Handmade Holidays: Druzy Stone Essential Oil Necklaces

Essential oils can be dropped onto the lava beads on this necklace before wearing to give off a lovely subtle scent.

Supplies needed:
Essential Oil
10mm black lava rock beads
Crystal/Labradorite pendant
Golden spacer beads
Various 8 or 10 mm round or flat semi-precious stone beads
Jump rings
Stainless steel gold plated chain
Eye pin with loop on one end
Pliers: flat nose, round nose, cutters

These are great directions on how to make a loop in an eye pin (in this case for the top of the necklace)

Handmade Holidays: Infused Vinegars

To make your own infusion use 1 cup loosely packed fresh herbs per 2 cups of vinegar. If using dried herbs use 1/2 cup herbs per 2 cups of vinegar.

Always use glass jars with plastic or cork tops, not metal (it will react with the vinegar.) If using a metal lid like a canning jar lay a piece of plastic wrap over the lid and then screw in the metal lid so the vinegar has no contact with the metal.

Always wash all jars, utensils, etc in hot soapy water before using so they are sterilized.

There are a ton of different methods and recipes out there for making infused vinegar. Some heat up vinegar, some don't. For this project we are following directions provided in the book Herbal Vinegar by Maggie Oster (available as an ebook on Hoopla)

You can use different kinds of vinegar with different results.

1. Wash canning jar and 10 ounce glass bottle with cork and their lids in hot soapy water. Rinse well with hot water. Fill a large deep pot about half full with water. Place the jars upright into the pot; add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring the water to just before a boil and leave in pot for 10 minutes. Add the lids to the pot, and then remove the pot from the heat. This will sterilize them.

2. Thoroughly rinse herbs or other fresh ingredients. Zest lemon by using a vegetable peeler to remove strips of the outer skin (zest), leaving the bitter white pith behind. Peel shallot's outer skin and slice into narrow strips.

3. Put fresh ingredients into mason jar. Use glass (not metal) measuring cup and measure out 10 ounces of vinegar, pour vinegar into mason jar.

4. Steep in a dark place at room temperature for 2-4 weeks. Do not put in the sun to steep. Shake contents occasionally to make flavorings are always completely covered by vinegar so that they do not mold.

5. After 2-4 weeks or til the taste is to your liking, strain the vinegar. Place a funnel into the glass jar, line it with a coffee filter and pour the contents of your mason jar mixture into jar. If the mixture going into the glass bottle is cloudy repeat the process with another coffee filter.

Shallot, Tarragon & Lemon Vinegar Recipe
Adopted from this Eating Well Recipe

10 ounces cider vinegar
1 shallot peeled and quartered
2 strips of zest from lemon
3 sprigs fresh tarragon

To gift create a unique tag to tie around the neck of the bottle. Include a recipe for how to use the flavored vinegar.

Recipe to use your vinegar in:
From this site: https://www.thegunnysack.com/garlic-and-herb-chicken-marinade-recipe/

Garlic and Herb Chicken Marinade Recipe
Prep Time: 35 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Serves 4

2 tsp sea salt
2 tsp minced onion
2 tsp roasted garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup vinegar
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts

1. Mix together sea salt, minced onion, roasted garlic powder, black pepper, coriander, parsley, and paprika.

2. Put the spice mixture, olive oil, and vinegar into a gallon sized ziptop bag. Add two pounds of boneless, skinless, chicken breasts. Toss to coat well, place in the fridge and marinate the chicken for 30 minutes.

3. Grease the grill grates, discard the marinade and grill the chicken over medium high heat for about 5 minutes per side for a total of about 10 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.

Handmade Holidays Natural Pinecone Wreaths

Pine cone wreaths that use wires to affix the pine cones to the wire frame look wonderful but can be very time consuming to make. This small wreath is a quicker version that uses hot glue to adhere the pine cones and decorations to the frame.

Supplies Needed:
18 mini pine cones Can be bought on Amazon or Oriental Trading
20 medium sized pine cones (purchase online or at craft stores)
Artificial bird
8" diameter green wire wreath form
Hot glue gun
Hot glue sticks
White acrylic paint
Paper plate
Foam brush
Burlap or raffia ribbon to hang and/or make a bow on
Various dried flowers, moss and natural decor. I used acorns, dried flowers and dried Eucalyptus all purchased from Michael's Craft Store.

1. Plug in your hot glue gun and get glue sticks queued up

2. Lay out your pine cones on the outer most ring of the wreath. Move them around until everything fits into place.

3. Once you have everything all set the way you like then one by one start gluing the pine cones to the wire frame. Try putting the glue on the pine cone then sticking it to the frame. If this technique does not work well for you try putting the glue on the frame and sticking the pine cone to it.

4. Once the outer ring is complete, do the same using the medium pine cones to the innermost ring.

5. Use mini pine cones in different directions to fill in the gap between the outer and inner rings.

6. Once all your pine cones are affixed flip it over and add some extra hot glue to the back of the wreath to any pine cones that are loose.

