Make Your Own Dreamcatcher
2007-11-14 15:16:43
Dreamcatchers are great decorative objects for a child’s room, but according to Native American lore, they serve a purpose too. In Chippewa culture, a dreamcatcher is hung in a child’s room to filter his or her dreams. Good dreams can pass through the webs of the dreamcatcher, but bad dreams are caught in the web and would disappear with the light of day.
To make your very own dreamcatcher, you will need:
a bendable twig about 1 foot long or a wooden hoop (about 4 inches in diameter) from a craft store
a few inches of thin wire to hold the twig together
Twine or yarn
Beads
A few feathers
Here’s what to do:
First, bend your twig into a circle and hold it together by wrapping wire around the overlapping ends. If you bought a hoop from a craft store, you can skip this step.
Now, cut a few feet of twine or yarn. Tie one end of the yarn to the hoop. String a few beads onto the twine, tying a little knot before and after each bead so they stay suspended and don’t slide d
Decorate Your Kid’s Room with a Neat Butterfly Clip!
2007-11-14 07:03:23
Hi everyone,
Every kid wants to find fun ways to decorate their room. Well, I have a cool craft for them to do that will instantly add some cuteness to their bedroom. And, what’s more, your kids will love making it.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Black chenille stem
Square pieces of paper or tissue paper
Watercolor paints
Paintbrush
Water
Wooden clothespin
Very small wiggly eyes
Wire cutters
Needle nose pliers
Now here’s how to make it:
If your child would like to paint their own designs for the butterfly’s wings, give them square pieces of paper to paint with watercolors. Or, you can make the butterfly’s wings using square sheets of colored tissue paper.
Next, accordion pleat the painted paper or tissue paper in half-inch sections.
Slide the paper in between the clothespin, making sure half the paper is on either side of the pin, giving the butterfly wings.
Cut the black chenille stem to 4″.
Fold the black chenille stem in half.
Use the pliers to
Read more: Decorate
, Butterfly
Two Kids, One Room: Four Ways to Keep The Peace
2007-11-13 11:29:09
Over the weekend, my parents and I were reminiscing about the good old days when my sisters and I were little. A funny story that came up was a time when my two younger sisters got into a huge blowout, probably over who got to use the Lite-Brite™ next. So, as punishment, my dad decided that my sisters would have to spend every waking (and sleeping) moment together for the next month. He forced them to do the thing kids hate the most—share a room!
I’m pretty sure my sisters survived that ordeal without too many emotional scars, but there are ways to make sharing a room fun and manageable for kids. Just keep reading…
Room redo.
The best way to make each child feel like the room is “theirs” is to redecorate the room, taking input on how to adorn and arrange from your kids. It can be as easy as letting them decide where they want their beds and desks and what posters they want on the walls, and as elaborate as letting them choose a new color of paint or a new bedspread.
Ou
Read more: Peace
Bring the Meaning of Thanksgiving to Your Family’s Traditions
2007-11-20 09:28:42
Hello readers,
Thanksgiving
is just a few short days away, and I have to say although I am excited for it, it’s not usually one of my favorite holidays. I am a total Christmas nut, so I always look at Thanksgiving as that long-awaited starting point for me to start blasting Christmas music, searching on eBay for kooky Christmas gifts for my family (I once got my sisters purses with Totoro—a Japanese cartoon character—embroidered on them), and meandering through Target to find my cat a new Christmas sweater.
But, the older I get, the more I realize that Thanksgiving is a special holiday all on its own because it celebrates all of life’s many blessings and allows us time to reflect on all that is good in our lives. So, this week I would like to share with you some Thanksgiving traditions to make your Thanksgiving a little more meaningful.
Thankful thoughts. Take a moment during your Thanksgiving dinner to go around the table and have each family member state something they ar
Read more: Meaning
, Family
Festive Indian Corn Napkin Rings
2007-11-20 09:03:11
Need to get your kids out of your hair a couple of days before Thanksgiving? Then here’s the perfect craft. These napkin rings are colorful, creative, and (best of all!) easy to make.
Here’s what you need:
Felt
Popsicle sticks
Tacky glue
Small paintbrush
Buttons in assorted colors (get fall colors for best results—red, orange, yellow, brown)
Now here’s what to do:
For each napkin ring, cut a 4-inch by 5.5–inch piece of felt. Turn the felt so that it is longer than it is wide. Starting at one end of the felt, glue 12 Popsicle sticks to the felt. Use the paintbrush to brush on the glue—it’s less messy. Glue the Popsicle sticks so that they line up side by side. There should be a little leftover felt on one side. This is good.
