NUO Challenge Ornaments #10 & #11

I’m going to go over the prep work for both today’s and tomorrow’s ornament.  While they are both relatively easy, they require drying time.  Ornament #10 is a Borax crystal icicle and ornament #11 is a twine ball.  

#10 Borax Crystals

First we’ll start with the Borax ornament.  We actually made these last year but I wanted to try something different this time around.  Instead of using a pipe cleaner I used a little metal do-hickey for jewelry-makin’.  (I hate it when the hick in me comes out.)  I did have to refresh my memory about how much Borax to use, Naturemom’s was able to help me out there.

Supplies

• Borax
• jars
• boiling water
• Tablespoon
• string
• pipe cleaner or metal do-hickey
• pencils

Directions

While the water is boiling, get your pipe cleaner in the shape you want it and tie it to a string.  Line your jars up and once the water is ready, pour it in.  Now stir in 2-5 Tbsp of the Borax.  Remember, it is a dangerous chemical so don’t inhale the fumes or get it all over you.  Also, remind your children that while it may look like rock candy, licking it could kill them. 

Once the Borax has dissolved lay the pencil across the lid and lower the pipe cleaner into the water.  Tie the string to the pencil, that way your crystal catcher won’t fall to the bottom of the jar.  Set the jar in a safe location and let it sit over night.  Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be able to show you the results. 

Twine Balls

Wow, I thought this one was going to be so much easier than it turned out to be.  I started out having the kids try to do the work but it was just too hard to get the twine started on the balloons. 

We used water balloons from the Dollar Tree.  They are smaller and tend to keep a rounder, less egg-like, shape.  I used instructions  from Musings of a Glamourpuss.  I hope they turn out just as good as hers.  I’ll be showing you those results tomorrow as well. 

P.S.  I don’t know what I’ve changed on my camera that’s made the pictures so grainy…I’m looking into it.  My apologies.

For more on the inspiration behind this Challenge click here. Follow this link and check out my Linky Parties page for a listing of parties I participate in.

 

Technorati Tags: Christmas ornaments,crafting with kids,crafting,Borax,crystals,boiling water,dangerous,safety,twine,balloons,glue