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Transcript of modern handmade child - winter '09
Gift Guide
10 ideas to reduce the stress
Fabulous selection of recipes for your holiday baking
Handmade holiday
shopping ideas
on the cover
Christmas hat & mitten set by
tip top applesauce
photography by Shelly Baisa
Editors Gretchen Jakub Fabre Shannon Hanley Tyann Marcink
Layout and Design by Chichiboulie The Clever Kitty
Advertising Coordinator Linda Phrakhansa Treasurer
Ahmelie Skistad
autumn 09
WELCOME
6 ...... meet the editors
7 ...... letter from the editors
WEAR - fashion trends
8......dressing up like the good
old days
10....wearable gifts kids will love
12....keeping warm while looking
cool
SHOP
15 .... holiday gift guide: gifts for
every budget
DWELL - home décor
26 .... deck the halls
PLAY - toys and activities
32.....an active imagination -
giving the best gift
CREATE - crafty tutorials
36 .... making applesauce
ornaments
38.....recycled wreath
39.....15 minute sassy skirt
43.....mommy & me mittens
MEET - interviews
46 .... nadezhda horn - green
thread shop
51 .... donni webber - fairyfolk
Follow modern handmade child on Twitter, and become a fan on Facebook!
contents modern
handmade child
10
26
Contributors WEAR........... Marissa Fischer DWELL.......... Michelle Nicholson
Kristi Duchon PLAY............. Kimberly Gachnang CREATE........ Nancy Keesling Nicole Pankratz
Rozzi Hamilton MEET............ Shannon Hanley CELEBRATE... Kristen Davis Kristi Duchon TASTE.......... Jenica Carlley Nicole Pankratz CARE............ Gretchen Jakub Fabre
Lisa Delzer SHARE.......... Kristie Piacine Tyann Marcink Kathleen Gordon-Ross EXPLORE....... Tyann Marcink 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 2009. All rights reserved. Reproduction or redistribution in whole or in parts without prior
written permission is strictly prohibited.
autumn 09
CELEBRATE - holidays and parties
56 ... handmade stocking stuffers
60 ... invitingly handmade
TASTE - cooking fun
66 ... cookie exchange
72 ... a duo of delicious drinks to
keep you warm
CARE - growing up green
76 ... slow food for kids
80 ... eco friendly gifts
SHARE - by moms for moms
84.....la petite artiste
87.....simplifying the holidays
92.....room party 101: tips for
classroom parties
EXPLORE - the outdoors & travel
96 ... surviving the holidays with
family
WORK - business topics for moms
101 . creating an online presence
this holiday season
VIEW - from a kid‟s eye view
104...photos taken by kids
For information regarding advertising in modern handmade child, please contact
contents modern
handmade child
56
66
welcome meet the editors
Gretchen Jakub Fabre is an illustrator living in northern
France. Her work focuses around the world and whimsies
of children and the young at heart. 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 www.gretchenjakubfabre.com.
Shannon Hanley lives on the coast of southern Maine with
her husband and daughter. She is an artisan dabbling in
many mediums, and 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.
Tyann Marcink is an artist, photographer, and writer living
west of St. Louis, Missouri. She precariously balances her
family and work while keeping clean clothes and fresh food
ready for her husband and three boys. Her quilt clips and
other nursery decor have been sent worldwide, and her
photography is carried at a local art store. Her children's
items can be seen online at www.littleelephantcompany.com
and her photography at www.marcinkdesigns.etsy.com.
gretchen jakub fabre, shannon hanley and tyann marcink
by gretchen jakub fabre, shannon hanley and tyann marcink
letter from the editors
The winter season is a time of year rich with
traditions. Whether your family celebrates
Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa, chances
are there are customs that your family has
passed down through generations. Maybe
you have fond memories of baking Christmas
cookies with your mom, attending a
community Karamu, or lighting the family
menorah. No matter what holidays you
celebrate, there‟s no better time of year to
celebrate the tradition of handmade.
For as long as people have been alive, they
have been making things by hand. With the
advanced technologies available today, it
would be easy to let the handmade tradition
go by the wayside. But instead of this sad
fate, something amazing is happening -
modern technology is enabling handcrafters
to share their work with a worldwide
audience in a way that would not have been
possible in the past.
We at modern handmade child see the value
of the creativity and skills involved in
making things by hand that have been passed
from generation to generation, from family to
family. Using today‟s technology, we are
able to introduce people to these values, and
help you to incorporate handmade living into
your life like never before.
This holiday season, instead of shopping at
the usual big box stores selling mass
produced goods, why not reconnect with the
small artisans who make handmade possible.
Together, we can keep the handmade
tradition alive.
Have you taken the handmade pledge?
T here was a time when a part of the
Holiday routine included mothers and
grandmothers painstakingly slaving over
sewing machines and needles and thread to
hand make beautiful, often coordinating
outfits, to help their children celebrate the
by marissa fischer - rae gun
wear dressing up like the good old days
festivities. Women would seek out or draft
the perfect pattern, take a trip or two to the
fabric store to pick out just the right fabrics,
and then spend hours upon hours piecing
together one-of-a-kind creations to adorn
their little ones. The result would be unique,
high quality, dresses and ties made with love.
Unfortunately, most of us these days just do
not have that kind of time.
While today‟s moms can hardly find the time
to mix up a batch of sugar cookies let alone
dedicate days and days to building their
children‟s holiday get ups from scratch, they
don‟t have to settle for the limited selection
found in the big box stores. Thankfully the
handmade revolution has made it possible for
today‟s families to enjoy the same handmade
goodness that past generations took for
granted. Not only does buying handmade for
the holidays guarantee that your little ones
will not be wearing the same thing as
everyone else, but because many sellers
happily take custom orders if you want your
kids to coordinate without being matchy
matchy, you‟re in luck.
scarlet dandy a-line dress by mette
clockwise from top left: red riding hood smock apron by izzie bebe boutique, navy blue polka dot bow tie by
me and matilda, blue silk party dress by poppy and boo, moss green mirror dot tie by ivy and mae, shirred
overdress, peasant top and ruffle capri pant set by sew so nancy
clockwise from bottom left: super hero set by world
of whimm, ice cream tutu by lexi lou designs, tiger
ears by cuckoo boo, personalized chef hats by stitch n
love, star bellies khaki pants by hullabaloo boutique
M ost people don‟t think of giving kids
wearables for the holidays with a realistic
expectation that the kiddos will really love
the gift. Don‟t get me wrong, I‟ve got no
problem with padding the space below the
tree with things the little ones need, but I
want to challenge people to think outside the
box this year. This holiday season think of
making a dress up chest that your kids will
enjoy all year long.
Whether your child has an unnatural ability
to watch the Incredibles on repeat until you
pretend like you lost the dvd just to give
yourself a break, knows every word in the
latest Fancy Nancy book and longs for the
day she can don her own boa and tutu, or
lives and breathes all things cute and furry,
the handmade community has just what you
need to make a dress up chest perfectly suited
for your little one. Here's a few tips for
making the perfect dress up chest for your
family.
by marissa fischer - rae gun
wearable gifts kids will love
This holiday season think of making a dress up
chest that your kids will enjoy all year long
clockwise from bottom left: super hero set by world
of whimm, ice cream tutu by lexi lou designs, tiger
ears by cuckoo boo, personalized chef hats by stitch n
love, star bellies khaki pants by hullabaloo boutique
Make it Personal. Think of what your child
loves: books, movies, activities, etc. Does your
daughter have a love for all things princess?
You might want to look for a princess dress or
crown to put in the chest. Do your kids love
being in the kitchen while you cook? How
about a little apron filled with wooden spoons?
Does your son rope imaginary hogs and ride
pretend horses all over the house? What about
a cowboy hat or star studded pants. The
possibilities are endless.
Savor Variety. Be sure to get a good mix of
different types of items in the chest. Have
some costumes, some accessories, and even
some tools. Remember little details can be a
great platform for an imaginative adventure.
Finally remember that your chest can be a tote,
a tub, or whatever fits your family‟s
personality. So what are you waiting for? Start
thinking of how you can assemble the ultimate
catalyst for feeding your little ones‟
imaginations and consider giving them
wearables they‟ll love this holiday season.
This holiday season think of making a dress up
chest that your kids will enjoy all year long
by ahmelie skistad - ahmelie
keeping warm while looking cool
L eg warmers aren‟t just for girls
anymore. Whether they are knitted, sewn,
argyle, or polka dot, they are definitely hip
no matter the age or gender. Traditionally
worn by dancers, designers have totally
broken out of the dancing box with bold
patterns and colors and new ways of
wearing them. For a fresh new look, add
leg warmers to a shorts or capris outfit,
layer them under a skirt, or do a flipper-roo
and use them as arm warmers for your son
to wear with his favorite t-shirt.
The baby version of leg warmers are often
aptly called crawlers. They protect your
adventurous baby‟s knees and legs while
providing warmth as she scoots around,
exploring her new world. Designed to rest
at the upper thigh, they are great for any
diapered diva or dude‟s changing pleasure.
No more tugging on tights, dealing with
snags or continuously having to snap those
hard-to-reach inner leg areas that always
seem to pop open on active kids. baby whales legwarmers by crawler covers & more
clockwise from top left: kool kid legs by mama runs with scissors, hand crochet leg warmers by rocking
horse lane, crawler covers by crawler covers & more, knotty legs by knotty baby wear, melon and mango kids
arm warmers by artish
Feeling adventurous? If you want to make your own leg warmers, you’ll find some handy step-by-step directions on www.ehow.com. DIY
layla legs stripes by layla legs
When Kim Hanks had her 4th child, a little
girl named Layla, she started making
fashionable items for her to wear. Kim says
leg warmers “are the latest craze for keeping
your baby's legs fashionably warm. Although
many Moms purchase them for babies, they
are also loved by teens and fashion friendly
women.” When she came across Etsy about
a year and a half ago, she fell head over heals
in love with it and set up her shop at
www.outoftheboxx.etsy.com, where she
began selling her „LaylaLegs‟. Kim is
releasing 75 new styles of leg and arm
warmers this winter, so you‟re sure to find a
pair to suit your child‟s individual style.
left: birdie diaper cover and matching baby leg
warmers by bushel and a peck co.
right: grey baby leggings by itzy bitzy baby
Holiday
Gift Guide Grab a hot cup of tea and settle in. Take a few moments to browse through the following pages where you will discover a wide selection of wonderful gift ideas for the holidays this year. All are handmade, and with such a large choice of products and price ranges, you’re certain to find something for every child on your list!
Holiday Gifts for under $10 Whether you are looking for hair clippies or jewels, artwork or accessories, check out handmade selling sites where you will find a multitude of gifts to fit the small budget. Perfect for stocking
stuffers!
