05Sep 2022 by catbird 1 Comment
Harvest Moon Celebration

Harvest Moon Celebration

Autumn Portfolio, Craft Project, Full Moon, Harvest Moon, Recipes
We are so excited for the Harvest Moon! The Harvest Moon was so named in Europe because the light of the full moon allowed farmers to work into the night to bring in the harvest. After the harvest was finished it was a time of celebration and rest. This full moon is always the one closer to the Autumnal Equinox so it’s most often in September, but sneaks into October every now and again. In many Asian cultures this full moon is known as the Mid-Autumn Festival. It’s is traditionally celebrated with mooncakes (which we have made one of our traditions too!) Have you ever looked up at the man in the moon? What westerners refer to as the man in the moon, many other cultures refer to the rabbit…
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19Mar 2022 by catbird No Comments
Spring Eggshell Candles

Spring Eggshell Candles

Craft Project, Spring Equinox, Spring Portfolio
This is a simple craft that doesn't require many materials or a lot of time. Materials: Eggshells Beeswax (pellets, chunks or even old candles bits) Wicks (tealight size) Dried flowers (optional) Crushed mica (optional) Method:First prepare the eggs: I use eggshells from eggs I have eaten or baked with and don't do anything special when I crack them. If you know you are planning to make some, just think about making the crack closer to the skinny end, but as long as you have a solid half (ie don't crush it into a million pieces like my children do...) it should be fine. The fiddliest bit is that you need to pull the membrane out, if you do when they are fresh I can usually just yoink them out in…
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30Jan 2022 by catbird No Comments
Midwinter Cleaning. Of Children.

Midwinter Cleaning. Of Children.

Bath & Body, Craft Project, Midwinter, Play
Historians disagree on the origin of colloquialism “spring cleaning, '' but there is some evidence to support that it was originally a Midwinter tradition, not a spring one. The season’s association with the hearth and preparing for spring make sense. Many historical traditions reference cleaning out the old year at Midwinter. Consequently, this is a great time of year to craft cleaning products, soap and bath bombs. We naturally spend more time inside in the deep of winter, so it makes sense to turn our attention to cleaning out our physical spaces and ourselves. The kids and I try to make at least 1 new soap each year and they are much more inclined to use said soap because they make it and it's special. We also love to make…
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18Dec 2021 by catbird 5 Comments
Solstice Ice Lanterns

Solstice Ice Lanterns

Craft Project, Nature Art, Winter Portfolio, Winter Solstice
Every Winter Solstice we make an ice lantern for the center of our Solstice Spiral. We fill it up with pinecones and holly and evergreens and it makes the whole space magical! If it's not cold enough where you live, you can stick these in the freezer instead. There are a few different ways to make them below- the botanical lanterns are my favorite, but the balloon lantern lantern is faster if you're in a pinch. We rarely have enough snow for teh snowball lantern, but if you do it's easy and fun! Botanical Ice Lanterns Materials: Two plastic containers- one larger and one smaller Masking tape Water Evergreen branches, holly, berries, pinecones etc Method: Set you smaller container inside the larger one and tape it in place with the…
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17Dec 2021 by catbird No Comments
Winter Solstice Wishes

Winter Solstice Wishes

Craft Project, Free Printable, Winter Solstice
This is a fun way to release wished into the world using science! When you drop these folded pieces of paper into water, the liquid slowly wicks up the paper through a process called capillary action. "Capillary action is the process of a liquid flowing in a narrow space without the assistance of, or even in opposition to, any external forces like gravity." download https://www.pinterest.com/pin/91831279895569169
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