Christmas Story

Well again been off blogging for a while, one thing and another made it very difficult the new year should (may, i'll try a resolution) be more forthcoming with posts. Anyways, hope you had a great Christmas. I know it's late but it will be in the archives for next years, christmas story related activity ideas.

Stable Craft

I'm not generally into pre-made craft ideas but occasionally and this one is rather adorable. Envelope with a triangle cut out of the flap to create a stable scene, children were provided with card cutout shapes to create the figures. No glue was needed to stick a star to the stable roof just a lick on the tope of the flap and hey presto.

Christmas Symbols Box

It is sometimes difficult for children to integrate the ideas of a baby being born a long time ago and the trappings of a modern Christmas celebration, well us adults too. But this little box was a nice talking point about many aspects of our current celebrations both religious and secular.

Clothes Peg Nativity

I love it when an activity/ resource serves a few purposes, so this is a lovely activity to be used creatively whilst developing finger strength. Made out of simple wooden clothes pegs and funky foam cut into appropriate shapes, of course you could use laminated nativity printouts, such a these from activity village. I just glued with pritt stick for speeds sake but for a longer lasting resource use a glue gun

Jesus calms the storm

Simple craft relating to the story of Jesus calming the storm. The sea is only stuck on the sides so that the boat can rock in the storm! The fold on the top allows the storm to STOP!

"The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm." Matthew 8:25-26

Advent Calendar

Helen over at It's All Fiddle Fart inspired me with her Tiny House Advent Calendar to create this Nativity Calendar. Turned out great I think and could be a simple craft for kids. I used lolly sicks fro the stable, cut with scissors. The chalk board is actually the partitions from HMV dvd displays, they gave away a while back (you could use plastic file folder cut up in a dark colour, they work well with chalk). The star at the bottom is a simple wooden decoration bought in decoration sale last yr (Tesco I think) I'm sure you will find lots in near future, if not use card. If writing on card remember to test the pen ink doesn't spread too far.

"For the Christ-child who comes is the Master of all; No palace too great, no cottage too small." Phillips Brooks

Shape Collage

I've rather taken to Shape Collage, a free upgradeable application that allows you to turn your photos into a collage of any shape in minutes (well seconds actually). Check it out!

Pound Land Presents

A brilliant gift on a budget. There is generally a good selection of cookie cutters, like this ginger bread family. To make the present look a little shabby chic, remove from packaging, tie cutters with a piece of ribbon and add a suitably themed label. Hey Presto, looks like you bought from a craft fair at a chunky price. Shhh

"I was brought up in an era when thrift was still considered a virtue." Paul Getty

Tea Painting

I've been out of blog world circulation for a while as I have been busy organising my sister's hen party!!! Fun and very creative (been attempting to come up with ways I could add the photos to the genre of the blog). But anyway when thinking of some thank you cards for people who helped saw this wonderful idea at Creature Comforts blog.

Think this would be a fabulous idea for mothers day particularly for children with visual impairment. Obviously you could use bigger cups with no design. You could even enclose a tea bag in envelope.

"There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea." Bernard-Paul Heroux

lollipops

Saw some fabulous lollipops on bird crafts blog, and

had a most wonderful evening attempting to recreate. Rather an unsuitable activity to do with little ones but they could decorate afterwards or you could make for parties, if you are ok about sugar overload. I'm just really excited about how they turned out, rather a mess not perfect circles like bird crafts but we did get better and I'm happy with the results.

"School is like a lollipop it sucks until it is finished" Anon