How to Make “Happy Kwanzaa” Cards

Kwanzaa is a holiday celebrating African heritage and culture. Celebrated from December 26th to January 1st each year, it features candle-lighting ceremonies, feasts, gift giving and more. The holiday was not intended to replace Christmas, but rather to give those of African descent a time to celebrate themselves and their ancestors.

Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of seven principles. These are:

Umoja – Unity
Kujichagulia – Self-determination
Ujima – Collective work and responsibility
Ujamaa – Co-operative Economics
Nia – Purpose
Kuumba – Creativity
Imani – Faith

Just like those who celebrate Christmas send out Christmas cards, those who celebrate Kwanzaa often send out cards for the holiday. What better way to celebrate the principle of Kuumba than to make handmade cards for your friends and family? Following are some ideas for creating beautiful and unique “Happy Kwanzaa” cards.

Use Kwanzaa Colors

The traditional colors of Kwanzaa are red, green and black. Each of these colors has a special meaning. Red symbolizes the blood shed by Africans, and represents the principles Kuumba, Ujamaa and Kujichagulia. Green represents the land of Africa, as well as the principles of Ujima, Nia and Imani. And black represents the African people and the principle of Umoja.

One way you could utilize these three colors is by weaving. To do this, fold a piece of card stock in half. Then cut a piece of black construction paper the size of the folded card, and cut slits in it starting ½ inch from one end and ending ½ inch from the other. Repeat every half inch. Then cut out half-inch strips of red and green paper and weave them through. When finished, glue the weaving to the front or inside of the card.

The Symbols of Kwanzaa

Incorporate the symbols of Kwanzaa into your design. These include a candleholder with seven candles, the unity cup, and crops. Corn is an especially meaningful symbol, as it represents the children of the family.

Here's a fun and attractive way to make an ear of corn to use on your cards. Lay a piece of yellow construction paper on top of a piece of gold foil paper. Draw the shape of an ear of corn on the construction paper, and cut through both layers. Use a hole punch to punch rows of holes out of the yellow paper, and place it back on top of the gold foil. Then cut green construction paper in the shape of a husk, leaving space for the corn to show through, and glue it all together.

Sending handmade cards is a fun Kwanzaa activity. You can capture the spirit of the holiday by using the traditional colors and symbols, and help spread it by sending out cards to your friends and family.

Silk Painting Activity Set

Alex toys are always winners when it comes to crafts kits for children and the Silk Painting Activity Set is no exception. With this Silk Painting Activity Set your kid will have a lot of fun.Silk Painting Kits are fun and your kid will love it.

Getting craft kits is always a good idea when you are starting a new craft. The kits make it possible for you to try out a craft without having to spend a fortune on all the supplies you need. Once you know that you enjoy a certain craft, them you can invest in all the equipment and tools you need. In this respect Silk Painting Kits are no different.

If you want your kid to try out silk painting first before spending a fortune, this Silk Painting Activity Set is a very good idea.

There is also a very good silk painting kit available that you may like to try and it is silk painting kits by Jacquard.  these kits will give you all you need to try silk painting and it is called: Jacquard Silk Hoop Painting Fun Bag.

So, if you want to try out silk painting yourself get it. For your kid get the Silk Painting Activity Set.


Go To: Silk Painting Activity Set

Cuisinart CBT 700

Smoothies are tasty and smoothies are fun! So, having a look at the Cuisinart CBT 700 Smoothie Maker is a good idea. Smoothies are the ideal drinks to treat kids with on party, so go and have a look at the Cuisinart CBT 700 Smoothie Maker or Blender and have tasty drinks for the kids on your New Years day dinner.

With a Cuisinart CBT 700 Smoothie Maker you will be able to treat more than only the adults. If you are family orientated, that will of course be very important to you. So, why not have a look at the Cuisinart CBT 700 Smoothie Maker and treat the kids in style!

To give you an idea, here is a tasty recipe for a smoothie the kids will love, See how much you will enjoy a Cuisinart CBT 700 Smoothie Maker.

Cereal Topped Fruit Smoothies

What You Need:

• 6 (8 oz.) containers of vanilla yogurt
• 3/4 C of orange juice
• 3 bananas
• 3 C of frozen whole strawberries
• Trix cereal, crushed

How to Make It:

1. Place the yogurt into the blender.
2. Add the orange juice and stir just slight to incorporate into the yogurt.
3. Peel the bananas and break each banana into chunks.
4. Place the bananas and strawberries into the blender.
5. Cover and blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
6. Pour into glasses and top with the crushed cereal.

Makes 10 servings

This healthy drink is great to serve to kids for their New Years Eve party.  It’s not as cold as a milk shake or as time consuming as punch.  These smoothies can be topped with miniature chocolate chips or cut up pieces of fruit if you prefer. 