After the glue dries, form a ring and glue the overlapped felt together.
Glue on buttons, alternating colors it looks like Indian corn. Don’t have buttons? You can also use popcorn kernels, pumpkin seeds, beans, or beads.
That’s it!
Read more: Rings
Gourd-eous Place Cards
2007-11-19 14:13:07
Yay– it’s almost Thanksgiving! And that means this week Brighter Minds is bringing you fun Thanksgiving crafts! Our first craft this week is an adorable turkey place card made from a gourd. You can have your kids make lots of these super-easy table setting decorations and then use them on Thanksgiving Day!
Here’s what you need:
Small gourds or squashes
Construction paper
Scissors
Hot glue gun or craft glue
Wiggly eyes
Marker
Thanksgiving-themed stickers (optional)
Now here’s what to do:
Start by cutting feather shapes out of construction paper. You will need somewhere between 3 to 6 feathers for each gourd.
Next, glue the feathers to the bottom part of the gourd. Fan them out so they look like a turkey’s feathers.
Now, have your kids write your Thanksgiving dinner guests’ names on pieces of construction paper (cut small enough to glue onto the gourd). Let your kids decorate the card with leaves, pumpkins, or turkey stickers if they want.
Cut a small
Read more: Place
, Cards
Cultivating Your Child’s Interest in Music
2007-11-28 11:54:05
When I was home for Thanksgiving, my sisters and I were going through old photo albums from when we were younger. We came across a picture of me at a piano recital when I was about 10. That picture brought back a lot of bad memories for me… I hated playing the piano. I wanted to play the trumpet in the school orchestra, but my parents steered me towards an instrument that was less, well, loud and obnoxious.
I can say that my piano recital days gave me a better appreciation and interest in music. And the chances are high that sometime in their childhood your kids will probably show an interest in music, and especially musical instruments, too. So when they do, here are three tips on how to cultivate and grow that love of music in your child.
Jump on it! If your child expresses interest in learning to play a certain instrument, seize the opportunity. You can capitalize on your child’s own motivation to get (and keep) them interested in music. But, if your child hasn’t show
Read more: Interest
, Music
Brighter Minds Media, Inc. Announces 2006 Results
2007-11-19 15:08:29
TORONTO, ON., March 19th, 2007 – Brighter Minds
Media, Inc. (“Brighter Minds” or the “Company”) (TSX: BRI.V) today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
Increased Revenues:
Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2006 was US$1,997,563 as compared to US$1,426,547 for the same period in 2005 representing an increase of 40%. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 total revenues were US$5,010,668 as compared to US$4,075,028 for 2005 representing an increase of 23%.
Improved Financial Position:
At December 31st, 2006 the Company had $498,689 in cash and availability on its Line of Credit as compared to $0 in cash and no availability on its Line of Credit on December 31st, 2005. As of March 19, 2007 cash and availability on its Line of Credit had improved to over $1 million.
Strong Operating Performance:
“We have achieved our goal of significantly increasing our distribution for all three of our product lines. In 2
Read more: Brighter Minds Media
Brighter Minds Media Announces 47% Growth and Operating Profit in Q3 2007 and Issuance of Stock Options
2007-11-19 15:12:47
TORONTO, ON., November 13th, 2007 – Brighter Minds
Media, Inc. (“Brighter Minds” or the “Company”) (TSX: BRI.V) today announced its financial results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007.
Increased Revenues, Gross Profit and Margins:
Total revenue for the three month period was US$1,840,768 as compared to US$1,255,593 for the same period in 2006, representing an increase of 47%. Gross Profit was $911,739 as compared to $426,711, representing an increase of 114%. Gross Margins for the second quarter were 50% of sales, up from 34% for the same period in 2006. Operating
profit for the period was $2,859 compared to an operating loss of $253,654. Net loss for the period also improved to $115,369 compared to a net loss of $301,556.
Total revenue for the nine month period was US$4,545,758 as compared to US$3,013,105 for the same period in 2006, representing an increase of 51%. Gross Profit was $2,238,203 as compared to $950,918, representing an increase
Read more: Growth
, Stock
, Options
, Stock Options
, Brighter Minds Media
Make maracas!
