Crafting A Door Collage

Residents were able to express their hobbies, favorite foods, pets, colors and more through a collage made out of magazine clippings.
Each person took a piece of cardboard for their base. Next they picked and cut magazine pieces.
Lastly, arranged on the board then glued down.
Once dried I hung outside their door.

Easy Bird Feeder

We love seeing the birds, squirrels and deer come close to the windows. So to entice them more we made hanging circle feeders. Great craft for keeping fingers nimble.
Everyone sat around and talked while they strung the cheerios on twine. You have to take your time so the twine does not fray and twist.

What you need;
Box of cheerios or something with a hole
Twine
Scissors

Directions;
Cut a piece of twine at least 15 inches. Whatever size you need just remember to have extra to tie off.
Start adding cheerios. You can tie one end in a knot if you think it will spill out.
When done tie the ends together in a double knot on a branch.

Snacks Bring A Little Sunshine!

I wanted the residents to have something we have not already tried in the past. Mexican ice cream is a delectable treat. However I needed a non-fry version. So I pieced a couple recipes together and came up with a refreshing sweet afternoon dessert!

What you need;
Slightly softened ice cream
unsalted butter
cinnamon
cornflakes
Squeeze bottle honey
whip cream in a can
Top off with a maraschino cherry or we did a yogurt pretzel.








Crush cornflakes in a baggy and then lightly saute with butter and cinnamon. Transfer to a jelly roll pan.
Roll ice cream into a ball as large you want it.
Roll ice cream in corn flake mixture.
You can let set up on a tray in the freezer or proceed to next step and serve.
Squeeze honey on top of ball. It will gently roll down sides.
Top with whip cream and put whip cream around ball.
Top with cherry or topping of your choice. Festive sprinkles are nice for a birthday.
Enjoy! We did!

Tissue Flower Tuesday

This morning was are weekly Fit Club. Every Tues at 11 am. Residents earn points towards prizes when they participate.

Dining Room

This afternoon we made tissue flowers. Residents were excited to put on their doors. The color combinations are so cheerful. We also created a wall of flowers in the dining room for everyone to enjoy.

                                       

Reindeer Brownies Bring Smiles to a Cold Day!

Decadent chocolate brownies were cut in triangles for us from the kitchen.
Next we just used our artistic skills and imagination to turn them into a fun treat!

What you need;
Tray of brownies. Use a jelly roll pan for best results. Cut into triangles.
Stiff frosting like royal works best. It will be your "glue," and red nose.
Two small throw away piping bags. Cut tip off. No need to buy a metal tip.
Mini m&m's.
Small pretzels.
Red food coloring for nose.

Reference picture above.
At the top squeeze two drops of frosting. Attach antlers/pretzels.
Next squeeze two small dots for the eyes. Add mini m&ms to the center of each frosting dot.
The next part will require a separate piping bag. Dye your frosting red. Take piping bag and add a large red nose at the bottom of your brownie.
That is it! You have reindeer for you and your guests!

Today we had peach herbal tea and coffee with our brownies. We listened to holiday music. Afterwards carolers came to visit and sang for the entire building.

Peach Tea

We also had a fantastic game of trivia earlier today! Several people made it to round two however only four made it to round three. Bob was our winner!

More Sweet Treat Crafts and Helping Hands!

This morning a resident and I worked on wrapping "fake" gifts for a table centerpiece. It was nice to have the help and she really enjoys helping me too! #DIY can be easy and affordable.
Wrapped gifts with fancy bows or tied on ornaments can turn a boring table into something festive.

Helping Hands.

Easy table decor!

Later on a group of us made lollipop paper crafts. We took a paper plate and created an old time swirl pattern with marker. Next painted and then of course added some glitter. Once dry a pop stick you by from the craft store will be glued on the back.  These will go in the dining room for our sweet treat theme!

Sweet Treat 2018 Theme!

Group Collage is More Fun!

So many helping hands and so much fun!
We took winter and holiday cut outs from magazines and created a long mural.

Supplies you need;
A little bit of paint for snow and clouds, sponge brush.
Break down a card board box and cut off flaps. Makes a long mural.
Old magazines.
Scissors and glue.

Paint your clouds and snow first.
We had our magazine cut outs done so we could easily view where they should be placed. We did not cut as we go. Glue your pieces on the board.
**Cards also make nice cut outs too.
Remember this is a more abstract story. You are not looking for perfection.

Hung in Activities Room

Gingerbread Craft Turns Out Awesome!

On Tuesday it was chilly but, we were thinking about warm gingerbread cookies!
We used Strathmore artist paper so our gingerbread did not weigh down the paper.
One of my favorite craft tools are q-tips. They are easy to use and create an interesting design.
So we dabbed q-tips in different colors. Every gingerbread is unique and really makes our holiday display a pleasure to look at! Enjoy!

Dining room

The resident's art welcomes you!

Crafty Residents Created a Beautiful Tree!

Our theme this year is Sweet Street! So a sweet tree seemed like the perfect idea for the dining room.

Residents worked all of November creating whimsical, handmade ornaments for the tree.

We created sweet dessert adult colorings. Each were hole punched and strung with yarn. Also cupcakes made out of Styrofoam and glitter. The most fun was making the felt candy. Everyone thought this was a clever craft. We rolled felt like sushi and then wrapped in cellophane and tied.

Visitors don't miss checking out this awesome, festive tree in the dining room!

Felted candy and glittered kitchen scoops!

Dave created a sundae with styrofoam, glitter and cotton balls!