Making Animal Footprint Casts

One of the things I enjoy about being married to a handy man who is a Zoo Keeper is that he comes up with some really interesting things to do.  Here is something that his dad taught him.

Cheetah Footprint

I was surprised at how easy this is to accomplish.

Firstly make sure your cast kit is ready.

• Strips of cardboard about an inch in width.
• Plaster of Paris (store in an airtight container, 
• A container to mix plaster of Paris in, 
• Water, 
• Mixing tool.
• Old toothbrush

Make strips of thin card stock

We used a Manila folder and cut a strip on the diagonal.  

The black dotted lines are where we cut the strips to join with a slide fold.

Make your cast

Choose your print to cast 

Carefully place the card stock strip around your print and slightly embed it into the soil.

Next mix your plaster of Paris. You will need a relatively runny mix.

Slowly and gently fill each separate impression first. 

If you pour too quickly you risk the print being damaged.

Continue pouring in the mix till you have reached a good depth.
A depth of  about 1/2 inch. (10 - 15 mm) is good.

Wait for 30 - 60 min for the plaster to set.

Gently lift your cast

Brush away excess sand.

An old tooth brush works the best.

Allow the cast to dry for a couple of hours.

Paul used a sharp craft knife to shave off around the print to give it a smoother finish.  This also helps to make a contrast of texture allowing a visual enhancement of your print.

You can also use a nail to engrave the date, name of animal and place of your print.  Don't forget to engrave your initials on the back.

Allow your print to dry for about a week in a safe place.

To seal your print use Mod Podge.  You will need to paint it with at least four coats. 

Try this with your dog or cat in your sand pit / garden

Blessings

Versitile Blogger Award

Thank you so much to Erin from Seven Little Australians and Linda over at Pillars of Pine for awarding me The Versatile Blogger award.





Rules for the Versatile Blogger are:

• Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them.
• Tell your readers 7 things about yourself.
• Give this award to 15 recently discovered bloggers.
• Contact those bloggers and let them in on the news. 

7 Things about me ...

1. My first born and I share a birthday.  
2. My first born arrived on a special birthday .... my 21st.
3. I was engaged at 18
4. I married my best friend when I was 19
5. I enjoy Hillsong Simply Worship CDs
6. I walked 10 km in the Sussan Women's Fun Run 2011 in 1 hour and 45 min. Anyone want to join me next year ?
7. I enjoy making beyond the page things.

Here is my list of recent blogs I have been reading

1. Heart of the Matter on line.  This is a co op blog written by and hosted by encouraging Christian women.
2. Princess Warrior Lessons. Jo is a down to earth honest encourager. She is an Australian blogger who homeschools and loves the Lord.  Her writing is inspiring.  Take a cup with you and sit in Jo's company for some encouragement.
3. Our Jewish Homeschool Blog. I have always had a desire to know more about the Jewish way of life and their traditions.  I love the practical ideas that Mommzy shares.  Great insight into the culture of our Lord.
4. I discovered Delightful Learning this morning via Pinterest. Michelle has six children and has been homeschooling for six years.  She has some great homeschool posts to inspire you.
5. Becoming a Strong Woman of God.  I enjoy Sonja insight and honesty.
6. Like a Warm cup of Coffee. Is hosted by Sarah Mae the author of 31 Days to clean.  Laura is guest posting and has written a rather thought provoking series on blogging titled: Social Media Behave. Let’s Get Started! Social Media, Behave! Day 1, Day 2 The Other Woman, Day 3 At what Cost ?? Day 4 If Everyone Else is doing it  Day 5 Get a Manifesto.
7. Women Living Well. Courtney has a gentle heart and passion for woman.  She is a great encourager and loves to call woman to the Lord to live life well for His glory.
8. Raising Mighty Arrows.  Heathers passion is seeking to encourage women in their roles as women, wives, mothers, daughters, homemakers, teachers, and minister’s wives from a Biblical perspective. She uses her blog to strengthen & inspire other women, and as a place to build relationships with other like-minded Christians
9. The Common Scents Mom is hosted by Staci.  Over here she shares her thoughts and recipes for your home using essential oils.
10. A Second Generation of Homeschooling.  This blog is encouraging and insightful.
11. A wise Woman builds her home.
12. The Three Thinking Mothers.  This is a co op blog of three Mothers who share insights from their day to day and encourage other Moms to keep growing.
13. Learning all the Time.  I found Susans blog via Three Thinking Mothers.  Susan hosts a book blog hop and shares some great resources.
14. Our Simple Country Life is hosted by Esther.  I especially enjoy her blog host Hearts for Home Thursdays where I have found some great posts from other bloggers. Esther is currently hosting a Christmas Cookie Swap.
15. Growing Home is hosted by Jacinda.  Jacinda has a passion to encourage and build up woman at home.  She hosts a Teach Me Tuesdays blog hop which has inspired and encouraged me often.  She is also currently partaking in 31 Days of Generosity.

These are a few of the ladies whom I enjoy visiting. All that is left to do now is notify the lucky winners that they have been awarded the Versatile Blogger Award and I hope that you too will be encouraged and inspired in your walks as mothers, wives and daughters of the King.

Blessings

The Christmas Alphabet

A is for Angels, appearing so bright, telling of Jesus that first Christmas night. "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host." Luke 2:13
B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old, birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold. "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel." Micah 5:2
C is for Cattle, their manger His bed, there in the stable where He laid His head. "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger." Luke 2:7
D is for David and his ancient throne promised forever to Jesus alone. "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David." Luke 1:32

E is for East, where shone the bright star which Magi on camels followed afar. "Behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" Matthew 2:1,2
F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold, brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told. "And when they had opened their treasurers, they presented unto him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh." Matthew 2:11
G is for God, who from heaven above sent down to mankind the Son of His love. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream. "The angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt... for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." Matthew 2:13
I is for Immanuel, "God with us," for Christ brought man back to the Father's house. "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14
J is for Joseph so noble and just, obeying God's word with absolute trust. "Then Joseph being raised form sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife." Matthew 1:24
K is for King. A true king He would be, coming in power and authority. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, the King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation." Zechariah 9:9
 

L is for Love that He brought down to earth that night in the stable in lowly birth. "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." I John 4:9
M is for Mary, His mother so brave, counting God faithful and mighty to save. "And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Luke 1:38
N is for Night, when the Saviour was born for nations of earth and people forlorn. "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." Luke 2:8
O is for Omega, meaning "the last;" He's eternal: present, future and past. "I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." Revelation 22:13
P is for Prophets, when living on earth foretold His redemption and blessed birth. "I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel." Numbers 24:17
 

Q is for Quickly, as shepherds who heard hastened to act on that heavenly word. "And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." Luke 2:16
R is for Rejoice. The sorrow of sin is banished forever when Jesus comes in. "And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth." Luke 1:14
S is for Saviour. To be this He came; the angel of God assigned Him His name. "She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21
T is for Tidings related to all, telling of Him who was born in a stall. "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Luke 2:10
U is for Us, to whom Jesus was given to show us the way and take us to heaven. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11
V is for Virgin, foretold by the sage, God's revelation on prophecy's page. "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matthew 1:23
W is for Wonderful, His works and His words, the King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given... and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

X is for Christ. It's X in the Greek, Anointed, Messiah, mighty, yet meek. "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power." Acts 10:38
Y is for Yes, called God's Yes in His Word; God's answer to all is Jesus the Lord. "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." II Corinthians 1:20
Z is for Zeal as it burned in Christ's heart. Lord, by thy Spirit to us zeal impart. "And his disciples remembered that it was written, the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up." John 2:1

Blessings