tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48295812697960926512024-03-05T19:46:54.441-08:00Skinflint with ScissorsTightwad mom here: sometimes crafty, sometimes buried in a book, sometimes writing limericks, sometimes baking muffins with the kids, occasionally in over my head.Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-41669624442846360352014-06-02T15:21:00.001-07:002014-06-02T15:21:04.873-07:00watercolor flowers for shavuos<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZSonMMfOsNpOPX1QQrgAr334dezoGHdltt41Z_f9RA8FX5gbeuF_bLifE_O5LpmYkzTGJH-yR2OOPnGVPt2x4Yvj993TzQOLTESiwbPa_yxSyjxauYQ7NL8ekuxZ228sxfn2CWLQtWQ/s1600/watercolor+flowers-764873.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZSonMMfOsNpOPX1QQrgAr334dezoGHdltt41Z_f9RA8FX5gbeuF_bLifE_O5LpmYkzTGJH-yR2OOPnGVPt2x4Yvj993TzQOLTESiwbPa_yxSyjxauYQ7NL8ekuxZ228sxfn2CWLQtWQ/s320/watercolor+flowers-764873.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6020460379909910482" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>This was so much fun and very easy to make. Basically the petals are all heart shapes, rolled around a pencil to curl the tops. My 4yo son helped paint the watercolor papers. We used two shades of red for a more natural and varied look. When I find my normal camera I'll get some better pics. I love the bright beautiful colors -- watercolor on bright white paper. Must find that camera...</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Tutorial available at <A href="http://scarletkitsune.blogspot.com/2010/05/paper-rose-boutonniere.html">http://scarletkitsune.blogspot.com/2010/05/paper-rose-boutonniere.html</A>. (Wow it took a long time to find it via Google; it's been up since 2010 and that's probably when I first saw it!)</FONT></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-34010302035981436852014-05-28T17:24:00.000-07:002014-05-29T06:12:27.415-07:00Shavuos printable<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Free printable Shavuos decoration, courtesy of Canon.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><A href="http://cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/3158/string-flower001f02/index.html">http://cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/3158/string-flower001f02/index.html</A></FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm thinking to make this without printing it... paint a few papers in diff watercolors, draw flowers in black marker, cut out and glue as instructed.</FONT></DIV></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-64093283845882222572013-11-22T01:42:00.000-08:002013-11-22T01:43:08.596-08:00can you tell I love this quote?<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-y0ti62oT1YPGH6wFeZrrDZeHT8D5MIAO3xBHlOghsGKv3aLgQNlfYFtj1hAI_U78m4zNdVcrD7B3oespfhOQVlQhdEf_W5MwlTvegoaSAKXfeA4NpDT3BapmA3112xxJzG0kyZS0VPI/s1600/blessed+cute+sky-788597.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-y0ti62oT1YPGH6wFeZrrDZeHT8D5MIAO3xBHlOghsGKv3aLgQNlfYFtj1hAI_U78m4zNdVcrD7B3oespfhOQVlQhdEf_W5MwlTvegoaSAKXfeA4NpDT3BapmA3112xxJzG0kyZS0VPI/s320/blessed+cute+sky-788597.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5949016703836329794" /></a></p><DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Thank you generous people who created all of these free fonts!</FONT></DIV></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-48471227421295734032013-11-22T01:32:00.000-08:002013-11-22T01:36:26.249-08:00can you tell I like this quote?<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>FREE FONTS! I love them. Thank you generous people who created all of these free fonts!</FONT></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-49415990060327148362013-11-17T19:13:00.000-08:002013-11-17T19:14:21.011-08:00great reminder!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuqx-lD6hkDi_6PIHssurdC9748R90cNsAoTUOt0ODmQnlz2X4LP5AR1NHzR24TZsmzT5owLmZIyeitHOeCNfhdeMLstxx-1WVzsocZCkCcMMyg8CISLDR449Bll3belLGW5o2zohSU0/s1600/forget-761011.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuqx-lD6hkDi_6PIHssurdC9748R90cNsAoTUOt0ODmQnlz2X4LP5AR1NHzR24TZsmzT5owLmZIyeitHOeCNfhdeMLstxx-1WVzsocZCkCcMMyg8CISLDR449Bll3belLGW5o2zohSU0/s320/forget-761011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5947432177086904690" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Great reminder, found (in slightly different words) on Pinterest. I made it over in Illustrator using a wonderful free font called Clementine (google it).</FONT></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-79619207346316071772013-06-10T20:50:00.000-07:002013-06-10T23:07:06.458-07:00kindergarten alef-beis siyum - Mazel Tov!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgl_eVSF2uGZHHDGZUG0_iTdSUkMmMs_K-MMikJUs3j9NaRtu_4jpIBS5neTcpeBG3OxxeLvojcwitgW9Yrd-EI_pS6XvlgzEUY8BzaDkeClPzDkgGnVctTV8fkUjZQ3oFBEX_xzd9O0/s1600/alef-beis+siyum+ed-726459.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgl_eVSF2uGZHHDGZUG0_iTdSUkMmMs_K-MMikJUs3j9NaRtu_4jpIBS5neTcpeBG3OxxeLvojcwitgW9Yrd-EI_pS6XvlgzEUY8BzaDkeClPzDkgGnVctTV8fkUjZQ3oFBEX_xzd9O0/s320/alef-beis+siyum+ed-726459.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5888103064367503170" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I love watercolor collage!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>My kindergartener has finished learning all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, which of course calls for a full week of festivities. Decorations on Monday, show-and-tell extravaganza on Tuesday, edible goodies come in on Wednesday, and Thursday is the day to dress up and eat the goodies. "A <EM>lot</EM> of junk!" as my friend's kid puts it.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Of course we had great plans of making a huge and beautiful celebratory poster together. Luckily we even had ALL WEEKEND to plan it. But then Sunday being pajama day, we forgot all about it until bedtime. Waaa!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>"I'll make you a sign," I promised my daughter. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>"But I want to HELP!" she wept. Of course she wants to help, bless her. Nu, so how long does it take to paint a couple of color-papers?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Using Q-tips and Tightwad Gazette paint, the kiddies (Miss Kindergarten and one sister) painted a blue page blue and a pink page red. Then I shooed them into bed and took over. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYWc6fxmuG-U03OZwRyKbddu7wBsM7M8p10LZSVLfmgf-F6ii7mo_V7nKwDZDNArJXRwKTcKVljJ146gBxwTfo7mpLw4_UQoGinfeX42GcVNhKJXYg3VVpZAfmFgQfI3XXY-hR-LI3Zs/s1600/lettering-lamed-728155.gif"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYWc6fxmuG-U03OZwRyKbddu7wBsM7M8p10LZSVLfmgf-F6ii7mo_V7nKwDZDNArJXRwKTcKVljJ146gBxwTfo7mpLw4_UQoGinfeX42GcVNhKJXYg3VVpZAfmFgQfI3XXY-hR-LI3Zs/s320/lettering-lamed-728155.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5888103072993289282" /></a></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>On a scrap looseleaf page I drew stick-figure Hebrew letters in pencil, then outlined them for thickness. I adjusted the outlines with my pencil, aiming for sturdy yet graceful shapes. (Practice gives you a feel for this. It also helps to study your favorite fonts. Of course you <EM>could</EM> simply print the lettering from your computer...) </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The pink page was still wet enough to cling to the thin paper, but not too wet to cut. Perfect. I cut out the pink letters, saving the scraps for decorations.