Holiday Gifts for under $10
left to right: handsewn felt tulip
hair clip by the clever kitty- $7, felt
toadstool mushroom toy by harvest
moon by hand - $9, oh deer charm
necklace by zuzu girl handmade -
$9, vintage button hair elastics by
sheeps clothing - $9.50, needle
felted baby in nut cradle by fairyfolk
- $7, 123 roadtrip silkscreen print by
kaching design - $8
Adorable and affordable
top row, left to right: owliver the owl tote by everyday
celebrations - $18.50, classic wooden toy saw by pretty
dreamer - $24, snowflake tee by plum tree studio - $24,
beginning sounds flipboard by tootsie bear - $14
bottom row, left to right: lotus tea box jumbo blocks by
tiny giraffe - $24, nathan crochet earflap helmet by
beberagz - $15, screen printed tee with paints by daisy
creek - $18, floral delight ribbon headbands by zuzu girl
handmade - $18
Adorable and affordable
top row, left to right: owliver the owl tote by everyday
celebrations - $18.50, classic wooden toy saw by pretty
dreamer - $24, snowflake tee by plum tree studio - $24,
beginning sounds flipboard by tootsie bear - $14
bottom row, left to right: lotus tea box jumbo blocks by
tiny giraffe - $24, nathan crochet earflap helmet by
beberagz - $15, screen printed tee with paints by daisy
creek - $18, floral delight ribbon headbands by zuzu girl
handmade - $18
clockwise from bottom left: felted high top baby shoes by the clever kitty - $27, limited edition animal alphabet
poster by kaching design - $48, paisley peasant dress by noah and lilah - $26, how does your garden grow
canvas wall art by paint me a picture - $37.50, 3 little dresses watercolours by chichiboulie - $40, baby’s first
prima tutu filled with flower petals by tutu cute and moore - $30
clockwise from bottom left: felted high top baby shoes by the clever kitty - $27, limited edition animal alphabet
poster by kaching design - $48, paisley peasant dress by noah and lilah - $26, how does your garden grow
canvas wall art by paint me a picture - $37.50, 3 little dresses watercolours by chichiboulie - $40, baby’s first
prima tutu filled with flower petals by tutu cute and moore - $30
top row, left to right: boutique classic cut kimono coat in ginseng by candy stick lane - $68, purple paisley rag snuggle quilt by
ahmelie - $75, bow head club 12 month membership by kind living designs - $65, winter snowflake skirt by spiced sugar - $60
bottom row, left to right: grow with me school days owl poncho by the trendy tot - $50, little forest organic blanket by green thread -
$75, garland of circus theme origami window stars by harvest moon by hand - $63
top row, left to right: boutique classic cut kimono coat in ginseng by candy stick lane - $68, purple paisley rag snuggle quilt by
ahmelie - $75, bow head club 12 month membership by kind living designs - $65, winter snowflake skirt by spiced sugar - $60
bottom row, left to right: grow with me school days owl poncho by the trendy tot - $50, little forest organic blanket by green thread -
$75, garland of circus theme origami window stars by harvest moon by hand - $63
top row, left to right: boutique christmas kimono coat by
candy stick lane - $100, wooden horse stable by chubbas
‘n boop - $250
bottom row, left to right: custom waldorf inspired doll by
imogen’s garden - $130, child’s teepee by gracie bean
baby - $130, birds on a wire hand painted child’s rocking
chair by bobs and bits - $145, wonderland quilt by noah
and lilah - $120
Heirlooms in the making
top row, left to right: boutique christmas kimono coat by
candy stick lane - $100, wooden horse stable by chubbas
‘n boop - $250
bottom row, left to right: custom waldorf inspired doll by
imogen’s garden - $130, child’s teepee by gracie bean
baby - $130, birds on a wire hand painted child’s rocking
chair by bobs and bits - $145, wonderland quilt by noah
and lilah - $120
Heirlooms in the making
dwell by michelle nicholson - flirty bird
deck the halls
of school, the visit to Santa to put the official
requests in and, my favourite, decorating the
house with all the Christmas decorations.
Today, preparing your house for Christmas can
be considered an art form which can stretch the
already super stretched Christmas budget. To
have a beautiful festive house does not have to
leave you with an empty pocket and nothing
left to purchase gifts. Involving your children
in making your own decorations will not only
save you money, but it will make your holiday
more meaningful and memorable. A large clear
vase brimming with traditional red and green
paper chains, a handmade silver paper angel,
and some collected pine cones for your table's
centrepiece will be much more of a talking
point than the expensive flashing centrepiece
from the leading department store.
You can find little, inexpensive craft kits that
encourage your children to be creative. From
simple kits that toddlers will be overjoyed to
stick and paste with, to more involved kits that
will mesmerise older children for hours, there
are many options for all skill levels.
C hristmas Day has to be one of the most
exciting times of the year for children, young
or old. Opening presents, seeing family that
they may not have seen for a period of time,
not to mention all that yummy food to eat.
Sometimes, as parents caught up in the busy
Christmas period, we can forget that the lead
up to the actual day can be just as exciting as
the actual day. The count down to the last day
yarn wreath by knock knocking
clockwise from top left: snowman kid kit by and then, cinderella ornament kit by fantastic toys, diy kirigami
partridge pop-up card by pop up card making, pdf mary jane christmas stocking pattern by sew lola
Even if you aren't the creative type, you can still enjoy beautiful handmade
items. On the facing page you will find 25 inexpensive handmade Christmas decorations to make your home beautiful this Christmas. Starting at just a mere $1.75, these items are sure to make you merry. Top Row Pick up a few reindeer baubles to brighten your tree from paper and string bulk or a string of hand cut natural garland
from nature’s cabinet. Sweet hand felted acorns from kim’s etsy boutique will be a tiny surprise among the branches of
your tree. Paper snowflakes would look great on the dinner table from end of the day crafting while this stunning yarn
Christmas wreath from knock knocking will welcome all your visitors.
Second Row Colourful recycled paper baubles from artsy rubbish are sure to brighten wherever they hang, as will these felt
stockings from rikrak. Hoping for a white Christmas, try these window decals from verdigris dye to add a little bit of
the white stuff to your festivities. Bauble wall decals from elephannie will add holiday cheer to your children‟s doors,
and this snowman from the cottage cupboard will make the whole family smile.
Middle Row
A classic yarn wreath from knock knocking, along with this tall snowman from the north forest help signal the
upcoming celebrations, and santa’s cookie plate from serendipity crafts will prove a big hit with the kids. Sparkle
green baubles from darling gifts look great on the tree or in a tall vase, and this gorgeous Christmas lighting from like
deco adds a bit of glitter to any room.
Forth Row Such sweet robin ornaments from snowy side drive! A cheery Christmas cushion from asmus home interiors adds a
burst of colour to your sitting room, especially when combined with these bright Christmas stockings from rikrak
hanging from the mantel. For your holiday meal, try these Christmas napkins from me 2 designs and hang red and
green bunting from snow fish for something extra special.
Bottom Row A woodland deer moss terrarium from green briar brings the outdoors in and provides festive greenery in a compact
form. Christmas tree ornaments from snowy side drive and this simply elegant Christmas angel from glass and garden
will decorate the boughs, along with these Christmas star lights from like deco. Top it all off with a nativity scene
from walking bear studio.
clockwise from top left: kaching design, le petit papillion, southern sassy pants , chickadee vinyl, love mae store, greenbriar, party poms, my
rockababy designs, whimzee baby
clockwise from top left: kaching design, le petit papillion, southern sassy pants , chickadee vinyl, love mae store, greenbriar, party poms, my
rockababy designs, whimzee baby
by kimberly gachnang - tootsies bear
an active imagination - giving the best gift
play
H ow does the joke go? Toddlers are more
interested in the packaging than the gift
inside? Well as it turns out, those toddlers
are on to
something!
Creative,
open-ended
play is about
much more
than just
playing. It
offers
children a
chance to
practice
many brain
boosting
skills that
will serve
them as they grow, as well as later in life:
skills such as imagination, vision, patience,
problem solving, creativity, cooperation and
many more.
In her book Playing to Get Smart, Betty
Jones, Ph.D., urges parents to understand that
children and adults who are skilled at play
with both things and ideas, have the power,
influence and
capacity to
create
meaningful
lives. They are
more receptive
to ambiguity
than those who
are stuck in
the way things
are or were.
The American
Academy of
Pediatrics'
2006 Report
on the
importance of play emphasizes that all
children need free, undirected play for
creative growth, self-reflection and
decompression. It works because, with no
princess meets frog paint kit by goose grease undone
Blocks and Manipulatives
Providing children with blocks of all kinds,
including Legos, Lincoln Logs, cardboard
bricks and accessories extends the play to
help children learn about spatial
relationships, math concepts, architecture and
balance. From plain wooden blocks to
elaborate Lego systems, children have the
freedom to create anything they wish. Blocks
can be a house, a street or a whole city. A
zoo. A fort. A castle. Small wooden or plastic
people and animals can be added to further
develop scenarios. Even pictures of people,
animals, or buildings taped to wood blocks
will spark a child's imagination.
predetermined outcome, the focus isn't
achievement, allowing children to focus on
creating something based on inner
inspiration. It encourages trial and error,
which allows children to pause and wonder.
Children enjoy making choices themselves,
and open-ended play fosters initiative and
self-direction.
Creative Art
Of course just giving a child paper and
crayons or markers is a start toward
encouraging creativity, but the possibilities
are endless when it comes to materials that
can be used to create works of art. The focus
isn't on the project looking like anything in
particular when finished, but rather the
process of creating it. Paints of all kinds, as
well as clay and doughs, are all perfect
materials for open-ended play.
Collage is another easy place to start. For
smaller children not yet ready for using glue,
tape a piece of clear contact paper to the
table, sticky side up, and let them cover it
with collage materials. Older children can
handle the glue themselves (hint: even large
puddles of glue are a learning experience).
This activity can be adapted to any season or
holiday by varying the colors and/or shapes
of the materials provided.
critter abc blocks by tiny giraffe
Be prepared for a rainy day and let your child’s
imagination run away with him or her.
natural items such as sticks, leaves,
pressed flowers
paper that can be crumpled, rolled,
cut and glued
ribbon buttons
sequins felt
feathers beads
fabric stickers
foam shapes stickers
poms poms wiggle eyes
popsicle sticks ric rac
Manipulatives are well suited to growing with a
child. They can start with large fabric and
wooden blocks and giant Lego type blocks as
toddlers and advance their way up to Lego sets
that contain hundreds of pieces that they can
use to build anything their imagination can
dream up.
Dramatic Play
Children engaged in dramatic play have many
opportunities to develop social emotional skills,
cooperative play, imagination, self help skills,
compromise and self-confidence. When
allowed to create play scenes, from playing
house to cops and robbers, children are given a
chance to imagine themselves in various roles
and work through sometimes complicated
social situations.
Play food, aprons dolls, and household items
can let children work out family dynamics,
develop caring attitudes, consider gender roles
and how boys can take care of babies and
girls can go off to work. Providing dolls that
don't do specific things or are specific
characters lets children use them in many
ways. A child might be inclined to play with a
Madeline doll by acting out scenes from
Madeline books or movies. A baby doll can
be incorporated into any scene the children
think up. A
colorful
scarf can be
a cape, a
skirt, a
dress, a
blanket. Not
only does
the play
promote
creativity,
but the
choice of
props can too.
So the next time you are out choosing a gift
for a child, why not think in terms of its uses
and creative value and give your child the gift
of imagination.
royal crown by world of whimm
recycled tee shirt mask by nue to me
T here is just something about the winter
months that makes me want to sprinkle
everything with a little bit of cinnamon.
While cinnamon is a very
common and everyday spice that
we use in a multitude of recipes
and projects all throughout the
year, for some reason during the
winter months it seems to take
on a particularly special role. Is
it the warm feeling it gives us
when our world is full of snow
covered streets and freezing
nights? Perhaps. But what is for
certain is that for many, the
sweet and spicy smell of cinnamon
instantaneously conjures up thoughts of
winters and holidays gone by.
As a child, I can remember my mother
allowing us children to help her make
delicious goodies with her in the kitchen
during the winter months and Christmas
season – many of them, of course, containing
a fair amount of cinnamon. Whether it was
create making applesauce ornaments by nicole pankratz - lil boo & co
making oatmeal raisin cookies, hard
cinnamon candy or even mixing up fresh
holiday potpourri, cinnamon was a staple
ingredient.
One particular recipe though, always
made a huge impression on me –
Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments.
When we made those ornaments, I
knew that winter was officially here.
We made batches to give away to
our classmates, batches to hang on
our Christmas tree and even batches
to hang on gifts that we handed out
over the holiday season.
Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments have been
a very common winter adornment for many
years in households all over the world, and
this year with my own children helping me in
the kitchen, we plan to make many batches of
these delicious smelling winter ornaments for
all of our friends and neighbors. After all,
who wouldn‟t want that sweet and spicy
fragrance of cinnamon wafting through her
own house?
cinnamon tree ornament by zviolet
Ingredients:
1 cup cinnamon
1 Tbsp ground cloves
1 Tbsp nutmeg
1 Tbsp allspice
1 Tbsp ginger
3/4 cup applesauce
Directions:
In medium bowl, combine cinnamon, cloves,
allspice, ginger and nutmeg. Add applesauce
and stir to combine.
Work mixture with your hands for 2 to 3
minutes or until dough is smooth and
ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut
out using cookie cutters of various shapes. We
use all sorts of holiday cut outs including
snowflakes, gingerbread men, stars, Christmas
trees and jingle bell shapes.
Use a straw or pencil to make small holes in
the tops of the ornaments – the holes will later
be used to string ribbon through to complete
the ornaments.
Place cutouts on an ungreased cookie sheet and
bake at 150 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately
70 degrees Celsius) for 1 hour.
Remove ornaments from the cookie sheet and
bake directly on the oven racks for another
hour and a half.
Let cool on parchment paper then string
ribbon through the holes of the ornaments.
Creative tips:
For extra sparkle, mix decorative glitter into
the recipe.
Make your own shapes by trimming the
dough with a table knife following around
patterns you've cut from cereal box
cardboard.
After cutting out shapes, use a drinking straw
to create holes for jewelery or ornaments.
Use toothpicks to make smaller holes for
threading. Leave in dough until dry and
remove.
For a wall hanging, thread a colored ribbon
through the shape.
For a brooch, decorate with fabric paint and
glue a metal clasp pin to the back (available
at craft stores).
