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COLORED ICICLES Here's a fun project for the young and the young-at-heart! Try it on a cold winter's day when the kids are snowbound and school is out and there are choruses of , "MOM, what can I do?"
Try working hand-in-hand with nature to create colorful icicles. If you would like to make these special rainbow treats, get a clean, empty can and punch small holes in it: two holes along the top edges through which you put a string handle; and a very small hole in the bottom for water to drip through slowly enough to form icicles. In another container mix a few drops of food coloring with some water. Mix as many colors as you have containers to hold the liquid. On a cold day, hang each can on a tree branch, from a clothesline, etc. in your yard, and then pour the water into it. (Note: If the day is VERY cold, the water may freeze in the can before the icicles form. You may have to wrap something around the can to insulate it and keep the water from freezing too quickly.) Although it may take several different tries, the final result will be your own rainbow of homegrown icicles! |
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| by Edain McCoy You can easily make a prosperity talisman to give away by using items found in you own backyard, or with old coins from the bottom of your change purse. Anything which speaks to you of prosperity is appropriate. You will also need: -
a single dollar bill (real or fake), -
a 3 1/2" x 5" rectangle of poster board, -
a pen, -
a pair of scissors, -
some decorative items like glitter or paint. Leaving the four corners of the card blank, decorate the rest of its face with glitter, ribbons, magical symbols, herbs, or any other items linked with the attributes of prosperity. Next, take the dollar bill and cut off the four corners. Glue the bill's triangular corners to the four corners of your card. This is sympathetic magic-one must have money to attract money. Then, either on the back of the card, or on a separate piece of paper, write out instructions for using the talisman: This is a talisman of prosperity. Place this card someplace where you will see it every day, preferably in a bedroom. At least once a day hold the card to your breast and spend several minutes reciting the chant: Talisman of prosperity, all good things now come to me. Be sure to strongly visualize the success of the talisman as you are constructing it. When blessed, decorated, and wrapped, this simple card becomes a cherished and functional gift |
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 The Yule Wish Tree Often, the items we truly need cannot ride home with us in a bag from the mall during the holiday season countdown. The day before Thanksgiving, take a trip to the tree nursery and find a small, potted evergreen. On your way home, purchase a few yards of red, green, and white ribbon. During the Thanksgiving supper,introduce the tree to the family and the tribe to the tree. Each member of your clan should tie a ribbon on the tree to represent an intangible blessing they would like for the upcoming Yule season. Wishes could be for peace, enough rest, health, etc.
Bless the tree and set it where it will have enough light.
When family and friends visit, explain the purpose of the wish tree to them and give them a ribbon to tie on the tree, too. The tree is for everyone. If you plan to use the tree in ritual,have everyone participating make a small ornament, empowered for strengths like self-esteem, goal planning, security, etc. and hang it on the tree while connecting with the divinity of their choice.
On the first day of February, remove all the ornaments and ribbons. Burn the ribbons and cast the ashes to the winds. Pack the ornaments away. Next year, when you open the box, you can de-magick the ornaments and return them to their owners, or hang them on your
big tree in memory of last year's prosperity. Continue to take good care of the tree over the remaining winter months. Don't forget to give it water and plenty of love. In the spring, you can plant the tree outside on your property or on the property of a friend.  Harmony Kissing Ball Items needed: red velvet ribbon,
1/2 inch and 1 inch 6 or 8 inch embrodery hoop
mistletoe
florist wire
hot glue
Directions:
1.separate the two pieces of the embrodery hoops and fit them together, one inside the other, at a 90 degree angle. Secure in this position with florist wire or hot glue
2.Secure a piece of the 1/2 ribbon to the bottom of the hoop. Wind the ribbon around the edges of the hoop, wrapping each "arm" in a spiral motion until the wood is covered completely.Secure with hot glue.
3.Form two bows with the 1 inch ribbons, leaving the ends dangling. Secure one to the bottom of the joined hoops, the other to the top.
