I used to have a post on soap carving. I took it off to spiffy it up a wee bit. That was, oh, back in April, I do believe. Haven’t had a chance to do any of that spiffy-ing. (Is that a word???) This summer has been too wild and crazy. However, my site statistics show that people have been searching for it — to the tune of over 340 times!!! I decided I’d better re-post it.

Alas, I removed that posting so deftly that I cannot find hide nor hair of it. Guess I’ll have to start fresh.

I have memories of trying to create something artistic with a bar of Ivory soap. I ended up with a pile of shavings and several indistinguishable lumps of soap. That was an early indicator of my crafting skills and abilities . . . Those skills haven’t improved over the years. Sigh. Maybe when my grandson, Spencer, gets a wee bit older I might once again attempt this activity with him.

Until then, here are some useful links for you to enjoy:

• A hilarious article What Ever Happened to Soap Carving by Linda Godfrey
• Soap Carving Instructions and Tips by whom else but Ivory Soap
• Beautiful soap carvings done by the Carving Institute in Bangkok
• YouTube video of soap carving

Useful Ideas
(in no particular order)

• Use a potato peeler. It might be easier for little hands (and safer).
• Cut out the main design first. Add details last.
• Use a large bar of soap. It’s easier for young children.
• Cheaper soaps tend to crack and break more easily than name brand soaps.
• Melt soap shavings down and put in a mold and make a decorative bar of soap. A chocolate mold sprayed with cooking oil works well.
• Paint your carving. Give it two coats making sure the first coat has dried completely before applying the second one.
• Use an orange stick (used for pushing back cuticles) for etching in details.
• Simple pictures from coloring books can be reduced on a copy machine to be used as a pattern.
• Soap carving can lead to an interest in wood carving.

Soap-happy,
Digi-Gram

Finally. I’ve been able to video two songs that grandmothers can sing with their grandchildren. I needed to video tape them because there are actions with them.

I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve have attempted to film the songs. One time the neighbor’s grandchildren were playing outside. (Read that to mean they were LOUD and could be heard in the background of the taping.) Another time the neighbor’s sprinkling system in the field next to us was on (and was loud and could be heard in the background). Another time the neighbors had a volleyball game going. Another time it was too dark by the time I got around to doing the filming. Another time the camera’s battery went dead.

Tonight it was windy.  Oh well . . . So, here are the two songs. Finally.

Grasshopper Alphabet Soup

Here are the words.

Grasshopper alphabet soup oh yaw. Grasshopper alphabet soup. Boing. (Make a motion like you are hitting a gong.)

Grasshopper alphabet soup oh yaw. Grasshopper alphabet soup. Boing. (Make a motion like you are hitting a gong.)

Grasshopper head. (wiggle head) Grasshopper body. (Wiggle body) Grasshopper in-a my soup. Boing (Make a motion like you are hitting a gong.)

Grasshopper wings. Grasshopper legs. Grasshopper in-a my soup. Boing (Make a motion like you are hitting a gong.)

Grasshopper alphabet soup oh yaw. Grasshopper alphabet soup. (Bow)

Here’s the second song.

I’m a Little Pile of Tin

Here are the words.

I’m a little pile of tin. Nobody knows what shape I’m in.
Got 4 wheels and a running board. I’m a Ford, oh I’m a Ford.

Honk honk (hold your hand up, palm facing away from you and make the honking motion)
Rattle rattle (rattle — or shake — your head side to side)
Crash (put the palm of your hand underneath your chin)
Beep beep (tap your nose each time you say beep).

Honk honk (hold your hand up and make the honking motion)
Rattle rattle (rattle — or shake — your head side to side)
Crash (put the palm of your hand underneath your chin)
Beep beep (tap your nose each time you say beep).

Honk honk (hold your hand up and make the honking motion)
Rattle rattle (rattle — or shake — your head side to side)
Crash (put the palm of your hand underneath your chin)
Beep beep (tap your nose each time you say beep).

Honk honk (hold your hand up and make the honking motion).

I still want to get a video of another song — either with my son and his new bride or her mother. Maybe when they come for the open house on Saturday. . .

Digi-Gram

I’m currently busy recuperating from our son’s wedding, recuperating from a long drive to visit with good friends from Canada who are in the states, and currently busily compiling the list of ‘good books to read’ to grandchildren. However, I do have an idea to share from Grandma Kathleen from Spanish Fork.

I asked her what were some of the fun things that she does with her grandchildren. She said that her grandchildren’s most favorite thing is the treasure chest. Originally, Grandma Kathleen had a box that looked like a treasure chest. She filled it with all sorts of treasures from the dollar store. Then, when her grandchildren come for a visit, they are allowed to select one item from the treasure chest.

What a fun idea!

She said that the treasure chest was rather flimsy and didn’t last very long. She now just has a basket. Regardless, her grandchildren still enjoy selecting a treasure from the basket.

I did a quick search on the Internet and found a plastic treasure chest that is 19 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 14 inches tall for $20 at Century Novelty. Here is a link to view the chest:

http://www.centurynovelty.com/detail_265_209-617.html

Argh, matey. Shiver me timbers . . . young buccaneers will enjoy getting loot from this chest. Ye might be thinkin’ of gettin’ one for ye own gran’children.

Ol’ Bluebeard herself,
Digi-Gram

Callling all grandmothers!!  (And any other miscellaneous readers . . .)

I would like to compile a list of  books that grandmothers can read to their grandchildren.  But, I need your help.

Please e-mail me the name of the books that you have read to your grandchildren that both you and they have enjoyed.  (There was one book I read to my children — Are You My Mother — that I didn’t care for but my children did!!)

Send your suggestions to:  grandma@grandmaideas.com

I would  like all of your suggestions by Aug. 13.  I will put them into a list and share it here.  Then, you will have at your fingertips a list of tried and true books that will be a hit when you read them to your grandchildren.

Thanks a bunch!
Digi-Gram