Important note: Adult supervision and participation is required for this activity. These are NOT for eating!
by nancy keesling- tutu cute and moore
recycled wreath
L ooking for a festive way to recycle your
holiday wrapping? Familiar with children
who want to “help” when you least need
it? Why not keep your kids occupied while
you are completing your “to do” list by
giving them the opportunity to be creative
with your leftover pieces of gift wrap, tissue
paper, or ribbon?
Kids will love making this upcycled wreath
to give to grandparents, aunts and uncles or
for their own bedroom door. Not only will it
keep your little ones and their imaginations
actively engaged, but it also reinforces the
benefits of recycling. Try adapting the theme
to suit the season for an all-year fun activity.
Materials:
Sturdy paper plate, to avoid frustration
and a limp wreath
Gift wrap, ribbon, tissue paper scraps,
cotton balls, yarn, etc.
Glue or glue stick
Directions:
Cut out the center of a paper plate. For a
perfect circle, trace around a CD or a smaller
plate.
Cover a portion of the plate with glue at a
time, and give your child the freedom to
create the wreath to his or her liking.
Use a paper punch or cut a small opening
1” from the edge of the plate on what is to be
the top of the wreath.
Thread a ribbon through the opening and
knot the ends together for a neat little hanger.
a slightly more sophisticated wreath, made by rolling
wrapping paper, by haru
by rozzi hamilton – rozzi‟s sweetpeas
15 minute sassy skirt
Create a fun skirt for your
little girl in no time at all.
Choose a variety of
coordinating prints to add
even more sass to your
skirt!
Materials:
Fabric
3/8” wide elastic
Rotary Cutter & Mat or
Scissors & Ruler
Sewing Machine
Needle
Thread
Please see page 42 for information on
measuring and cutting your fabric.
1. Cutting out Fabric Determine the sizes needed and cut out your
3 rectangles of fabric for your Yoke (a), Body
(b) and Trim (c).
2. Attaching Yoke to Body
Gather one long edge of the skirt body
(largest rectangle of fabric). You can do this
by hand-sewing a basting stitch or by
stitching a long running stitch with your
machine.
Hint: a double row of basting stitching will give you
a more even gather.
2. 1.
2a. Attaching Yoke cont’d
Pull the threads on one end to
gather the fabric and adjust to
fit the long edge of the
yoke. Right sides together,
pin yoke to body. Set your
sewing machine to straight
stitch and sew the yoke to the
skirt body. Finish edge with
zigzag stitch or serge edges.
3. Attaching Trim
Create the trim by folding remaining
rectangle of fabric in half lengthwise,
wrong sides together, and iron. Sew this
to the bottom edge of the skirt
body. Zigzag or serge the seam to finish.
2a.
3.
When you try out any of our projects or crafts, be
sure to take photos and send them with your stories
and you could be featured in our next issue.
You will now have three rectangles sewn together. Next, fold the pieced rectangle in half, right
sides together and stitch the open side creating a tube. Zigzag or serge the edges to finish, then
iron your seam flat. This will give you a tube with a top (the unfinished edge) and a bottom (the
trim).
4.
4. Creating Casing On the unfinished edge, you will
create the fold or casing for the
elastic. Turn under 1/4" of fabric
on the unfinished edge and
press. Make a 1/2" fold again so
that the unfinished edge is tucked
inside what will become the
casing. Sew a straight stitch
around, leaving a 1" opening to
insert your elastic. (Length of
elastic is determined by
measuring your child's waist and
subtracting 2”).
With a safety pin attached to one end, thread the elastic through the casing. Stitch the ends of
the elastic together with a tight straight stitch, back stitching several times to reinforce the
elastic connection. Sew the opening left for the elastic closed with matching stitches.
4.
METHOD 1 Yoke (or smallest rectangle): measure your child's waist and multiply that measurement by
1.5. This will be length of the yoke.
Body (largest rectangle): Width will determine the fullness. For moderate fullness, measure
your child's hips and multiply by 2.
Trim: Cut to the same length as the body piece.
Drop: Measure the length you desire for the skirt by starting at your child's waist and
measuring down to where you want the hem to fall on her body. The combined length of all
three fabric pieces (yoke + body + hem + seam allowances) should be equal to the total length
with the yoke and hem being the smaller numbers.
*Be sure to add in your seam allowances on all fabric pieces.
METHOD 2 Pre-calculated measurements including seam allowances of 1/4"
Measuring your fabric - two methods to determine the length & width of the fabric rectangles
Size 18-24 Months:
Yoke: Cut 1 4" x 21" rectangle
Body: Cut 1 6" x 35" rectangle
Trim: Cut 1 3" x 35" rectangle
Elastic: 15” of 3/8" wide elastic
Size 2 T: Yoke: Cut 1 4" x 22" rectangle
Body: Cut 1 6.5" x 35.5" rectangle
Trim: Cut 1 3.5" x 35.5" rectangle
Elastic: 16” of 3/8" wide elastic
Size 6-12 Months: Yoke: Cut 1 3.5" x 20" rectangle
Body: Cut 1 5" x 34" rectangle
Trim: Cut 1 3" x 34" rectangle
Elastic: 14” of 3/8" wide elastic
Size 12-18 Months:
Yoke: Cut 1 3.5" x 20.5" rectangle
Body: Cut 1 3.5" x 34.5" rectangle
Trim: Cut 1 3" x 34.5" rectangle
Elastic: 14.5” of 3/8" wide elastic
by shannon hanley – the clever kitty
mommy & me mittens
treated to be washable). Those with a dry
clean only label are sure to full nicely. Be
sure to also look for a large sweater with
wide sleeves, as it will shrink considerably
during the fulling process.
Step 1: Full the sweater. The quickest and
easiest way to do this is in your washing
machine, using hot water and plenty of
detergent. You may need to run it through
two cycles, but it really depends on the
particular sweater and your washing machine.
Dry the sweater in your dryer using a hot
setting.
Step 2: Make the patterns. Trace around
your toddler‟s hand, leaving a little wiggle
room. Add a quarter-inch seam allowance to
the edge, and cut out. Repeat with your hand.
T here is no doubt that wool is great for
keeping you warm, and when it is fulled or
felted*, it is even warmer. These easy
matching mittens for you and your toddler
will be sure to keep you both extra warm this
winter.
All you need to make this easy set of
matching mittens for you and your toddler is
an old wool sweater and some thread. Not all
wool sweaters are alike (some have been
*Although commonly called felting, the technical term for the process of shrinking woolen fabric or garments is fulling.
tip: Placing the sweater in a zippered
pillowcase before fulling will help cut down
on the fuzz that ends up in your washer and
dryer.
tip: If you want to do any embroidery on the mittens, now is
a great time to do it. It’s much easier to stitch a design
before the mittens are sewn together.
Step 3: Cut out the mittens. Place the pattern for your
mittens on the sweater with the wrist opening at the bottom
hem, and cut out. Repeat for your toddler‟s mittens, placing
the wrist opening at the sleeve hem.
Step 4: Sew the mittens. Once felted, the wool doesn‟t really have a
right or wrong side, but if you‟ve done any embroidery it will, so
make sure to put the right sides facing. Stitch two mitten pieces
together around the outside edge, using a quarter-inch seam. Repeat
for the remaining mittens.
Turn right side out, and you‟re done!
tip: The felted wool is thick and can create a bulky seam, but you can
trim the seam allowance down a little bit to make the mitten more
comfortable. Clipping the curve where the thumb meets the hand also
helps to make that area more flexible. To do this, simply make a
couple of snips, running perpendicular to the seam and just to it (see
above pic, far right).
meet nadezhda horn - green thread by shannon hanley - the clever kitty
mhc: Tell us a little about yourself.
nadezhda: My name is Nadezhda Horn.
I was born in Eastern Europe but spent the
majority of my youth in Australia where I
graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion
from Royal Melbourne Institute of
Technology. In Australia, I worked as a
fashion designer for an evening wear
company, designing beautiful dresses. One
day, accidentally, I bumped into a US Navy
Deep Sea Diver and fell in love. Now I‟m
very happily married with two wonderful
children and a dog. We presently live in
California, enjoying sunny weather.
mhc: Aside from creating things, what do
you love to do?
nadezhda: I love to spend as much time
as possible with my husband and children.
We love the outdoors. We love to fish, hike
and camp.
I also adore anything vintage. Some of my
weekends are spent at antique stores and
estate sales. It feels like a treasure hunt every
time.
mhc: What is your favorite vintage
treasure you've bought, and where did you
find it?
nadezhda: An old piano. I would like to
give credit to my mother-in-law for finding
this „treasure.‟ We bought it from a retired
piano teacher. It‟s beautiful and fills our
house with great melodies every day.
visited, so she gave me sewing lessons. She
taught me all the possible seams, ways to
finish edges, proper pressing techniques and
tailoring. I still refer back to those lessons
every time I sew. She always has been a
perfectionist, so the first thing I made was a
perfectly sewn and pressed bag.
mhc: Sounds like your grandmother was
quite a knowledgeable seamstress. Do you
hope to pass the
skills you've learned
onto your own
children and
someday,
grandchildren?
nadezhda: Absolutely! Anyone
who wants to learn
is welcome.
mhc: When did
you decide to start
selling your work?
nadezhda: As a
baby, my son had
very sensitive skin. I
tried my best to buy
good quality cotton
mhc: How did you get started making
things? What is the first thing you remember
creating?
nadezhda: From the time I can
remember, I wanted to be a designer. From a
young age I was sketching, painting, knitting,
crocheting or sewing. I first learned to sew on
my grandmother‟s old treadle machine. The
TV was out of question in her house when I
blankets and clothing for him and only used
mild detergents to wash them. There was not
as many companies back then making
organic cotton baby clothing, so the idea for a
label was born.
mhc: What is the name of your shop?
nadezhda: Green Thread - my husband
came up with it, and I thought it reflects our
product perfectly.
mhc: What‟s your favorite item to make,
and why?
nadezhda: That‟s a very hard question
to answer, because all of my items are unique
in their own way, and I love something about
each one of them.
mhc: What‟s your most popular item?
nadezhda: „Homegrown‟ blankets. I
think it‟s because they are made from
beautiful organic cotton, grown in Texas,
USA. The fabric quality is fantastic, and it‟s
also a great way to support our local
economy.
mhc: What‟s the best part about earning a
living making things?
nadezhda: Exploring the creative
boundaries and a feeling of pride in each item
produced.
mhc: Where does your inspiration come
from?
nadezhda: As a child I used to collect
greeting cards, because I loved the
illustrations on them, and still do. So I often
flip through my old collection looking for
print inspiration. Also children‟s fairytales
and stories play a big part. Right now „Little
Red Riding Hood‟ is a popular tale in our
house, so you might see some items
influenced by that theme in my store. At
times, inspiration comes from fabrics, where
I try to visualize the best design for them.
mhc: What is your creative process?
nadezhda: I broke it down into steps:
reviewing inspirational work
deciding on a color palette
choosing fabric
brainstorming by doodling
refining and pushing my ideas further
getting feedback from people (and children)
around me
executing the final design
mhc: What handmade item do you
cherish?
nadezhda: With my addiction to
vintage, we accumulated lots of fantastic
examples of handmade items. Although the
one that I hold dear to my heart is my
engagement ring. This 1940‟s ring does not
hold a big diamond, but it‟s priceless and the
most cherished, because it was given to me
by the love of my life, and it once belonged
to his greatly loved and missed grandmother.
mhc: What to you is the importance of
buying handmade?
nadezhda: Craftsmanship and care put
in producing each item. While discovering
new designers, you will always get one-of-a-
kind items as individual as you are, and made
with love by someone who loves what they
do. Handmade items are hard to discard and
often turn into keepsakes that you will
cherish for years to come. You can be proud
knowing that you‟re supporting small
businesses, new ideas, freedom of design and
vision. There is nothing better.
Nadezhda is offering
15% off
your entire purchase*
Just mention this article in the ‘message to seller’ box at checkout,
and she will send a revised invoice or refund for the discount amount.
