The Tingle Factor Box

Roy Creates A Needlecase for Mothers Day

 

With Mothers Day coming up, Roy was eager to create something which he, and you, could give to your mother or grandmother as a gift. Of course, it had to be simple to make, but look lovely! We went through our books and patterns looking for something appropriate, but inspiration struck when we went to look in the sewing box. I have a needlecase which belonged to my Grandmother which is simple but very sweet. Roy decided this was the perfect thing to make so we set about recreating the design so that we could share it with you. 

I Don't Think It Opens At All, It's Just A Trick! - Himitsu-Bako or Japanese Puzzle Box

Imagine, you are an important person in Japanese society in the 1800's. You have an important role to play, and lots of documents which you must keep safe. In Western society, you might lock the documents in a safe, or even in the bank, but in Japan you don't have those options. Luckily, you have something almost as safe - a Himitsu Bako or personal secret box. It takes many different, precise steps to open this box, and nobody but you and the crafts person who made it know what they are. Best of all, it is very beautiful so you can enjoy looking at it while knowing it keeps your secrets safe.

Roaming Roy Salutes Our Soldiers - The Australian War Memorial's Lone Pine

Today is for many Australians and New Zealanders one of the most important days of the year. It is the day when we remember the sacrifices made by Australian and New Zealand soldiers in the First World War and the wars since. A day to commemorate the fallen and pay our respects to those who gave so much. It is a day steeped in tradition and symbolism, when Two Up is played in Pubs around Australia and when ANZAC Biscuits are eaten by the thousand. It is of course ANZAC Day and there is no more appropriate place to visit in Australia than the Lone Pine at the Australian War Memorial.

Roy Creates ANZAC Biscuits

This week, with ANZAC Day fast approaching, the choice of what to make with Roy was really pretty easy. Although there are many foods which were important during the war, none are associated more closely with ANZAC Day than ANZAC Biscuits. In fact, even though most products cannot be marketed in Australia using the word ANZAC, the biscuits are allowed, and even protected by law! Named for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, ANZAC Biscuits are not only a perennial favourite (so much so that Roy had to make a double batch so his Uncle could have some!) but they were also a nutritious addition to the diet of soldiers during World War 1.

My Grandfather fought in the Gallipoli War - 1st World War Commemorative Pins

Imagine, it is 1915 and fighting in the Great War has already dragged on for a year. You are a mother, a sister or a wife and your son, husband or brother has gone off to fight and you are very proud of him, though you also worry. So many men and boys have died. You have a pin which was given to you when he went off to fight and you wear it all the time. You want to show that you're proud of him and, should he not come back, that you're proud of his sacrifice.

Roaming Roy Sails Into Australia's Past - Captain Cook at Bulli

This week, Roy decided that he would like to show you a very special place in Australia's history, but one which not many people know about. In a little over a week, on April 29 in 1770 Captain Cook first set foot on Australian soil in Botany Bay. Now, you probably all know about Captain Cook and his landing in Australia, but you might not know about his first contacts with Aborigines or his earlier attempt to land, which all happened a week earlier - 'this week' in 1770! So this week, Roy thought he would visit Bulli where Captain Cook first attempted to land, and tell you a little more of the story.

Roy Creates Homemade Tomato Sauce

This week, Roy decided to make something which most kids love, but assume comes straight out of a packet or bottle. He had lots of things to choose from, but in the end he decided that there are lots of tomatoes around now, but the season is ending so he'd like to make something with them. Now the question was, what to do with all the tomatoes. The obvious answer was make tomato sauce. Tomato sauce is very easy to make, and homemade tastes great! It also makes a great gift and is a fantastic way to use up excess tomatoes. This might be particularly useful if you grow your own (it doesn't matter if they aren't quite ripe or look a bit funny). In the past, it was also a way of preserving tomatoes for when they weren't in season.

It's So Heavy - Victorian Childs Shoe

Imagine, you are living in the late 1800's and you are a child. You are lucky because you have just been given a 'new' pair of shoes, boots. They haven't even been worn through by the person who owned them before you! They have a real sole, and the leather doesn't have a single hole. This is really special because you've had to stuff newspaper and rags into your old shoes for ages because the sole has worn through and there are holes in them. At least you have shoes though, after all your family is poor and most of your friends have to work barefoot and the injuries which some of them have had!

Roaming Roy Discovers The Secret Life Of Cemeteries - Country Cemeteries

When Roy and I were out and about in the country not long ago, Roy found a brochure which talked about cemeteries. Now, cemeteries are interesting places and a fantastic place to find some beautiful sculpture, especially in old cemeteries but we didn't realise that country cemeteries are also very important in keeping some of our native plants alive! So this week, Roy decided that we should visit a cemetery or two and show you that they are much more alive than you might think. 

Roy Creates A 'Fish in a Bowl' Thaumatrope

You might remember that earlier this week the tingle factor item was Snoopy Animation Cel's, and that the children were really interested in animation and the animation toys which came before movie animation. The children at school wanted to see animation toys, but I don't own any originals to show them. Roy came up with the perfect solution though - he would make them! Now, most of the old animation toys will need a bit of research before Roy can make them, but there is one which is very simple to make - the thaumatrope. Roy decided this would be the perfect thing to create this week so first he learned how and now he can teach you to make one too!