Green Options » holiday crafting http://greenoptions.com/tag/holiday-crafting Posts tagged 'holiday crafting' Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:40:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Pumpkin Pounding: A Halloween Project Kids Can Do Independently http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/10/29/pumpkin-pounding-a-halloween-project-kids-can-do-independently/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/10/29/pumpkin-pounding-a-halloween-project-kids-can-do-independently/#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:40:42 +0000 Julie Finn http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/10/29/pumpkin-pounding-a-halloween-project-kids-can-do-independently/ Pumpkin PoundingEncouraging my children’s independence is VERY important to me. Not only is it easier for me to parent two small children who can pour their own milk and put on their own coats and carry their own balance bikes up and down the front porch stairs, but it’s also a priority in my parenting that my girls see themselves as capable individuals who can handle challenges and perform the meaningful work of day-to-day living.

Because of that, carving pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns can be a really frustrating experience. I do permit my children to cut with sharp knives (with supervision), but not to use them on something as thick and unwieldy as a pumpkin. Although there are around-the-house materials that make pumpkin carving an activity more appropriate for small children (subject for a later post), my girls’ favorite jack-o-lantern craft is something that we call pumpkin pounding.

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/10/29/pumpkin-pounding-a-halloween-project-kids-can-do-independently/feed/ Don’t Throw Away Your Easter Trash! Craft It Into Something Awesome http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/04/12/dont-throw-away-your-easter-trash-craft-it-into-something-awesome/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/04/12/dont-throw-away-your-easter-trash-craft-it-into-something-awesome/#comments Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:47:37 +0000 Julie Finn http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/04/12/dont-throw-away-your-easter-trash-craft-it-into-something-awesome/ Easter eggsWhether or not you bought handmade for this holiday, and whether you celebrated Easter or cobbled together a sort of Spring-y pagan festivity (like we did in my house), you’ve probably got some Easter trash.

I know we do. We tried for a low-key, handmade, natural materials little celebration, and we’ve STILL got the packaging for a couple of chocolate bunnies, some marshmallow Peeps that nobody wants to eat (they taste gritty!), and about a gazillion egg cartons and eggshells to deal with.

If you’ve got anything left over, chances are that some other people do, too, and chances are that somebody has thought of SOMETHING awesome to do with all that trash. Here are some tutorials to get you started:

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/04/12/dont-throw-away-your-easter-trash-craft-it-into-something-awesome/feed/ Five Fun Presidential Activities to do with Your Kids for Presidents’ Day http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/16/five-fun-presidential-activities-to-do-with-your-kids-for-presidents-day/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/16/five-fun-presidential-activities-to-do-with-your-kids-for-presidents-day/#comments Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:18:24 +0000 Julie Finn http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/16/five-fun-presidential-activities-to-do-with-your-kids-for-presidents-day/ US puzzle piecesEspecially coming on the heels of such a celebrated presidential inauguration, Presidents’ Day is a good day to carry on the festivities. And with many school-going kids also experiencing a school holiday today, Presidents’ Day can also be a fun way to spend a little extra together-time with the kiddos.

We’re having a presidential-themed day at our house today, celebrating with a mixture of the following fun activities and games:

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/16/five-fun-presidential-activities-to-do-with-your-kids-for-presidents-day/feed/ Handmade Holiday: Make Your Valentine out of Comic Books http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/02/10/handmade-holiday-make-your-valentine-out-of-comic-books/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/02/10/handmade-holiday-make-your-valentine-out-of-comic-books/#comments Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:42:28 +0000 Julie Finn http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/02/10/handmade-holiday-make-your-valentine-out-of-comic-books/ Comic Book ValentineOr newspaper. Or sheet music. Or parchment paper. Or wrapping paper. Or napkins. Or old scrapbook paper. Or crinkled aluminum foil. Or pre-colored coloring book pages.

Anything that you can cut a heart out of or paint a heart on, you can make into a Valentine.

