December crafts candles and luminaries

We did two different projects this month focusing on candles. The first one we used spools tissue paper ribbons and Felt snowflake cutouts to create our own candles. We talked about how many cultures celebrate the winter holidays using candles and other kinds of lights.



We used crystal light containers to create luminaries that would be able to use battery-operated candle lights. I had the kids gluon torn pieces of tissue paper all over the outside of the plastic containers. We then took them outside and inserted the candle lights in them to test them out. Looks like real stained-glass.

Ornament making sessions get at the creativity

Our annual Christmas ornament making sessions were again a smash hit. We made a variety of ornaments both things that were very old-fashioned and very modern. Everyone had such a great time making just what they wanted to take home and put on their tree.

Thanksgiving placemats a hit

I thought it would be fun to do a painted placemat for Thanksgiving. When I asked the kids if they wanted to draw their own or just paint one they decided they'd rather have one pre-drawn and just paint it. I found a cute drawing online and ran it off on oversized paper then put out the paints and let them go wild. Looks like they did a great job and everyone is embellished differently.

Pinecone turkeys will be centerpieces at many Thanksgiving tables

Of all of the Thanksgiving projects we have done, I think I liked this one the best. We started by selecting our pinecone and making the head from salt clay. The kids and their parents made the wattle and beak and set them in with glue. They then painted the head and added wood stars to the bottom to make the turkey more balanced. We had all kinds of small feathers and they glued them on the pinecone--some onto a few of the heads too, a few even added wings. 

Bottle caps and other findings make really fun art @WBCL

We have done projects before with a variety of bottle capsAnd they are always interesting to work on and see what the kids come up with. This time was no different except that I had a number of other small plastic objects to put into the mix for them. We started with an 8 x 8 piece of cardboard as it is rigid enough to use for the project. They selected the caps, Beads, and bits of plastic that they wanted to use on their project. At some point one of the moms asked about glitter and several of the girls chimed in "oh yes." It is interesting to see how differently every project turned out.

Face painting for Dia de los Muertos party

 This was such a fun party. The theme was Dia de los Muertos and we did the sugar skull faces on the kids and grown ups too.