Coquette Maman

Book Review: The Complete Story of Sadako Sasaki and the Thousand Paper Cranes

 

 The Complete Story of Sadako Sasaki and the Thousand Paper Cranes

by Sue DiCicco and Masahiro Sasaki (Sadako's brother)

Age Range: 9-12 years old

Paperback, 148 pages

Publisher: Tuttle

$10.99 on Amazon

 

Middle grade readers will love this story about a worldwide call for peace. Author Sue DiCicco and Sadako's older brother Masahiro tell her life story for the first time in English. Sadako Sasaki was only two years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan during the end of WWII. Because of all the radiation from the bomb, Sadako developed leukemia at age 12 and was given one year to live from the doctors.

It was while she was in the hospital, Sadako was given a string of paper cranes. She loved them and her father told her the symbol of the crane in Japanese folklore. The meaning was that her friends wished her to get better soon. Sadako's father told her about the old take that if you fold a thousand paper cranes, your wish will come true. Cranes also represent good fortune and longevity as the crane is a "bird of happines". (True in Japan, Chinese and Korean cultures.) Sadako reached her goal of a thousand cranes but unfortunately, the cancer got worse and she passed away.

Today the origami cranes and Sadako are a symbol of worldwide peace and of hope and healing during challenging times. There is a statue of Sadako in the Hiroshima Peace Park as well as in the Seattle Peace Park.

My 11 year old daughter and I came across this lovely paper shop in Paris earlier in January called Adeline Klam. We bought a few paper kits -- paper flowers and the origami ones including the cranes. We started to practice folding them a few days ago for my daughter's spring break. Now that we know all the meaning behind the cranes, the project has such a deeper meaning for us. You can see more photos of the origami in my Instagram post. 

I'm so glad my daughter and I were able to read this book together, especially one so important for history. This new English version is a must read with the true story of Sadako Sasaki as told by her older brother.

 

Shop The Complete Story of Sadako Sasaki and the Thousand Paper Cranes on Amazon

 

 

 

Review book provided by Tutle Publishing

Blog Tour: The Gift Inside the Box + 5 Fun Cardboard Box Craft Projects Roundup

The Gift Inside the Box

by Adam Grant and Allison Sweet Grant, illustrated by Diana Schoenbrun

Age Range: 5-8 years old

Hardcover, 40 pages

$11.69 on Amazon

Today I'm the blog tour stop for the new book, The Gift Inside the Box by Adam Grant and Allison Sweet Grant. It's a cool-looking book that looks like a box. In fact, you open it with the velcro flap on the box, giving kids a fun peek at the book inside. I love the sweet story of a cardboard box looking for it's deserving, rightful owner.

Let's be real here. How many times have your kids loved playing with the boxes? I remember my daughter would sit and create her own little world inside a big box when she was 3 and it occupied her for most of the day. So there are times it's not about what's inside, it's all about the box!!

Here's a roundup of some really fun cardboard box craft projects that you create along with your kids:

 

Acorn Pies shows you how to build a cardboard castle.

 

Your kids will have fun making all the sea animals and decorating their DIY Cardboard Aquarium by mollymoo.

 

What kid doesn't like to play store? Make this DIY Cardboard Cash Register by Handmade Charlotte.

 

When you have a really big box, Handmade Charlotte shows you how to make your own Collapsible Cardboard Tent. I love the colorful designs on there. Your kids can have a lot of fun decorating this.

 

Even a small box like a shoe box can be something fun. I love how Craftulate turns a shoe box and toilet paper rolls into a Shoe Box School Box. 

 

 

 

Review book provided by Penguin Books

Kids Crafts: DIY Marble Paper Tutorial

A few weeks ago, with a Columbus Day holiday off school, Chloe and I decided to finally take some time to craft together. Her best friend, one of our neighbors was coming over and she loved to craft too. I didn't realize how addictive this project was going to be, not just for the girls but for ME! This is a perfect kids craft to do with kids of all ages, but I especially recommend it for tween girls. It was fast and highly satisfying! We did the project outside on our patio for easy clean up and the girls did a great job of keeping things neat.

 

DIY Paper Marbling Tutorial

Supplies:

2-3 Cans of Shaving Cream (Target brand is really cheap!)