Make your Valentine out of yarn. Or twine. Or twigs. Or hair. Or selvage. Or dried beans. Or dirt. Or ribbon. Or chain.

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/02/10/handmade-holiday-make-your-valentine-out-of-comic-books/feed/ DIY Valentine: A Sweet Treat that You Don’t Eat! http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/01/diy-valentine-a-sweet-treat-that-you-dont-eat/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/01/diy-valentine-a-sweet-treat-that-you-dont-eat/#comments Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:55:08 +0000 Julie Finn http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/01/diy-valentine-a-sweet-treat-that-you-dont-eat/ Cinnamon Cut-outsMy girls and I love to celebrate Valentine’s Day–I consider it a holiday centered around honoring our loved ones. I love making and sending special cards to special people, helping my girls make small gifts for their small friends, and planning something thoughtful for my own life partner. What I don’t love, however, is the mass media’s take on Valentine’s Day–all expensive greeting cards and cheap chocolates, in my opinion.

Every winter, my girls and I make cinnamon cut-outs as gifts and decorations for both Christmas and Valentine’s Day–the heavy, decadent, sweet scent seems appropriate for winter holidays, and combined with a dough that you roll out and cut with cookie cutters, it’s a suitable replacement for the tactile pleasure and fun of family togetherness that we might otherwise get from baking two holidays’ worth of sugar cookies.

No, you don’t get to eat these cookies, but you do get to have them, and they’ll smell delicious forever. Here’s our recipe and tutorial:

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/01/diy-valentine-a-sweet-treat-that-you-dont-eat/feed/ DIY Valentine: Oodles of Online Tutes for Your Crafty, Creative Sweeties http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/01/27/diy-valentine-oodles-of-online-tutes-for-your-crafty-creative-sweeties/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/01/27/diy-valentine-oodles-of-online-tutes-for-your-crafty-creative-sweeties/#comments Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:45:50 +0000 Julie Finn http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/01/27/diy-valentine-oodles-of-online-tutes-for-your-crafty-creative-sweeties/ vintage amber heart beadIf you know me, you know that I heart myself some holiday crafting. I made a bunch of crafts for autumn, I made a bunch of crafts for Christmas, and now I am your fairy 30-something godmother of Valentine crafting. Don’t believe me? Then let me tell you this: Y’all, I received SEVEN handmade Valentines in the mail yesterday. And yesterday, I myself mailed out TWENTY-FOUR handmade Valentines. To people I have never actually met in person. I’m not quite finished with the super-special ones going out to people I have actually met in person.

Uh-huh. You can feel safe with me.

With that being said, here are some of my favorite online Valentine projects, tutes, and crafty downloads from some of my favorite online people:

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/01/27/diy-valentine-oodles-of-online-tutes-for-your-crafty-creative-sweeties/feed/ DIY Patriotism: Awesome and Eco-Friendly Projects in Honor of our 44th President, Barack Obama http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/01/20/diy-patriotism-awesome-and-eco-friendly-projects-in-honor-of-our-44th-president-barack-obama/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/01/20/diy-patriotism-awesome-and-eco-friendly-projects-in-honor-of-our-44th-president-barack-obama/#comments Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:25:06 +0000 Julie Finn http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/01/20/diy-patriotism-awesome-and-eco-friendly-projects-in-honor-of-our-44th-president-barack-obama/ My girls watching the inauguration of President Barack ObamaY’all, our country hearts Obama today. Autumn has already been talking about some awesome Obama art she’s seen, Tina over at Eco Child’s Play talked about how to find green Obama souvenirs, and I wrote another post about inauguration activities  just for you to do with the kiddos.

You know what we’re lacking, though, right? Our own projects! We are crafty people, and it’s about time that we ourselves make some sweet crafty love with our man of the day, President Obama.

Sweet crafty love? Count me in!

