Which DIY Kinetic sand is better?

 
 I originally bought a sand art kit from the Dollar Tree. I realized I hate the idea of sand art. This lead me to re-purpose the sand from the kit. I do not hate but rather enjoy the Kinetic sand sold at Brookstone so I tried smaller sized versions of 2 different “Kinetic” sands from Pinterest. I used whatever I had at home at the moment so it wasn’t exactly by the book. I thought I would share my results for the betterment of society.

 First Trial- ¼ cup flour Less than an oz. of safflower oil Sand packet (purple) I put the flour and sand in a glass bowl and stirred with a Popsicle stick. The DIY recipe I found on-line calls for baby oil. I only had cuticle oil which is mostly safflower oil. I figured this was equivalent enough. The plan was to squeeze in about a tablespoon of the cuticle oil into the flour. This didn’t happen. The cap popped off while squeezing and out came the majority of the bottle. I was actually almost happy about this mishap because it meant that I didn’t have to find some other use for this oil. I never actually thought its intended purpose was needed. I don’t care about the condition of my cuticles much less do I imagine anyone else care’s about my cuticles or judges me by them. I asked the opinion of those close at hand. These were the results. 5 year old Nevera: “I didn’t like it.” Adult : “I don’t know. What’s it supposed to be?” My thoughts: The oil sticks to my hands too much. Could it be that there was too much oil used? Overall it is okay to play with but it is no kinetic sand.

Second Trial- ¼ cup corn starch Water Sand packet (green) I also found this recipe on the interwebs. Admittedly the author of the post states it isn’t meant to be kinetic sand, even though her click bait says otherwise. Once again I used the trusty glass bowl to stir the corn starch and green sand with a Popsicle stick. The water was much more forgiving than the oil and I was able to slowly continue adding until I got the desired texture. 5 year old Nevera: “I didn’t like it.” Adult: “If the stuff stays on my hands, it is no good.” The stuff stayed on his hands. “Back to the drawing board” My thoughts: Gook with sand. Overall this is fun but it is not kinetic sand.


 My conclusion is that the first trial would be closer to the store bought kinetic sand if human error wasn’t involved. The second trial could still be used for sensory play but the sand isn’t needed and makes it less fun. I think that (though I haven’t researched) actually buying a large amount of sand as the original recipe calls for would be the same the cost of the kinetic sand. If you “do it yourself” you would have much more amount wise but it wouldn’t necessarily have the same texture. For now I will just buy the expensive stuff from Brookstone. Additional notes: Nevera seems to no longer like sensory play items.

Up-cycled Wine Bottle Bird Feeders

I originally saw a DIY wine bottle bird feeder on Pinterest. However it was just an image of the finished product and didn't link to any instructions. I recently did find some instructions, after I completed this project (always happens like that).  I thought I could do it without instructions and I did.

Items needed:

·         Wine bottles (keep corks)

·         Wire (I used aluminum)

·         Drill

·         Glass cutting drill bit (diamond tip)

·         Small plates – saucers (from thrift store)

·         Epoxy

·         Safety glasses

·         Thick gloves

·         Bird Seed

If you don’t know that you should first drink the wine from the bottles before starting this project, we can’t be friends in real life.  Keep your wine corks after drinking because you will want to use them as a topper.  Mine went missing but was able to get free replacements from the liquor store after their wine tasting.

Suit up with the safety glasses and thick gloves.  This will keep you pretty in case of breaking glass from drilling.  You will fill up a sink or a tub with enough water that it will fully submerge the portion of the bottle you will be drilling.  I filled my sink about halfway up with water.  The water will keep the tiny glass debris from being blown around while drilling.  I wasn’t able to “start” my hole in the water as the drill kept slipping from the clean empty bottles.  So I first laid the bottles horizontally and used the drill to get a small divot in it.  Once I had that I was able to then place it under the water and continue drilling.

Once I was satisfied with the hole size, I dried and drained both bottles.  

Donovan inspects all of my work.

Next I put the epoxy on the saucers.  I did not center the epoxy as you want room for the birds to perch on the plate. 

After mixing the epoxy on the plate, place the bottle with the hole facing the wider side of the plate.  Let dry – mine stated 24 hours for a full cure

If you don’t want to hang it in a tree then you are basically finished.  Simply funnel in some bird seed, top it with a cork and place it on your patio.

If you want a hanging one you have to stay with me for one more step. Tie the wire around the neck of the bottle to make a “hanger”.  You can secure in several different ways.  I am no girl-scout but I did a fine enough job that I didn’t even have to use hot glue. 

Back

Front

Then viola; funnel in some bird seed and top with a cork.

Go hang in a tree and wait for birds or naughty squirrels.  I have yet to replace the bird seed but I imagine that it will be as easy as removing the cork and funneling in more seed. 

Ta-Da

On another note I learned that wire is filthy.

All in all this project cost me around $20.  Half of the cost being the drill bit as I didn’t already own one of that type already.  The plates were a dollar each from the thrift shop (even more reuse yay).  I tried to find the best plates for the job that weren’t in a set.  The wire and bag of bird seed was around $3 each.  The rest of the items I already owned. 

Drunk Proof It :

While this project came out great, it could have been cuter if I had taken the time to sharpie some little bird prints on the saucers or etched the wine glass with a saying.  I figured the birds didn’t care so neither did I.  I have also thought that since this will be outside there may be some way to improve the topper so that it won’t get all funky after being in the rain…possibly by attaching a plastic bottle cap.

Hope this helped you in some way.

*Do not do this project inebriated!  Anytime a drill is involved you should be sober or hung-over like I was.

How to Make a Bed while Living with Cats

Some people say that cats are assholes.  They may believe that cats, which can be independent, are cold and unloving.  This has never really been the case with any cats I have ever owned.  Currently I live with two very loving, curious and active males.  They often follow me from room to room to help with a multitude of daily activities.  My day typically starts with a wake up from Shamus who enjoys eating promptly at 6 am. This is followed by extra love in the morning from both to ensure that I have enough cat hair on me to last the day.  Lastly I am welcomed home and helped with any chores such as making the bed.

Step 1 - When making a bed while living with cats, you may find it best to start with a fitted sheet.  Once you have the fitted sheet partially on the cats will be more than happy to interrupt this process with a game and hide and seek. 

Continue as you normally would and smooth out the sheet once the game has ended with all players off the bed.

Step 2 - Next as usual is the bed sheet. 

Yes my sheet is wrinkly when it comes out of the dryer.  Some cats like Shamus may decide they are finished helping at this step; luckily Donovan is reliable and will stay until the job is done. At this point you may need to coax out your helper as shown in the video.

Step 3 – Blanket

Give up at this point and leave the blanket on top of the cat.  They will find their own way out.

You may find that cats will double the amount of time needed to make a bed but it will be damn cute every step of the way.  Enjoy your cat or cats everyday because unlike people only some cats are assholes.