a crafty Christmas for kids

Ayubowan

How to say 'peace' in Sri Lankan

celebrating Christmas in Chennai, Sri Lanka

www.asiantribune.com

an iris folded angel design card by inkspired

www.collagepaperpainting.etsy.com

Let's get ready for the Christmas holidays

with some fun things for you and the kids to make!

Here are some tags for the kids to color and cut out:

www.haciendolindio.bigcartel.com

Or here they are, already colored and ready to print and cut:

These gift cards are in Spanish:

Get out the scissors, and let's cut some paper dolls!

'Holly' by Bette Wells, 1988

Here are three pages of paper dolls from

Pat Stall

Pat always does such a nice job with her paper dolls!

Here is a nice nativity that the kids can cut out,

and then fold to make a 3-dimensional creche scene.

vintage Jack and Jill magazine, December, 1965

Now that you know how to put one together,

why not make one with old Christmas cards that you cut up?

Here are some vintage Christmas card images 

to get you started:

vintage 1910 Christmas card

www.rubylane.com

www.theten0clockscholar.blogspot.com

vintage card

www.imagessaintes.canalblog.com

www.ebay.com

Let's have a card-making party!

Things to set out:

scissors

glue sticks

double side tape

blank card stock, cut into both 1/2, and 1/4 sheets

lots of old Christmas cards

plain white paper

paper to cover your table surface

coloring things:

markers, pens, pencils, crayons, etc.

add some fun embellishments like:

glitter glue

glitter gel pens

cotton balls

confetti

stick-on stars

stickers

puffy paint with drawing tips

Here is a simple mitten pattern to get you started:

courtesy Jan Brett

Turn the mitten upside down.

Color, embellish.

Glue JUST THE SIDES AND BOTTOM of the mitten 

to a card front. Leave the top (wrist) part open.

After the glue is dry, fill the mitten with cut-out shapes 

as a surprise for the card receiver!

You could tuck in 

* a school picture,

* parts to make a paper snow man

*a simple picture cut into 1/8 to make a puzzle

*paper snowflakes

*a puzzle or maze for the card receiver

or....?!?

Give a mouse a Merry Christmas Muffin Gift

courtesy Dover

build-your-own snowman card

sorry, I'm not sure where I found this

visual illusions coloring page courtesy Dover

This is a card I made using circle stickers, 

and a stick-on rhinestone!

I ran the background red card stock through a corrugator.

Don't forget to drag out those old magazines.

They have wonderful images and colors to cut out and embellish your cards with!

www.MontseRubioArt.etsy.com

You can do some gift wrapping while the kids are busy too!

That's it for today!

Don't forget to stop and have a cup of tea

and do some deep breathing!

:0)

inkspired

www.inkspired.etsy.com

www.collagepaperpainting.etsy.com

www.inkspiredmusings.blogspot.com

and on pinterest:  kkloberdans

one of the tea cups that I collect

a long week

Samaya

Sinhala for 'Peace', spoken in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan dancers in traditional dress

Welcome!

My blogging has been a bit spotty lately - sorry! It was a long week.

But today is a new week,

a new day!

I have been working (and I do mean working!) on opening a new shop on etsy.

It's up and running!  I have listed 2 items:

www.collagpaperpainting.etsy.com

'M'Lady's canter' original collage paper painting by inkspired

  

I also have reserved a new domain name:

collagepaperpainting 

Whew!

While I think yahoo small business has some really nice features,

I have gone around and around trying to open this new domain name,

and a new web site.

No, the web site hasn't even begun to be formed yet,

but one thing at a time!!!

I did get to 'know' Jeff! He works in the call center for yahoo small businesses in Portland. They had a ton of snow last week.

:0)

snow air mail courtesy of www.vintageholidaycrafts.com

Hi Jeff!!!

Here are a couple of mandalas that I wish I had printed off last week.

I could have colored them in all the time I spent on

'your-call-is-being-answered-please-wait-for-the-next-customer-service-person'

or maybe I should have printed out some paper dolls-

after cutting them out (while on hold) I could have then played with them

(while on hold)!

Here is a charming "the Ginghams" winter set:

or, I could have done some beading:

Sorry, I don't know whose pattern this is.

It is for a double sided amulet purse, done in peyote or brick stitch.

Here is a medallion crocheted afghan that I have wanted to start for ages.

Perhaps you would like to make one!

It is copied from an old 'Decorating and Craft Ideas' magazine.

The pattern is by Sidney Melton.

Well, part of my long week and even longer weekend was a huge flare-up with my fibromyalgia. Ick. I hate taking pills - prescription or others.

But,

sometimes you just have to do what you can.

I really need to finish this blog so I can go take a shower.

