Why are parents pushing kids?

Today I read something:
Pearlman: Parents, why are you pushing kids?

And finally it validated what I have been feeling for so long. My instincts tell me not to enrole my kids in every activity on the planet, but society says they will fall behind if I don't.

I say, let's start a revolution against selling our kids to consumerism and perfection and just be. What do you say?!?

When is my child old enough for needle and thread?

There are many thoughts on how old a child should be before you trust them with a needle, but teaching the concept can begin during toddlerhood.

As soon as a child starts grasping things with their thumb and pointer finger, introduce simple lacing toys. Don't expect to be able to explain how to do it and have lacing pros. Instead, let them fumble through it and get a feel for cause and effect.

As they get older, you can upcycle some great things into lacing tools. Cut shapes.out of old maps, laminate them, punch holes around the edges, and string an old shoelace through the holes. Cut a cereal box up and punch holes around the edges. Punch holes in old greeting cards. The possibilities are limitless.

Once they become lacing pros, it's time to move up to yarn, yarn needles, and plastic mesh.  Again, don't expect a masterpiece. The process is the important part, not the product.

Before you know it, they'll be ready for the real thing. There's no need for expensive craft kits. Just get an embroidery hoop small enough for them to maneuver, some embroidery floss, and a tapestry needle.  Cut a piece from an old tee shirt just big enough to fit in the hoop. You will probably have to thread it the first 100 times, but let them try until they ask you to do it. If they feel discouraged, remind them that it takes a lot of practice. When you thread the needle, tie a knot around the eye so the thread doesn't come off a million times.  Tie a knot in the end of the thread, and show them how to pull it through the fabric. Again, this is a process-not-product activity.

It's never too late to get started, and you'll be giving them a valuable gift that goes far beyond poking a needle through an old piece of tee shirt.

Trust me, you're gonna love it!

Sidewalk chalk fence

Mid summer can bring on the boredom blues. You've thrown every activity at them you can think of, and they just smile and keep on coming.

Spur some creativity and reclaim that boring wood fence lining your back yard by handing your kiddos a bucket of sidewalk chalk. Let them turn your fence into a work of art!

It's washable, renewable, cheap, and a great conversation piece for your next bbq.

Want bonus points? Get out there and create with them! It's less trying on adult bodies than sidewalk art, and your babies will love you for it!

Trust me, you're gonna love it!

Bubble art

What you'll need:
1. 1 straw for every child
2. 1 small bowl for every child
3. Bubbles or dish soap
4. Liquid watercolor paint
5. 1 needle(adult use)
6. Butcher paper

What you'll do:
1. Use needle to poke through straw 1" up from the bottom so kiddos can't suck soap into mouths.
2. Put small amount of bubbles or soap in small bowl
3. Add a few drops of liquid watercolor
4. Place butcher paper down on table or even on the ground in the driveway
5. Place bowl on top of paper
6. Give child straw and let them blow bubbles.

Many timea this project does not produce useable art. It's process focused rather than product focused.

Trust me, you're gonna love it!!

June Craft Challenge

Alright, after a few freaked out emails from our readers, we have decided to ease up the craft challenge a little bit as we get started.  What does that mean?  More directed rules, less thinking, more crafting. 
Here are the rules for June's craft challenge:

1. This is a paper craft, but you are not limited to using only paper.
2. You must incorporate your favorite quote in the entire world.
3. You must give it to someone you love after you have taken a few pictures(no more than 5) of the process and emailed them to reclaimedrubbish@gmail.com with a 200 word or less explanation of how and why you chose to do what you did.
4. Bonus points are given if you also include a picture of the person you give it to with their gift.

All entries must be emailed by midnight Pacific time on June30th, 2012. 

 The winner will be announced no later than July 15th, 2012.

Happy crafting!!

May's Sister to Sister class is making marble magnets

Two-and-a-half months ago, the ladies at Metro came together for the first Sister to Sister class bringing women together and supporting the Women's Vocational Program in Ghana.  So far we've upcycled tee shirts, made candy dishes, and on Tuesday May 22 at 7pm we'll come together again and make marble magnets! 

There is no cost, but you will have to bring some glass marbles-the kind with the flat bottom that you can get at the dollar store, magnets, and we'll need donations of scrapbook paper (can be leftover scraps) and old magazines! For a better idea of this craft, check out Running With Glitter's blog post.

Also, we ask that each person donate $5 to the Ghanna Women's Vocational Training program so women who otherwise couldn't support their family can learn a craft or trade and never go hungry again.

This class is open to women of the public from any walk of life.  Plan on good conversation, great ladies, and a fun way to make birthday gifts for everyone you know this year!  

Bring a friend :-)

For more information, you can email thebiblechick@yahoo.com.  

Craft Challenge-May 2012

I hear a lot of people wishing they were craftier.  People think you have to turn out beautiful family heirloom quality pieces in order to be considered creative, but I’m here to tell you that there is a crafty side to all of us.  No matter what level of crafter you are, we are going to challenge you to move to the next level.

Reclaimed Rubbish isn’t only about two giggling girls trying to craft the world into better environmental awareness, we are also teachers, art coaches, and creativity consultants.  This means our mission includes stretching your brain and making you work for it.

The rules are simple.  During the first week of every month, there will be a challenge.  The rules for that challenge will be posted, and please, do look for loopholes.  Your imagination is the limit, and size does not matter.  Work within your space.  If the challenge has to do with a car, that doesn’t’ mean you have to drag one into your apartment.  Work within the limits of your space.  Think micro art.  Think jewelry.  Think household items.  Think yard art.  Think sculpture.  Think canvas.  Think sewing.  Think paper craft.  Think of everything.

There will be a winner every month chosen by us (Thing One and Thing Two), and there will be a prize, but the catch to that is that the prize is even a surprise.  We don’t want the point to be competition.  We want the point to be people coming together and creating things they didn’t ever think of creating.  The only way you can cheat is by not creating your project yourself, in which case, we would give you a big tisk-tisk and ask you to try again next month.  

The reason for only one challenge per month is simple.  We are all crazy-insane-busy people who can’t spend all of our time throwing things together.  We have enough on our plate with kids, school, sports, church, dates, movies…and, well, you get the point.  This should be fun, not overwhelming.

TELL YOUR FAMILY, TELL YOUR FRIENDS, SCREAM IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS!  THE CHALLENGE BEGINS NOW!  

May’s challenge has very few rules.  

1. You must create something
2. It must convey what your favorite childhood toy is
3. You cannot spend any money on materials

When you have completed your masterpiece, email a short description of what you used and how it happened, attach a picture, and email it to reclaimedrubbish@gmail.com no later than May 31^st, 2012.  The winner will be announced during the month of June along with the announcement of what your prize will be. 

Now, get crafting!!!