10-8-11 The Spookover Table

Friends:

This past Saturday, Eliana had her annual Spookover (a spooky sleepover we host every Halloween season). She dressed up as a character we invented called “Skeletina.”

10-8-11 Eliana as Skeletina for her Monster Mash Spookover

The tablescape was so cute with orange and black the predominant colors. there is a haunted mansion sitting top a formation of glass blocks. The house is surrounded by Halloween haints, a terrifying tree, and a pretty pumpkin patch.

10-8-11 The Spookover Tablescape

Here is a picture of Eliana and her frightful friends.

10-8-11 Eliana and her friends get ready for spooktacular fun!

We began the evening with some fun snack-making. They made yummy mummy dogs, hot dogs cut in half and wrapped in ready-made breadstick dough, then baked in the oven for 12 minutes. Super simple, crazy cute, and terribly tasty!

10-8-11 The girls made yummy mummy dogs

Then it was time for some ghoulish games! First, they played the “Rattle Dem Bones Race.” I gave them each a differed colored skeleton foam puzzle (Wal-Mart $1 each) and they had to reassemble the parts in their proper place. It was a lot harder than they thought because the puzzle was double-sided! LOL The winners won Halloween glow sticks.

10-8-11 The girls play Rattle Dem Bones Race

Next, they played Halloween Bingo (Dollar Tree $1). It was a wordless game so kids of all ages could play this game and it came with a dozen cards.

10-8-11 It's Halloween Bingo!

Then it was Pizza Time! My husband was in charge of the pizza. He made homemade dough (it’s his specialty) and the girls customized their own pizzas with toppings of their choice.

10-8-11 Dad was in charge of the homemade personal pizzas the girls made

While waiting for the pizzas to bake on the stone, the girls had an all-out dance party! No boys… ghouls only!

10-8-11 It's Dance Party Time!!!

The pizzas came out BOO-TIFUL!!!

10-8-11 And the pizzas... AWESOME!

And what is a Monster Mash without the ghastly green Witches’ Brew?!!

10-8-11 What's a Monster Mash without Witches' Brew?!

After pizza, the girls wanted to play some more games and I had a few more activities planned for the evening. Next, we played “Pass the Pumpkin.” They had to pass around a stuffed pumpkin behind their backs. The winner got to keep the stuffed pumpkin.

10-8-11 The girls play Pass the Pumpkin

Then we had a team contest – “Make a Monster.” The girls were given a large sheet of butcher block paper and crayons. Each girl was assigned a section (head, body, legs) and had to work together to draw a monster. The only requirements were that it had to have a head, body, arms, and legs.

10-8-11 Camrynn, Breanne & Eliana create a monster with many legs

They were very creative! After judging by a third-party, it was decided that this team won. Their monster was crazy yet gruesome.

10-8-11 Jasmynn, Ashlynn & Josie create a winning lifesize monster

Finally, we settled down and did a cool craft. We made Sockenstein monsters, wacky monsters made out of kooky socks. The socks are split at the toe, turned inside out, sewn shut to create antennae, stuffed with fiber fill, cut and sewn shut at the bottom, and finally decorated with Googly eyes and fun foam. We used hot glue to affix everything.

10-8-11 The girls created their own Sockenstein monsters out of kooky socks. Adorable!

They came out so cute that the girls wanted to sleep with them. I put in a Halloween movie (The Dog That Saved Halloween) and they all fell asleep before the movie ended.

10-8-11 All partied out... Ashlynn sleeps with her Sockenstein. Notice any similarities?

Camrynn said, “This was the best Halloween party EVER!” Thank you, Cam! I’m glad all the girls had fun. Happy Hauntings!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

5-19-11 I Love You Little Monkey Paper Plate Mask

Friends:

Have fun monkeying around with this cute craft! It’s a paper plate monkey mask. Ooh ooh ooh, Eeh Eeh Eeh! Grab a big banana for me!