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Pink means flowers, and flowers need leaves. I found some light green paper and painted it with the blue paint. I cut 1/2" strips of the green paper, then snipped it diagonally into fingerprint-sized diamond shapes. Rounding off two points completed the leaf.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The rest is simple. Hearts make sweet and easy flowers. Flower stems and blades of grass (same thing) are easy too. I got out the double-stick mounting tape and stuck bits of it all over the backs of the letters, leaves, flower-hearts and grass. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I thought I'd center the words, with a sweet little kindergarteny garden below. But when the first few hearts were ready, I clustered them in a corner and immediately fell in love with the off-center design. Borrowed <A href="http://skinflintwithscissors.blogspot.com/2011/01/picture-pie-flower-border.html">this</A> idea to help balance out the layout. Love it. What a shame we missed out on planning the layout together... oh well! There will be other Sundays.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV>Debated leaving the last step -- sticking it all together -- for my daughter to finish in the morning... but with no guarantees as to what the morning would look like, that might mean an unfinished sign. So I did all the sticking except for the vine down the margin. Hoping to make the morning session go a bit more quickly, I picked up the painty q-tip and printed dots of paint to indicate where the leaves belonged. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>By the way -- if you do this project with plenty of time, consider ironing all the papers flat, either before you stick on the tape or maybe before you cut out the shapes. Cardstock might not require it, but we did not use cardstock.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The morning went just as I'd hoped, thank Goodness. I even found some cream-colored cardstock to mount the sign onto. (Yay! More puffy mounting tape.) This made it both sturdier and larger -- more impressive overall. </FONT> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The photo is as good as I could make it considering our only working camera is actually a cell phone. Thank you Photoshop.</FONT></DIV></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-12063808195803438312013-05-03T12:57:00.001-07:002013-05-03T12:57:32.599-07:00Pineapple costume<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvWJwzLTVu4JZhMs3NNL6plWBH9B33BpUOH9iy-mwlggd99L7jVO0r6d8WKUoqNIjOUCg1N2U4AK7KGZpvZsAF2rY10VIUyVyJssYgjMgqdsLvGXvWdpDCLDlB8Fl72uejxQL7aYwej4/s1600/IMG_5506+pineapple-752600.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvWJwzLTVu4JZhMs3NNL6plWBH9B33BpUOH9iy-mwlggd99L7jVO0r6d8WKUoqNIjOUCg1N2U4AK7KGZpvZsAF2rY10VIUyVyJssYgjMgqdsLvGXvWdpDCLDlB8Fl72uejxQL7aYwej4/s320/IMG_5506+pineapple-752600.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5873844749301167346" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Thanks to the Freecycler who provided this yellow sweatshirt (and the blue one that became a peacock)!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>How to make this cool pineapple costume: obtain a large yellow sweatshirt, adult size preferred. With a good brown crayon, mark diagonal lines. (Paint doesn't come out as neat as crayon.) As you may already be aware, crayon does not come out in the wash.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Obtain some fancy green paper (we bought a big shiny gift bag for a dollar). Mark and cut a crown of long tapered leaves. Keep in mind that the height of the crown will make it tippy. Attach a long ribbon (or two) (or elastic) (or figure out something else that works) and wear with pride!</FONT></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-38520616415404639072013-04-12T15:02:00.001-07:002013-10-06T23:03:15.578-07:00(p.s.)<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">I cut long white strips from a grocery bag, then taped them securely to the oxygen tank so that it could be worn like a backpack.</span></div>
Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-40723791579146705992013-04-12T14:56:00.000-07:002013-04-12T14:59:33.014-07:00awesome astronaut costume<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieV82JqoWUnFJO1EUqyIYMczOCfggQigCkCAMD0Wat7VFz-d6LflnfC90WL41MD52FV4oZdjT4KGVZEKK2ggXk2mc3SdI2_uutl8HNquh6rusxvcMljcVzwm_PJHdfTwyyNr545bt49g/s1600/IMG_6219+astronaut-773014.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieV82JqoWUnFJO1EUqyIYMczOCfggQigCkCAMD0Wat7VFz-d6LflnfC90WL41MD52FV4oZdjT4KGVZEKK2ggXk2mc3SdI2_uutl8HNquh6rusxvcMljcVzwm_PJHdfTwyyNr545bt49g/s320/IMG_6219+astronaut-773014.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5866083398971153426" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlNKB5tSnrecZkK5IAi8P1p-VJfC5Dnij3jlbwoqzbNLOQ5HM8t4VwfcdxwDQtbWGvzw749PtGyscHyVGqcu4-SfVswP1U-0knQsEXm_dBSmBJpVLl2mdz-4CnQmZ3dHS0UxXRsaKKxA/s1600/IMG_6214+ed-774512.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlNKB5tSnrecZkK5IAi8P1p-VJfC5Dnij3jlbwoqzbNLOQ5HM8t4VwfcdxwDQtbWGvzw749PtGyscHyVGqcu4-SfVswP1U-0knQsEXm_dBSmBJpVLl2mdz-4CnQmZ3dHS0UxXRsaKKxA/s320/IMG_6214+ed-774512.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5866083404783903842" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>This costume was for my fourth grader who had to make a "tour guide" presentation on Alabama. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, built the rockets that took us to the moon, hence the astronaut costume. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The idea was to put it together (we had 3 days) without a single trip to a store. I love you Amy Dacyczyn.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Bulky white clothes... no problem. </FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Something big, round, white and see-through for a helmet... brainstorming needed. Oxygen tank, American flags... no problem.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The shirt is a shiny white shell (yucky polyester) with a stiff stand-up collar. (Lace ruffle on collar; not a problem.) Wearing it on top of your clothes adds bulk. I added American flag and ALABAMA armband stickers, and (later) a big proud motif for the front of the shirt. The skirt is actually a daddy-sized T shirt; I turned the sleeves in and safety-pin-sewed the new "seam."</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The oxygen tank is a large Rubbermaid (Tupperware?) canteen we happen to have. If this had been unavailable I would have squeezed two seltzer bottles into a food storage bag.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The face mask (I know, it's supposed to be part of the helmet) is a strainer that has lost its handle. The pipe going to the oxygen tank is two bungee cords, cable-twisted together and wrapped in clear packing tape. Connected on both ends by its hooks, then a couple lengths of packing tape.