4.Gather the mistletoe into a ball, secure the ends with florist wire.Insert inside the globe and twist the florirst wire to the top of the ball.
5.Hang the ball somewhere you are sure to get kissed! 3 D yule paper ornaments These ornaments are a little tricky to make, but the results are beautiful ! It is also a great way to recycle all of the junk mail and scrap paper we all accumulate. You will need a blender, a terra cotta cookie mold ( one of the really fancy ones you find in cooking speciality stores or sometimes at
WalMart) paper, fabric scraps or dryer lint and Pam. 3Dimensional Paper ornaments Fill a kitchen blender with water, scraps of fabric or dryer lint, blend for one minute. Place a Terra Cotta Cookie Mold on a folded towel. Spray with Pam. Spread just enough pulp to cover the mold. (Pulp should be very wet and soupy) Using a sponge, press onto the mold two or three times to remove water. Use an absorbent towel to remove the remaining water. Poke a hole for an ornament hook Dry in the microwave ( try a minute at a time on high power), convection or conventional oven ( 350 for 30 minutes), hair dryer, window sill, or let stand overnight. When crispy dry, remove the cotton piece with a thin, sharp, narrow blade knife. These can be left as is or can be decorated with Acrylic paints. You can also use eye-shadow, blush makeup, and/or acrylic paints for color. Iridescent glitter adds a light sparkle and makes a lovely accent. Twelve Herb Yule Sachet 7 parts Juniper
4 parts Cinnamon
4 parts Allspice
4 parts Ginger
4 parts Caraway
2 parts Nutmeg
2 parts Rosemary
2 parts Lemon
2 parts Orange
1 part Clove
1 part Bay
2 pinches Orris
Tie up in a green cloth and give as gifts at Yule or Samhain. Yule Centerpiece If your a busy person this is an ideal craft. One of the easiest things to do for your home is to create a centerpiece for the table. It's quick, it's easy and it looks good. This can stay out all year long and you can change the flowers and greenery to suit the season. ITEMS YOU WILL NEED:
1: 6"-10" decorative basket that you can pick up from any craft or department store. It should have some depth to it, without it being too big.
1: Oasis Form (a cube of styrofoam used by florists which are easily attainable) or you can use a plastic evergreen bow left over from Yule. That should be only about 16" long.
1: Candle Holder. This can be made of any type of material that is pleasing to your eye. (Wood, glass, silver etc.)
3-4: Plastic seasonal flowers. This way you can save them for the following years. For Yule: you can use: Holly, Mistletoe, Black Berries, Pointsettias, Pine Cones, Dates, Dried Fruit (oranges symbolized for the returning sun) etc. You can purchase these anywhere (craft stores, department stores, some hardware stores.)
1: Colour Candle. This should suit the sabbat. For Yule: use a red or green candle. DIRECTIONS:
Cut a hole in the centre of the Oasis Form big enough to fit your candle holder. Or if you opted for the evergreen bow wrap it around inside the basket and place the candle holder in the middle. Cut the bow to the length to fit your basket so it won't look too stuffed. Next add your candle holder in the centre of the basket. Use pliers or wire cutters to cut the long stems of the plastic flowers and to defoliate the leaves that come with it. Cut them at different lengths to give dimension to the basket in general. Once you have finished cutting your flowers, begin sticking them into the form or evergreen bow. Start at the centre and move your way out. Remember to keep a 'balance' of colour and texture to it. |
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Fresh wreath, swags, garlands and trees. Wreaths Fresh greenery wreaths provide the senses with many delights. Not only do they look beautiful, but they perfume the air around them. Pine boughs, ivy, eucalyptus sprays, box hedge stems and ferns are just a few kinds of freash greenery you can use to make wreaths. Best to work on a table when preparing your wreath form and later to hang it up to add the decorations and final touches. It is easier to see where you need to add leaves, flowers, ribbons etc., when you are face to face with your wreath.