Supplies:
2 paper plates
Glue stick
Crayons
Pencil
Scissors
Cups – 1 small, 1 medium, and 1 large
Black marker – 1 fine tip and 1 thick tip
Jumbo craft or popsicle stick

Directions:
Color one of the paper plates brown. On the second paper plate, with a pencil, trace the small cup twice for the eyes. Then trace the medium cup twice for the ears. Finally trace the large cup once for the monkey’s mouth area. Make a black circle inside the eyes (small cup circles) for the pupils. Color the ears (medium cup circles) and the mouth area (large cup circle) a tan or beige color. Draw a C inside the left ear and a backwards C inside the right ear. Use the glue stick to attach to each side of the monkey’s head. Glue down the eyes and the mouth area. Next, with the thick tip black marker, make two dots inside the large circle for the monkey’s nose. Underneath, draw a curvy smile. To finish the monkey’s face, draw a semi-heart from one side of the top of the big circle to the other side. The dip of the heart should be between the monkey’s eyes. Write “I Love You, Little Monkey!” on the craft stick. Glue the stick to the bottom back of the paper plate. Now you’re swinging!

Here’s what I did with my mask… I placed it on the front door to greet my 10 year old daughter on her way to school. What a fun surprise!

5-19-11 I Love You Little Monkey Mask on the front door

I’m bananas about monkeys! How about you?!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

3-4-11 Oh, baby! These librarians are truly stars!

Friends:

Oh my goodness! What a FANTABULOUS day!! I had the best time at St. Louis County Library on the fifth and final day of my Summer Reading Workshop Tour. I worked with such a fun, spirited group of librarians and boy, did we laugh full belly laughs!

3-4-11 St. Louis County Library participant creates a self-portrait from items in her purse

After opening with a creativity exercise in which workshop participants had to create a self-portrait using items from her purse, we began with draw and tell tales. First, I showed the St. Louis librarians how to do the story, “The Emperor’s Dragon” from Handmade Tales. Cool!

3-4-11 Jeanie draws The Emperor's Dragon from Handmade Tales

Next, I showed them a scroll story from Japan, paper Russian nesting dolls, towel folding, and a story called “Papa’s Teepee” that uses a coffee filter to create a snowflake. I never get tired of creating the “blizzard!” LOL

3-4-11 It's a snow blizzard of coffee filter snow flakes!

After a refreshment break, we worked on the story, “Bandana Man.” Look at how cute Mary-Carol is as the little old lady in the story!

3-4-11 Mary-Carol is a fine old lady in the story of Bandana Man from Handmade Tales

They learned a string story, “The Stubborn Turnip” and even mastered the string figures!

3-4-11 Youthful librarians create a string figure bowl and saucer in the story, The Stubborn Turnip, from Handmade Tales

They had lots of fun and even learned how to create a magic star with a single snip of the scissors!

3-4-11 Those St. Louis Librarians sure do reach for the stars!

During lunch, I was inspired by the lunch box that my food came in. I created a mini shadow puppet theater. Yes, I am so going to use this idea in the future!

3-4-11 During lunch, I created a shadow puppet theater out of my lunch box. Nia help me illuminate it from behind with a flashlight.

We began the second half of the workshop with Tangram Tales. After teaching the librarians how to cut a Tangram set without a pattern, I held the Invent-A-Tangram contest. Julie won with her adorable puppy dog!! I mean, look how precious this pooch is!

3-4-11 Joyous Julie wins the Invent-A-Tangram contest with her cute puppy dog! Way to go, girl!

Then we created a Tangram Story Theater. It was so lively, especially with my funky story chorus creating a hip hop beat! “Ungh, ungh, ungh, ungh!”

3-4-11 St. Louis Librarians rock the Tangram Story Theater, performing Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories

Then it was on to the “Picture Book Make and Takes” portion of my workshop. First, I showed them an excerpt of The Cajun Cornbread Boy and they made the spicy little puppets.

3-4-11 The Cajun Cornbread Boy is full of cayenne!

Then, with the help of Jennifer as Monsieur Roach, and her five roach buddies, we performed Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. They were AMAZING! Look at these roaches dead on the floor! LOLOLOL

3-4-11 Roaches dead on the floor in the story, Madame Paoulet and Monsieur Roach. HILARIOUS!

I ended the workshop with There’s a Dragon in the Library and it was wonderful showing them all the activities that went with the book such as the jumbo accordion dragon.

3-4-11 Jeanie, Mary-Carol and Jennifer stretch out their dragons in There's a Dragon in the Library!

It was an awesome day and I LOVED being in St. Louis. Thank you to the fabulous hostess with the mostest, Desiree, who took care of me all day long. Desiree, you were amazing and I love your energy and enthusiasm. Thank you and a BIG HUG to Naphtali Faris and Barbara from the State Library of Missouri. I had a phenomenal week and sooo appreciate the hospitality of the librarians across the marvelous state of Missouri.