2007-11-29 14:19:26
Hey again,
Did you know that maracas have been around for 2 million years? Ancient people in Morocco would use gourds and coconut shells (filled with seeds!) to make this instrument. Today, our maracas will be made from paper plates and dried beans! Have fun!
Here’s what you need:
One or two paper plates
Dried beans, rice, or popcorn kernels
Stapler
Paint, markers, or crayons
Crepe paper streamers
Now here’s what to do:
Fold a paper plate in half. Staple around the edges of the plate, leaving a small opening.
Pour beans, rice or popcorn into the plate through the opening. Then staple shut.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 to make a second maraca.
Decorate the maracas with markers, paint, or crayons.
Staple crepe paper streamers to the bottom of your maracas!
Now shake shake shake… shake shake shake… shake your maracas!
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Create Your Own Rainstick!
2007-11-29 11:39:49
Hi guys,
Did you know that in Chile, rainsticks are used to worship the rain gods—and hopefully convince them to bring rain! They are made from dead cactus stems with hundreds of cactus spines (the poky points that stick out!) hammered into the tube horizontally. Pebbles are then poured into the stem. The stem is then sealed off, and when you turn the tube upside down, the pebbles cascade down the stem, hitting the spines, and making a rain-like sound. Our rainsticks are going to be made out of paper towel tubes, but you can still use them to convince the rain gods to bring rain—or maybe even snow for the holidays!
Here’s what you need:
A paper towel tube, or other long cardboard tube
Aluminum foil
Dried beans, popcorn, rice, or pasta pieces
Brown paper grocery bag or construction paper
Glue
Scissors
Crayons, markers, paint, stickers
Now here’s what you do…
Trace the bottom part of your tube onto a brown piece of paper or a piece of brown paper bag. Then, dra
Make A Dreidel Magnet for Hanukkah!
2007-12-12 08:58:31
Our last craft for this holiday season is a magnetic dreidel. Dreidels are four-sided tops that many people play with during Hanukkah. A dreidel has a Hebrew letter on each side that stands for different moves in a game. A person spins the dreidel, then sees which letter is facing up when the dreidel falls. To learn how to play a dreidel game, click here.
Here's what you need:
Craft foam sheets in 2 colors
Sparkle paint
Tacky Glue
Scissors
Strong magnet
Now here's what you do:
Cut a piece of craft foam 2 1/4″ wide x 2 1/2″ long.
Starting 1 3/4″ down one side of the craft foam and cut diagonally towards the middle. Repeat for other side.
Cut a piece of the second color of craft foam into a 1/2″ x 1 1/4″ strip.
Glue this strip on top of the dreidel.
Cut the symbol out of the second color of fun foam and glue to the dreidel.
Make a thin line of sparkle paint around the outside border.
Glue on a strong magnet to the back of the dreidel.
Tha
Read more: Magnet
Crown Your Child the King or Queen of Winter!
2007-12-10 12:50:57
Hey everybody,
Even though the season of winter doesn't "officially" start until December 21, I think it's safe to say winter is pretty much already upon us. Here in Ohio, we have already had our first big winter storm. So, in celebration (or mourning if you are like me!) of the season, this week's crafts are all about winter! Today we are making a winter crown for your little buddy to wear around the house.
Here's what you need:
Blue construction paper
White construction paper
White tissue paper
White yarn
2 pipe cleaners (any color you like)
Pencil
Scissors
Tape
Stickers, markers, or glitter pens to decorate
Now here's what you do:
First, let's make the base of the crown. Cut 2 or 3 strips of the blue construction paper about 4 inches wide and as long as you can make them.
Tape these pieces end to end to make on really long piece.
Wrap the strip around your child's head to measure how long you need the strip to be and then cut off the excess. This will be t
Read more: Queen
, Crown
Make A Kwanzaa Corn Decoration
2007-12-19 09:02:54
Kwanzaa is a holiday celebrated in the United States that celebrates African-American culture. The word "Kwanzaa" is Swahili and means "first fruits". To celebrate Kwanzaa, families decorate their households with African art, wear traditional African clothing, and display fresh fruits to represent idealism, one of the seven focus areas of Kwanzaa. Our craft today is a corn collage to decorate your house during Kwanzaa.
