Children's drawings can be used to create greeting cards, stationary or invitations. When creating multiple cards with the same design just scan the design and then set up 4 drawings per page. Cut out the designs and glue to construction or card stock. If the cards will be given as a gift add envelopes and tie with a ribbon.
Original design.
This project is from an article we submitted for "Rhythm of the Home" online http://rhythmofthehome.com/summer-2011/gratitude-tree-ramadan-craft-children/
In the midst of summer’s bounty and glory, one can’t help but feel gratitude for the gifts of the season. This year Ramadan, a month where Muslims fast from sunup to sundown, falls in the long days of summer. For the adults who fast, Ramadan is a time we often feel and experience immense gratitude in the face of the fasts daily deprivation. A gratitude tree is a special way to include children in on the fast, as the adults are breaking their fast at sunset, the little ones can also reflect on the day and give thanks. It is a great activity for families and can be adapted to fit each family’s unique traditions and celebrations.
When decorating for the holidays and special occasions, bring in elements from the natural world for their real and simple beauty.
For the Tree
Pot
Branches (living or dried)
Moss
Floral Foam
Pruners or heavy duty scissors
For the Tags
Paper (you can chose a color palette, make it bright multi-colored or just use white copy paper.)
Embroidery floss
Needle or hole punch
Scissors
Glue
You can create the type of tags that you prefer. Some options are: a long thin flat tag, a larger tag that can be rolled up, rectangular tags that can be folded in half like a card, or little square tags. Keep in mind the size of your tags in relation to the size of your tree.
1. Cut floral foam to fill container. (If you are using living materials then you will need to let the floral foam soak in water in advance.)
2. Cover the floral foam with moss.
3. Add the branches, turning your pot as you go so that you get a nicely formed tree. Put aside.
4. Cut the tags to your desired shape and size.
5. To create the little hangers you can either thread the floss through the top of the paper with a needle, or punch a hole and loop the floss through the hole. Tie the ends together.
6. Now, put your grateful thoughts to paper.
:: Potted plants may be used instead of branches.
:: Plant grass seed or use glass marbles instead of moss.
:: Add a tag for each family member or combine all of the tags on one piece of string. You can choose whether to make your gratitude thoughts private or public by the way you make the tags. If you are working with young children, let them draw or transcribe their thoughts to you.
:: You can create this as a one-time activity or add tags daily over the course of a month and then start fresh the next month. If it is done monthly then you could think about working with seasonal materials for your branches. For example, Japanese Maple branches in the autumn or Cherry Blossoms in the spring.
These cookies are delicate with a rich buttery flavor.
Ingredients
Materials Needed
Visual Directions
Download Date butter cookies vd
Directions
Bake in a pre-heated over at 400 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes.
Do not over bake.
The designs for these votives were made exactly the same way as the other tissue stars but just smaller. The stars were then glued to a votive holder and a piece of white tissue was wrapped around and glued in back.
It just take a few folds and a few snips to create these delicate stars.
Materials
Directions
Links to past projects:
Falling Stars
Paper Balls
Cut, Fold, & Past Cards
The Ramadan Peace kits were created as a way to share Ramadan with the non-Muslims in our lives; neighbors, co-workers and family. Someone recently asked for the pictures of our older Ramadan peace kits, so I'm posting them along with the type we currently offer. This idea is done by many families in our area and the packaging and tags are done in many creative ways.
Our second version
Our current version, a Ramadan Peace Card.
Our current version does not mention the month so can be used any year.
The version to give to Muslims, says Happy Ramadan and does not have the info about Ramadan on the back.
You can purchase them through paypal at barakah@earthlink.net They come ready for you to bake and fill. They are $1.50 each and $2. shipping. Please note what color and type you are interested in.
Materials
Directions
Partial Side Section
The white paper is the inside of the folded sections.
Close Up
6 folded sections make up the star
Magrib and the new Ramadan moon.
Materials
Directions
