Earth Day Craft: Tin Can Herb Pots

Children want to be a part of Earth Day and there are many ways that you can encourage that desire. One way is to provide them with the materials to make an Earth Day craft. Tin can herb pots are a great way to learn to recycle and learn about growing herbs.

What is a tin can herb pot, you might ask? It’s nothing more than a recycled tin can that has been washed out, decorated, and has herb seeds planted in it. There’s nothing difficult about the craft, but an adult may want to ensure the edges of the can aren’t sharp so that little ones don’t get hurt.

You may want plan ahead for this craft. Find one of the newer can openers that don’t leave sharp edges when used. These can be found at nearly any discount store for a couple of dollars. You might actually find that you prefer this type of can opener over the older type.

Why not make a number of these tin can herb pots? You can make one for any herb you might use in your kitchen. Chives, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and basil are good choices. They can be grown from seeds or you can buy plants for the craft, depending upon the amount of patience your little crafter has.

1. Save a number of aluminum cans of different sizes. If you didn’t use the newer can opener, you may need to sand off any rough edges to stop crafters from being cut.

2. Completely wash out the can with soap and water and then let it dry. Turn up the can upside down and punch some holes in the bottom of the can to allow for drainage.

3. Let your child decorate the outside of the can by using an acrylic base coat. They can then paint any design they like on the can. Be sure that any paints you use are safe for children. Next, the outside of the can should be sprayed with an acrylic sealer so the paint won’t come off.

4. Place rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the can and then add potting soil until the can is filled two-thirds of the way up the can.

5. Transplant a potted herb into the can and fill the rest of the can with potting soil. Gently pat the plant into the dirt, but don’t press too firmly. You want the plant to have some room for water to seep through. Place the can on a plate to catch any extra water.

6. If you’ve opted for seeds, fill the can nearly full with potting soil. Place a couple of seeds in the soil and then cover it with a thin layer of soil. Be sure to keep the soil damp, but not soaked.

One four-inch potted plant will probably make at least two, if not three, herb pots. Remind your little ones to take care of their plants. If you have more than you need, why not give them to a loved one this Earth Day? They’re sure to enjoy fresh herbs when the time comes to cook.

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Easter Craft: Fun with Felt Easter Decorations

You may be looking for fun decorations to embellish Easter cards or to decorate your home. Why not try making felt Easter decorations? Your children can also help with these decorations that you’ll want to use over and over again.

Felt sheets can be purchased from nearly every discount and craft store. Your children can have fun making felt Easter decorations for their own room or to decorate common areas of your home. Some Easter decorations made with felt can also be used outside.

Door sign

Create a felt door sign with a decidedly Easter design to it.  Allow your children to take several sheets of felt in various colors – pastels would work best. Choose some craft or Popsicle sticks as a base and then cut some felt to fit over it.

Have them glue the felt onto the craft sticks. They can then decorate their door sign with additional felt pieces cut in the shape of bunnies, chicks, flowers, or the cross. They can write their name on the felt with permanent marker or fabric paint. Be sure they include ribbon or some way to hang their sign once it is completed.

Sleeping bunny

Why not create a small bunny with leftover felt pieces? After filling the plastic eggs for the Easter egg hunt, you most likely have a few egg halves that you can’t match. This is a perfect way to recycle those unmatched halves.

Glue an egg shell half onto a piece of painted wood. Then put glue in the egg and place one large white pompom inside the egg shell. Glue another white pompom on top of that one. Glue two medium pompoms to the side of the upper pompom for the cheeks. Then cut two white felt ears and glue them onto the top of the head. Glue two mini pompoms between the cheeks.  Make two sleepy eyes out of black felt cut in the shape of crescents. Glue them on and it will look like you have a sleepy bunny coming out of an Easter egg.

Easter flag

Since you can buy felt in large pieces off the bolt, why not get a larger piece and make a “Welcome Easter” flag that you can hang from your door? Buy a piece of sunny yellow, pastel blue or pink. Cut the letters for the flag, as well as Easter type motifs from corresponding colors. Use craft glue to stick the words and pictures on. Hang it from your door and welcome this special holiday.

Felt is a great material to work with for Easter crafts. You can have fun with felt Easter decorations that you can use for years to come. Don’t forget to have your children join in the fun of making these festive Easter decorations for your home.

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Lemon Poppyseed Cake

Ingredients:
½ cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 ½ cups flour, sifted
½ cup milk
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
Peel of 1 unwaxed lemon, grated
1 tbsp poppy seeds

For the glaze you will need:
½ cup sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
Method:
Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a mixing bowl, beat butter until creamy, then add and beat sugar until mixture is fluffy. In a separate bowl, add dry ingredients and combine with the sugar and butter mixture. Then stir in the poppy seeds, lemon peel and milk. Pour into a 9×5x2inch loaf pan and bake for about 50 to 55 minutes.

Let the cake cool slightly before removing to wire rack to cool completely.

In a small saucepan, heat the juice of one lemon and the ½ cup of sugar on low heat until sugar has dissolved. Pour the mixture over the warm lemon poppyseed cake and leave to cool.  Enjoy with a nice cup of coffee.

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