Frozen Craft

Since we've been plunged back into the deep freeze again, I thought I'd share a fun, easy and quick craft idea with you.  This is great for kids of all ages, and the results are sure to please.  All you need is for it to be below freezing outside.  Today we're 23 degrees below freezing, so it's good!

 

I just wasn't sure what to call this, so I'll call it Ice Medal in honour of the upcoming winter Olympics ... not that it has anything to do with sports, but I think we all deserve a medal for making it through this winter!

Pretty eh!

Sparkly in the sun

 

A frozen medal you can hang outside (and actually only outside) in the sub-zero weather to admire through your windows.  If you want to make one (or many) for yourself, here's what you do.

 

 

WHAT YOU NEED:

• small dish, bowl, pie plate, whatever you have that's not to big around & is smooth inside
• bits of natural objects (acorn caps, tiny pinecones, flower heads from your frozen garden, snippets of evergreen bushes, whatever you can scrounge up)
• a small length of string for hanging (I used twine)
• temperatures outside below freezing :)

Close up:  I used acorn caps, zinnia flower heads, pinecones, birdseed & greenery

 

WHAT YOU DO:

 

First, arrange your string in the bowl with both ends in the bowl. 

Try to put as much string inside the bowl as there is left hanging outside to give a good anchor. 

Ice is heavy.

 

I used a toy saucepan, but usually make these in margarine containers

 

Next, add the greenery on top of the string ... this will hold the string down. 

Now lay the pinecones, acorn caps etc. on top of the greenery.

 

Next, fill the bowl with water.

Everything will float, but not to worry, it'll all look good when it's frozen.

 

Hard to see, but this IS filled with water.

Now just carefully carry your bowl outside and set it on a flat surface

Leave it there until the water is frozen.  It could take quite a while if it's just below freezing. 

I made mine this morning and it was completely solid in an hour ... probably in half an hour, but I didn't check it right away. 

 

Wiggle the bowl a teeny bit like you do with the ice cube tray, and the ice will pop right out!

Voila! A masterpiece!

Hang in a prominent spot just outside your window to admire.  You might want to keep it out of direct sunshine because it could still melt on a clear day.  If you use only natural materials (as opposed to anything plastic), when the ice melts, it won't deposit garbage in your yard.

 

I think these would look great as a garland strung across a fence or gate, or maybe your mailbox for the postman to admire ... wouldn't you like to give the frozen postman a little smile on a cold day like this?

 

A great way to watch winter melt away ... sort of like the proverbial car parked on the frozen lake, when the car sinks, spring has arrived ;)

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Wendy