7.01.2011

Embroidery Solar System


We have been doing lots of embroidery work around this house ever since I bought my daughter a friendship bracelet set.

As I was looking for ideas for other things we could do with so much embroidery thread, I came across several ideas for making Easter egg decorations out of balloons, glue, and yarn.  I thought it would work with the embroidery thread and be a fun activity for the kids.  I have been wanting to have a hanging solar system for my son's room and thought this just might work.

We started by mixing glue with water (equal parts.)

Then we blew up balloons trying to make them relative to each other in size.  We have a great Planet book called  The Solar System by Rosalind Mist that helped us all along the way.
Next we cut embroidery thread, dipped it in the glue mixture, and then wrapped them around the planets.  We tried to make the planets look like the colors they were in our book.




We set the finished balloons on drinking glasses to let them dry.  I was worried that it wasn't going to work so in the end I dipped each finished balloon in glue to make sure it was fully covered.

After the balloons dried, it took about 24 hours, we popped the balloon and took it out from the center.  I also took hi-gloss decoupage finish and sprayed it on the planets to help them stay hard and round.
Earth
We looked for glow in the dark spray paint to spray on the planets, but unfortunately all the stores nearby didn't have it.  I may buy some online and finish that part later.

I used more embroidery thread to hang the planets from the ceiling with our sun in the middle.  The kids were thrilled with the result!


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Posted by Laura at 11:19 AM

33 comments:

  1. BrookeJuly 1, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    That is probably the coolest thing I have ever seen! What a fun thing to hang from your kids' room.

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  2. Heidi @ Happiness is HomemadeJuly 1, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    This is SO cute! I've been trying to come up with an idea for something to actually make with those adorable string globes instead of just making a bunch and putting them in a bowl. This would be perfect for my boys! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  3. Melissa@TheHappierHomemakerJuly 1, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    I love this idea! My oldest son is very much "into" space right now and would love this in his room. Now I just have to become brave enough to try it-looks messy! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. WhitneyJuly 1, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    That is awesome! I love it!

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  5. AnonymousJuly 1, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    What a great way to create a solar system dispay.

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  6. AnonymousJuly 1, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    I love this idea - I used to teach science and this would be a great way even with secondary age students to get them to do something active to learn about something that they find so abstract.

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  7. AmyJuly 1, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    !!!! i love this! we have a hanging solar system that me made using paper mache. i love the delicate look of these - especially for the gas planets!

    i am going to have to share this! awesome!

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  8. MamaWestWindJuly 1, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    I love it! Came out beautiful. I'm bookmarking this.

    Becca

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  9. Once a small seedJuly 1, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    Love it! I was just trying to think of a cool way to do the planets. Perfect timing.

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  10. Allison {A Glimpse Inside}July 1, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Those are very cool! Thanks for linking up to this week's Catch a Glimpse party.

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  11. RoopaJuly 2, 2011 at 12:26 AM

    That is a great idea! Putti is so much into solar system these days and is drawing the planets and coloring them. We will have to copy ur idea:)

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  12. MandiJuly 2, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    wonderful idea! I love making yarn balls what a special use for them...

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  13. LearningIdeasGradesk-8July 3, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    WOW...what a great idea....and so original...thanks for sharing

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  14. The Activity MomJuly 3, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    Wow! That is AWESOME! Love it!

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  15. Andie JayeJuly 4, 2011 at 2:32 AM

    oooohhhh lady! you're on fi-yah!! just wanted to let you know that i'm featuring this at my tip-toe thru tuesday party this week! hope you link up another inspiring project!! :) andie

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  16. Andie JayeJuly 4, 2011 at 2:32 AM

    oooohhhh lady! you're on fi-yah!! just wanted to let you know that i'm featuring this at my tip-toe thru tuesday party this week! hope you link up another inspiring project!! :) andie

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  17. bluebearwoodJuly 4, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    What a fab and simple craft project for the kids. I love it. Will definitely have to put that on the list to do xxx

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  18. AnonymousJuly 4, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    This is such a great idea! It combines art and science, and the finished product is absolutely beautiful.

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  19. UnknownJuly 5, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    This is such an awesome idea! I just found your blog and am your newest follower. I can't wait to link up a project this week.

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  20. DarcyJuly 7, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    I love this!!!

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  21. Melissa @ The Chocolate Muffin TreeJuly 7, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    These are Fabulous! Great Work!

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  22. Jamie @ hands on : as we growJuly 7, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    I love love LOVE the look of them all hanging in that room! And I LOVE the detail of the colors and how you paid so close attention to it! How old are your kids? We quickly attempted a yarn balloon once and it was a disaster so it turned into a muffin tin yarn art instead... lol -- anyway, I wanted to let you know that I did a color feature on It's Playtime this week and included this way of paying attention to the details :)

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  23. RachelJuly 8, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    I love this Laura! I love you and hope you continue to do and make awesome things with your kids! This is one specialty I am not doing much with my kids. I I wish we were trading playdates and activities again!

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  24. MommyLabsJuly 15, 2011 at 2:11 AM

    These are so amazing, Laura. Kudos to the kids for working so hard on them. :) And, such neat work :)

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  25. Jaimee @ Havenwood House of BoysAugust 7, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    This is knocking my SOCKS off!!! I've seen these yarn balloon creations as Easter eggs...what a creative twist you've done to make a solar system! LOVE IT! I have a new playroom...and bedrooms for three boys. I think we need to do this project!
    Jaimee @ craft-interrupted.blogspot.com

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  26. LessonPlans-CraftGossipOctober 28, 2011 at 10:34 PM

    Just posted about this on Craft Gossip! This is a great craft...I especially love the vivid colors of the Planet Earth!

    http://lessonplans.craftgossip.com/?p=4979

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  27. Deb (Two Cheeky Monkeys)October 30, 2011 at 12:52 AM

    What a cute idea! I think my husband may enjoy tackling this project with the kids. :)

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  28. Kevin @ DIY Dork TutorialsOctober 31, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    This project has been making its rounds around Facebook.... and rightly so. It's so cool! I would've loved to have had this in my room when I was a kid (I'd put one in there today, but I'm not sure my wife would like it ... haha)

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  29. AmandaNovember 20, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    Just stopping by to let you know that I have featured your project on Fun Family Crafts! You can see it here
    http://funfamilycrafts.com/embroidery-solar-system/

    If you have other kid friendly crafts, I'd love it if you would submit them :) If you would like to display a featured button on your site, you can grab one from the right side bar of your post above.

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  30. Ms. DiazDecember 8, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    This is fantastic! I have been trying to recreate the solar system in my classroom. I want to convert the classroom into a planetarium; I will be using this technique! I was thinking I will add glow in the dark paint as well. Do you have any ideas for constellations?

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  31. Karyn @ DFCDecember 20, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    This is awesome! My son will love it and we'll probably have to make all pink ones for my girls' room! Thanks for the great idea!

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  32. Chrissy @ The Outlaw Mom BlogJanuary 3, 2012 at 11:53 AM

    Can't wait to do this! Pinning now so I don't forget!

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  33. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2012 at 8:29 PM

    Do you think yarn would work for this? I have lots of yarn, but not lots of floss.

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