One of the set-backs with fibro is I haven't been able to raise my arms.

Kinda' hard to wash your hair if you can't raise your arms....

We also have been having terrific winds -

and I don't mean that in a wonderful kind of terrific!

Later today I am going outside to check all around the house for wind damage.

It really has been ferocious.

That wreaks havoc with my migraines/headaches.

Did I mention Ick?

It was an over-the-top Winnie the Pooh

Blustery Day kind of day!

But if Pooh Bear and Rabbit can dance,

then so can I!

Enjoy the day!

Check out my new etsy store:

www.collagepaperpainting.etsy.com

Play paperdolls with a friend!

Get out those scraps of yarn you have been saving for a some-day project!

and have fun!

inkspired

www.inkspired.esty.com

www.collagepaperpainting.etsy.com

www.myinkspired.com

Countries, Miss Universe 2011 and a little honey

tere paevast

(Estonian for 'good day')

Miss Estonia - Madli Vilsar

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

As I am continuing to feature the 46 countries that have viewed different pages on my blog*, I thought I might also add in some photos of the same countries'

Miss Universe 2011 Pageant contestants.

*since around April, 2011

Just for fun, you know!

I am quite aware of all the controversy that has swirled around this pageant,

 and all beauty pageants since they began.

And yes, I have opinions.

But for today, we will just show some photos of some beautiful women,

with oh-my-gosh-great-fun earrings and necklaces.

Truly, they are quite outstanding.

Also, in some of the photos you get a peek at the incredibly fancy beadwork, embroidery and lace on the dresses they are wearing.

Miss Ireland - Aoife Hannon

Miss Universe 2011 pageant contestant

Another thing I love especially about the International competition is the costumes.

Wow.

They have a section where the different contestants come out in a costume that represents their country.

It truly is amazing.

Of course, the Miss USA is decked out in some form of red, white and blue.

But think sequins, spangles, and outrageous!

I still remember Miss Puerto Rico's costume from a past year.

Miss USA - Alyssa Campanella 

Miss Universe 2011 competitor

The United States has made the most page views of my blog.

That is only normal, since it is an English language blog,

and I live in the US.

Thanks!

Miss Canada - Chelsae Durocher

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

But every other country that looks at my pages is just a delight to me!

Canada is pretty much always in the top 4 countries that look at pages every day.

I am looking forward to returning to Canada someday.

When I was in my teens my family made a road trip

from Arizona to British Columbia, Canada.

I have (somewhere) a picture of our dog playing in the snow in Canada.

Rare treat for a dog that spent the last couple of years in Phoenix, AZ!

Miss Great Britain - Chloe-Beth Morgan

Miss Universe 2011 contest

My page views list The United Kingdom as one country,

but every so often, at the whim of that great blogspotter poo-bah,

I will get views from Ireland, Wales and Scotland!

I need to brush up on just what the United Kingdom represents.

For another day.

Today I am sending a BIG THANK YOU to

Sri Lanka -

Miss Sri Lanka - Stephanie Siriwardhana

Miss Universe 2011 competitor

and

Finland -

Miss Finland - Pia Pakarinen

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

and to

Croatia -

Miss Croatia - Natalija Prica

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

I have already featured Brazil, the Czech Republic and Japan in previous blogs.

But today, I would like to recognize them, and say

THANKS for reading and sharing my blog.

Miss Brazil - Priscila Machado

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Czech Republic - Jitka Novackova

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Japan - Maria Kamiyama

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

I have previously featured paperdolls that were from these countries; they have also viewed my blog -

THANKS

Miss Netherlands - Kelly Weekers

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Denmark - Sandra Amer

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Germany - Valeria Bystritskaia

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Turkey - Melisa Asli Pamuk

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

I will be featuring paper dolls from other countries in future blogs.

Here are some of the countries, who have also checked out my blog!

Miss France - Laury Thilleman

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Argentina - Natalia Rodriguez

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Sweden - Ronnia Fornstedt

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Spain - Paula Guillo

Miss Universe 2011 competitor

Up next, a big THANK YOU to Australia and to New Zealand for checking out my blog on a regular basis!

Miss Australia - Scherri-Lee Biggs

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss New Zealand - Priyani Puketapu

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

  

Well, I have run out of blogging time.

I have a room to paint with Michael. I picked a really nice, fairly bright yellow color, for 1 or 2 walls. I like it. I hope I like it as well when it is up on the walls!

I have had 46 different countries check out my blog,

so you know I have a few still to feature and say

a big thanks to.

I had hoped to fit in a little about

September is National Honey Month

But that will have to wait for another day!

Have a wonderful weekend.

I will take pictures of the finished room,

but don't expect it tomorrow!!

:0)

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

dominoes@myinkspired.com