Tin Stilts

Because of the Corona Virus outbreak and being at home in Isolation, my brother and I have been busily creating. A couple of days ago we made a pair of stilts. Here's how we made them. We used 2 tin cans like this one - 

Then we flipped then upside down and drilled 2 holes in the sides. Next we threaded some rope through the holes. I made a diagram below to help you understand the steps -

After walking on them for a while they slowly break so I recommend using Golden/Maple syrup cans because they are stronger. My brother and I made another pair of stilts afterwards using wooden blocks.  

A Slice of Nature

This past week has been full of great challenges, one of them being the Mandala challenge. Only using natural materials. Andy Goldworthy is a British sculptor how uses natural materials in his artworks. We used some images of his artwork as inspiration to create ours. I created 2 pieces of art, picture 2 and picture 6 below. Here is our collection...

Mine (above)

Mine (above)

Hanging Chair

Over this time in Isolation I have been keeping busy. Creating artwork, cooking and in general just a whole lot of things I enjoy doing. I have always wanted a cosy corner in my room to do homework and things in. So, when I came across how to make a hanging chair on YouTube, that was it I was going to make it no matter what. How hard could it be? I collected the materials, a wooden dowel, 2 meters of material (I chose a tropical leaf pattern) which we ordered online from Spotlight, some thick white rope, and a snap hook (which my Dad had plenty of because he is an electrician and a handy man).

First I went over to my grandparents, my Nan helped me sew the material. After that in climbed up into the roof/ceiling and helped my Dad attach the snap hook to a sturdy beam. It was itchy up in the roof because of all of the insulation. 

We put it all together and Ta DAA! That's how I made my hanging chair, sometimes it feels like your floating! 

But, that 'cosy corner' was not done! I made a pouffe or ottoman to go with my hanging chair. I made that using an old Quad bike tire from our Quad bike. Then I cleaned off all of the dirt. After that I made the cushion to go on top, I used an old white fluffy blanket of my Mum's brother's and because he made it dirty, leaving a block of chocolate on it in the blazing hot sun of Australia (where I am from) is probably not a good idea considering it was white blanket, "Silly Uncle!!" 

I saved the 'nice clean' part of the blanket and through away the part with melted chocolate on it. I then used some foam from an old mattress and cut a circle out of that. I cut a ply wood circle to attach the foam onto so that the cushion had a hard bottom. I wrapped the fluffy material around the foam and then attached the cushion part to the ply. 

For the wire picture hanger in the background I used am old freezer basket draw and cut the bottom out with a grinder. Then I used pegs to attach pictures of friends and family onto it.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Delicious chocolate chip cookies, soft on the inside and crispy on the out! 

Here is how to make them...

Ingredients:

- 125g butter

- 1/2 cup Soft Brown Sugar

- 1/2 cup Caster Sugar

- 1/2 tsp vanilla essence 

(I used 2 tsp instead to make the cookies have more flavor)

- 1 egg 

- 1 3/4 cups Self raising flour 

(If you don't have Self raising flour use normal flour and add 2 tsp baking powder)

- 1/2 tsp salt 

- 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line 2 trays with baking paper. Beat the butter, brown sugar, caster sugar, vanilla and egg until pale and creamy. Next sift in the flour and salt, add chocolate chips
and mix until the mixture is all combined. Create teaspoon sized balls and place them onto a baking tray, press down lightly with a folk to flatten them out. Bake for around 10-15 minutes.
After baking, leave to cool for around 5-10 minutes.

ENJOY!!!!

Here are some pictures of the Cookies I made! They were VERY tasty...