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The helmet: I cut long strips from a grocery box, then bent each one into a curve. Taped them together like this:</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Rl3aZCblzAOjALe7qAUzzmLQsvrBB5opj-wzijEdiprV6dsufZt6xmlnntICo-syxPr0NzKJp_02WDV3_kzODgH5sAawf78vtPINvkbiL1KS3kaVs0TNffbPI0pmH6JcS9Zv6GJaJ8Q/s1600/helmet+sketch-775827.png"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Rl3aZCblzAOjALe7qAUzzmLQsvrBB5opj-wzijEdiprV6dsufZt6xmlnntICo-syxPr0NzKJp_02WDV3_kzODgH5sAawf78vtPINvkbiL1KS3kaVs0TNffbPI0pmH6JcS9Zv6GJaJ8Q/s320/helmet+sketch-775827.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5866083408479899250" /></a></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>A white garbage bag was not opaque enough to cover the brown, so I covered it with paper towels instead (more packing tape) and then a garbage bag. Perhaps I should have taped it down better... anyhow this way is greener because we can reuse the garbage bag. (If this were a Purim costume I'd spring for a $1 white mixing bowl.) </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The gloves: fleece winter gloves (dark gray if you must know) covered with two layers of disposable latex gloves. (The gloves were pretty yellow, actually. Photoshop alert.)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I was going to cover her boots with white tights, but the bus was coming so scratch that!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Stay tuned for a sweet and spacey treat from your astronaut tour guide.</FONT></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-52118954013162722562013-03-19T17:00:00.000-07:002013-03-20T11:55:20.655-07:00easy cake decoration<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpsfkXhiMJ5iD_ikR-J7NCg0Y4Kw4fe18tIs2DXTnZ_CatjFM4CZa0BgzTB3tvNy9W3t5CyCO1ryodtW-e_WUd8VLj1J2jbtp-5B0vXNheHPkmsdU53iYOOm_vp9im1vF6HVZqzT03gI/s1600/IMG_5320-720655.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpsfkXhiMJ5iD_ikR-J7NCg0Y4Kw4fe18tIs2DXTnZ_CatjFM4CZa0BgzTB3tvNy9W3t5CyCO1ryodtW-e_WUd8VLj1J2jbtp-5B0vXNheHPkmsdU53iYOOm_vp9im1vF6HVZqzT03gI/s320/IMG_5320-720655.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5857500969380979522" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>These flowers were made by cutting marshmallows with scissors. Easy and effective! One six-petaled flower would cover the top of a cupcake.</FONT></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-25780329807615904392013-02-21T23:17:00.001-08:002013-02-21T23:17:17.852-08:00My mother's Purim specialty: gigantic colorful challahs!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIVZKt1HGItcS1eUxr77QbmmWcHdWrrg2ybRJc9S4PpjA5KuF8zgVLkX1uUBEiS2Fpl8qYSGecn0uNfWefR7m0sSTTKWFOw29d_KaWL7HrDoV5tHRvBGvTiqexBYbK17z4Xts5kYX6WA/s1600/IMG_4605+sheitel-737853.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIVZKt1HGItcS1eUxr77QbmmWcHdWrrg2ybRJc9S4PpjA5KuF8zgVLkX1uUBEiS2Fpl8qYSGecn0uNfWefR7m0sSTTKWFOw29d_KaWL7HrDoV5tHRvBGvTiqexBYbK17z4Xts5kYX6WA/s320/IMG_4605+sheitel-737853.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5847672866893758082" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgaF4lB8acos_HEwDsrT-leTJu5L5hWmFqIjN5mUpxWc1m3JEB-6ScNINpEaUg7SY6W6opH8A5_s6gYxBlK9VI5FYAI6LenH8Qn6tjKhyphenhyphenMEmO5Xh4N2VPlnpQJDsU4G35SsIfKsVGulw/s1600/challah+pics-739718.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgaF4lB8acos_HEwDsrT-leTJu5L5hWmFqIjN5mUpxWc1m3JEB-6ScNINpEaUg7SY6W6opH8A5_s6gYxBlK9VI5FYAI6LenH8Qn6tjKhyphenhyphenMEmO5Xh4N2VPlnpQJDsU4G35SsIfKsVGulw/s320/challah+pics-739718.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5847672875138896226" /></a></p><DIV> </DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-30060742593095484262013-02-21T22:33:00.000-08:002013-02-21T22:42:15.662-08:00Emailing: peacock_diagram_2.jpg<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJt14MDhwMup8msAhWzCy4Jnjqgu-c6vUeThBIBl3-fRPmGtqqsh4garlV6G-NLat1U18oYsbS-6HP4BCIxj_WwyemouRGHwaF3nIV9tBOypymH8l0tgV7f3lNeKrDdnGt5CqKdFOjLs/s1600/peacock_diagram_2-735663.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJt14MDhwMup8msAhWzCy4Jnjqgu-c6vUeThBIBl3-fRPmGtqqsh4garlV6G-NLat1U18oYsbS-6HP4BCIxj_WwyemouRGHwaF3nIV9tBOypymH8l0tgV7f3lNeKrDdnGt5CqKdFOjLs/s320/peacock_diagram_2-735663.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5847663838263473762" /></a></p><DIV>(in case it didn't post in the previous post</DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-71399554190094297912013-02-21T22:32:00.000-08:002013-02-21T22:40:42.403-08:00Amazing Peacock Costume<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEkjDZm2G8Hss_OKOcsisucKDz9j5EkXI7-A8NOTXfwQpmAW85o4hmT_kwKMAqm02vcW1pnhqkJ7vZiacwcfbx9-4zoIhmoOP2jcxjsLXbxMJDwkntuRHVsgPWGP8tF58ypQEagLO0fY/s1600/IMG_5485+PEACOCK-742404.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEkjDZm2G8Hss_OKOcsisucKDz9j5EkXI7-A8NOTXfwQpmAW85o4hmT_kwKMAqm02vcW1pnhqkJ7vZiacwcfbx9-4zoIhmoOP2jcxjsLXbxMJDwkntuRHVsgPWGP8tF58ypQEagLO0fY/s320/IMG_5485+PEACOCK-742404.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5847663444899077698" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The starting point for this costume was the royal blue sweatshirt. I'd put the word out on Freecycle for yellow and red sweatshirts, figuring I could make cute and simple pineapple and strawberry costumes. No luck on the red, but one nice Brooklynite gave me two gorgeous XL sweatshirts in yellow and royal blue. The yellow soon became a pineapple (which nobody wore for three years!) and the blue got folded away for later inspiration. I figured when I eventually got hold of a red shirt, I might make matching slices of cherry and blueberry pie. Or maybe one day I might make a peacock costume. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Three years went by. At last, this year, having almost prevailed upon my girlies to CONSIDER being something other than Queen Esther for once, I began to paint glorious word pictures of my dreamed-of peacock costume. There wasn't a whole lot of interest, but the more I thought about it, the more it seemed just the ticket for a sparkle-loving nine-year-old girl whose mother says enough princess gowns already.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I did a bit of googling and turned up these pictures. (These are definitely copyright and I intend to credit them properly, as soon as I get to it... if I forget, just remind me please!) </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hycBKXVfuxGKKvH_9a5bW_gPPp08AdtLLbRQxQSMv_3fCI0IdafaqbJ6rh922L_bQ8GAP4Mh6RuDefYGGLYT66nibZrbeudJYeD0jWYBB60WvJfKGWBQYjNUJNhwHUKt0Ufk4Yiddo8/s1600/peacocks+shiny-744647.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hycBKXVfuxGKKvH_9a5bW_gPPp08AdtLLbRQxQSMv_3fCI0IdafaqbJ6rh922L_bQ8GAP4Mh6RuDefYGGLYT66nibZrbeudJYeD0jWYBB60WvJfKGWBQYjNUJNhwHUKt0Ufk4Yiddo8/s320/peacocks+shiny-744647.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5847663447597699426" /></a></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>So that's how you do it: a cardboard backboard covered with shiny fabric, decorated with more shiny fabric, all in girly blues, plus glitter. Sounds good. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Here's the run-down of how I made all the parts of this amazing costume.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The headpiece: Take 2 pipe cleaners, twist together. Repeat until you have three two-tone sticks. Wrap the sticks around a headband (preferably one that comes with slits)... then braid them together a couple of times for extra stability. Using more of the sparkly paper, create fancy feathers to top the headpiece. Figure out some way to make them stick (super-sticky tape was not enough -- first time it failed me). (I actually made the headpiece last, but only because it's so simple! Also because I forgot to buy pipe cleaners on the first 99c trip.)