Happy Tales to You!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

3-3-11 The Youth Section of the library in Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Friends:

Today was Day 4 of my 5-day Summer Reading Workshop tour in the state of Missouri. Today I was in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, south of St. Louis. The workshop was hosted by the Cape Girardeau Public Library. It is a GORGEOUS library that is only about a year and a half old. I love the Youth section of the library. The entrance is pictured above.

The workshop began with a creativity exercise. Workshop participants created a self-portrait using items from their purses. I like this one!

3-3-11 Self-portrait created by a librarian with items from her purse. Love the hair!

We began with draw and tell tales. First, was “The Emperor’s Dragon” from my Handmade Tales book. Next, we did “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps.”

3-3-11 Catching a Pest in 7 Steps from Handmade Tales

After that, I taught them how to do the story, “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat.” It’s such a fun story and easy to tie into the 2011 summer reading theme, “One World, Many Stories.”

3-3-11 Joseph Had a Little Overcoat from Handmade Tales

Then I showed the librarians lots of great storytelling techniques from around the world: scroll tales from Asia, paper nesting dolls from Russia, towel folding to accompany a story from Denmark, and a cut and tell paper called “Papa’s Teepee.”

3-3-11 Librarians create a snow blizzard from coffee filter snowflakes

Then it was on to the ever popular “Bandana Man.” They had a good time folding their bandanas into babies!

3-3-11 These librarians just LOVE their bandana babies!

Teaching string stories can be challenging, especially when there is not a lot of time for instruction but these librarians did a marvelous job with the bowl and saucer from “The Stubborn Turnip,” a story from Russia in my Handmade Tales book.

3-3-11 Ah, sweet success! Bowl and saucer string figure from the story, The Stubborn Turnip in Handmade Tales

After lunch, we moved on to Tangram Tales. I taught them how to cut a Tangram without a pattern and then challenged them to Invent-a-Tangram. Here is the winner of the contest. Congratulations, Beth!

3-3-11 Beth wins the Invent-a-Tangram contest with her Dancing Girl. Too cute!

Then the librarians created a Tangram story theater with the story, “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories.” It was adorable. They really got into their roles!

3-3-11 Performing the story, Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories from Tangram Tales

The last portion of the workshop focused on “Picture Book Make and Takes.” I showed them lots of activities that they could incorporate into their story times using my books. Look at Cajun Cornbread Boy!

3-3-11 Run, cher, run, as fast as you can. You can't catch me, I'm full of cayenne!

I loved performing Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach with them. We had a ball! Just look at these roaches partying and having a great time!

3-3-11 Monsieur Roach and his Rockin' Roach Buddies dance. While the chicken's away, the roaches will play!

They loved There’s a Dragon in the Library and all the accompanying activities. Dewey, the accordion dragon, is adorable!

3-3-11 Sarah makes the accordion dragon from There's a Dragon in the Library

It was another wonderful day in the state of Missouri. My last stop is in St. Louis, sister city to New Orleans on the Mighty Mississippi. Thank you to Sharon of the Cape Girardeau Public Library, who was the most gracious hostess ever! Loved the Cajun food at lunch time! Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

3-2-11 Yes, Librarians truly are stars in my book!

Friends:

Today was another fabulous day in Missouri! I was in Jefferson City, the capitol of the state. My summer reading workshop was held at the library downtown and I had such a wonderful, fun, and appreciative group of librarians!

3-2-11 Taking a picture with the hosting library staff in Jefferson City, Missouri. Thank you for your hospitality!

As usual, I began the day with a creativity exercise. It’s a great way to warm up a group and serves as a fun ice breaker. They had to create a self-portrait from items in their purses. Love seeing all the inventive faces!

3-2-11 A self-portrait made by a librarian with items from her purse. Think one of those keys is to a Porsche?

I opened with a couple of easy draw and tell tales. First, I did “The Emperor’s Dragon” from Handmade Tales. I just love this story and it’s so easy that every succeeds.

3-2-11 The Emperor's Dragon, a draw and tell tale from Handmade Tales

Next, I taught the librarians “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps,” also from Handmade Tales. What a cool story and I love using it to teach children to count in different languages.

3-2-11 Catching a Pest in 7 Steps, a draw and tell tale from Handmade Tales

Afterward, I showed them a scroll story, how to make paper Russian nesting dolls, how to tell the story of “The Ugly Duckling” using towel folding, and how to create a snowflake from a story that uses a white coffee filter. I LOVE making the snow blizzard!

