Winter 2010 Issue

Editors Gretchen Jakub Fabre Shannon Hanley

Layout and Design Chichiboulie The Clever Kitty

Head of PR Michelle Vackar

Advertising Coordinator Linda Phrakhansa Treasurer Ahmelie Skistad

winter 2010

WELCOME

12 .... meet the editors

13 .... letter from the editors

WEAR - fashion trends

14....not a bedbug in sight

16....coats

20....holiday best

DWELL - home décor

22 .... the wonder of wool

24....thanksgiving ideas

26 .... beautiful bunting & darling

decor

CREATE - crafty tutorials

34 .... dreamy & magical winter

forest

40 .... 3D snowflakes

60 .... save that pretty paper

magnet clippies

64 .... pinecone birdfeeder

TASTE - cooking fun

42 .... time out for mom

44 .... new twist on a classic

46 .... mexican inspiration

GROW - child development

66 .... gratitude

70 .... dear crafty shrink

contents modern

handmade child

on the cover

reversible swing coat

and boys tie by

My Sweet Sunshine

photography by

Amy Boring

14

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26

42

Dwell

Love to decorate and design? Want to share your passion with

others? Modern Handmade Child would love to hear from

you! MHC is currently seeking Dwell Editors to head up our home

décor department. For more information, please contact us a

[email protected].

Play

Are you great at organizing kids parties? Do you

love picking out the newest toys and

playthings? Do kids love your picks? Want to

share your fun secrets with others? Modern

Handmade Child is currently seeking 1 - 2

Editors for our Play section. If you’d like to

share your passion with others, we want to

hear from you. Contact us at

[email protected].

winter 2010

MEET - interviews

28 ... anne-marie cunier - des

merveilles

54 ... veena burry - burry babies

LAUGH - the little things in life

48 ... things kids say

52 ... the night before christmas

CELEBRATE - holidays & parties

49 ... season of sharing

82 ... holidays around the world

SHARE - by moms for moms

79 ... how macauley saved my

holi

WORK

84 ... tis the season to be

prepared

CARE - growing up green

74...wrapped in green

77...creating your own (recycled)

art studio

VIEW - from a kid’s eye view

86 ... photos taken by kids

For information regarding advertising in modern

handmade child, please contact [email protected]

contents modern

handmade child

Contributors WEAR........... Marissa Fischer DWELL.......... Michelle Vackar

PLAY............. Nancy Keesling CREATE........ Angela Salmon Manni Nicole Passeier

TASTE........ Margeaux Fincher

Jen Dwyer MEET............ Shannon Hanley Laura Jacquemond CELEBRATE... Kristen Davis

CARE............ Tanja D’Lyn

SHARE.......... Kristie Piacine Linda Phrakhansa GROW...........Julie Hartman

WORK........... Liz Murphy Please send all article submissions and ideas to: [email protected]

Note that submissions are welcome but are not guaranteed inclusion in the magazine. Copyright© modern handmade child 2010. Al l r ights reserved. Reproduction or redistribution in

whole or in parts without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.

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66

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Modern Handmade Child is currently looking for

help in the following areas:

Dwell section

Play section

Proofreaders

PR - Twitter & Facebook

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please contact us at [email protected].

Please specify the position of interest in the

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Handmade Child is for you. With thousands

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Handmade Child offers you and your

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welcome meet the editors

Gretchen Jakub Fabre is an illustrator living in northern

France. A mother of 3 children and one Scottie pup, her

days are spent chasing after one small being or another.

When not looking after her small brood, she can be found in

her studio creating- usually a mess, but at times paintings,

prints, felt objects and “fabrications”. A self-taught artist,

her work focuses around the world and whimsies of children

and the young-at-heart, many inspired by her own daily

experiences. Gretchen‟s illustrations have been sold worldwide to both large companies and

individuals alike. Her work can be seen online at www.chichiboulie.com and in her portfolio

www.gretchenjakubfabre.com.

Shannon Hanley lives on the coast of southern Maine with

her husband and daughter. She works during the day as a

floral designer, and from home at night as an artisan

dabbling in many mediums, from knitting and felting to

jewelry making. Inspired by the vibrant colors and beauty

of nature, she loves creating things that are both fun and

functional. In addition to her creative work, she is the leader

of the EtsyKids Team, which she founded in 2006. You can

find out more about Shannon and view her work online at www.thecleverkitty.com and

www.thecleverkitty.etsy.com.

gretchen jakub fabre and shannon hanley

gretchen jakub fabre and shannon hanley

letter from the editors

T he past few months have been exciting

for Modern Handmade Child. Not only have

we been diligently working on reorganizing

our set up in order to prepare for future issues

and projects, but we were also finalists in the

Specialist Magazine of the Year category of

the Digital Magazine Awards. While sadly,

we did not win, we are still honored to have

made it to the finalists, and would like to

extend a huge thank you to all our readers

and supporters for helping us get this far. We

are also so very proud of all of our

contributors for enabling us to make Modern

Handmade Child magazine what it is today.

And once again our contributors have shown

their talents in putting together this issue.

As the temperatures drop and the last bits of

color fall from the trees, we are reminded that

winter will soon be here. From the beauty of

that first snowfall to all of the holidays and

celebrations, winter is surely the most

magical season of the year. It is also a time

when children will spend less time outdoors

and perhaps be on extended breaks from

school. As any parent knows, this is the

time of year when indoor activities are

necessary in order to keep children busy and

engaged.

With this in mind, we‟ve packed this issue

full of fun crafts you can do with your

children - from outdoor inspired projects to

enjoy indoors to those created indoors for

use outdoors - you‟ll surely find something

to keep the young minds and hands in your

home busy while waiting for the first warm

rays of spring.

Gretchen Jakub Fabre

Shannon Hanley

We love to hear from you!

Send your comments and letters to [email protected].

My college roommate received a pair of pyjamas every Christmas growing up, and after meeting more and more people who share warm memories of similar holiday practice, I am completely convinced that this is a tradition I want to introduce to my family. Whether pyjama giving is a long-standing custom that has been through the generations in your family, or it’s something you’re thinking of trying out this year, here are some of my favorite handmade PJs for the little ones - and a few slipper ideas too, for keeping little tootsies warm!

sleepwear: wild things wolf pyjamas by the lb gallery, organic cotton pyjamas by fredaco, strawberries and cream leggings by merino me, handknit

baby kimono set by by leto‟s baby, birdie lounger bodysuit by petite fish. slippers: organic crocheted booties by she knits, wool felt baby shoes by

lala shoes, upcycled lambswool slippers by wooly baby, corduroy baby slippers by soul baby, wool baby shoe by pink 2 blue

by marissa fischer - rae gun

My college roommate received a pair of pyjamas every Christmas growing up, and after meeting more and more people who share warm memories of similar holiday practice, I am completely convinced that this is a tradition I want to introduce to my family. Whether pyjama giving is a long-standing custom that has been through the generations in your family, or it’s something you’re thinking of trying out this year, here are some of my favorite handmade PJs for the little ones - and a few slipper ideas too, for keeping little tootsies warm!

sleepwear: wild things wolf pyjamas by the lb gallery, organic cotton pyjamas by fredaco, strawberries and cream leggings by merino me, handknit

baby kimono set by by leto‟s baby, birdie lounger bodysuit by petite fish. slippers: organic crocheted booties by she knits, wool felt baby shoes by

lala shoes, upcycled lambswool slippers by wooly baby, corduroy baby slippers by soul baby, wool baby shoe by pink 2 blue

Hounds Tooth Cape

This adorable cape is made out of wool plaid

hounds tooth and is fully lined. To top that, it

comes complete with the matching hat, separate

from the actual cape so you won‟t have to fight

with a flapping hood as you strap your little one

into her car seat in the freezing weather. Plus

how cute is that ruffle in the front, really.

wool houndstooth capelet by maryjane‟s heirlooms

Punk Rock Hoodie

In my opinion, hoodies are one of the best inventions. They

can be worn as jackets or when it gets too cold they can be

worn as an extra layer under a heavier coat.

This navy hoodie is topped with a fun tattoo fabric star

appliqué. Adorable for little boys or even for edgier little

ladies.

punk rock baby hoodie by rocker bye baby

by marissa fischer - rae gun

I have to admit I have a serious problem with coats - I love them. The moment stores start stocking

coats it takes me almost twice as long as normal to leave, having to inspect every one. And this love

doesn‟t stop at ladies‟ department because though I thoroughly enjoy buying outerwear for myself, I

love oohing and ahhing over jackets for the little ones just as much.

A great jacket can add the perfect finishing touch to any outfit. In the colder months where kids are

wearing coats every day, we end up seeing their coats almost more than most of the clothes

underneath. It just makes sense to invest in one you love.

Here are a few of the hippest handmade jackets, coats and capes for this season.

Bear Vest

Don‟t worry about having to yank shirt sleeves down with this

adorable bear vest. The contrasting pink ears and buttons add just the

right amount of fancy without being too outlandish. While I think the

chocolate brown polar fleece and hot pink is absolutely darling, the

vest is also available in light pink for those with more delicate

sensibilities, or with blue ears and buttons for the little men.

bear vest in chocolate by elise hooper designs

Peacoats

Such a great style to begin with, but mini sized peacoats, I‟m not

sure it gets much cuter than that. I am in love with the olive and

the contrasting red detailed wool. The extra long sleeves look

darling turned to reveal the red lining. The collar adds a perfect

classic touch while giving you the option to add fun hats or

scarves without having to fight with a hood.

winter peacoat in olive by lucy's place

Aviator earflap hat by reimagined treasures, cashmere newborn hat by the june bride, children‟s awesome earflap hat by knittles, pure

cashmere wrap by coast mountain crafts, stripey pom scarf by la la loop

Little Red Owl Poncho

Throw this darling red fleece poncho over whatever

mismatched outfit your daughter has picked out for herself

and no more worrying about how she looks - she‟ll always

be adorable in this little number. Better yet, have her put it

on herself. Without having to deal with armholes, even the

littler ones can manage. And the fleece will keep her

perfectly toasty on cooler days.

little red owl poncho by the trendy tot

Hand-Knit Wool Hooded Jacket

This lush coat is hand-knit out of non-allergenic new

wool and comes in a variety of colours. I love this

classic blue for this time of year. The wooden buttons

add the cutest detail to this timeless silhouette, as does

the wee belt on the back. Plus I just adore those little

pockets - perfect for carrying all those little treasures

your son or daughter may pick up along the way.

moss stitch jacket with collar by pilland

Kite Flying Coat

A cozy wool topper for the chilly afternoons, but oh so

elegant and stylish. Double-breasted (you choose the side

for boy or girl) and lined with a Tyrolean inspired print, this

coat is sure to become an heirloom as you simply won‟t

want to part with it!