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The shirt: Freecycle sweatshirt (excellent condition, size XL) minus sleeves, minus waistband, cut scalloped "hem", added shiny paper diamonds and sequins (sewed on for security). (I bought sequins for $1 and used less than 1/4 of it; now the rest of it joins my stash of craft supplies.) The cut-off parts came in handy as strong straps to secure the back-board. (Exhaustive details below.)</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV>The belt is a piece of truly fancy fabric from my stash -- formerly a fancy head covering. Cut away whatever did not belong to a sash. Wound around with gold cord (from my stash). Closed with a large safety pin.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The tail:</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I cut up a couple of grocery boxes, trying and correcting, until I had a good tail shape. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I bought a yard of 60" purple lining ($4 -- I think that's overpriced but ok) and selected four more colors. But lo and behold, the fabric store refused to sell less than half a yard of each. I tried negotiating but to no avail. Oh well. Nope, not spending $8 just for scrappy scraps. So I crossed the street to my trusty 99c stores, and found super-shiny, almost holographic, gift bags in some great colors. $5 for scraps is still way more than I wanted to spend, but it was a better deal than the fabric: paper is lots easier to handle than cheap lining, and the extra glim-glam is a definite plus!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Double-sided foam tape ($1) stuck the various shiny papers together while maintaining dimensionality. (I don't know if you can tell the difference in the photo, but you can definitely tell in real. 3D layers versus flat -- it's not even close. I love the 3D foam tape for <A href="http://skinflintwithscissors.blogspot.com/2012/01/fw-emailing-img4315-edjpg.html">all kinds</A> of <A href="http://skinflintwithscissors.blogspot.com/2011/11/3d-jerusalem-project-complete.html">paper crafts</A>.)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Covering the cardboard with the fabric was the tough part, especially since I don't have a sewing machine. After many false tries, I decided to hunt for a stick I could break into segments to frame the steps-and-stairs shape on the fabric itself before introducing the cardboard. Hm, how about a series of sticks that are already the right size? How about the bucket of old markers I've been saving for [<U>this</U>] craft? Yep, they worked just fine. I taped them to the fabric, a weird-looking straight dotted line going down the center. Then I draped this whaleboned fabric over the cardboard. Whew, it worked. Did some fine-tuning adjustments on the markers (I mean whalebones), then scotch-taped them to the cardboard. After this the fabric draped nicely. I used two-sided tape to close up the sides, and super-sticky tape ($1 for 3 rolls -- it's not labeled super-sticky, it just is!) to attach the shiny feathers. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I left the front open at the bottom so that I could incorporate some sort of mechanism for actually wearing the thing. This mechanism, now complete, involves two strong ribbons coming through slits to the front and then getting tied to the costume. Here is a diagram (neater than a photo)...</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf6mNQoZH-Cn1bSd5Po7eFQw3lDf7e5seMq9Vo8OZLRth1I1uAhyizcl7nE-jxdhkDOsansM2iJKrhAKxfy8ey7s5qVW8FiNVt9sMT1DqnKCWleuDR32Ul002I9NSKFVj_boozgElXiA/s1600/peacock_diagram-746081.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf6mNQoZH-Cn1bSd5Po7eFQw3lDf7e5seMq9Vo8OZLRth1I1uAhyizcl7nE-jxdhkDOsansM2iJKrhAKxfy8ey7s5qVW8FiNVt9sMT1DqnKCWleuDR32Ul002I9NSKFVj_boozgElXiA/s320/peacock_diagram-746081.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5847663455651405106" /></a></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Since the royal blue peacock shirt is a former sweatshirt, I had some usable scraps of matching material. I cut 2" armbands (shown in the diagram) from the cut-off sleeves. I also had the waistband of the sweatshirt, still an intact circle. This I crossed over my daughter's chest and had her stick her arms through. (Diagram coming right up...) Then I put the upper ribbon through these straps, and tied the ribbon tightly and firmly in a bow. (The upper ribbon is necessary to keep the backboard upright. The bow may need to be re-tied every couple of hours, just to keep things sturdy.)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Like this:</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><IMG src="C:\Users\User\Desktop\peacock_diagram_2.jpg"></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>(Hope the images post.)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-55712383662135490642012-12-30T14:59:00.000-08:002012-12-30T16:54:53.754-08:00"This second!"<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>From the next room, I heard my second- and fourth graders reading something.</FONT></DIV> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>"Do not eat. Throw away <EM>this second</EM>!"</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>It sounded a bit familiar... most of it at least. Sure enough, they were looking at a little packet of silicone gel... you know those packets that come in every other product, from vitamins to shoes... to prevent damage from moisture...</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT size=2 face=Arial>DO NOT </FONT></DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT size=2 face=Arial>EAT.</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT size=2 face=Arial>THROW</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT size=2 face=Arial>AWAY.</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT size=2 face=Arial><EM>DESICCANT.</EM></FONT></DIV></DIV></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-80425413879652976582012-12-26T12:36:00.003-08:002012-12-26T12:36:32.838-08:00off topic<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I recently discovered this AMAZING site, <A href="http://israel21c.com">israel21c.com</A>. They highlight Israeli news in technology and international do-gooding. I'm guessing the site might be government-funded hasbara; if it is, good for them. Well presented, great reading, great stuff. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><A href="http://israel21c.org/technology/israels-top-45-greatest-inventions-of-all-time-2/">Israel's top 45 greatest inventions of all time | ISRAEL21c</A> </DIV> <DIV><A href="http://israel21c.org/technology/the-top-12-ways-israel-feeds-the-world/">The top 12 ways Israel feeds the world | ISRAEL21c</A> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><A href="http://israel21c.org/social-action-2/israel-to-build-model-farm-in-south-sudan/"><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">Israel to build model farm in South Sudan | ISRAEL21c</FONT></A><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>And while I have your attention, check out this article, the title says it all really but the article explains how it actually went; still pretty darn ridiculous, worth reading.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><A href="http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2012/12/21/un-return-golan-residents-to-syrian-slaughterhouse-forthwith/">UN: Return Golan Residents to Syrian Slaughterhouse "Forthwith" « Commentary Magazine</A> </DIV> <DIV> <DIV style="MARGIN-TOP: 2em"><I style="FONT-FAMILY: arial; COLOR: #aaaaaa; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></I> </DIV></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-73224925800092153302012-09-10T19:19:00.000-07:002013-10-06T23:11:05.904-07:00authors & books<div>