3-2-11 Creating a blizzard from snowflakes made out of coffee filters in the story, Papa's Teepee from Handmade Tales

They had a lot of fun creating Bandana Man and we made sure that everyone learned how to fold him.

3-2-11 Run, run, run as fast as you can! You can't catch me, I'm Bandana Man!

Then it was on to string stories and lunch. Following lunch, we worked on Tangram Tales. After learning how to create a Tangram set without a pattern, they were challenged to “Invent a Tangram.” There were a lot of creative entries, like this dinosaur…

3-2-11 A dinosaur Tangram invented by a librarian!

But the winner of the Invent-a-Tangram contest was Jeana with her bat!

3-2-11 Jeana creates a Tangram bat and wins the Invent-a-Tangram contest!

Then it was time for… Tangram Tales Story Theater! They performed “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories.” The story chorus, led by Carolee, sang, “Feel the story beat, uh uh! Feel the story beat, uh uh uh!” Woo hoo!

3-2-11 Performing the story Tiger's Tale, Anansi's stories as a Tangram story theater

After Tangram Tales, it was time for picture book make and takes. I performed an excerpt of The Cajun Cornbread Boy and they made Cajun Cornbread Boy puppets.

3-2-11 Cajun Cornbread Boy gets extra flair with ring bling! Love it!

The day was a full day, ending with activities from my new children’s picture book, There’s a Dragon in the Library.

3-2-11 There are dragons in the library!

I left Jefferson City feeling loved. These librarians sure do know how to make an author feel welcome! Thank you so much. And yes, Aletha, you CAN do crafts AND tell stories! Thank you for not running away! LOL

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

3-1-11 Librarians are stars!

Friends:

Today is the first day I am blogging about my Missouri summer reading workshops because I lost my blogging camera yesterday! Talk about bad luck… I almost didn’t make it to Kansas City due to weather diverting my flight to Des Moines, Iowa. Then it was losing the camera… BUT today was a great day! I bought a new camera and here we go!

My first workshop was in Carrollton, Missouri and I had an awesome time with the workshop participants there. Today, I was in Springfield, Missouri with nearly 50 librarians at The Library Center.

3-1-11 Librarians do Joseph Had a Little Overcoat cut and tell story from Handmade Tales

We began the workshop with a creativity exercise in which the participants had to create a self-portrait from items in their purses, wallets or pockets. Here’s the one I liked!

3-1-11 Springfield, MO Summer Reading Workshop participant creates a self-portrait from items in her purse

Then it was time for some stories! We began with draw and tell tales. First, I did “The Emperor’s Dragon” from my book, Handmade Tales. What was really awesome is that through a grant, the State Library of Missouri gave every workshop participant a copy of my Handmade Tales book! Lucky Librarians! Next, we did the draw and tell story of “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps,” a fun story that uses the numbers 1 through 7 to create the picture in the tale.

3-1-11 Catching a Pest in 7 Steps story from Handmade Tales

Then I showed them “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat” and I had so much fun showing them how to “blow” into a handkerchief.

3-1-11 Mallory Has a Little Overcoat. Hahahaha

Then I showed them towel folding, how to create folded paper Russian nesting dolls, how to create a scroll story, and how to use a fortune teller in a fun, educational way. They even learned how to create a coffee filter snowflake in the story, “Papa’s Teepee.”

3-1-11 Creating a snow blizzard with coffee filter snowflakes from the story, Papa's Teepee

Then they learned how to make “Bandana Man” from my Handmade Tales book. Boy, did we have fun with Bandana Man!

3-1-11 Bandana Men in the Air!

They learned a string story, how to create a star with string, how to create a one-snip star, and even how to create a six page book out of a single sheet of paper. After lunch, it was on to Tangram Tales. First, they learned how to create a Tangram set without a pattern. Then I held an Invent-A-Tangram Contest. I loved this one… It goes with my book, There’s a Dragon in the Library.

3-1-11 Roxanne invents a dragon Tangram!

But Mallory ended up the winner with her “Man Reading a Book” Tangram. Talk about awesome!!

3-1-11 Mallory wins the Invent-A-Tangram contest for Man Reading a Book

Next, all the librarians in the room worked together to create a fun Tangram Tales story theater, “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories.”

3-1-11 Librarians perform the Tangram story theater, Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories

Several of the librarians helped me perform a rousing rendition of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. Woo hoo!!

