Carol Heyer Author/Illustrator
  • Home
  • Children's Art
  • Children's Books
  • Humphrey
    • Humphrey's News Page
    • Humphrey Activities
  • Educational Books/Art
  • Angels: A Harmony of Wings
  • Fantasy/Sci-Fi
  • About
    • Clients
    • Biography
    • Awards
    • Links~Articles >
      • 2019 Focus
  • Mixed Nuts Blog
  • News Blog
  • Contact / Purchase Art & Prints
  • Models

Humphrey Blanket Ornaments!

12/13/2012

0 Comments

 
THE FIREFLIES BLOG  continues to feature HUMPHREY'S FIRST CHRISTMAS, with a new article/craft, Humphrey Blanket Ornaments.  These beautiful sculptures were created by the Mini Monets!  You can see some of the art works in these pictures!
Picture
Picture
Humphrey's Blanket Ornament - Mini Monets Create!
After reading the absolutely adorable book Humphrey's First Christmas by Carol Heyer, the Mini Monets [my First Fridays' Art Workshop students] created Humphrey's most prized possession...  his blanket! And this is not just any ordinary blanket - this is a blanket fit for a King!   As we read about this heart-warming camel with his silly grin and his schemes to obtain a new carpet blanket, the students discussed how they would feel, meeting baby Jesus for the first time.  

 Would they want to give him their most prized possession? What would that be?
Did they have a blanket that brings them comfort and if so, what does it look like? 
What would they feel if they were Humphrey?.
What gift could he/they possibly give to the ONE who truly is:

"Beloved
Most Beauteous
And Exalted King of All.."


Inspired by Humphrey's gift to baby Jesus and using my favorite cornstarch-based homemade clay recipe (see below,) the students, ages 5-9, first sculpted a "blanket".  

The reason I like the cornstarch over the salt dough recipes is because it dries hard, smooth, and white.  That doesn't mean it won't crack or have a problem with breaking.  You still have to be careful with the finished product.  With care, however, it should last for years.

We baked the "blankets" in the oven at 250 degrees for about 20 minutes.  Usually we would air dry overnight, but since this was only a one-day workshop, we needed to get it done within a few hours!  The cornstarch clay baked up nicely and after 10 minutes of cooling we proceeded to paint the dried clay.  





Corn Starch Clay Recipe
Materials needed:
1 cup cornstarch
2 cups baking soda
1 1/4 cups water

Directions:
  1. Combine ingredients in large sauce pan and stir until dough is lumpy and thick and can barely be stirred.
  2. Dump onto parchment paper or flat surface to cool for about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Knead until smooth once dough has cooled.  Keep in a ziplock bag until ready to use.
  4. Paint with watercolors, temperas, or acrylics and seal.  I have used all of these medium with this clay with good results.  I use Americana brand Triple Thick brilliant brush-on gloss glaze to seal the clay for a near kiln-fired shiny glaze appearance.
  5. Hot glue a jump ring to the back and attach a hook or a pretty ribbon to hang Humphrey's Blanket from your tree.
For busy folks who do not wish to take the time to make this clay, Crayola Model Magic will work, but it is more expensive.  Fimo and Sculpy brands are also great and have more weight to them, but not practical cost-wise for large groups. I have quadrupled this batch for 60 students in the past, so one batch would be plenty to make 15 blanket ornaments or serve up to 15 students very nicely.   

Please EMAIL us pictures of your "Humphrey's Blanket"!   Also, consider presenting blanket ornaments to those who attend your Fireflies Presents "C is for Christmas"!  CLICK HERE for more information.

Have a blessed Christmas, and may you enjoy the time spent creating and connecting with your children! 

Blessings,
Laura Bird Miller
Artist/Art Instructor

Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I'm a writer/illustrator of children's books and fantasy! Love my family, friends, goofy camels, and nutty dogs.

    Archives

    May 2025
    October 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    April 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    July 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    June 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011

    Categories

    All
    Agoura Hills Patch
    Amigos 805
    Angel Cards
    Angels
    Ann Cannon
    Article
    Art Show
    Barbara Jean Hicks
    Book Launch
    Book Review
    Book Signing
    Camarillo
    Camarillo Acorn
    Carol Heyer
    Catholic Teacher Daydreams
    Christian Book Review
    Christian Books And Bibles
    Christmas
    Christmas Book
    Connie Halperin
    Cover
    David Yamamoto
    Deseret News
    Doreen Virtue
    Eleanor Rogers
    Elf Girl
    Fantasy
    Frankfurt Bookfair
    Heyer
    Humphrey
    Humphrey In Norway!
    HUMPHREY'S FIRST PALM SUNDAY
    Interview
    Jeff Dransfeldt
    Justin Lugbill
    Kathy Temean
    Lamb
    Launch
    Licensegarden
    Licensing
    Michaels
    Mrs. Figs' Bookworm
    Picture Book
    Reading
    Reiner Weick
    Review
    Scholastic Book Club
    Signing
    Tales From The Rushmore Kid
    The First Christmas
    The Little Shepherd
    The LIttle Shepherd's Christmas
    The Little Shepherd's Christmas
    The Little Shepherd's Christmas
    The Museum Of Ventura County
    The Salt Lake Tribune
    Tina Nichols Coury

    RSS Feed