Stephanie & Stanley are collecting Snowballs for awesome fun. Winter in Southern California is rarely with snow. I have been fortunate to enjoy a couple of those rare times. We often receive a little frost and sometimes enough to look like a mist of snow. So, we go to the Mountains for Snow Play and making that Classic Snowman! And maybe even bring some home in the car! Therefore, Our decorations have to make-up for the lack of Real Snow. The Prehistoric Pals have been getting ready for their Prehistoric Quest which takes place when many celebrate Christmas. A Dinosaur Village, Santa Hats of All sizes, cardboard Ornaments and paper Snowflakes make this a Fun Winter Holiday Season.
Four of the Raptors – Blue, Alan, Jadon & Charlie – needed makeovers. The Primer is White making Winter Snow Raptors for the Holidays. After cleaning and light wire brushing the Zinsser Primer is applied. Hammered Brown for Claws and base frame. Marigold for the Eyes with Black Night Metallic Pupils. My Apple Red Metallic was almost empty and with the Holidays the Store shelves were empty too! So, Sunrise Red took care of the base coat for the tongues. Fortunately, there was enough Apple Red Metallic to apply a top coat on all the tongues. Many Bright Colors are under consideration to finish the Raptors. But for now, They are 4 Snow Raptors!
The Raptors are Ready! I made some digital snow. Unfortunately, it was too little or too much! I need a better program to get it just right. The lights are glowing. All is set, just waiting until it’s time for the Prehistoric Quest!
Making Cardboard Ornaments & Paper Snowflakes might keep the Young Ones busy with Christmas just around the corner. Recycling the cardboard tubes from the rolls of toilet paper can be fun. Press them flat, draw half your image making sure the drawing/design uses at least part of the folded edges. After cutting now you have both sides of your Star, Tree, Ornament/Snow Globe, Reindeer, Santa or Dinosaur! (See samples above). Millions of Years Ago when I was a child, I learned how to make Paper Snowflakes. Take a piece of paper fold over one corner to make a square. Cut off excess. You can use the same process to make a smaller snowflake. Make a second and third fold.
At the bottom of the triangle opposite the point of the folds cut out the center to shape the legs of the Snowflake. You can also make small cuts on the outside edges. Be careful too deep a cut can damage or cut off the leg(s). Open carefully and you have a Snowflake! Try your new skill at making a smaller one with the scrap piece and an even tinier one with the scrap from the smaller one! Don’t worry if you make a mistake. No two snowflakes are alike. So be creative with your cuts. You can add Glue & Glitter or Glitter Glue to make them Sparkle! Snowflakes today have Six Points. But these have Eight! Our Snowflakes must be Prehistoric Snowflakes! Snowflakes today must have evolved losing two of their points. Imagine That!
Needing Last Minute Gifts for the Young Adventurers in Your Family? Check out a Natural History Museum Gift Shop in person or online. “Dig it Up the Big Egg” unearth 7 Dinosaurs Ages 4+, “Sparkle Formations Crystal Dinosaurs” Ages 8+, “The Dinosaurs Night Before Christmas” by Anne Muecke, “Sleepover at the Museum” by Karen LeFrak recommended for ages 3 – 7. A great way to expose kids to what a Natural History Museum has to offer. An entertaining learning experience. It includes a list of 10 Museums across the country their specialties and website links. Plus info on Zoos & Aquariums. Many of these places have sleepover events like the adventure this book covers. Visit their websites for the Fun available near You.
Stay Tuned for TySantasaurus Rex Prehistoric Quest and More on Pamela’s Makeover, Crafts & Dinosaur Fun Facts!
Here are 3 of my favorites Museums. Remember Social Distancing & Masks to keep You & Others Safe while Everyone Enjoys Their Learning Experience. Consider a Membership with the Museum. In addition to Supporting Their Valuable Work there are Benefits to You. Special Preview Events for Members Only as well as Virtual Access Exclusive for Members. For more information and access to general public eLearning check out the links below.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County www.nhm.org under Research & Collections / Digitized Collections will allow you to browse their Collections. Check out the latest Activities on their site.
The American Natural History Museum www.amnh.org You will find eLearning for Families, Students & Educators. Explore the Museum Virtually. Check Out SciCafe: Video Talks and Meet the Icons: Stories behind the Exhibits! There are Video Series covering Behind the Scenes at the Museum with Space & Dinosaur Explainers.
Chicago’s Field Museum www.fieldmuseum.org You can talk to “Maximo the Titanosaur” online, Yes Really! Visit Sue the largest T-Rex discovered! Check Out “Brain Scoop” and the Learning Resources – many are also in Spanish.
Check Out Your Libraries eBooks. My local Library has over 900 eBooks on Dinosaurs! Here are four books for Drawing Dinosaurs that you might find at your Library. Ask your Librarian about others.
1-2-3 Draw Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals A step by step guide by Freddie Levin (2001)
Draw 50 Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals by Lee J. Ames (1977)
Draw it Dinosaurs by Patricia Walsh (2006)
I Can Draw Dinosaurs by Terry Longhurst (2003)
Stay Safe & Well.
Please Remember to Wear Masks & Social Distance as Appropriate Not everyone has been Vaccinated. And even vaccinated many Young & Old have compromised immune systems. Protect Yourself, Friends, Family & Everyone You Pass!
Thank You!
I used watercolors to make Dinosaur Designs on my N95 Masks (New Ones above). I couldn’t get a yes or no from 3M regarding any impact this might have to the effectiveness of the mask. Many Museums sell Dinosaur Themed Masks Check them Out!
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
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