Hands On Crafts for Kids

by Joann Pearson
of Michael’s Arts & Craft Store
www.Michaels.com

What could be more patriotic than “Old Glory” - the nickname for the American Flag. The name was coined by Captain Stephen Driver, in 1831. As he was leaving on one of his many voyages some friends presented him with a flag of twenty four stars. As the banner opened to the ocean breeze for the first time, he exclaimed “Old Glory!” After returning home he cherished the flag. Many tried to destroy it during the Civil War, but Captain Driver protected it always.

You will need:

2oz. Each oven bake clay - red, white, blue
Sculpting tools

Instructions:

1. Knead half of the red clay until soft and smooth. Roll out to 1/4” thickness. Shape into a rectangle approximately 1-1/2” x 4” Set aside.
2. Knead a quarter of the blue clay until soft and smooth. Roll out to 1/4” thickness. Cut a rectangle from blue clay approximately 1-1/4” x 1”. Place in upper left corner of red rectangle. Gently press to seal to red clay.
3. Knead a quarter of the white clay until soft and smooth. Roll out to 1/4” thickness. Cut 3 strips of white approximately 1/8” x 2-3/4”. Place alongside blue rectangle. Cut 1 strip of white 1/8” x 4” and place under blue rectangle. Gently press to seal clay to bottom pieces.
4. Pinch off small bits of white clay. Knead until soft and smooth and roll into balls. Flatten each slightly and position on blue rectangle for stars.
5. Bake clay on an oven proof glass surface at 275°F per 1/4” thickness, with good ventilation. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. Avoid over baking. Let cool.

Polyform® Sculpey® Super Flex Modeling Compound