Corn Husk Dolls

Freckles is continuing her studies in American History.
She has been studying The American Girl, Kirsten during 1854.
We decided to make corn husk dolls.
Of course I had to make one with her too!
These dolls were made by Indian& Pioneer children.

~Directions~

Pick up dried corn husks at the super market in
the Mexican food, produce section or craft store.

Soak the dried corn husks in warm water for about
10 minutes to soften them, then blot them dry.

Take four corn husks and place them on top of each other.
Tie a piece of string

about 1 inch from the flat edge of the corn husk.
Round the flat edges using the scissors.

Hold the tied end and fold the husks down over the knot.

Use a piece of string to tie a neck about 1" below the fold.
This will be the head.

Roll another husk, lengthwise, to make a long tube.

This will be the arms.

Tie the ends of the "arms," about 1/2" from the edges.
That will make the wrists and hands.
Slide the arm section up under the neck.



Tie a string tightly below the arms to hold them in place and to make a waist.
Place 5 pieces of corn husk around the dolls waist with the straight edge up.
Tie the corn husks close to the top around the doll's waist to make a skirt.

If you want a boy doll use only four pieces around the waist.
Then divide the hanging corn husks into two parts.
Tie three pieces of string down the corn husks to form legs,
one piece at the thigh, knee, and ankle.

Now, your child has a sweet dolly to play with.
Freckles played with her doll in her doll house.
They are quite happy in their new home.

Have a Happy Fall Weekend!!!

A Walk Through History Part III...Colonial Period

Welcome to the Colonial period.
This is one of my daughters personal
favorite periods in history.

The Blue Coats against the Red Coats !

Mr. President George Washington was present.
Note to self* Never sneak behind a man in a uniform
who is ready to go off to war, let alone the President himself!
Mr. President did not like my sneaking behind him.
I got the dirty look!

The war broke out...
unfortunately the Blue Coats lost that fateful first day...
Oh but in the end we won!!!
Victory!!!!

We watched the battle...
Which was very fun to see re-enacted.
It gave the kids a sense of what happened so long ago.
It brings to life , why we fight to protect our Country.
Makes me want to break out in Patriotic tune!

Of course I always enjoy the crafty side of things,
such as their dress, and making/skills of all their handmade goodes.

~Another Look Into The Past~

I thought I would share a couple pics from a
couple years back of Freckles in her Colonial Dresses.

Here she is with her favorite cup for tea...
Which she still uses this teacup for her afternoon tea!

Here is from An American girl party we attended.
Freckles is the littlest girl in this photo
The dress was a bit long at the time...
it fits her just right now.

Thank You for your visit with us through history.
I have more pictures, but will spare you.
Have A Happy Day!

History of The Colonial Horn Book ....

The hornbook was used by school children for several centuries, starting in the Mid-15th century, in Europe and America. The hornbook consisted of a wooden paddle with lessons tacked on and covered by a piece of transparent horn.

The wooden paddle was approximately 2 3/4" x 5" with an easy to hold handle. A hole was put in the handle so a leather thong could be tied to it and the child could carry it on his/her belt or around his/her neck.




The lessons consisted of different combinations of the following things: the alphabet, vowel and consonant combinations, the Lord's Prayer, a form of a cross, and a praise of the Trinity. These were hand written on a piece of parchment, then tacked to the wooden paddle.






The horn tacked on over the lessons was used to keep the lessons from being soiled by the child. The horn of oxen and sheep were used to make the laminating structure. The horn was left in cold water for several weeks, which separated the usable part from the bone. It was then heated, first in boiling water then by fire, and pressed by plates and machines to make it smooth and transparent.

Colonial Studies....

Miss Bri started her study on The Colonial era. She dressed the part too!! We had a lovely tea.

Her project today, was making a lovely straw hat which people wore in Williamsburg.

Isn't she lovely ???