You can use any flat mirrors, whether the frame is rectangular, round, or some other shape. The two mirrors don't even have to be the same shape, but they do need to be small enough to fit into a milk carton. You may be able to find small mirrors at a craft or art supply store, or from an online store. Find two empty milk cartons, each at least one quart (one liter) in size and wide enough to fit your mirrors. Cut off and discard the triangular top of each one, then wash the inside thoroughly to get rid of smells.  A long, sturdy cardboard tube could also work. You could use a large, flat sheet of sturdy cardboard instead. Lightly score it with a craft knife to divide it into four sections, then fold it into a box and tape together. Use packing tape or another strong tape to tape the open ends of the cartons together, making one long box. To fasten the cartons together more securely, try taping the inside of the box together on one side, then taping all four outside surfaces. You can tape two tubes or two homemade cardboard cartons together in the same way, to make a longer periscope. However, the longer the periscope is, the smaller the image will be. Place one of the mirrors on one of the vertical sides of the milk carton, about 1/4 of an inch (6 mm) from the end. Trace the mirror with a pencil, then cut on the pencil marks to create a hole.  A craft knife may be the easiest tool for cutting the hole, but should only be used with adult supervision, as it is very sharp. If you are using a cardboard tube instead of a milk carton, flatten it slightly so you can trace the mirror. Use sticky putty or double-sided tape to attach the mirror you traced onto the inside wall of the carton, across from the hole you cut. Arrange the mirror so the whole surface can be seen when you look through the hole, but have it point downward toward the opposite end of the carton at a 45º angle.  To test whether it's at a 45º angle, use a ruler to measure the distance from the closest corner of the carton to where the lower edge of the mirror touches the carton's side. Then measure the distance from the same corner to the opposite end of the mirror, where it touches the carton's top. The two distances will be the same if the mirror is angled at 45º. Don't use glue yet, since you might need to make adjustments to the mirror's position. To find out where to cut, place the carton in front of you on its short end, with the first hole you cut near the top. Rotate the carton so that hole is on the opposite side. The second hole will go on the side that is now facing you, right at the bottom of this side. Trace the second mirror and cut as you did before. Do you see a clear image when you look through one of the holes? If it is blurry, or you only see the inside of the periscope, adjust the position of the mirrors. Once both of them are at 45º angles, you should be able to see through the periscope clearly. If putty or tape isn't enough to keep the mirrors steady, attach them with glue. Once they're permanently stuck in the right position, you can use your periscope to spy on people, or see over the top of a crowd. If too much light is coming through the "eye" end of your periscope, making it difficult to see the reflection, tape black construction paper over the outside edges of the hole.

Summary: Find two small mirrors the same size. Cut the tops off two clean milk cartons. Tape the two cartons together. Cut a hole on one side just big enough for a mirror. Insert a mirror facing the hole at a 45º angle. Cut a hole at the other end, facing the opposite direction. Look into one hole and adjust. Attach the mirrors permanently.


Baskets can be made with any type of pliable reed, grass, vine or branch, but willow is a popular choice because it creates such a sturdy basket when it dries. You can cut your own willow or buy dried willow shoots from a craft store.  You'll need a great big bundle of thick, medium and thin shoots for the different parts of the basket. Make sure you have plenty of long, thin shoots - the longer the better, so you don't have to add new ones as often. If you cut your own willow shoots, you'll need to dry them before you use them. Willow shoots shrink when they dry the first time. Lay them out to dry for several weeks before using. In order to use willow shoots to weave, you'll need to rehydrate them to make them pliable. Soak the shoots in water for a few days, until they will easily bend without breaking. Choose several thick shoots that will serve as the basket's base. Use a hand pruner to cut 8 pieces of willow of equal lengths. The size of your base willow pieces will determine the circumference of your basket's bottom.  For a small basket, cut each length to 30 centimeter (11.8 in). For a medium basket, cut each length to 60 centimeter (23.6 in). For a large basket, cut each length to 90 centimeter (35.4 in). Start by laying one piece in front of you on your work surface. Use a very sharp knife to make a 5 centimeter (2.0 in) vertical slit in the center of the willow piece. Do the same with three more of the base pieces, so that you have 4 pieces with slits in the middle. This is the foundation of the basket base. Line up the 4 slitted pieces so that the slits are adjacent. Thread the 4 remaining pieces through the slits so that they lie flat and are perpendicular to the slitted pieces. You now have a cross shape composed of the 4 slitted pieces threaded through with the other 4 base pieces. This is called a slath. Each limb of the slath is called a spoke.

Summary: Get a bundle of willow shoots. Rehydrate the willow shoots. Cut the base shoots. Slit the centers of 4 of the pieces. Construct the slath.


Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of milk into the mixing bowl of a stand mixer. Add ½ cup (100 g) plus 2 tablespoons of sugar, ½ cup (95 g) of room temperature shortening, and 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Turn the mixer on to medium-low speed and beat the mixture for a minute or two, so the ingredients are combined. You'll want to use a stand mixer for this dough because it is really sticky to work with. Open 1 envelope (2 1/4 teaspoons of 7 g) of instant yeast and pour it into a small prep bowl. Pour in ¼ cup (60 ml) of warm water and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Stir the mixture, so the yeast and sugar dissolve. You should notice the yeast bubble a little as it activates. Pour the yeast mixture into the mixing bowl. Measure out 3½ cups (437 g) of flour and add half of it to the mixing bowl. Turn the mixer on to medium speed and beat the dough for 3 to 5 minutes. The dough will be very thick and paste-like once it's combined. Crack 3 egg yolks into the mixing bowl and add the rest of the flour. Turn the mixer on to medium speed and beat the dough for 3 minutes. The dough will be sticky at this point. You can discard or save the egg whites for another recipe.
Summary: Combine the milk, shortening, sugar, and salt. Activate the yeast. Stir the yeast and half of the flour into the mixing bowl. Stir in the egg yolks and the rest of the flour.