Arnold Archives - Mousevaarks

Advaark 2020 Day 14: Shine a light!

More papercraft today, what are Dim and Matilda up to? Ah! Paper lanterns!

First of all, fold the paper in half, then make cuts in it on the folded edge, leaving a strip on the other side not cut through.

Now, unfold it. Next, it need to be rolled up. Matilda says it would help if they had something to roll it around.

Well, that is very helpful Dim! You’re just the right size too! Just need to tape the edge.

Well Dim, you look very… well, daft, to be honest. But look, if we take it off you, and find a little battery powered tealight, it sits over it very nicely!

Oh Arnold! No, it’s alright, it’s not a real flame. Look how pretty it is. And you can make these lanterns any size!

Advaark 2020 Day 11: Let’s BAKE!

Today, we’re on location in the kitchen. Ernest and Esther are going to make gingerbread biscuits! It’s a messy business, hence the aprons.

Arnold has come to monitor Health and Safety. He hasn’t got an apron, so he’s put his cagoule on.

First of all, they are sieving the flour and spices, and bicarb. Then they measure out the fat, sugar and syrup. Arnold is on hand in case of any sticky situations.

While Esther and Arnold supervise melting the fat and syrup. Ernest puts an egg in a jug. I think, Ernest, you have to take it out of the shell. That’s the way!

Once all the fat and syrup are melted, they get poured into the dry ingredients, with the egg and mixed to make a dough. The dough needs to chill, so it goes in the fridge.

While it chills, Arnold heats the oven. There, now it’s ready to roll out. This is even messier! Don’t get floury bottoms you two!

Arnold is cutting crinkly biscuits and Ernest is cutting round ones. But Esther is doing something a bit more complicated!

Now, into the oven the biscuits go, and we have to wait for 15 mins, while they start to smell nice! And here they are! Got to let them cool.

Once they are cool, you can add some icing if you like! There’s even one for Nano. But what about Esther’s biscuit?

Wow! What a colourful gingerbread vaark! That’s amazing Esther!

Advaark 2020 Day 9: Knit one, purl one.

Today Arnold and Ernest are doing some knitting! They are going to make a nice scarf – always a welcome present for someone. Arnold holds the needles, and Ernest twiddles the yarn.

When Ernest gets tired, they swap!

There! That looks very cosy, and Ernest is very pleased with it. He wants to rush off and show the others.

Oh no! Arnold spots something. Ernest, your scarf! Stop!

ERNEST!

Advaark 2020 Day 5: A leaf wreaf!

Arnold, Micro and Nano are going to make a Christmas wreath. They’re going for something a bit different this year. First we need a cardboard ring, so Arnold is drawing lines to cut round.

We saved some leaves from the Sweet Chestnut tree in autumn, and we’re going to stick them to the ring with hot glue. Nano says he’s looking forward to maybe even getting some chestnuts from the tree eventually!

So, Arnold sticks a leaf to the ring, and Micro and Nano bring the next one, and he works all the way round, overlapping the leaves.

There! All overlapped so you can’t see the stalky bits.

Leaves are all very nice, but it’s a bit plain, so they’re going to add some nuts to carry on the autumn theme. They plan where each one is going, then Arnold glues them down.

And for a final Christmassy touch, Micro is dry brushing a little gold paint onto the nuts and the edges of the leaves. Not too much, just a hint. There! That’s very stylish.