play silks!

March is just around the corner, and in our house, that means birthdays! Andrew is March 6, I'm March 15, Nana is March 27, Scott is March 28 and my niece, Callie, has a birthday on April 2.

Normally, I'm in full planning mode by mid-February because Andrew is so early in the month. But, this year we are simplifying things. We are having one great big Super Hero party at the end of the month. But, since planning the kids' parties is one of my most favorite ways to daydream, I've already started putting it together.

No Super Hero is complete without a cape, so today Scott and I dyed about 20 play silks for the kids at the party (we are not planning to have that many kids - some are for us to keep and others are to give away to other friends.) Our dye of choice? Why, KoolAid of course. I've actually never served my kids KoolAid before, and now I know why. It turned my white silks such bright colors of orange, red, blue, purple, green and pink that I'm scared to see what it does to the inside of my stomach.

Scott loved swishing the fabric around in the dye.




Here they are drying in the sun. Aren't they beautiful!





Play silks are some of the most versatile and fun dress up toys around. All you need is an imagination. If you think this sounds like so much fun that you can't wait to make a collection of your own, I have some advice:

*Here are the websites that I used for instructions:
make-baby-stuff

saras-toy-box

*I had a great time working with Scott, but hit my limit at silk #15. By that time, Andrew and Amanda were up from naps, Amanda was crying, Scott was bored and Andrew was getting into mischief. I have this thing about not finishing a project, so the boys were sent to the living room to play and Amanda was put in the Baby Bijorn.

*The websites suggest to wear gloves. My hands will probably be bright red for two days because I rinsed the first set without gloves.

*I tried the microwave and boiled water (or counter) versions and did not see a difference in the outcome. The counter method was much faster. I boiled water with my handy electric kettle, which made it even faster.

*This process used LOTS of water. I don't recommend this as a "summer drought" project. I also considered that the bathtub would be a great place to rinse, but needed so much hot water that I stayed in the kitchen. Thank goodness for the rag towels I had all over the counter.

*Yes, I dried my silks on the back of our car. I've been meaning to hang a clothes line outside since last summer, but still can't find just the right spot (or height). But, I love the way that the sun bleaches and cleans my cloth diapers, so maybe I'll find a spot soon. Until then, I'll continue to use our car and outdoor lawn furniture. I'm sure our neighbors love that!