Fresh Greens
 | 1. Make a base using two wire coat hangers. Wire the hangers together and cover with floral tape. | 2. Cut several 8" to 10" long branches of greenery (redwood, pine, douglas fir etc.)
|  | 3. Using lightweight floral wire, secure the branches to the wreath base. Overlap the stems. Keep adding stems until the wreath base is fully covered. |  | 4. Secure decorations with floral wire or hot glue. Or you can use wire to attach your decorations, just tuck the wire under the greens or use wrapped green floral wire so that it doesn't show as much.
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Candy Cane Reindeer -
Craft glue -
Scissors -
1-6" wrapped candy cane -
8 inches of ribbon -
2 wiggle eyes (approx. 5 mm) -
1 small red pompom (for nose) -
2 (18") colored pipe cleaners Directions: 1. Glue eyes on rounded face of the wrapped candy cane. 2. Glue red pompom on the face for a nose. 3. Tie ribbon into a bow on the straight part of the candy cane. 4. Cut one of the pipe cleaners in half. 5. Use the full pipe cleaner and wrap it around the crook of the candy cane (both sides equal) to make the beginning part of the antlers. 6. Use 1 of the cut pipe cleaner pieces to wrap around the left antler and repeat it on the right side. 7. Manipulate the pipe cleaners to look like antlers. Tips: Use metallic colored pipe cleaners in gold or silver for a glitzy reindeer.
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Stained “Glass�?Windows
Supplies: - old, broken crayons,
- wax paper, white paper,
- warm iron scissors,
- newspapers,
- markers,
- potato peeler.
Place several newspapers on the table to protect it. Separate the crayons by color. Use a knife or a potato peeler to make shavings out of them. A pencil sharpener also works well, but crayons will dull the pencil sharpener. On the white paper, draw several Pagan symbols (pentagram, tree, chalice, etc.). You can also use printed pictures as long as they are very simple. Choose a symbol that has special meaning to you. Then place one piece of wax paper wax side up over your picture, and sprinkle the wax shaving in the colors you like in the form of the chosen symbol. Be sure you leave a one-inch border around all the edges. The final step is to place the other sheet of wax paper, wax side down, in top and seal it with a warm iron. The crayons will melt and crate a stained glass symbol. You can frame it or just put a hole through the top of the wax paper and hang it in the window for a sun catcher or a house blessing. |
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~ Herbal Tree Ornaments ~ .·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.
Miniature Lace Wreaths Form a 1 1/2�?-inch diameter circle using white florist wire. For ease, form the circle around a bottle or other round object of the desired size. Do not fasten the wire ends, but allow them to overlap about 1 inch. Using one end of the wire as though it were a needle (you may have to smooth "the needle" slightly with steel wool), thread 1/2�?/4-inch wide ecru or white lace onto the circle. Use about 1/2 yard of lace, or enough to form a full, gathered circle. Loop the ends of the wire together, and trim off excess. If the lace is not fairly stiff, give the wreath a quick spray of starch and allow it to dry thoroughly. Decorate by gluing on tiny dried herb blossoms, such as individual chive blossom florets, little clusters of marjoram flowers, tansy or costmary buttons, feverfew, leaves of thyme, germander, boxwood, and seeds or berries such as bay and coriander. Finish by attaching a loop for hanging and a bow of 1/8-inch satin ribbon in a complementary color.
.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.
Tiny Tussies for the Tree Miniature tussie mussies make elegant Yule ornaments and are easily made from tiny, dried rosebuds, little sprigs of baby's breath, pieces of statice, and other dried flowers. This is a perfect way to use the pieces that have broken off in the process of making herbal wreaths. Cut a piece of sheet Styrofoam (well-washed meat trays work perfectly) about the size of a nickel. Push a 4-inch length of doubled florist's wire through it to make a handle in the center. Push the stems of the herbs into the Styrofoam, using a single little rosebud in the center and other rosebuds or tiny sprigs around it. Use single florets of statice, tansy, and others to make a tiny bouquet, and then fill in the spaces with little whole cloves, tiny sprigs of baby's breath, leaves of boxwood, or other tiny blossoms.
