Dedicated to our Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda

Dedicated to our Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda

Hari OM!

This blog is designed to serve as a library of art and craft ideas for our balavihar children. We hope that you will find this site useful. Please feel free to use any (or all) of the projects you see posted here. We ask, however, that you refrain from publishing (in any form) these templates, instructions, and photographs, unless you receive written permission. These projects are being provided for your own personal use or use in the Balavihar classroom.


All art projects are categorized by 1) material, 2) use, and 3) type. For example a Diya greeting card would be under the labels "Paper" and "Cards," while a Lord Hanumaan puppet would be found under "Paper," "Toys and Puppets" and "Gods and Goddesses." Most materials for these projects can easily be purchased from any local craft store — and some projects involve materials you already have laying around the house.


We would love to hear your suggestions and ideas about any of the information you find on this site. And, if you have any projects that you would like to share with other seviks/sevikas, please send a picture of the finished piece, as well as instructions on how to make the project – so we can post it.


Happy Creating!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Lotus Mandala



This Lotus Mandala was designed for creative likhita japa. With the first image, the child can write their mantra tracing the lines and then color it in with crayons — or better yet, design and color it with likhita japa! (The second image was drawn with ऊँ and OM.) 

For a finishing touch — don't forget to add sequins and gems for decorations.

This lotus is abstract enough that it can also be used as a Sun.

Another idea for an art project, is to print this on card stock paper. Once the lotus is completely decorated and colored in, cut around the circle and glue onto a greeting card. Make sure you reduce the image to your desired size before printing.

Tip: If you want the outlines to be extremely faded, just adjust the lightness on your printer and then print.






Monday, August 30, 2010

Ganesha Mandala

This page was designed for creative likhita japa. With the first image, the child can write their mantra tracing the lines and then color it in with crayons — or better yet, color with likhita japa! (The second image was drawn with ऊँ गं गणपतये नमो नमः OM gam gaNapataye namo namaH.)

For a finishing touch — don't forget to add sequins and gems for decorations.

Another idea for an art project, is to print this on card stock paper. Once Lord Ganesha is completely decorated and colored in, cut around the circle and glue onto a greeting card. Make sure you reduce the image to your desired size before printing.

Tip: If you want the outlines to be extremely faded, just adjust the lightness on your printer and then print. 

To print the page below, click on the image and then print.


Likhita Japa Mandala (2)

This is an outline for making a creative likhita japa mandala. The child can write around the mandala or make abstract designs inside the boundary — whatever they choose! Color pens are more fun and promote creativity with younger children, so we recommend having at least 4 or 5 different colors available.

Have fun!!

For some pattern ideas go to the label "Lihita Japa" (on the right side of this page.)

To print the mandala outline below, click on the image and then print.


Likhita Japa Mandala 1

This is an outline for making a creative likhita japa mandala. The child can write around the mandala or make abstract designs inside the boundary — whatever they choose! Color pens are more fun and promote creativity with younger children, so we recommend having at least 4 or 5 different colors available.

Have fun!!

For some pattern ideas go to the label "Lihita Japa" (on the right side of this page.)

To print the mandala outline click on the image and then print.

Rangoli (Drawn in OM)

The Rangoli pattern was created with likhita japa (ऊँ and OM). This page is for children to practice their creative likhita japa with. If the child is going to write in colors, it is suggested that they have at least 4 colors to start with. For black and white likhita japa, we suggest having different sized Black pen widths available to create tones.

Another idea for an art project, is to print this on card stock paper. Once the Rangoli is completely decorated and colored in, cut around the pattern and glue onto a greeting card. Make sure you reduce the image to your desired size before printing.

Materials
• Writing pens in different colors (or black) and sizes. (005, 01, 03 and 05 are recommended sizes to begin with. Most of these pens can be found in a good quality stationary or art store. We use Prisma Color, Staedler and Sakura brands.)

The colored image below was done with Prisma Color pens (size 005).

For ideas on different pattern techniques, visit the label "Likhita Japa" (on the right side of this page.)

 To print the page below: Click on the image and print.

Diya (Drawn in OM)

This diya coloring page was created by OM likhita japa. This is a perfect page for young ones to practice their creative likhita japa with. They can color and decorate this page by writing ऊँ in many different colors and sizes — or they can just plain color.

Another idea for an art project, is to print this on card stock paper. Once the diya is completely decorated and colored in, cut around the circle and glue onto a greeting card. Make sure you reduce the image to your desired size before printing.

Materials:
Colored writing pens in different nib widths. (Ultra Fine, Fine, and regular are good sizes to begin with.)

To Print the page below. Click on the image and print.