Batik egg decorating

Inspired by Pysanki Ukrainian egg decorating (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pysanka), we will be decorating eggs using this method, though you may make any design or pattern you want! We will have books on hand for ideas.

Pysanka comes from the verb "to write," as designs are written with beeswax and the colors applied like batik. This is a cozy indoor craft with candles and beeswax smell.

Requires specific tools and materials, which you can obtain online (https://www.ukrainiangiftshop.com/) or maybe still at Guild Art Supply in Easthampton (see https://www.bigwheelpress.com/).

Please bring an egg or two to decorate. White eggs provide more options of colors in your design.

More about the tradition and some video instruction:

• Bella Luna Toys blog post Decorating Ukrainian-inspired pysanky eggs
  
• Typically made over winter and given as gifts when Spring arrives... Pysanky, a Ukranian tradition
• NPR: Easter Egg Art: Hatched From An Ancient Tradition To Celebrate Rebirth

Note 2019: February 28 and March 7, 2019 
***8:30-10:30am -- note time, as we need to vacate the room for high school class
Earth Science room of the North modular building between the cow barn and Piening Hall.
Please RSVP to Jennie or sign up on the list in the lobby.

Note 2018: you will probably need to spend more time decorating your egg and may not finish in our 2-hour session. This was the only Thursday this month a room was available where we could do this craft, due to the hot wax required for the batik aspect of it.

March 15, 2018 we did this in the Physics room, in the science "mod" building near the high school, closer to the pig pen. 

Making yo-yos

We will be making these all spring, so stop by a Thursday crafting morning to learn how, sew a few, pick up or drop off fabric, or bring in what you've made!

Tip: When sewing multiple colors and patterns together, as we are doing, light gray or beige thread is recommended.

Cut circles ~3 1/8" diameter cotton fabric
4 circles per 5 1/2" square cotton fabric
With inside of fabric circle up, fold 1/4" over and sew a running stitch all around, gathering as you go. Cinch and tie off.

Appliqué 4 circles at the center of each square: "finger crease" cross-hatch and sew at edges just underneath each yo-yo.

Asian Lunar New Year

In honor of East Asian Lunar New Year festival beginning this coming weekend, we will be making dragon puppets and also doing some paper cutting for decorations.

In 2019 begins the year of the Pig! Join us Thursday, January 31 to cut paper pigs -- or any paper cutting!

We will have materials to share.
If you want to bring materials, we may be using:

• Pointed paper knife, cutting board
• Colored paper
• Felt
• Yarn
• Needles
• Popsicle/craft sticks or chopsticks
• Embroidery thread
• Scissors
• Colored pencils

Many thanks to Mao Mao for showing us how to make the "Spring" character paper cuts and the paper lanterns, plus the rooster pattern for Year of the Rooster in 2017.

2017: Welcome the year of the rooster!

Hot water bottle covers

January 24, 2019

For chilly nights, cramps, or belly aches, a hot water bottle is just the soothing thing... if it's in a cozy cover! We will make hot water bottle covers from old sweaters or you can knit a new one to suit. Pattern ideas, some materials, and willing helpers available.

Bring yarn and knitting needles (or a crochet hook) or a sweater you're willing to cut up and repurpose.

Some examples from a collection http://grandmotherspatternbook.com/?p=10292

And an example pattern: http://dottiebowles.com/blog/up-cycled-sweater-hot-water-bottle-cozy


TIP: Hot water bottles are often available in the School Store.

Wool pants from sweaters

First in 2015, Grandparent Eline helped us make patterns to size, and then to sew wool pants using the arms of wool sweaters (not felted!).

We will be doing this again on January 24, 2019. Bring old, adult sweaters, a pair of pants that fits your child, thread, 1" wide elastic for each waistband, and if you have: a portable sewing machine that can do zig-zag stitching. We will have some extra sweaters and thread to share, and paper for making patterns.

If you have a portable sewing machine that does zigzag stitching, please bring it! 

Design notes:

Make sure top is long enough to keep tummy covered. Need more than you think for folding over for elastic.

Photos from December 3, 2015

Repeated this craft December 1, 2016

Knitting socks

We will learn to knit socks over the course of 3 weeks, learning a step, knitting at home, then learning the next step, as follows.

Sock making timeline

Dec 6 - casting on, getting stitches on double-pointed needles
    knit at home the ankle length

Dec 13 - turning the heel

    knit at home to length of foot

Dec 20 - finishing the toe

Then make the pair to match!

Supplies needed

—100 grams or 4 oz. of worsted weight yarn will make two socks. For beginners, wool yarn that has been plied is the easiest to work with. 

—Size 5, 6 or 7 double-pointed needle sets will work if you already have them. If you are buying them, purchase size 6 double-pointed needles (sold in a set of 4 or 5 needles).

Thank you Louise for your sock knitting teaching expertise!

PS After we make the first pair, we can advance to knitting another pair with fine sock yarn, which has some additional requirements, including a different pattern and more knitting time.

Straw stars

Date: November 29, 2018

What to bring: fine thread (any color, or metallic), xacto knife, scissors

Optional: tools to split straw and to hold in place while tying (see school store to purchase)

What will be provided: crafting straw, lots of samples, basic instruction

You can make something simple like this:

Or this for the ambitious:

The fine motor part of this craft is weaving the tiny thread in and out between the straw. 

Our school store will be selling tools to hold all pieces securely while tying the straw. You can use an exacto knife to cut the straw and flatten with an iron, and there are tools for splitting straw as well. You can use the straw as-is but it will not have the fine detail as above or in video linked below. 

Video instructions for Swedish straw ornaments:

https://youtu.be/6dnJufYvQ7s

https://thestrawshop.com/ also sells materials and tools for making this type of stars. 

We look forward to seeing you!

Update

There are so many styles! Here are some we made 11/29/18 using split straws and the tool to hold straws in place while we tie the thread to hold them for good. Thanks to Wendy for leading us and all the crafters for trying it out!

Below, another variation seen in the EC building window in 2016.