Quilling 101

Juliet is an ardent "quiller", and she just posted this link on Twitter to a Quilling 101 article on Craftzine:

http://craftzine.com/101/quilling/

For more samples of Juliet's work go to:

http://web.me.com/donendusted/Divine_Stars/Divine_Stars_Paper_Filigree.html

Letham Crafts

Where have all the postings gone?
Long time coming
Where have all the postings gone?
Long time ago………………………

I am no doubt showing my age by paraphrasing that old song, but it has been a while –Again I hear you say!!
Anyway we have had quite a bit going on since the last post.
I completed the BPMS150 Houston to Austin ride for MS, in April, and then did a bit of travelling. A few weeks ago Juliet, Tye and I were fortunate to be able to visit our younger son who is currently serving in Haifa,. We were able to visit the Shrines and various other sites in Israel, and had a wonderful visit with Alek.
The picture is of a craft project, which hangs in the apartment he shares with several other volunteers.

So these are the excuses, but what does that have to do with crafts?
Well on the way to Haifa we stopped in Scotland to visit my parents and two sons.

Unfortunately our timing was bad and my mother was traveling but when we visited my father in Forfar we also had the opportunity to visit a unique craft shop.
We took a series of pictures because it is impossible to describe, it has a vast selection of – well just about everything crafty. If you imagine a Hobby Lobby compressed into a regular house you have some idea of the “treasure trove” that awaits the crafter. It is not located in a city or large town but in the picturesque Angus village of Letham.
See their web site for location details
http://www.lethamcrafts.com/index.php?pag=home

If you are ever in NE Scotland I would recommend you pay them a visit.
This may be the point to issue a “financial health warning” to non-crafting spouses;
It would be wise to take control of the credit cards before turning your spouse loose in this Crafting Aladdin’s Cave.
I will not attempt to describe the shop in detail, but will just let the pictures do the talking.

My Dad and Tye

Juliet with her purchases

Long Break

Things have been a bit hectic, I had a rather pressing “craft project" at work which kept me occupied for the last couple of weeks, so I have not been able to post. (See below)
I have not even able to get my cycle training in. But I am now back training and blogging.
Juliet conducted her monthly craft class and we had a house full of gals and guys, to try their hand at book binding. (More of that in a later post)

For this post we have another wonderful project from Shelly Julian, for Lesson 1 of Book 3.

"O God guide me. Protect me.
Make of me a shining lamp and a brilliant star.
Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful."

We made very brilliant stars!

Supplies:

• Pad of glitter paper (Wal-Mart - scrap booking section - this pad of paper had enough sheets for 3 different projects.)
• Print-outs with prayer on card stock
• 9 pointed star templates / stencils
• Glitter glue / paint
• Shiny, glittery star stickers
• Stapler
• Double-sided sticky tape
• Round magnets w/ adhesive on one side (Peel the paper off the back like a sticker - Wal-Mart sells large packs of these, and one pack will last for many projects.)

This craft is so fun because the results are spectacular. The children in our class are young (ages 5-11), so we traced two sizes of 9 pointed stars, and cut them out ahead of time. If you have older students, and more time, you could provide the stencils, pencils, glitter paper, and scissors and let the students trace and cut out the stars. We provided the stars, double-sided sticky tape, glitter glue, and stickers, and our students assembled their creations. When they were done, we stapled the prayer to the bottom of each star, and placed one or two adhesive magnets to the back, so that the stars could hang on the refrigerator.

Planning to post again soon

Tao of Craft

Please take a look at Carrie Fidance's Tao of Craft blog.
There are lots of great ideas for your Bahá’í activities.
http://www.taoofcraft.typepad.com/

http://hearthewritings.com/

To continue in an Audio theme; I have just discovered a new audio resource.
"Hear the Writings.Com". (see link on sidebar).
They currently just have the one title;

"The Advent of Divine Justice" by Shoghi Effendi.

