Great website!

I found a really awesome website, via this blog, for kids (and mommies) when boredom strikes. This is mostly for older kids, not toddlers. You can find it here.

Free downloadable folded paper animals.

Stitchery basics!

Sorry I have neglected the craft blog for a few days!  I have been spending a lot of my free computer time lately getting my Reading Blog going. So if you are a reader check it out!
Anyway this post is for all those out there who have never tried stitchery before or maybe it has been awhile and you don't quite remember how.  Unlike counted cross stitch where there is a lot of counting and messing up and picking out etc. etc. etc. Stitchery is very relaxing, calming and easy to do, but it looks and feels like you did something really amazing when you are done!

Stitchery is like drawing, tracing or writing on fabric, but with a needle and thread. The pioneer women taught their kids the alphabet with stitchery.  You can draw your own  patterns, purchase patterns online or at a craft store or I also like to find cute chunky coloring pages They make perfect stitchery patterns :-)

This letter A is an example of something fun to do in a small child's room or a nursery.  You could do the whole alphabet in cute frames that go all the way around the room. You can find these alphabet pics here.

You can use a light box to trace your picture on muslin fabric or you can be like me and you can use a window with good lighting shining through it to trace your pattern with light pencil onto your muslin fabric. Then you choose the embroidery floss you want to use.  Embroidery floss has 6 strands of thread.  I usually use two threads for my regular stitching, but I use less or more threads to create different looks to the stitchery.                                                                                                                                                                 Spotted Canary has a great tutorial on how to do the basic stitches. and 

The Stitching Cow blog also has a great tutorial and a cute free pattern to go with it!

Happy stitching!

July bugaboo book pick

As usual I am late getting a new book picked.   This month my sister Paula suggested one that I should post.

"The Giver"  by Lois Lowery.  I read this book a few years ago and it was interesting, but I also finished it very frustrated so I was not sure about choosing this book, but she made me aware that there are two other books in the series that pull everything together in the story." Finding Blue" and "The Messenger" I have decided I would take her word for it and read the other books.  So my challenge to you is to read all three If you can.
I am also starting a new blog for book lovers and amateur writers!  I am going to have my monthly book  picks on there as well and hope I can generate good discussion and opinion on the books  like a real book club, but online.  The new blog is currently called "Michelle's daily reading fix", but I am thinking about changing it to
"Something to read, Something to share"  I would love to know which name you think sounds better.  I am targeting this blog to the ordinary house wife who needs a reading fix once in a while, but does not have a ton of time to sit down and read as much as she would like.

Family Reunion Crafts!

So my family had a family reunion in the Uintas over the weekend and I was able to finally able to see my sister Paula that lives in Tennessee (who helps contribute to this blog) after two long years!  It was so nice to see everyone!  Anyway Paula and I were in charge of the crafts for the kids ( imagine that : )  We had several fun things thanks to Paula and I was not as on the ball as she was and only came up with one idea. I also was mad at myself for not getting pics of the kids doing the crafts in action, but I got some after the fact.

1st the kids made bottle cap necklaces and magnets.

This is fun idea that has been going around the last few years.  You Mod Podge scrapbook paper in the inside circle of a bottle cap and then put diamond glaze or crystal lacquer on top to give it a finished glazed look.  Here is an old post of mine on how to do these, washer and scrabble tile pendants.
Paula also had a cute idea to make Alien magnets and necklaces.  You glue little puff balls into a bottle cap and add google eyes and antenna if you want. you can punch a hole in the bottle cap with a Crop a Dile and make it a necklace or a key chain or just make it a magnet.



2nd We made cute nature bracelets with duct tape.

This is the one that my two year old made.  she loved finding things on our nature walk to put on it.

There are instructions at Skip to my Lou.  These ended up being a huge hit with all the kids under the age of twelve!  We went on a small walk and found some amazing stuff to stick on their bracelets up in the Uintas.   We also made cute wallets out of duct tape.( you can do anything with duct tape!)  I unfortunately did not get pictures of that.  Paula will have to post how she made these since she made this up after seeing an idea on how to make a tote bags out of duct tape.  She thought the boys would like to make a wallet out of camouflage duct tape.  Can you believe that there is camouflage duct tape!



3rd we made my ONE contribution. Corner bookmarks.

 I've seen several ways to do these, but this is my favorite idea that I adapted.  Cut the corners off old envelopes ( good way to recycle all those bills and junk mail envelopes you don't need anymore)  mod podge cute scrapbook paper on each side and embellish them how you want.

4th Paula had another great idea she found making no sew tote bags out of bandanna's.
We did not end up having much time to do this one, but it is an awesome idea that I can't wait to try!   The instructions on how to do them are here.  To make a big tote you use two bandannas and to make something more like a purse you do it with just one bandanna.

Share with us any fun craft projects your doing for your family reunions this summer.  Or share what you have done.