Meet Dave the googly eyed bee.

Meet Dave the googly eyed bee. I made him and seven others for the home corner in my classroom. Simple to do.

1. Paint a polystyrene ball yellow allow to dry.
2. Paint black stripes on allow to dry.
3. Stick googly eyes on.
4. Fold wings in black card and stick on.
5. Attach paper clip and use wool to hang up.

6. Name bee mine is called "Dave".

Rainbow Fish bites again ....

One of the things that really inspires me is my brilliant job, its cool I get to play all day as an special needs teaching assistant.  I have started to  love doing crafts , this is really important in promoting fine motor skills in children. Also it is an important catalyst for their writing skills, especially in boys who are notorious for not like writing. For boys if you can tailor the activity or story right then it will grip them and they will be away writing or crafting or indeed both.

Why not craft and make up stories with your children here are a few that I down and ones that can lend themselves to any story.

And of course you can't forget "Olivia " the bozz eyed Octopus...

sssh Olivia is really really shy... This was my attempt at creating a magical aquarium / island in my classroom where I work. The children love to read their stories in this little aquarium den. There are fish glued on to the blue film which is the water of the aquarium.

This is Sharky the shark . Next we have a little weeny Octopus she is Olivia's sister .

I think this lovely lot would have a great time in the sea : don't you? . So please get crafting and see what idea's you can come up with .

Mister Maker Under the Seapaper Clay Modelling Review.

I was asked to review the Mister maker Modelling kit. Anyone who watches Cbeebies must of heard of this chap. Basically he is a really happy sort that creates art in his room from the things around him. No  limits to his imagination, now working in education I found this a useful resource to give me ideas to make items for my class. There are lots of fun items on the website that hardly cost any money which is a bonus in this day and age, such as a bubble wrap cactus.



So to the item in hand....

Basically the kit comes with everything you need Modelling clay ,brush. paint, glue, googly eyes (my favourite) and various other little bits to turn the items into fridge magnets, badges key rings.

This probably most suitable for the ages of between 4 and 10 with adult supervision of course. I found the modelling clay easy to mould and shape. the instructions were fairly clear. The more complicated shapes would takes a bit of practice ,but this is OK as the modelling clay does not dry out too quick.

My only criticism and its a teeny weeny one is the quality of the paints and brush . I must admit for the shark I used my own paint . This aside I believe this to be a fun kit that children would enjoy and very useful for their fine motor skills.

Here is my shark....

I hope you like her .... her name why its Mummybarrow for her sharp grasp of the reality of life. x


And here is my Octopus.....

Her sister is Olivia the booz eyed Octopus http://ninjakillercat.blogspot.com/2011/04/meet-octavia-bozz-eyed-octpus-shes-shy.html

I made two of the models there is enough clay left to make another four models. It is an ideal classroom or home activity set.




I do have names for the shark and Octopus and have tweeted their namesakes. 

Meet Shelley the Easter Hat.....

Hi meet Shelley the Easter Hat.

She's a bit old now but a goody made for my son when he was seven for the Easter Bonnet parade, he's now twelve. We never won, it was  full of those  zealous mothers etc who spent years perfecting their little darlings masterpieces who won . No that I harbour drudges or anything .....


1. Get a balloon.
2. Papermache round the balloon building up the layers
3.You have to do this over a few days to allow the layers to build up.
4. Once it is dry cut the base of the balloon shape off. ( about a quarter)

Stick it inside the other half.


5. Turn it back round and cut a jagged egg shape.

6. Decorate as you wish. Chick etc is optional.

One bird that managed to escape the clutches of my cat.

Meet Octavia the bozz eyed Octpus she's shy .

Meet Octavia the bozz eyed Octpus.


So simple to make.

1. Take a pair of gloves (don't have to match)

2. Turn the thumbs inside.

3. Stuff gloves with old material etc. You can stuff more material at the top to make a more curvy octopus than I have.

4. Put one glove onto the other(sew for extra security)

5. Put eyes, lips and a bow on if you wish.


Simples you now have Octavia the bozz eyed Octpus