Liquid Watercolor (or Food Coloring)

White Cardstock Paper (can get different sizes)

Disposable Pans or baking pans with rims

Skewer Sticks  (Must have pointy ends to mix shaving cream and paint for patterns)

Wooden Mixing Spoon

Ruler

Something to cover your table and/or floors (if necessary)

Paper Towels for clean up

Trash bag nearby

Note: I bought this liquid watercolors pictured above at Michael's because we were short on time. You can order these really affordable liquid watercolors on Amazon. I do recommend to use liquid watercolors over food coloring because I have found that watercolors are so much easier to wash off your hands and won't stain clothing or furniture as food coloring does.

Step 1: Take the can of shaving cream and shake it. Fill your pan or baking sheet with the shaving cream and mix it up.

Step 2: Now add drops of the liquid water color to form the base color of your paper. 

Step 3: Mix it up with a mixing spoon.

Step 4: Add in drops of liquid water color randomly all over the shaving cream base. Add in multiple colors and don't be afraid to do more random drops of water colors all over the cream. Then use a stick with a pointy end and start to lightly mix up the colors (shown left) on the surface of the shaving cream. This will help create the pattern to you final product.

Step 5: Place a piece of cardstock paper in the shaving cream and press lightly all around.

Step 6: Peel off the paper from the shaving cream.

 

Step 7: Place your paper in an empty pan or baking sheet and use a ruler to scrape off the shaving cream in one directional swipe (from bottom up or top down). Keep doing this until there is no more shaving cream on your paper. Discard the used shaving cream from the ruler or pan in the trash so you have a fresh "pan" for the next paper.

The girls found it so fun they actually started doing new versions of their colors by dumping out their original shaving cream so having at least 2 bottles on hand really helps as kids love to try new things and they love variety. We spent a good two hours working on these and had so much fun!



Here's one that I did and I really mixed up the colors well by using the pointy end of the sticks. The final result is on the right. I love the colorful swirls!

You can see all the pretty colors up close here. Set the finish cards on top of paper towels to dry. It really doesn't take long. The finished cards can be laminated to make notebook covers or pretty stationery or even framed for art in a room! The possibilities are endless.

I have some video of the process in my DIY Marbling Highlight in my Instagram Stories.

 

 

DIY Printable Valentine's Day Cards for Kids

(Photo: Kate.net)

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I love how my daughter get so excited about passing out cards to her classmates. For those of you who don't necessarily love the commercial cards (superhero, anything that's actually a toy you can buy), I love how many crafters and artists have shared free printable cards for kids online. I adore these printable animal Valentine's Day cards from Kate.net are already laid out perfectly to print on letter sized paper with gridlines for easy cutting. I would recommend to print the cards on card stock paper.

Here are more of my favorite printable Valentine's Day cards for kids:

Printable Valentine's Day Cards from Pumpkins & Posies

Dinomite Valentine's Day Card by My Blessed Southern Life
(Tip: Use dinosaur stickers if you don't want to get plastic dinosaurs)

Printable Kids Valentine's Day Cards by Lia Griffith

Kid's Valentine Labels by Lia Griffith
(You can print these as cards if you don't want to use them as labels)

Monster Puppet Cards by SmallforBig

Printable Arrow Card by Muffin Grayson

Valentine's Day Bookmark by Thirty Handmade Days

Gummy Bear Valentine's Treat Bag Topper by Isabel Kallman on Alpha Mom

Style Mom: Interview with SF Fashion Designer Cecily Chudacoff

I first met fashion designer Cecily Chudacoff a few years ago when her son and my daughter were in the same Kindergarten class. Throughout the time I've known her, I've come to admire her wonderful relaxed, bohemian style that's so perfect for San Francisco. Cecily was a former interior designer for five years, but then decided to follow her passion for fashion design. In 2012, she completed an Apparel Arts certificate program and now she's focused on pursing her dream in the fashion world. She works out of her studio in SF's Mission district, creating designs for her brand, Cecily Chudacoff Couture where customers can shop online. All of her clothing and scarves are made in San Francisco from concept to production.

This fall, she's launched her own line of Luxury Circle Scarves ($150 each) featuring five different prints and fabrics. These scarves that layer beautifully thanks to the soft fabric she uses. I have the Mustard X Woven Rayon Crepe Circle Scarf (pictured above) and I love how the beautiful mustard and indigo print spruces up any outfit instantly. And it's so soft and cozy! Here in San Francisco, you can pretty much wear one of her scarves year round!