Glue these in place with tacky glue.
When the bouquet is dry, you can glue around the edge a small piece of narrow, gathered lace or little ruffles, cut from paper doilies. Cover the back with a circle of white Styrofoam. Wrap the florist's wire stem with florist's tape, and finish off with a tiny bow of G-inch wide, satin picot ribbon, in a complementary or matching color. Add a loop of nylon thread for a hanger. If you don't have rosebuds, you can use a very small strawflower for your center or you can simply group your other flowers. If the flowers have stems H inch or longer, you can bundle your blossoms into a bouquet, tie with heavy thread, and wrap with florist's tape. To the base of the stem, glue a ruffle of slightly wider lace or eyelet gathered into a circle. Although full-sized tussie mussies can be used on the tree, these miniature ones are so delicate and dainty that they are certain to steal the show. From Herbal Treasures
by Phyllis V. Shaudys
©1990
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Make Your on Yule "Salt Dough" Ornaments It is also call it "Baker's Clay". It's fun and versatile. The kids love to play with it in place of play dough, and it can be baked, painted and sealed to make lovely ornaments, decorations, gifts, tags, etc. Baker's Clay -
1 cup water -
1 cup salt -
2-1/2 cups flour
1. Combine salt and 2 cups of flour. Mix in water, and work in additional flour if needed to make a smooth and workable dough.
2. Roll out 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Dip cookie cutters in flour and then press into dough. Remove excess dough and put shapes onto ungreased cookie sheet. If making ornaments, use a toothpick to make holes for string to pass through.
3. Bake at 250 degrees for 30 minutes on each side, more for really thick items, less for thin items. Can also be dried at room temperature, time varies according to the thickness of the project- overnight-2 days is normal.
4. Paint and seal with a shellac or other acrylic-type sealer. To keep the salt dough well for years, do not store in a damp place. Store in boxes or well-sealed cookie tins on a bed of uncooked rice to absorb any moisture.
Enjoy. |
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Yule is a Sabbat to welcome back the Sun King. The sun is vital to all that exist on Earth. It is the giver of light and warmth, and causes the rebirth of this past years crops by warming and gently coaxing the seeds that have been sleeping underground during the winter. Traditional methods of celebrating this Sabbat are mostly inside activities.
Yule Log Hike
Materials: Warm Clothes, Sense of Adventure.
This is an activity that can be done the weekend before Yule. On a bright crisp morning, dress the family warmly and head for the park, mountains, or beach. As you hike along, looking for that special Yule log to place in your hearth, also be looking for decorations to make it personalized by each member of the family. Select a proportionally sized log that will fit easily into your fire place. Ash, oak, or cedar make great Yule logs. Try to find one that has already fallen and is on the ground. On the beach, driftwood can be found and obtained for your log. As you are looking, or on your way back home look for natural decorations to adorn your Yule log with. Traditional adornments are, pine cones, leaves, holly sprigs, mistletoe sprigs, rosebuds, winter flowers, wheat stalks, and corn husks. If you must cut anything from a living plant, remember to ask and thank the plant for its gift. If you don't have a fire place, select a smaller log, slightly flat on one side so that it doesn't roll. Adorning the logs will appear farther along in the activities. (Explain how the Yule log was set ablaze on Solstice night to help vanquish the dark and add strength to the returning sun.)
Sun Welcoming Center Pieces
Materials: Flat or bowled wicker basket, Evergreen Boughs, Oranges and Apples, Whole Cloves, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, Wheat Stalks, Flour, Red, Green, and Gold Bows or String.
Children of all ages will delight in both making and giving these delightful center pieces. Place the basket in the center of the table.
Lay a couple of evergreen boughs (can be found at most Christmas tree lots) in bottom of basket so that the tips flow out from all sides. Spike the oranges all the way around with several whole cloves. Arrange the oranges and apples on top of the boughs. Arrange in a couple of the walnuts and hazel nuts. Place a couple of the wheat stalks standing up amidst the fruit.
Lightly dust with flour. Tie bows to the handle and outside the basket.
