Dryer lint clay

I’ve always wanted to find a use for this stuff!!

Stir 3 cups of dryer lint and 1 cup of hot water in a saucepan to moisten all parts of the dryer lint.  Add 2/3 cup all-purpose flour, stirring to avoid lumps.   Add 2 drops of clove oil.  Cook over low heat and stir until moisten begins to stiffen and form peaks.  Allow to cool and press into molds or use in a manner similar to paper mache over balloons and other shapes.  If it is pressed into a mold, it will dry smooth.  If used as paper mache, it will be slightly fuzzy.

Eggshell sidewalk chalk

A great use for all of those eggshells that would otherwise just be thrown away:

Grind 6 dry eggshells in a bowl (mortar and pestal work great).  Toss any large unpowderized pieces.  Mix 1 TBSP eggshell mixture with 1 tsp flour, and 1 tsp hot water.  Add a drop of food coloring if desired.  Mix until a thick paste is formed. Roll into a chalk shape and wrap tightly in a paper towel.  Allow to dry for 72 hours before removing from paper.

Sand dough

This is a great dough for kids to make scultures with. We especially like it since we live near the beach and have an abundance of sand!

Mix 4 cups of sand, 2 cups of cornstarch, 1 1/2 TBSP cream of tartar, and 3 cups of hot water in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat and stir constantly until it begins to thicken to the point that you can no longer stir. Allow the dough to thoroughly cool before handling. Mold the clay or use a flexible mold. Clay air dries within 1 week or may be placed in the oven at 350′ for approximately 15 minutes – allow to cool fully before handling.

Make your own sidewalk chalk

I always loved writing on the sidewalks surrounding my home as a child and thought I would share the recipe I am now using for my own son’s sidewalk chalk:

Mix 2 cups of water with 2 cups of plaster of paris.  Add 2 TBSP of tempura paint in your choice of color.  Covering one end with packing tape, stand empty toilet paper tubes on end (with packing tape down) on a piece of cardboard.  Pour the mixture in slowly to fill the toilet paper tubes.  Allow the mixture to dry for 2 hours.  Remove and discard the toilet paper tubes and packing tape.