A quick note for holiday shopping: Cecily will be selling her wares at the SF Bazaar at Nightlife at the Academy of Science in SF on December 8th from 6pm-10pm.

I had a chance to talk to Cecily Chudacoff to find out more about her amazing fashion business and what inspires her to create all the beautiful things that she does!

How did you decide you wanted to work in fashion?

It was no surprise to me how much I loved the apparel design classes as Apparel Arts. As a child, I was obsessed with clothes and fashion, and I even tried making clothes for myself with an old sewing machine. Yet it never occurred to me that being a fashion designer was an option for a career. So, as an adult student, I realized that it IS totally possible...and here I am!

How would you describe your style for Cecily Chudacoff Couture?

I would describe my style as modern and feminine. I always follow my interpretation of the principle of design "form follows function". I believe that clothing should be totally comfortable, wearable and then, beautiful. Have you ever bought the most gorgeous piece of clothing, only to watch it hang in your closet day after day? I certainly have. I may as well just hang it on the wall – beautiful piece, uncomfortable and ill-fitting. I basically strive to make clothing that is super wearable with beautiful elements and is no fuss.

Tell us about your new scarf collection. What inspired you to create these prints?

So, we live in San Francisco, a city with the most unfortunate microclimate, right? Someone should write a song about SCARF weather! I came up with the idea for the Luxury Circle Scarf Collection because I couldn't ever find that perfect-weight, no-fuss scarf that wasn't too hot, but still kept my little neck warm and cute against the San Francisco fog and wind. The answer to my search is the simplest design with exciting and current prints and colors. I'm using a rayon "crepe de chine", a fabric which is basically made of regenerated wood pulp fibers. I've paired the simplicity of this fabric with current and sophisticated prints and colors that I've sourced from various textile designers.

How long have you been sewing? What are your favorite kinds of clothes to make for yourself?

I learned the very basics of sewing when I was twelve years old. I didn't continue sewing though, and only began again, seriously, about ten years ago. The certificate program at Apparel Arts not only taught me pattern making and design, but also construction of clothing and quality sewing skills. I also studied couture sewing with Susan Khalje, a top couture sewing instructor.

I love the fact that I can make custom clothes for myself, especially pants. I have a hard time finding pants that fit me. I'm shaped like a boy, with pretty much no waist, so the pant size that fits my hips and legs is usually tight in the waist. I'm in the process of developing a pant that is equally stylish and beautiful as it is completely comfortable.

What are you working on now?

I interned for a time at local couture bridal shop here in SF. There I learned about making flowers from fabric and it has always stuck with me. I recently started playing around with some fabric scraps from a blouse I'm working on and came up with a silk flower necklace that I absolutely love! It's a ready-made chain woven and adorned with pure silk georgette or crepe de chine flowers, in really beautiful colors. These necklaces will be available on my website soon. Each one will be made to order.

Find out more about Cecily Chudacoff and shop her fashions at Cecily Chudacoff Couture. You can also sign up for her email newsletter and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Minted's October DIY Workshops and Events

Minted Pop-Up
222 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94108
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 am-7 pm
Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm
www.minted.com

Minted's Pop-Up on Grant St in SF has more events coming up this month. If you missed my last post about this amazing store you can read it here. The online shop's brick and mortar store is a dream come true with prints, paper, home goods and more.

Fall Wreath Workshop
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
5:30pm - 7pm
$55
(Sold Out)

You'll leave the workshop with a beautiful wreath to dress up your front door and learn how to make fall wreaths with a variety of autumn foliage, branches and berries. Taught by Oakland-based florist Heather Lee of Hello Flowers.

Live Art Night
Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Free

This is a free monthly event at Minted. Natalie Groves, Melanie Severin, and Kelly Autumn are this month's featured artists who will be painting and drawing throughout the store while you shop. You are also able to purchase what they make during the evening. This is a fun event for the entire family! Free wine and cheese is provided.

Jealous Curator Book Signing and Collage Party
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
6pm - 7:30pm
Free

Celebrate Danielle Krysa's new book, Your Inner Critic is a Big Jerk. Krysa is the writer and curator behind the contemporary art website the Jealous Curator.

