I know, it seems like I’ve forgotten about the summer reading crafts, but here’s a project!

Eric Carle naturally comes to mind when thinking about children’s book illustration, so we decided to make these firefly lanterns based on The Very Lonely Firefly, the story of a firefly in search of friends.  You can learn more about Eric Carle’s process here.  I modified the process to make it simpler for the kids.  This is a two-step project because your tissue paper will need time to dry before you make the collage.  And you’ll want to work on a surface that is easy to clean.  Here’s how we made our firefly lanterns:

Supplies:

• recycled glass jar
• plain tissue paper
• paints (we used kid’s poster paints)
• brushes
• decoupage glue (mod podge)

1.  First, cut the tissue paper into small squares to make it easier to handle.  Then have kids paint the tissue paper.  To achieve the multi-layered effect of Carle’s work, I encouraged my kids to use several colors on their brush.

2.  When the kids finish a square, an adult can gently peel the paper from the surface since it tears easily.
3.  Set aside and allow the tissue paper to dry.

4.  Once the tissue paper is dry, cut it into shapes to make a firefly or anything else you can imagine.
5.  Coat the front of the glass jar with mod podge and apply the tissue paper shapes.

6.  Add another coat of glue on top to seal it.
7.  Light a candle and watch your fireflies glow.  Careful: hot glass!

Here are some quick and easy printable pinwheel cupcake toppers to celebrate the Fourth of July.  They really spin!  These are made with straight pins, but if you are having a party with small children I’d advise you to glue them down or use small paper clips (similar to these).  The design is 3″ x 3″, so perfect for cupcake toppers or for party favors.

Supplies:

• white card stock
• small straight pins with glass heads
• hammer
• lollipop sticks
• glue (optional)

Click on images below for templates:

1.  Using card stock, print the blue grid on one side then flip the page over and print the red dots.

2.  Cut a small slit at a 45 degree angle at each corner like this:

3.  Carefully poke a hole in the top of the lollipop stick with a straight pin.

4.  Fold down every other corner of your pinwheel and hold it in place in the center.

5.  Poke a straight pin through the center, being sure to catch all the corners.

6.  Gently tap with the hammer until it is secure, but the pin isn’t going all the way through the lollipop stick.

7.  Glue in place, if you’d like.

If you make these, we’d love to see your photos in the Make it Monday Flickr group here.

Recycled Magazine Coasters from How About Orange.

Quick Braided Headband from Heart of Light (link via Cucumbersome).

Elegant Parchment Flowers video from Jeffery Ruddell for Etsy’s How-Tuesday.

Free Printable Polka Dot Paper from Creature Comforts.

Mouse Softies “Jofus and Lally” from RicRac.

Fourth of July Baby Sunhat from The Purl Bee.

Fourth of July Party Poppers from Brenda Ponnay for Alpha Mom.

How to Make Silver Goblet Votives from Sunset (link via Craft Stew).

Nesting Boxes from Oh, Fransson! for Sew, Mama, Sew!

Printable 3-D tree card, $6 from GoMakeMe.

Lovebirdies Vase, $38 from Red Hot Pottery.

English Rose Ruffle Top, $74 from Lirola.

Michael Jackson T-shirt, $23.99 from Baostudio.

Summer in Marrakech Purse, $60 from Jennifer Ladd.

Leaf Print Coasters, set of 4 for $10 from Merit Market.

Veggie Print (detail), $12 from Stockton and Co.

Aqua Moss Bud Explosion Recycled Felt Pillow, $79 from Alexandra Ferguson.

Summer Gemstones Stacking Rings, $58 from Kira Ferrer.

Oooh, about to drip!  I’m not very good at photographing food, but I’m good at eating it.

We’re all about summer food at our house, so it was time to break out the ice cream maker.  I used this recipe for cinnamon ice cream and it was really, really delicious.  Now —  it has two teaspoons of cinnamon, so it is quite flavorful but even my kids liked it.  I think it would be excellent with a blueberry or peach cobbler.  This recipe contains eggs which I was skeptical about using for ice cream,  but I think it made it thicker and creamier.  And we didn’t get salmonella, though my four-year-old did blow some cinnamon in her eyes which resulted in 15 minutes of crying followed by a nap.

Summer is here!  Keep your kids busy with these crafts and ideas:

50 Ways to Get Children to Love Reading from Read-Aloud.

OUTDOOR PROJECTS & NATURE CRAFTS

Tie Dyed t-shirts from Kaboose.

Bubble Mixture from Suite 101.

Sunprint Tutorial from The Light Garden.*

Seashell Garden from Urban Organica.

Hammered Flower and Leaf Prints from Build/Make/Craft/Bake.

Painted Rock Crafts from Martha Stewart.

Milk Carton Bird Feeder from Kaboose.

Make a Kite from Storm the Castle.

Paper Bag Wind Sock from Canadian Living.

Paper Boat that Floats from wikiHow.

Mosaic Bird Bath from The Seattle Times.

Footprint Garden Stepping Stones from Make Baby Stuff.

Sidewalk Chalk from Alpha Mom.

Sidewalk Chalk Paint from ohdeedoh.*

Grass Head Monster from Activity Village.

Stone Dolls from Maya Made.

How to Play Hopscotch from Quiet Fish.

Build a Fairy House from Light-Beams Publishing.

ARTS & CRAFTS

Homemade Playdough from The Long Thread.

Flower Pinwheels from Alpha Mom.*

Recycled Crayons from Make and Takes.

