snaptime craft time

Craft is a stretch.  A big stretch!  If you count using scissors and dental floss as crafting, then do I have something for you!

{green} water balloons!

            

Fun!  So lest you forget, I don't come up with original ideas often.  This is one of those.  I saw this on the interwebbings a long time ago and for some reason it popped back into my head today.   After some searching for it again, it seems many have had this idea including THE {Martha}.  Figures!  Anyways its easy-peasy and I love the idea.
1.  They are reuseable!
2.  They won't result in broken balloons all over your yard that you have to pick up.  In the same vein, I don't have to be anxious about a kid ingesting a piece of balloon.  I'm sure I saw a 20/20 or 60 minutes on that before.   I digress
3.  Just like your kitchen sponges, you can throw them in the dishwasher to clean them.  Also wetting them a bit and throwing them in the microwave for a bit also sanitizes them.  {word to the wise, wet sponges get HOT in the microwave, be careful.  And don't squeeze the water out with bare hands.  I've heard...}
4.  While Miss H is way too young to participate in water balloon antics, I figure I might let her play with them in the tub.  Also, I believe a few buckets filled with water and these gems floating in them for her 1st birthday will be a great activity for older kids {read: dads} when its hotter than Hades in June.   Yes, I have her 1st birthday party all planned out, lists made, beginnings of decorations purchased, why do you ask?

Ok on to how to make these!  Stick with me, its difficult...

Grab two sponges, cut them into 4 strips each, long-ways.

[caption id="attachment_61" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Stack your sponge pieces like so. {alternate colors} Lay a piece of floss under the stack. Tie floss around the stack, pulling VERY tight to form the ball."][/caption]

 

That's it!  Extremely difficult, huh?!  Two things.  Make sure to lay your project on a white surface when taking its picture so the white floss doesn't show up in the picture. {fail}.  But, I like the floss route, especially the waxed kind because it holds tight and sticks to itself when knotted so you can tie it very easily.  After it's tied, pull and shape the pieces until they spread out the way you want them.  Ok, three things.

 

Enjoy, kids!  I know we will :)  I will be making a trip to my local dollar store for more sponges in great colors.  I might even get crazy and cut them with pinking shears.  Crazy, I know.  Its how I roll.