7. Squeeze a small amount of white paint onto a paper plate. Use a foam brush and dip into paint. Make sure not too much paint is on the brush. Gently paint the pine cones to give the allusion of snow on them. Be careful not to go into the grooves of the pine cones, just gently brush the surface of them. Too much paint and it will look like your wreath got caught in a snow storm! If you prefer a naked wreath you can skip this step too.

8. Let paint dry and start hot gluing the bird and any other decorations you like.

9. Use raffia to make a hanging string in the back of the wreath.

10. Feel free to use ribbon or raffia to make a bow at the bottom of your wreath. 

You are done! Hand your beautiful and lovely smelling decoration on your door or gift it to a loved one :)

Handmade Holidays Stenciled Tea Towels

Tea towels are everywhere now with cool designs and cheeky sayings. Stenciling with paint is a cheap alternative to silk screening or iron on designs. This project was created (and images below) from these directions: https://makinglemonadeblog.com/diy-tea-towel-tutorial-stamped-kitchen/ 

Supplies Needed:
Steam Iron
Water for Iron
Linen Flour Sack Towels 28x28
Liquitex Fabric Effects Medium
Acrylic Paints ( I like Liquitex Basics brand)
Stencils: these are the ones I purchased
-Martha Stewart Large
-Phrases
-Borders
-Birds
-Letters
Foam brushes 
Paper plates
Plastic Knife to mix paint
Blue painters tape
Table covering (I use white tablecloths)

1. Start by washing and of course ironing the towels.

2. Prepare your paint on your plate.  If you have fabric paint, then you can skip this step.  If you have craft paint, mix it with a two parts paint, one part Fabric Painting Medium using the plastic knife.  It’s great stuff to have on hand, by the way– even though it’s white, it won’t change the color of the craft paint you are using.  It turns any craft paint into fabric paint!

3. Lay out the towel and decide where you want the design to be.  Unless you are doing an allover design, it might help to first fold the towel as though you are hanging it.  See which part is showing, and that’s the part you’ll want to paint.  Feel free to mark with seamstress chalk or tape if you wish.

4. Place a piece of cardboard underneath the fabric so paint doesn’t bleed through.

5. To stencil the towel:  Tape your stencil in place using an easy release tape like painters or masking tape.  Use a foam brush to lightly tap paint all over the stencil. Use a different foam brush for each color. If you only have one wash it between uses and make sure all the water is dry otherwise the water from the brush will make the paint bleed on your towel.

6. Wash and dry foam brush between colors and be careful to not smear the other paint on the towel if you are working on different areas.

7. Let dry for 24-48 hours, and heat set with an iron.

Book Discussion: Among the Hidden by Laurie Halse Anderson

The author doesn't specify the setting for Among the Hidden. Where do you think it takes place? When do you think it takes place?

In the book the population code came about because of a supposed food shortage. Can you think of any examples in our society where regulation this extreme might happen?

Why is access to information so important in the story?
Everyone needs information to make decisions, and the more information one has, the better one is able to think about all the consequences of one's choice. For this reason, the Government controls access to information and is able to control the decisions people will make. As Mr. Talbot puts it, "Totalitarian governments never like truth" (p. 135); by truth, he means more than one set of facts. For instance, the Garners are afraid for Luke because the Government gives it out that Thirds can be tracked in many different ways. The Government doesn't have that capability, but the Garners, without any other sources of information, don't know that. If the Garners had had more information, like Jen and her family do, they might have made a different decision and have let Luke use the computer or watch television. They also might not be so afraid of the Government.
Mr. Talbot explains that Luke has read propaganda from both sides -- but still doesn't have the whole picture (p. 134). Even the underground resistance is controlling information to convince people to agree with them. They emphasize some information and downplay or leave out other facts in order to make a point. But there are even more facts than the Government or the underground are publicizing. Luke and Jen's experiences themselves are information about the Population Law.

What does the story tell you about the power of fear? What constitutes courage or bravery in this book?

Where does Luke's bravery come from?

How does isolation affect the characters?

Mr. Talbot says, "People seem to work hardest when they are right on the edge of survival" (p. 136). What does the story say about the truth of that statement?

The last time Luke saw Jen, he told her, "It's people like you who change history. People like me - we just let things happen to us." What does this mean? Are you a person who makes things happen or are you a person who watches things happen?

How are the mothers in the story different from the fathers?

The characters show a wide variety of attitudes toward the laws. Jen says, "Government Leaders are the worst ones for breaking laws" (p. 72). Jen's mother conceived Jen with fertility tests; Jen went to a playgroup of Baron Third Children and some had pets (p. 102); Jen has junk food (p. 93). The Barons seem to regard laws as made to be broken. But almost the only examples of the Garners breaking the law are having Luke and eating the meat from the hogs, though eating meat is outlawed (p. 80). The Garners break some laws, but on the whole, they do not question them.
"Hope doesn't mean anything. Action's the only thing that counts." Jen (p. 113). Is Jen right?


