(1) This kettle doll pattern is free for your personal use from misako mimoko. (via Craftzine.com)
(2) Get Andrea Zuill’s latest pattern in her Sideshow series, Delilah the Beautiful, from her Etsy shop.
(3) “Real-bodied” Bikini Babe is free for personal use from Jenny Hart. (via Early Bird Special)
(4) Get a free download of the chart for a sweet rubber ducky cross-stitch (scroll waaayyyyy down) by Erica Michaels from Rainbow Gallery. (via Tangled Thread)
(5) The chart for Connie G. Barwick’s abstract graphic sampler for cross-stitch is free on About.com.
(6) The latest in Jenny B’s Pretty Maids series, patterns for dolls from the Far East are now available in the Allsorts Etsy shop.
(7) stitchado handmade shares Goody Goody’s vintage Bug Off pattern.
(8) Johanna of Radical Cross Stitch is sharing a tea-cozy chart she developed from an image she found at Radical Graphics.
(9) An original pattern for a shy but loving bear is available free (for personal use) from Polka Dot Bunny. (via feeling stitchy)
(10) Happy, grateful penguins are available free from Tricia-Rennea.
(11) Mollie of Wild Olive shares an original pattern that’s perfect for embellishing your sewing paraphernalia. (via feeling stitchy)
(12) CC of Lace ‘n’ Ribbon Roses shares three kitchen-themed borders for cross-stitch — perfect for gingham.
Have you read?
Hanukkah Unit Studies for Kids
Learning about Hanukkah is important for people of all faiths as a reminder that December isn’t just about Christmas and that their are many other important holidays that happen during this time. Hanukkah unit studies can give you ideas for incorporating the holiday into your holiday studies that happen in December, or to use at home for learning about people of different faiths.
Homeschool Superfreak has a lot of basic ideas for how to build a Hanukkah unit study, as well as FAQs about what Hanukkah is and why it is celebrated. This list is a good stargint point but doesn’t include all the details you’ll need. For example it says you can play the dreidel game but doesn’t explain how to do that or why it’s important. (If you need that information, this post from Mama Smiles is a good source.)
Teachers Pay Teachers has lots of great lesson plans and activities if you’re willing to pay a little bit to get some good content. Two I really like are this Hanukkah PowerPoint presentation from Shelia Melton, which provides a good overview of traditions, food and the history of Hanukkah; and a virtual field trip to Jerusalem from MagiCore, which includes lots of videos showing the city and activities like playing dreidel, drawing a menorah and making latkes. It’s a Google Drive folder and also includes writing activities and more for kids in second to fifth grade.
Kids Activities Blog has some simple printables with facts about Hanukkah and things kids can color in like a Star of David, sufganiyots (jelly doughnuts) and a menorah. These are great for learning the basics.
Homeschool Giveaways has a printable ebook about Hanukkah complete with questions kids can answer after they read. This would be a good one for older kids with good reading comprehension.
NurtureStore’s Hanukkah unit study includes a printable mini book, tons of crafts, as well as math and writing activities. I love the dominoes game that’s part of the unit.
And check out our previous posts for more Hanukkah crafts and learning activities!