The Handicrafter

When working with soft pastels, do you prefer to aim for luminosity or for a more blended approach?

I’ve been studying pastel techniques under two different instructors. One prefers to maintain the luminosity of the soft pastel. The other prefers to create a more blended approach.

I’ve done a few quick practice exercises using both techniques. I like the qualities of both approaches. I will probably utilize both of them in my work.

Luminosity refers to the ability of the medium to appear as if it is ‘back-lit”, as if there is light coming through from behind the object. This technique is best achieved using media that has a transparent quality such as watercolour

I had not experienced this technique with pastels before. It was very illuminating (pardon the pun) to watch as the instructor built up her ‘mystery’ object – a pear. To achieve luminosity with soft pastels, color and tone are built up by layering. No blending. No fingers in the “pie’!  

What happens is that the paper comes through the layers because the individual strokes are not blended. Where a darker shade or colour is applied over a lighter one it creates a shimmering effect. The object(s) appear to be lit from behind. It is quite an impressive technique.

Blending on the other hand is quite simply what it implies. Strokes of colour are blended together using a paper stump, a cotton swab or a finger. The individual strokes are smoothed out onto the paper which does not show through.  

Blending can give a realistic effect to skin tones and clothing. I’m rather fond of the technique. It is really a matter of what one gets used to.  

I am trying the luminous technique out on an 8 x 10 oil pastel of a Yorkie. It is a quick and simple study in pastel but a deadly dull one in colour pencil.  

Colour pencil artists have my utmost respect for their perseverance. It takes a great deal of time and patience to produce even a small colour pencil painting.  But that is another story for another day. 

I do have to confess though. I couldn’t take it. I had to give in. I couldn’t help myself. I have already blended the tongue and the eyes of the Yorkie.

I guess I’m a blender. What about you?  Are you a blender too?

Kwanza celebrates African American culture. Kids can join in the holiday fun through games and crafts.   Here are some ideas you can incorporate into your seven-day Kwanza celebration.

*  Purchase Kwanza jig-saw puzzles and have the kids put their colourful pieces together.  There are a number of interactive online games the kids can play as well.

*  One of  a multitude of online Kwanza games  is to print out a sheet of Kinara candles and then place them in their correct order.

*  Purchase the Nguzo Saba board game, which is not only educational since it is designed as the map of Africa, but it utilizes pictures to symbolize the 7 Kwanza Principles as well.

*  A good craft idea is to make a basket using red, green and black ribbons. Placing fruit inside and use as a centerpiece for the table.  Weave the ribbons through the basket to symbolize the three colors of Kwanza.

*  Make necklaces out of red, green and black beads using a satin cord.  You can find these beads in any craft store.

*  Make a homemade Kwanza mat using black construction paper with red and green ribbon.  Cut the construction paper into strips and intertwine the two coloured ribbons alternately.

*  Why not teach the kids Swahili? Choose specific words and have them repeat them.  One of the most familiar words in Swahili is Jambo, which means hello.  There are also interactive word puzzles online similar to Jumble, in which kids are given a list of words and the object is to find them in a word maze. You could also create wordfinds using the Swahili words.

*  Help the  kids is  start a Kwanza scrapbook wherein they can record what they have learned each year about Kwanza.  Perhaps they can write their thoughts about their heritage, stories they may have been told and observations on books they may have read.  They can decorate the front of the scrapbook with the 7 Symbols of Kwanza. 

Kwanza crafts and games are an ideal way to pass down from generation to generation the values that are indicative of Kwanza as it relates to family and community. These crafts and games can make their cultural heritage come alive and create  lasting and happy memories for them to pass on to their children.

Make A Child Smilehttp://www.makeachildsmile.org/featur…

I want to tell you all about a wonderful project.

Make a child smile was founded in May of 1998, by Alexandra Bakker. 

The Make A Child Smile Organization, also known as MACS, has been a source of support to children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses and their families. Emotional support is provided by creating the opportunity for people to visit the MACS website and learn about the children and their illnesses. 

Each month, new children are featured. A picture and biography describing the child and information about their family is published on the website. Hundreds of ‘net surfers, schools, service organizations, girls/boys scouts and church groups use the MACS website as a philanthropic project where they can send cards, letters and small gifts to the featured children and their siblings through postal mail.

In December of 2000, MACS was granted tax-exempt status so that it could expand its mission to include fundraising efforts in order to provide financial assistance to qualifying families for help with medical, funeral expenses or other costs associated with the child’s illness.

Their Mission
 

To provide emotional and financial support to families whose children suffer from chronic or life-threatening illnesses and also give those who visit the MACS website the opportunity to participate by sending mail to the children.(from MACS website)

Each month 3 children are featured. You are always free to decide each month whether or not you will participate, and whether or not you will send mail to 1, 2 or all 3 of the featured children.