* custom and wholesale orders excluded, offer
expires May 1, 2010
donni webber - fairyfolk by shannon hanley - the clever kitty
mhc: Tell us a little about yourself.
donni: My name is Donni Webber. I am
Mom to two sunbursts of joy… K is my
precious flower fairy. She is almost 6. I love
her curly brown hair, the freedom of her
imagination and her deep, sweet innocence. T
is 2. He is my blond, blue-eyed teddy-bear
boy. My husband is from New Zealand. He is
my love, my very best friend and the one who
keeps me grounded as I tend to go off with
the fairies now and then. He was a
professional Rugby player and coach. His
rugby has taken us to live in so many
beautiful places. We have lived under the
yellow sun in South Africa, amongst the
emerald moss in Ireland, dabbled our toes in
the silvery streams of New Zealand and even
slept with the fairies in the bluebell forests of
England. When our daughter arrived, we
knew it was time to settle down, and we
chose to pursue the American Dream. We live
in Los Angeles and have fallen totally and
utterly in love with the diversity, opportunity
and friendship given to us by the City of
Angels.
mhc: Other than your current home in LA,
which was your favorite place to live?
donni: I have truly loved all the places
I've lived in. If I had to choose my favorite,
I'd have to say South Africa...I grew up there
during a time of radical transformation, and I
am so proud of what my country has
accomplished. The very first time I voted,
when I was 18 years old, was for the
inspirational Nelson Mandela. It was a very
exciting time for me, being a part of the
rebirth of a nation...the Rainbow Nation!
mhc: Aside from creating things, what do
you love to do?
donni: Being a mother is such an honor,
and I feel truly thankful to my husband for
working the long hours he does to allow me
to be a stay-at-home mom.
Growing up in South Africa, I had a
wonderful childhood. My mother‟s natural
style of parenting was very in line with
Waldorf philosophies. She ignited a magic
and love of nature that I have found so very
valuable in my adult years. I strive to provide
this same nature-inspired childhood for my
own children.
Through them, I am
constantly awed by the magic
of childhood. I try to fill their
days with enchantment and
creativity, while always
being a soft place to rest.
There are daily challenges,
some I do well at, some, not
so much, but I am ever so
grateful that I get what a gift
these children are.
Sometimes I long for more
time to myself so that I can
craft to my heart‟s desire, but
then I quickly remind myself
that this time, when my children are so
needful of me, is precious and fleeting. There
will come a time in my life when I have all
the hours in the day to craft, and I know I will
look back on these special days with an
overwhelming longing to relive them.
I write a daily blog called The Magic Onions,
www.themagiconions.blogspot.com, where I
chronicle the nature and Waldorf-inspired
activities and crafts we do together. It is a
wonderful way to record these precious days
and the fun we are having. I have been
happily surprised at the following it has
received and have found great support from
others in the blogging world.
mhc: Do you know of any great resources
for anyone wanting to learn more about
Waldorf Education and philosophies?
donni: I am so very excited to be sharing
a Waldorf Education with my children. It is a
learning philosophy that educates the whole
child, integrating arts and academics and
encouraging the development of each child's
sense of truth, beauty and goodness. I love
the sentiment that Waldorf Education creates
a well rounded child - head, heart and hands.
There‟s lots of great information on Waldorf
Education at the website 'Why Waldorf
Works'.
mhc: How did you get started making
things? What is the first thing you remember
creating?
donni: My craft is needle felting. I enjoy
creating magical children‟s toys made from
natural materials that inspire creative and
imaginative play...dolls, play scenes, fairies,
gnomes...all handmade from wool.
Needle felting is an amazing process. I start
with wool roving and, with my sharp, barbed
needle, I poke the loose fibers thousands of
times until the desired form is achieved. It is
very labor intensive, but I find it therapeutic
and relaxing…the slow, deliberate poking
motion, the crunching noise as the needle
enters the wool, the gorgeous colors in front
of me…it is such a wonderfully creative
activity.
The very first needle felted item I made was
for a Christmas present for my daughter last
year. Having rediscovered Waldorf
Education, I wanted to give her handmade
toys made from natural materials. My friend
introduced me to needle felting, and I caught
the needle felting bug in a big way. I needle
felted ALL of her, and her brother‟s,
Christmas presents! It was the most
rewarding thing I had done in a long while,
especially on Christmas morning when I saw
their utter delight in my very own, handmade
creations.
mhc: When did you decide to start selling
your work?
donni: I loved the needle felting process
so much that I continued making needle
felted toys until they spilled out of every
drawer in my home. My husband suggested,
in an effort to reclaim his house, that I try to
sell them, and that is when I found Etsy. I
opened my Etsy shop in March 2009.
mhc: What is the name of your shop?
donni: My shop is called Fairyfolk. It is
named for the fairies and gnomes that I make.
mhc: What‟s your favourite item to make,
and why?
donni: I love making the Flower Fairies. I
love to look at a particular
flower and see how I can
turn wool into its
likeness, and then
make a little fairy
who symbolizes
that flower‟s
particular
essence.
mhc: What‟s
your most popular
item?
donni: My Felted
Acorns have been very popular. They
are wonderful little additions to home décor
and help bring the magic of nature indoors.
My customers have enjoyed choosing the
colors that suite their homes. My Felted
Acorns are such fun to make, too. I felt the
acorn part from colored wool. The caps come
from Mother Nature herself! In the fall, when
the acorns are falling, my husband takes us
up into the mountains, and we become a
forest family, foraging for acorns caps. It is a
fun family activity… seeing who can collect
the most, who can find the biggest acorn cap.
mhc: What‟s the best part about earning a
living making things?
donni: I am still totally amazed that
I can make things that people
want to buy. I feel honored
with each and ever sale.
mhc: Where does
your inspiration come
from?
donni: My
inspiration comes
from my children.
They have such fertile
imaginations, and I am
constantly awed by the
freedom of their spirits.
mhc: What handmade item do you
cherish?
donni: We love to go to garage
sales...there is something thrilling about
finding a treasure amongst the tables of dusty
kitchenware and boxes of forgotten trinkets.
We found my most cherished handmade item
leaning against a wall at a garage sale one
morning. It is a framed needlepoint scene of
animals in the forest. There is a beautiful big
tree and, gathered all around it, are the
sweetest forest animals. There is a fox, a
bear, a skunk, a bunny, a mole and so many
others. It is enchanting. It hangs in my
daughter‟s room, and we gaze at it often,
making up stories for all the animals. I know
how much work someone put into making it,
and I just can‟t believe that someone else
gave it away for a couple of dollars. I just
wish I could let the person who gave it life
know how much we truly cherish her
creation.
mhc: What to you is the importance of
buying handmade?
donni: I am hoping that we are on the
cusp of a new era, a collective movement
away from the frantic, shiny, plastic longing
for more, bigger, better. My family and I have
opted to take a step sideways, toward a
simpler, calmer, more handmade life. It takes
longer to bake a loaf of bread, but there is so
much joy in the baking that is missed if we
had not taken the time. The flour on my son‟s
nose, the smile on my daughter‟s face as she
bites into the warm, buttery slice she has just
helped me bake. We have come to realize that
the reward is in the human love that has gone
into something handmade, a love that is
tangible and magical and infuses our souls.
Blessings and magic!
Donni is offering a
Free felted acorn with any purchase*
Just mention this article in the
‘message to seller’ box at checkout,
and she’ll include it in your package.
* offer expires November 30, 2010
H ow does one begin to build a handmade
stocking? Well, with the stocking of course.
There are innumerable options when shopping
for a stocking. Fortunately, it‟s something that
you only need to buy once, and it can be used
for many years to come. If you are crafty, this
is a great project to do with your kids. With
just a little felt, some glitter, glue and maybe a
few embellishments, you can make your own
stocking that will be cherished for years to
come.
If you‟re not quite so crafty, turn to the experts.
One of our favorites is by Rikrak. These felt
stockings are made of ecospun felt, which is
made from 100% post-consumer recycled
plastic bottles. They are not only adorable, they
are also fully customizable.
Once you‟ve settled on a stocking, it‟s time for
the fun part. Let‟s fill it!
handmade stocking stuffers by Kristi duchon - zuzu girl handmade
celebrate
Twas the night before Christmas,
when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
And filled with handmade goodies
from just about everywhere!
Stocking Stuffing
Now you need to choose the bulk of the stocking without
breaking the bank. There are endless possibilities out there,
so we‟ve broken it down to some of our favorite handmade
items for you.
If you have a large stocking, consider these non-treated,
chemical-free wood blocks from the Tiny Giraffe Shop.
They come as a set of six, 1-1/4 inch blocks featuring
numbers 0 through 9. The set pictured depicts classic zoo
animals, but the company offers dozens of other options to
suit your child‟s taste.
Essential to every stocking is a “topper.” This is a large item
that will reveal itself from the top of the stocking on Christmas
morning. It is also an easy way to fill up some space if you
have a large stocking and are on a tight budget. A new plush
doll is a great option to sit on top of the stocking, like the
sweet little pirate bunny we found at Bit of Whimsy.
For older children, toys like sidewalk sensations‟ non-toxic,
washable sidewalk paint is, well, a sensational idea. And at
only $3.00 a set, it‟s affordable too.
What little princess wouldn‟t be thrilled to find a fabulous
floral wand poking out of the top of her stocking? There are
many options out there, but we‟re somewhat partial to the fully
customizable fairy princess wands at zuzu girl handmade.
Stocking Toppers
1. bit of whimsy prims 2. annie and olive 3. enna design shop 4. flashy fish 5. lil boo and co. 6. daisy chains 7. sidewalk sensations
8. lil b designs 9. tiny giraffe shop 10. zuzu girl 11. vm designs 12. under the rowan tree 13. little bitty bakery 14. rikrak 15. happy
squash toys 16. think outside the box
Lil‟ B Designs creates whimsical yet practical handcrafted products like their Roll.n.Go™
crayon roll. They come in a variety of colors and fabrics and are suitable for children of any
age…and some adults too! They are also makers of Lil Scribblers™, unique recycled crayons
for hours of Christmas morning fun. Small wooden cars from Happy Squash Toys are the
perfect size for stockings and for tiny hands. They are hand-crafted and finished in a variety of
bright colors. At only $4.50 each, these are a sure hit with parents as well as little drivers.
Stocking Treasures
No one wants to be disappointed when arriving at the bottom of a stocking, so why not hide a
little bling there? A special little trinket or treasure fits perfectly in the tiny toe of the stocking.
No matter what you choose to fill your child‟s stocking, they will know it‟s filled with love. If
it comes from the heart, it is sure to please. And a little candy never hurts!
fabric bead bracelet from annie and olive; crystal flower matryoshka hair
clippie from enna design shop; personalized necklace from daisy chains.
T he first sight of a wonderful party to come,
an invitation sets the stage for your special
celebration. Today‟s choices offer such a wide
selection that one can easily find the
perfect invitation well within a
variety of budgets. Whether
you make them yourself,
have them printed at the
photo shop, or enlist the
help of a wonderful
artist to help you set
the stage, the choices
are practically
limitless.
It used to be that the
photo invitations you
could have printed at the
local drugstore or photo
shop were quite bland. Not the
case anymore! Stores now offer a
huge variety of cute alternatives, making this a
viable option to announce an upcoming affair.
Have a favorite photo of your little one? It‟s as
simple as uploading pictures from your
computer into the template of your choice and
placing your order. Sometimes within as little
as an hour you can have a package of
personalized invites ready to send, all with the
click of a button. Another great option is one of
the many online shops specializing in
photo cards. With an even greater
selection of designs, some even
custom made, the process is
just the same. This is an
especially nice alternative
for distant relatives you‟d
like to include in the
announcement, as it
provides a current photo
of your loved one, a
memento in itself.
Another option in setting
the stage is creating the
invites yourself. Party supply
stores offer a wonderful selection
of pre-made cards and envelopes
making the task easy. It‟s as simple as
decorating the card to coordinate with your
theme and preparing them to mail. For
something even more unexpected, why not
enlist the help of the celebrant, in particular if
he or she is older and able to cut and paste. Not
invitingly handmade by kristen davis - mary had a little party
for something even more unexpected, why not enlist the help of
the celebrant...
only does this help build excitement for the coming event, but children thoroughly enjoy having a
hand in the process and letting their creative juices flow. When choosing the handmade route,
quantity is one important point to keep in mind. An intricate design can become quite tedious
when made in large multiples.
Handmade cards offer many possibilities that make them a wonderful choice. Themed parties are
great fun and are easily announced with a thoughtfully crafted invite. Imagine cut out paper dolls
that unfold with the party details for a tea party or princess soirée. Or a decorated space ship cut
out from folded cardstock and adorned with
glitter for a space themed event. Imagine a
hint of what‟s to come with an eye patch
included for a pirate themed bash or perhaps a
folded bandana for a western affair - the
possibilities are endless.
Office supply stores or your local craft store
will offer a wide array of envelopes or, if need
be, these are simple enough to make. A
fantastic resource, too, is your local
scrapbooking store. Not only will you find a
vast selection of beautiful themed papers,
many stores also offer a workshop area which
allows you to use the tools needed to make
both invites and envelopes as well. The
novelty of a handmade invite is sure to spark
the imagination of both celebrant and guests
alike!