Fairy Wings from Threadbanger (see our kid version here).

Kaleidoscopes from Se7en.

Pressed Flower Art from Mom in Madison.

God’s Eyes summer camp yarn craft from Wise Craft.*

T-shirt weaving from Alpha Mom.*

Tissue Paper Butterflies from Marie for Design Mom.*

Make Your Own Fingerpaint from The Australian Women’s Weekly.

Clothespin Dolls at Going Sew Crazy.

Vacation Memory Jars from Martha Stewart.

Cardboard Dollhouse from Esprit Cabane.*

Scratch Foam Block Printing from Glitter Goods.

Dr. Seuss inspired ooblek (like gooey liquid playdough) with Skip to my Lou.

Watercolor Resist Painting from Bookhou Craft Projects BloesemKids.

Recycled Newspaper Beads from A Storybook Life.*

Tin Can Stilts from Kaboose.

Rain Sticks from Creative Kids at Home.

Party Poppers from Little Birdie Secrets.

Tension Rod Puppet Theater from Sycamore Stirrings.

Mexican Metal Tooling from Restoration Place.

Colorful Bean Bag Balls from Family Fun.

Canvas Checkerboard from Martha Stewart.

Friendship Bracelets from wikiHow.

Fabric Scrap Braided Necklace from cakies.

SUMMER EATS

Make ice cream in a coffee can from Homemade Ice Cream Makers.

Watermelon Carving Ideas from the National Watermelon Promotion Board.

10 Frozen Treats for Summer Family Fun.

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam from Soule Mama.

Raspberry Lemonade from Joy the Baker.*

*pictured above.

Another repeat today.  I thought I’d share some green cleaning ideas.  Last year I posted about this vinegar spray that works great for glass and stainless steel.  And you can also use vinegar as a weed killer — just pour it directly onto your weeds on a dry day.  My weeds were dead just hours later, but you must be careful not to get it near the plants you want to keep!

I don’t use the vinegar mixture to clean my counters anymore, but prefer to use a little Dr. Bronner’s castile soap mixed with water for kitchen counter tops, sinks and other solid surfaces.  I use baking soda to clean sinks, tubs and toilets.  I have not attempted natural laundry detergent because I’m afraid to aggravate my already temperamental front-loading washing machine, but I’d like to try.  You can save a lot of money on cleaners by going natural.

Nordic Blue Hares Gocco Print, $20 from Dee Beale.

Original Fabric Set of 6 Fat Quarters, $51 from Scarlet Fig.

Vintage Enamel Plates and Bowls, $12 from Rick Rack Vintage.

Handspun Merino Yarn, $42.50 from Hand-me-Downs.

Russian Nesting Dolls Sewing Tape, $5 for one yard from Mountain of the Dragon.

Girl’s Orange Pintuck Dress (detail of back collar), $32 from Delilah Crown.

Nani Iro Fabric, $10 for half yard from Matatabi.

Meyer Lemon Sandwich Sack, $7.50 from Waste Not Saks.

Petite Pod Felted Bowl, $26 each from Maidenhand.

Take a look at the sidewalk chalk we made over at Alpha Mom.  An easy project suitable for kids of all ages to celebrate Independence Day.  You can make chalk in any shape or color, so these would make great party favors.

UPDATE: I recommend that an adult mix the ingredients away from the kids.  As with any product recommended here, you should read the ingredients and follow all safety precautions on the label.

I think Father’s Day might be one of the toughest holidays for crafters.  So, what can you make for Dad or Granddad?  Photos are always a good idea.  I think we’re going to do a gift certificate along with a handmade gift from the kids.  Since my husband bought two boxes of 1000 popsicle sticks to make my Mother’s Day present with the kids, there’s a good chance that he’ll be getting a popsicle craft as well (for the next ten years).

Here are some other suggestions:

Origami Card from Cindy Hopper of Skip to My Lou for Alpha Mom (pictured above).

Father’s Day Cards Kids Can Make from The Crafty Crow.

Five Excellent DIY Father’s Day Gifts from Alpha Mom.

10 Quick & Easy Sewing Projects for Father’s Day from BurdaStyle.

Father’s Day Crafts for Kids to Make from One Pretty Thing.

Altoid Tin Toolbox from Brenda Ponnay of Secret Agent Josephine for Alpha Mom.

Paper Airplane Cards from Martha Stewart.

Sorry I’ve been out of touch for a bit.  Now I need a vacation from my vacation.

Here are my pinwheel quilted coasters from last summer.  Another re-run!  Click here for instructions.  I think these would be nice for a summer party or as a hostess gift.  Maybe you could make them much larger and turn them into square placemats.  You could have a pinwheel party and make these flower pinwheels too.

Vintage Doily Banner, $10 from Foley Designs.

Leafy Trees Japanese Fabric, $9 for 1/2 yard from Matatabi.

Spring Equinox Flats, $48 from Hydra Heart.

Jacks blue on white Japanese fabric, $8.50 for 1/2 yard (plus 20% off all cotton and linen/cotton blends through June 7) from This and That from Japan.

Beginners Kids Dresses and Tunics Japanese sewing book, $24 from PinkNelie.

Set of 3 House Buttons, $1.80 from Stefanie Style.

Measuring Tape Sewing Tape, $3.50 for one meter from myetsyshop.

Kids Casual Wear Japanese Sewing Book, $19 from mu:er.

Linen Country Check in Olive Green, $12.99 for one yard from Gogo Hand Made.