Ana's creative Chaos

I recently attended the Treasure Island Flea “Where Treasures Are Found”* with my friend Karen. It was a beautiful day on the bay!

I have not been on Treasure Island since I was a kid. My Dad would take us out there to go to the Naval Chief’s Club** on Sundays to this amazing buffet. Then he would drive us to see the remnants of the 1939 World’s Faire, Golden Gate International Exposition. Now, all that is left is the administration building where the Treasure Island Museum*** is housed.

*http://www.treasureislandflea.com/

**During World War II the island was know as Treasure Island Naval Base

***http://treasureislandmuseum.org/

Now about my treasure I found there. Some wonderful cross-stitched and embroidered linens,  Children’s Activities magazines from the early 1950s, and a toddler’s wooden Radio Flyer pull wagon from the 1990s for Charlie. I also met some very creative people that I hope will be guests on When Creativity Knocks.

Calendar and story pages

Child Training Association, Inc. of Chicago published the Children’s Activities magazine from 1934 thru 1950’s. This magazine for children is also a guide for parents and teachers. The magazine measures 10 ¼” x 13 ½”, so, by today’s standards that’s big!

The magazine featured crafts, stories, songs, a monthly calendar, poems and, of course, advertisements.  Well, you could only guess that when I saw “crafts,” I had to scoop up  three copies to purchase. I do enjoy looking through old books and magazines to see the development of crafts through the years.

The projects that I’m featuring is right from the pages of March 1952 Children’s Activities for Home and School For St. Patrick’s Day, page 34, which is perfect for a St. Paddy’s Day Party. These four projects are not only great for kids, but adults too.

I doing my version of the Shamrock Crown; but please give the other three projects a try. Make the place card harp and put a Starbucks card through the strings for a teacher or co-worker.  Create the nut basket but fill it with green Hershey Kisses!

Here is a PDF of scanned page for better viewing and my Shamrock Pattern: Children’s Activities for Home and School

These projects give a whole new name to re-purpose… updating some old ideas into new ones!

Following their directions, I folded a piece of paper in half, measured and drew the Grid, then followed the image to draw my own.

Here is my outcome… I think the shamrock is too large. So, I changed it a little. However, I think this is a good exercise for children and adults to do as well.  It makes you think a little and use math.  With that said, I have included my clover pattern for you on the PDF.

This Leprechaun  is up to no good

Shamrock Crown

Supplies:

• Green craft foam
• 1 ½” green ribbon
• Buttons and or gemstones
• Fabri-Tac

Directions:

1-    Trace and cut the Shamrock Pattern on the felt or craft foam

2-    Cut slits were indicated

3-    Slip ribbon through slits

4-    Glue or sew on buttons and or gemstones

Bonus: Shamrock Bandana Dog Collar

Don’t leave the dog out on St. Patrick’s Day, have him/her show a little luck of the Irish with a Shamrock Bandana Dog Collar

Supplies:

• Green felt
• Green bandana
• Buttons

1-    Reduce the Shamrock Crown Pattern 50% (for a small dog-adjust the percentage for other sized dogs)

2-    Trace and cut 3 Shamrocks on to the felt

3-    Cut slits were indicated

4-    Cut 4” off the bandana, fold over 3 times

5-    Slip the Shamrocks through the bandana

6-    Glue or sew on buttons and or gemstones

7-    Tie around dog’s neck

A special thank you to my models Matthew Araujo and Max!

Craftily Yours,

Ana