Introducing . . . Amy's Hula Hoop Stories!

It was a perfect storm . . .

First, inspiration came via Susan M. Dailey's Boa Constrictor, then as I was working with a new children's staff employee, they got one of my exuberant tellings of how fun it is to do Laptimes and Storytimes --then (as my pre-teen daughter would aptly illustrate with a hip thrust, a snap, and a verbal 'Boom!')

I got it!

I could create my own

Hula Hoop Stories
to go with my favorite Action Plays

First came the idea for the Rocket Ship

I sketched out the ideas, made a supply list --based on a 67" hula hoop




Then went on a shopping trip



...and the project began, laying out, cutting, and a bit of applique

FIVE


-Trace out the pattern on the back side of the fabric, then cut

FOUR



-Cut the 'window' and start stitching on the pieces. I did a hand-stitched applique--the fabric is mighty slick and I found that doing it by hand was less stressful!

THREE



-For the clouds of steam, I stitched the perimeter, tucking the raw edges in as I went. the puffs are just manipulated folds of fabric held in place with individual stitches.

TWO
 







The flames were cut, machine sewn, then turned right-side out. Hand stitch to the rocket

 
-I hand stitched the blue background fabric up and over the silver to create a nice border, then using that seam as a guide, machine sewed the plastic window in. Tip: Cut the plastic down AFTER sewing, much easier and less hassle.

-Sew a 'back half' of the circle to the Rocket Ship 'front'
-Sew a pocket for the hula hoop -- if using a pre-made hula hoop, then sew the hoop inside the pocket as you go.
-If you make your own hoop (using sprinkler hose and a connector) you can sew the pocket, leaving a hole to thread the hose into the pocket. Connect with the hose connector and hand stitch the opening shut.

ONE -- and
BLASTOFF!
 


If You Want to Take a Trip
Start with the hula hoop ship in a bunch on the floor, keep the center open and clear of fabric.

If you want to take a trip,
Climb aboard my rocket ship!
     Step into the ring of fabric
Five Four Three Two One
     Crouch down lower and lower as you count down
Blast-off!
     Grab the hula hoop and lift up as you jump

After showing the kids, or even without doing it with yourself as the 'inside man', let a few kids take a turn being the astronaut.

Now we just need a reason to take a trip to Mars! What a blast it would be to have a gaggle of little Martian Munchkins running around for Storytime :) :)

---


I'll still add some  'rivets' (Silver Half Ball Cover Buttons), along with some stitched 'metal plate' lines, a USA and a Flag.

AND -- HERE IS THE BEST IDEA TO GO WITH IT - -

On the INSIDE of the hoop, behind the Rocket Ship, the next step is a WASHING MACHINE--it's a perfect match for the rocket's window :)



We are Clothes in the Washing Machine
- thanks Allison!

We are clothes in the washing machine
    -have a child or two step inside the hula hoop 'machine'
We wiggle and giggle until we are clean
     -wiggle and giggle away . . .
 Then our mama shakes us out to dry
    -there is a 'clothesline' inside the hoop --you unobtrusively direct the kids hold the rope when they are 'inside'
And hangs us on a clothesline high
    -LOWER the washing machine, instruct the kids to hold the rope up over their heads :)



AND -- I'm not done yet

There are TWO MORE SIDES!!!

Three Men in a Tub
and
A Witch's Cauldron

Just think of the ideas you could do with this, make the ocean look a bit like a rug, and you could pull in almost any bathtub adventure story. And the uses for a Witch's Cauldron ---are you kidding me? The ideas are simply . . . LIMITLESS!