Make your own envelope
enlarge template to size needed and
photocopy onto cardstock of your choice
cut along solid lines then fold along
dotted lines
cut open slit in bottom part of envelope
fold in sides and tuck top
into opened slit
decorate as desired
Personalized & Customized unique gifts made just for your child
clockwise from top left: custom initial or number tee shirt by lisa gorno, personalized letter art and fine art prints by
twinkle star art, custom hand painted hair bow holder by t tot boutique, calico bird personalized print by chichiboulie
clockwise from top left: winter snowflake long-sleeve tee by molly caroline designs, turkey thanksgiving t-shirt by my
duck duck goose, custom birth print by trendy peas, dinosaur friends by caroline soer designs, custom wall letters by
candice n katie’s art, note card set by the english pea, appliquéd minky pillow by southern sassy pants
taste cookie exchange jenica carlley - pumpkin‟s boutique
Now what starts with the letter C? Cookie starts with C! Let's think of other things
that start with C. Oh, who cares about the other things! ~ the Cookie Monster
O ne of my favorite things about the
holidays is cookies. Chocolate chip
cookies, oatmeal cookies, shortbread
cookies, sugar cookies – I love them
all, especially around the
holidays. And what is the only thing
better than homemade cookies? Lots
and lots of homemade cookies!
A cherished tradition my daughter and I
have started in the past few years is to
have a cookie exchange (or cookie
swap) with all of our friends. Each
invitee makes six dozen of her favorite
holiday cookies, and we each go home
with six dozen cookies in many
varieties. Now, six dozen may sound
like a lot, but many recipes already
make three dozen, and it is easy to
double the batch. pdf homemade cookie recipe pack by t.r. brown
I like to send out my invitations about a month
in advance, to give everyone plenty of time to
check her schedule and buy the
ingredients. Make sure you include the rules
or suggestions you want your guests to
follow. Here are some wording ideas:
A little sugar and a lot of fun, we’re having a
cookie exchange, so please plan to come.
It's the time of the year when the best cookies
are made. What fun to make extra in order to
trade!
In all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday,
come join us for some relaxation, friendship
and fun.
The rules:
1. Please bring six dozen homemade
cookies. Try to bake your cookies 2-3 days
before the exchange so they will transport
well.
2. Please bring copies of your recipe to hand
out to attendees.
3. Arrange your cookies in a basket or platter
and bring a container to carry your cookies
home.
I like to use a long table covered with a festive
tablecloth and décor. I serve only drinks,
such as tea, coffee, cider, eggnog and
water. This makes it a casual party with less
prep for me, the hostess, and less stress for
the guests. Plus, that way all the food focus is
on the wonderful cookies. I play holiday
music and encourage everyone to dress for
the season. I also try to find a time that
doesn‟t compete with all the other holiday
plans my guests might have. That might be
the end of November before the rush or on a
weekday morning, depending on your group.
In my circle of friends, we make it a kid-
friendly event. I host it on a weekday
morning near the beginning of
December. My daughter and I choose the
recipe well in advance, pouring over all the
books on hand. Then we shop for ingredients
and, of course, bake them together.
O ne of my favorite things about the
holidays is cookies. Chocolate chip
cookies, oatmeal cookies, shortbread
cookies, sugar cookies – I love them
all, especially around the
holidays. And what is the only thing
better than homemade cookies? Lots
and lots of homemade cookies!
A cherished tradition my daughter and I
have started in the past few years is to
have a cookie exchange (or cookie
swap) with all of our friends. Each
invitee makes six dozen of her favorite
holiday cookies, and we each go home
with six dozen cookies in many
varieties. Now, six dozen may sound
like a lot, but many recipes already
make three dozen, and it is easy to
double the batch.
What is the only thing better than homemade
cookies? Lots and lots of
homemade cookies!
lavender cookies greeting card gift set by southampton creations
Once the guests have all arrived, displayed
their cookies and had a chance to chat, it is
time for the swap. Each guest takes the
container they brought, goes around the table
and takes 4-5 cookies from each platter, until
all cookies are divided.
Try some of these ideas to make your
exchange extra special:
1. Have each guest bring some non-
perishable food to donate to a local
charity.
2. Have each guest tell the story behind their
recipe before the swap. Maybe how they
chose the recipe or how they burned the
first batch.
3. Have the guests e-mail you their recipe
before the party and make a little book for
everyone to take home.
4. Give away prizes for the best seasonal
outfit, the best cookie story, the prettiest
display, etc.
No matter how you do it, your cookie
exchange will be sure to become a holiday
favorite every year!
top: cozy mitten and sweater set cookies by
something sweet shoppe bottom: ginger molasses cookie recipe by
recipes by k e cookies
Frosty’s Colorful Cookies
1 ¼ cups firmly packed light brown sugar ¾ cup Butter Flavor Crisco 2 Tbsp milk
1 Tbsp vanilla 1 egg
1 ¾ cups flour 1 tsp salt ¾ tsp baking soda
2 cups red & green M & M‟s
1. Heat oven to 375° F. Spread foil on countertop to cool cookies.
2. Place brown sugar, shortening, milk and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat at medium
speed with electric mixer until well blended. Add egg, beat well.
3. Combine flour, salt and baking soda. Add to shortening mixture; beat at low speed just
until blended. Stir in M&M‟s.
4. Drop dough by rounded measuring tablespoonfuls 3 inches apart onto un-greased baking sheets.
5. Bake one sheet at a time for 8 to 10
minutes for chewy cookies or 11 to 13 minutes for crisp cookies. Do not over bake. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove
cookies to foil to cool completely.
Mocha Crinkles
1 1/3 cups firmly packed light brown sugar ½ cup vegetable oil ¼ cup low fat sour cream
1 egg 1 tsp vanilla
1 ¾ cup flour ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tsp instant espresso or coffee granules
1 tsp baking soda ¼ tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper ½ cup powdered sugar
1. Beat brown sugar and oil in medium bowl with electric mixer. Mix in sour cream, egg
and vanilla. Set aside. 2. Mix flour, cocoa, espresso, baking soda,
salt and pepper in another medium bowl.
3. Add flour mixture to brown sugar mixture; mix well. Refrigerate dough until firm – 3 to
4 hours. 4. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place powdered
sugar in shallow bowl. Set aside. Cut dough into 1-inch pieces, roll into balls. Roll balls in
powdered sugar. 5. Bake on un-greased cookie sheets 10 to
12 minutes or until tops of cookies are firm to touch. Do not over bake. Cool on wire
racks.
recipe provided by jenica, pumpkin‟s boutique recipe provided by jenica, pumpkin‟s boutique
Amish Ginger Cookies
3/4 cup butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 egg
1/4 cup unsulfured molasses 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cloves 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1-1/2 teaspoon baking soda extra granulated sugar
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat together butter and 1 cup sugar until creamy. Add egg and
molasses; beat until combined. 3. Add the remaining ingredients and mix
until well combined.
4. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and roll in the extra granulated sugar. Place balls on
ungreased baking sheet. 5. Bake for 5 - 7 minutes until barely
turning brown.
6. Allow to cool for 1 minute on baking sheet and then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
recipe provided by tammy, t.r. brown
Chocolate Peanut Butter Crisp
Balls 1 (18 ounce size) jar of peanut butter
2 cups Rice Krispies cereal 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup chocolate chips
1. In a double boiler over low heat, melt chocolate and set aside.
2. In a medium sized bowl, combine all other ingredients. Blend well until mixture
forms a dough.
3. Roll into 1-inch balls. Using a toothpick or fork, dip the balls into the chocolate until well coated. Place onto a cookie sheet lined
with wax paper.
4. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
holiday variety sugar cookies by sugar cookie couture
recipe provided by tammy, t.r. brown
If you like the two recipes on this page, you’ll love Tammy’s pdf cookbook of
over 400 homemade cookie recipes!
T here‟s nothing better than a cup of
something hot in your hands when it‟s almost
freezing outside. Whether you‟re all bundled
up at home, peering through your window as
the snow falls outside or on your way to a
hometown football game, these recipes for
delicious hot drink mixes will be a sure way to
keep you cozy during the cold winter months.
And since they are dry mixes, they are also
perfect for gift giving this holiday season.
Fireside Coffee Mix
Yield: 6 1/2 cups dry mix
2 cups non-dairy coffe creamer
1 1/2 cups hot cocoa mix (you can use the
homemade recipe or a simple store bought
cocoa mix)
1 1/2 cups instant coffee granules
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Directions:
Combine all ingredients, mixing well. Store
in an airtight container.
For 1 cup of coffee:
Spoon 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon of
coffee mix into a cup. Add 1 cup boiling
water. Stir until well blended.
Hot Cocoa Mix
Yield: 4 cups of dry mix
2 cups of non-fat dry milk powder
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1/8 teaspoon salt
Directions:
Measure all ingredients in a large bowl.
Whisk together until evenly blended. Store in
an airtight container or package as individual
servings to hand out as gifts.
a duo of delicious drinks for keeping warm by nicole pankratz - lil boo and co
To Make:
Spoon 3 to 4 generous tablespoons of hot
cocoa mix into a mug, add boiling water and
stir.
Gift Giving Ideas:
The recipe makes enough for four gift-size
portions (about 1 cup of dry mix each).
Each portion can be measured into a small
plastic bag and tucked into a cup or mug. Add
some mini marshmallows, candy stick stirrers,
and a spoon to the cup for a complete package.
Wrap each filled gift cup in cellophane and
don't forget to include a tag with the
instructions.
holiday hot chocolate tee by winney and bea
clockwise from top left: merino wool cardigan by sew katie pie, baby blue checkerboard tunisian blanket by
oh baby dotcom, fuzzy swirl scarf by sunny brook farm designs, cozy hooded bath towel by two little tots
clockwise from top left: chocolate raspberry minky blanket by cuddle baby, girls pure wool open knit hat by
sheeps clothing, adeline blanket by ciuccio, lux baby earflap hat and mitten set by knittles
care slow foods for kids by gretchen jakub fabre - chichiboulie
S low Food? What is Slow Food? Some of
you may have heard the term, but remain
unsure about its meaning. Some of you may
never have heard of it at all. But for all of us
concerned with our own health and the health
of our environments, it‟s something to think
about.
slow food is good, clean and fair
The Slow Food movement began in Italy in the
mid 1980s with the belief that everyone has the
“fundamental right to pleasure and
consequently the responsibility to protect the
heritage of food, tradition and culture that make
this pleasure possible.” - www.slowfood.com
Slow Food is good, clean and fair food and
encourages people to recognise the strong
connections between plate and planet.
Slow Food is based on the following principles:
That the food we eat should taste good
That it should be produced in a clean way
that does not harm the environment, animal
welfare or our health
That food producers should receive fair
compensation for their work.
With the incidence of child health problems
ever increasing, Slow Food principles are
something we should all consider and pass on
to our children. But how can we do that? It‟s
not as difficult as it may seem.
Grow your Own
Growing your own food is a wonderful
project for kids. Don‟t have a large garden?
Don‟t worry. Many things can be grown in
pots. Think tomatoes, green beans, lemon
trees even. Growing your own food not only
teaches kids where our food comes from, but
it also gives them the opportunity to learn to
care for their plants and thus their
environment. And what pride they will feel
when their first crop of cherry tomatoes
makes its debut on the family table!
Buy Local and In Season Strawberries in December? Not something
we should be seeing in most regions. Buying
food out of season is something many of us
have gotten used to, and we now expect to be
able to buy what we want when we want it.
But if we stop to think about what is behind
this, we soon discover that it‟s best to buy
foods in season. Buying summer foods in
winter and winter foods in summer means
that those items have travelled a long way to
get to the shop shelves. This transporting has
the dual impact of contributing to polluting
our environment and providing fewer
nutrients in the food.
Winter in-season vegetables Avocados
Belgian Endives
Bok Choi
Broccoli
Broccoli Rabe
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Celery Root
Cauliflower
Chestnuts
Jerusalem Artichokes
Kale
Lettuce
Parsnips
Salsify
Winter Squash
Sweet Potatoes
Turnips
Winter in-season fruits Bananas
Blood Oranges
Clementines
Cranberries
Grapes
Grapefruit
Kiwi
Oranges
Passion Fruit
Pears
Persimmons
Pomegranates
Pomelos
Tangerines
Satsumas
Easy Winter Vegetable Soup
A super simple soup sure to warm you up on cold winter
days. And yes, a way to get your kids to eat brussel sprouts,
too!
