Hampton Photo Arts

PLAY DOUGH
1 c. salt
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. water
2 tbsp. oil
A few drops of food coloring (optional)

Mix thoroughly and store in plastic bag or covered jar. Children can pull and pound it and cut out shapes with cookie cutters. If left to dry will harden and then it can be painted. Non-toxic. Hint: If kids dust their hands with a little flour before play, the dough won't stick to their hands.

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SOAP BUBBLES
1 c. soap flakes or 1/4 c. liquid dish
soap
1 c. water
1/2 tsp. cooking oil
Mix in cup or old juice can. Give kids a plastic drinking straw. This makes a good bathtub toy or outdoor play idea.
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NO COOK PASTE
A handful of flour
Water (a little at a time) until gooey
It should be quite thick, so it won't run all over the paper. Add a pinch of salt. Non-toxic. Great for pasting scraps of paper, old Christmas cards. Its not too sticky.
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SHAVING-SOAP FINGER PAINTS
Use 1 can non-mentholated shaving soap
Powdered paint, sprinkled on will
give delightful colors
This can be played with on paper, the kitchen table or counter. Be sure to dress the kids in washable paint shirts or aprons. Keep soap out of eyes. Not recommend for little ones who put everything in their mouths.
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FLOUR AND WATER FINGER PAINT
1 c. flour
1 c. water
2 tsp. salt
Mix to consistency of thick gravy. Food coloring as desired
Sm. margarine tubs work well for the
individual colors.
Mix flour, water and salt to make the paste the consistency of thick gravy. Sprinkle in the food coloring. Be sure to dress little ones in an old apron or shirt. Put spoonfuls of paint on kitchen table or sheets of butcher paper and let them create. Cleans up fairly easily.
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CLAY
1 c. cornstarch
2 c. salt
Enough water to make a thick paste
Stir while cooking, and cook until stiff. Allow this to cool, and cover with a damp cloth until ready to use. Coloring may be added before cooking or when molded; let dry, then paint with water color. --HOW TO CARE FOR CLAY:--
Clay can always be broken up, dampened, and used again - even after it has been painted. When it has been used, but has not been allowed to become hard, poke holes in the clay with your finger or with a pencil, fill these with water (to restore the original dampness) and place in an airtight crock or in a galvanized pail with a tight cover. A damp cloth placed over the clay will help to keep it moist until the next time.
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SPOOL KNITTER
Get an empty thread spool and draw center lines across the end. Drive four small-headed brads or common pins that have been cut with pliers, making them about 3/4-inch long into the spool. The illustration on the craft divider page shows the location for the pins.
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KNITTER PICK
The knitter pick can be made by driving a fine brad into a handle that has been whittled round. File brad sharp, and bend slightly. A finer one can be made by driving a good-sized sewing needle into a stick, pulling it out, and forcing the eye into the hole. Heat point over flame, and when needle point is red hot, bend slightly.
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SPRING POTPOURRI
4 oz. rosebuds
2 oz. lavender flowers
2 oz. deer's tongue herb
2 oz. peppermint
2 oz. calamus root
1 oz. black malva flower
1 oz. marigold flowers
1 oz. peony flowers
1 oz. bay leaves
20 drops orris root oil
10 drops blue lilac oil
Mix all dry ingredients, then add the essential oils, which have also been pre-mixed. Mix and store away from direct sunlight. Store in cool dry place. Use only glass, wooden or ceramic container and utensils. Add oils with an atomizer or spritzer or eye dropper. Age in airtight container for a few days to a few weeks - gently stirring once or twice a week.
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HOMEMADE MODELING CLAY
1 c. flour
1 c. salt
1 tbsp. powdered alum (opt.)
Water
Mix just enough water to make it smooth and workable. If clay gets dry, mix in a little more water. Store tightly covered.
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CHRISTMAS SPONGE ART
White paper
Scissors
Dry sponge
Ballpoint pen
Water colors (red & green)
Draw a yuletide motif on white paper. Then, with your parents help, cut out and place on a dry sponge (one with tiny holes in the sponge are the best). Then trace the pattern with your ballpoint pen and cut out the shape (again, with your parents help). Then, dip in paint, squeeze excess paint out and blot onto either plain white or solid colored wrapping paper. You can stamp each sponge several times before re-dipping in the paint. This even dresses up plain newspaper wrapping! Great for any time of the year!
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STATIONARY OR CARDS
Plain paper
Sponge
Acrylic paint(s)
Marking pen
Take a piece of plain paper and fold in half. With the folded part at the top, it looks like a note card. Take the sponge and dip it into the acrylic paint which is in a saucer. Design on the front and also on the back of an envelope. Then take a very thin marking pen and write really fancy "Happy Birthday" or whatever the occasion is. Children love to make cards and it's also an easy way to have a card in a hurry!
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ROSE WATER
1 qt. distilled water
1/2 pt. 70% proof alcohol (not
Isopropyl)
2 c. rose petals, red or pink - old
fashioned variety chemical free,
freshly picked & clean
1 tbsp. orris root, powdered
10 drops rose oil
1 gallon clear jar
Place rose petals and 1 cup of distilled water in blender and blend until fine. Pour into one gallon jar and add remaining ingredients. Cover tightly and set in sun to steep for two weeks. Strain into clean large bowl or container. Pour into small glass containers or antique perfume bottles. Use to scent bath water or as an after bath splash.
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GELATIN CRITTERS
2 env. unflavored gelatin
1 pkg. (4 - 1/2 c. servings) sugar
free strawberry-banana flavor
gelatin
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 c. boiling water
In a medium bowl, stir gelatins together with a fork. Stir cinnamon into boiling water until dissolved. Add water to gelatin and stir until dissolved. Pour into an 8" to 9" square pan. Chill about 2 hours, until firm. Using 2" to 3" animal cookie cutters (such as cat, owl, horse) cut out shapes. (These little critters do not melt at room temperature.) Makes 8 servings. (You could also use any cut out shapes, according to the holiday at hand!)
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CHOCOLATE FINGER PAINT
1 (4 oz.) pkg. instant chocolate
pudding & pie filling
2 c. cold milk
Put pudding mix and milk in a medium size bowl. Beat with electric mixer at low speed for two minutes. Let set until it thickens. Finger paint on white construction paper and let dry for several hours. Now it's ready to hang up.
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