We have been looking at all the bugs in the garden and trying to identify them. Last week we had a few colder days, a perfect time for an indoor craft.
For this craft we needed:
- A large piece of paper for the background
- Smaller pieces of paper (printer paper cut into 4 is the perfect size for rubbing bugs)
- Crayons (I used some old ones I had but these Chubbi Stumps are great for rubbing and for little fingers)
- Bug Rubbing Plates
- Paint for edging, any paint would work
- Paintbrush
- Glue
- Blue tack/ Adhesive Putty
The bug plates have a great leaflet inside that names the different types of bugs with a drawing of each. We looked through the cards and identified each bug. As we were working we kept naming the bugs. Maybe the names will sink into my head!
When Daisy first started to use the rubbing plates she found it difficult to keep the paper and the rubbing plate still enough to get a good image. I thought of blue tack to keep the plate in place. We experimented and found the plate and the paper were better both being stuck down.
This made the process a little longer but she enjoyed pulling the tack off the plate and paper. We tried using coloured crayons but found the black was clearest, especially when using coloured paper. We took rubbings of every bug, named them and varied the colour of the paper.
For one of the bugs (yes I have forgotten the name already…I think it is something to do with my ‘love’ of bugs) we got the rubbing plate the wrong way round but ended up with a great image. This initiated a discussion on relief and counter-relief images.
We had a variety of images and headed down to the guest room to look at the quilt on the bed.
We discussed the shapes, colours and patterns and then took that information back upstairs to the bugs. Next; to make the bugs look like a patchwork quilt.
Of course, pink had to dominate…
When Daisy was happy with the pattern we measured out the backing paper and painted the border. Blue tack kept it in place so the painting was a quick job.
The bugs were stuck on with glue. I like the purple glue but Daisy thinks it does not stick as well as the regular. I love the ability to see if they have glued all the edges and the middle or just applied a line of glue (as kids this age tend to do).
The finished product:
I spotted some bigger kids using the bug plates at the Manitoba Stampede children`s area.
You are never too old to enjoy arts and crafts!
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