Quick Crafty Round-Up

Cranes for Kids (make a paper crane and OshKosh will donate an item of clothing to a child in Japan).

Passover Craft Placards from Creative Jewish Mom.

Kellie from Ricebabies makes paper masks for Whip Up.

Bead and Pin Basket from Design Sponge.

Bias Tape Bunny Ears from Country Living.

Masking Tape Mini-Quilt from The Purl Bee.

Zig-Zag Skirt from Melissa Mortenson for Moda Bakeshop.

Felted Finger Puppets from Marcie of Mossy, guest post for Whip Up.

Toy-let Box

Don’t toss out that old toilet seat, turn it into a toy box! With a few simple supplies, you’ll have a nearly new toy box that the kids will love! This project can be made with any box you have around the house and it’s also great to take on those long road trips when you can’t find a rest stop.

Supplies:

  • toilet seat
  • toys
  • box
  • industrial strength glue
  • chainsaw

Step 1: Using the chainsaw, carefully remove the toilet seat from its base.

Step 2: Clean the toilet seat with a mixture of formaldehyde and iodine spread evenly onto a catcher’s mitt. Allow the mixture to set for a few moments, then gently lick it off.

Step 3: Glue the seat to a box and let the kids stuff with their favorite toys!

Note: This is an April Fool’s Day joke. My daughters came home from school today and the younger one cried because she thought I had made a real toy box, despite the fact that I said it was for April Fool’s Day. Then my older daughter sat right down on it, laughed and said “It’s a toy-let box”. Why didn’t I think of that? She’s a clever girl.

50 Spring Crafts

Spring is here! If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll know that I was debating the next step for this site. Good news! I’ve hired an intern who will be helping me. Her name is Gigi and she’s helped me put together this round-up of crafts! I think she did an excellent job finding great projects for you. So, thanks to Gigi, here are 50 projects to get you ready for warm weather and sunny days ahead.

Easter
Bunny Bowling (my project for Etsy’s The Storque.)
Paper Bag Bird’s Nest from Alpha Mom.
Peeps Bunting from Dana for V & Co.
Chocolate Surprise Eggs from Not Martha.
Easter Egg Diorama Music Box from Matsutake.
Grow Your Own Easter Grass from Zakka Life.
Crocheted Flower Cards from Floral Showers Crafts.
Fabric Easter Basket from Vanessa for Moda Bake Shop.
Felted Egg from WoolPets.
Pressed Plants from The Crafts Dept.
Easter Basket idea from Oliver + S (adapted pattern).
Fuzzy Easter Chicks and Mini-eggs from The Purl Bee.
Sparrow’s Nest from The Purl Bee.
Bunny Finger Puppets from The Purl Bee.
Clothing & Accessories
Spring Hoodie from The Purl Bee.
Popsicle Ruffle Top from Living with Punks.
April Showers Scarf from The Purl Bee.
Bicycle Bucket from Noodlehead.
Honeycomb Smocking from Craftastical.
Petticoat from Alissa Burke.
Playful Pinwheels from Paper n Stitch.
Leaves and Branch Brooch from Maya Made.
Girls Spring Mini-Tote from Betz White.
Handkerchief Mother’s Day Card from Khali for Bloesem Kids.
Deer Button Brooch from Cut Out and Keep.
Spring Ruffle Top from Made by Rae for Sew, Mama, Sew!
Rose Petal Tee from Kayte Terry for Etsy How-Tuesday.
Quilted Garden Tote from Alissa for Sew, Mama, Sew!
Bamboo Handled Purse from Little Birdie Secrets.
String Thing summer hat from Jezze Prints.
Smocked Sundress from Heather Ross for Martha Stewart.
For the Home
Bird Feeder from Design Sponge.
Wind Sock from Daisy Janie.
Child’s Tent from Meg for Sew, Mama, Sew!
Birdie Pattern from Scandinavian Stitches for Sew, Mama, Sew!
Ruffle Garland from Kojo Designs.
Toadstool from Tao of Craft.
Pinwheel Garland from Simple Crafter.
Flowers & Gardening
Poppy Boutonniere from Grosgrain.
Tattered Flowers from Sew4Home.
Paper Seed Pots from Pickles.
Seeded Paper Pouches from Design Sponge.
Chalkboard Planting Pots from Design Sponge.
Plantable Paper from Alpha Mom.
Paper Daffodils from Alpha Mom.
Pom-Pom Branches from The Crafts Dept.
Garden Markers from Bunny Tales.
Scrap Cards from mmmcrafts.
Wallflowers from Dana of Made.
Flower Pinwheel from Heather Bailey.

Action Pack

Check out this new mini-mag full of kids’ crafts from author and blogger Kathreen Ricketson of Whip Up. Action Pack is an easy, downloadable magazine to keep the kids busy. With over 20 pages of craft projects, outdoor activities, cooking, drawing and more, this really is an action-packed gem.

The magazine features project ideas focused on paper and beeswax. The kids can make waterproof origami boats, beeswax candles and lip balm with printable labels, plus learn to draw bees and bake a cake. What I like most about this mini-mag is the learning aspect of it. With science experiments, fun facts and creativity, the kids can stay busy while learning something new in a hands-on way. As Kathreen says:

We see kids as competent, creative and capable people. We believe that our kids are resourceful and clever and we try to enable them to develop their independence and creative minds within a secure and nurturing environment.

We see learning opportunities everywhere. Learning should and can be fun. But we also know that parents are busy and cannot realistically be spending all weekend ‘playing’ with their kids. We want kids to get off the couch, away from the computer and learn the value and fun in making and doing stuff.

Thanks to Kathreen for providing me with a copy of the magazine. I can’t wait to try it out with the kids soon! You can download your copy here for $5.

Kid Coins

Take a look at my post over on Alpha Mom to see how we made these “kid coins” from shrinky dinks. You know, everybody needs a Presidents’ Day craft, right?