Kite flying coat by little goodall

left to right: black and grey polka dot bow

tie by baby by stevie, baby‟s first christmas

dress by miji, 4 piece boys suit by kiddie

closet, fabric rosette headband by ambrey‟s

accessories, brown polka dot neck tie by

baby by stevie, red corduroy ruffle pants by

curious georgia

michelle vackar - hi mamma

from left to right: tuscany boiled wool woman‟s jacket by denovo style, felted wool slippers by grazim,

upcycled felted wool mittens by for my darling

Wool is one of the most versatile natural fibers and has been used for thousands of years. It is

one of the most complex and breathable fibers on earth. Historically, because it is so breathable,

it has been used in even the most opposite of climates: from the cold of the arctic to the heat of

the desert. It has natural antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties and it contains

lanolin which makes it naturally waterproof. It retains its warmth capacities whether wet or dry.

On top of all these wonderful properties, wool can also be felted and formed into all sorts of

shapes. It is a fiber to be loved and to show your love to all members of the family.

clockwise from

left: felted wool

rug by home

woolens, wool and

cotton schnauzer

cushion by henry

and rupert, wool

felted coasters by

fuzzy logic felt,

squirrel pin

cushion by lucy's

locket

clockwise from top left:

custom owl mobile by oh

sweet petunia, brown wool

soaker by taryn stuff,

handmade waldorf doll by

orit dotan dolls, pixie hat

by big little , wool owl

pillow by deid goods

thanksgiving place cards by the paper menagerie, oak leaf spoon by lacewood, maple leaves

organic napkin set by sage and kai, falling leaves yarn wreath by anna hailey, autumn leaf

place card holders by raw bone studio, wee needle felted pumpkins by moon dog farm

thanksgiving place cards by the paper menagerie, oak leaf spoon by lacewood, maple leaves

organic napkin set by sage and kai, falling leaves yarn wreath by anna hailey, autumn leaf

place card holders by raw bone studio, wee needle felted pumpkins by moon dog farm

this page clockwise from top left: homespun cotton ragged bunting by ragged home, be merry garland by crazy husky crafts, handcut garland

by paisley handmade, red and white bunting by kaja designs. right page clockwise from top left: gingerbread mixed media collage by

sushipot, mini mittens ornament by red raven nest, santa bird first christmas charm by gifts define, transparent ornaments by i wanna be.

mhc: Tell us a bit about yourself, what

you've done so far, about your life in general.

anne-marie: Hello, my name is Anne-

Marie. I'm 40 and I'm the founder of

www.desMerveilles.com. Let me tell you

briefly about my background. After obtaining

an advanced degree in economics,

Meet Anne-Marie, the creator behind the newly launched French shopping site for

handmade goods, desMerveilles.com. A world of wonders (merveilles in French)

for children and mothers. laura jaquemond - blue terracotta

specializing in Marketing and

Communications, I worked for 15 years in

various positions. I've held jobs at Photo

Station and La Poste (the French Post Office)

among others in internet nurture marketing.

My experience and the wealth of skills I've

acquired have prompted me to become an

entrepreneur and start my own business. This

year, I've decided to change perspectives and

go out on my own by creating

www.desMerveilles.com.

I'd like to use my know-how and creativity to

help artists market and sell their work online.

mhc: How did you become interested in

handmade objects, independent crafters, and

artists?

anne-marie: I'm a crafter at heart, making

dresses for my daughter as well as bracelets

and home deco items, but more broadly a

creative person in my career, having been

head of communications for years. I love

strolling through craft markets or searching

the web for wonderful new things. I noticed

that crafters and artists lack the means and

the time to promote their work and

consequently have a hard time being seen.

They find it difficult to get their work out

there and sell it. Some put their items for sale

on online craft venues, but they soon find that

they are lost in the crowd, unable to stand

out. And that's such a shame!

So I got the idea of creating a site to promote

all those marvelous creations, one that is

both a shop and a marketing tool for the

artists. A site that would present talented

artists and the latest trends for kids.

mhc: Why do you think online is a good

way to reach potential buyers?

anne-marie: Today, consumers are

used to buying online and the latest

statistics on online buying confirm this: as

for the French, 4 people out of 10

purchase online and the internet is the

most popular means of buying for home

shoppers, with 55% of orders. Thanks to

the internet, we can reach a national or

even an international clientele.

mhc: What is your target market?

anne-marie: www.desMerveilles.com is

for customers who are looking for unique,

original and customizable gifts for children

and moms. I think the site will interest

mothers who want unique items, different

from what's been worn by everyone else, and

also those who are looking for quality

handmade items made in France or items

produced in a limited series.

mhc: What types of products do you offer

for sale on your site?

anne-marie: We will offer a range of

unique items. All of the artists on the site will

adhere to the quality charter, which means

they commit to: making the items themselves

or having them made in a small-scale

production, creating original items, making

items in limited series or one-of-a-kind items,

using organic or natural materials, recycled

or recyclable materials in items labeled as

such, producing their items in France or

using fair trade production.

You'll be able to find organic infant

bodysuits, clothing by independent designers

for both boys and girls, paintings or prints

that can be customized with your child's

initials, unique fabric dolls, plush animals,

mobiles to decorate your child's room, unique

and cozy pillows, jewelry for kids, and so

much more!

mhc: Talk about a few of your favorite

creators that (are) will be featured on your

site and how you found them.

anne-marie: I spend a lot of time on the

web looking for creators. Many artists also

contact me. When I love an artist's work, I

contact her and ask her to join desMerveilles.

Currently, there are about 30 artists and

craftspeople on the site to offer a diverse and

unique choice of products. I can't say I have

any favorites since I've fallen in love with the

work of each and every artist represented on

the site. It would be difficult to name a few

without leaving someone out. The best thing

to do is to discover them for yourself at

www.desMerveilles.com.

mhc: Handmade is gaining ground all over

the world, for example in the USA, in

Australia, in Canada, etc. What about in

France? Is there a “handmade revolution”

going on? How are handmade objects

perceived by the general public?

anne-marie: Yes, I think there is a

handmade revolution going on in France,

people looking for more authenticity,

originality, made by the artist. Customers

also like to buy directly from the creator with

whom they can converse and create a

relationship.

We can see more and more websites that sell

handmade products, but there is a mix of

professionals and hobbyists. I think it's a

shame because these sites don't really

showcase the products to their greatest

advantage. That's why desMerveilles.com

only showcases the work of professionals.

mhc: What kind of future do you see for

independent crafters and artists, in France, in

Europe, worldwide? Will the handmade

movement be able to change the buying

habits of many people, used to buying cheap

throw-away products?

anne-marie:

Attitudes are

changing little by

little, but it takes

time. You have to

give creators the

means to promote

their work so that

clients can discover

the wonderful

creations available.

And that's how

handmade will

become more and

more often an alternative to mass produced

goods sold by big box stores.

That's why I've opened desMerveilles.com, to

help creators reach a wide audience and sell

their work, to showcase their creations, made

with love and passion.

mhc: Do you buy handmade articles

yourself? If so, what type of things do you

purchase?

anne-marie: When I go to a craft fair, I

easily buy on impulse, there are so many

lovely items available. My latest purchase is

a little fabric doll, retro style, that hangs on

the doorknob of my

office.

mhc: Do you

create yourself, if

so what techniques

do you use?

anne-marie: Yes,

I learned to sew as

a little girl with my

mother. I made

dresses for my

dolls. Today I

create clothes for

my 7-year-old daughter: tunics, dresses,

hairbands, Liberty fabric bracelets for her

and her friends...she loves it! Often, she'll

pick out a fabric and say “Mom, will you

make me a dress from this?” The clothes I

make are inspired by Japanese patterns. I

adore their simple lines. I also do digital

scrapbooking on my computer.

Designed with an early years professor, The

Land of Me turns your PC or Mac into a new

kind of learning adventure – full of creative

activities, lovable characters and enchanting

landscapes.

Follow three friends - Eric the Raccoon,

Buddy Boo the bear and Willow the Owl - as

they journey through The Land of Me.

There are six chapters to explore, each

covering a different creative theme. Children

create monsters, environments, music, dances,

stories and much more.

Inspired by the magic of classic children‟s

picture books, The Land of Me has been created

by a team of animators and visual effects artists

who have worked on films such as The

Chronicles of Narnia and Batman.

It‟s the first time that this level of visual quality

has been combined with activities designed

around early years research.

Every activity is founded on the most effective

techniques for developing language and

creativity in young children, thanks to a

collaboration with Professor John Siraj–

Blatchford from Swansea University‟s Centre

for Child Research.

A magical new approach to early learning at the computer

mhc advertisement

The first chapter of The Land of Me is free! As a special offer to our readers, Made In Me

would like to offer 50% off the purchase of any chapter of The Land of Me. To take advantage

of this promotion, simply use the discount code handmadechild at checkout at

thelandofme.com

Remember - the first chapter is free! To collect it as well as discover the others, simply head

over to thelandofme.com.

