Decorated Karthigai Akal

Materials needed:

Karthigai akal (earthen lamps)

glitter

artificial jewel stones

Fevcicol

If the lamps do not have smooth finish or varnish coat, a coat of acrylic or pearl color could be given as a base to have a better look.

I have used white and green stones as they shone better with the background. There was a thin groove in the lamp, which I filled with the glitter. Decorate the lamp that goes as per the design on the lamp. If the lamp does not have any design on it, we can use our own designs.

Light Karthigai deepam with home made designer akals.!!

Wall Hanging

One day my son Abhi wanted to do an art work from junk, for the school. Then we both did this cute wall piece. All the materials were available at home! The work was ready within an hour.

• The board is the one on which normally a birthday cake is delivered from the bakery. It is quite sturdy.
• We have used Pistachio shells for the petals and the manjadi seeds for the flower center. Instead of manjadi seeds, bright colored beads also can be used.
• Used match sticks have become the stalks after trimming the burnt edges.
• Some cotton has been fluffed for the clouds. That was a really good idea from Abhi.
• We used the "Kolapodi" for the sand part. Sand could also be used instead.
• The glitter paper border was already there and I left it as such. If not we can decorate ourselves.

There is no end to imagination and creativity!

Cute and handy pouch

Materials required:

Cross-stitch material – a rectangular piece
Embroidery thread and tapestry needle
Scrap cotton material for shoulder strap
Light weight lining material
Velcrove

Method:

The size of the cross-stitch material can be based on the size of the pouch to be made.. .. or as my usual self, I have recycled the remaining cross-stitch material into a pouch for my use.

Do some simple cross-stitches to form a pattern. I have done double cross-stitch which looks like stars.

Cut lining cloth to the size of the cross stitch material. Keep it on the wrong side. Fold the pieces such that one side is longer than the other. Longer edge makes the flap as in the picture. Keep the lining on top. Join the sides (sewing them will make it strong) and pull inside out.

Stitch piping for the ends using a contrast color material. Make shoulder strap using the same cotton material and attach. Attach velcrove.

Cute pouches can be used as cell pouch or as an accessories kit. Gift you friend with her favourite necklace in this cute pouch.

Making Bookmarks

With little help from elders, children could make bookmarks. They can use it for themselves or it could be simple, but lovable gifts for close people like grandpa or a close friend.



See the blog for Bookmark ideas

Making Ginger-bread-men

Paper cutting can be fun. For kids who are starting to use scissors, cutting ginger bread-men can be fun. I have given a template drawing.

How to

Take paper and cut a long strip of about 5-6 inch width.

Start folding the paper back and forth till the end.

Draw the picture of the ginger-bread-man on top.

Cut along the picture, making sure that the ends of arms and feet are not cut. Otherwise it wont be a chain.

Unfold the chain and draw eyes, mouth, buttons etc.

Like this any picture (like star) can be made as a chain. This can be used to decorate birthday parties, make art works etc