Not so scary Scarecrows

Scarecrows are great for Halloween, but can be scary to little kids. Now you can create your own non scary ones as a project with your little one. Here is some tips to get you started.

This is a great project especially for a kindergartner, it will help them with shapes, colors and body parts. You can create a friendly scarecrow with circles, triangles and other shapes. Construction paper can come in handy for cutting hats, buttons and other clothing parts. You can make a scarecrow hold a trick or treat bucket or another friendly item.

A recycled cereal box makes a great scarecrow centerpiece for a party. It's easy to make, by covering the box with light colored construction paper. Glue on some paper eyes, and other facial features. Make some patchwork squares from old fabric and make the head. Use raffia on a hat to add some fall feeling. Give your box scarecrow a scarf from a cut shirt color.

Paper plates can also be turned into a scarecrow. Decorate the plate to resemble a scarecrow face mask. With yarn you can create some hair. Use different colored construction paper also for facial features. Raffia makes a great collar for your mask. Don't forget to cut out the eyes so your little one can see through the mask.

A similar project can be made with a paper bag. Let your little one turn a paper bag into a scarecrow craft. Cut items for hair, make a nose and cut out the eyes. You can give your paper bag scarecrow accessories to , like a bow tie, some buttons, what ever they like. You then fill the bag with crumpled newspaper, and bind the end of the bag to keep the filling in.

Just have fun, and keep it kid friendly.

 

Shrink your Levis

Jeans may be hard to find to fit your body, and your proportions. If you get the Levi's shrink to fit line, you can shrink them yourself. Shrinking them yourself will perfectly fit the jeans to your body.

When you purchase your jeans buy them one inch to big in your waist and your length. This way they won't be to tight or to short after you shrink them. Start by placing your jeans in your tub, filled with very hot water, and soak for twenty minutes. After twenty minutes drain the water, and hang your jeans over the shower rod or tub to dry. Your jeans will take time to dry, usually overnight, and may be a bit stiff afterwards.

Now it is time to place your jeans in your washer and wash again on your hottest cycle. Wash them alone, not with any other clothing. When done place in your dryer on that hottest temp.

They should be ready to wear to your fit.

  

Mochi Recipe

Mochi is the Japanese equivalent to a rice cake. It is a Asian delight, which can be made plain or jazzed up with a filling. They can be made in different colors, which depends on the filling and your ingredients. If you like Japanese meals, this is the perfect sweet ending to your meal.

To start you will need the following:

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups glutinous rice flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups potato starch
• Cooking oil
• 1 large bowl
• Microwavable pan
• Strawberry jam or pandan extract (optional)
• Fruit yogurt, peanut butter, chocolate fudge or other filling of your choice (optional)

Let's begin. You will first mix two cups of glutinous rice flour, and one cup sugar and one teaspoon of baking powder into a large bowl. Then you pour small amounts of water into your mix until it takes on the consistency of dough. You than set your mixture to the side. If you like you can add a jam like strawberry to your mix, this will make it pink, pandan extract will make it green.

In a microwavable pan, you want to oil the entire interior. Now it is time to place your mochi dough into your pan.

You want to cover your pan with a paper towel, and place in the microwave for 10 to 15 minutes. Now it is time to dust your surface with potato starch, and start kneading your dough into the starch until you get a smooth texture.

You want to cut your dough into bite size pieces, then shape the piece's into any ball size you wish.

After you can slice open the dough and place your filling inside. This step is optional.