COLORED SAND

Materials Needed:

1 cup of sand (or cornmeal)
2 tsp. of dry tempera paint
1 tsp. water
Directions:

Add the dry tempera paint to the sand. Mix well with a wire whisk or fork. Stir in the water. Let the sand dry for several hours before using.


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Bev's Nursery School Dough - best play dough recipe ever!

1 cup water
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 TBsp vegetable oil
2 tsp cream of tartar
food color or jello
Dump all the ingredients in a medium pot in order listed above.
Start cooking it on low-medium heat (You can separate the mixture into 2 pans and add a color in each one.) and stir continuously till it forms a ball in the middle of the pan. It takes a little while to get there and you will think it is nothing but a globby mess, but it will work.
Now flour a wooden board or the counter and remove the dough ball/s. Knead them on the board until they are the right texture, and store in airtight containers.



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BATH SALTS for mom

2 1/2 lb. Epsom Salts; Food Coloring; Perfume

In a medium bowl, combine Epsom salts with a few drops of food coloring and some of mom's fave perfume-- with her permission of course! Mix well until color is even. Place into smaller jars and let stand 4-6 weeks before using. This causes the odor to blend with the salts.

Place a couple of tablespoons in each bath, placing them under the running water coming out of the faucet! Hmmmm- relax mom!







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Neck Coolers

needed:


1 yd cotton fabric (at LEAST 42" wide) -- this will make 8 coolers
please prewash the fabric to remove any sizing
1/2 - 1 tsp polymer granules per cooler (see resource at end)

sewing machine or serger

helpful:

rotary cutter and mat (makes for quick cutting)

here are some objects that have been reported as useful when filling the pockets with crystals:


a 2 ft length of 1" PVC Pipe

a long-neck funnel (check your local auto supply store)
roll a sheet of paper into long tube


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Cut or tear strips 4 1/2" wide by the fabric width (selvedge to selvedge). I usually use 45" wide fab, so I just cut them the width of the fabric -- 45" should be the max
NOTE: If your fabric is too wide (or not wide enough), purchase 1 1/4 yards and cut in the direction of the selvedge (from top to bottom) instead.


Fold in half, right sides together, on the long edge


Sew/serge the long seam and turn. Iron. As shown above, the seam has been placed in the center back, rather than at the edge. Now you have a tube about 2" wide and 40 - 45" long


Mark the center of the long edge and stitch across it. Drop in a scant 1/8 tsp of crystals on each side of the seam (I used Watersorb, make a test tie with the brand you're using to be sure this isn't too much/too little after it's soaked).
Mark 4 1/2" from the center seam and seam again.


Now you have 2 pockets with crystals.


Drop in another scant 1/8 tsp of in both sides and seam like before (4 1/2 inches from the first set of seams). You should have a total of 4 pockets.
NOTE: Some people make 2 pockets that are 9"/10" each, and some make just one 18" pocket. For longer pockets, adjust the quantity of granules accordingly.


Serge ends (or fold in raw edges and sew across) to finish ... I personally prefer the ends diagonal. THE SHIPS PROJECT: please tuck in and sew, do not just serge to finish ends.

Check the Watersorb site to order the crystals in bulk. I personally like this brand the best, it requires some 50% less than the brand I bought in the garden department. If ordering from Watersorb, order the "medium" granules.

NEW USE: The Ships Project has received word directly from a contact at Watersorb® that cool ties made with Watersorb® brand crystals can also be heated in a microwave (once they have been soaked, of course). They will purportedly retain heat about 3x times longer than they will retain cold.

Please attach a care label:

immerse in cold water approx 60 min, until crystals become gel
tie around head or neck
regenerate by soaking 1-3 minutes

do not freeze

dehydrate to store

hand wash only, mild soap

ties can be heated (briefly) in a microwave.
take care when removing as they will be extremely hot!