Advent Day 7: Santa's Snow Cat and popsicle stick stars

Book:Santa's Snow Cat by Sue Stainton and illustrated by Anne Mortimer
Activity: Popsicle Stick Stars

This book is so beautiful - if you have any fondness at all for cats you will love this story. Did you know Santa has a cat? She's white as snow and has jade-green eyes and loves to snuggle down deep inside Santa's red velvet pockets. One Christmas Eve, she falls from the sleigh and has an adventure in New York City until she is reunited with her Santa. The illustrations of falling snow are mesmerizing and the kitty's expressions couldn't be captured more perfectly. Anne Mortimer also illustrated A Pussycat's Christmas that will appear a little later in the advent.

I love the perspective of this picture.

Activity: Popsicle Stick Stars

Supplies:
•3-4 popsicle sticks per star
•wood glue
•white glue
•acrylic paint: silver, gold, white or your preference
•glitter: fine glitter is the best but any will do; coordinate with your paint color
•paintbrush
•magnet or small spring clothespin

Step 1: Using a single dot of wood glue in the center of a popsicle stick, repeat glue dots and stacking of 3- 4 popsicle sticks.

Step 2: After glue has set (it sets quickly) paint the star silver or your color choice.

Step 3: After paint has dried, apply white glue where you want the glitter.

Step 4: Apply the glitter and tap off.

Step 5: After glitter has dried, glue the magnet or clothespin to the back of the star. You could also tie fishing line to one point (a little hot glue should hold it) and hang for an ornament or decoration. These would make great package add-ons too.

Optional Step 6: Experiment with smaller sticks and vary your color combinations.