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Here's a list I sent to a friend, "young adult" books and authors that I've particularly liked, off the top of my head.</span></span><span style="font-family: Lucida Grande, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Karen Hesse, <i>Brooklyn Bridge</i> or anything else -- she's something special.<br /> Sharon Creech -- many good books, all worth reading. (Except <i>Bloomability</i>, unless I just didn't get it.) She has a really nice upbeat writing style, really enjoyable, besides for the great content.<br /> Laura Amy Schlitz, <i>A Drowned Maiden's Hair</i> -- offbeat but fabulous! It was her first book; see if she's written anything else since.<br /> Jan Siebold, <i>My Nights at the Improv</i> or anything else. As I recall, all I found were two thin books that left me wishing for more.<br /> Katherine Paterson -- some of her (many) books are better than others but all are well written and worth a try. Tell me some titles, I'll tell you which I liked.<br /> Jean Craighead George, <i>My Side of the Mountain</i>. I think the boys will enjoy this one as well. Some sequels and other books, but I don't remember if they were as good.<br /> Gary Paulsen -- outdoorsy boy books. Some of them were very good as I recall, others simply adventury but nothing special to me. Tell me what you see and I'll tell you if I remember it. <br /> (I think there was another author named Paulsen, or something similar, that I really liked as well.) <br /> Gary Schmidt -- <i>The Wednesday Wars</i> was excellent. I seem to remember there were some other good books as well, although I found <i>First Boy </i>disappointing .<br /> Linda Sue Park -- good author with stories based on her Korean heritage. <i>A Single Shard </i>is by far her best, but her other stuff is good too.<br /> Richard Peck -- I happen to own <i>The Teacher's Funeral</i> and it's great. Author of <i>A Long Way From Chicago</i>... great laughs, good stories. He does have some silly books in the mix, though... tell me what you see.<br /> John D. Fitzgerald, the Great Brain books -- I liked them very much but don't remember if you did. His genius brother, Tom, was expert at (among other things) taking advantage of people... very entertaining, unless you find yourself hating his guts!<br /> Andrew Clement -- author of <i>Frindle</i> -- he's written a bunch of books since then, all light and easy reading, and surprisingly original content. Good stuff. <br /> Mary Norton, author of <i>The Borrowers. </i>Did you know there were several more Borrowers books? Check them out when you're in the mood.<br /> Mark Twain -- I don't believe you've read <i>Pudd'nhead Wilson</i> -- fiction, very different, very good -- or <i>Innocents Abroad</i> -- nonfiction, fascinating, a memoir of his travels, including a visit to the Holy Land in the nineteenth century. Check it out.<br /> Jean Fritz -- lots of well written history, great nonfiction books that are truly fun to read. Her autobiography is excellent as well -- an American kid growing up in China before communism.</span></span></div>
Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-30490759486347865252012-07-18T23:07:00.000-07:002012-07-18T23:33:03.024-07:00Thinking about Yerushalayim<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinnXZ1q11R0embECavlfZyhZzN5cOZjK3ZmvZkynfh9ervLoyplgRwooInsSid6cvZ4EnPGfI1kkEvd3kio0kHPB3n6azKayiDuIMtfqm6YFs82vT8QMzmIxmzHm1O30e7oDIO12OUA8/s1600/Jerusalem-2b-783025.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinnXZ1q11R0embECavlfZyhZzN5cOZjK3ZmvZkynfh9ervLoyplgRwooInsSid6cvZ4EnPGfI1kkEvd3kio0kHPB3n6azKayiDuIMtfqm6YFs82vT8QMzmIxmzHm1O30e7oDIO12OUA8/s320/Jerusalem-2b-783025.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5766764898458664738" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Here we are in the Three Weeks of mourning over the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash -- both Holy Temples in Jerusalem -- one 2000 years ago, one 500 years before that. This is a time to be thinking about Jerusalem, and what better way than with some great crafts!</FONT></DIV> <H1><FONT color=#008080>1. Jerusalem watercolor collage in 3D</FONT></H1> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCktMa79leyxXsehv8RBLKeX6T0_Z6v4TqgMxPDic4P5K7DDjrTpYmbXXU3WZbDhTENsLzuBcDVqR2MInVthfRr6LO_97CJWLCNhyphenhyphenULf3kb4lwosQJmGbhIE0rRIrCao8SnSCvhZZE1g/s1600/IMG_4182+ed-784488.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCktMa79leyxXsehv8RBLKeX6T0_Z6v4TqgMxPDic4P5K7DDjrTpYmbXXU3WZbDhTENsLzuBcDVqR2MInVthfRr6LO_97CJWLCNhyphenhyphenULf3kb4lwosQJmGbhIE0rRIrCao8SnSCvhZZE1g/s320/IMG_4182+ed-784488.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5766764909488203922" /></a></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><A href="http://skinflintwithscissors.blogspot.com/2011/11/3d-jerusalem-project-complete.html">This watercolor collage Jerusalem</A> was the first watercolor collage my daughters and I did together. (The shiny glare you see is the plastic covering I added for hanging in the Succah.) You can read about this project's beginnings <A href="http://chavibeck.livejournal.com/9355.html">here</A> and its completion <A href="http://skinflintwithscissors.blogspot.com/2011/11/3d-jerusalem-project-complete.html">here</A>. </FONT></DIV> <P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>For a similar project, a tissue paper collage on glass, visit <A href="http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2010/07/remembering-yerushalayim-a-tissue-paper-collage-for-tisha-bav.html">creativejewishmom.com</A>. </FONT></P> <H1><FONT color=#008080>2. Jerusalem Kirigami</FONT></H1> <DIV style="MARGIN-TOP: 2em"><I style="FONT-FAMILY: arial; COLOR: #aaaaaa; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIxsWGY2LcT47j885yaX0iDqWBw33Wq8Oc3vzbJWbdNgbJH2bEYs3ii6RvxDu6HZ9D9XelOliNsPFyMXFgZ1uq1csJU3ThhMZh14Q-AkoCQU-dy_QSHxjAjCwJib4ClwM5EzGNcWscdw/s1600/600-786035.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIxsWGY2LcT47j885yaX0iDqWBw33Wq8Oc3vzbJWbdNgbJH2bEYs3ii6RvxDu6HZ9D9XelOliNsPFyMXFgZ1uq1csJU3ThhMZh14Q-AkoCQU-dy_QSHxjAjCwJib4ClwM5EzGNcWscdw/s320/600-786035.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5766764913687031986" /></a></I></DIV><I style="FONT-FAMILY: arial; COLOR: #aaaaaa; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></I> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV>Kirigami means folding and cutting paper to get beautiful airy results; it's a Japanese art, like origami. You generally need to use an exacto blade so this is not for young kids; but for anyone who is old enough, it's an easy and beautiful craft. Check it out! Click <A href="http://Chavibeck.livejournal.com/10472.html">here for some photos</A> and <FONT color=#008080><A href="http://Chavibeck.livejournal.com/11550.html">here for the pattern</A>.