We ended the day with “Picture Book Make and Takes,” creating all kinds of activities to accompany my picture books. We ended appropriately with There’s a Dragon in the Library, my picture book illustrated by Marita Gentry.

3-1-11 A librarian creates the accordion dragon from There's a Dragon in the Library

It was such a fun day and I had a blast with the librarians in the Springfield-Greene County district in lovely Missouri! Thank you so much!! A heartfelt thank you to Naphtali Faris, the Youth Services Consultant for Missouri State Library for coordinating such wonderful workshops. Thank you also to Charla, who helped so much.

I look forward to my workshop in Jefferson City, Missouri tomorrow!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

2-15-11 Marvelous Mardi Gras Mask

Friends:

Here is a fun and easy Mardi Gras mask you can make to celebrate Carnival Season! This year, Mardi Gras falls on March 8, 2011.

Supplies:
1 large paper plate
1 sturdy drinking straw
Markers/Crayons
Sequins
Feathers or chenille sticks (pipe cleaners)
Ribbon
Glue
Scissors

Directions:
Cut paper plate in half. Cut out triangles around the outer edge of the round part of the paper plate, making it look like a sun. Cut out eye holes. Decorate the paper plate with markers, crayons, sequins, and feathers. If you don’t have feathers, curl chenille sticks around a pencil and attach them to the top of the mask to simulate feathers. Finally, secure a drinking straw as the mask’s stick or handle. Curly ribbon can be attached to cascade down.

Enjoy and parade around!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

2-12-11 The AMAZING There's a Dragon in the Library cake at our Octavia Books Launch Party

Friends:

This past Saturday was our book launch party for There’s a Dragon in the Library, illustrated by Marita Gentry. We had our fabulous launch at our favorite indie bookstore in New Orleans – Octavia Books. It was our largest book launch at Octavia to date! There were so many people in attendance that some people couldn’t see the performance!

2-12-11 The awesome audience at Octavia Books

I had an amazing dragon cake made (Thanks, Lana and Dana) and it was DELICIOUS!

2-12-11 The Dragon cake table

Here is a close-up of that up-ROAR-ious cake, which was chocolate cake with raspberry filling. YUM!

2-12-11 A close-up of the Dragon cake!

As is our signature method, Marita and I entertained the audience with interactive storytelling and live illustration.

2-12-11 Audience participation is so much fun and Marita's dragon comes to life on paper!

I made puppets out of oven mitts, which came out sooooo cute. The templates for the puppets are on my website in the book activities. Marita did such a marvelous job on the puppets.

2-12-11 The oh so cute boys in my story, There's a Dragon in the Library. Marita is illustrating and Eliana is page-turning.

This time, instead of drawing several illustrations, Marita decided to do something different. Because the dragon is a very complicated character to draw, she decided to draw and color one enormous dragon. It came out sooo cute!

2-12-11 The whole cast comes up for a final bow

Here is a close-up of Marita’s illustration. It’s a little blurry because there were so many people that my photographer (hubby Antonio) couldn’t get close enough to even zoom in on the picture. But you can see how cute it is! Marita is incredibly talented! I’m so lucky to team with such a great illustrator!

2-12-11 A close-up of the Marita's finished illustration of Dewey the Dragon in There's a Dragon in the Library

Afterward, the children participated in a scavenger hunt, looking for a dragon tale hidden amongst the books. The winner received a reading pillow and blanket. We gave away lots of prizes including book bags, a Dragon accordion puppet, and a signed dummy of our book. Then the kids made the cutest Dewey the Dragon paper bag puppets.

2-12-11 The cutest dragon puppet with the cutest little boy!

Marita and I signed books as Judith Lafitte and Tom Lowenburg, the bookstore owners, served cake and dragon juice.

2-12-11 Dianne de Las Casas signing books with a tiara on! Viva la Diva! LOL

Caitlin Smith with Pelican Publishing Company stopped by to say hi and check in on our party.

2-12-11 Dianne de Las Casas, Caitlin Smith from Pelican Publishing, and Marita Gentry

Marita and I have such sweet fans and friends. Jon and Jordyn have been to every single one of my book launch parties!! They deserve a crown just for that!!

2-12-11 Dianne with favorite fans, Jordyn and Jon

The party was such a smashing success. We owe so much to King Tom and Queen Judith of Octavia Books, our benevolent rulers! Thank you, your majesties! Thank you to everyone: fans, friends, and family who came to support us as we unveiled our fun new book, There’s A Dragon in the Library. We even had someone drive in from as far away as Lafayette! WOW!

