Gak

What's cool, rubbery, drippy yet not wet and loads of fun? GAK! a.k.a GLARP for the uninitiated  to GAK's flatulent alter ego!

The first of Spring has finally arrived but nature doesn't always abide the calendar. So these lingering cold, wet, blustery days have found me searching for new ways to entertain and occupy the wonderful little ones that come to visit.  Well used prang paint sets, crayons, markers, stamps and such are becoming ho-hum.  But then I came across this Gak recipe in my  projects book and it was Aha!  I was just like the proverbial magician pulling a rabbit out of it's hat for an oohing audience.  Three cheers for Grandma!

 If your wondering who in the world would possibly purchase a gallon jug of glue.  That would be me. I was simply shopping for printer paper at Staples, when the jug caught my eye.  It's been one of my best purchases to date, kinda along the lines of a great pair of shoes that provide years of comfort and use. I've had my gallon of glue for about 5 years and it's about half gone as you can see.  I expect it'll last me another 5.  And I think I can say the same for my comfortable Danskos!


Recipe: In a medium bowl mix 2 cups white glue with 11/2 cups water.  Add a few drops food coloring.  In a small bowl or measuring cup mix 1T. Borax powder with 1/3 cup water.  Add the Borax mixture to the glue mixture. Stir and squish the soft forming dough or blob.  When the blob no longer gathers together I remove it from the glue mixture to another bowl pouring off any excess liquid that doesn't adhere.  After a few moments of handling the dough it becomes less wet and more pliable.  I will usually add an additional Borax and water mixture to the remaining glue mixture to get additional GAKS.  You'll want to store your GAK in an airtight container.

Now GAK in the proper hands, like in the case of 5yo Wyatt, can fill the cottage with roaring laughter and hours of fun.  Just squeeze a piece of GAK into a smallish container pressing out the air and well, there you have it.  GLARP!  

And wonders really are that GAK will entertain every age group.  Stephanie spent quite some time perfecting her air bubble to the amazement of the group.  She was rockin' it with the GAK!  

I recently got an email from my daughter and it seems she's come up with a new "keep em' busy" project too for her tribe.  Here is a handful of colorful beads she promises to share soon on her blog, My God Given Mission Field.  They are quick and easy and sure to help fill time till the sun comes out and we can all bust open the doors and let the glorious springtime weather in!

                                          

Inspiration

I'm gettin' the bug. The restless, I need some inspiration itch. I'm thinking I need Aurora!
Aurora Oregon is not to far from home, about a 45 minute drive. But a fun day trip, that would jump start my creative urges. At least fill my brain with new ideas and inspiration.

Aurora was established in the 1860's. An community of christian followers of Dr. William Keil. The history of the defunct Utopian settlement is evident the moment you drive through this little community. White clapboard homes and buildings clustered together now house quaint antique shops and coffee spots. And there are treasures to discover as you climb narrow stairways in search of that special what-not, displayed perhaps in a tiny cupboard on an upper floor. Or it may be a little something tucked into a vintage armoire, near a window, where you can peer down onto the street below. I've done that. Peered down onto the street below. And my mind wonders (wanders) if a kindred spirit stood by this window so very long ago.

I imagine....

Imagining is my favorite activity when visiting this once upon-a-time village.

The trip would not be complete though without scouring my favorite shop in Aurora. A barn, a barn shop actually. It's the Aurora Mills Architectural Salvage. They have two floors of eclectic vintage home building supplies and accessories, in a cool vintage barn. You'll need well over an hour to see all they have, it is nearly bursting at it's weathered seams. I am content to rifle endlessly through bins and bins of old address numbers, hinges, doorknobs, and the like. What? You like to do that to? I like you!

Friend, take a look at a sampling of the goodies Aurora Mills has to offer, and get a sneak peak into this historical old barn.

I was piqued at the possibilities of re-purposing some old weathered door panels. Old crackling paint, I dig it! I came up with a little "welcome sign".
I hope you like it.







And being that.. ahem... I am smitten with all things red, I couldn't resist this piece of old baseboard painted in shiny red enamel. A few vintage hooks I scrounged from the bins and Ta da.

Ahhh... feelin' much better now.