4 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 lb brussel sprouts, trimmed
6 c organic beef broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp olive oil
1) Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
Toss in your chopped and trimmed vegetables and let
cook, stirring, for a few minutes.
2) Pour in beef broth and let cook, simmering for 20
minutes or until vegetables are tender.
3) Add minced garlic and let cook 5 minutes more.
4) Ladle out and serve with toasted crusty bread.
There are no set proportions to this soup so feel free to add
and subtract as you prefer. But no cheating, you must leave
in the sprouts!
you‟ll get a delicately flavoured mash and a
change from the ordinary.
Buy Organic Whenever possible, choose organic foods.
Not only will this reduce your exposure to
fungicides, pesticides, and chemical
fertilizers, but you will also indirectly let
others know that you don‟t want others
(neighbours, community, farmers) to be
exposed to those things either. It is taking a
step in protecting your family and your
environment.
Get Cooking
Once you have started to incorporate some of
these ideas into your daily routine, it‟s time to
get cooking with your kids. Kids love to
spend time in the kitchen, and it can be a
moment of true family interaction. Teaching
your kids how to cook is giving them the
basics of a wonderful lifelong habit and skill.
Start with easy recipes that they will be
happy to taste knowing they made it
themselves. By teaching children the joys of
cooking, you are also helping them to avoid
the fast food trap and starting them on their
way to healthy living.
By shopping locally, we are helping to
promote items that are in season. It is
something we can all do and something that
will make an impact. Take your kids to the
local farmers‟ markets for a wonderful
experience and fabulous fresh food. Don‟t
have a farmers‟ market? Supermarkets label
food sources. Point these out to your children
and prefer those items that come from local
producers. In doing so, you are helping to
support your local growers and thus your
local economy. In return, you receive
produce that is fresher and contains more
nutrients for your family. You are also
helping to reduce carbon emissions that come
from shipping food long distances.
Learning to eat with the seasons has the
added bonus of opening up a wider variety of
tastes that children (and grown ups) may not
be exposed to otherwise. Children will learn
from an early age to be familiar with
vegetables that they may not know, and a
wider variety of food sources equals a wider
variety of nutrients. Ever wonder what to do
with celeriac? Try it the next time mashed
potatoes are on the menu. Cook it along side
the potatoes, mash them both together and
For a list of local farmers’ markets by state
http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets
To find out more about Slow Food, you can visit
their website at www.slowfoodusa.org
by lisa delzer - chubbas „n boop
I t‟s the season for giving. Everywhere you
look, you can see advertisements telling you to
spend more money. But, that line of thinking
isn‟t in synch with those of us trying to consume
less and make better choices about where our
money goes.
I sometimes feel conflicted this time of year. I
feel like a lot of the „green movement‟ is moving
away from over-consumerism - away from
overspending and over consuming. At the same
time, I also really love giving presents. Who
doesn‟t!
Living an eco-conscious life does not mean you
shouldn‟t go out and buy gifts for your friends
and family. We all love finding that perfect little
present for those special people in our lives and
watching them open it up. But, we can avoid
getting caught up in the “buy more” mentality.
The backbone of living an eco-friendly lifestyle
is Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. So, how do we
apply these principals to gift giving, especially
gifts for our children?
Reduce.
Do your kids really need that huge mound of
presents? We hear it all the time, but when it
comes to giving gifts, less definitely is
more.
When you look back on your own childhood,
can you remember every single gift you
received? I can‟t. But there are a few very
special presents that I will
always treasure.
Why not start a new tradition
that limits the amount of
presents each person in your
family receives? Then think
about each gift carefully and
make sure the gifts you give
matter.
Reuse.
Consider the long term when
making your purchases. Think
about quality. Will your gifts
be able to be used for many years, or will they
break and need to be replaced?
Heirloom quality toys are a great investment
because they last and can be passed on
through the generations. Not only does this
create special memories from generation to
generation, it has the added benefit of fewer
toys in landfills.
Another way to reuse is by visiting second-
hand shops while doing your present
shopping. Many such shops specialize in
gently worn items and can save you money
while protecting the environment from more
waste. I often find beautiful dresses for my
daughter in excellent condition while out
thrift store shopping.
Recycle.
Upcycling is a hot new trend, and many
handmade selling venues such as Etsy
feature items made from recycled
materials, from clothes to toys and
everything in between. If you are
crafty, you can even make something
yourself. Children love handmade gifts,
especially when it is made by mom or
dad. So, why not go the extra mile and
buy or make things from recycled
materials.
Don‟t forget to think about how you
package up your gifts. Saving and reusing
your wrapping materials for next year will
help reduce waste, but why not try cloth gift
wrap that can be used over and over again?
Remember, it is the small things that add
up. Eco-friendly gifts make a big difference,
not only to the environment but also in the
message they send to our children.
Reduce
Reuse
Recycle
101 funny things to make and do reinvented journal by useful books; montessori verb box by amy kuhl cox; leopard
tutu by zachary dickory dock; wool felt birthday crown by paper and cloth stash
1. Books. Buy good quality stories about
nature that will teach your children the
importance of taking care of mother earth.
2. Dress up Clothes. Scout your local
thrift store (or your own closet) and put
together a dress up box. You don‟t need
“costumes” – kids are pretty dang happy with
old dresses, men‟s shirts, and fun hats. But, if
you do want to purchase some costumes,
check out jillybeanskids
3. Lessons. Or other special activities that
your children will get excited about. Not
only will these lessons have less impact on
the environment than a plastic toy, they help
our children learn and grow.
4. Donations. Make a donation to an
organization in honor of your child. You can
make a nice card and tell a story about how
he or she is helping the baby animals or other
children in the world. Pick a charity that is
about something important to your
child. This can become a family tradition
that will teach your son or daughter the
importance of giving, while letting him or her
feel like he or she is a part of something that
matters.
For a list of charities, check out this website:
www.charitygiftcertificates.org/charities.html
5. Anything handmade. Whether it is
something you make yourself, or something
you buy from a talented crafter or artist, your
child will appreciate the thoughtfulness
behind the gift. Handmade gifts made out of
recycled materials make it even more special.
five eco-friendly gift ideas by lisa delzer - chubbas „n boop
Do you have some eco-friendly living ideas you would like
to share? We‟d love to hear them! Send them to us at
share la petite artiste kristie piacine - kind living designs
T hey say necessity is the mother of
invention. It was necessary to dive in and
clean up around the house, both inside and out.
Who knew that what I would find was one of
the best gifts I‟ve ever given for the holidays.
Sentimental. Personalized. Eco-friendly.
Inexpensive. JACKPOT!
As a parent, I just couldn‟t help myself. The
pile. It just kept
growing and
growing. Every day
my children would
bring home artwork
from school. “Mommy, I know what a circle
is…look!” said my son after a few weeks of
preschool. “Mommy, we studied Van Gogh
today, aren‟t my sunflowers lovely?” beamed
my 1st grader. How could I toss any little bit of
it in the trash? Each drawing, cutout, collage
was a reminder of how he sticks his tongue out
while learning how to use scissors, how she
hums little songs as she colors. They were my
babies‟ masterpieces, not trash. Eventually,
though, that pile started to mock me – it was
small at first, but before I knew it, it had taken
over my dining room table.
The collection of artwork spanned four years.
What? How? I‟d stare at it day after day and
never get the courage to tackle it, too afraid
that I‟d go through it and end up with the same
pile. What was the solution? I kept telling
myself to wait for the day when I would turn
into the frantic cleaning machine and would
have an unbiased
eye and clean
through it with a
minimalist‟s
approach. Yeah, right.
The holidays were coming up, and I was at a
loss for the perfect gift for the grandparents. A
do-it-yourself girl at heart, I had just about
created every personalized gift imaginable. I
was running out of time, and to be honest,
didn‟t have it in me to get crazy-crafty
anymore. I stared at the pile and finally it
dawned on me. A Club-of-the-Month. An Art
Club-of-the-Month. I called my daughter into
the room and told her about my idea. She was
The holidays were coming up, and I was at a loss for the perfect gift for the grandparents
beyond excited. “You mean they get
to belong to my art club? I get an art
club?!”
It took an afternoon to sort through the
pile and determine who would get
what. Not only did we tackle gifts for
the grandparents, but also close
friends and relatives who we knew
would appreciate the gift. Once we
decided on the pieces, we took out a
notebook and made a list, measuring
each piece so that we could present
the first masterpiece framed. Some of
the gifts were being mailed, and we
didn‟t want to purchase bulky boxes
and packing materials to ship the
larger sized artwork. An easier
alternative was to select 8
1/2” x 11” pieces,
which left us
with options
to purchase
traditional
frames or
the clear
magnetic
pockets that
would instantly
transform the artwork
into a fridge-friendly masterpiece.
After a quick trip to the local craft printable colouring pages by melloheads
We weren’t simply giving them one piece of artwork, we were
giving them a whole year’s worth of artwork: a mini gallery of her
childhood creations
we could have imagined. Her pride in her work
and sense of self-esteem grew in abundance.
Even better, she experienced a new way of
communicating with her relatives and friends:
the written letter, the power of words, the
excitement of a package in the mail. She and I
didn‟t just shop
among the crowds
of consumers in
Target, but walked
up and down aisles
talking about our
loved one‟s tastes,
what we thought
each piece of
artwork stood for,
evenfiguring out
what frames and
mattes to use
included a great
math lesson.
In the end, I conquered that pile. I fought her
hard for those special pieces I couldn‟t give up.
It also dawned on me that most of the pieces
we‟d pass on would make it her way again.
The excitement of knowing that one day, 20
years from now when we‟re sitting around
celebrating MomMom‟s birthday, we‟ll look
through pictures and piles of correspondence
and find her membership card. On that card
will be my grown daughter‟s kindergarten
handwriting and it will cause my heart to burst.
store, we had chosen the poster board mattes
and different framing options. All that was left
was to create the piece that would tie it all
together. We weren‟t simply giving them one
piece of artwork, we were giving them a whole
year‟s worth of artwork: a mini-gallery of her
childhood
creations. We
needed a
membership card.
I made a template
and printed
several out on
cardstock. She
filled in the
blanks, again
creating a piece to
be treasured, her
kindergarten
handwriting so
full of hope and
wonder.
That year, many tears were shed during the
opening of presents. I‟m not sure if it was the
gift or the way my daughter couldn‟t contain
her delight in being „la petite artiste.‟ The first
month‟s masterpiece was delivered. and every
month thereafter we slipped a new piece of
artwork in the mail, accompanied by a little
note from the artist.
This gift gave so much more back to her than
La Petite Artiste with her grandparents
simplifying the holidays kathleen gordon-ross - tiny stitches
B udgets are tight, and so are schedules.
We all intend to have meaningful holidays,
but how do we obtain it?
Surprisingly, it does not
mean we have to buy
our child the latest and
greatest toys, blowing
our budget with just one
purchase. Nor does it mean we have to go to
every party, to bake and decorate 1,000
cookies and 10 gingerbread houses to deliver
to the neighbors or to buy gifts for every
Tom, Dick, Harry, Mary, Sally and Jane we
come in contact with during the year.
Keeping things simple is a challenge for me
and something I struggle to achieve year
after year, especially during the holidays.
Here are five basic strategies I am trying this
year. I hope that they will help you identify
spots in your holiday routine that are not
adding to your enjoyment of the season, so
you can cut them out entirely, or just cut back
a little.
Strategy #1 – Organize what is important
Take fifteen minutes and ponder what you
want this holiday to be. What would your
ideal holiday consist of? Would it be to spend
more meaningful time with your children? Or
provide memorable experiences for your
entire family? Maybe you want to spend
more quality time with extended family and
friends? Or help your children focus on the
spend more quality time with
extended family
true spirit of the season rather than on making
out wish lists and writing letters to Santa?
Turn the elements of your ideal holiday into
short phrases or statements and write them
down. These ideals will help focus your
holiday plans and decide whether or not
something is worth your family‟s time,
money or energy.
Strategy #2 – Curtail the family “do” list
Sometime this month, before things start to
get busy, have a dinner conversation with
your children about what they want to do this
holiday. With your older children, talk openly
about your desire to have a more meaningful
holiday this year and to
cut out the things that are
not making the family
holiday perfect.
Have a list already
prepared of the activities
you typically participate
in during the holiday (i.e. traditions, parties,
school/public concerts, plays). Then tailor the
conversation to the ages of the children in
your family. You may even want to talk with
them one on one over a cup of hot chocolate
or while you are in the car running errands.
The ultimate goal is to find out what is really
important to them, and what is the one thing
that has to happen for them to feel like the
holiday is special.
