CLASSROOM GLUE

• 1 cup non-self rising wheat flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup cold water
• 4 cups boiling water
• 1 Tbs. powdered alum
• 1/2 tsp. oil of cinnamon–this is optional

Combine the flour and sugar in a large pot.  Slowly stir in cold water to form a paste.  Slowly add the boiling water, stirring vigorously to break up lumps.  Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, until thick and clear.  Remove from the heat and add alum.  Stir until well mixed.  You have to use immediately unless you add the oil of cinnamon. 

Classroom paste is a good all-purpose paste, especially for crafts with children.  It is also good for papier-mache projects.  If you store it in a tightly closing jar or container, this glue will last for several weeks if you add some oil of cinnamon.  If the glue gets too thick, thin it by adding boiling water.

 COLLAGE GLUE

• 3 parts white household or school glue *
• 1 part warm water

*A thin solution of Paperhanger’s Paste or Waterproof or Glass Glue can be substituted.

Combine the glue with water in a jar or bottle witha  sxrew top lid.  Shake until well mixed.  Apply using a sponge paintbrush.  Now craft away!

Chocolate Scented Playdough

1 1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup salt

1/2 tablespoon cream of tartar

1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 cup boiling water

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine flour, cocoa powder, salt and cream of tartar.
• Add vegetable oil and boiling water and mix well.
• Cook, stirring frequently, until mixture forms a soft dough.
• Remove from heat and let cool.
• When mixture has cooled, continue to knead with your hands.
• Store mixture in an airtight container.
• Your kids will love this…just don’t let them eat it…well…not too much…and you too…no eatie!

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Homemade Bubble Wand

• Form wire clothes hangers or thin pieces of wire into various shapes.
• Lightly dip the wands into the bubble juice and wave through the air to make big bubbles.
• And remember…Have Fun!

Bubble  Juice

1 Cup water

2 Tablespoons light corn syrup or 2 teaspoons glycerin

4 Tablespoons liquid dishwashing soap

• In a large shallow dish, combine water, corn syrup and dishwasing soap.
• Mix thoroughly and use with a homemade bubble wand.

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Salty Map Dough

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups salt

1 1/8 cups water

• Mix flour and salt together.
• Stir water in slowly until resembles bread dough. 
• Use immediately.
• You can jazz it up by painting with tempera paint.

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I am sharing about my Halloween Treat Bags.  They are very simple to make.  We used them for treats at my son’s school.  I just baked some Halloween cookies (as you can see–a daddy ghost ate one).  Then I decorated paper bags with a Halloween character and put names on all the bags.  That was it.  It did take me all afternoon but it was so worth it!

 Check out my pictures

• Paint a design over one side of the bar of soap, using the acrylic paints and paint brushes.
• Meanwhile, in a double poiler over medium high heat, place canning wax.
• When wax is completely melted, use a disposable brush to paint a layer of clear wax over the painted design on the bar of soap.
• Set the bar of soap aside until the wax dries.
• The protective layer of was will allow the soap to be used while the painted desing remains on the bar!

• In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine baking soda and cornstarch.
• Mix well and add water.
• Continue to heat for 7-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture is the consistency of mashed potatoes.
• CONTINUE TO STIR–as mixture will thicken very quickly.
• Cover a flat surface (counter, kitchen table) with additional cornstarch.
• Spread mixture over cornstarch and knead by hand until mixture turns into a workable clay.
• Divide clay into several sections.
• Make a hole in the cneter of each seciton and add a few drops of food coloring to the hole in each section.
• If desired, use a different color for each section.
• Knead the sections by hand until the color has distributed throughout.
• YOU ARE NOW FREE TO HAVE FUN!
• Place any leftover clay in a ziplock bag and refrigerate.
• Use leftover clay within 3 days.

For a permanent sculpture, let the modeled clay air dry overnight.

• Compine flour and 1 cup water into large saucepan. Stir in water until smooth.
• Add the remaining 3 cups water and place over medium heat.
• Bring the mixture to a sustained boil (can’t be stirred down) for 1 minute then remove from heat.
• Let cool.
• Pour into 3 or 4 separate cups (paper cups, plastic bowls, etc.) and add food coloring. These cups are just for mixing paint.
• Store the paint in a air-tight plastic bowl, cup, or large ziploc bag.
• Paint on wet or dry butcher paper or finger paint paper.

• Sprinkle gelatin in cold water to soften.
• Pour into boiling water, stirring until dissolved.
• Add the remaining ingredients and mix very well.
• To use glue, brush thinly onto back of sticker design. When applying to paper, gently moisten.
• Store unused glue in a small jar or something with a lid.
• Warm in a pan to turn to a liquid again.