Star Light, Star Bright

We had great fun today making this quick but pretty craft ~ a whole host of colorful stars to adorn our wintertime windows!

Materials:

• construction paper
• brightly colored tissue paper
• something round to trace
• star-shaped punch *or* star-shaped template
• scissors
• regular tape, double sided tape

This project came to me this morning as I was rooting around in some old craft bins downstairs. Amongst some old scrapbooking supplies I found a star-shaped punch and immediately thought of Earlybird's fascination with astronomy. I also thought about the darkness of winter and how the night sky brings us such beauty and sparkle throughout the bitter cold months. Starry windows would be a lovely Christmas decoration - one that would carry us throughout the whole winter season!

And armed with a few basic supplies, we set out to make our colorful window stars ...

First, we traced and cut out many circles of construction paper (25 in all). For this, I just traced around the bottom of a milk glass. Next, we used the star-shaped punch to create an open star shape in the center of the circle. I did this part myself as the punch is very sharp. (If you do not have a punch, you might trace a star shape onto some thick cardstock, tagboard or cardboard and cut it out to use as a template. When cutting the shape out of the paper in this way, a craft knife works especially well.)

In advance, I had cut up some small squares of tissue paper. From that pile we would choose a color and tape it onto the back of the circle (so that the tissue showed through the star opening). Finally we stuck two small pieces of double sided tape on the back and then pressed the stars into our windows - filling many panes with starlight to shine the whole winter long:

And since no crafting day is complete without a plate of goodies, I made up some "Autumn Star" cookies as a finale. (Shhh - these are Pilsbury slice-and-bake! I need - and would love - a good gingerbread recipe! Let me know if you have one!) We cut the cookie dough with a large star-shaped cutter and then used up the scraps by making tiny autumn leaf shapes. We placed the leaves on the star cookies before baking and I think the effect was awfully pretty:

These last few days of autumn, it's nice to remember the beauty of nature all around us, because whatever the season, there is something to ponder. Stars, leaves, light, dark, warmth, cold - all of earth's elements are blessings to behold and enjoy.

Comments

[Jennifer]

Those stars are gorgeous. I was just thinking of doing something like that. Thanks for the inspiration (and directions!)

[Meredith]

Beautiful, the stars are fantastic, and Speculaas cookies are amazing, we like them even better than gingerbread. I'm posting soon!!

[dayspringdawning]

Hi. I just love your sight..it is so inspiring. Kraft or nestle had a ginerbread recipe with butterscotch pudding in the mix. They were delicious and not so overbearing for the children. You may have to google the recipe. sorry!

[Katherine in TX]

Dawn, I have a wonderful gingerbread recipe. The homeroom mom of my kindergarten class always brought homemade gingerbread cookies during the winter. Her mother was from Germany and it was her original recipe. I'll email it to you.
You're cookies are beautiful!

[Helen (Mary Vitamin)]

Dear Dawn,
Is it possible for you to come over to my house and bring your energy and crafts? Oh.. and please don't forget the COOKIES!
Love,
Helen

[Katherine in TX]

Here's the recipe, Dawn. I hope you like it.
http://livingeducation.typepad.com/a_living_education/2006/11/the_best_ginger.html

[Margaret in Minnesota]

Oh Honey, you are so sweet to think of (and get around to doing) all of these things! Your boys are so blessed in you.

I agree with Helen. You can come over to do cookies & crafts with our family ANY time.

PS. Your windows look just beautiful with all of those stars!

[Jennifer]

Lovely, Dawn, absolutely lovely!

[Susan Thomsen]

Dawn, you really are bringing some wonderful Martha-ness to us bloggers. Your site is so lovely and positive and uplifting. I visit almost every day for the remarkable work you do here. I think my Junior, age 7, will love making some decorations like this, especially if I get a star hole punch! He has already asked for a sewing machine for Christmas. There is nothing like a good machine, even if it's a simple one like a hole punch!

[Beck]

I have a very good gingerbread recipe - I'll track it down and email it to you later.
And those stars are LOVELY! Just so beautiful!

[Beck]

Oops! You don't have an email address posted. If you want a good gingerbread recipe, you can email me. :)

[Theresa]

I really like the stars. Very pretty.

[Sharron]

I love your blog!! I have used two of your ideas today. The candles in the windowsill of the kitchen and the papercraft today. We did ours a little different though. I only had a snowflake punch so we used that and hung them from strings in the window and taped some on also. It looks really great. We just moved in 6 weeks ago so I needed some easy ideas.

I have a question. We have just moved to the country from the city and I was very excited to put our bird feeders out, thinking we would get more and more of a variety, but except for two sightings of a yellow finch that has been it, and nothing for about 2 weeks. There is a cat that sort of came with the house that lives outside (under the house, I think) could that be the reason the birds aren't coming to the feeders? I already tied a red ribbon to the post and that hasn't helped. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Dawn]

Thanks, everyone!

Stacy, I would say two things about the birds. First, it can take weeks for birds to adjust to new feeders. If the previous owners did not put out seed, then there may be few birds in your "territory." Don't worry - they'll "sniff" it out soon enough.

As far as the cat, would you be able to slip a collar with a bell onto him (or her)? I believe there are stretchy ones that are safer for the cat. (Mine are indoor cats so we don't do collars.) The bell would warn the birds when he or she is getting close.

[Gwen]

My goodness Dawn, those stars in the window are stunning. And you have beautiful windows too. Thanks for another great idea(see this is why I have no time to read all the blogs; you all put up way too much great stuff to do!).

[Cay in La.]

HOW did I miss those stars???
They're beautiful. A definite "must-do".
Thanks, Dawn. :)

[Theresa ♥]

How did I miss this post? I thought I had been all through your archives already. :o) Just looking for some winter ideas to do with the kiddo's. The stars are so pretty in the window.