ymib.com - Daily Inspiration

Kwanzaa is right around the corner, so I thought that I would re-visit last years Kwanzaa craft guide since we have so many new creative sisters in the circle! We have some fabulous ideas coming up for the 2008 holidays, and we cannot wait to share them with you! But for now, enjoy these crafty tips:

We have come up with some fantastic ways to accent your home whether your entertaining or just enjoying the time with your family. We show you ways to embellish your tree and unique ways to commemorate the Nguzo Saba and the Odu Ifa meditations of Kwanzaa throughout your home, along with fabulous craft, décor, and gift ideas for you and your guests. So get your crafty supplies out along with a pen and pad and let your creative juices flow!

Candle Lit Name Holders: Using your got glue gun, wrap colorful leaves around red, green, butter yellow, white, and/or black candles, and tie several strands of rafia around it. Maple leaves work great for this project. You can also embellish your candles with acorn caps, buttons, wooden beads, and cowrie shells. Create some name cards and either place them in front of each candle or tie them on with rafia. NOTE: Make sure your leaves are below the rim of your candle, and only keep lit throughout the duration of your dinner, as these decorative candles are meant for use for a short and attended use. You can also use this idea with red, green, and black, candles as a centerpiece for your dining table this Kwanzaa, along with your corn, fruits, and foundation mats.

Cowrie Garlands: Accent your tree with a cowrie shell & bead garland. Take some rafia ribbon and tie a cowrie shell evrey inch or so, putting wooden beads in between each shell. Wrap your garland around your tree. You can also hot glue the shells in the shape of a circle and use rafia to tie them on to the tree!

Foundation Place Mats: Make foundation plate mats for your table. Take strips of black, gree, and red fabric and sew them together. Sew on the backing of your mat. Use fabric pens to write words from the 7 principles of Kwanzaa randomly on each mat or use fabric paint to paint adinkra symbols in the corners.

Fiber Circles: Create these unique ornaments by rolling strips of African fabric into a circle. Making sure to hot glue along the way. Then add gold, silver, or copper string at the top and treat your tree to some uniqueness!

Adinkra Charms: Pick up a few of these fabulous brass adinkra coins and hang them on your tree.

Odu Ifa Box: Create a Odu Ifa Box for your guests, hostess, or your beloved family members! Glue african or your choice of print fabric onto a 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock paper or poster board. Spray adhesive is great for this. Cut out 7 squares of your desired size and then embellish them with buttons, shells, and beads. Now write on each card a reason why you are thankful for that person on each card. Wrap your cards up in a nice fabric, organza, or brown craft paper. Tie it all up with rafia. You can hand these thoughtful cards to your loved one like this or you can create a gift box to give it in to make it extra special. Fill your gift box with leaves and then place your wrapped cards on top, then embellish your box with fresh fall leaves, shells, and beads.

Create something to look forward to next Kwanzaa & keep an Odu Ifa Jar around the house. This jar is placed in a central location in the home where everyone will see it. Throughout the year, each family member places their wishes goals, and things they are thankful for and thoughts in it. On the last day of Kwanzaa, take some time together and read out loud evryones wishes and goals. It is fun to hear what everyone wrote and achieved and to hear what your family members want to accomplish in the upcoming year so that you all can encourage them! You can also use painted gourds with lid as your Odu Ifa jar!

Odu Ifa Gift Cards: Print out the Odu Ifa Meditaion or a personal affirmation that you love, and then sew them onto colored felt, You can embellish each card differently and add buttons, paint, coins, cowrie shells, and whatever else your creativity sparks Hand them out to your friends, family, and co-workers!

ymib gift hosting tip: make some mini Odu Ifa cards and keep them handy for guests. Write reasons for thanfulness or inspirational affirmations on them and give them to your guests!

Natures Wreath: Take a breather from those green pine wreaths and pick up a rustic wreath made out of twigs, branches, and eaves. You can find these at your local craft store for about 3.99. Embellish them with a bit of culture by wrapping a garland of cowrie shells, rafia, and African fabric. Accent your twigs with copper and gold paint and welcome your guests into your home with true Kuumba (creativity).

Gift Giving: Think outside of the commercial holiday wrapping paper this season. Wrap your gifts using natural craft paper, white, green, red, or black silk or organza. Tie it up with a bow or rafia and add cowrie shells or beads! You can also use rubber stamps or if you are giving a gift to the grandparents from the little oned, you can embellish them with their handprints!