Sea shell Koalas

Every wonder what to do with all of the sea shells you collected at the beach this summer? Well...I found this adorable koala bear craft.
Koala How-To

1. Experiment with different combinations to come up with animal shapes before gluing everything into place. We chose small scallop and clam shells for the koalas, and long razor clams decorated with ring-top cowries for the tree.

2. Use small cushions of polymer clay, which is pliable and slightly sticky, to test out various arrangements. For assembly, a tacky, quick-drying glue works best. Build heads and bodies separately. Before joining larger parts, use a brush to glue on small parts (such as beads for eyes) and clay to support creatures while glue dries.

More crafts @ Martha Stewart

Books related to this project:

Koalas are one of the most beautiful, gentle and loving animals in the world. Sadly, the population is steadily declining due to the destruction of their natural habitats. This book is a wonderful way to learn about these very intelligent creatures. Full of darling pictures, everyone who picks up this book will instantly fall in love with koalas (who, by the way, are not bears)! Read about their habits, diet and social activities, and you will develop a new appreciation for these fuzzy friends!

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Review from Amazon--"This is about a Koala named Koala Lou who thinks her mother does not love her anymore. So Koala Lou goes gum-tree climbing in the Bush Olympics to get her mother's attention. This book taught me that no matter what you do, your mother will always love you!"

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**Credit for seashell crafts goes to: http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/

God's Eye Mexican craft

The Ojo de Dios, or God's Eye, is a simple or complex weaving made across two or more sticks and is thought to have originated with the Huichol Indians of Jalisco,Mexico.

The Huichol call their God's eyes, Sikuli, which means "the power to see and understand things unknown." When a child is born, the central eye is woven by the father, then one eye is added for every year of the child's life until the child reaches the age of five.

Original Huichol Crosses are extremely rare to come by. There are many that are being made for the tourist market, but they do not carry the same traditional and spiritual significance. (Credit: Wikipedia)

This is an interesting craft and you can give the kids a history lesson at the same time. I found this very interesting and although my kids and I always made the God's eye I never knew the meaning of the craft.

I think anyone who has ever gone to summer camp or day camp has made one of these crafts. It's a great way to use up those little balls of yarn that you have laying around. So,enjoy.

Some fun summer books related to this craft--

                                     
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"My son is 8 years old and had to do a book report over the summer on Diego Rivera. This book was recommended by his teacher and I would highly recommend it as well. Super easy to read and follow and made it interesting enough for my son to enjoy. He was able to read this in a day!"Reviewed By: Rocket E.R. 
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String Sail Boat Craft

I came across this craft the other day and thought it was perfect for a summer craft.

It's a fun craft for an older child but it still needs some adult supervision.

DIRECTIONS FOR SAILBOAT CRAFT

Hope you are enjoying your summer so far!! Here are some fun books to read on those quiet summer nights.

"This 1953 story begins with Ms. Wise's typically lyrical prose: "Born at sea in the teeth of a gale, the sailor was a dog. Scuppers was his name." However, much of the book's language is not quite as enchanting, nor as warmly and wisely love-soaked as Ms. Brown's "Runaway Bunny." Perhaps it's just that this is aimed at a slightly older reader/listener than 'Bunny.'

The revelation here (in this Golden Book edition) is the very richly-hued palette of Garth Williams, who, for example, uses orange, purple, and varied shades of green with originality and flair. Some of his pictures recall (and may have inspired?) Richard Scarrey's busily occupied town creatures. The two-page illustration of Scuppers asleep in his cabin may very well lull your little one to sleep, and invite adult fantasies of building a cozy houseboat. Recommended!" Reviewed by:M Allen Greenbaum

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"This is a beautiful book. The words are so wonderfully vivid and descriptive you almost don't need the pictures. The illustrations are gorgeous but I think it's the writing that is this book's greatest appeal. Both the writing and the illustrations get 5 stars." Reviewed by:teacher 

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Friendship Bracelets

Friendship bracelets are fun and easy to make. My daughter learned how to make her first bracelet in third grade by her teacher, Mr. Pulvino. 

Friendship bracelets are one of the major symbols of Friendship. Once you tie it on your friend's wrist it should remain there until it falls off on it's own. You can make all sorts of bracelets in many colors and styles. The bracelets are fun to make at parties,summer camp or just on a lazy day with your friend.


FRIENDSHIP BRACELET DIRECTIONS

Having trouble understanding the written directions? Here is a series of eight videos to teach you step by step.

VIDEO OF HOW TO MAKE FRIENDSHIP BRACELET