I usually send an ATC to each of the featured children (an ATC is an artist trading card - think of the cards we used to get in bubble gum packages. ATCs are 2.5 x 3.5 inches and can be hand drawn or collage with stickers, etc.).

Participating is simple. Click on one of the links in this post to go to the MACS’ website. Click on the children and read their story. Drop a card in the mail.

Handmade cards make wonderful gifts to send. You can send the mini cards called ATCs or greeting cards. Do rubber stamping with coloured pencil and ink. Add some glitter and maybe even some 3d stickers. Have fun with it and it will bring so much joy to the recipient.

During the last few months of my mother’s life, I remember fondly, how thrilled and happy she was to receive ‘angels of hope’ each day in the mail.  Even though she was in excessive amounts of pain, each package raised her spirits and brought joy to her soul.  I know first hand just how precious and delightful a gift how much light the simple gift of a card can bring to a family struggling through the darkness.

One last thing, please feel free to share this link with everyone but please do NOT share the address of these children. The example given at the project site shows why. A child’s address was shared widely and the cards and letters kept arriving daily. The child died but because the address was shared the cards kept coming. In that instance they only served to increase the family’s pain. So please, just share the link.

If you are able, I welcome you to join with me in supporting these children and their families through this project. Just follow the link below.

Make a Child Smile Project 

Welcome to the Handicrafter’s first featured artist / craftsperson blog. Starting this week a new artist or craftsperson will be featured here at the Handicrafter.  I hope to highlight for you some of the wonderful talent that is available when you shop handmade.

The first craftsperson is Judy Jem, owner of Kid Knitz shop on Etsy.

Judy has a wide variety of crocheted items for adults and children. Her shop is well stocked with pincushions, beanies, purses, fingerless mittens, amigurummi and a whole lot more.

She says she loves custom orders and by the look things she is a fast worker as well.

Judy is located in Woodbury, CT and ships to the USA and Internationally.

She has been an Etsian since December 2005.

A Sample of Kid Knitz Beanies:

A Sample of Play Food:

Two Dashing Amigurummi Mushrooms:

To visit Judy’s shop, Kid Knitz, please click on the link Kid Knitz

Each week I’ll be featuring the work of a new artist or craftsperson. I’ll be covering almost all genres and styles (nothing that could be considered x-rated). Whether you make soap, doll furniture or paint like Jackson Pollock it would be a pleasure to consider featuring your work. If you would like to be considered for an upcoming feature, simply leave a comment on this article about the current week’s featured artist or craftsperson and then go and post a link to your shop or website  
here.

Here are 5 recipes for Hanukkah

Among the many foods prepared in celebration of Hanukkah, many of the foods are fried to commemorate the miracle of the oil.  Two of the most popular Hanukkah foods which are among my favourites are latkes and jelly donuts, both of which are fried in oil.

1.  Hanukkah Potato Pancakes

*  4 medium potatoes
*  1 medium onion
*  2 eggs
*  3/4 cup matzah meal
*  salt and black pepper
*  vegetable oil

Place the 4 potatoes and onion into a food processor and coarsely grate both.  Add the grated potatoes and onion to a strainer to remove excess water.  Take a large bowl and add the eggs and mix. Take the matzah meal and add to the mixture until a batter is formed.  Add a pinch of salt and black pepper.  Heat a griddle pan and add vegetable oil.  Now prepare the pancakes by using about two tablespoons of the batter to form the pancake.  Place the pancakes onto the griddle.  Use a spatula to press down on the pancakes until they turn a golden brown.  Then flip over until the other side is brown as well.  Place on paper towels and then serve.

2.  Hanukkah Cheese Wafers

*  8 ounces (about 2 cups packed) sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
*  1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
*  1 cup all-purpose unbleached white flour
*  1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
*  2 teaspoons onion powder
*  1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Add all the above ingredients into a food processor and mix until a dough forms.  Take out the dough and make two halves.  Shape each half into the shape of a log a foot long and an inch thick.  Place the each log onto the end of a piece of saran wrap. Then begin to wrap the log by rolling it away from you.  Place in the refrigerator overnight.  When you are ready to bake, line cookie sheets with parchment paper, preheat over to 375 degrees, take out the dough and cut thin slices and place on cookie sheet.  Bake until golden brown.  Place on rack to cool; then serve.

3.  Beef Brisket

*  3 lbs. beef brisket
*  3 tablespoons oil
*  1/4 cup chopped onions
*  2 cups boiling water
*  Salt and pepper to taste
*  Chopped parsely

Tie the brisket into a compact shape.  Take a deep kettle and add oil.  Add the chopped onions.  Place the brisket over the onions.  After an hour, add 2 cups of boiling water.  Cover the kettle and let the beef simmer for 2-1/2 hours or until tender.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  After the brisket is cooked, place on platter and sprinkle with chopped parsley.  Beef brisket can be served with boiled potatoes.