Here’s a breakdown of some craftiness you can get yourselves into:

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/01/20/diy-patriotism-awesome-and-eco-friendly-projects-in-honor-of-our-44th-president-barack-obama/feed/ Eco-Friendly and Educational Inauguration Activities to Do with Your Kids http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/01/19/eco-friendly-and-educational-inauguration-activities-to-do-with-your-kids/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/01/19/eco-friendly-and-educational-inauguration-activities-to-do-with-your-kids/#comments Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:29:22 +0000 Julie Finn http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/01/19/eco-friendly-and-educational-inauguration-activities-to-do-with-your-kids/ Inauguration CelebrationYou and your kiddos have some green Obama souvenirs, right? Well, even if you don’t (and even though my four-year-old voted for McCain), there are some fun, educational, and eco-friendly ways to help your kids celebrate our upcoming inauguration–by celebrating this inauguration, in particular, but any inauguration, you help your kids understand the ceremonies that are meaningful to our society and help give them a sense of history and their particular place in it. By making your celebrations thrifty and eco-friendly, you help them learn how to live full and generous lives while honoring your family’s ethical beliefs.

Some of these activities below will require a little prep time and some won’t, but all can be participated in by kids from very young to very old:

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/01/19/eco-friendly-and-educational-inauguration-activities-to-do-with-your-kids/feed/ There’s Still Time! Quick, Thrifty, and Eco-friendly Christmas Crafts to do with Kids http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/12/17/theres-still-time-quick-thrifty-and-eco-friendly-christmas-crafts-to-do-with-kids/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/12/17/theres-still-time-quick-thrifty-and-eco-friendly-christmas-crafts-to-do-with-kids/#comments Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:35:56 +0000 Julie Finn http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/12/17/theres-still-time-quick-thrifty-and-eco-friendly-christmas-crafts-to-do-with-kids/ Quick, Thrifty, and Eco-Friendly OrnamentThe best kinds of Christmas projects really are quick, thrifty, and eco-friendly. When a project is quick–it doesn’t require a lot of prep or clean-up, provides results in a timely manner, and is simple enough that everyone can contribute meaningfully–you can focus your energy on the interaction with your loved ones instead of on the project. When a project is thrifty–it doesn’t require a lot of pricey materials, and ideally utilizes stuff you already possess–the stakes are low enough that everyone can enjoy themselves instead of fussing about appearance. And when a project is eco-friendly–it makes primary use of natural materials and recycling–then you show your kids that being green is a worldview, not a fad.

The projects below are all quick, thrifty, and eco-friendly. And also? They’re fun.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/12/17/theres-still-time-quick-thrifty-and-eco-friendly-christmas-crafts-to-do-with-kids/feed/ Used Sandwich Bag=Pretty Christmas Ornament (I Swear!) http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/12/16/used-sandwich-bagpretty-christmas-ornament-i-swear/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/12/16/used-sandwich-bagpretty-christmas-ornament-i-swear/#comments Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:40:46 +0000 Julie Finn http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/12/16/used-sandwich-bagpretty-christmas-ornament-i-swear/ Ironed Plastic Ornament on the TreeJust as I never buy paper napkins and yet I always seem to have some, I never buy sandwich bags and yet…I always seem to have some. My daughter brings one home with a treat from the class birthday party. Her friend brings one over with a snack to share during their playdate. I buy some dried spearmint to make spearmint tea, and the shopkeeper measures it out into a tiny little sandwich bag.

And I’m sorry, friends–I just cannot wash these things out and reuse them. Ever since I was pregnant with Willow, my gag reflex has just been on a hair trigger. Know what I can do, though? Heat them up, make them pretty, and throw them on the Christmas tree. It’s like this fusing plastic bags project, only with glitter! Don’t believe me? Watch and see.

