MaryAnn F. Kohl, process art and treasures of childhood

Ivory Soap Amazing Colorful Microwaved Puff Ball, from "The Chocolate Muffin Tree" blog

The Chocolate Muffin Tree is one of my favorite blogs for fun creative ideas of things to do with kids. I had never seen this Ivory Soap sculpture idea, and just had to share it! Check out the Choclate Muffin Tree for further creative ideas and fun.  ~ MaryAnn 

:::::::: From The Chocolate Muffin Tree blog ::::::::
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

Colorful Ivory Soap Sculpture

Have you ever tried the Ivory Soap Trick? It is super easy and a Great Science Lesson! We just happened to have some Ivory Soap around and I happened to come across this idea from the weekly post 10 Ways To Make Today More Magical from A Magical Childhood. I've seen this idea many times, but it was a great reminder to try it! The instructions and Science behind it are found here, if you want more detail. We did the trick a few times (It is addicting!), but also put an Artsy twist on it! Here is our Colorful Ivory Soap Sculpture. Keep reading to find out how we  did this trick and how we made it more fun! 

Before the trick, I did a little reading about the science behind this amazing experiment here and decided to incorporate a little bit of learning about what floats and what sinks and why? We tested a bar of Dial Soap and Ivory Soap and noticed which one sank and which one floated. I had my daughter try to guess why? Then I explained that the Ivory soap has air in it which causes it to float and Dial soap has very little or no air.

To do the trick, first put a unwrapped bar of Ivory soap on a paper plate or piece of paper towel.

Place the soap in your microwave for about 90 seconds and it will puff out and grow into this amazing looking foam sculpture!!!! I didn't let my daughter watch the whole time because of the microwaves harmful rays! Interesting Information: My Father, who worked with radiation, has told me the most dangerous place to stand is the side of the microwave because that is where the harmful rays leak out! He said the front has a protective shield on it so I just thought I would pass that along since I am mentioning the dangers of microwaves.

Now you can see how the soap puffed out! My daughter absolutely LOVED this! We've done it three times and she keeps asking about doing it again! I explained to my daughter that the reason it puffs out is because there is air inside the soap that makes it expand when heated ... she seemed to understand! To make our Ivory Soap Puffed Sculpture more beautiful, I let her put drops of Liquid Watercolor (you could use food coloring) on it to paint it! Be careful because the soap is hot right out of the oven and especially in the center of the soap!

The sculpture is not at all permanent and flakes apart so it is definitely an "in the moment" activity! My daughter loved touching the sculpture and wanted to save pieces of it!!!

Here is a finished "Colorful Ivory Soap Sculpture" again! Beautiful! (or Not?) What do you think? We put the finished sculpture back in the microwave to see what would happen and there was not much difference. I appreciated that my daughter wanted to keep experimenting!

I know we will be doing this "Trick" again and again!!! My daughter keeps eyeing our Ivory soap in the bathroom closet and I'm sure it will happen soon! If you are wondering if you should try this ... it is totally worth it!!! Have FUN !

Thank you, Chocolate Muffin Tree,
for posting this wild and exciting soap sculpture!

 

Hands-On Art Workshop, photos

 

I spent the weekend in Hillsboro, Oregon
with CAOWASH enjoying the hands-on art
workshops I offered throughout the day.

Here are some pictures:

         
 

 

I think the favorite art was melting crayons on the warming trays (center, lower).

I personally love "smooshing" play clay and blending colors (left, lower).

The salty watercolors were a big hit too (right, upper).

Block sculptures with pipecleaners and other odds and ends are fun for all ages (right, lower ).

I'd love to come to your CCR&R or other group in your area.
We can learn and play at the same time.

Visit: www.brightring.com to find info on "MaryAnn Presents!"

Remember: 

1. Sign up for my maiing list to receive the ArtsyNEWS four times a year, plus other special offers. (Sign up link... click on the bug below.)

2.  My website www.brightring.com has lots of free art ideas in "Free Activities"

 

 

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Dinosaur Claws

Dinosaur Claws
- from the book, Snacktivities
Serves 5

Here's an easy recipe, and fun for kids.  
    This photo gives some idea of the results,
    but when making your Dinosaur Claws, stick the almonds
    into the dough to look like claws, not sprinkled on top. 

 

Ingredients:

1 can of refrigerator biscuits
margarine, melted
cinnamon sugar
almond slivers

 

 

Utensils:

oven, preheated to 425º degrees F or according to biscuit directions
baking sheet
pastry brush
oven mitts
squares of clean, plain cardboard
permanent markers

Process:

1. Bake the biscuits according to package directions, usually about 8 to 10 minutes.

2. Wear oven mitts and remove the baking sheet and biscuits from the oven.

3. Brush each biscuit with melted margarine. Sprinkle biscuits with cinnamon sugar.

4. While the biscuit is still very warm, carefully insert 5 almond slivers around the edge of the biscuit so it looks like the claws of a dinosaur.

5. Draw tracks near the edges on the clean squares of cardboard with the permanent markers.

6. Serve the claws on the cardboard squares.

 

copyright © 2010 MaryAnn Kohl 
This article/art activity is copyright protected.

Permission is granted to reprint one copy for personal use only.
Please contact maryann@brightring.com or 800-480-4278 for
permission to reprint multiple copies or to disperse.