Embroidery Basics
Thursday, October 27, 2016
5:30pm - 7pm
$60

Learn the basics of embroidery taught by Lisa Anderson Shaffer of Zelma Rose. Share will show you how to take a modern approach to embroidery design and technique. You'll create a stylish home decor hoop sampler to adorn your home.

Watercolor Painting, Geometric Shapes & Patterns
Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016
11am - 12:30pm
$35

Local illustrator and graphic designer Liz Conley will teach you how to create beautiful watercolor paintings featuring geometric patterns and shapes.

Don't forget the Minted pop-up shop is only here until the end of the year. It's centrally located in prime shopping area downtown (near Banana Republic) so don't miss out on all the amazing things in the store!

Minted Pop-Up's DIY Events

Minted Pop-Up
222 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94108
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 am-7 pm
Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm
minted.com

If you haven't had a chance yet to visit Minted's pop-up shop in San Francisco, you still have time as the shop is open now through the end of the year. You probably already know Minted as an online destination to buy cards or artwork but did you know there's so much more? In the shop, you'll find not only modern prints but fabrics, pillows, journals and lots of inspirational decor for your home. There's also an area where you can have a Minted stylist help you work on the perfect card whether it's for a wedding, baby announcement, holiday cards and more.

But one of the really cool things about the Minted pop-up is the many DIY classes that are offered in the shop.

Here are the classes for September/October:

Bridal Workshop: One Invitation, Three Looks
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
5:30pm-7:30pm
$15

Minted will be doing bridal workshops twice a month, so this is the first of many. The workshop will show you how one wedding invitation can spark many different design directions for tablescapes. Sip champagne whil learning how to bring elements from your invitation to life at your wedding.

Live Art Night
Thursday, September 22, 2016
5:30pm-7:30pm
Free

This is a free monthly event at Minted. There are 4 artists working throughout the store and you can watch them paint and draw. (Last month's event drew over 100 people!) You can also purchase what they make during the evening. This month there will be an artist who will be doing quick portraits during the event. This is a fun event for the entire family! Free wine and cheese is provided.

Floral Design Class
Thursday, September 29, 2016
5:30pm-7pm
$75

Learn the basics of flower arranging by Heather Lee an Oakland-based freelance florist and writer. You will learn how to care and prep for your blooms and work with the seasons. Leave the class with a beautiful centerpiece, plus know how to create more arrangements at home.

Watercolor Painting: Exploring Geometric Shapes and Patterns
Thursday, October 6, 2016
$35

Learn how to create beautiful watercolor paintings featuring geometric patterns and shapes taught by local illustrator and graphic designer Liz Conley.

Introduction to Embroidery
Thursday, October 27, 2016
6pm-7:30pm
$60

Needlework artist Lisa Anderson Shaffer of Zelma Rose will give you an introduction to the basics of embroidery. In this class, you will create a stylish home decor sampler hoop on gorgeous Minted fabric.

These are the classes so far listed for September and October. I'll update you on more of the offerings for the rest of fall and winter when I find out. There will most likely be a Halloween event in the shop for kids and family photo shoots for holiday cards.

Here are more photos around the Minted pop-up:

Book Review & Giveaway: I am Albert Einstein + DIY Compass Project

I am Albert Einstein (Ordinary People Change the World)
By Brad Meltzer, Illustrated by Christoper Eliopoulos
Published by: Dial Books
ISBN-10: 0803740840
Age Range: 5-8 years old
$9.82 on Amazon

The Ordinary People Change the World series is just an amazing way to introduce and inspire kids that each and every famous person out there, started just like them -- as a child full of wonder and curiosity. I Am Albert Einstein by Brad Meltzer brings to life the world of the famous physicist and Nobel Prize Winner, Albert Einstein. We all know that Einstein was one of the greatest minds of the scientific world and it's a daunting subject to bring to kids. Meltzer does an amazing job at bringing Einstein to a relatable and comedic level to kids, helping them understand Einstein as both a boy and man, while also introducing kids to his most famous theories. The comic book style and illustrations of Christopher Eliopoulos really make the story pop and it's easy to read for my 7 year old. My daughter is very curious as are most kids her age. This book starts the seed that being curious can help you in doing your own experiments and the process of scientific inquiry.

