Pages

Friday, January 11, 2013

Gone Snow Mobile-ing!

I have low tolerance for people who whine, but right now I am going to do exactly that!
Where's our snow? Where's the foot-deep-perfectly-packed-dazzling-white-glistening blanket that's absolutely free but yields hours of snowman-building, ball-throwing, and fort-making fun with the grandkids? The few Christmas inches we had have melted away in an early thaw. The only way we're going to capture the twirling-whirliness of a snowflake cascade is if we gather up our scissors, paper, and glue and go "snow mobile-ing" on our own!







































Once in awhile I think I may have done something right as a grandma. A few of my friends struggle with the "monsters" they have created in grandchildren who greet them at the door demanding, "Grandma, what did you bring us?" Yikes. In contrast, my own polite grandsons only want to know what we are going make when I come to spend the day with them! (Yeah, okay, full disclosure...mommy has invested considerable time instructing them not to snuggle up in my lap with a toy catalog, pointing at things and asking, "Grandma, can you buy me that?")
 not that this has ever actually happened or anything, of course.......!

Last week, this "perfect" grandma went "snow-mobile-ing" to their house and delivered radiant smiles, a pizza-eating snowman and the splendor of winter on a dreary, flakeless day!

Crafting with kids means you have to plan ahead. Lots can happen to an unattended glue pot and a jumbo sized bottle of green glitter (don't ask! ever!) if you turn your back for a sec to mix paint or cut the 1" and 4" and 6" shapes we need to make our snow-mobile.

Pre-cut 4" white paper circles, folded twice, became our snowflakes. My little artists love scissors, but they did struggle a bit with the triangle shaped cuts needed for an attractive pattern. I supplied those as requested, but they snipped off the center points and fringed the edges. Most of the fun came from paper-punching holes into the flakes and opening them.






Our snowmen began with 6" white shapes, glue sticks, and an assortment of 1" circles in black for classic teeth, and more bright, happy colors for eyes, buttons and "chicken pox!" I also laid out a handful of hats, scarves, and some orange triangles for noses. What a surprise when Sae plastered a second one of those on the face of his little guy. "He's eating PIZZA!" he shouted with joy, and my initial chagrin that this kid might not know that "real" snowmen only have one nose turned to delight when I realized how much spontaneous creativity is expressed when an ordinary basic shape doesn't just serve the most obvious purpose to an observant and uninhibited 4 year old!







Paper punches are what made this project so easy and fun. The boys loved using them to make extra stars and flowers.








What are YOU staring at? Never seen a snowman with chicken pox before?

Finishing touches: 2 foam board strips, each 2" x 20" to make the crossbar hanger. Intersect them at center and glue to hold. Cut random lengths of curling ribbon to tie to punched holes at the top of snowmen and snowflakes and then hang them by tying to the crossbar. Snowmen go in the center. Balance the mobile with equal weight from smaller shapes on the four arms.






But something was missing! Cardinals! There are lots of them around here, frequenting the bird feeders we generously host. I made a paper set of three in vivid red and they flutter about too, admiring the handsome work of our little boys.




Ahhh....winter! Here at last!




18 comments:

  1. I've often thought of the people who are trying to make a living selling snowmobiles and other winter gear this year. It's gotta be tough.

    Darling paper crafts!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just love your snow-mobiles! And everybody knows that snowmen love pizza -- especially cold pizza! I just love your cardinals -- they are so much a part of Michigan. I can remember watching them at the feeders for hours. We don't have them here but that is OK -- Twiggy is really good at catching birds! So glad you, I mean the boys, had so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  3. These are so cute ! And the kids are even cuter! We have our thaw too and rain on top of that. Today is to dry out somewhat and go to 60 degrees. But its a muddy mess out there....

    ReplyDelete
  4. These are adorable! I LOVE that you added birds into it. Thanks for the idea :oD You can bet I will be making these with the kiddos!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Do you rent out?? ;-) I think there are a lot of kids who'd like their moms to sign you up! What a great grandma and what fun things - and what cute grandkids! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Another fun activity to do with your grand kids. Mine's only one, but I'm taking notes. Thanks for sharing. Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a fun Grandma you are!!!

    Thank you for partying with the Wildly Original Crowd.
    <3 Christina at I Gotta Create!

    ReplyDelete
  8. ADORABLE! Thank you for linking up!!!

    Shelley

    www.piggyinpolkadots.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. The boys are so cute! What fun you are having with them! I love their spotty snowman and your pretty cardinal!
    We haven't had any snow here in New Jersey yet! I'm sure we will!
    Thanks for visiting my blog! Love, Linda

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm whining right along with you about the NO snow!! LOL We have had freezing ran for 2 days, but no pretty white stuff failing from the sky. These are so cute, and it looks like everybody had so much fun making them. Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent. I hope you are having a wonderful week. :)

    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hehehehe - I'm right there with you, hoping and praying for Snow SOON!!!!!! And what adorable snowmen! Thanks for a fun visit from another grandmother with grandsons hoping for snow as well :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I came over from your comment at Cranberry Morning. Love the name of your blog! I hope all grandmothers will find some great ideas here - grandmothers are so very important to children. Mine have both been dead for decades, and I still think of them nearly every day.

    ReplyDelete
  13. My goodness your grandbabes are adorable! Your blog is loaded in for my Grow Your Blog party. You will need to prepare a special post for the party - please reference the guidelines. I will be by to meet you and read your post as soon as I can after the party starts. I hope you make a lot of new friends!
    Vicki

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you so much for stopping in and sharing your inspirational craft project with our Crafty Showcase last week! You rock!

    We can't wait for you to stop in and share more of your ideas with us. The Crafty Showcase is open from Friday midnight until Thursday noon! http://bowdabrablog.com/

    Thanks for the inspiration!
    Susie @Bowdabra

    ReplyDelete
  15. we may be making cardinal mobiles this week! Your design is really cute.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Featured!!

    http://piggyinpolkadots.blogspot.com/2013/01/party-in-polka-dots-link-party-6.html?spref=fb

    ReplyDelete