Sparkle Craft: Winning Ribbons Garland
In this week’s Martin & Sylvia: Saturdays! story, “Medals”, Martin and Sylvia are inspired to make up new competitions and medals to go along with them. The medals are won for things Martin and Sylvia feel proud of doing well.
This week we’re going to be making a watercolor winning ribbons garland listing the things you feel proud of doing well!
You Will Need
White Paper
Watercolors
Paintbrush
Table Salt
Permanent Marker
Tape
Cotton String
What To Do
Paint! You can use liquid or solid watercolors for this project. Create your picture or pattern using a medium to large paintbrush. Though watercolor painting is always wet, be sure not to overly-wet or saturate your paper.
Sprinkle! Now let’s give your watercolor painting a twist! Sprinkle salt on your picture and see what happens. Surprising, isn’t it? You can sprinkle salt in one little area or all over. Keep painting and sprinkling until you’re happy with your painting(s).
Let dry! You may need to let your painting dry overnight. Once it’s dry, gently brush away the remaining salt over a trashcan or the sink to reveal your painting. Isn’t it pretty?
Make your garland! First, cut your painting into ribbon shapes. You don’t have to be perfect here – just a rectangle approximately 4 inches long and 2 inches wide with a little tail on one end. Next, think about things you do well – things that you are proud of. Jot them down, one at a time on each ribbon. You can keep some of the ribbons blank to add extra color to your garland. Finally, cut a 2.5-3 foot length of cotton string (we used baker’s twine) and tape it along the back of your ribbons. Then hang and appreciate your accomplishments and all that you’re proud of!
(Psst – parents and caregivers, we encourage you to also make a ribbon or two listing what you’re proud of; sometimes we all need a little reminder and boost!)
Explore More
What else could you sprinkle on your watercolor painting? How do you think it would change your picture? Do you think it would be the same or different from salt? Give it a try!
Could you make a garland listing all the things you’re thankful for, things you dream of doing, or jokes? What else could you write on your garland besides things you’re proud of?
Make Connections
Martin and Sylvia came up with a few competitions to earn their medals. Have you ever participated in a competition? How did it make you feel? Can you come up with a competition game too?
About the Authors
Andrea Folsom
Andrea Folsom describes herself as a writer, editor, creative maker, and eternal optimist. She is passionate about learning and sharing new creative techniques, making beautiful spaces, and talking about the social-emotional benefits of creativity and art. She runs Crafting Connections - a website providing inspiration, practical advice, and projects for creative families - with her close friend Danielle Reiner.
Danielle Reiner
Danielle Reiner describes herself as a creative, a maker, and a mama. At the heart of her story is creativity, though that hasn’t always been the case. She rediscovered her deeply hidden creativity early in adulthood – with a ball of yarn and a couple of knitting needles – and hasn't stopped since. Danielle also runs Crafting Connections - a website providing inspiration, practical advice, and projects for creative families - with her close friend Andrea Folsom.