</DIV></FONT> <H1><FONT color=#008080>3. Jerusalem sand jar</FONT></H1> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT><BR><EM> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HM2QavMRsEw8kokh7tuvN-7bX60z2JTl_CJ6fEY-1v9B8jTY-AJSAZpYthzQSmPdbrbbe07H1rE-AYmAPI0BCoi57uRKgnSiCXZG_ewqgV9FFNHl8jb9uqah_F6THBQMevyBQXZW_Lw/s1600/Jerusalem-2b-787912.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HM2QavMRsEw8kokh7tuvN-7bX60z2JTl_CJ6fEY-1v9B8jTY-AJSAZpYthzQSmPdbrbbe07H1rE-AYmAPI0BCoi57uRKgnSiCXZG_ewqgV9FFNHl8jb9uqah_F6THBQMevyBQXZW_Lw/s320/Jerusalem-2b-787912.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5766764915915009218" /></a></EM></DIV> <DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Another stunningly beautiful project from <A href="http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2011/08/coloring-salt-with-chalk-jerusalem-scene-for-tisha-bav.html">creativejewishmom.com</A>. I liked the idea of the tall skinny glass jar -- it gives you more room for larger amounts of sand, and much prettier results than the teeny decorative containers the kids usually make this in. You complete the sand jar first, then draw your Jerusalem scene with permanent markers on the sand background. </FONT></DIV></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-86198972045239338032012-06-21T19:51:00.000-07:002012-06-21T20:49:43.171-07:00birthday blintz bread<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fxRPu2XeKtGVs3Psp3Hbb3NvX57ivGHZgey2QSQwPcPnQmhAVeptnr4AnwloFYPFXgAirSUOkzsYq5FRUy-AKXgHN89n68PtUnwUT52KmJHVrj8hqhLLPSuX-WKGamrkNrC7gV6TUnU/s1600/birthday+collage+wtxt-783172.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fxRPu2XeKtGVs3Psp3Hbb3NvX57ivGHZgey2QSQwPcPnQmhAVeptnr4AnwloFYPFXgAirSUOkzsYq5FRUy-AKXgHN89n68PtUnwUT52KmJHVrj8hqhLLPSuX-WKGamrkNrC7gV6TUnU/s320/birthday+collage+wtxt-783172.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5756703509783668322" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Blintz cheese recipe:</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>One 1-lb container whipped cottage cheese (or farmer cheese)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>1 tsp cinnamon</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>2 tablespoons sugar</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Mix well.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>That's it! Basically it's blintz filling with no eggs or added liquid.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>If too dry and stiff, stir in a bit of milk. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Serve with w.w. crackers. Or spread on bread, then cut bread into four triangles -- this is called Blintz Bread. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Seriously, they love it. I served this for supper for my twins' birthday! For extra fanciness you can add an extra sprinkle of cinnamon on top. See picture, attached.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Funny fried eggs? When making a large number of eggs, instead of beating them in a bowl I put them in an empty juice bottle and shake shake shake. It works great, it's easy, and there's no dirty bowl to wash. The kids find it funny as it is still something new; I've only been doing it since Pesach. (Necessity was the mother of this invention; I was stuck without a Pesachdik mixing bowl and needed to make breakfast.) </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The pepper initials may not look like a full serving of veggies, but there's more there than meets the eye. Several kids sat behind me as I carved, nabbing the extra bits as fast as I could put them down. I think Michelle Obama should be mighty proud of my birthday party, eh?</FONT></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-90308300602976836552012-06-21T19:49:00.000-07:002012-06-21T20:44:17.522-07:00girl cheese<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9iyYlfF6tKqJTzVqR1js6TVaWXspT7GtVHUGLMuVXbV5KRHl8qODHp1l9w9_TLLUQF1zR5utzVUzIPdqCEQekJWiiZAHoENhztytY56u9-6Hy7IAMQbo_sU2ZtutYumK8NaGeWK49bE/s1600/IMG_3906+ed-757522.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9iyYlfF6tKqJTzVqR1js6TVaWXspT7GtVHUGLMuVXbV5KRHl8qODHp1l9w9_TLLUQF1zR5utzVUzIPdqCEQekJWiiZAHoENhztytY56u9-6Hy7IAMQbo_sU2ZtutYumK8NaGeWK49bE/s320/IMG_3906+ed-757522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5756702110167096354" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>"Who wants grilled cheese for lunch?"</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Giggles. "I want <EM>boy</EM> cheese!" "I want <EM>girl</EM> cheese, not boy cheese!"</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>So all the girls had girl cheese for lunch!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>(I wanted to make "boy cheese" with a bowtie at the neck... but when it came down to it, none of the girls chose boy cheese.)</FONT></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-85307919669804112892012-06-05T15:02:00.000-07:002012-06-05T16:45:07.593-07:00flat baby doll tutorial - part 1<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCd0Xr1EawHldzJc2eyXQqQFKaq29expRWIEau4YmwqKjogQHUOdGRXNy-4Bj1wOX74Og8Wp-bD2dK-GSFdMW9aKPCj820ShSn8yOV1mNjnVIYAWkt27UGUpsFpFGZXA-gZJeFHicg46c/s1600/IMG_4914+sm+cropped-707594.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCd0Xr1EawHldzJc2eyXQqQFKaq29expRWIEau4YmwqKjogQHUOdGRXNy-4Bj1wOX74Og8Wp-bD2dK-GSFdMW9aKPCj820ShSn8yOV1mNjnVIYAWkt27UGUpsFpFGZXA-gZJeFHicg46c/s320/IMG_4914+sm+cropped-707594.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5750703116944098034" /></a></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Before you begin, you might want to check out these links:</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Painted background: <A href="http://skinflintwithscissors.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-to-paint-sky.html">How to paint a sky</A></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>How to draw a baby: <A href="http://skinflintwithscissors.blogspot.com/2012/02/picture-pie-clown.html">Adar clown Picture Pie</A></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>How strollers work: <A href="http://www.google.com/search?q=jugglingfrogs+stroller+carriage+tutorial&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADBR_en">JugglingFrogs stroller tutorial</A></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Use three 6" paper plates to design your baby's body. Leave one plate whole for the torso, cut one in half for the legs, and cut one into eight equal wedges. Lay out the pieces like this:</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjha-EoqBCuACMVOwWFtirvojAfjTmGm-sc176KJ8UZYQMu94O5IyJs5WVUzigRpdznFLvxM8K7N_qZrovIq8N4C-zFm3eqMs8o1OmpTrE41KF1NF-s5yu8Go-2M__Olo1j50fb3d8YA/s1600/picture+pie+baby-709338.gif"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjha-EoqBCuACMVOwWFtirvojAfjTmGm-sc176KJ8UZYQMu94O5IyJs5WVUzigRpdznFLvxM8K7N_qZrovIq8N4C-zFm3eqMs8o1OmpTrE41KF1NF-s5yu8Go-2M__Olo1j50fb3d8YA/s320/picture+pie+baby-709338.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5750703123373927874" /></a></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Trace this shape onto a large sheet of cardboard. Consider this traced shape your starting point as you draw a more pudgy, baby-like shape. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Cut out the cardboard baby. Squint at it from various angles; if you aren't perfectly satisfied yet, cut and paste bits of cardboard as needed.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Trace onto fabric, adding a good inch all around. (If you are using non-brand-new fabric, position the cardboard strategically so that, for example, stains are either trimmed away or positioned for easy hiding, and preexisting seams come out in acceptable locations, such as at the ankles.) Cut out fabric.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Fold fabric onto cardboard and secure with tape or hot glue. Do this step slowly and carefully.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKSYRwBySqQmltSgD-sgLhjFfyvTgaobg1rxxcv3JKxYX0cEFG2fhtSM5FraWM_dMMI02EBgUBncl54qN_xfKoH5eMP1JGkM7gdHCWXl1j7qBEFvYAbgKhSf-M7s9ArGskShSFu8S0es/s1600/IMG_4910+cropped-710465.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKSYRwBySqQmltSgD-sgLhjFfyvTgaobg1rxxcv3JKxYX0cEFG2fhtSM5FraWM_dMMI02EBgUBncl54qN_xfKoH5eMP1JGkM7gdHCWXl1j7qBEFvYAbgKhSf-M7s9ArGskShSFu8S0es/s320/IMG_4910+cropped-710465.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5750703127487234962" /></a></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>A bib may be cut from a fancy paper napkin, and is useful for hiding stains (shh!). Other cute options include buttons, pockets, and embroidered initials.</FONT></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-63762018223943303202012-06-03T22:03:00.000-07:002012-06-03T22:33:13.321-07:003D twins poster -<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubWaGwmIWO39u-tjiHQbtSkh5jEvZ3vT4wTjgzmVvO7BPbTJkHNnYS-RMdHCUwa3ak05cpTSbZGzZ5ZLTKpFaA4TtaQJXKdFOmp7TiTk7jL2eMoWqbH_X4KgaoPSEywfbu4z3e9HyvU4/s1600/IMG_4910+sm-793322.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubWaGwmIWO39u-tjiHQbtSkh5jEvZ3vT4wTjgzmVvO7BPbTJkHNnYS-RMdHCUwa3ak05cpTSbZGzZ5ZLTKpFaA4TtaQJXKdFOmp7TiTk7jL2eMoWqbH_X4KgaoPSEywfbu4z3e9HyvU4/s320/IMG_4910+sm-793322.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5750050648452521874" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZcK7WFFigsq2eUEX7zZk3p-0fWJxj8NGg5d4hAiX7LrevTvGLDf9Q5PT0rPinM1mDrHyqI2xA4xKVcxR4H8xPapFCi31Vmf65ED7TCEc0i-J4-b90EIQ0GxtHR3K19Ns7jq4irX2ZnA/s1600/IMG_4914+sm-794914.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZcK7WFFigsq2eUEX7zZk3p-0fWJxj8NGg5d4hAiX7LrevTvGLDf9Q5PT0rPinM1mDrHyqI2xA4xKVcxR4H8xPapFCi31Vmf65ED7TCEc0i-J4-b90EIQ0GxtHR3K19Ns7jq4irX2ZnA/s320/IMG_4914+sm-794914.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5750050657383097186" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Another siyum sign, only not a project for a school night! This one took an hour of Friday (not my hour -- just the kids painting the background) plus nearly all of Sunday. I've resolved to spend more of my fun time with family and friends, rather than in virtual reality (including <A href="http://oedilf.com">OEDILF</A>) or off on my own, so this project was definitely supremely worthy of replacing the Sunday speed-limerick contest! </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>We'd had enough of blue skies, so this is a grassy green background. (2 Tbsp dish soap, 2 Tbsp water, 8 drops green food coloring, 2 drops yellow food coloring. Thanks again, Amy Dacyczyn.) Daughter very decidedly wanted baby twins Yaakov and Esav in a double carriage. Making it 3D was my cockamamie idea. I still can't believe it's real. Thanks to Carolyn of <A href="http://jugglingfrogs.blogspot.com">JugglingFrogs </A>for planting the idea in my head; who would have thought I could actually create a double carriage?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Click on the images to see them larger and to read their text.</FONT></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-90284873458805863682012-04-29T11:16:00.000-07:002012-04-29T12:46:25.050-07:00pantry organization idea!<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I like to stock up on non-perishables when they go on sale, but keeping them organized is a real challenge. </FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Tin cans in particular seem (seemed!) impossible to keep organized; they all look alike from almost any direction! </FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I've been fumbling with this problem for years and never had a satisfactory solution until now. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I cut four dividers from an empty grocery box -- using the wide side panels of the box, and cutting each one in two. I did not cut off the top or bottom flaps. The cans sit on the bottom flaps, which helps the dividers stay in place. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Here is the result. I love it! It's like having four drawers for cans, only they're all resizable. Best of all, the kids can now pack away groceries without messing up too badly. I think I might label the rest of the pantry as well.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFzdqlWC0BNOi04G012Va3Csa6-OKr6Kxjcahp-6vsLyWzYOA7H20lLFu0jvJuebyPf7OAjPNhqOmupYRAqgzwOcbTqXTWY1sSjsddhwDKTDnQN3saMN4mFgrbDbs5jAB8RuxtG6HSgM/s1600/IMG_4788+sm-785051.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFzdqlWC0BNOi04G012Va3Csa6-OKr6Kxjcahp-6vsLyWzYOA7H20lLFu0jvJuebyPf7OAjPNhqOmupYRAqgzwOcbTqXTWY1sSjsddhwDKTDnQN3saMN4mFgrbDbs5jAB8RuxtG6HSgM/s320/IMG_4788+sm-785051.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736911450209747922" /></a></FONT></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-50619634718680753712012-04-29T00:40:00.000-07:002012-04-29T10:10:47.354-07:00bubble letters tutorial - fruit store sign<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>This is from last summer. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bzgoueIf-ER-IULpPqKQpkVaBureeDwb6fsg8AZRP9OA0Cc3pRuPyTbdqRLl68IGdFUCodpmIZElkZdY3RwvonSH5wqH-F6aiXB0vjEuTGhUfwY2ZNffVT_Gn-_p2VGCQI-MV2fzP58/s1600/fruit-store-747355.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bzgoueIf-ER-IULpPqKQpkVaBureeDwb6fsg8AZRP9OA0Cc3pRuPyTbdqRLl68IGdFUCodpmIZElkZdY3RwvonSH5wqH-F6aiXB0vjEuTGhUfwY2ZNffVT_Gn-_p2VGCQI-MV2fzP58/s320/fruit-store-747355.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736871349528967730" /></a></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I wish I could say the girls made it, but it wouldn't be exactly true. I taught them how to make the lettering but I also ended up doing the entire lettering. However, the fruit was almost entirely their work. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> </DIV></FONT> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I showed them first how to make a big arc across the page by swinging your arm like a compass with your elbow staying put. (Is there a simpler way to describe it?) Then we planned where to place each letter... I got their input re how much width to allow for each letter. I made the bubble letters by tracing a bottle cover for the round corners and then drawing lines by eye to connect those round corners. The kids outlined the letters in marker and later colored them in crayon. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><BR><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYI0HCb9xM-S__gCuKY6iab5QcR0LbaDeLh9dZHwHuIokn6jZjNKvhzvM93GQZubverwDTgDjV_jIt7E62_EZT9qzxRDkCVL2hMUXchHyHD5HBhELdezJWIQP7Y6AyJI58wnVMOrY948/s1600/fruit-store-artists-749354.