Each chapter helps children think ahead and

explore their imagination and creativity. At

the same time, a window gives parents ideas

and questions to spark early conversations

with their children. These questions

encourage children to communicate about

what they‟re seeing, hearing, thinking and

feeling.

James Huggins, Managing Director of Made

in Me, explains the inspiration behind The

Land of Me: “When we had children I

struggled to find things for us to do together

at the computer that I felt were both

beautifully engaging and educationally

credible. Far from replacing important

activities like playing in the garden and

reading together, what we wanted to do was

create a computer-based experience that was

in the same way, shared and valuable.

Children are drawn to technology in much

the same way we are as adults. It‟s magical.

This creates a wonderful opportunity for

them to experiment with their imagination

and curiosity.”

Made in Me are releasing each chapter of The

Land of Me as soon as it is ready. Chapters 1

through 4 can be bought and downloaded

today from the Made in Me website

www.thelandofme.com. Each one costs just

£6.95 (approximately $11US). Chapters 5 &

6 will be released during 2010. Alternatively

you can pre-order a CD of all six chapters for

£29.95 (approximately $47US) that will ship

in December.

Volume pricing is available for larger

nurseries and primary schools on request.

T he Circle of Life‟s big slow down has begun. After a vibrant spring, a high-peak summer

and a colorful and harvest-rich fall, the cozy winter season is sneaking in. Nature is calming

down. Animals withdraw and retreat into hibernation and as our outdoor chores are done and

dusted, we turn indoors and adjust to Nature‟s slower winter rhythm. Homes are made cozier

and the calendars tell us that holidays are approaching and festive decorations are brought out.

This easy-to-make paper tree forest will create a beautiful winter scenery in your home. It looks

gorgeous on windowsills or anywhere you choose to place it: between books on a shelf or

displayed as a centerpiece on your table. In the daytime enjoy the colors and embellishments of

the individual trees and then, when the lights go down, light some votive candles among the

trees and enjoy the soft light and cozy calm of your magical winter forest. Wouldn‟t you like to

know if maybe, just maybe, there‟s an adventure or a secret treasure to be found there among

the trees?

This sweet project is easy, quick and kid friendly. Children can be involved in and assist with a

lot of stages, from drawing to cutting, from sticking to decorating.

Materials: for the trees:

cardstock in

different colors.

Structured or

patterned paper

works very well

scissors

pencil (optional:

white colored pencil

for darker cardstock)

Ruler

glue (stick)

compass or any round object (a circle

template of 20-24 cm will make for a tree of

about coffee mug height)

knitting needle or similar object, thin and long

enough to press glue tab down on the inside of

the tree

for the snow landscape:

cotton wool, cotton balls or a piece of white

fabric or a white towel

to decorate your trees:

colored cardstock or paper, colorful wrapping

paper, glossy foil (craft foil, aluminum foil)

star stickers

any glittery and sparkly embellishments

such as glitter glue, sequins, beads,

ribbon, lace, etc.

buttons

wool scraps

needle, thread or embroidery floss

cotton wool/cotton balls

craft wire & wire cutter

mini paper punch

colored pencils, felt pens, watercolors,

acrylic paint, paintbrushes

Tip: This project is a great way to use up any

craft scraps from previous projects. Let your

imagination out. Be colorful. Be playful. Be

inventive.

nicole passeier - magic rainbox dreaminx

Directions:

Creating your Trees:

1) Choose a cardstock color and use your

compass or round object to draw a semi-

circle with a diameter of ca. 20 cm (8 inches)

onto your cardstock. Cut out your semi-circle

along the line.

2) With a quick pencil line, indicate a glue tab

with an angular degree of ca. 20° from the

center point to your outer circle line.

It‟s okay to judge the degree by eye.

Experiment and vary the width of the glue tab.

Keep in mind - a wider glue tab will make a

slimmer tree, a slimmer glue tab a broader tree

base.

3) Add some glue to the glue tab and roll the

paper into a conical shape. Hold down the

cardstock close to the glue tab, glued side

facing up.

4) With the other hand, take the other edge of

the semi-circle and carefully bend it

over until the straight edges overlap and the

top flap is in alignment with the pencil line

indicating the glue tab.

5) Carefully press down the two layers from

the inside - gently yet firmly - and allow the

glue to set. Use your knitting needle (or

similar object) to press together the flaps at

the top of the tree from the inside.

Your tree cone is finished!

6) Repeat Steps 1 - 5 for as many trees as

you like. Vary the sizes, shapes and colors for

interest. The radius will give you your later

tree height. For example a circle with a

diameter of 20cm (8 inches) will create a tree

of about coffee mug height.

Ideas for Decorating Your Trees:

1) Roll tiny cotton balls and glue some

“snowflakes” onto your trees

2) Add stickers.

3) Sew seed beads onto your tree. Thread

your floss and tie a knot into one end, push

your needle through the paper from the inside

out, gather a seed bead onto your needle and

push your needle back through the paper

close to the first needle hole. Pull tight gently.

Repeat until tree is covered with beads.

Secure your thread with a knot.

4) Using your mini paper punch, punch

winter or holiday themed motifs and

glue onto tree.

5) Wrap and glue wool scrap garlands

around your trees.

Place your bed of cotton wool or fabric on

your chosen windowsill. Of course, any even

surface will work. You can decorate a

cupboard, a shelf or your table with your

winter wonderland. Add some dimension and

height to your snow blanket by pushing in

some folds.

Arrange your trees on the snowy landscape

scenery. Enjoy your Magical Winter Forest

and Happy Winter Season!

More dreamy tips & wintery ideas:

Cardstock is slightly easier to handle than the

heavier cardboard as it rolls more smoothly

into a cone.

You can work with any circle sectors you

like: a ½ circle will turn into a compact tree

with a broader base, a ¼ circle will turn into a

high, slim tree. Play around and experiment

some with the different sizes and shapes.

Choose colors according to your favorite

color scheme: go all white for an elegant feel,

white & greens for a natural effect or use

rainbow colors for fun.

Draw some illustrations onto the trees, wrap beaded wire garlands

around them or glue colorful cut-outs to them.

Since the trees are bottomless, turn your forest into an advent

calendar. Simply add numbers 1 – 24 (write or glue them) to the

trees and place some small candies, a sweet message, a picture,

puzzle pieces in wild order underneath. Make a treasure hunt out

of it.

Take some empty jam jars, fill with a bit of sand and add a tea

light. Light your candles and place the jars between your trees.

The white forest and the lit candles will look beautiful against the

dark night flowing in through the window. Caution: Safety rules.

Ensure that the candles are placed safely between and at a safe

distance to the paper trees, as well as from curious little hands.

Stack several different green trees on top of each other or make a

snow-covered green tree by stacking a white tree on top of a

green one.

Add miniature animals or small nuts to your forest. Gather some

tiny fallen twigs and add a wood stack to your scenery.

Place little paper cubes among the trees (to represent parcels)

Surprise your children with this crisp and bright winter forest.

Leave some spaces so they can add their own hand-made trees

too.

Keep some plain trees at hand and invite any guest that pays a

visit to create and add his or her unique tree to add to your forest.

© Nicole Passeier

For personal use only.

as shown. The ones shown here are about

½” (ca. 1,25 cm) apart. You could also

choose to either add more cuts – in that case a

larger square is recommended - or to bring

the cuts closer to each other. Either way, the

cuts on either side should run parallel to each

other. Make sure though to not cut all the way

– you still want the individual pieces to stay

attached to the main body of the square.

3) Open folded triangle. Bring edges of

smallest square together and tape.

4) Flip the square over and pull next smallest

square edges together, tape. Repeat steps 2 –

4 for each corner.

5) After all four corners are done your paper

should look like this. Repeat steps 1 – 4 for

your second paper square.

6) Lay one square on top of the other and

twist so that all 8 3-D spindles are showing.

Secure in the center with a staple or wire. I

used wire and kept it long so I‟d have a way

to hang it.

Now decorate!

Materials:

2 Paper Squares (I chose 8.5” x 8.5” (ca. 21 x

21cm) for this tutorial)

Scissors

Tape

Wire or staples

How To:

1) Fold paper corner to corner to make a

triangle.

2) Open folded triangle and fold outside

corner to center. Make 2 cuts along each edge

ahmelie - ahmelie

Serves: 9

Preparation: Appr. 3 hours, 30 min. active.

Ingredients:

For Cappucino Swirl:

2 tbsp granulated sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tbsp powdered cappuccino beverage mix

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp instant espresso granules

1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips, chopped

finely

For Cake:

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup milk

1 ¼ cups granulated sugar 2 eggs

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 stick plus 2 tbsp butter, melted and cooled

For Frosting:

8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature

1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted

and cooled

1 ½ cups confectioner‟s sugar

3 tbsp cocoa powder

Cappuccino Swirl Cake with Chocolate Frosting

1) Center a rack in the oven and preheat the

oven to 350°F. Coat an 8”square baking pan

with butter or nonstick oil spray. Line the

bottom with an 8” square of parchment paper.

2) Combine all cappuccino swirl ingredients

in a small bowl. Set aside.

3) For the cake: whisk flour, sugar, baking

powder, and cinnamon together in a large

bowl. Whisk milk, eggs, and vanilla together

in a medium bowl. Add wet ingredients to

dry, switch to a spoon, and stir mixture until

combined. Add melted butter and stir until

batter is uniform and glossy.

4) Pour ½ of the batter into the prepared pan.

Sprinkle Cappuccino Swirl mixture evenly

over the batter, then cover with the remaining

batter.

What‟s better than cappuccino on a cold day? Cappuccino cake! The rich mocha flavor of this cake,

created by swirling chocolate, instant espresso, and spices into a vanilla batter, contrasts wonderfully

with the sweet chocolate frosting. It‟s appealing to both parents and kids. Add a cup of coffee or milk,

respectively, for a cozy afternoon treat.

5) Bake cake for 35 to 40 min., or until a knife or

toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Place cake, in pan, on a cooling rack and allow to

cool completely before frosting.

