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 I thought long and hard about
this next craft of the week. Craft, as defined by Webster is art, specialty, artistry. A
craft is very special. It evolves from a person's efforts.It is the giving of something so
personal to another who is lightened by it.
 Christmas
has made her glorious entrance and bittersweet exit. I always think the season woefully
short. I have been wondering how we can preserve the Christmas feeling of giving, and by
giving we receive, through out the year. I believe I found such a way. Yes, it is a craft,
yes it is a recipe, but the best part of it is the personal touch. The giving of yourself.
This Valentine Package should be made for anyone you care about- this could be
grandparents, a sick friend or anyone who could use a hug. Look around your neighborhood.
Look into your own family. If a class is going to create this craft think about a small
group that you would like to donate these treasures to. All will be brightened by your
efforts; your artistry; your art.
 This is very simple to create yet will be happily received and
remembered because someone made it . All you need is a shoebox and an imagination. The
cookies that go with the box are easy to make. If children younger than 6 are doing this
craft you may want to make the cookies and have the kids do the decorating. For any
classes that may be doing this craft, perhaps classroom parents can make the cookies and
bring them to school to be decorated by the students. After the shoebox is decorated it
should be lined with plastic wrap- many times the manufacturer makes holiday themed wraps,
try for that if you can.
Valentine Hug Box
What you need:
- 1 shoe box with
lid
- Scissors
- Paint, markers, crayons, stickers, ribbons, heart stencils-
anything to decorate the box in Valentine theme
- Plastic wrap
- to line the box and wrap the cookies
- Paper- to make a small valentine that can be attached to the
box with tape
What you do:
 Have the child decide what
Valentine's Day means for them.- Encourage them to use their imaginations and different
materials ( fabrics are a lot of fun here too). Magazine pictures can be use to cut and
paste images that represent love. Use the different materials to decorate the box-inside
and out. Wait until the box is completely dry before adding the cookies.
- A simple card can be made from drawing paper, again
encouraging the child to add her own touch.
- Make the cookies and decorate. Place in the shoebox after
they are securely wrapped up in plastic wrap.
Sugar
Heart Shaped Cookies
What you need:
 4 cups sifted all purpose flour- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 pound ( 2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Heart shaped cookie
cutter
Note:
You can add red food coloring in step 3 to make red/pink colored cookies.
What you do:
- In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, and baking
powder. Set aside.
- Use an electric mixer to cream butter and sugar until
fluffy. Beat in eggs.
- Add flour mixture and mix on low speed until thoroughly
combined. Stir in vanilla. Wrap dough in plastic; chill for about 30 minutes.
- Heat oven to 325 degrees. On a floured surface, roll dough
to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into heart shapes. transfer cookies onto ungreased baking
sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes, or until edges of cookies just start to brown. Cool on wire
racks; decorate as desired
Cheerful Cookie Box
  Kathy Ross, the
popular craft book author, has written a new book craft book called Crafts
for Christian Values. Kathy's latest book is filled with wonderful
crafts and ideas to help children learn about Christian values
and what they mean. This easy-to-do craft lets you take disposable plastic containers,
photos, drawings, and old greeting cards to make a wonderful keepsake. It's so easy that even the little ones
can do it too.
Chocolate Turtles
Valentine's Day is just around the corner. These Chocolate Turtles
may be just the thing to make for your sweetie!
Heart Magnets
These are terrific for the fridge and a
welcomed gift for any age. They can also be made into fashionable pins .
Attach pin backings to the heart instead of magnets. The craft "dough"
will keep unrefrigerated for up to 2 weeks when stored with a small piece of damp sponge
in a plastic bag or sealed container. This fun craft can be done with children of
any age starting from 4 years old and up.
Black & White Cookie
As a native New Yorker and as a young girl
living in New York, I would use my newspaper route money to buy one of these delicious
cookies from my local bakery. Back then I didn't care how they were made as long as I had
my black and white cookie every week. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do ! |
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