Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Paintable Finger Puppets

Paintable Finger PuppetsThank you for all your kind wishes yesterday--if you're interested, I did get a phone call mid-morning where the man who'd hit me called to see if we were alright and to apologize for the accident. I wondered if his commanding officer had learned of the events, though I'd like to think he had a change of heart and called on his own, right?

Anyway, I'm sure everything will be fine and we'll be back in shape in no time. . . .

I'm sure you're also no stranger to salt dough, right? It's a simple playdough that's been around forever and while the recipe may not be a modern brilliance we've been resurrecting it for all sorts of fun things here.

You see here this week's party--we made finger puppets.

Here's the recipe:

1 cup salt
2 cups flour
3/4 cup water

Mix the dry stuff together then add the water a little at a time until the dough sticks together and is the right consistency.

It's a lot like playdough and the kids shaped bits around their fingers then we baked them (the clay, not the fingers) at 200 degrees until they were hard and dry. A little craft paint, maybe some googly eyes and a pompom for a nose and you've got some fun little finger puppets.

The batch makes up a good sized ball, big enough to also make some doll furniture, some little mushrooms for the potted plants, and tiny doll-sized food for a tea party. We're on a roll I tell you.

You could even make pretty beads to string or a bell with a little clapper to string up outside for the wind to play. Lots of fun to be had.

Update: I saw this great take on the homemade dough this morning: Koolaid Play Dough! Genius.

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And totally out of nowhere, completely unrelated I had to share this classic. It had us chuckling again yesterday.



Sponsored by Tiny Prints for the holiday party invitations for children.

14 comments:

Susan (5 Minutes For Mom) said...

I'm so sorry to hear you were in an accident... how awful. But I'm glad to hear you're okay.

Those little puppets are so cute!

Jolanthe said...

Oh dear ~ bake the dough, not the fingers.

Sadly, it's probably important that you clarified that. :)

My girls will have puppets for all ten fingers and toes if they have any say over it.

jacjewelry said...

What fun those puppets are!

Shelly said...

Glad that you are okay. And thanks for the finger puppet idea, I will have to try it!

Chele said...

Even if they made him call, at least he had to think about what he has done!

I love the idea for the little puppets! My kids would love them!

Patricia L said...

Did you know you can "bake" the salt dough in the microwave too? I don't know where I found that recipe (it was a few years ago), but it made fast work out of getting the dough ready to decorate.

Glad the crazy driver called to apologize...guess he's not without a conscience (?) after all.

Lei said...

I like how salt dough hardens pretty quickly. When we use modelling clay it is hard to be patient for that!

Flea said...

Those puppets SO rock! I called my youngest down to look at them and he wasn't interested. *sigh* My children are too old. But I might make them anyway!

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

These are so cute! I love the painted faces. I'll be linking.

Melanie Jacobson said...

We have Flight of the Conchords first season on DVD and it just about kills me. Classic.

Heart2Heart said...

Michelle,

I am glad that the person called regarding the accident. How he got there is another story, but dealing with talking to you, even over the phone, may have been sincere. He didn't have to prove anything in front of his friend since he was probably calling from home.

Perhaps he was sincere. I am just glad he at least called. Mine never did.

I love the video. I think I may have to refer to that when training on corporate harassment. Using non discriminating videos like that one work well without pointing fingers at anyone.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Lori said...

This is a great idea! I bet they're sparkly a bit from the salt, too. I've only made the kool aid kind because it smells so good, but I wonder if the sugar from the kool aid would change the way it's baked?

Lori said...

I forgot to say earlier that in the Amazon Sampler (a free indie music album on their site) there's "Hurt Feelings" by FOTC. I sing the beginning over and over again as I make dinner. It's one of my daughter's current favorites.

Patois42 said...

Love this. Another one to save for my summer with the kids. Mine get out in six days.