6) Make the frosting: stir together all frosting

ingredients in a large bowl. Beat frosting with a

handheld electric mixer on low speed until

frosting is smooth, glossy, and slightly lighter in

color (about 1 min.).

7) Slide a knife around the edges of the cooled

cake and invert it onto a plate. Flip it onto another

plate so it‟s right side up. Scoop frosting onto cake

and spread evenly over top of cake with a butter

knife. Slice into squares. Serve immediately, or

refrigerate until serving (I think it tastes better

cold, after the chocolate has a chance to set up and

the spices to get thoroughly acquainted with the

cake).

Cappuccino Swirl Cake with Chocolate Frosting margeaux fincher - mux originals

What‟s better than cappuccino on a cold day? Cappuccino cake! The rich mocha flavor of this cake,

created by swirling chocolate, instant espresso, and spices into a vanilla batter, contrasts wonderfully

with the sweet chocolate frosting. It‟s appealing to both parents and kids. Add a cup of coffee or milk,

respectively, for a cozy afternoon treat.

1) Peel and thinly slice apples and place

in a large bowl.

2) Combine granulated sugar, 2

tablespoons flour, cornstarch, cinnamon,

and salt in a small bowl. Mix with

apples. Cover and place in the refrigerator

for at least four hours to allow some juice

to settle in the bottom of the bowl so pies

won‟t get too soggy.

3) Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Farenheit. To prepare streusel topping,

combine brown sugar, ½ cup flour,

oatmeal, and butter with a pastry blender

in a medium bowl.

4) Use non-stick spray or butter to coat

the inside of each jar. Roll out pie crust on

a lightly floured surface and cut into eight

4-inch squares. Use each square to line

the individual jars, pressing the crust into

Individual Apple Streusel Pies

Ingredients and Materials:

Pie crust (for a 2-crust pie) at room temperature

5 Golden Delicious apples

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup + 2 Tablespoons flour (divided)

1 Tablespoon cornstarch

¾ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

½ cup oatmeal

½ cup butter at room temperature

8 half pint wide-mouth canning jars or ramekins

Put a new twist on a well-loved classic by using canning jars to prepare individual pies for your next family gathering. Children will love to help with the pie crust and enjoy the special treat of

having their own individual dessert.

jen dwyer - puntebella

Individual Apple Streusel Pies

the corners and sides.

5) Stir apple mixture and use about 1/3

cup to fill each jar (leave juice in the

bottom of the bowl). Top each pie with

two heaping tablespoons of streusel. Use

leftover pie crust to make lattice tops.

6) Place jars in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish

to make it easier to place them in and take

them out of the oven. Bake for 45

minutes, covering with foil for the last 15

minutes if needed to prevent the crust

from getting too brown. Remove from

oven and allow to cool for 30 minutes

before serving. Caution: jars will be very

hot!

Yield: 8 individual pies

Put a new twist on a well-loved classic by using canning jars to prepare individual pies for your next family gathering. Children will love to help with the pie crust and enjoy the special treat of

having their own individual dessert.

Chicken Mexican Lasagna

Ingredients:

7-8 chicken tenders

½ teaspoon each, salt and pepper

½ yellow onion, chopped

1 teaspoon minced garlic

2 cups diced tomatoes

1 cup tomato sauce

½ cup sliced olives

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 cups shredded Cheddar or Colby jack

cheese

6 white corn tortillas

Directions:

1) Sprinkle chicken tenders with salt and

pepper and cook in a skillet over medium

heat for about five minutes on one side.

2) Turn chicken over and add onion and

garlic to the pan. Continue cooking for

about five minutes or until onion is tender

and chicken is cooked throughout.

3) Remove chicken from pan and shred into small

chunks.

4) Return chicken to pan and add tomato sauce,

diced tomatoes, olives, and chili powder. Bring to

a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

5) Place two tortillas side-by-side in the bottom of

a two quart baking dish. Top with 1/3 chicken

mixture and 1/3 of the cheese. Spread evenly and

repeat this layer two more times.

6) Bake at 350F for 25 minutes or until bubbly.

This family favorite is made lighter with the use of chicken instead of ground beef. You can

prepare the dish ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer until it‟s time to bake.

Simply defrost it in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed. Serve with Spanish rice and

sour cream. jen dwyer - puntebella

Chicken Chili with Sweet Cornbread

Ingredients:

For Chili:

1 13oz. can chunk chicken breast in water,

drained or 1 1/2 c. diced cooked chicken

2 15.8oz. cans Great Northern beans, drained

1/2 of a 16 oz. jar salsa (any kind)

1 32oz. box chicken broth

Grated Cheddar or Pepperjack cheese, for

serving

For Cornbread:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup yellow ground cornmeal

2/3 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

3 ½ teaspoons baking powder

1 egg

1 cup milk

1/3 cup vegetable oil

Directions: 1) Start by making the cornbread. Center a rack

in the oven and preheat the oven to 400

degrees F. Spray a 9” round cake pan with

nonstick oil spray.

My 10-year-old sister made up a song about this soup because she likes it so much. It‟s a cinch

to make and kids love to help out. A comforting slice of cornbread is the perfect side. If your

jars and cans of soup ingredients are different that those listed by a few ounces, don‟t worry –

the beauty of soup is that it isn‟t too precise. Add a romaine salad with diced red pepper and

your family will hug you!

2) Whisk together flours, cornmeal, sugar,

salt, and baking powder in a large bowl. Add

egg, milk, and oil and stir with a spoon until

batter is homogeneous – be careful not to

over-mix.

3) Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for

25 – 30 minutes or until golden brown and a

knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool for 5 minutes and slice into pie wedges.

4) While cornbread is baking, combine all

chili ingredients (excluding cheese) in a large

saucepan. Cover and place over low heat.

Allow to heat until cornbread is ready.

5) Serve soup with cheese and cornbread

wedges with butter and honey.

margeaux fincher - mux originals

I was doing an alphabet puzzle with a two-year

old preschool student. I was handing him the

letters, to put in the appropriate place, telling

him the color and letter, and he was

repeating them back to me. "Red F", "Yellow

B", etc...When we got to the letter "U", I

said, "Red U." He replied, "Red ME?!"

- Crystal in Bristol, VA

My almost 2 year old son likes to

open the refrigerator himself (this

takes all his might). When he

finally flings it open, he says,

"Watch your head, honey!" This

cracks me up every time,

because I'm pretty sure he is

talking to himself!

- Regina

When our son was about 3, he wore a

skeleton shirt for Halloween with the

bones on the chest & arms...when I

asked him what he was dressed as, he

looked at his shirt and said, "A doggie

treat?"

- Jaimee in Glenside, PA

Lyssie: "look mom! there's a pack of

birds!" Robbie: "a group of birds is

called a flock" Lyssie: "oh, okay.

look mom! there's a pack of flocks!"

- Kayce in Everett, Washington

My 5 year old, Ellen talking

about how she decides to like a

boy: "I line them up at school

and do eeny, meany, miny, mo!"

- Debbie in Houston, Texas

At church today little Gretta came up to my

husband who intentionally shaves his head

then patted him gently on that shining dome

and sympathized," Aww...your hair hasn't

started growing in yet."

- Penney in Mankato, MN

T here is something special about the winter

season. It's a season like none other, made for

celebrating and warming hearts, despite the

dropping temperatures all around. And while

the celebrations are

plenty, they differ from

region to region,

steeped in the greatest

traditions and sentiment

from continent to

continent. From

Thanksgiving to

Christmas, the Winter

Solstice to Kwanzaa, as

well as Hanukkah and

the New Year, it is

indeed a time to

celebrate.

If in Canada at the start

of the month of

December, be sure to set your clock for 6:55

the very first Thursday as the annual

countrywide lighting for the holidays

commences throughout the parks and public

spaces. Imagine organizing a neighborhood-

wide lighting ceremony and get-together near

I was doing an alphabet puzzle with a two-year

old preschool student. I was handing him the

letters, to put in the appropriate place, telling

him the color and letter, and he was

repeating them back to me. "Red F", "Yellow

B", etc...When we got to the letter "U", I

said, "Red U." He replied, "Red ME?!"

- Crystal in Bristol, VA

your own home! What a wonderful way to

connect, usher in the joy of the coming

season, and share traditions that the winter

festivities are cherished for.

Many online party

planning and invitation

services make the task a

snap. From online

invites to signup sheets

for a shared meal, party

planning in your own

area has never been

easier. There are many

popular sites that offer a

variety of styles to

choose from for online

planning.

Nothing provides a

better way to meet and

greet new neighbors (or introduce yourself if

that's you!) than a planned get together to

begin the season's festivities. Sharing favorite

holiday memories between neighbors and

friends is a great way to break the ice and get

to know each other, and can also provide a

pear ornaments by middleburg folk art studio

by kristen davis - mary had a little party

wonderful lesson in the histories and traditions

other than our own. Such a gathering need not

be expensive – consider asking guests to share a

special family recipe or holiday dish.

Elsewhere across the globe, other celebrations

are taking place. In parts of Belgium, the

Netherlands, Germany and Austria, celebrations

start a bit earlier with Saint Martin‟s Day on the

11th of November and the Saint Nicholas on the

5th of December. They also end a bit later, often

on the 6th of January with the Feast of the

Epiphany.

Saint Martin‟s Day and Saint Nicholas in

particular are especially for children. Show the

spirit of the season to your children with daily

celebration. From giving gifts to those less

fortunate, to special visits to neighborhood

nursing centers and shelters, the need is always

great and the cause for celebration plenty when

giving hearts abound.

