Christmas book craft!

The kind of book that gets passed on to the generations!!

Celebration bookmarks - Simple and creative ways to celebrate!

Celebrations - Simple and creative art project using construction paper!

What you will need

• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Marker

Draw a string using marker.

Cut small pieces of construction paper using scissors.

Stick them on string using glue at even distance.

Thanks so much for visiting and have a colorful day:))

Rudolf the rednosed reindeer had a very shiny nose - Holiday art project using finger paints!!

Featured in Times-Republican!

Have you felt the lightness of the moment when everything is organized in life? I am a person with a long checklist of things to do and ongoing quest to clear my list. However, most of the time there are number of unchecked items as new items get added at the same pace as old ones closing. But then comes a moment, short lived yet blissful when all the things, spaces and relations in our lives are well organized. My favorite thing to do to enjoy the bliss of that short moment is have a cup of chai, listen to music, have a cookie and read a book till something else pops up.

It is so important to slow down every once a while and unclutter life. It is amazing how light it feels when we do not have any backlog in mind! With New Year approaching in less than a month now, try getting your checklist done. Organize your thoughts, spaces, life and make room for the change you want to see in yourself for the coming year.

Here is a simple and creative idea to spend quality time with the family and check that box in to do list!

For this month’s project I have Rudolph the red nose reindeer. You can make greetings, bookmarks, gift tags, gift bags and decorate a coffee cup sleeve using this idea.

What you will need

• Finger paints

• Wiggly eyes

• Marker
• Small pom poms
• Glue

Dip your thumb in the paint and make an impression on the paper for reindeers face. Let dry. Stick wiggly eyes . Stick pom poms for nose using glue. Use red pom pom for Rudolph. Draw antlers using markers

Wish you all a very joyful and colorful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

String of colorful lights - Fun art project using finger paints!

What you will need

• Finger paints
• Glitter
• Marker
• Sequin
• Glue

Draw a string using marker.

Dip the tip of index finger in paints and make impression on paper for lights.

Stick Sequin using glue and sprinkle glitter.

Thanks so much for visiting and have a colorful day!

Joyful Christmas Tree - Fun art project using finger prints!

What you will need

• Paints
• Glitter
• Marker
• Sequins
• Glue

On a paper plate mix green finger paint with glitter.
Dip index finger in paint and make an impression on paper.

Stick Sequin using glue.

Draw tree trunk using marker.


Thanks for visiting and have a joyful day!

Wishing you all a very colorful and joyful holiday season! Celebrate Life:)))

Superhero angel for mommy by my 4 year old! :)) Happy me:))

Wish you all a very Joyful n colorful Diwali!!

Colormehappy turkey - A fun and colorful fingerprint art project!

Featured in Times-Republican!

Festivities provide us with a wonderful opportunity to teach our kids generosity. Performing a random act of kindness and sharing without any expectation of return not only helps others but also brings happiness and inner peace in our hearts.

At our home we are keeping a count of the ways we are going to share our blessings. Some of them are donating books to library, sharing food, writing notes, bringing smiles, visiting animal shelters, donating toys and volunteer our time. Even a small act of kindness can pour our hearts with abundant love.

This month’s art project is a fun and colorful fingerprint turkey. It’s a simple and beautiful way to get kids involved in personalizing thankful notes.

What you will need

• Paints

• Wiggly eyes

• Marker

• Glue

Dip thumb in paint and make an impression on paper for face.

For belly dip thumb in paint and spread in round shape. For wings, dip index finger in colorful paints and make impression. Stick wiggly eyes and draw legs using marker.

Be generous and spread generosity!! Wish you all a very colorful and joyful season!

Frankenstein's Bride - Fun Halloween art project using foot prints!

Colorful fall leaves using tissue paper!

What you will need

• Different colors of tissue paper
• Pencil with eraser on top
• Glue
• Construction paper

Hand tear brown construction paper for tree trunk and branches.

Hand tear little pieces of tissue paper and squeeze them on eraser end of pencil.

Dip in glue and stick for leaves.

TuTu - Fun and creative art project using finger prints!

The ittsy bittsy spider- fun and creative art project using handprints!

Such a beautiful thought!!





