Feeling Crafty...

I'm feeling a bit crafty this summer. Also feeling a bit 1950s. But there are so many fun projects with kids in mind...and a whole new resurgence of 'homemade' for my generation. I've been reading Amanda Soule's books The Creative Family and A Homemade Home and looking through the Sew Liberated website (yet to get the book) and a variety of blogs. I just finished reading Molly Wizenberg's A Homemade Life and now routinely check out her blog, Orangette. Molly's favorite past-times are to string beads, paint rocks, and garden. We have a summer program with the Art Beast Studio. As I write I hear Molly tell her dad in the background (they are beading) that "Girls are crafty." To which he replied that boys are too. And now a conversation ensues about how so many people are crafty...

I thought I would share a few projects I was thinking about doing this summer.

Sew Liberated has a free downloadable pattern for a Child's Apron. Molly plays kitchen quite a bit but also loves ART. I'm thinking of making an Art apron for her from this pattern.

Also from Sew Liberated, here is a recipe for No-Cook Playdough:

4 tablespoons of white flour
2 tablespoons of salt
1 dropper-full of vegetable oil
2 tablespoons of water

Add the dry ingredients in a bowl. If you want to add a few drops of food coloring, make sure to add it to the water, otherwise it will be difficult to get a uniform color. Little by little, add the water. At first, stir with a spoon - once all of the water is added, start smooshing the mixture with your hands until it reaches the desired consistency. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge when not in use. Most likely, it will end up drying out after a day or two of heavy use.

I found a couple of patterns on Etsy for an art caddy and an art folio ($6 each) that I thought would be perfect for Molly's art themed birthday party.




Click here for the Art Folio pattern.

Click here for the Art Caddy Pattern.

A bit ambitious for a non-sewing gal. But it all looks so fun! And I have a mom who is sew extraordinaire! I remember when I was about 7 years old she was the sewing leader of my 4-H group. She tried (and tried) to teach me to sew. I had other plans. It is amazing how things can come full circle.

Now, some thirty years later, I am finally ready to sit still and learn.