Consider adding a festive touch to a common

area that might otherwise go bare, such as an

association bulletin space or even the room of an

elder in nursing care. With a few simple craft

supplies at hand (scissors, colored paper, pencils

and glue), the most memorable ornaments and

decorations can be crafted, those made with two

hands and an imagination, inspired by the

celebration at hand.

topiary tree by o christmas tree

You'll always find that some of the best

stories and memories of a season rich with

tradition are not based on an expense or gift

bought, rather often something created by

hand, a gesture of love in the season of

sharing. From handmade cards and

ornaments to baked goods and crafts,

popcorn and cranberry chains, salt dough

ornaments, and gingerbread men, the

opportunities are endless for adding that

handmade touch and sharing in creating

with the little ones in your life.

The internet is an invaluable tool for crafts

well suited for the occasion at hand. Most

important of all is the time spent together –

nothing builds holiday memories better than

time shared. Whether it be reaching out in

your community or beginning family

traditions and celebrations of your own,

children will forever cherish the time

allowed to create with their own hands, and

will contribute to making this the best

season of celebration yet! peace on earth print by jeanne winters

Popcorn garlands are a great, simple craft for elderly or the disabled, as well as kids with

supervision, and are ideal for decorating large trees. Using a needle, thread fishing line

through each piece of popcorn. Continue until you have a garland long enough to decorate a

tree or room then tie a knot to secure. Use colored pop corn for a festive look by adding food

coloring to the oil prior to popping, giving a very faint color finish, or by adding powdered

food coloring (found at cake supply stores) to popped corn for a more intense color.

holly medell - winklepots

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house

Every creature was stirring, except for my spouse

Who'd fallen asleep by the warm cozy fire

Leaving me with the kids who never seemed to tire.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

With repeats of "Don't touch that, just leave them there"

The kids run this way and that, trying to flee

And nearly knock over the festooned Christmas tree.

Exhausted from chasing, I flop down in a chair

And remind the children that Santa soon will be there;

That they shouldn't be up, he might be sad or perhaps

miffed

And that coal was a perfectly acceptable gift.

They stop in their tracks, eyes open wide

Then hightail it upstairs, trying not to collide

They leap into bed with their covers pulled tight

And I give them a hug and a quick kiss goodnight.

Finally the children are nestled all snug in their beds

While visions of Barbie dolls dance in their heads

With me in my lounge pants and hubby with his tea

We revel in this quiet holiday moment, kid free. “silent night” print by Renie Britenbucher

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter

We draw straws to see who will check on the matter

I giggle softly, hubby drew the short stick,

And jest he'd better check to see if it's St. Nick.

As he bundles up, dons his boots and his jacket

I gather up gifts while he checks on the racket

I place each one beneath the big Christmas tree

And notice a gift I didn't put there, just for me.

The wrapping is perfect and topped with a bow

Suddenly hubby bursts in, all covered with snow

He's speechless as he shakes the ice from his boots

We reach for each other when we hear sounds on the roof.

"What was that?" I ask, almost afraid to hear,

"Don't tell me you saw a sleigh and eight reindeer?"

He's not sure what he saw but knew it would be tragic

If this one Christmas night we didn't believe in the magic.

No longer afraid, we snuggle close to overhear

And each of us a feel a bit more Christmas cheer

The sounds overhead become softer and more faint

Perhaps tonight we were visited by a certain saint.

Now giddy as children, I feel obliged to recite

"A Happy Christmas to all and to all a good-night!"

holly medell - winklepots

“silent night” print by Renie Britenbucher

interview by shannon hanley - the clever kitty

mhc: Tell us a little about yourself.

veena: My name is Veena Burry, and I'm

a native New Yorker. Except for five years in

graduate school, I've always lived in NYC. I

have three grown children who were raised

here.

mhc: Aside from creating things, what do

you love to do?

veena: I love to read, travel, garden, go

to classical music concerts, operas and the

theater, take long walks in NYC (always

stimulating) and go to museums.

Unfortunately, being an active seller on the

internet cuts into these activities somewhat.

mhc: How did you get started making

things? What is the first thing you remember

creating?

veena: My mother taught me to knit and

crochet when I was four years old. The first

thing I remember knitting was a series of

squares in different stitches that were

supposed to become a doll's blanket, but

never did. However, it taught me the

importance of swatching! The first things I

remember crocheting were doll outfits

for 8 inch costume dolls based on

stories I'd read. My favorite was a Little

Bo Peep costume complete with

pantaloons crocheted in fine cotton

thread. I designed all of these myself

with no patterns. I still make all my own

patterns.

mhc: When did you decide to start

selling your work?

veena: The first things I ever sold that

I made were matching wool skirts for a

college friend and her sister. They kept

asking for changes so by the time they got

them they had gained weight. This was

not the most auspicious beginning! I soon

began selling my hand-woven clothing

and accessories, as well as my knitwear

and crochet, and the rest is history!

mhc: What is the name of your shop?

veena: My baby shop is BurryBabies.

Before there was an Etsy, I had my own

website, BurryBabies.com. I still have it. The

derivation of the name is clear -- if you're

lucky enough to have Burry as your last name

and you love to

make baby

knitwear, Burry

Babies is a no-

brainer!

When I started

the shop two of

my children

asked me to knit

them sweaters

that said "I'm a

Burry Baby" on

the front. The

back had my

URL. I did the

writing in duplicate stitch. They still have

these sweaters though I don't know how much

wear they get now!

My next website was (and is)

KnittingGuru.com, and I quickly started an

Etsy shop by that name too. It's actually a

larger shop than Burry Babies.

mhc: What‟s your favorite item to make?

veena: I love making baby sweaters, but

because of the CSPIA, I've done mostly baby

hats and other photo props lately. Booties are

also extremely

appealing to me. Of

course, my adult

knitwear is my

major focus now.

mhc: What‟s

your most popular

item?

veena: My most

popular items at

Burry Babies are

my Baby Pixie Hats

and my Newborn Baby Pixie Hats. I've made

them in so many colors, but the Red and

White Christmas Hats always sell hugely

during the holiday season. Photographers

love them too.

mhc: Where does your inspiration come

from?

veena: I'm inspired by the natural

world, colors, textures, travel, literature,

designs and paintings in museums,

architecture, and just walking around

NYC with open eyes. Of course,

originally and always, my inspiration for

Burry Babies is the babies themselves.

mhc: What is your creative process?

veena: My creative process varies.

Sometimes a skein of yarn will just

evolve into a design. Sometimes I'll think up

the shape of a garment first. Sometimes a

texture, stitch, or object will begin the

process. I make sketches, use computer

assisted design programs, and experiment a

lot. I firmly believe in making swatches

before beginning a project. I knit and

crochet quickly since they're so second

nature to me. I'm meticulous about

finishing, always block my work and

frequently pre-wash it if the yarn seems like

that will make it bloom.

mhc: What‟s the best part about earning a

living making

things?

veena: I

spent many

years as an

educator –

English teacher,

staff developer,

program

director – all in

the NYC school

system except

for a couple of

years during

graduate school.

I did well,

sometimes loved

it, sometimes

hated it, but it was really a default career. I

always wanted to spend my time and energy

knitting, crocheting, sewing, hand weaving,

etc. I'm delighted to be doing just that now.

mhc: What handmade item do you

cherish?

veena: I love all my handmade things and

have terrible

trouble getting rid

of anything I ever

made. I still have

the first sweater I

ever knitted when

I was 16 years

old. I'm happy to

say it still fits too!

mhc: What to

you is the

importance of

buying

handmade?

veena: We live

in such an

impersonal,

conformist and materialistic world.

Handmade objects are an antidote to this. I

consider my shops to be the "anti-Gap" –

places where customers can get one of a kind

pieces, or have me custom make things for

Veena is offering

10% off your entire purchase from

Burry Babies or Knitting Guru!

Please contact her with the discount code

“MHC” to receive your discount.

Offer expires January 1, 2011.

them. The things I knit and crochet are for

posterity. They will last for generations and are

made of natural fibers that are kind to our

planet as well as being comfortable to wear.

When my first son was born I knitted him an

Aran Isle cable sweater and hat, then his

brother inherited it, and then his sister. It was

ultimately given to a friend's baby and I lost

track of where it went then. That's what

handmade means to me – things that have

longevity and lasting value.

angela salmon manni - angel fish boutique

I ‟ve always had a weakness for paper. Wrapping paper, scrapbooking paper, tissue paper, even

construction paper – if it‟s cute, it‟s “mine.” What is great about paper is it is inexpensive, easy

to find, and easy to hide!

When I see a gift wrapped in festive, happy paper, my gathering instinct takes over – “save that

pretty paper!” I think to myself. What better way to recycle and repurpose, than to reuse that

wrapping paper in a craft that both kids and adults can enjoy? Not only is this Magnet Clippie

activity pretty and practical, fun and functional, but it also makes a great gift, too. So set aside

an afternoon with the kiddies, and get gluing!

Supplies:

Wooden Shapes (available in craft stores) Stars and Hearts

shown

Wooden Clothespins

½ Inch Magnet Discs

Mod Podge (or regular School Glue)

Hot Glue Gun with Glue Stick (for adults to use, only!)

Scissors

Scrap Wrapping Paper, Scrapbooking Paper, or Tissue Paper

Small Photograph or Special Drawing (optional)

Small Rhinestones (optional)

Paper Plate (for mod podge/glue puddle)

Paint Brush

Directions:

1. Begin by cutting papers into small squares,

strips or shapes. You can also cut out the

motifs in the wrapping or scrapbook paper if

you like.

2. Pour your mod podge / glue into a small

puddle on the plate. Using your paint brush,

“paint” mod podge or glue on the wood

where you‟d like to begin. Place your piece

of paper over the glued section.

3. Continue for the rest of wooden shape,

layering and piecing as desired, using the

paper and/or pictures. (It‟s all up to you – this

is an anything goes kind of craft, so your

imagination is the limit!) If your paper

overlaps the edge, you can either add a small

amount of glue to the back and fold it over, or

cut it to fit.

4. Once you are done, and it is dry, use your

paint brush to paint glue over the entire

shape. This seals and protects your work. If

you are adding rhinestones you can place

them on now – they will stick to the glue.