Preparation Time:  approximately 15 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 15 minutes

Nutritional Information per 1 C serving:  (approximate values)

Calories 230; fat 2 g; sodium 90 mg; carbohydrates 47 g; sugar 38 g; protein 8 g

So, hurry and have a look at the Cuisinart CBT 700 Smoothie Maker. Remember, smoothies are also ideal for quick breakfasts and even lunch in summer. My son always used to have a nutritious smoothie for lunch during the summer. He loved it.

So, Go To: Cuisinart CBT 700 Smoothie Maker Now.

Alex Super Art Table

Why is looking at the Alex Super Art Table a good idea? Well, to start with it will look beautiful in any kids' room or playroom. You can even use it in the Den and it will make a beautiful piece of furniture.

The fact that the Alex Super Art Table is a beautiful piece of furniture is not the main reason why you should get it though. The Alex Super Art Table is the ideal place for a kid to do arts and crafts on. The benches are wide enough so that you can sit with your kid and work together.

Of course I have also seen playgroups buying the Alex Super Art Table because it is ideal for little kids, it includes cups to place the supplies in and the canvas bag is ideal for storing everything in. It is also sturdy and will be able to handle all the abuse small kids will throw it's way.

The Alex Super Art Table includes a paper roll and a kid safe cutter for the paper. The paper roll makes it really convenient as the paper is always available. No need to go hunting for paper when you want to draw or paint. So, your little budding artist will be able to work safely, comfortably at a moment's notice.

So go and have a look at the: Alex Super Art Table now!

Our South African visitors can also get the: Alex Super Art Table

Why Is It Important To Limit The Amount Of Calories You Eat Per Day?

Are you wondering why it is important to limit the amount of calories you eat per day? Well, the unfortunate truth is that if you eat too many calories per day, you will gain weight even if you are very active.

So if you are overweight already or if you want to prevent it, you may be interested in How To Lose Weight, Calories in and calories out. You see, you have to make sure that the amount of calories you consume are balanced out by the amount of calories you eat.

Now I know, counting calories is very difficult. It is hard to measure and weight everything, work out how many calories are in each meal you eat. An easier way is to get a good diet, if you want to lose weight, or a good eating plan, if you want to maintain your weight.

A healthy eating plan will give you a good idea of what you should eat in the course of a normal day. Of course, there will be times when you will have to divert and eat something else, well, all have to do then is do a little more exercise on that day to work off the extra calories.

If you have to lose weight, get a good diet, not a fad diet, stick to it and you will lose weight. Using a set diet is far easier than having to count calories. There are other easier ways to reduce calories as well and you can read all about it on How To Lose Weight Calories.

Go To: How To Lose Weight Calories.

Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures

The author of Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures, Amanda Soule, has also written “The Creative Family” and is the founder of a popular blog, www.SouleMama.com. She has four children and enjoys creating and making things together with her family by consuming less and reusing more. She lives in Portland, Maine and her projects are certainly inspired by the rugged and beautiful coastline of her home area.

Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures includes 33 craft and sewing projects which reuse and repurpose materials that you can find in your own home or when hunting through thrift shops. The projects are easy to make, full of unique beauty and will give you joy for years to come.

Some of the projects are:

• Family Art Table Runner
• Silky Eye Pillow
• Baby Sling
• Letter Satchel
• Baby’s Fringed Play Mat
• Handkerchief Curtain
• Memory Tree Quilt Art
• The Family Heart
• Cozy Wall Pockets
• And many more exciting and back to earth projects

The author of Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures also gives advice on being eco-friendly and reusing and repurposing old materials. How and where to find vintage materials: from flea markets and antique halls to garage sales. Each project comes with instructions and gives information on ability levels. The book also benefits from beautiful colored photographs.

Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures is a wonderful addition to any craft library.

Button It Up: 80 Amazing Vintage Button Projects

In her book Button It Up: 80 Amazing Vintage Button Projects, Susan Beal introduces you to 80 fantastic vintage button projects that you and your children will enjoy. Whether you are using up buttons you’ve been collecting over the years or pretty buttons you saw in thrift shops or flea markets – this book gives you ideas on how to make them into beautiful bracelets, button charms, button-embellished T-shirts and more.

The book starts by teaching you the history of buttons and why people have been fascinated by them for so long. Whether you are planning on creating a solo pendant necklace, button charm necklace, button dangle earrings, button cuffs, button hair clips, button toys, button embellished handbags or even vintage button embellished curtains and dinner party set – all the ideas are unique in style and eye-catching.

The book covers and discusses all the basic skills and materials needed to finish each project successfully, from wire to glues and chains. It also benefits from step-by-step instructions.

Button It Up: 80 Amazing Vintage Button Projects is a creative craft book that is suitable for every creative person to turn old buttons into something wonderful and colorful.