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/12/16/used-sandwich-bagpretty-christmas-ornament-i-swear/feed/ Kitschy Christmas Record Albums into Nifty Festive Sewing Cards: A Tutorial http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/12/10/kitschy-christmas-record-albums-into-nifty-festive-sewing-cards-a-tutorial/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/12/10/kitschy-christmas-record-albums-into-nifty-festive-sewing-cards-a-tutorial/#comments Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:05:05 +0000 Julie Finn http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/12/10/kitschy-christmas-record-albums-into-nifty-festive-sewing-cards-a-tutorial/ Record album cover sewing cardsIn my house, idle hands seriously do perform the devil’s business–if the devil’s business includes trashing the house, squabbling with sisters, and whining for treats, that is. Therefore, cheap as I am, my girls and I often do productive little projects together; this one is a set of sewing cards made from kitschy old vinyl record album covers. Follow along and at the end you can have yourself a merry little five minutes of peace wherein the kids are busily sewing and not griping. (NOTE: This project is very similar to the kitschy Christmas record album cover ornaments project–if you’re making one, then make both!)

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/12/10/kitschy-christmas-record-albums-into-nifty-festive-sewing-cards-a-tutorial/feed/ Kitschy Christmas Record Albums=Kitschy Christmas Tree Ornaments: A Tutorial http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/12/09/kitschy-christmas-record-albumskitschy-christmas-tree-ornaments-a-tutorial/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/12/09/kitschy-christmas-record-albumskitschy-christmas-tree-ornaments-a-tutorial/#comments Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:29:26 +0000 Julie Finn http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/12/09/kitschy-christmas-record-albumskitschy-christmas-tree-ornaments-a-tutorial/ Perry Como says Merry Christmas!So you’ve made yourself some kitschy Christmas record bowls, but now you have all these kitschy Christmas record album covers lying around–what to do, what to do? Sometimes I make kitschy boxes out of my album covers, but you know, my tree could really use more kitsch, as well…let’s make some ornaments!

You will need: kitschy Christmas cardboard record album covers, sturdy scissors, perhaps some nice scrapbook or wrapping paper and glue, a hole punch, and an ornament hanger

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/12/09/kitschy-christmas-record-albumskitschy-christmas-tree-ornaments-a-tutorial/feed/ Crafty Christmas: Felted Sweater Stocking Tutorial http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/11/25/crafty-christmas-felted-sweater-stocking-tutorial/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/11/25/crafty-christmas-felted-sweater-stocking-tutorial/#comments Wed, 26 Nov 2008 02:17:31 +0000 Julie Finn http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/11/25/crafty-christmas-felted-sweater-stocking-tutorial/ My felted wool Christmas stockingEvery Christmas Eve with my mom (you know about my mom, right?), she drags out these utterly godawful stockings for her grandbabies to use–quilted cotton with a printed image of teddy bears in bathrobes and slippers, bought sometime during the Reagan administration. From Wal-mart. On sale. Ugh. But how could I complain? I, who am obviously too cheap to pony up for non-teddy bear stockings for my own kids?

All that will change this year. With four tacky wool sweaters and an easy-peasy stocking pattern, I sewed up a houseful of awesome, unique, sturdy and sophisticated stockings for the girls to…um, yeah, my mom? She always tells them to just set their stockings by the front door. So Santa can see them as soon as he walks in, you know?

Sigh. Come follow along with me, anyway, and make some stockings of your own.