5. Allow to dry completely, then use the glue

gun (parents / adult only) to secure the

magnet to the clothespin. Next, secure

clothespin to the shape, so that the pinch part

is at the top. Allow to dry.

You‟re done! Add it to a wrapped present as a

gift topper, clip it to a gift bag filled with

homemade sweets, or simply attach the clip

to your refrigerator, and use it to remind the

whole family to “pick up milk,” that

“soccer‟s at 5,” and to always “Save That

Pretty Paper!”

by nancy keesling - tutu cute and moore

K ids love to learn

about nature, and a

fun way to

encourage them to

help care for wild

birds is to make a

simple bird feeder.

Bird watching and

feeding is a great

way to teach your

little ones about the

many varieties of

birds and their habits. Watching the birds

bring their friends to this fresh tasty treat is a

Materials

pinecones vegetable shortening

string oatmeal or corn meal

bird seed

have on hand:

measuring cups

a bowl and spoon for mixing

a pie tin, paper plate, or cookie sheet

reward for both the kids and the birds alike.

Explain to your child that supplementing the

food supply of our feathery friends is very

important, especially during harsh winter

conditions, to help guarantee their survival.

Also, please remember that once birds start

coming to your home to eat, they get used to

the food being there so it‟s important to keep

feeding them throughout the winter months.

An easy-to-make pinecone feeder is a simple

project that even young children can help

create. All you need is a pine cone, string,

and the food items you will use.

by nancy keesling - tutu cute and moore

Step 2

Mix ½ cup vegetable shortening (or

alternative) with ½ cup oatmeal or corn meal

in a mixing bowl until well blended. This

amount should cover one large pinecone or

two or three smaller ones.

Step 1

Tie a string around the

wider, stem end of the

pinecone. Be sure the string

is tied tightly so it doesn‟t

fall when the birds arrive.

Step 5

Suspend the feeder from a tree branch where

it can be easily seen from a window. Last,

but not least, all you need to do is watch for

your feathered friends to come and enjoy the

meal you lovingly prepared for them!

Step 4

Pour the birdseed

into a pie tin, paper

plate or cookie sheet.

Roll the pinecone in

the birdseed until

well covered.

Step 3

Thoroughly spread the mixture over the pinecone with a child

friendly knife/spreader or use the back side of a spoon. This is

rather messy, so have paper towels handy for hand clean-up.

T he holiday season is

often a time for family, faith,

and food. Loved ones near

and far send cards, travel to

visit, congregate around

spiritual rituals, and gorge

on tasty treats.

But let‟s not kid ourselves –

„tis also the season for

presents! The advertisements

on television, in store

windows, and even at school

are constant reminders to

children that gifts are an

obsession this time of year.

While giving and receiving

gifts often creates warm

fuzzies among loved ones, we

are all far too familiar with

the standard whines, complaints, and even tears

when children either receive gifts they don‟t

want (“not clothes

again!”) or fail to receive

the gift they wanted (“but

I wanted an iPod!”).

Such epithets are hardly

the holiday spirit that we

want for our precious

youth.

Alas, the Crafty Shrink is

on a mission again – to

provide tips, using crafts,

activities, and advice on

important childhood

development skills. In this

issue, we‟re focusing on

ways to nurture the good

values of thankfulness and

help kids to tolerate the

frustration and

disappointment that the gift-giving season can

sometimes create.

Child Development Skill of the Season julie hartman - petite fish

pastel princess greeting card collection from glad dog

Gratitude is more than saying thank you

The Positive Psychology movement has been

one of the leading sources of research on

happiness. What do happy people have in

common? They share the ability to feel a

sense of gratitude on a regular basis. Whether

it‟s being thankful for the hot tea that is

warming your wintery day, being grateful

that you finally found a parking spot after

circling over 10 times at the over-packed

mall, or feeling the abundance of having a

roof over your head, a sense of gratitude is a

common source of happiness.

One way to increase this skill in children is to

make it a part of their daily or weekly

routine. Some families choose to go around

the table - before, after, or instead of prayer -

and have each person list 3 things they are

thankful for that day or week. Others make it

part of the bedtime routine whereas some

parents use it as an activity in the car. Some

hints to make this skill development activity

a success:

- When it is the parent‟s turn to list the 3

things they are grateful for, keep it simple.

For example, “I am grateful for this food, the

warm bed I get to sleep in, and that my cold

is finally over.” This gratitude exercise is

about the little things.

- When it‟s the child‟s turn, it is okay in the

beginning for him to copy what you say. While

it may seem like a short-cut so they don‟t have

to think about it or because they want to get

the activity over with, the purpose is to get the

ritual started. Repetition is a form of learning.

Once you have a week or two of this new

ritual accomplished, you can then encourage

(and assist) your child in coming up with his

own specific sources of gratitude for that day.

- When your child (or even a grown-up) is

drawing a „blank‟ on what she is thankful

about, no need to fret. Consider prompting

with categories, such as “thankful about

anything having to do with your home? Your

school environment? Something your teacher

did today? Something about one of your

friends?” If she continues to freeze, you may

want to take it a step further by saying, “in the

car, you sure sounded grateful that your

science test is over” or “at your soccer

practice, you seemed thankful that you stopped

the ball for your team”. If she agrees, ask her if

she would like to use that as one of the things

she is grateful for today.

Hint: If you get resistance, you can say

something like “people who are the happiest in

the world do this all the time. It‟s a skill that

we all need to have in order to be happy. This

is something we think is important for

everyone‟s health, like brushing your teeth or

getting a good night‟s sleep.”

Manners

associated with

gift-giving

We have all been

mortified when

our child opens a

gift only to shout

“I don‟t want

this!” It is very

common too that

we immediately

jump in to the

rescue and command, “Say thank you to

Grandma” whereby our child (maybe) grunts

a thank you. In this article, I am encouraging

the psychological and physical benefits of

true, authentic gratitude, even when we don‟t

receive a gift we particularly like or want.

Here‟s a fun activity to help your children

learn and practice gratitude in the toughest of

gift-receiving scenarios:

Materials:

Left over boxes (i.e. cereal, Kleenex, toilet

paper tube, etc.)

Left over wrapping paper

Used gift bag/tissue

Random, non-breakable objects from

around the house as „pretend‟ gift

Occasional „real‟ gift that is handmade, like

a drawing or painted popsicle stick

Activity:

Use the following script with your children to

begin:

“You know how manners are important? Like

saying please and thank you, sneezing into

your arm or tissue, and if you have to pick your

nose, do so in private? Well, another important

manner is receiving gifts with gratitude. That

means that no matter what the gift is, whether

it‟s something you already own, don‟t want, or

even a dirty sock, you express thanks that

someone thought of you and took the time to

give you something from the heart. We are

going to play a game to give everyone practice

with this very important manner. Remember,

the object of the game is to truly feel thankful

that someone thought of you and took the time

to give you something from their heart. You‟ll

learn a few things to say and do to show honest

gratitude.”

Things to say:

“Thank you for thinking of me.”

“It makes me feel good that this came from

YOU.”

“Thank you! How about a hug?”

Things to do:

Smile to show you are happy they thought of

you.

Offer a hug to show you feel good by

receiving their gift.

Give the gift a hug as a way to show you feel

warm and fuzzy that they gave you a gift.

The game:

We are each going to pick something in the

house. Anything that won‟t break. It can be a

sock, a cup, a toy, a dog biscuit, anything.

Could also be a handmade gift, but nothing

fancy – maybe a painted popsicle stick or

heart written on the back of a receipt. Take the

time to wrap it. Then give it to one of us,

proudly. The one who receives the gift has to

practice the good manner of gratitude. Ready?

I‟ll go first.

The idea for parents is to role model how to

experience and express gratitude as well as to

praise and offer gentle correction to children

when they practice the nuance of gratitude.

Before guests arrive and gifts are exchanged,

rehearse the purpose of gratitude and play the

game one more time, including the „things to

say and do‟. These fun and crafty ways to

teach this important development skill will

surely help enhance the holiday spirit year

after year.

Crafty Shrink is an article written for Modern

Handmade Child Magazine. Authored by Dr. Julie

Hartman, a licensed clinical psychologist with a

specialty in children. She is also a proud crafty

mother and owner of Petite Fish.

left page: folk art print by allison strine designs. this page: origami kitty thank you card by kitty kat kards, teacher thank you charm

by jjb studio

“My daughter, Bree, only 10 years-old,

begs me on a daily basis for a cell phone. I

continue to tell her no and that she is too

young, but many of her friends have one. I

am on the cusp of giving in just to stop the

battle. Any advice is welcome. Thanks.”

Anna, California

Dear Anna: You are not alone. At one point or

another, parents are confronted with their child

begging for something that is „too old‟ for their

age, whether it be a cell phone, access to a

social networking site, like Facebook, or the

dreaded first date. It‟s a normal urge of

growing up. I like to suggest approaching each

of these situations much in the same way

through a 5 step process: validation, values

education, „proving‟ values, parameters, and

defining age and variables for when it will

be permitted (whether it is granted now, when

they want it, or later). I will go through each

step now, with your particular cell phone

example.

Validation - When children (and adults) feel

that their issue is truly heard, they often don‟t

feel the urge to „yell‟ as loud. Often parents are

so busy adjusting to their child‟s sudden

growth spurt and defending why the answer is

„no‟, the child doesn‟t feel heard.

Step 1 is to validate your child‟s wishes. For

example, “Bree – I totally get it. Of course you

want a new cell phone… your friends have one,

it‟s fun, you are growing up and wanted to be

treated as such, and you deserve more

privileges.” No buts, no parent agenda, just

pure validation.

Values Education - After sufficient validation,

most kids say “good , you got it. Now let‟s do

it.” This is the time to make a values collage.

