Winter Craft Projects

I have been trying to document some of the projects I have been doing, with and without the kids, on my camera phone. I wish I had iCloud on the computer so I wouldn't have to actually plug the phone into the computer. Oh, the tragedy of being me!

One obsession has been making the best-ever M&M cookies. I have not yet perfected the recipe, so I think I have to keep trying!

Mira made her own cookies. We even baked them in the toaster oven so she could get a better look!

For Valentine's Day we had to make homemade valentines for all Mira's classmates--all 25 of them! Mira didn't exhibit any patience for actually sitting down and drawing, stamping, etc., so I decided we would try something different. I made homemade marshmallows (no corn syrup) and we dipped them in colored sugar, put them on sticks, and those were her valentines!

I made my own syrup with cane sugar

Then I beat cane sugar and gelatin together and, presto, marshmallows! I will post the recipe below.

I put them in a pan and cut them out, then stuck them on sticks. Me and Mira together rolled them in sugar. I feel really bad--Mira had to go to time out at least once during this project. I was tired, and she just wouldn't stop eating the sugar right from the bowl!

I then wrapped them in little plastic bags, tied them off with curling ribbon and added a little tag. To make the tag I drew hearts in white crayon on white paper, and then all of us painted on the paper with watercolors. The hearts showed up faintly since the paint didn't stick where the crayon had been.

Marshmallow Recipe

• 2 tablespoons gelatin (2 envelopes Knox)
• 8 tablespoons cold water
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup cold water
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

1. 1
   Dust an 8- or 9-inch square pan with powdered sugar. Set aside. Also put the mixing bowl and mixer piece in the freezer.
2. 2
   In a small bowl, soak gelatin in 8 tbsp ice cold water. Set aside.
3. 3
   Combine granulated sugar and 1/2 cup of water in a large heavy saucepan.
4. 4
   Cook and stir over medium heat until dissolved.
5. 5
   Add gelatin and bring to a boil. Keep boiling until 235-240 degrees.
6. 6
   Remove from heat. Pour into a large mixing bowl and let stand until partially cool.
7. 7
   Add salt and vanilla extract.
8. 8
   Beat with an electric mixer until soft and double in volume. About 10-15 minutes.
9. 9
   Pour into prepared pan to about 1/2 inch thick.
10. 10
    Set to cool until it will not stick to your finger.
11. 11
    Cut into 1.5 inch pieces and roll in powdered sugar.
12. 12
    Variation: toasted coconut can be substituted for powdered sugar.
13. 13
    Variation: other flavorings can be substituted for vanilla extract.

Justin gave me some time on Sunday afternoon to try to attempt to learn to make kids hairbows. I am doing this by watching YouTube. This is my first attempt. Hopefully practice will make perfect!

My next project (for the kids) will be a sensory box. I have been doing a lot of searching on the internet and I think it will be really fun and easy for me to put together and fun for the kids to explore. Stay tuned for pictures.