Free pattern: Preschool art smock
Art is messy, espeically when made by young hands. But don’t let that stop you from letting them do their art! Christina from The DIY Mommy shares a free pattern to make an art smock … Read More...
Don’t you want to head on down the lazy river with this cute little girl? This fun summer slider card was made with stamps and dies from My Favorite Things. Swim on over to their blog where Stephanie Klauck has … Read More...
Tutorial: Sew an awesome rope tote
You can sew an amazing rope tote like this one on your sewing machine! Petro from Creative Homemaking shares a tutorial showing how to do it. It would make an awesome pool bag or … Read More...
Knitting backwards sounds like a cool trick, but it’s more than that. It can actually be quite useful when working entrelac or short rows or even just narrow rows of knitting where you don’t want to have to take the … Read More...
Americans are celebrating their independence with a long weekend this weekend, and it’s a perfect time to start a new cross-stitch project in red, white and blue.
This Star-Spangled Happiness Chart from Stitching the Night Away is a great choice … Read More...
photo credit: The Charming Detroiter
“Put the lime in the coconut….” Sorry! The geek in me always starts singing that song every time I see or hear lime and coconut in the same sentence. Those two flavors do pair well … Read More...
Tutorial: No-sew American flag table runner
Amy from The Idea Room shows how you can make this American flag table runner – with no sewing required. The design looks like a stitched flag, but it’s made with paint and stencil. … Read More...
photo credit: Velvet and Hail
Berries and watermelon are my two favorite fruit items to eat during the summer months. Sometimes, we get more watermelon than we handle and I feel awful having to waste it. Luckily, Velvet and Hail … Read More...
Organization is well and good, but packing things up in plastic baggies or plastic containers from your favorite big box store isn’t the way to go. You need to make your own magic with some sweet handmade boxes. None of these boxes are big enough to hold your winter boots, but they will definitely help you organize all of your most treasured little things – jewelry, rocks, mementos from your kiddos.
So whether you’re looking for a popsicle theme or a camera box full of inspiration, we’ve got something for you. Origami boxes are included too – they’ve got to be the fastest way to make a pretty box. Plus, they’re perfect for gift giving!
Wood Centerpiece
Tutorial via Tell Love and Party
Here’s a wood project for those of us who don’t want to pull out the power tools. Hot glue and paint make this project fast and beautiful.
Matchbook Camera
Tutorial via Magical Daydream
This sweet little camera is filled with photo prompt ideas. The perfect “Mom, I’m Bored” antidote for summer vacation!
Origami Boxes
Tutorial via Gathering Beauty
Step by step instructions make these boxes easy to understand, and with so many scrapbook paper options out there, your designs choices are practically endless.
Matchbox Suitcases
Tutorial via Craftster
These detailed boxes are pretty much adorable. They would be perfect for dollhouses – and sitting as a surprise outside my daughter’s fairy door!
Accordion Box Organizers
Tutorial via Crafting Geek
Make these organizers as short or long as you want with the quick folding instructions. They’re in Spanish, but the video makes it pretty clear what you need to do!
Pictured at the top of this post: Popsicle Favor Boxes, tutorial via Oh Happy Day.
photo credit: Strawberry Blonde Kitchen
What a beautiful dessert to show off those lovely berries of the summer. This dessert is so easy to make and yet works for a backyard barbecue or an elegant party. It’s all in how … Read More...
The photograph doesn’t do this pattern any justice. It’s adorable and of course it’s totally practical. You can grab the free pattern over at Aokcorral.com. This would make a cute hair band holder for my daughter whose bedroom is … Read More...
Where to find swimwear fabric & supplies online
The hardest part of sewing swimwear is just sourcing your supplies. You can probably buy some of it locally, but you’ll probably need to check online sources to find everything you … Read More...
I am definitely making these for my next summertime party. OK actually I am going to make the first one probably halfway through the first party after my guests have had their first beer. I will have a handful of … Read More...
photo credit: Fruetcake
It is almost the 4th of July and You want to bake and cook spectacular items for the holiday barbecue, picnic or potluck, but don’t have the time. This seems to happen to me a lot. I’ve … Read More...
Tutorial: Frayed edge picnic blanket
The frayed edges of this picnic blanket gives it an aged and timeless charm. Roxanne from PenSeb & Rox shows how you can make one. She used an old tablecloth and some denim from her … Read More...
photo credit: The Whinery
Classic banana bread meets the donut shape. A great breakfast or even snack to enjoy with your coffee, tea or milk. We don’t have donuts often, but they are fun to enjoy on occasion. Elsa Brobbery … Read More...
What a fun alternative to a traditional Pinata. Pop this shirt on someone fit and fast and let the kids chase them down. I know a few dads who would love to be the live bait for this game. You … Read More...
If you are looking for an Easy project then this is the one to try. This pattern shows you how to use 2 oversized Granny squares and a few extra rows of stitches to make this adorable lace mess top. … Read More...
Decorate your home with one or more of these fun patriotic crafts just in time for the 4th of July! Angie from The Country Chic Cottage rounded up this great collection of Americana crafts to make this summer for your … Read More...
Celebrate the upcoming Fourth of July in the USA with this beautiful vintage firecracker woman image. It’s free to download from The Graphics Fairy, click here.
