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7.18.2011

Super Hats

I was going through my pictures the other day and realized that I didn't post one of my favorite types of hats to make - super hats!

Okay, so to do these you will need at least 2 adults if not more depending on how many kiddos you have.  The spanish teacher and I did these on a day called, "Enrichment Day".  Enrichment day is really only part of the afternoon where students go to different activities for 30 minutes at a time.  It is a lot of set up work but the students get to pick from the classes all the teachers in the building offer.  These classes range from duct tape creations, rocket launching, knitting, bingo and checkers.  It's a lot of prep but it's tons of fun.


The hats.  These hats are made from newspaper, a little masking tape, colored tissue paper, and any other random crafty things you have sitting around.

Step one:  Sit a kiddo on a chair infront of you.
Step two:  Place a large sheet of newspaper over their head.
Step three: one of the adults need to place their hands low on the forehead and around the base of their noggin.
Step four: the other adult wraps masking tape around the head about where the other adult's hands are.  Do this once or twice - make it tight!
Step five: roll up edges of newspaper to the masking tape.
Step six: send this kiddo off to decorate and ask another kid to sit down - repeat.

Pros for Super Hats:
- They actually fit each head because they are custom made.
- Hilarious when finished no matter how they look.

Cons for Super Hats:
- Need a couple of adults
- Younger kids need a little bit of help not crushing their hat when decorating
- Sometimes tape is needed to keep up rolled edges.


These would be great fun to make at home on a rainy day, super hot day, or even at a meeting for a team building activity!

7.05.2011

The Maker Faire - Detroit

I am so psyched!  

This last weekend in June, beginning of July I had the pleasure of going on a hot air balloon competition extravaganza in Battle Creek, Michigan.  The balloon company, Buzzards Glory, I use to crew for back home almost always goes to this competition and since I moved only a couple hours away I got to tag a long!!!  It was great to see friends even if we spent a lot of it taking naps in between pilot meetings and flying.  I had a blast even though we only got to fly 2 out of the 6 opportunities because of weather.  

While we were there and during our 'down' times I was talking with a woman, Jamie, who told me about The Maker Faire in Detroit.  She will be there as a Maker - I believe.  As we talked it seemed really neat and I thought, 'Hey I should check that out' -- well when I got online and found the website - I was floored!  

I have spent almost an hour watching videos about the makers and the faire.  It looks like science meets technology meets inovation meets art meets critical thinkers meets crafters meets engineers!  I can not wait to attend this faire.  It looks like the perfect mix of people who tend to futz, putz, and explore their ideas and thoughts.  Now, if we could only harness or at least appreciate this type of creative energy.

I am sure I will post again after my exciting and probably exhausting weekend traveling the faire with all sorts of exciting pictures and stories!!!  

This is my kind of faire.  Can you tell I'm excited?!