Luke's family is terrified of the government. Why? What are some of the tactics the government employs to make ordinary families like his feel powerless?

Explore Luke's relationships with his brothers and his parents. How close are they? How trusting?
Does Luke have more in common with Jen than with his own family? Why or why not?

 How are the "barons" different from families like Luke's?

The Internet made it possible for Jen and Luke to connect with other hidden children. It helped them build a community of peers. Do you use the Internet to connect with people who share interests with you?

Why did Jen organize the march on the president's house? Do you think she knew she was going to die? Was she being noble? Was she being foolish? Luke decides not to follow her. What would you have done?

Jen is a third child, but her stepfather is a member of the Population Police, the brutal organization devoted to discovering people like her and bringing them to a harsh justice. Discuss his character. Is he a hero, a villain, or both?

Why do you think Jen's stepfather risks his life to help Luke?

What would happen to your family if third children and beyond were outlawed? Would you have been born?

Among the Hidden is fiction, but in China, there is a law that strictly limits family size. Why might a country do this? Do you agree or disagree with the policy?

You are the chief propaganda officer of the Population Police. Create a bumper sticker or billboard reminding ordinary citizens that third children are against the law.

Book Discussion: Lion Boy by Louisa Young

Charlie states "everyday these days he was allowed to do new things: new things that showed they realized he was growing up. Last christmas hed been allowed to sell the shiny fruits at the market by himself. Parents can you remember when you first had that taste of independance. P36

Although "Lion Boy" takes place not far in the future, the world has changed drastically from the one we live in today. What types of changes have taken place? Do you think these kinds of things could happen? How would your life be different if the world became more like Charlie's

Charlie's mom has recently shaved an Adrinka symbol of two crocodiles sharing one belly into Charlie's hair. They symbol is "...about how, though we all eat with different mouths, we have only one belly between us." What do you think this means? Do you think the symbol has significance to the story?

Charlie must pack quickly when Rafi comes to get him. He packs some practical things like extra socks and food, and he packs comforting things, like his stuffed tiger. What kind of things would you pack if you had to leave quickly on an unknown journey?

Charlie often wishes that he didn't have the responsibility of finding his parents or helping the lions but he continues to move forward with is plans. Have you ever had to do something that you didn't want to do? How did you keep yourself motivated to continue?
Why do you think the author chose to use cats as the animal that Charlie can speak to? How do you think the story would change if Charlie had the ability to speak to a different animal?

The future-world scientists in Lionboy are skillful. They are able to create hybrid animals like Primo,
the unusual lion, by using ancient DNA. What if they had used their knowledge to create the perfect plant? This type of vegetation would be a single, natural resource capable of providing many things to make a polluted world a healthier and happier place.
Directions: Use your imagination to create a plant that is capable of providing positive things for environment and all living things. Be prepared to share your ideas with the class.  Unintended consequences are the unexpected and unplanned results of a decision or action.
Think of at least five unintended consequences that might result when a “perfect plant” is introduced into the environment.
Have you reac any other books like this?
Charlies parents are rumored to have created a cure for asthma. There is some debated that charlies parents were kidnapped because the drug manufacurers dont want a vacine because it dips into their profits. Do you think this is right? Does this happen in our society?
Do you think pharmasutical companies should profit off people being sick? Can you think of an alternative?

Book Discussion: Witness by Karen Hesse

Why she wrote the book:

Karen Hesse was born and raised in Baltimore Maryland. She currenlty lives in Brattlebourough VT.
In 1997 while on a flight Karen Hesse was skimming an airline magazine. Contained therein was an article about the KKK in Vermont in the 1920's. she could not believe her eyes so when she went home she researched trying to disprove the article. In her research though she found out the article was in fact true. She read old newspapers from public libraries which inspired some of the details in the book.

When reading each townspersons narrative could you always tell which side they are on?

Which of the characters exhibits true bravery?

Why did the author choose to tell the story through the voices of so many character?

This novel is,written in a series of free verse poems. Was this style,effective. Why do you think so.

Could you relate to any of the characters in the story?

Other than racism and bravery what are some other themes?

Can you see any similarities between Witness and Maniac Magee?

Do you think events like this could happen now in this area?

Why do you think Esther talks so funny?
Each of the characters in the book experience or witness a slice of history that they played a part in. Do these witnesses represent particular value?

Throughout history hate groups gain popularity and then fade from view. Why do you suppose this is?

What hate groups do you hear about in the news? What do they stand for and why do you think people join them?

Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa has said " If,you are neutral in situations of injustice you have chosen the side of the oppressors." What does he mean by this. Can you think of a time you stayed neutral even though you felt an injustice was being done?

What does witness yeach us about predjudice and how it can be overcome?

Activities:
Create a town newspaper