-Heather… Read More...
photo credit: Dessert with Benefits
As much as I would love to eat cinnamon rolls for breakfast everyday, it isn’t feasible or healthy. Now I can have the flavors, but healthier and will give me the energy boost I need … Read More...
It’s the travel season, and if you want to have a plan of attack for all your current and previous travel photos, check out this post from Carrie Owens.
She’s a photographer and sometimes scrapbooker, and she is embarking on … Read More...
Tutorial: Easy fringe neck detail for t-shirts and dresses
Oh, I am loving the fringe on these 4th of July dresses! Shauna from Shwin & Shwin shares a tutorial showing how to add that detail to a dress or t-shirt. … Read More...
Tutorial: Magical tooth fairy pillow
Cheryl from Sew Can Do shows how you can make a magical tooth fairy pillow. The pillow itself is a simple tooth shape with a pocket on the back. She used an embroidery machine to … Read More...
photo credit: Natural Comfort Kitchen
When I think of Grape Ape, I think of the cartoon. Apparently, there is a drink called the Grape Ape. Probably a good thing I didn’t know about that in my college days. Bring back … Read More...
photo credit: The Watering Mouth
Create these fun shot glasses for your drinks or the kids glasses of milk this 4th of July holiday evening. You and the kids can create these shot glasses together and they can use them … Read More...
Tutorial: Sewing sweater knits
Make a sweater in a day, without knitting or crocheting a stitch? Yes, you can do it with sweater knit fabric and a sewing machine. Sweater knit fabric is quite different from woven fabrics – and … Read More...
With all the fun ice cream flavors, you can’t serve it in a boring cone. I’m always looking for way for kids to play with their food, especially during the summer time. Nicole at Tikkido shows how you can water … Read More...
Tutorial: Cute apron with a flounce hem
Amber from Crazy Little Projects shows how you can sew a cute apron with a flounce ruffle at the hem. Her instructions give the dimensions to cut to make an adult size, but … Read More...
Congrats go out to Barb M. of Williamstown, VT as she is the winner of Make Your Own Zoo: 35 projects for kids using everyday cardboard packaging. Turn your recycling into a zoo!… Read More...
If you have a stash of plastic cups on hand for your 4th of July parting why not grab a few and make a wreath to decorate your front door. If they aren’t red, white, and blue I bet a … Read More...
photo credit: Pixelated Provisions
I’m not talking Sonic the restaurant here, this recipe is based off of Sonic the Hedgehog. Every once in a blue moon, I want a chili dog and sometimes with lots of cheese. Victoria at Pixelated … Read More...
I was never a fan of meringue until my mid-thirties. My Grandma would make beautiful pies with a towering heap of baked meringue, but most of my childhood I stayed as far away from it as possible, disappointed it wasn’t whipped cream.
When I started making meringue myself, however, I fell in love with it in all forms. Here is a fancy-yet-not-too-fancy version of it: a thick layer baked on top of chocolate chip cookie dough. Each bite is pure bliss.
Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Meringue Girls by Alex Hoffler and Stacey O’Gorman.
photo credit: Petite Party Studio
Here is a healthier way to enjoy the red, white, and blue popsicles. To this day, the kids still enjoy the rocket pops with their patriotic colors, but as parents we want them to eat … Read More...
Most kids I know like to build with blocks, but you can turn that basic play into a lesson in science and engineering with these awesome printable building challenge cards from PickleBums.
The idea is to set out a challenge … Read More...
Tutorial: Pool tote bag
Holly from Bits of Everything shows how you can make a pool bag to carry your towels and sunscreen and other pool necessities. The bag has a roomy inside, and also pockets all the way around … Read More...
Yeah, I know, it’s not really fall, but the First Fall issue of Knitty was just released, and it’s big news because the online knitting magazine now has a responsive layout, meaning it automatically resizes whether you’re looking at the … Read More...
photo credit: Savory Tooth
What to do with the leftover potatoes from dinner? Make this spicy potato hash for breakfast. Julia at Savory Tooth creates this for her dinner meals. I’m good with breakfast for dinner too. This would be … Read More...
Exciting news: Lisa Frank has designed an adult coloring book!
Let’s all gear up in our overalls, grab our gel pens and pretend like it is the 90’s again, okay? As a child of the 90’s I am ridiculously excited … Read More...
Hop on over to the Ranger Ink site for a cool project tutorial from Tim Holtz. He’ll show you how to get amazing results using his brand new YUPO cardstock, it’s a “paper” that’s made just for mixed media techniques … Read More...
Minimal fabric commitment, yup. Pam of Threading My Way shares on her blog how she made this lap quilt from worn men’s shirts. I’m with her, when you pull batting, binding and backing fabric from your stash, it’s free, making … Read More...
Make a double-sided pocket page for your planner or scrapbook by following this tutorial at Simple Stories.
This clever construction by Leah uses patterned paper for the base, and two 4×6 cards to form the pockets.
A really great way … Read More...
Today my daughter graduated high school so of course I had a grad related polymer clay tutorial picked for the event.
Well, sort of clay. Like a lot of clever ideas for clay, this one uses fondant but would work … Read More...