Tell children about each special part of the centerpiece. Explain that the baskets were used during the harvests during the season before. The evergreen boughs are symbols of immortality, reminding us that the Sun King is not dead, but reappears at Yule each year to lengthen, brighten and warm the days ahead. The oranges and apples are symbols of the Sun King, The nuts symbolize the seeds as they lay sleeping and awaiting the Sun King's return.
The wheat stalks symbolize the yearly harvests and the flour represents the triumph of the forces of light and life.)
Sun Bursting Ornaments
Materials: - Ruler or Compass,
- Scissors,
- Thin Cardboard,
- Gold Foil Paper,
- Glue Stick,
- Heavy Thread and Needle.
Help child cut out a 4" cardboard circle. With this template, the child can then trace and cut out 14 circles from the foil paper. One by one, fold a circle in half, half, and half again. Unfold the circle and cut along the fold lines, stopping about 1/2 inch from the center. Repeat until all the circles are cut. Form the points of the Sun Burst by wrapping each of the eight segments around the point of a sharpened pencil. Point of pencil should face away from the center of the circle. Secure each point with a dab of glue. Thread a needle with 18" length of thread. Insert the needle through all the centers of the circles from the foil side of the first seven and the plain side of the last seven. Gently pull the circles together, bunching them into a ball. Tie off with a knot, and use the excess thread to form a loop for hanging the ornament. ( Hang up in windows to reflect the sunlight or on tree for decoration, explain to children how the sun gets stronger, climbs higher, and last longer in the sky each day starting at Yule.)
Welcome Sunshine Bells
Materials: - Thin Cardboard,
- Pencil
- Scissors,
- One Light yellow and One Bright Yellow Felt Square (10"x10"),
- 7 Small Jingle Bells,
- 12" Gold String or Cord,
- White Glue,
- Buttons, Glitter, Sequins.
Help child to draw a circle 7" in diameter, and another circle 7" in diameter with eight 1" triangle rays on the cardboard. Cut out for patterns. Place circle on the light yellow felt square, trace and cut out.
Do the same with the "rayed" circle on the bright yellow felt. Using a drinking glass as a guide, trace a circle in the center, on the back side of both felt cut-outs. Carefully fold each circle in half, and make a cut from one side of center circle to the other. Repeat 3 times for a total of 4 cuts per piece. This is how you will get the decoration over the doorknob. Next, line up the circles and the cuts so that the rays extend 1" from behind the light yellow felt circle. Glue together. Allow the child to draw designs on the front of the ornament with glue. Sprinkle with glitter and glue on some sequins and buttons. Cut gold string or cord into three 4" strands. Tie jingle bells (spaced) onto the gold string or cord. Glue string/cord to the bottom of the Sun decoration on the back side. Allow to dry. Place on a doorknob that the bells will jingle as the door is opened and closed. ( Tell children that more than just the sun brightens our lives everyday. Explain the way to welcome the Yule sun back into their lives is to keep the brightness in their hearts all year long. Jingle bells make a warm and inviting sound, and therefore should jingle each time someone enters or leaves a room.)
You Are My Sunshine Garland
Materials: - Pencil,
- Scissors,
- "Rayed" Circle Pattern
 - Bright Yellow Poster Paper,
- Glue,
- Glitter, Gold Garland,
- Gold Thread and Needle,
- Photos.
For each frame, trace and cut out 2 rayed circles from the poster board. Cut a 2" circle in the center of one of the cutouts. This will be the front of the frame. Decorate the cutouts with gold glitter. Place photo between the cutouts, with the face peering through the center circle.
Trim photo to fit frame, if necessary. Glue the frame together. Allow to dry. Thread needle with gold thread, and poke needle through the top ray of the frame. Pull some thread through and tie frame to gold garland. Make enough Sunshine picture frames for all family members, including pets. Tie each to the garland, and place garland on tree, over a door, on the wall, or other prominent place. (Explain to children that each family member is like a piece of sunshine. Smiles and laughter brighten our spirits and warm our hearts.)
