simple Analogy

Multicultural Crafts for Kids - Ecuador Part 2

To wrap up our multicultural experience in Ecuador I made a volcano and did a lava flow demonstration.  I really hadn't planned on doing this, but the more I researched Ecuador, the more interesting their volcano became.  The name of Ecuador's volcano is Tungurahua; it means "Throat of Fire".  Perfect name for a volcano!  This volcano is one of the prominent scenes in Ecuadorian art.

Supplies:

cup

foil

playdough

baking soda

white vinegar

tray or large storage container

Approximate cost:  $2

Directions:

 

 
Follow these directions from Create-Kids-Crafts.  I used a taller cup for the "well" of our volcano and filled it with 1/3 cup baking soda.  We were able to make ours "erupt" five times by pouring 1/2 cup of vinegar each time into the well.

I explained how a volcano erupts by likening it to a bad stomach ache that progresses until you throw up.  I may have just grossed some of you out, but we're teaching kids here!  The girls:  "Eewwww!"  The boys:  "Cool!"  One child:  "I did that last week!"  I guarantee they won't forget our lesson on Ecuador's volcano.

Extra activity:

Color a volcano.

And that about wraps up this year's multicultural crafting fun.  I gotta say thank you to Megan and my husband whose help made this year's session run so smoothly.  You are both TREASURES!  I've got one more post tomorrow to finish out Multicultural Crafting with Kids 2011.  Get ready for some adventure!

Multicultural Crafts for Kids - Ecuador Part 1

 
Markets in Ecuador are filled with beautiful pottery, many of which have decidedly geometric designs.  Rather than form our own pottery, which would have been fun but messy, we took the easy route and painted our own pottery.  Equally messy, but less instruction time and more creative time.

Supplies:

terracotta saucers (or pots)

acrylic paint

paintbrushes

paint shirts

Approximate cost:  $.80

Directions:

Wipe off any dust or clay particles that may be on the saucer. 

 
Paint a base coat and allow to dry.  Acrylic paint dries fast, but you may need it to dry faster.  Use a hair dryer to speed things up.

 
Paint geometric shapes and/or natural images such as plants or insects.  Let dry completely.

We left our wet artwork to dry over the weekend, since the children would be back on Sunday to pick them up.  But if that doesn't work for your event, do this first thing so they can air dry or just break out the hair dryer again!

Extra Activity:

Color an Ecuador flag.

Multicultural Crafts for Kids - India

 
Each year I like to include one "cooking" craft so that the kids can get a taste for the country being featured.  Indians cook with a lot of curry, but not really enjoying the curry flavor myself, I just couldn't go in that direction.  Instead we made a tweaked traditional Indian dessert, Rasayana. 

Supplies:

1/2 banana per child

coconut milk (usually found canned in the Mexican or Asian section in the grocery store)

shredded sweetened coconut

brown sugar

plastic knife/spoon/cup per child

paper plate

Approximate cost:  $.60

Directions:

Peel banana and cut into slices with a plastic knife.  Place sliced bananas into cup.

 
Drizzle with coconut milk (about 2-3 Tbsp).  This is where I tweaked it a bit.  Traditionally, you are supposed to let the bananas soak in the milk for at least thirty minutes.

 
Sprinkle with a small amount of brown sugar (about 1 tsp).

Sprinkle with a spoonful of shredded coconut (about 1Tbsp).  Stir with a spoon and eat.

One of the boys said, "I GOTTA get this recipe," but his little sister almost gagged and had to spit it out.  Good thing a trash can was nearby!  I thought it tasted like Bananas Foster, but I couldn't even get my own son to try it.  He couldn't get past the fact that it had coconut in it.  It's definitely a personal taste issue, but the majority of the children enjoyed it.  And the fact that they got to make it themselves made it more alluring.

Extra Activity:

Color a flag of India.

Color rangoli designs.  These designs are used in India to welcome guests to your home.  We printed our designs and colored them with markers, but if you have a large sidewalk area outside try doing some in chalk!

Multicultural Crafts for Kids - Dominican Republic

 
Welcome to Multicultural Crafting with Kids 2011! This week we'll be featuring three countries from around the world and crafts to go along with them.  These crafts were done with about 30 children during our church's missions conference and are geared to be cheap, easy, and quick to do.  So, let's get started with the Dominican Republic... 

The Dominican Republic is known for it's love of music, especially pan pipes.  These instruments are usually made out of five or more pieces of bamboo that have been cut with increasing lengths.  To stay within budget, our set only included two pipes.

Supplies:

1/2 inch PVC - 1 foot per child

PVC cutters

colored plastic tape or duct tape

gorilla glue

cork to fit PVC (2 for each set you are making)

permanent markers

Approximate Cost:  $.50

Directions:

Cut the PVC beforehand into 5 and 7 inch lengths.

 
Place a little bit of gorilla glue on the inside of the bottom edge of each pipe and insert cork until flush (or almost flush) with the edge.  Let dry completely.  The parent/teacher will want to do this part so that little fingers don't get glued together!