Check out the site: They are conducting a poll to ascertain the most popular titles.

“Know thou, of a truth, these great oppressions that have befallen the world are preparing it for the advent of the Most Great Justice” ~ Baha’u'llah

Singing 'rewires' damaged brain

I was reading a BBC article by Victoria Gill a Science reporter for the BBC News in San Diego.
Synopsis:
Teaching stroke patients to sing "rewires" their brains, helping them recover their speech, say scientists.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8526699.stm

So I thought I would look at what the Bahá’í Faith has to say about music, since that is particularly relevant to the Core Activity arts and crafts.

We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high; make it not, therefore, as wings to self and passion.

(Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 38)

In sooth, although music is a material affair, yet its tremendous effect is spiritual, and its greatest attachment is to the realm of the spirit.

(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 412)

This wonderful age has rent asunder the veils of superstition and has condemned the prejudice of the people of the East. Among some of the nations of the Orient, music and harmony was not approved of, but the Manifested Light, Bahá'u'lláh, in this glorious period has revealed in Holy Tablets that singing and music are the spiritual food of the hearts and souls. In this dispensation, music is one of the arts that is highly approved and is considered to be the cause of the exaltation of sad and desponding hearts.
Therefore ... set to music the verses and the divine words so that they may be sung with soul-stirring melody in the Assemblies and gatherings, and that the hearts of the listeners may become tumultuous and rise towards the Kingdom of Abha in supplication and prayer.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 377)

Endeavor your utmost to compose beautiful poems to be chanted with heavenly music; thus may their beauty affect the minds and impress the hearts of those who listen.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1, p. 59)

What a wonderful meeting this is! These are the children of the Kingdom. The song we have just listened to was very beautiful in melody and words. The art of music is divine and effective. It is the food of the soul and spirit. Through the power and charm of music the spirit of man is uplifted. It has wonderful sway and effect in the hearts of children, for their hearts are pure, and melodies have great influence in them. The latent talents with which the hearts of these children are endowed will find expression through the medium of music. Therefore, you must exert yourselves to make them proficient; teach them to sing with excellence and effect. It is incumbent upon each child to know something of music, for without knowledge of this art the melodies of instrument and voice cannot be rightly enjoyed. Likewise, it is necessary that the schools teach it in order that the souls and hearts of the pupils may become vivified and exhilarated and their lives be brightened with enjoyment.

(Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 52)

It is clearly a powerful tool for reaching hearts and minds, that can be incorporated in all our activities.
Before those who know me ask; "are you going to start singing?", the answer is NO but I will deputise, and as always have my finger ready to hit the "play button"

Marble Magnets

Here is a great idea for Ayyam i Ha gifts, or just a fun project for the children’s class or study circle.

Materials:

• Clear glass marbles (the kind with a flat side)
• Magnets
• Artwork
• Mod Podge or white glue
• Goop glue
• Circular punch (We used a 1” 25.4mm)
• Scissors

There are many sources of suitable artwork; you can download images from the web, use magazines, photographs, or draw your own. The theme used here is “Bahai Stars”, but you can chose your own.

First prepare your artwork. If you do not have a suitable punch you can simply cut out the artwork with scissors. As you will see from the insert on the picture below, the punch has a clear bottom which allows you to align the artwork prior to punching.

Cutting Out

Next
• Spread a thin layer of mod podge on the flat side of the marble with your finger
• Repeat the procedure with the face of the artwork
• Place the artwork on the marble and apply a thin coat of mod podge to the back and smooth down until there are no air bubbles between the glass and the picture.
• Set aside and allow to dry for at least 5 mins

Mod Podging

Next

• Apply a small amount of the “goop” to the magnet
• Press magnet onto the back of the completed marble
• Set aside to dry

Applying the Magnet

Make as many as you like and display on your fridge or give to friends and family.

We hope you enjoy this craft, and be sure to come back to the site with your comments, ideas and friends.