DIY I Have A Dream Catcher

As we roll into the long weekend (and yet another day off from school), I want to give gratitude to the man who had a dream.  This DIY "I have a Dream Catcher" is dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King Junior. 

I've been a dreamer all my life.  When I was little, I would cuddle on the couch with my blanket, sucking my thumb.  I would daydream about cartoon characters, picturing us as best friends in the real world.  When I became a teenager, I would dream about playing field hockey at a college level. And so on... In this world, I've noticed that we have dream catchers (like myself) and dream crushers (like my husband.. just kidding).  Now to be fair, a dream-crusher isn't a villain; however, they do take a different approach to life.  They still have dreams, but they keep things in perspective and think more logically.  I'm always throwing out ideas, but my husband, he'll ask the important questions: Did you calculate your costs?  How will you cover rent?  Who will manufacture it?  He tells me to keep my dreams, but to write them down in a book, then think about the process and the steps to get there.  Some ideas are a complete flop, but for others, he does have my back.  He's always in favor of me challenging myself, being creative, and become a better version of myself.  Muchas gracias, Mr. Robot (a loving nickname for him, based on his emotions). On January 15th we celebrate and remember a remarkable man.  I can't help but wonder, if Dr. Martin Luther King Jr wasn't a dreamer, how different would life be?  He was living in social injustice, and in his mind and heart, he knew he had to make a change.  I can picture his dream catcher looking like this: "One day right there in Alabama little black boys and little black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers" and "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character" and finally "Now is the time to lift our nation from quicksands of racial injustice to solid rock of brotherhood."

I want my girls to understand the depth of this and know how hard so many people fought, just to be treated equally.  Life can be cruel, but love always prevails.

Here's a great way to remind your children to always dream with this DIY "I Have A Dream Catcher".

DIY Dream Catcher

Things you'll need:

- Wire string - 10 mm wooden beads - Ribbon (can be different widths) - Lace Doilies (3.5 inches) - Tassels - Clear String

-Scissors

-Marker First, you'll measure the wire string around the circumference of your lace doily.  Then you'll string approximately 44 beads along the wire. Stringing the beads is an excellent way to practice counting and fine motor skills for little ones.  Once you are finished, bend the wire into a circle.  Next, cut several pieces of ribbon and hang them from the bottom of the circle.  For the younger ones, you may need to assist them depending on their skill level. Both my 8 and 5-year-old needed help.  To further decorate our dream catcher, we used clear string and attached tassels.  It was a beautiful touch that gave them some more texture. 

Then, I asked my hapa girls to tell me three dreams or wishes they have.  I should mention that before we started, we read a book about MLK.  It was a great way to kick off the craft with both history and inspiration.  We wrote down the three dreams they have for themselves on the lace doily.  We then used ribbon to attach it the beaded circle.  Finally, using some wire string, we attached a little hook on top.  This dream catcher is bohemian, sweet, and dreamy in all the right places. Hopping off...

** Hat tip to Turk for the clever phrase "dreamcrusher"** "I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment.  I still have a dream."

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