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| ISSUE 90 • 5 JUNE 2010 | 
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1. Editorial
2. Simple Flying Saucer
3. Around the House Rocket
4. Squishy Aliens
5. Space Shuttle Picture
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1. Editorial
Hello and welcome to another issue of Kids Craft Weekly. It's been quite hectic here at kids craft central – but hectic in a good way.
My exciting news is that I've been appointed to a fabulous new position and as a result of this, I'll be moving with the kids to Melbourne in about four weeks. We're all very excited about making a new start in a new city but also a little fearful, naturally, about what the future will bring.
While in the process of packing I've come across my last box of Everyday Craft books. If possible I'd love to have one less box to transport interstate. Want to help me? Well, if you've been thinking about buying a hard copy of my Everyday Craft mini-book now is the time!
Everyday Craft Special Offer
Until stocks are out, I'll be offering a two for one offer on all purchases of the hard copy Everyday Craft book. After that the book will only be available as a PDF. It's a great little resource to have on hand for inspiration and quick, no-fuss craft ideas that can be made from everyday objects around the house.
I'm still hoping to put out a brand new book at some point in the future though it might take a while for things to get back on track due to the move. Until then I'll be re-publishing some of the most popular past newsletters until we're able to restore some order to our lives and get our crafting sessions back on track.
I hope that everything is running smoothly in your neck of the woods, wherever that may be.
Happy crafting and I'll see you next time!
Amber Carvan
editor@kidscraftweekly.com
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| 2. Simple flying saucer | 
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The hardest part about making this simple flying saucer was trying to explain to my kids what a flying saucer is! Aside from that, the experience was a very simple and successful one that even saw some cooperative crafting between siblings which is quite unusual around these parts.
You will need
• two paper plates, preferably deep ones
• a plastic 'frappuccino' lid
• stapler
• white glue
• aluminium foil
• colourful beads
Directions
1. Glue on the plastic lid to the bottom of one of the paper plates and allow it to dry overnight. Then staple together the two plates.
2. Decorate as desired. We used scrunched up balls of aluminium foil and lots of beads.
3. Not bad for a couple of paper plates. I think these UFOs would look great decorated with glow in the dark stickers and suspended from the ceiling!
| 3. Around-the-house rocket | 
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Three-two-one blast off! This fun rocket can be easily made from items you're likely to have on hand. Once it was finished, my four-year-old daughter declared that it was her favourite thing in the world and has taken to sleeping with it beside her bed.
You will need
• cardboard tube
• aluminium foil
• sticky tape
• cardboard
• marker
• glue
• brush
• orange or red cellophane
• knife
Directions
1. Squish together some aluminium foil to make a nose cone. If you don't get it right first time, just keep adding layers of foil until it's roughly the right size and shape to fit your cardboard tube. Then, tape it in place.
2. Place your tube on some cardboard and use a marker to roughly draw some rocket 'fins'. My geeky friends assure me that they're called 'stabilisers' but I think I'll stick with 'fins' for the time being.
3. Cut the fins out (in one piece). Then use a knife to disect your tube down the centre and slip the fins in place. Tape them to keep them secure.
4. Use glue and a brush to stick foil pieces onto the outside of the rocket. We also had some silver contact paper so we used pieces of that also.
5. Once it's finished, add some windows or stripes in a contrasting colour.
6. Finally, scrunch up some cellophane and stick it into the bottom of the rocket to make exhaust flames!
7. And ta-da! Ready to carry around with you all week and squabble with your siblings over.
| 4. Squishy aliens |
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I think it's a good time to re-cap this simple home made play dough recipe. My husband, who will readily admit that he's not very good in the kitchen, made a batch the other day and it turned out beautifully – despite not following the directions properly! Team some playdough with a collection of bibs and bobs from around the house and you will have all you need to make some fun squishy aliens.
You will need
• 1 cup of water
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar
• half a cup of salt
• food colouring
• 1 cup flour
• a saucepan
• bibs and bobs
Directions
1. Combine the water, oil, salt, cream of tartar and food colouring in a saucepan.
2. Heat on the stove until warm, then remove from the heat, add flour and stir.
3. Knead for five minutes or until dough is smooth.
4. Find yourself some bibs and bobs and see who can make the funniest alien.
| 5. Space shuttle picture |
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This three-dimensional space shuttle picture involves a number of fun and absorbing steps, making it a great ‘quiet time’ or rainy day activity.
You will need
• free printable space shuttle picture project sheet (PDF, 900KB)
• black cardboard
• coloured cardboard
• stars (stickers or glue-on)
• curling ribbon (or cellophane)
• tape
• glue
• scissors
Directions
1. Download the free printable project sheet (PDF, 900KB) and print it onto thin card.
2. Decorate the shuttle shape as you wish.
3. Cut out the shuttle and fold in the wings along the dashed lines.
4. Tape on some curling ribbon to the underside of the shuttle to make 'flames'.
5. Apply glue to the underside of the wings and paste the shuttle onto black cardboard, forming a cylinder in the process.
6. Add stars, planets and other spacecraft as you wish.
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Kids Craft Weekly, PO Box 425, Katoomba, NSW 2780, Australia.