Posted on

50 Summer Crafts for Kids

summer-crafts

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.

Posted on

Green Cleaning

make-it-monday

kitchen-cleaner

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.

Posted on

Etsy Finds Friday

6-19-09

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.

Posted on

Sidewalk Chalk Stars

chalk-stars-largerchalk-stars1-larger

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.

Posted on

Father’s Day Crafts

fathersdayshirtcard

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.