 
Align the top edges of the pipes and tape together with colored tape, wrapping several times.

 
Decorate the pipes with permanent markers.  Mine included a little play on the Dominican Republic flag, but some of the kid's pipes looked like grafiti.  Whatever floats your boat!

To play:

Center one of the pipes on your bottom lip and blow across and down into the hole - kind of like how you'd blow across a coke bottle to get a sound. Tip:  Start with the longer pipe.  It's easier to play! You'll need a good deep breath!  I'm a flutist and even I was surprised at how much air it took to "play" this instrument.  If you don't get a sound at first, try blowing harder or repositioning the instrument.  Don't give up!  It will play two notes!  Just remember to play each pipe individually.  The longer pipe will play a deeper/lower pitch; the shorter will play a higher pitch.

These instruments do not make a loud sound, so I didn't feel bad sending them home for the parents to have to listen to.  Not too bad anyway.... 

Extra Activity:

Color a Dominican Republic flag.

Play a game of baseball:  the regular version if you have time and space, or Bible baseball for an indoor version.  The Dominicans LOVE baseball!

Preparations

 
The annual multicultural crafting session with the kids begins Wednesday.  Featured countries this year - Dominican Republic, India, and Ecuador.

 
Each craft will meet three criteria:

1. Cheap.
2. Can be done in about ten minutes or less.
3. Able to be done by a preschooler with parental supervision AND by elementary age children on their own.

 
Here on the blog, the multicultural crafting will begin Monday, March 28.  We'll make a week of it!  Won't you join me?  

Fleece Blanket Round-Up

 
The Craft Hope project this time was just a little beyond what I was comfortable with.  I just couldn't get past the word "razor".  Instead I made no sew fleece blankets as a part of my church group.  The fleece was provided, so all I had to do was cut and tie.  A snap!

 
Then I got to thinking about some other possibilities for these.  What about reverse applique?  

 
image from Noodlehead

This scarf is very simple, but I can imagine a more sophisticated design for a blanket.  Hmmm...  

 
image from craftstylish

Or an argyle? 

 
image from Purl Bee

How about a shot cotton/rick rack one? 

 
image from Make It Snappy

Then I saw Megan's patchwork bound blanket.  That does it!  I'm putting fleece blankets on my Christmas list for the nieces/nephews.

Scene From Spring Break

 
Oh, hi there!  Yes, that's a dart stuck to the leg of my ironing board.  The joy of having boys is that before you walk around any corner you holler "It's just me!  Don't shoot!" or else you get one of these in the middle of your forehead.  Hope you're having a lovely week!  We are.

Another Ruffle Stripe Idea

Unless you're new around here (like in the past month) or blind, you know I'm on such a ruffle stripe kick.  My newest adventure with them was adding one to a jersey blanket.  Baby blankets are a staple right now because my church is having a baby boom.

 

 For this blanket I cut a 4 inch wide strip, ruffled BOTH sides about a half inch from the edge, then sewed it onto the blanket 1/4 inch from the edge. 

A hand stitched knit binding encases the rough edges of the ruffle stripe.  Simple, beautiful, modern.

***See tutorials on Ruffles and Ruffle Stripes.

Not a Wet Blanket

 
The boys and I have been listening to Focus on the Family Radio Theater's production of The Silver Chair (C. S. Lewis).  We love Puddleglum the Marshwiggle even though he is a bit of a "wet blanket".  Working with wonky selvedge Hobbly Lobby knits was a bit of a wet blanket itself, but the blankets produced from it are anything but wet!

 
 
 
 
This blanket was a complete stash buster.  Leftover fabrics from Christmas + leftover binding = no waste and a happy crafter!  I added a little reverse applique to keep the two layers from shifting.  And I just can't resist the look of the hand stitched binding. 

The pieces of brown I was working with weren't exactly the right size for a solid back, so I used up the rest of the dots I had.  It's not exactly square, but for a baby blanket it will do nicely. 

 
And speaking of stash busters, Kojodesigns is having a stash buster series with ideas, tutorials, and giveaways.  You know me and my purging tendancies!  I actually had a very successful purge session with the youngest on Tuesday after seeing way too many tight and highwater pj's being sported around the house.  Anyway, fabric-wise I'm all for this series!

Spring break begins today!!!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Fighting With Fabric

 
I was afraid for so long to do ANYTHING with knit fabric.  I finally took the plunge and realized that it's really not that bad to work with.  Actually most of my sewing projects of last year used knits.  I'm pretty comfortable with them now, but this weekend's bout with Hobby Lobby jersey gave me fits.

Let's just say this, when the selvedge isn't straight, it can cause a lot of frustration.  I was trying to work with three yards of washed/dried brown jersey knit with a wonky selvedge.  Ugh!  I managed to get it to work for me, but I had to position the grainline of the fabric myself and ignore the selvedge.  (Totally opposite of what you'd normally do!)

After sewing it up and giving it the final test of washing/drying my project turned out perfectly - no awful twisting - so I must have done it right!  Hobby Lobby's printed knits are cute and their solids are nice and bright, but I'll think again before using them in another sewing episode!