As a parent, this is an eye opening
experience. This conversation alone will help
you know what really matters to your
children. Knowing what needs to happen and
what can instantly get cut will hopefully
eliminate stress, right then and there.
Strategy #3 – Think creatively
Look for activities you can piggy back,
accomplishing multiple goals with one
experience. If
your family loves
to spend time
baking holiday
treats, use those
treats as
neighbor, teacher
or co-worker
gifts. If there is a
family you really
want to spend
time with this
holiday, invite
them to
experience one of
your family
Move the timeline of some activities from December to a less
stressful month.
traditions or join them on one of their
traditions.
Move the timeline of some activities from
December to a less stressful month. A
tradition in our family is making gingerbread
houses. We used to decorate them the first
weekend of December, but we now do them
the weekend before Thanksgiving. This
slight change has worked well, and it still
makes a great opening to the holiday season.
Another holiday activity
that can be moved is the
family card. Some years
the task alone nearly sent
me over the edge, getting
the picture, writing the
letter and addressing,
stamping and stuffing the
envelopes. My cousin
figured this out years ago.
She sends out a family Easter letter each year
instead of the traditional Christmas letter. It is
much less stressful for us to send the holiday
cards after the New Year than feeling forced
to cram it in during December.
Outsourcing is a fantastic way to creatively
approach the holidays. Outsourcing is not
always the least expensive route, but when
time is money, and you are able to, it may be
more beneficial. For example, you can
purchase tubes of sugar cookie dough to roll
out and decorate versus mixing the dough
from scratch. Or you could have a dinner
party catered or held at a restaurant rather
than hosting and serving it yourself.
Take advantage of gift wrap options and even
ship directly to the recipient, which is fast
and economical since you are shipping once.
Many sellers offer this option even if it is not
advertised, so be sure to discuss it with them
prior to making your purchase.
Do not get paralyzed by the
“but I could do it myself” mind
trap. Even though you could do
it yourself, it does not mean
that doing so will make your
holiday better. Chances are that
there are plenty of areas within
your holiday plans where
outsourcing would save you time
and headache, allowing you a better, calmer
and easier holiday.
Strategy #4 – Take control
This holiday belongs to you and your family,
so do not let outside influences that are not
supporting your efforts to achieve a less
stressful holiday creep in and take over.
Outsourcing is a fantastic way to
creatively approach the holidays.
Take control of your gift giving list. Make a
list of who you need to purchase for, and
stick to it. Can you get one family gift for
your brother, his wife and three kids, rather
than purchasing five individual
gifts? Is your family ready to do a
gift giving rotation or to draw
names? Do you need to do
individual gifts for your co-
workers, or would a case of
potted poinsettias or a large
basket of fruit in the office break
room convey the needed
sentiment?
Take control
of your
holiday
budget.
Over
spending,
either
from not
paying
attention
to the
budget or feeling obligated to
purchase more than we can afford, is a major
cause of holiday stress. Know exactly how
much your budget is for each gift and stay
within the limits. Save receipts and write
down each purchase and who it is for, along
with what it cost so you know exactly where
you stand.
Look for ways to cut costs. Consider trading
baby sitting with a friend so you can both get
your shopping finished without paying for a
babysitter. Barter with friends or neighbors
who offer a service you need. Or consider
creating coupon books, which are a great way
Consider trading baby sitting with a friend so you can both get your shopping finished without paying for
a babysitter.
to provide a personalized gift of time that
your friends and family can enjoy all year.
Take control of your schedule. Fill out a
calendar with all of the
activities and events from
your family “do” list. Do
not be distracted by last
minute invitations or
requests that are not on
your “do” list or that do
not support achieving
your ideal holiday. A
perfectly acceptable
response is, “Thank you
for the invitation, but I am
sorry we cannot
participate as we have
previous plans.”
Strategy #5 – Make
conscious choices
Focus on the fun, the
enjoyment and the little
pleasures of the holiday.
Live in the moment of each new day, of each
new experience this holiday, and you will
find your holiday is more meaningful. When
you are mentally and physically present for
each special holiday experience, enjoying
each moment, you will find that stress does
not enter into the experience.
Is it possible to completely eliminate holiday
stress? I truly hope it is for you, but for me,
I am ready to acknowledge that while I may
not be able to eliminate all of my tendencies
to stress during the holidays, there are many
things I can do.
I can do a better job of taking control and
staying in control of my holiday. I can talk
openly with my husband and children about
their hopes and expectations and make
accomplishing them our priority. I can make
the conscious decision to focus on the fun,
and not the stress of the season, and let go of
the stress.
May we each find ways to achieve a more
meaningful and enjoyable holiday, ways that
are closer to what we each believe is the true
meaning of the season. That is my holiday
wish for you.
Focus on the fun, the enjoyment and the little pleasures of the holiday.
share room party 101: tips for classroom parties tyann marcink - little elephant company
E ager little faces follow the parents‟ every
move through the classroom with keen
interest. It is party day at school, and each
student knows that at some point in the next
hour he has a very good chance of reaching a
sugar high.
Nearly every child is familiar with classroom
parties, which are usually focused around a
holiday or a season, but not every parent
party helper is aware of what is expected
from the short parties by the students.
A Room Party is a brief, normally an hour or
less, time of organized chaos within a
classroom for the students to celebrate. Many
of the themes that a party may be focused on
are Halloween, fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas,
winter, Valentine‟s Day, spring, Easter, or
even the end of school.
Having a small party in the classroom is a
way for teachers to observe a specific holiday
or season that the class has been learning
about. As the students discuss and read about
specific celebrations, a momentum of
anticipation builds, and a party is a release of
that energy.
There are three main components to a Room
Party – a craft, a game and a snack. Although
not always economically feasible, the fourth
component is a take home treat bag filled
with candy and small prizes.
Before planning out the different components
with a group of parents, be sure to check with
the teacher about classroom limitations of
food allergies, physical restrictions, and space
confines. Because of space constraints, some
teachers may allow only a couple of parents
to attend and run the Room Party versus
letting all available parents into the
classroom.
After each component has been agreed upon,
do not hesitate to meet again with
the group of parents to pre-fill treat
bags or to precut any portions of
the craft. Just separating the
different pieces for a craft into
individual bags for each student
will cut down on time consuming
chaos during the party.
In addition, once the planning is on
a roll, do not be shy about
requesting that other parents
contribute to the party. Many
parents may be unable to attend the
party but still desire to be involved in some
capacity, so having these parents contribute
the drinks, plates, napkins or parts of the treat
bags or crafts is an excellent way to include
them.
Most importantly, focus on the students‟
enjoyment of the time and be flexible. Have a
plan, but always be ready to tweak an activity
if necessary.
Crafts When deciding on the perfect craft to reflect
the theme of the party, be aware of the
students‟ ages. An age appropriate craft will
go much smoother than a craft that is a bit too
difficult, with the parents completing the
craft for the students. Also keep in mind that
the craft should not take a whole of time to
construct. The children are
very aware that it is a party,
after all, and there is a lot to
do in a short span of time.
Games Game time is an excellent
outlet for the students‟ pent up
energy. Whether the games
include relay races or require
thought processing, do not
hesitate to plan several games.
Have a couple definite games that the
students will play, and then have some
additional games that can be played at a
moment‟s notice. Many times students are so
excited and wound up that they may finish a
game or even the craft in much less time than
was anticipated. This is where the back-up
games would come in handy, to round out the
remainder of the party time.
Have a plan, but always be ready to tweak an activity if necessary.
Snacks Homemade goodies for the snack used to be the
highlight of the party snack time. However,
double check with the school rules on
homemade foods. Many schools now require
that all food shared in the classroom be store
bought. Don‟t let this be a setback for an
amazing snack though. Options include
cupcakes or cookies from local bakeries or
grocers, as well as assembling the snack during
the party.
Treat Bags Treat bags are terrific post-party reminders to
the students on how much fun they had.
Various candies and chocolates, themed pencils
and notepads, bouncy balls, stickers and
activity books are a few of the diverse options.
The order in which the party proceeds is
usually up to the organizing parents. However,
always be sure to hand out any treat bags at the
end of the party and have the students place the
bags into their school bag immediately. But,
most importantly, have the treat bags sealed
with tape or a sticker, and instruct the students
not to open the bags until they are home. This
will avoid any arguing amongst the students
about favorite candies or treats.
A memorable classroom party is a great
achievement in an elementary student‟s mind.
Here are a few activities that are kid-tested to
be unforgettable.
Bendy Legs Spider Hats
Materials:
Black construction
paper or cardstock
Pipe cleaners
Wiggly eyes
Red yarn
Staplers
Glue
Preparation:
Pre cut for each student a 3 inch circle and
(18) 1 inch strips from the black paper. *Hint:
Have the local copy shop cut the strips in
advance. They can slice an entire stack of
paper at one time at a minimal cost, saving
quite a bit of time. Then staple a pipe cleaner
between two strips to create the bendy legs.
How to do it:
1. Glue the wiggly eyes and a small piece of
yarn to the circle to create the face.
2. Measure with two strips of paper around
the student‟s head and staple together
according to the proper size.
3. Staple the spider head on the front.
4. Staple four legs on each side of the band,
making sure the flat edge of the staples are
on the inside of the hat.
5. Bend the legs in any direction for a crazy
looking spider hat.
Mixed Up Dress Up
Materials:
Various costumes and accessories
Preparation:
Lay out each costume and accessory across one end
of the room so that each piece is readily available.
How to play:
1. Divide the students into small groups of 5 or 6.
2. Designate one child in each group to be dressed up.
3. At “go,” one student from each group will run across the room to the array of costumes and
accessories and choose one piece.
4. Child brings the piece back to the designated child and helps him to put it on.
5. The next child in line for each group retrieves a second piece, and so forth until every child
in each group has retrieved a costume piece or accessory and placed it on the designated
child for each group.
Gather the dressed up children for a quick picture and repeat until every child has had an
opportunity to get “dressed up.”
“BAM” Sugar Cookies
Materials:
Sugar Cookies
Frosting
Sprinkles
Chocolate chips
Other candies (i.e. M&Ms)
Bowls
Spoons
Preparation: Separate sprinkles,
chocolate chips and candies into
several bowls and add spoons to
dish out the treats onto the
cookies.
1. Spread frosting over the sugar cookies.
2. Let students decorate according to their sweet tooths.
3. Savor the delicious candy and cookie combinations.
explore 10 tips for surviving the holidays with family by tyann marcink - little elephant company
A lthough family gatherings can often
create a little tension, it‟s the routine of
gathering together and sharing life that
creates the lasting family memories.
Stress during the holidays is probably
unavoidable, but there are several ways to
help diminish it and make the events more
relaxing for everyone. Here are ten common
stress points and ideas on how to diffuse the
stress before it grows:
1. Too many places to visit
Families grow and suddenly there is not just
one home to visit, but several. Michelle
Eubanks, mother of one, doesn‟t do family
visits all on the same day. “It is too much
stress on all of us. We do one family on one
day and the other the next day.” Spacing out
visits is a way to make everyone‟s day a bit
more relaxed, allowing you to enjoy the day
without thoughts of when you have to be
moving on to the next.
Another helpful tip is to make sure to focus
on your immediate family. “We always make
it a priority to have our own traditions and
family time first, then we spend the rest of
the time with the extended family,” says
Michelle.
2. Lack of space for larger families
Choosing a location for your gathering can be
stressful. Many families‟ ideal location would
be large enough for all the ages to spread out
and each have his own space, but often no
one member in a larger family group has a
Vacation home in Branson, Missouri
decorated for Christmas.
place big enough to accommodate everyone.
It has become popular for some families to
gather at a vacation home. Meeting in a
neutral spot can not only offer more space but
has the added bonus of diffusing a lot of
tension. The kitchen is no longer just one
woman‟s domain, but now belongs to all of
the cooks in the family. As an added bonus,
there is no mad cleaning for several days
before family arrives, as the vacation home is
ready for guests. Your holidays can become
more relaxing and focused on
family since the distractions of
work and home are gone.
3. Too much to prepare
All these guests need to eat!
Try some advanced prep work
or better yet, share the work
when it comes to feeding the
family. “I do a lot of prep
work the night before,” offers Jill Brewer,
mom to three. “And ask everyone to bring
something.”
Amber Eads, mother of two boys, agrees.
“What we do to get ready is to prepare
everything we can beforehand so that it
doesn‟t take forever to get dinner prepared.
We also have all the families coming over
bring something so not just one person is left
to do everything.”