Here's what you need:
Yellow and green construction paper
Popped corn
Scissors
Large Popsicle sticks
White craft glue
Lime green puffy paint
Now here's what to do:
First, cut out two leaf shapes using the green construction paper. Then, cut out one corncob shape using the yellow construction paper.
Glue the yellow cob onto the green leaves so all three are attached.
Put a layer of glue on the yellow corncob and cover the glue with the popcorn. You want to cover the entire yellow cob.
To make this a three-dimensional craft, repeat the above step
Read more: Kwanzaa
, Decoration
Make A Christmas Snow Globe!
2007-12-18 11:57:47
Hey gang,
The holidays are definitely here! This week we are going to celebrate by making different holiday crafts for Christmas
, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Let's get started by making a festive snow globe using a glass jar, a Christmas ornament, and some glitter.
Here's everything you need:
Glass jar with tight fitting lid (any kind of jar will do—pickle jar, baby food jar, jelly jar, you name it…)
Distilled water (or boiled water that has cooled)
Glycerin
White or silver glitter
Clear aquarium sealant
Small waterproof ornament or figurine
Plastic jar lid (small enough to fit inside your glass jar—a peanut butter lid for example)
Ribbon or gold cord
Craft glue
Now here's what you do:
First, make sure your ornament will fit inside the jar.
We need to elevate the ornament so that it is visible within the jar (or "globe"). To do this, we are going to glue the ornament onto the plastic jar lid using the aquarium sealant.
After gluing the ornament to the plast
Read more: Globe
Make Crystal Snowflakes
2007-12-17 11:04:30
To continue our wintry theme this week, today we are making a crystal snowflake.
Here's what you need:
A wide-mouthed jar
Blue or white pipe cleaners
String
Scissors
Pencil
Boiling water
Spoon
Borax (any brand will do, but not the product called Boraxo—it won't work!)
Blue food coloring (optional)
Now here's what you do:
First, make a snowflake frame from the pipe cleaners. You can use three long pipe cleaners as the base, and the cut a couple pipe cleaners in half and wrap them around the base on all sides so that the entire snowflake is connected. You want it to be big, but remember it has to fit inside the jar!
Now, tie a piece of string around one of the pipe cleaners in the center and tie the other end of the string to a pencil. Make it just long enough that the snowflake will hang from the pencil and dangle inside the jar.
Take the snowflake out of the jar for a second to stir up the Borax solution.
Mom or dad—pour boiling water into the jar.
Add the Borax to th
Read more: Crystal
What Every Parent Should Know About Keeping Kids Safe in the Winter
2007-12-14 10:01:08
Winter is probably one of the most exciting times of year for kids: snow days, ice-skating, sledding, and snowmobiles! Winter also brings the need to take extra steps to keep your family safe in the cold. Here are some tips to stay safe—and have fun!—in the cold.
Scope out the sledding hill. If your kids want to go sledding, make sure they take a good look at the hill first—are there any trees they are going to run into? Is the hill too steep? Also, make sure there are no rocks and that the hill isn't near a busy road.
Healthy on the home front. It seems like winter brings along with it lots more cases of the cold and the flu. Although it's not entirely preventable, make sure your family is washing their hands, especially after coughing, sneezing, and blowing a runny nose. You can also help boost your child's immune system with plenty of sleep and lots of healthy foods.
SPF on a snow day? You betcha—snow reflects nearly 85% of ultraviolet rays, which means your
Read more: Parent
, Keeping Kids
Brighter Minds Media, Inc. Announces Closing of Financing and Investor Relations Agreement
2007-12-13 14:00:01
TORONTO, ON., December 7, 2007 - Brighter Minds
Media, Inc. (the “Company”) (TSX: BRI.V) today announced that it has closed on an expanded financing package with Laurus Master Fund, Ltd. (”Laurus”), a New York based institutional equity fund that specializes in making direct investments in growing public companies.
The financing increases the Company's revolving credit facility from $2,250,000 to $3,500,000 while also extending the term of the financing to August 31, 2010. The revolving credit facility bears interest at prime plus 2% (subject to a floor of 10%) with a term of three years. Under the terms of the financing, the Company will amend from CDN$0.35 to CDN$0.175 the exercise price of an existing warrant issued to Laurus for 2,120,000 common shares of the Company.
“We are pleased to expand our relationship with a financial partner such as Laurus and are encouraged by the confidence in our business that this financing reflects. This will h
Read more: Agreement
, Relations
, Investor
, Financing
, Brighter Minds Media
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