You‟ll need age-typical magazines (hopefully

old ones on hand or you get from friends), glue

stick, markers, and a poster. Tell Bree, “this is a

big deal and we want to do it right. We are in

julie hartman - petite fish

Dear Crafty Shrink is a column where readers ask Modern Handmade Child‟s Grow Editor, Dr. Julie Hartman,

for simple advice on creative ways to teach kids various mini-lessons on life.

charge of teaching our child(ren) about certain

values to guide them in life and now is one of

those teachable moments. In order for us to

consider a cell phone, you have to participate

in values education and some talks about

responsibility. If you boycott this, it tells us you

are not mature enough to have a cell phone. So,

let‟s hang-out,

make a bowl of

popcorn, get

out the

magazines…

and make this

values collage

together. What

do you think I

mean by

values?”

Discuss your

family values,

such as honesty,

health, respect,

personal

accountability,

privacy, healthy money management, etc. Cut

out the words from the magazines and select

corresponding images. With each value,

explain how having (or waiting for) a cell

phone relates to that value. For instance, with

healthy money management, how does she

think it will get paid for? How much does she

think a cell phone plan, minutes, texting, etc

costs? (If she doesn‟t know, do the research

together.) As for the value of privacy, what is a

reasonable amount of privacy she can expect

with the cell phone and what is a reasonable

amount of time for parents to be present when

she talks to a friend, supervising topics of

discussion with peers? When talking about the

value of personal responsibility, how will she

care for the cell

phone? Where

will it be stored?

What if it gets

lost or stolen?

When she

complains about

how much you

are making her

work on this, you

can refer to the

value of „with

certain privileges

in life, comes

certain efforts to

earn and

maintain them‟,

and what everyone has to do to earn and

maintain cell phone use.

Proving Values - Before a child gets another

privilege, I suggest a trial period where she has

to „prove‟ she is living by the family values as

a guide. Essentially, go through the motions, a

trial run, as if Bree had a cell phone. For two

weeks, expect that level of maturity and

Knitted hippy case by estie diva

responsibility from her. You‟ll get more examples of this in the next section, Parameters.

Parameters - Outline what parameters must be followed in order for Bree to earn and keep a cell

phone. For instance, I suggest her other „jobs‟ must be maintained at the expected level, so chores,

homework, punctuality, and so on must be done as expected with no complaints.

clockwise from top left: olive bird cell phone charm by cupcake bomb, phone booth gadget case by cbsew, hello kitty cell

phone case by dvr down, comic book inspired gadget case by nokomomo, teaparty cellphone sleeve by house of tnt

Kids usually can not tolerate an additional

privilege if they are not able to maintain their

current privileges and jobs in a functional

manner. So, if Bree frequently talks back, does

not get off the video game when asked, can‟t

get out the door to school on time, doesn‟t do

her math homework, etc, then she is not ready

to manage the extra attention that a cell phone

privilege provides. So, now is a great time to

clarify and tighten up her current jobs.

A crafty way to do this? Make a list and

weekday chart of „jobs‟. Have her decorate it

with markers and stickers while you discuss it.

After two weeks of consistently maintaining

her current jobs well, add the „cell phone trial‟,

pretending she has a cell phone or actually

using a disposable one. If she handles all

parameters well for two weeks, she very well

may be ready to have her own.

Defining age and variables for when it will

be permitted - Most 10 year-olds have a lot to

work on before they are able to reasonably

„prove‟ they are living their family values and

are ready to manage the responsibility of a cell

phone. After you go through all of the above

steps, it is likely she will bump up against this

harsh reality.

To keep her spirits alive, select an age when

you will review this again, when you will go

through the steps again (including trials). For

instance, I suggest birthdays or New Year‟s

Day as good markers. In Bree‟s case, after she

demonstrates via the above steps that she still

has some things she needs to work on before

being able to manage the extra attention of a

cell phone privilege, say something like “I

foresee that by New Year‟s Day, you will have

improved your everyday use of our family

values and tighten up how you do your current

„jobs‟. I believe it is possible that when we run

through these steps again then, you will

demonstrate you are ready to have a cell phone.

Then write this down for everyone to sign as a

show of everyone‟s commitment to the Team

Bree „Getting A Cell Phone‟ Effort.

Note: You are not promising to give it to her

then. You are simply showing optimism that if

she works on these goals, she MAY be ready

then. If by then, she is still struggling to

manage her current expectations, then reset the

evaluation period to a summer date or her

birthday, whichever comes first.

Growing up is exciting. Lots of new urges,

wishes, and dreams. Kids deserve to have

privileges added to their life. With adequate

preparation, with a crafty twist, the trial-and-

error learning of growing up can yield the

pleasure and success everyone desires.

If you liked this article, please let the Crafty

Shrink know! Ask more questions or send in

examples of how you implemented the advice.

Email to [email protected].

T he holiday season means different things

to different people. To my family, this season

means peace, faith, love and family – all

things we promote as our holiday „mission

statement‟. As we move into the season, we

choose activities that promote these ideas

such as crafting up fun ways to gift to others.

Letting your kids create things not only

occupies them at this busy time of year, but

also inspires them to care for others and

teaches them to live green.

There are many fun ideas, projects and gifts

you can make. To best prepare and stay

organized, we have an art center in our home

where we collect items throughout the year

for recycling, repurposing and releasing at

any given time. Part of living green also

means planning and anticipating what lies

ahead: birthdays, teacher gifts, holidays -

you get the drift. For more organization, I

suggest creating a calendar of annual events

that will allow you collect purposefully,

keeping down the clutter and allowing for

more creativity. Why not create your own art

corner and decide which items to recycle,

which to repurpose and which to release?

This year we collected corks for card

placement decor, containers for gifting, cards

to make gift tags. The following are a few of

our favorite projects and activities:

Creative Entertaining: Making fun place-card holders with corks,

nature finds, scraps of fabric, colored thumb

tacks, some glue and last year‟s gifted

decorations, brings a warm and cozy feeling

to the table.

by tanja d’lyn - inspiring design studio

Holiday Enveloping: Collect magazines, holiday cards of all types,

wrapping paper and colored stock paper for

backing. Trace an envelope that you may

have on hand (we found one that fits our

holiday cards). Cut out with regular scissors

or use fun shaped curvy scissors. Fold and

glue sides together and you‟re done. Think

about ways to color block paper for a fun,

thicker look. Your envelopes will look very

personal, handmade and festive!

Note: To reinforce thin wrapping papers,

combine them with stronger colored papers,

layering together as you trace and then cut.

Tag it Green:

Throughout the year, there are all sorts of

events that are made more special by

personalized gift tags. Keep plain tags on

hand and sew your favorite scraps of fabric to

them, finishing off by stamping or hand

writing a sweet message. Or use a plain tag

as a template and cut out colorful and festive

tags from salvaged gift bags.

Gift it Green: Collect all sorts of containers to decorate and

wrap gifts that will be given. Once the gift is

opened, the container can be used for other

things - no packaging to toss.

Wrap it up:

Think of ways to wrap your gifts with things

you can make, like a pillow case or a tea towel.

Wrapped in warmth - a project:

These sweet latte

covers are a

clever gift you

can make with

your scrap

fabrics, a favorite

sweater that can

no longer be

worn, or tube

sock tops (dyed in

your choice of

colour). They

make great gifts

for tea and coffee

lovers!

Directions:

1) Lay fabrics like

sides together. Take a

paper coffee sleeve and

trace it over the fabric

adding a ¼ inch seam

allowance all around.

2) Pin fabrics together

and cut out the coffee

sleeve.

3) Starting at the top of

the round edge, sew all

the way around, leaving

a 1 inch opening to turn

your coffee sleeve.

4) Turn the coffee

sleeve right-side out

and iron flat. Slipstitch

opening closed.

5) Sew hook and loop

(Velcro)

closures to

either side of

the coffee

sleeve at

opposite ends.

Hint: have a

paper coffee cup on hand to use for sizing

6) Wrap the coffee sleeve up on a fresh latte

for a friend!

We wish you and yours a wonderful holiday

and encourage you to get wrapped in green!

Remember - Living green is all about the three

R‟s: recycle, repurpose and release (give away

to others).

Ideas of things to have on hand, save and recycle to create your own art studio, ready

and waiting for whenever the inspiration hits!

Used Wrapping Paper

Tissue Paper

Used Gift Bags

Scraps of Fabric

Nature Finds

Greeting Cards

Yarn, Thread, Ribbon

Corks, Cartons

...day, that is.

It‟s that time again. Time to start dreaming

up new homemade goodies for my kiddos to

make for family and friends. You too?

I tend to be spontaneous with my ideas which

is great for the kids. They love the surprise of

“guess what we‟re going to do today!” We

get our lists, we get the supplies and

abracadabra it‟s done! The downside? It‟s

usually t-minus not so many days before the

holidays and the projects tend to be created

with a “Hurry up! We need to have time for

that to dry before the next step and we‟ve got

to finish this tomorrow so we can have it

wrapped for the party the next day.” I feel

like sometimes I hurry them through it all.

It‟s like the Craft-Mafia.

So this year, I‟m determined to make it

different. I comb through the magazines that

come through the mail slot. Take a spin

through the book aisle at the local craft

stores… Oops there go the kids playing with

the automatic sliding door! Five minutes of

looking – still no ideas. Every year we do

something different - we do something new -

but at times it still feels like the same old

thing. How many ways can you craft with a

handprint after all?

Then enter stage right – Macaulay Culkin.

What? Huh? Seriously. Macaulay. He has

saved my holidays. Thanks be to Macaulay!!

It all started one random Saturday a few

weeks ago. It was raining and the kids were

bickering. Oh yes, the feuds and invisible

„this-side-is-mine‟ lines have begun in my

house. Ever since my little guy turned four

he‟s gained a new sense self. My seven-year-

old can no longer tell him to go get this or

that and expect him to bound off like a happy

little yellow lab. This year he‟s got

lightsabers that swing and karate chops that

hit the mark. He‟s got the power of Batman

and has his own villains to chase down.