4.  Hanukkah Matzah Stuffing

*  2 matzahs
*  1/2 cup hot chicken broth
*  2 Tablespoons oil
*  1 large onion, chopped
*  Salt and pepper
*  1/2 teaspoon cumin
*  1/4 teaspoon turmeric
*  1 beaten egg

Take a large bowl and crumble the matzahs into the bowl along with the chicken broth.  Heat a skillet and add oil as well as the remaining ingredients.  Saute until onions are translucent.  Remove this mixture from the skillet and add to the bowl.  Add the egg and stir.  Put mixture into a baking dish and place in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

5.  Hanukkah Jelly Donuts

*  1 cup warm milk
*  1/3 cup water
*  1 egg, beaten
*  3 tablespoons margarine, melted
*  3/4 cup white sugar
*  4 1/2 cups bread flour
*  1 teaspoon salt
*  1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
*  1 tablespoon active dry yeast
*  3/4 cup any flavor fruit jam
*  2 quarts vegetable oil for frying

Add the milk, water, beaten egg, melted butter, sugar, bread flour, salt, nutmeg and yeast into a food processor.  As soon as the dough is formed, take it out and place it on a marble surface.  Take a rolling pin and roll the dough out to about a quarter of an inch in thickness. Take a cookie cutter, and cut the dough into rounds. You will need two rounds per donut.  Add 1/2 teaspoon of jelly into the center of each round.  Take cold water and lightly wet the edges of the rounds.  Now place the top half of the round onto the bottom half.  Press the top half of the round to the bottom half.  Ensure the donuts are sealed tight.    Place the donuts on a cookie sheet and cover them with a towel until they rise.  Take out your deep fryer and pour the oil into it.  The temperature of the oil must reach 375 degrees.  Add 3 or four donuts into the deep fryer.  As they become golden brown, turn them over to brown the other side. Once both sides are golden brown, take them out of the fryer and place on a rack to drain and cool.
 

I learned to crochet while watching Star Trek on the television in the late sixties. Ever since I’ve loved to curl up in a comfortable chair with my knitting or crochet while watching a movie or TV program.

Often we would have friends over for dinner, crafts and a movie. Everyone would bring something they were working on. Sometimes Mom would teach a friend a new craft while we watched the movie.

If you haven’t yet tried this, why not give it a try in 2009. Invite some friends over. Have them bring their current project. Set up some snacks. Put on a movie. You’ll have a lot of fun and the time will just fly by!

I purchased this movie from Itunes and watched it today, Dec.-27-08 while working on my plastic canvas cottage (Santa put this in my stocking). Can’t say I got a whole lot done. This movie keeps you on the edge of your seat.

 The Sixth Sense is a thriller released in 2002. It has a rating of 14a. It was directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It stars Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment. Toni Collette, Olivia Williams, and Donnie Wahlberg.

The director, M. Night Shyamalan, both wrote and directed this film. He has a small part as Dr. Hill.

Bruce Willis plays child psychologist, Dr. Malcolm Crowe, whose new patient presents with a problem far exceeding Dr. Crowe’s experience or expertise. The patient, six year old Cole Sear, played by Haley Joel Osment, sees the spirits of dead people all around him, all the time. It would appear that Cole can channel troubled spirits.

Naturally Cole is terrified by what he sees. He has little control over his psychic powers. Dr. Crow is the only one he feels safe to tell about his experiences. As the plot unfolds, this brings unexpected consequences for both of them.

This movie has a knock-you-on-the-floor surprise ending. Watch it!

This has been circulating around for just about forever. It’s a really old chestnut but I have to admit it is one of my favourites. I’ve had a number of major life changes in the last little while and am feeling a little bit down right now so I dug it out and read it again. It’s like comfort food for the soul. 

So maybe it still does have something to say…

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, they serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are and who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be: your neighbour, child, long lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger who, when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you and at the time they seem painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential strength, will power, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul.

Without these small tests, whether they be events, illnesses or relationships, life would be like a smoothly paved straight flat road to nowhere, safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life and the successes and downfalls you experience create who you are, and even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart…

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love and to open your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them.

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again…

Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen, let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high…Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself…for if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you either. You can make of your life anything you wish.

Create your own life and then go out and live in it! 

“Live Each Day As If It Were Your Last…Tomorrow is Not Promised”

–Author Unknown

Here is this week’s top ten picks for buying handmade. This week all ten items are either crocheted or a pattern to crochet. All items were selected from various shops at Etsy.com.