Cup O' Sunshine
Materials:
- Terra-Cotta Pot,
- Paints and Paintbrushes,
- Styrofoam Block,
- String,
- Scissors,
- 1 yd 2" wide Green Ribbon,
- Yellow, Red, and Orange Lollipops
- Sugar Sticks,
- Jelly Beans.
Clean terra-cotta pot if necessary. Allow to dry. Paint outside and down to first lip of inside with a bright solid color. After this base coat dries, decorate with other colors. When completely dry, place a block of styrofoam in the bottom of the pot. Cut green leaves out of the ribbon and tie to lollipops with string. Push the lollipop sticks into the styrofoam block to anchor them. Add the sugar sticks and fill rest of pot with loose jellybeans. (Explain to children that during the dark part of the year, sometimes we need to make our own sunshine. Let them know that bright colored gardens and flowers will be back in the spring, and this little pot of sunshine will cheer up a sick friend or relative.)
Dough Art Decorations
Materials: - 4 cups flour,
- 2 cups water,
- 1 cup salt,
- Cookie Cutters,
- Wire Ornament Hangers,
- Acrylic Paints.
Combine flour, salt, and water in a large bowl. Dough should kneed easily but not be sticky, if so, add more flour. On a flat surface, lay down some waxed paper. Take a handful of the dough and roll out with a rolling pin. Cut dough into shapes with the cookie cutters. Make a hole in top of "cookie" for wire hanger. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and put in oven at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until *slightly* brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool thoroughly. Paint with acrylic paints. Allow to dry, place hanger in hole and adorn tree, packages, or hang in windows. (Allow children to make-up Yule stories to go along with each decoration they are making.)
Adorning the Yule Log
Materials: Holly,
- Mistletoe,
- Rosebuds,
- Pine Cones,
- Evergreen Sprigs,
- Gold String/Cord,
- Gold Bows,
- Apple Cider,
- Flour.
After cleaning off the Yule log, let the children decorate it how ever they chose. Glue, wire, or small holes in the log will help to adhere the decorations. Once the log is decorated, "wassail" (toast and douse) it with a libation of apple cider. Finally, dust the log with white flour, set in grate in fireplace, and (parents only) set ablaze. (Explain to children how Yule logs used to smolder for 12 days before there was another ceremony to put the log out. Then apart of the log was strapped to the plow the next spring to spread the blessings over the land, and another piece was saved to light the next Yule's log, the next year.)
Sunny Disposition Wreath (For the older kids)
Materials: - 1-2 Large Bundles Evergreen Boughs,
- 1 Bundle Holly,
- 1 Wreath Frame (Wire or Styrofoam),
- Garden Clippers,
- Spool of Fine Green Wire,
- 2 Yards Red Ribbon, Adornments.
Cut boughs into 6" to 8" pieces. Same with Holly. Cut about 20-15" pieces of the wire. Gather a bundle of boughs together, thicker at the back and fanning out in the front. Wrap wire around the bundle about 2/3 from the top. Hold bundle in place and wrap wire around the bundle and the frame. Repeat this step, only adding a sprig of holly in front. Repeat steps 1 and 2, adding holly to bundle every other time. Make sure that all the bundles face the same direction. Where the last bundle meets the bottom of the first bundle is usually barer than the rest of the wreath, so that is where you can attach a large yellow, orange, red, or gold bow to symbolize the Sun King. Now you are ready to wire on all sorts of adornments, candies, pine cones, rosebuds, seashells, small bells, or anything to make it more personal. (Tell kids about how evergreen boughs and holly were hung both inside and outside of the homes to extend and invitation to the nature sprites to join in the Yule celebration. ) |
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Winter Suet Mix for The Birds Directions. 1. Melt shortening and peanut butter together in large pot. 2. Stir in all dry ingredients. 3. Mold into balls and let sit overnight in a cool location. 4. Place hardened balls into mesh net, tie shut and hang outdoors for the hungry birdies.
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