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYI0HCb9xM-S__gCuKY6iab5QcR0LbaDeLh9dZHwHuIokn6jZjNKvhzvM93GQZubverwDTgDjV_jIt7E62_EZT9qzxRDkCVL2hMUXchHyHD5HBhELdezJWIQP7Y6AyJI58wnVMOrY948/s320/fruit-store-artists-749354.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736871351169624002" /></a><BR></DIV></FONT> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I told them we'd draw five smiling fruits possibly holding hands. I chose the cover of a big yogurt to estimate the size of the fruits. The girls positioned and then traced the cover lightly in pencil five times. Then they drew each fruit. (I pointed out first that they should think about how the shapes and colors would look together, before deciding where to put what.) It was E's idea to trace a bottle cover for each grape (the same cover I'd used for the bubble letters) -- I was so proud! I had a bit of input in drawing the fruit (the pomegranate's crown and the dimple-stem of the orange) but the smiley faces are totally theirs. I knew they could do cuter smiles than I could but I was blown away by the actual cuteness of the finished product! </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Anyhow I let them finish coloring the whole thing that night although it was really time for bed. No time for a background, although I'm not sure what kind of background would look good anyway. What do you think?</FONT></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-3921036296980956412012-04-19T20:17:00.000-07:002012-04-20T07:20:10.224-07:009th birthday Picture Pie birdies<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYk_756N46SrFz-9C9zy7DsFx5L1ULgsqp93EdRB1STdcm_w3UZc_mcJPPhrMPRaa0EI6MVchgDA89utqBIH7FpjY6XvXcAoCRsg2I-gkVsNR4Jey48SlaTDxAXZnDtYN0akVoeGzmoVc/s1600/E+F+9+birthday+PP+birdies+2-710225.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYk_756N46SrFz-9C9zy7DsFx5L1ULgsqp93EdRB1STdcm_w3UZc_mcJPPhrMPRaa0EI6MVchgDA89utqBIH7FpjY6XvXcAoCRsg2I-gkVsNR4Jey48SlaTDxAXZnDtYN0akVoeGzmoVc/s320/E+F+9+birthday+PP+birdies+2-710225.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733487608376858210" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I've been looking for these round paper doilies for a while but for some reason all the stores I visited seemed to be out of them. Suddenly this week there they were -- at half price! Two cents per doily. (The store is ABC Discount, if I have any local readers.) Just in time for the twinkies' ninth birthday. Personally I prefer the cleaner, simpler <A href="http://skinflintwithscissors.blogspot.com/2012/03/picture-pie-fancy-mama-bird-and-babies.html">hole-punched look</A>, but this super-ornate pastelly style is exactly my kids' taste.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>It was a family project and worked very well. <A href="http://skinflintwithscissors.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-to-paint-sky.html">We already had the blue sky</A>. We'd put doilies all over the birthday table for decoration, so I just gathered all the doilies, cut them into fractions, and stuck a bit of fun-tack (the blue stuff) onto each piece of doily. I also drew suggested Picture Pie arrangements on small paper plates, and invited the kids to choose. First in pjs was first in line for Picture Pie!</FONT></DIV>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829581269796092651.post-73125372985199457712012-03-29T17:30:00.000-07:002012-03-29T19:30:47.916-07:00the Four Questions junior edition - Yiddish and English<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Here is the "Four Questions" song I made up some years ago for my then-two-year-old. The tune is "For He's A Jolly Good Fellow," first part of the tune only. Any kid who can already talk can learn to complete each line. (Except 'vegetables' - a mental block for my son!)</FONT></DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">First the Yiddish, the way we sing it:</DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV><FONT size=4 face=Arial> <DIV align=center><FONT color=#800080 size=4 face=Arial>א גאנץ יאר עסט מען חמץ</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT size=4 face=Arial><FONT color=#800080>פסח עסט מען מצה </FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT color=#800080 size=4 face=Arial>vegetables א גאנץ יאר עסט מען </FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT color=#800080 size=4 face=Arial>פסח עסט מען מרור</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT color=#800080 size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT color=#800080 size=4 face=Arial>א גאנץ יאר טינקט מען נישט איין</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT size=2>(waggle finger or shake head)</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT color=#800080 size=4 face=Arial>פסח טינקט מען צוויי מאל</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT size=2>(hold up two fingers)</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT size=4 face=Arial><FONT color=#800080 size=4 face=Arial>א גאנץ יאר זיצט מען גלייך</FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT size=2>(soldier-straight)</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT size=4 face=Arial><FONT color=#800080 size=4 face=Arial>פסח זיצט מען אנגעליינט</FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT size=2>(tip over dangerously toward one side)</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center> </DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT size=2>And the English, which I just made up now, but it seems to work fine with the tune:</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT size=2></FONT></FONT> </DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT color=#800080>All year round we eat Chametz --</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT color=#800080>Pesach, only Matzah.</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT color=#800080>All year round we eat vegetables --</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT color=#800080>Pesach night, it's Maror.</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT color=#800080></FONT> </DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT color=#800080>All year round, we never dip --</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT size=2>(waggle finger or shake head)</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT color=#800080>Pesach we dip TWO times.</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT size=2>(hold up two fingers)</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT color=#800080>All year round, we sit up straight --</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT size=2>(soldier-straight)</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT color=#800080>Pesach we recline.</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT size=2>(tip over dangerously toward one side)</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center> </DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT size=2>That's it! I find even the bigger kids like this easy song better than the longer chant they memorize in school. </FONT></DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT size=2>Once your child knows the song, you can add the traditional sing-song introduction, "<EM>Mah nishtanah</EM>, why is Pesach night so different?" "?מה נשתנה, פארוואס איז די נאכט פון פסח אנדעריש פון א גאנץ יאר" or your preferred wording.</FONT></DIV></FONT>Chavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867001625106657366noreply@blogger.com0