Tuesday, October 27, 2009

calling all artists & creative thinkers...

so i have 'volunteered' to host the Christmas Craft Party this year for the Homeschool Group, and i am looking for ideas...all that read this blog and/or contribute are quite artistic and creative, so i am asking for any suggestions you may have for working with children ages = infant to 16...
here is the basic premise for what i am thinking about doing:

constructing from scratch a nativity scene with characters to tell the Christmas Story
  • using scrap wood to build a basic 'manger' (2 sides w/a stretched A-shaped roof)
  • covering the exterior either with paint or moss or sticks
  • stapling burlap to the back side
  • building figurines with polymer clay (i have tons to donate)
  • having pre-made aluminum foil balls for the base of the characters, to cover w/the clay
  • making a small wooden box from either wood or cardboard for the actual manger
  • adhere the structure(s) to a cardboard base, and glue hay to the base for the floor
  • maybe make stars out of popsicle sticks, paint gold
  • maybe use google eyes to adhere to the polymer clay figurines
  • maybe use fabric to 'dress' the figurines

this is just a start, i obviously haven't unwrinkled all the details, and am not exactly sure how much will be "pre-made"... i've never done anything like this, in terms of doing a 'complex craft' with so many different ages - usually it is just me and s*, so i guess i'll learn as i go...i am very cheap (as are many of the participating homeschool families, especially now) so bare this in mind when making suggestions...

one mom suggested that maybe i break this into two sessions, the first being in the first week of Dec. (for 2 hours) where all of the kids would get together and 'build' the structure (maybe using chicken wire & paper mache) and also making the figurines and allowing drying & baking time...then meeting with the whole family present the second week in Dec. (for 2 hours) where the first half hour would be spent finishing up the craft, fellowship for one hour, then telling the Christmas Story (from Scripture) each family taking turns to read a section...

another suggestion i was given was to have Christmas Story Trivia during the craft time...

i know that you all are very creative, so i am really looking forward to your suggestions/ideas...

3 comments:

Josh Nix said...

its kind of hard to envision this manger scene but i am sure it will work out. i would just try to do it your self and se how long it will take you. Maybe have a friend do it to see how long it will take them.

Moginy said...

Kim, I just left a long comment, and it didn't transfer. Here goes again. The part of your project that concerns me is time. Anytime I have tried to get a group of people to do something together, it has always taken longer than expected or planned. I woulod suggest that you and Summer* pre-build what you can and have the "helpers" paint and assemble the stuff at the site. I also like the idea of paper mache'. Good luck with it. I am sure that it will work out and serve it's purpose. Love ya --Dad

nicki said...

Like Josh was saying with his last project....just keep doing it until it done....i believe in YOU!...love...nicki:)