Devi – The various names and forms of Divine Mother! - By Bhanumathi Narasimhan

We are all floating in the effulgence of one scintillating unseen cosmic energy called the ‘Devi’. The Devi or the Divine Mother is the womb of all creation. She is the seed of all dynamism, radiance, beauty, equanimity, peace and nourishment. She is the life force energy.

A mother has total love for her child. The Divine Mother has unconditional and unquantifiable love for Her children which includes every being in this entire creation.

Remembering names and forms of Devi

During the nine nights of Navratri, the Devi is worshiped in all Her names and forms. Names have a significance. We remember a sandalwood tree by the memory of its perfume. Each name and form of the Devi refers to a specific quality or attribute of the Divine. By remembering the form or by chanting the many names of Devi, we enliven those qualities in our consciousness and they manifest in us according to the need of the hour.

Navratri is a journey from the outer world of names and forms to the subtle world of energies, invoked through the various yagnas, to the innermost core of our being - the Self.

Warding off negativities and mental blocks

The first three days celebrate the Devi in the form of Durga. Durga also means hill. A very difficult task is often described as an uphill task. In the presence of Durga, negative forces fade away. Difficulties find it difficult to exist in Her presence! The goddess is depicted as riding a lion or tiger as her mount, alluding to the aspect of courage and valor which are the essence of Devi Durga.

TheNava Durga are the nine aspects of Durga energy which act like a shield to ward off all negativities. When you have obstacles and mental blocks, just remembering these qualities of the Devi, can cure the mental blocks. Especially in the case of people suffering from anxiety, doubting oneself, doubting one’s ability, ‘lack’ consciousness, feeling threatened by enmity and negativity - simply by chanting the names of the Devis, it is like mantras that elevate your consciousness and you can become more centered, courageous and composed. This is the significance of the aspect of the Divine as Devi Durga.

The Devi Durga, in Her form as Mahishasuramardhini, is the destroyer of Mahisha. The word Mahishameans buffalo which is a symbol of laziness, lethargy, and inertia. These are the qualities which impede the spiritual and material progress of an individual. The Devi is a storehouse of positive energy and any trace of laziness or inertia dissolves in Her very presence.

The second set of three days honor the Devi as Lakshmi. Lakshmi is goddess of wealth and prosperity. Wealth is a vital ingredient bestowed upon us for the maintenance and progress in our life. It is much more than just having money. It means abundance in knowledge, skills and talents. Lakshmi is the energy that manifests as the complete spiritual and material well-being of a person.

The final three days are dedicated to Saraswati. Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge- the one who gives the essence (sara) of the Self (swa). She is often depicted as being seated on a rock. Knowledge, like a rock, is a steadfast support. It stays with us at all times. She plays the veena, a musical instrument whose mellifluous notes bring harmony and peace to the mind. Similarly, spiritual knowledge brings relaxation and celebration into ones’ life.

Goddess Saraswati is the ocean of understanding and the consciousness which vibrates with different types of learning. She is the source of spiritual light, remover of all ignorance and the source of knowledge.

Attaining the Ultimate Offering to Divine Mother

While worshiping the Devi in her various names and forms, we offer flowers in a multitude of hues and fragrances like jasmine, hibiscus, lotus, lilies, rose, and so on. From the outer beauty, as we turn our focus inward and are soaked in the divine attributes, our consciousness flowers. We offer our blossomed consciousness too. Worshiping Her through the blossomed consciousness is the ultimate offering.

The Divine Mother is the unfathomable, infinite, supreme, pure consciousness. A child does not try to know the mother. The child simply has faith in her. In the same way, having faith in the Divine Mother is the source of the greatest strength. It is a great wealth and a blessing.

Navratri is a time for us to soak in this blessing, relax in the depth of our being and feel grateful for the abundance and beauty in our lives.


By Bhanumathi Narasimhan

The writer is the sister of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, meditation teacher, and Director of Women and Child Welfare programs of The Art of Living.
www.artofliving.org

Superhero bugs - Fun Halloween crafts using pipe cleaners!

Gandhi's principals!

Thanks www.takepart.com for the image!



Star - Fun print art project using apples:)

What you will need

• Apple
• Paints
• Plate

1. Pour paints in a plate.
2. Cut apple in half
3. Clear out seeds
4. Dip the apple in paints
5. Print! Enjoy:)

Prints by my 4 year old!!