4. Keeping young children amused
Children don‟t always appreciate the
wonderful conversations we adults look
forward to during the holidays. So “pack a
backpack with toys and activities to occupy
the kids,” contributes Gussie Schmitz, mother
of one with another on the way. Pack it with
“something new that the kids haven‟t seen yet
or haven‟t seen in awhile” adds Laura
Schaefer, mom to two with a third on the way.
It‟s a sure way to keep them occupied while
you get on with the chit chat.
5. Sudden meltdowns
We‟ve all lived through it. The
toddler (or older child)
meltdown, and it‟s not
something we look forward to
reliving. Many meltdowns can
be avoided with a little
planning. Jennifer Nolen,
mother of two boys, does her best to “make
sure to always have the kids well rested and
take drinks and snacks.”
Sometimes something as simple as a change
of pace will avoid a tantrum, so to break up
the scenery, mother of two Jeanetta Stowe‟s
solution is to send the children outside.
“Playing outdoors is a good idea, so if it‟s
cold, be sure to bring warm clothes and
jackets for the weather. Kids get cabin fever
too quickly.”
I do a lot of prep work the night before, and ask everyone to bring
something
–Jill, mother of 3
6. So much to clean-up
“Lucky for me, my family is very informal,”
says Jill Brewer. “We all think that the most
important part is the time we spend enjoying
each other. So, we use paper plates, plastic
forks, and plastic cups. Clean up time is cut
way down.”
Using a Sharpie® or other marker to write
names on plastic cups will help everyone to
keep track of his cup and reduce the number
of plastic cups that are thrown away. For
recycling, designate a specific wastebasket
for the plastics and another for aluminum
cans.
7. What to do after the food Family ties strengthen when family spends
time together. This is an excellent time to pull
out the favorite board games and decks of
cards or sit down for a small craft or other
activity. Jennifer Rocha, mom to two boys,
decorates gingerbread cookies with her
family to relax. “When family gets involved
in being creative, they usually don‟t have
time to bicker with anyone.”
Have each family bring a stash of games so
there is plenty of variety for all ages and
personalities. Games help to teach basic skills
This Fold.n.Go Art Folio™ by DINE.n.DOODLE
is ideal to toss into backpacks or purses. One
side holds a few crayons and a piece of chalk,
and the other side is interchangeable with a
small chalkboard or a notepad.
Try packing small portions of carrots,
crackers, and fruit slices in little
sandwich baggies and bring in a fes-
tive reusable lunch box like kotibeth’s
like taking turns, colors, math, and thought
process. Shy personalities will have a chance
to step out of their shells and shine through
role-play games like Charades, while loud
personalities will be able to practice toning
down their voices to not tip off another team
in a game like Pictionary.
8. Who got what
“When do we open presents?” is many times
the first sentence uttered by the kids after
saying “Hello.” The shotgun start for ripping
open the gifts can be fun and crazy at first,
but it soon becomes chaotic and weary for
parents trying to keep track of the new toys.
Help keep things organized and create a
larger sense of appreciation by following
Jennifer Rocha‟s tip to take time opening the
gifts. “I mean really taking time. We let one
person open one gift at a time and everyone
watches. We let the kids play with each new
toy before they can open another gift. We can
sometimes start opening gifts on the 23rd and
not be done until late Christmas evening.”
Keep a small note pad and pencil nearby to
note each child‟s new gift and who it came
from so thank you notes can be sent out in a
couple of days. Becoming a lost tradition,
thank you notes are much appreciated by gift
givers. Whether it‟s a snapshot of the gift in
action with a scrawled “Thank you” on the
back of the photo, or a lengthy handwritten
Everything is
included in the kit, even the leaves.
However, the sun catcher is even
better with the real thing, so first take a
walk outside to find some spectacular
leaves.
Make a leaf sun catcher from a craft kit from Smart Bottom
note, be sure to send the notes in a timely
manner.
9. Going home
Departing can be just as stressful as any other
time during a family gathering. After making
the rounds of hugs and kisses, the children
still need to be pulled away from games or
scooped up from a nap with Grandpa in the
rocker. Kids need to be rounded up and new
gifts must be found and packed away. So be
sure to make leaving easier by picking a
departing time and sticking to it, and
remember the small things that will comfort
your little ones. “We always make sure to
bring „blankie‟ even though she only uses it
at bed time,” adds Gussie Schmitz. “It comes
in handy after a busy and tiring day.”
10. Reflecting
Don‟t forget what it is all about. Chaos may
reign for a few hours or days, but as long as
“everyone remembers that it is about making
happy memories, the kids and spending good
quality time together, things go so much
smoother,” comments Jill Brewer. “I often
think that people really forget about what it
really is about. It‟s about the good times with
each other. As long as everyone is happy and
fed, that is the important part.”
For the sleepy heads on the way home, tuck a small
pillow behind their necks to make the ride more
comfortable. Try this adorable kitty cat neck pillow
by Paula and Erika. All of the details are
embroidered on the face, so there are no worries
about loose parts.
Search for a holiday vacation home
at one of the popular vacation
rental sites found online
Search results can be refined by location,
size, and amenities of the homes and
condos. Many home are very affordable, but
the best ones go fast and are often reserved
9 to 12 months in advance for the popular
family holidays. So don‟t put it off until the
last minute, another tip for reducing holiday
stress!
work creating an online presence this season by liz murphy - daisy creek designs
W ith the holidays quickly approaching,
crafters and artisans are busy making new
products and listing them online. But with so
many online marketplaces popping up all
over the internet, it can be difficult to know
which venues are most suited to your
business needs.
One main consideration when choosing an
online marketplace is cost - cost of
membership and cost to list product. Most
sites, such as Etsy, 1000 Markets and Craft Is
Art require only an email, username and
password to join, whereas Handmade
Catalog charges anywhere between $4.95 to
$12.95 per month depending on the level of
membership.
The cost to list an item and the fees
associated with selling products are what
really set these venues apart from each
other. Selling an item on Shop Handmade,
with sponsorship, costs nothing to list and
only 3.5% for PayPal. In contrast, ebay
charges a combination of the insertion fee,
the final value fee and a variety of listing
upgrades, making it quite difficult to
calculate the final cost of selling.
Another important consideration when
choosing where to list your products online is
site exposure. Some sites, such as Etsy, ebay
and Artfire, clearly have reputations as places
to go when looking to purchase items directly
from the seller. They have a strong online
presence, and future customers regularly visit
these sites in search of the perfect product to
meet their needs. Typically, advertising on
your end helps to guide new customers to
your shop in particular when listing on less
well-known sites.
Finally, consider the type of support or
networking opportunities each site
offers. Chat rooms, forums, teams and
promotional tools are just some of the ways
sites are helping sellers get in contact with
new customers and other sellers. Such
contact and teamwork is essential in building
an online presence and developing a
customer base.
Membership Cost to List Length Of
Listing Payment Source
Support &
Networking
Number of
Photos Types of Products Exposure Control of Shop
Free 5.5% commission
+ .50 No time length Amazon
Organized by
markets 4 per item
Handmade, food, earth
friendly Established site
Can organize items by
category
Basic is free
Verified - $12 a
month
Basic - 12 listings at a
time
Verified - unlimited
No time length PayPal Social promotion
tools
Up to 10 photos
per item
Handmade, design/
media,
Supplies and vintage
Established site Banner and avatar
Free
3.5% commission
Special add ons
.15 to .75 each
No time length PayPal Automatic UPS
shipping rates 1 per item
Handmade, crafts, art
No commercial or mass
produced
New site
Customizable
Can add multiple
options and create
coupons
Free
Store option -
starting at $15.95
a month
Combination of insertion
fee, final value fee and
listing upgrades
10 days, 30 days
or “Good Until
Cancelled”
PayPal, ProPay,
Moneybookers,
Paymate, credit card
through an internet
merchant account
Chat rooms and
discussion boards
1 included per item,
more are available
for an additional fee
All types including
commercial and mass
produced
Established site
Banner only
Store option also
allows logo, additional
text, picture boxes,
store colors, store
pages (customization
on some)
Free .20 plus 3.5%
commission 4 months PayPal
Forums, chat rooms,
teams, virtual labs,
connections to
Facebook and Google
Analytics
5 per item Handmade, supplies
and vintage Established site
Banner, avatar and
can now modify order
of listings
Basic – up to 50
items
Standard – up to
250 items
Professional – up to
1000 items
$4.95 / mo.
+ 15% commission
$7.95 / mo.
+ 10% commission
$12.95 / mo.
+ 5% commission
No time length PayPal None 1 per item Handmade and supplies New site Banner
Free 3% commission No time length PayPal Forums 1 per item Handmade, supplies,
items made by kids
Moderately
established site Avatar
Free Free with sponsorship No time length PayPal None 1 per item Many categories of
handmade products New site Avatar
Whether you choose an online marketplace because of cost, ease of membership, exposure or the control you have over the look of your shop, the chart below will provide you with the information
you need to choose which ones are best for you to create an online presence this holiday season and throughout the year.
Membership Cost to List Length Of
Listing Payment Source
Support &
Networking
Number of
Photos Types of Products Exposure Control of Shop
Free 5.5% commission
+ .50 No time length Amazon
Organized by
markets 4 per item
Handmade, food, earth
friendly Established site
Can organize items by
category
Basic is free
Verified - $12 a
month
Basic - 12 listings at a
time
Verified - unlimited
No time length PayPal Social promotion
tools
Up to 10 photos
per item
Handmade, design/
media,
Supplies and vintage
Established site Banner and avatar
Free
3.5% commission
Special add ons
.15 to .75 each
No time length PayPal Automatic UPS
shipping rates 1 per item
Handmade, crafts, art
No commercial or mass
produced
New site
Customizable
Can add multiple
options and create
coupons
Free
Store option -
starting at $15.95
a month
Combination of insertion
fee, final value fee and
listing upgrades
10 days, 30 days
or “Good Until
Cancelled”
PayPal, ProPay,
Moneybookers,
Paymate, credit card
through an internet
merchant account
Chat rooms and
discussion boards
1 included per item,
more are available
for an additional fee
All types including
commercial and mass
produced
Established site
Banner only
Store option also
allows logo, additional
text, picture boxes,
store colors, store
pages (customization
on some)
Free .20 plus 3.5%
commission 4 months PayPal
Forums, chat rooms,
teams, virtual labs,
connections to
Facebook and Google
Analytics
5 per item Handmade, supplies
and vintage Established site
Banner, avatar and
can now modify order
of listings
Basic – up to 50
items
Standard – up to
250 items
Professional – up to
1000 items
$4.95 / mo.
+ 15% commission
$7.95 / mo.
+ 10% commission
$12.95 / mo.
+ 5% commission
No time length PayPal None 1 per item Handmade and supplies New site Banner
Free 3% commission No time length PayPal Forums 1 per item Handmade, supplies,
items made by kids
Moderately
established site Avatar
Free Free with sponsorship No time length PayPal None 1 per item Many categories of
handmade products New site Avatar
Whether you choose an online marketplace because of cost, ease of membership, exposure or the control you have over the look of your shop, the chart below will provide you with the information
you need to choose which ones are best for you to create an online presence this holiday season and throughout the year.
view photos from a kid‟s eye view
An Exciting day! Photo taken by Sierra, age 5
Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
“Sierra grew this sunflower on her own. She
planted the seeds inside during the late
winter, and by the time spring came the
sunflower had started to grow. Sierra took
such good care of it. The day the sunflower
opened up, she was so happy and proud of all
her hard work she just had to take this
picture!”
Planting the Spring Garden
Photo taken by Noah, age 2
Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
“We have quite a few raised beds in our
backyard and try to grow as much as we can
in them. Noah loves to help in all
aspects...planting (as seen here), watering and
especially eating! Not too many of the
berries actually make it into the house!”
- Sherri www.noahandlilah.etsy.com - Jocelyn www.thelittlelovebug.etsy.com
The Parking Lot
Photo taken by Paige, age 4
Corning, California, USA
“After we landed in Germany, Paige asked
if she could take some pictures with one of
my cameras. She took this one while in the
stroller looking for Morfar's car (that's
grandfather in Norweigan). In this photo,
she was able to capture her daddy's
silliness!”
Baby on a Fence Photo taken by Jordan Fae, age 3
Long Island, New York, USA
“We were in Pennsylvania for a family
function and decided to take a hike by the
local waterfalls. I set my camera down to
look at the scenery...Jordan picked up my
camera (while she thought I wasn't looking
but was through the corner of my eye). She
set up the doll and shot the picture. I am a
photographer, and my Jordan Fae is always
interested in what I am doing.”
- Carrie www.apronsbypunkyfae.etsy.com - Liz www.daisycreek.etsy.com
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