Trip to Anglesey Abbey

Today we went for a quick trip to our local National Trust property.  We walked the Woodland Path & Hoe Fen Trail meaning we could visit the massive tree house and new play area. The new Wild Play Area is small but fab; we loved climbing on the straw bales, the hammocks and the wobbly bridge.  Then we walked to the wildlife hide and watched some birds feeding at various feeders before walking back to the car via the Rose Garden. 

Wet on Wet Watercolour

This is about the process not about the outcome and gives an experience of colour.

First we soaked a piece of watercolour paper in water for about 10 minutes and then wiped off excess water (the paper should have a sheen to it not be soaking wet). We then diluted the paint but I think I made too faint (next time I would have a stronger colour).  Then using brushes we flicked paint on it watching as the colours bled into each other.

  E enjoyed also printing hers by placing a dry piece on top. The colours are much paler as you can see:

ubmerge paper (one sheet at a time, so that they don’t stick together) in water and let it soak while you prepare everything else. Paper should soak about 10-15 minutes.
2. Mix your paint(s). When starting out, I recommend painting with one color at a time. Put a dollop of paint in the bottom of a pint jar (a tablespoon or so), and add water until the jar is about 3/4 full. Mix well. (I like to use a chopstick for this purpose.) You can test the intensity of the shade on a scrap of paper. Add more paint to make stronger, or more water to soften.
3. Pour a small amount of mixed paint (just enough to cover the bottom) into baby jars (one for each painter). Remaining paint can be refrigerated to use again later.
4. Lay a piece of soaked paper on a painting board or other flat, smooth, waterproof surface. A kitchen counter works well, but keep in mind that the painting should not be moved from the surface until dry. Most watercolor paper has a rougher side and a smoother side. Lay paper down with rough side up.
5. Wipe excess water off paper with clean, damp sponge. Make sure there are no puddles of water on the paper, and wipe away any air bubbles. Paper should have a sheen to it, but not be soaking wet.
- See more at: http://simplehomeschool.net/painting-wet-on-wet-waldorf-watercolors-for-children/#sthash.TgXmRupx.dpuf

ubmerge paper (one sheet at a time, so that they don’t stick together) in water and let it soak while you prepare everything else. Paper should soak about 10-15 minutes.
2. Mix your paint(s). When starting out, I recommend painting with one color at a time. Put a dollop of paint in the bottom of a pint jar (a tablespoon or so), and add water until the jar is about 3/4 full. Mix well. (I like to use a chopstick for this purpose.) You can test the intensity of the shade on a scrap of paper. Add more paint to make stronger, or more water to soften.
3. Pour a small amount of mixed paint (just enough to cover the bottom) into baby jars (one for each painter). Remaining paint can be refrigerated to use again later.
4. Lay a piece of soaked paper on a painting board or other flat, smooth, waterproof surface. A kitchen counter works well, but keep in mind that the painting should not be moved from the surface until dry. Most watercolor paper has a rougher side and a smoother side. Lay paper down with rough side up.
5. Wipe excess water off paper with clean, damp sponge. Make sure there are no puddles of water on the paper, and wipe away any air bubbles. Paper should have a sheen to it, but not be soaking wet.
- See more at: http://simplehomeschool.net/painting-wet-on-wet-waldorf-watercolors-for-children/#sthash.TgXmRupx.dpuf

an experience of color, not form. Because the wet paint is laid on wet paper, the colors flow, blending into one another in beautiful, unexpected ways. - See more at: http://simplehomeschool.net/painting-wet-on-wet-waldorf-watercolors-for-children/#sthash.TgXmRupx.dpuf

erience of color, not form. Because the wet paint is laid on wet paper, the colors flow, blending into one another in beautiful, unexpected way - See more at: http://simplehomeschool.net/painting-wet-on-wet-waldorf-watercolors-for-children/#sthash.TgXmRupx.dpuf

Jewelled Light @ Great St Mary’s Church

As part of the Summer at the Museums programme, we went to Great St Mary’s Church where we explored their stained glass windows. We then made our own
sparkling sun-catchers using sticky backed plastic, card and tissue paper.

Go Ape and Thetford forest

Today we took the girls to play at High Lodge and to try to Go-Ape courses.  Husband took the big 2 on the Tree Top Adventure (over 10s only) whilst E completed the Junior Go-ape (over 6s (or over 1m if with an adult) whilst me and P watched from the ground.  We also found time for some playing - High Lodge has the most amazing play equipment and we walked a bit of the forest including the Sound Trail.

Styrofoam Printing

First the girls drew a picture on the thin paper first. (This step is optional, but it means you can draw the a few different images before choosing which one you want to print. It also makes it easier for younger children to transfer their image to the styrofoam.)
Then we traced the drawing with a pencil (which we used), a biro, with the pointy end of a paint brush or a chopstick or something. Then we took the paper off and went over the design again to ensure the lines went deep enough.
 Then we squeezed some printing ink onto a baking tray and spread it around with the brayer. Once the brayer was coated with an even layer of ink, we rolled it over the styrofoam drawing.
Carefully we positioned the styrofoam on a plain cotton tea-towel (paper or card could also be used) and we rubbed over the styrofoam to help transfer the design. We printed it four times.

clay creatures

Today we went for a walk in the Beech Woods and P collected various flowers.  Then P decided to make a face with them (she also added some sequins!).  G also used some clay to make this rather fab family of owls.  

stinking Titan Arum flower

Today we popped into the Botanical Gardens to see the Titan Arum starting to flower. The current specimen has been at the garden for about 10 years, and this will be the first time it has flowered.  There is a webcam to follow its progress.

Glamping near Chichester

At the weekend we stayed at a lovely glamping site near Chichester. We enjoyed BBQ's, roasting marshmallows, a communal campfire, the hot tub and hammocks.  Breakfast is included at the weekend and so the girls enjoyed bacon butties. We spent a lovely day on West Wittering beach where the girls paddled and played beach cricket. 

Walk round wicken fen

Today we went for a walk and picnic around Wicken Fen.  We enjoyed the peace and quiet, butterflies, dragon flies and flowers.

We picked some Convolvulus flowers and said the rhyme ‘Grandmother grandmother, pop out of bed whilst we squeezed the green bit at the bottom of a convolvulus flower to pop it out.

Our chrysalides hatched!

Today our butterflies started to emerge.  It was amazing and so quick when they started to come out from their chrysalides.  We released them into the garden during the warmest part of the day and enjoyed watching them take their first flight.

Sounds Green Week 1

Today, in the roasting sunshine, we went to the first of The Sounds Green series of relaxed and sociable picnic proms from the Cambridge Summer Music Festival.  Music started at 6.15pm in the glorious surroundings of the Botanic Garden and lasted for about an hour. The girls had ice-cream and I had a pimms whilst we sat and listened to Morph Trio. They are an acoustic trio with a jazz background and they performed a variety of musical styles from around the world. It was fab!  We will remember a picnic next week!