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/11/25/crafty-christmas-felted-sweater-stocking-tutorial/feed/ Handmade Holidays: Creating Special Gifts and Memories http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/19/handmade-holidays-creating-special-gifts-and-memories/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/19/handmade-holidays-creating-special-gifts-and-memories/#comments Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:23:18 +0000 Wenona Napolitano http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/19/handmade-holidays-creating-special-gifts-and-memories/ Christmas Tree EarringsMy family always creates handmade Christmas cards for each other and extended family members. Sometimes we also make special gifts for each other. This year the money crunch is on and I think handmade will be the norm and not the exception.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/19/handmade-holidays-creating-special-gifts-and-memories/feed/ Crafting Nature: Projects to Do in the Fall http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/11/11/crafting-nature-projects-to-do-in-the-fall/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/11/11/crafting-nature-projects-to-do-in-the-fall/#comments Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:31:30 +0000 Julie Finn http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/11/11/crafting-nature-projects-to-do-in-the-fall/ Author's photo of leaf crayonI think it’s the stubborn in me, but at this time of year, instead of getting a jump on the Christmas season and having, oh, I don’t know, a RELAXED holiday for a change, I feel the urge to really dig down into the autumn leaves and embrace the glories of this season. I live in the north, and so the trees are a treasure to behold, the temperature is blissfully breezy and crisp, and I look dang cute in jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. So celebrate with me the apple harvest and my casual cuteness with these thematically-appropriate projects taken from some of my favorite Web sites:

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/11/11/crafting-nature-projects-to-do-in-the-fall/feed/ Crafting Nature: Kids’ Art Projects for Autumn http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/06/crafting-nature-kids-art-projects-for-autumn/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/06/crafting-nature-kids-art-projects-for-autumn/#comments Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:27:33 +0000 Julie Finn http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/06/crafting-nature-kids-art-projects-for-autumn/ Author's photo of autumn leavesThe leaves are falling from the silver maple trees today, and it’s my favorite time of the year. Autumn is a terrific season for experiencing with children, especially. Unlike the slowing down of winter and even the dawning of spring, sometimes, the seasonal change to autumn is an abrupt and vivid one–it’s so easy to remember summer, still, but so easy to see the turning and falling of the leaves and feel the nip in the air.

Because autumn itself is so tactile and sensorial, I take extra pleasure in exploring and celebrating it with my girls with some hands-on activities and projects. In accordance with our green crafting manifesto, we try to work primarily with natural and recycled materials, and to support a sense of ourselves as members of a global community; here are some things that we’ve done, that we like to do, and that we’re going to try this autumn:

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/06/crafting-nature-kids-art-projects-for-autumn/feed/ DIY Denim: Give Your Recycled Bunting Some Personality http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/11/01/diy-denim-give-your-recycled-bunting-some-personality/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/11/01/diy-denim-give-your-recycled-bunting-some-personality/#comments Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:40:30 +0000 Julie Finn http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/11/01/diy-denim-give-your-recycled-bunting-some-personality/ Author's photograph of appliqueing her denim buntingOkay, so remember when I said that there’s nothing more festive than a bunting? Well, I lied. There is one thing on Earth that is more festive than a bunting: a PERSONALIZED bunting! Follow along with me as I totally become the birthday party hero by making personalized buntings for two of my daughter’s little friends (You know what they say about November birthdays, right? Happy Valentine’s Day!).

You will need: your recycled denim bunting, freezer or sticker paper, pre-washed wool or acrylic felt (wool felt will shrink a lot!), matching thread,  a glue stick, a free-motion presser foot if you’ll be doing machine-applique

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/11/01/diy-denim-give-your-recycled-bunting-some-personality/feed/ DIY Denim: A Festive Recycled Bunting Tutorial http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/10/28/diy-denim-a-festive-recycled-bunting-tutorial/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/10/28/diy-denim-a-festive-recycled-bunting-tutorial/#comments Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:29:34 +0000 Julie Finn http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/10/28/diy-denim-a-festive-recycled-bunting-tutorial/ Author's photograph of a recycled denim buntingYou totally know that a bunting makes a party more festive, right? There’s nothing happier than those little triangular flags, gaily waving in the breeze.  But do you know what would make a happy little bunting even happier? If it was made from your skinny jeans. Live in the moment, my friends; love your body, and I’ll show you how to upcycle your old jeans into some party flags.

You will need: a pair of jeans; double-fold bias tape (or you can make your own!); cardboard; rotary cutter and mat; sewing machine and thread

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/10/28/diy-denim-a-festive-recycled-bunting-tutorial/feed/