MystifyingElfStuff


Mystifying Elf Stuff






DIRECTIONS FOR MYSTIFYING ELF STUFF

Leave it to an elfin to defy the laws of nature! Did you know that all things are made of molecules? What something ends up being, depends on HOW these molecules are put together, or arranged. So, if the molecules are arranged one way, you might have a tree...but if you rearrange those same molecules, you could end up with a car, or a rock! Isn't nature amazing? Normally in nature, things end up being something that is either a liquid, a solid or a gas.


Mystifying Elf Stuff actually challenges nature. Make a batch and try some of the things that the elfins asked Jilla to do. You will soon find out that sometimes this "stuff" will appear to be solid. However, at other times, it turns to liquid! Keep in mind, that it is made of totally natural ingredients...Try some of your own experiments with it. We have included some below.


THINGS YOU WILL NEED

1. One box of natural cornstarch. It doesn't matter what brand. The cheaper, the better. Cornstarch is cornstarch.
2. A large bowl, if you're going to make a large batch...medium bowl for a medium batch or a small bowl for a small batch

3. A container to keep it in after you are through experimenting...or a zip lock bag, size depending on which batch you make.


4. A very strong spoon for mixing. We used a big, thick metal one.


5. Water


6. A little drop or so of food coloring if you want it a color other than white. Add your coloring to your water BEFORE you start.





TO MAKE A SMALL BATCH


Carefully measure 6 LEVEL TABLESPOONS of cornstarch into a small container. We used a clean butter tub. Add 6 TEASPOONS of water and mix well. It will be kind of stiff, but stir quickly, scraping the sides and bottom. I found a strong metal spoon is best to use. Let it set for a few seconds. If the Elf Stuff is still crumbly, you may add one more teaspoon of water. Make sure you do it a few drops at a time. You probably won't need any more than the 6 teaspoons required. If you appear to have just a little too much water, lightly lay a paper towel over the surface to blot it quickly. You will find that the surface will liquify, and look almost to have a plastic-looking film over it. Once mixed, you will be ready to experiment and discover!


TO MAKE A MEDIUM BATCH


Make a "small batch". Make a second "small batch" and once mixed, add it to the first small batch. It should ooze together after a very short time.


TO MAKE A LARGE BATCH


Slowly empty the entire box (16 oz/1 pound/454 grams-box)of cornstarch into a large bowl. Make a valley in the center of the powder and add EXACTLY 1/4 cup PLUS one TABLESPOON of water. Mix quickly and thoroughly. Again, it will have a plastic, liquid look to the surface, once mixed properly.




After experimenting for a while, your Elf Stuff may appear to be drying a little. If this happens, (and it may not), sprinkle just a few drops of water on it, to rejuvenate it. Some elfins simply wet their hands, shake them, and continue experimenting. The moisture on their hands seems to be enough.


Once you are finished with your Elf Stuff, you can leave it right in the container or transfer it into something else. Don't cover it! There, you can let it dry overnight, or longer. It will dry hard. Do NOT store it in a sealed plastic bag or sealed bowl while drying. Remember, it's made of natural stuff, and so it could form mold or mildew! Once it's COMPLETELY dry, you can either cover it in a bowl, or store it in a zip lock bag.


If you want to use your Elf Stuff at another time, if it's in a bowl or container, simply scrape the Elf Stuff with a metal spoon until it is crumbly, or sometimes you can just break the dried stuff into chunks with your hands. Then if it is a small batch, add 3 teaspoons of water, or more, ONLY if needed, up to 6 teaspoons. Make sure to mix the stuff in-between each teaspoon. You should need no more than the original amount of water, to rejuvenate any of the batches again. Many times, you will need less. Just remember to do a little at a time!

CLEAN UP IS EASY!

Just rinse your hands and utensils under cool, running water....that's it! If you want to get rid of any of your batches, it would probably NOT be smart to dump that down the drain. Who knows what it would do once down there! Once it has hardened, just toss it in the trash! Elf Stuff is NOT poisonous and unless you really go overboard on the coloring, it won't stain.

SOME THINGS YOU CAN TRY

1. Quickly tap the top of the Elf Stuff with a finger. Is it soft or hard?

2. Look at the top of the Elf Stuff...it looks like it's liquid, or that there's a wet film over it. Take a spoon and see if you can scoop up some of the Elf Stuff from the surface. What happens?

3. Quickly try to push a finger into the middle of the Elf Stuff. What happens?

4. Lightly place your finger tip on the top of your Elf Stuff. Gently and slowly begin to push your finger. What happens?

5. Try to grab big chunk of the stuff and hold it in the middle of your hand, over the bowl. What happens?

6. Scoop up some more Elf Stuff and hold it with your fingers slightly spread, over a bowl. What happens?

7. While the Elf Stuff is dripping from your fingers or a spoon, grab a strand of it and quickly try to snap it off. (Remember, it's liquid when it's dripping from your fingers!) What happens?

8. While the Elf Stuff is dripping off of a spoon, see if you can cut it with scissors. What happens?

9. Place something with a little weight, like a rock or large marble, in the center of the Elf Stuff. Leave it there....does it float, or does it sink?

10. If the object in number 9 sinks, try to retrieve it....was it hard to get it out, or easy?

11. Grab a really large chunk of Elf Stuff. Quickly, with both hands, try to break the chunk in two. What happens?

12. Get all sort of items and try other experiments with your Elf Stuff. All things in nature are supposed to be either a liquid, a solid or a gas. Exactly what is Elf Stuff?




From The Jillandra Book ~ A Fairy Tale    by Soull Bionne





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