My First Embroidery Project

What you need to get started:
Cotton or linen fabric in white, off-white or a light color. I used a white cloth napkin and it worked really well.
An embroidery hoop (size depends on the size of the drawing)
A transfer pencil and tape or a regular pencil
Embroidery floss
Embroidery needles


I just laid the cloth over the drawing and traced it with a regular pencil but the more experienced sewers use a transfer pencil. If you want to use your own child's drawing, have him make a sketch on a piece of paper using pencil or a dark marker. Tape the drawing to a window so that the blank side of the paper is facing you. Trace the drawing using the transfer pencil. Pin the drawing transfer side down to the fabric. Follow the instructions that come with your transfer pencil to iron it on.

Either method you use, once you have your drawing on the fabric, place the fabric in the embroidery hoop.
Separate the 6 strands of embroidery floss into two sets of 3 strands. Thread the needle for your child. A great tutorial on how to thread a needle and knot the thread can be found here. More about beginning hand sewing here.
I taught the boys my version of a back stitch and Katie did a open chain stitch but they ended up doing their own unique stitches. I didn't care since it was the experience I was interested in, not their learning stitches properly. If you are interested in your child learning proper stitching, here is a great link to short instructions on all sorts of stitches. I think, however that uneven stitches and little mistakes add to it's charm.
Have your child work on it for as long as it holds their interest. Mine sewed in very small increments, as my boys didn't have a very long attention span, but over time it was completed, and they certainly have a greater appreciation for the work that goes into it.
The finished product can be framed and hung or can be made into a pillow.

Finger Puppets and Storytelling

Katie entertained us all by making origami finger puppets... and scenery... and putting on a show.

Then she taught Quentin the basics of puppetry...

including how to change voices for the different characters.

She taught him how to get animated with the story and how to use props.

Quentin timidly tried is hand at it. He gained more confidence as he got into the story.Some of his stories were narrations of stories and fables that have been read to him.

Others were of his own creation. As he got more and more into the stories and became less shy, he used more and more characters.

Then told a water world story.

cat finger puppet

You can make your own puppets and stories. Katie made two types of puppets. For the flap puppets, like the sheep, dragon, cat or dog, use a piece of paper about 6-8 inches square. Origami paper is the easiest to work with, but you can try other types of paper like wrapping paper. Fold the left side to the right and crease. Unfold. Fold the two sides toward the center crease. Fold it in half by folding the right side over to meet the left side. Bring the top edge down to the bottom. You have made tow flaps of several layers each. Fold the front flap up halfway. Turn it over and repeat this step on the other flap. If you put your index finger inside the pocket of the top flap and your thumb in the bottom, your puppet is ready to speak. Now make your face and add whatever else you want to make your puppet come alive.

lion finger puppet

To make the round, over-the-finger puppets like the lion, giraffe, whale or penguin, take a 5-6 inch square of paper. These are a little harder to make. Lay the paper down in a diamond shape (points up and down and left, right.) Fol d your paper in half, bringing the left point to meet the right. Now unfold. Fold the left and right points to the center crease, so that your paper looks like a kite. Turn the paper so that the wider end is toward you. Turn the paper over and fold the left and right bottom edges to the center line. Now fold in half by bringing the bottom point to meet the top using a valley fold. Fold down the front flap so it touches the bottom edge. Flip the whole thing over and grasp the lower right and left corners, then curve them around so it is in the shape of a tube. Secure by sliding the right bottom point between the two layers in the other side and tape. Fold the top point down and secure with tape. Turn it over and draw on your face and add whatever you wish.

Happy storytelling.

Letter Sewing Cards

These sewing cards are great for children learning how to write. They build fine motor skills, teach or review how the letter is made and teaching beginning sewing skills. Take a piece of cardboard or cardstock. We used cardstock, but it does bend some. Draw a letter, number or shape (whatever your child is working on) with a thick dark marker. Punch or poke holes at regular intervals around what you have drawn. Have your child use a plastic canvas needle or other large blunt needle to sew yarn around the letter, following the holes you have made.

W is for...

wagon...
weaving

Washington's Cherry Pie

Lowes' Build and Grow Program

Lowes has a wonderful children's program for ages 5 and up. I have heard that Home Depot has a similar program, but I don't know anything about it as I have never gone to that program. The children are given an apron, and a pair of goggles to keep and bring each time they come. Each time there is a different project, which vary some in difficulty. When you get there, they have tables set up with the pre-packaged project kits, complete with instructions and a child-sized hammer to use while you are there. The parent is responsible to read the instructions and help the child as needed. When finished, the child gets a nice quality cloth patch to attach to their aprons and a certificate. My boys love it and have learned how to hammer in nails quite well!

Easy Stained Glass

We used special paint made for glass, which is thin so that you can see light through it. They painted votive holders and suncatchers.

Simple Ways to Celebrate Chinese New Year's

Katie decorates with paper lanterns we all made.

These lanterns are so easy to make. Use a piece of paper -construction paper, origami paper, cardstock or heavy gift wrap are good choices of approximately 8.5" x 11" in size. Fold the piece of paper in half, lengthwise, making sure you line up all the edges. If your paper has a 'right' and 'wrong' side, you will want to make sure the wrong side (the side that will be on the inside of your lantern) facing out at this point. Draw a line along the open, long edge, of the paper, about 3/4" of an inch from the edge. Now, take your scissors and, starting at the folded edge, cut a strip from the folded edge up to the line you drew. Make the first strip about 3/4" away from one of the short edges and continue to cut several strips along the piece of paper. Once all your strips are cut, you should unfold your piece of paper and refold it lengthwise so the pencil mark will be hidden on the inside. If desired, you can now color or embellish the outside of the lantern. To assemble the lantern simply roll the paper into a tube shape as shown in the photo above and staple or tape the edges together.

The handle is made from a strip about 3/4 " x 6-7 ". Attach the handle by taping or stapling the ends of the strip of the paper just inside the top of the lantern. Your completed lanterns can be hung up or set on a table for decoration. These lanterns are only for decorative purposes and should not be used near open flames such as candles.

James eats with chopsticks for the first time.

Sam, a veteran at it, eats with them in the background.

You can make your own or just buy take-out.

Quinny paints a Chinese Dragon.
Coloring pages are easy to find on the Internet.

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