.
http://www.mycraftbook.com/craftidea.asp?craftID=297



This one at Enchanted Learning is interesting - it uses 2 coiled up pieces of aluminum foil and it is easier to follow as it has diagrams. It uses Small dried beans, unpopped popcorn, rice, or pasta.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/music/rainstick/

Edward Scissorhands ***ACCOMPLISHED***

Kyle saw this movie for the first time a week ago and loves it, so I am going to add something Edward Scissorhands to my project list, but not sure what I am going to make yet. I think he would like to make (or maybe like for me to make him) a folder for school and maybe a t-shirt.

Over at Threadbanger there was a thread for posting stencils

http://forum.threadbanger.com/showthread.php?p=2422

http://www.flickr.com/photos/outsapop/

(it indicates that they are copywrited and to contact her for permission, which I have at flickr mail). I really like this one as it is full body and easy to make out. UPDATE: I received permission from the user and created this notebook, but may stencil a T-Shirt also.

Here is one of the face only

http://www.spraypaintstencils.com/a-zlistings/edward-scissorhands-stencil.gif

I am just afraid I would totally botch this and it would come out looking more like Jim Morrison than Johnny Depp.

This is off subject, but at the same site and really cool - Predator

http://www.spraypaintstencils.com/a-zlistings/predator-stencil.gif

FISH POND JELLO

Kyle is a little old for this and never cared for jello, but want to keep this in mind for a future crafty project.

It was posted over at Three Princes Designs

http://threeprincedesigns.blogspot.com/2009/02/fun-with-family-friday-f-today.html

It is just made of blue jello gummi fish in a clear plastic container and it looks like a finshing pond.

The instructions indicated to make the jello according to pkg and pour into a clear containter and set up to a soft consistency the pour in some gummy fish and put back in the fridge until it is set.

I also found the same concept over at Enchanted Learning

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/Cupofish.shtml

On this blog it also has the same thing except either in clear plastic cups, a large clear punch bowl for an aquarium look or freezing them into popsicles - how cool (pun intended) is that!

Pysanky Eggs

In the most recent Parks and Recs book a class is being offered on creating Pysanky Eggs and it sounds fun and interesting, but as I am strapped for cash I am not going to be able to aford the $40+ fee, so I have started scouring the internet for information on how to make these and ran across this site.

http://www.learnpysanky.com/getting_started.html

ROSES MADE OF RIBBONS

Here is the link on how to make them.

http://mycraftthingies.blogspot.com/2009/02/ribbon-roses.html

Instead of making a bouquet/flower, I think I will try making the flower and then putting it on a pin or a barrette.

31 DECORATIVE CAKE HOW-TO'S AT PARENTING.COM

Parenting.com has instructions for making 31 different mind blowing decorative casks the will wow any birthday child (or even an adult - I think we will make either the bulldozer or dumptruck for Marv's next birthday).

Above are just a few. See the link below for details.

http://www.parenting.com/article/-/Recipe/31-Birthday-Cake-Pictures-Designs-for-Boys-and-Girls

HOMEMADE RICTOTTA CHEESE

The following is a recipe for A Good Appetite
http://agoodappetite.blogspot.com/2009/03/homemade-ricotta-lemon-ricotta-pancakes.html

Below is a condensed version of what is on that site:

• 1 gal. milk, (1% or higher - the higher the fat content the more cheese it will make).
• 1 qt. buttermilk
• Cheesecloth
• A thermometer
• A collander

(Makes about 1 lb.)

Place buttermilk and milk in a pot, heat on med-low heat until it reaches 185 degrees F. it will begin to separate into curds and whey. Stir occasionally to make sure no curds stick to the bottom and burn.

At 185 degrees, the whey becomes clearer as the curds coagulate more.

Pour the curds into a cheesecloth lined collander. Tie the ends of the chesecloth together and hang for 10-15 minutes.

Remove from cheesecloth and place in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

The site also has a recipe for Lemon Ricotta pancakes that sound yummy.