Here's a fun science project you can make with your kids, inspired by little Albert Einstein.

How To Make Your Own Compass

When Einstein was five, his father gave him a compass when he was sick. He was always intrigued at how the needle always pointed north. This started his first experience in scientific inquiry and his passion for physics.

This is a DIY great project to teach kids about magnetic forces and is a great introduction into physics.

Supplies:
1 Bowl
1 Metal Sewing Needle or Pin
1 Magnet
1 Water Bottle Cap or Cork
Water

Directions:

1. First, you will need to magnetize the needle so it will be able to point north. Rub the tip/top portion of the needle against the magnet for about 10-20 times. You must rub it in the same direction, not back and forth. If your magnet is stronger, you can rub it for less time.

2. If you are using cork, make sure an adult cuts it to size. It must be thick enough for the needle to run through it.

3. Put the needle in the cork or glue it onto the water bottle cap. Make sure the same amount of length of the needle is pointing out of the cork or the water bottle cap.

4. Fill the bowl with water.

5. Place your compass needle inside the bowl. The needle should start to move and point North.

6. You can double check the direction by using a real compass or use a map or free compass app on a mobile phone or tablet.

7. If the needle doesn't move, re-magnetize the needle. Then repeat steps 4-5 again.

The magnetized needle is now aligning itself with the Earth's natural magnetic field! For me, the compass was pointing towards my window. I had a compass app on my phone, which also pointed toward the window. You can mark an "N" on the cork to designate the north direction.

There's an amazing giveaway happening now with Penguin Kids. Enter the Rafflecopter below to win all 8 books from the Ordinary People Change the World series. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review book provided by Penguin Kids.

Book Review: More Creative Lettering by Jenny Doh

More Creative Lettering
By Jenny Doh
Published by Lark Crafts
ISBN-10: 1454708921
9.8 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
$11.94 on Amazon

As a mom, I'm making it a goal of mine to make time to creatively enrich myself. Enter in this beautiful and inspirational book, More Creative Lettering by Jenny Doh. This is a follow up to Doh's first book, Creative Lettering. I knew Doh from my days as a craft editor and I've been following her inspirational photos on Instagram for the last few years. In this book, Doh and 15 contributors who are leaders in the craft and art world, share beautiful handwritten letters and projects. Each contributor brings their own stories and tips which makes this book an inspiration to read.

What I love the most about this book is that you can start right away with just a pen and paper to get yourself practicing your lettering. I recently purchased a small spiral bound sketch book so I could just practice my doodles and my lettering techniques. Chloe's been loving what I am doing with little notes I write her that she's been inspired to add fun lettering when she's drawing pictures, cards and doing her crafts. I can't wait to try some of the lettering projects for cards and gifts this holiday season. I'm looking forward to making more time for creative pursuits.

Here's a glimpse at some of my favorite projects from the book:

Donut letters by one of my favorite artists, Lisa Congdon. How cute is this?!

I love this clever box decor by April Nemeth. Cute idea for birthday gifts!

Alexandra Snowdon show you how to make this Milk and Tea Sugars Mug

Review book was provided by Lark Crafts.

Book Review: My Leaf Book by Monica Wellington

My Leaf Book
Written and Illustrated By Monica Wellington
Published by Dial Books
ISBN-10: 0803741413
8.9 x 0.3 x 11.3 inches
Age: 3-5 years
$12.90 on Amazon

A great way to look forward to Fall is Monica Wellington's new book, My Leaf Book. Kids will love to collect the falling leaves using Wellington's book as a guide. The book includes a comprehensive list of leaves and trees showing kids the various leaf shapes and silhouettes so kids can easily identify them. I particularly love the inclusion of ginkgo leaves as we have two ginkgo trees in our neighborhood. It's one of Chloe's favorites and she was excited to spot them right away in this book!

Wellington does a great job at showing kids familiar shapes such as stars, hearts and mittens and uses these shapes to map them to how actual leaves are. The illustrations are really colorful and fun, inviting kids to make their own leaf book. She includes at the end of the book project ideas for how kids can stamp, paint and color photocopy leaves to use them in projects. Chloe's already excited to start her own leaf book and it will make our walks with the dog so much more fun.

Related:
Crêpes By Suzette The Book is Now an App

Review book provided by publisher.