The Wish Catcher

As I mentioned before, I am a Girl Scout Leader for my daughter’s Brownie troop. This week we wanted to do a Christmas craft. Seeing as we are a new troop and don’t have any money yet it had to be something not only simple that this 7-8 year old age group could do but more importantly not cost a lot of money.

Two weekends ago, I went to an estate sale and bought a huge bag (about 40 unopened rolls) of crochet thread for $1.50. I put my mind to work to somehow utilize this in our Girl Scout craft and this is what I came up with:

The Wish Catcher

After I made one it dawned on me that it resembled a dream catcher so I decided to name this the Wish Catcher.

I turned to my sister who is an amazing poet and asked her come up with poem to include with the ornament. This is what she wrote for me:

Make a special Christmas wish, as you hang me on your tree. I will catch your wish and send it out to the Christmas Wish Fairy. So close your eyes and wish away on Jesus’s Birthday each year and just BELIEVE it will come true sometime in your Happy New Year!

Supplies:

• Heavy paper or card stock (I used brown paper grocery bag)
• Glue
• Crochet thread or any thick string
• Glitter & sequins optional

Directions:

• I traced an oatmeal container on my piece of paper for the circle (you will need two for one ornament)
• Next, I traced a smaller bowl in the middle of each circle
• Cut out the middle so you are left with the shape of a wreath
• Line glue around your circle
• Begin laying your thread in different directions
• Once this step is complete glue your other circle and place on top to seal this together
• Decorate with glitter and sequins
• Punch hole and add string hanger
• Make your wish

Yes Dear, There Really is a Candy Land

Last year while playing a game of Candy Land with my kids, my 6 year old daughter at the time, Iris asked if a place like Candy Land really existed.

My reply was, “Yes!”

I want my children’s minds to be filled with lovely, magical thoughts and dreams and it really wasn’t a lie.

One year, before I had children of my own, I did recreate a Candy Land for my nieces and nephews. My mom and I strung hundreds of pieces of candy from trees in my parent’s backyard. We made signs and hung balloons. Granted, it wasn’t as breathtaking as stepping onto the set of Willa Wonka and the Chocolate Factory but we put forth good effort. I really couldn’t think of a way to recreate that chocolate river!

I fully intend on doing this for my own children as soon as I can find a way to sneak away and thread hundreds of pieces of candy without them knowing about it!

I love making my children’s wishes come true; especially when they are sweet, innocent ones and not ones of material things and are simply experiences they wish to achieve.

Iris brought me this note yesterday and said she was mailing it to Santa:

To Santa Claus,

Merry Christmas! I have a question. Can I ride in the sleigh with you on Christmas night? If I can, make sure when I fall asleep I go home.

Thank You!

Iris

P.S. Bring Rudolph. I like all the stories of you and him. I have tons of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer books.

I’m not sure how I’m going to go about pulling this one off!