Bunchland

Lighting candles on the first night

Today’s Postcard from Bunchland comes from JasonUnbound in Berkley, California.

One of the most important Hanukkah customs made more important with things like Lego.

The unique eight-branched candelabrum lit to commemorate Hanukkah presents an opportunity for crafting and teaching your kids about the eight day Festival of Lights. The menorah usually consists of a central stalk with a round base and three branches curving up on each side, with the tallest candle extending straight up from the base in the middle. This adaptable piece can be given a DIY spin, allowing you to turn your window sill into a work of art.

Here are 6 original ideas:

Glass bottle menorah: Strip the labels from 8 short bottles of the same height. One tall bottle, like a wine bottle or olive oil bottle stand in the middle. Cover each bottle with different coloured tissue paper and paint with hodge podge. Stick a candle stick in each bottle.  Read more...

Make Mother Nature help you with this Valentine’s activity

Hey, know what happens when the temperature dips down to -30 or so? Stuff freezes! Rather than curse her name as you bundle up like you’ve never bundled up before, why not make Mother Nature work for you? This is a great opportunity to make some icy crafts. We like this outdoor candle holder from instructibles:

You’ll need:

• 2 l plastic bottle
• 500 ml plastic bottle
• rocks
• scissors
• pink & red construction paper (or whatever colours you so desire)
• tealight or votive-size candle

Steps:  Read more...

1. Cut bottles across the top so they’re approximately the same height
2. Put smaller bottle inside larger one
3. Put a few rocks in the small bottle to keep it steady
4. Cut out hearts or other objects from the construction paper (Makes shapes about the size of a quarter)