Guess who gets to be the villains – a not so

happy wanna-be rock star. These days,

getting them to “play together” takes some

creative gusto. I‟m like the director of a

really bad movie.

by kristie piacine - kind living designs

Me: “Ok guys. E‟s the big new rock star. She‟s

on stage singing and doing her moves. There‟s

gonna be…”

E: “I have my silver sequin mini-dress and big

boots on right?”

Me: “Yes, yes. Back to the plot. So... “

K: “I‟ve got my bat-a-rang in my utility belt.”

Me: “Ok. Good. You‟re gonna need it. So, back

to the story. E‟s singing and there‟s a bad guy

trying to get her.”

E: “Noooo. I don‟t want bad guys to be getting

me. I want to sing two songs and then have

everyone cheer and need to do an encore.”

K: “But I need to save youuuuuu…”

Cue crying, whining, arguing.

Back to my savior Macaulay. I get my little

guy settled with his own thing. E wants TV.

Nothing is on but Home Alone 2. I‟m not sure

about this one. I check the info on the guide.

Rated PG. Okay. Before I know it I‟ve gotten

quite comfy on the couch watching with my

daughter, explaining all the little bits here and

there in the correct context.

There‟s the scene where little Macaulay Culkin

is hiding out in Central Park. A big scary bird

woman comes out from behind a rock and of

course, he‟s scared and runs away with his

„slap-my-face scream face‟. Later he finds that

out that like the bird woman in Mary Poppins,

she‟s really a very lovely homeless lady who

just likes to take care of the birds.

Fast forward a few scenes and he‟s in a magical

toy shop talking with the lovely gentleman

behind the counter, who we understand him to

be the owner. Mr. Culkin, of course, has no

idea.

This is where my aha! moment happens.

Culkin‟s character gives his last few dollars

towards the holiday gift collection for less-

fortunate children and families and as a thank

you gesture, the man gives Culkin turtle dove

ornaments.

Mr. E.F. Duncan, Owner of Duncan’s Toy

Chest: You see that tree there? Well to show

our appreciation for your generosity, I'm gonna

let you select an object from that tree that you

can take home with you.

Kevin McCallister: For free?

Mr. E.F. Duncan: Oh yes. May I make a

suggestion? Take the turtle doves.

Kevin: I can have two?

Mr. E.F. Duncan: Well, yes, two turtle doves.

I'll tell you what you do: you keep one, and you

give the other one to a very special person. You

see, turtle doves are a symbol of friendship and

love. And as long as each of you has your

turtle dove, you'll be friends forever.

Kevin: Wow. I never knew that. I thought

they were just part of a song.

So what does this little boy do? He takes the

ornaments and keeps one for himself. Who

gets the other? Yes, the bird lady.

Now this is not some spectacular big-news

item. The holidays are about family, love,

friendship, sharing, giving. We all know that.

We all try to live it. And we try to give it.

But do we? We give gifts, but (and this is

where the light bulb started going on) do we

give gifts that keep on giving? Could we

give a gift to a loved-one that they in turn

could turn around and give to make someone

else feel special?

Yes! I found the answer. Oh…what kind of

craft is that? Hmpf.

Have I found the exact homemade goodie

that will be the gift that keeps on giving? I‟m

still working that one out. But it is the theme

this year. Being kind, being gracious,

humble, empathetic – these are all important.

Teaching my children to not only be these

things, but to encourage their friends to do

the same - that is huge.

To download your free Paper Robin Ornament

from Chichiboulie, go to The Boulie Blog, and

look in the right hand column under “Bits and

Bobs”. You‟ll need glue, scissors, ribbon, and

metal tacks for the wings.

Africa to work in

America. Slavery

no longer exists,

but many African-

American families

celebrate

Kwanzaa in

addition to

Christmas. We

study the seven

days of Kwanzaa

and the lighting of

brightly colored

candles.

SWEDEN

After leaving

South Africa, we

bundle up in

winter clothes and

fly north to

Europe. We learn that children in Sweden look

forward to seeing a girl named Saint Lucia.

She dresses in white and wears a wreath, lit

with candles, in her curly hair. Children

receive candy and delicious golden buns from

Saint Lucia before Christmas.

linda phrakhansa - linda dearie

I n December, my kindergarten students and I

travel around the world. We prepare for the

trip by packing suitcases, getting passports,

and bringing plenty of pencils and crayons.

During departure, we fasten our invisible

seatbelts, close our eyes, and begin to fly

across the continents, searching for Santa

Claus.

If you want to embark on the trip with your

children, don't forget to visit some of our

favorite destinations below.

INDIA

We fly to India where millions of people just

finished celebrating Diwali. Diwali is an

Indian holiday sometimes nicknamed the

Festival of Lights. During Diwali, people

across India hang lanterns and light candles or

lamps with oil to celebrate goodness in the

world. The holiday stems from Hindu culture.

SOUTH AFRICA We fly to South Africa and learn about a

holiday called Kwanzaa. Although Kwanzaa

is an American holiday, we learn that centuries

ago, slaves were brought from coastal cities in

ITALY

While

visiting

Sweden, we

receive a

letter from an

old witch

named

Befana. She

invites us to

Italy and we

help her

make

presents for

boys and

girls. She is a

good witch

and travels

around Italy

on her rickety

broomstick.

In Italy, the

children usually receive their Christmas gifts

in January because Befana is very busy. She

will use the chimney just like someone else

we know!

MEXICO After leaving Italy, we fly across the Atlantic

Ocean to Mexico. We learn about a little boy

who brought a plain green plant to church

during Christmas. When he laid the plant

near the manger, beautiful red petals began to

bloom. In Mexico, the poinsettia is important

during Christmas. We help the boy by

making more poinsettias out of colored paper

and glitter.

After all this travelling, we feel homesick and

fly home to the United States where we

decorate our classroom tree with handmade

ornaments. On the last day of school before

the winter break, I place small presents under

the tree for my students. When the first bell

rings, they bustle into the room, and one of

them will notice the boxes. The boys and

girls rush toward the tree, and as an adult, I

believe in Santa Claus, too, if only for a

fleeting moment.

Author‟s Note: There are many other

countries to visit such as Israel, England, and

France.

Linda Phrakhansa is a kindergarten teacher in San Antonio, Texas.

by liz murphy - daisy creek designs

T he holidays are quickly approaching

and with so many sellers competing for

the attention of each online shopper, it is

essential to be prepared. Often times,

getting ready for this busy time of year,

with the increased traffic, questions and

sales, is as overwhelming as getting the

orders completed and on their way. Not

to mention that this is all occurring

amidst your own holiday events,

shopping excursions and even your “day

job”. How will you get it all done and

keep your sanity, you ask? Take a look

at these helpful hints and tips I gathered

from the Etsy forums, and cruise

through the holidays, sanity and all!

A big thanks to the following Etsy sellers for sharing their wisdom:

crochet gal

tesoro del sol

allies minis

kreated by karina

daily to do list by hach

Look Closely

Take an objective look at your shop or

website. Are your policies clear and well

written? Are your tags holiday related? Are

you clear about your shipping times? Make

sure that you answer any questions that a

customer might have in your description or

policies to avoid time spent sending messages

back and forth.

Feature!

Feature your holiday items at the top of your

shop or on the front page of your website.

Do you have a special section for holiday

related items so that customers can find them

more quickly? Do you have special or

seasonal items that are in limited quantity or

only for this time of year? Do you offer free

gift wrapping or free shipping? Don‟t forget

to highlight what sets you apart from other

sellers.

Plan Ahead

Avoid any wait time for your customers by

purchasing any inventory that you might need

ahead of time. Are there supplies that you

can order early and still use after the holiday

season is over? Have you contacted your

suppliers to find out what their lead time is so

you can accurately communicate that to your

customer? Any materials that you can have

on hand will speed up your production time

and ensure the end product gets to its final

destination before the holidays are over.

Think Production Chain

Break your tasks into smaller parts. Are you

a list maker? Does it give you a sense of

accomplishment when you cross off tasks on

your “To Do List”? Dividing bigger projects,

like “make 15 princess wands”, into the steps

it takes to complete it will make the job seem

more manageable and enable you to do

similar steps at the same time. Then, doing

the “wrap dowel with ribbon” at the same

time you “wrap clips with ribbon” will make

it easier to get more done in a shorter amount

of time.

Advertise

And last, but certainly not least, advertise!

Do you have a blog or newsletter? Are you

on Facebook or Twitter? Now is the time to

shout from the online rooftops about what

you have to offer and why someone should

shop from you. The competition is tough and

you are your greatest advocate. Use all your

resources to point people in your direction.

Good luck this holiday season, and happy

selling!

Path to Disney World Photo taken by Ella , age 5

Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA

“She loves to take pictures, and I usually

delete them, but some I keep because they are

so fun. This one is the sidewalk at Disney's

Music Resort. She took it as we were

walking to catch our bus to the park. I love

the wave affect.”

- Regina

When Mom isn‟t Watching

Photo taken by Sam, age 4

Southern Indiana, USA

“Sam took this photo of his sister Etta, age 6.

This is the kind of picture a mom gets when

she leaves her iPhone alone with her kids for

even a second without close adult

supervision. You should see the

accompanying video!”

- Jaime

is your child a budding photographer? send their photos to [email protected]

Oregon Swallowtail Photo taken by Holden, age 7

Milo McIver Campground, Oregon, USA

“He took this photo when out on a nature

walk with the Oregon Jr. Ranger program.

The kids needed to find and identify two

unfamiliar flora and fauna. This is an Oregon

Swallowtail. Jr. Ranger badge attained!”

- Cheryl

Capital Building

Photo taken by Carter, age 3

Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

“This is a picture of the Nebraska Capital

Building my 3 year old nephew Carter took

in Lincoln. I love how it is taken from such a

low viewpoint.”

- Stacy

is your child a budding photographer? send their photos to [email protected]

contributors & staff