Big Sister Little Sister Hats

Eggplant and Lavender Crocheted Scoofie (sold )

Santa Tux and his Elves - Amigurumi Pattern

White Button Up Hoodie

Custom Crochet Cloche COUNTRY GIRL Embroidered on the Brim Matches Pink Brown John Deere Krissys Wonders

Save a Bag Plarn Bracelet

Icicle - Fuzzy Amigurumi Seal

Rad Purple Rainbow Crocheted Bear Ears Ear Warmer Headband

Frog Hat (Infant, Toddler, Child,Adult size)

Grandpa - Amigurumi Pattern  (sold)

If you would like your shop to be considered for a future week’s top ten simply leave a comment on this post telling me which of this week’s top ten is your favourite.

Keep on crafting and have a great week!

        Somehow that just doesn’t sound right. For the last week or so we’ve been bombarded with snowfall after snowfall. We’ve had some really high winds and some pretty cold temperatures for our area. So pretty much then we were expecting maybe, just maybe mind you, to have a white christmas this year.Let’s backtrack to last Sunday. This photo shows the view from my balcony. You can hardly see the parking lot. Yes that is as bright as it got.Oh the weather outside is frightful! And when the wind blows in my direction the inside is pretty frightful too! I live in an older apartment building and the windows rattle so hard sometimes I think I will end up in OZ.  

Don’t get me wrong. I love winter. I loved it more when I was younger. I love it better when I don’t have to go out and slip and slither my way around in it. 

We’ve been spoiled in our little lowland bit of southeastern Ontario in the last few years. Last year I even managed to go without boots most of the time.  

Monday was even worse in its way. The snow was still falling. The sidewalks were abominable. The streets were barely plowed but passable.  

I had to go out. The radio, the weather station, the traffic advisory people all said, “Don’t go out!” I had to go out. I had a medical appointment. It was near impossible to get my walker through the drifts of snow along the sidewalks. And cold. It was so cold I even had a couple of spots of frostbite on my feet. 

Tuesday the snow was still falling. The temperature was warming up though. We actually saw the sun for a bit. But still there was a whole lot of snow out there. There was no escaping it unless you had tickets for a flight bound for sunnier and warmer places. So you’ll have to forgive me if I started to dream of an old-fashioned white Christmas this year.  

Today is Wednesday, Christmas eve. Has it stopped snowing? Yes.  What is it doing out there? It’s icing. We’re having ice pellets. Ice pellets on top of all that nice fluffy snow. The temperature has risen to just above the freezing mark. So maybe we should with appologies to Irving Berlin change the song to “I’m dreaming about an ice Christmas…” 

And then again, the weather channel is predicting rain for tomorrow. Tomorrow is … ta dah …Christmas! Guess maybe we’ll just have to get by with an old new-fashioned green Christmas. 

Whatever the case, may you and yours enjoy all the blessings of this yuletide season and have a very happy new year.

  I am a member of the Etsy Bloggers Team, a group of Etsy shop owners who love to blog. As part of this group I write a monthly Blog Carnival post. The topic I selected for December was Christmas Traditions. In that blog I chose to write about a fond memory of Christmas past. (see http://impawsibletoresist.blogspot.com/2008/12/outside-snow-fell-in-great-clumps-of.html)

This morning I read with interest the Christmas eve or Christmas Day Food and Dinner posting on Daily Dish Recipes (http://cookwithme.today.com/2008/12/23/christmas-eve-or-christmas-day-food-and-dinner/). Readers were invited to write about their Christmas traditions and food choices. This is my response.

Some years ago we decided to take some of the tension out of the night before Christmas by each opening up 1 present. We would have a simple family feast and then off to bed for my daughter. My mother, the cats and I would remain up finishing gifts, wrapping and assembling as needed. Our feast would be something quick and easy and would be set up buffet style. It usually included sausage rolls, cold meats, little sandwiches, and other finger foods.

Dessert would be shortbread cookies, slices of fruitcake and mince tarts. Again easy to set up and easy to put away and store the leftovers was key here. As crafters we always had projects that still needed to be completed in time for giving so we needed all the seconds we could scrounge.

Christmas morning was always chaos. The stockings were examined first. The remaining presents would be opened next.

Breakfast was one of the few remaining times when we would all sit down to a good old fashioned breakfast. There would be pancakes and bacon, eggs any style, toast and coffee. The plates would be decorated with orange slices. Grapefruit was the first course.

Christmas Day dinner was always the traditional roasted turkey, stuffing, potatoes, turnips, cranberry sauce, salads. Dessert would be fruitcake or christmas pudding, apple, pumpkin, raisin or mincemeat pies.

In between these two giant repasts we would munch away on the contents of our stockings - nuts, fruit and candy. No one counted calories on Christmas Day!

Traditionally we would all gather around to watch the Queen’s address on TV. Then we might put on a movie or watch any specials that we might find airing on the television. Napping was an acceptable indulgence. We crafters would keep on finishing up that one last project.