2-12-11 The Cutie Crew with their paper bag dragon puppets

It was a fantastic day and we look forward to many more book launch parties at Octavia Books.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

FALL HARVEST – UNEARTH FUN IDEAS!
By Dianne de Las Casas

Thanksgiving is a special time in the United States. It is a time we celebrate our bountiful harvests. Traditionally, that meant crops which kept families fed during harsh winters. Now it means all the blessings, big and little, we have to be thankful for. No matter what country you hail from, it is always the right time to give thanks! Here are some Fall Harvest ideas… unearth some fun! Have the kids help with holiday preparations.

Handprint Turkey Placecards
Trace your child’s hand on construction paper and create turkey placecards for the Thanksgiving table. The four fingers become the feathers while the thumb is the head and neck of the turkey. Simply draw the turkey’s features then have your child color the turkeys, feather, body and beak. Write your guest’s name on the turkey. Tape or glue a craft stick to the back of the turkey (you can do opposite hands and two turkeys back-to-back for a really nice effect). Pour salt or sugar in a small Dixie cup. Cover the salt/sugar with a thin layer of cinnamon. Place the stick in the cup. Voila! Not only is it super cute, it also lends that Fall fragrance to the air with the cinnamon.

11-17-10 Handprint Turkey Placecard

Cardboard Tube Napkin Rings
Forget expensive napkin rings! Using a paper towel tube, cut a ring off about 1 to 1 ½ inches wide. Glue gold ribbon around the ring, covering the entire ring. Glue a small acorn, leaf, berry or other fall decoration on top. Fold napkins accordion style and slip them inside. They will fan out. Pretty! This is an easy project for kids to help with!

11-17-10 Cardboard Tube Napkin Ring

Pumpkin Bowl Floral Arrangement
This is one of the prettiest arrangements. It always gets “ooohs” and “aaahs” from guests. Get a large pumpkin and scoop out the insides. Place a goldfish bowl with water inside. Fill pumpkin with fresh, fall colors.

Glittery Mini Pumpkin Tealights
Get several miniature pumpkins and scoop out the insides. Once the insides are scooped out, take the pumpkins in a well-ventilated area and spray with adhesive glue. Sprinkle gold glitter all over the pumpkins and allow to dry. Place a tealight holder and a tealight inside for instant fall glamour! Place on a doily to catch the glitter.

Learn Napkin Folding
Having beautifully folded dinner napkins is a wonderful way to make your guests feel special and welcome. Why, you went to all that trouble for them! Pick simple, but elegant napkin designs and have your older children help. They will enjoy the activity and you will have one less thing to do! http://www.napkinfoldingguide.com/

Fall Tabletop
I love table runners and have several in different colors. Instead of a dedicated table cloth, try layering several table runners in Fall colors. The result is a patchwork that looks like a carpet of fall foliage! So pretty!

11-17-10 Layered Table Runners

Pomander Power!
Once used in the Victorian era to mask odors, pomanders are now fragrant reminders of the holidays. A pomander is a citrus fruit studded with cloves. This is a craft that both of my daughters enjoyed. Get several oranges, lemons, and limes. Stud the fruit with cloves, covering the entire fruit or creating patterns. It is helpful to use a thimble or gloves when pushing the cloves into the fruit as they can be sharp, Place pomanders in a crystal or designer bowl and use as a centerpiece or attach a ribbon and hang in the doorways.
http://www.rightathome.com/Designing/Crafts/Pages/FestivePomanders.aspx

Have fun with fall and unearth some great ideas for bringing the holidays home!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Funny Bunny Shaker made from a cardboard tube

Friends:

The “Funny Bunny Shaker” is a cute craft for Easter or any time you need a bunny. And it’s so easy!

Materials:
6 inch cardboard tube
2 Googly eyes
1 cotton ball
Construction paper
Beans, rice or beads
Markers
Glue
Stapler

Directions:
Staple the bottom of the cardboard tube closed. In the opening, drop a few beads, beans or grains of rice. Create bunny ears from construction paper. With the ears in place in the opening of the cardboard tube, staple the cardboard tube closed in the opposite direction. It will form a triangular shape. Now decorate. Glue on some Googly eyes and draw your bunny’s facial features. Don’t forget to glue on the cotton ball tail. Shake your bunny shaker!

Bunny Bags &Funny Bunny Shakers

Have fun!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne