----



 
_My hobby is doing crafts, and painting ceramics, terra cotta pots and anything else I can get my hands on such as a plain resin garden statue. Terra cotta pots are great to pot plants in, but by themselves they are plain and boring. With a little imagination and these easy as 1-2-3 instructions, you can create your own Smiling Candy Corn terra cotta pot to use as a colorful fall decoration.

Click here to continue reading>>>
Add Comment
 
 
by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer
Picture
Need a simple craft that kids can do quickly and possibly even make money from? My kids and I make earrings and sell them in our Etsy shop.

All you need are glass beads, ear wire hooks, eye pins, jewelry pliers, and jewelry wire cutters.

The kids can simply slide the beads onto the eye pins and then cut off the excess from the pin, leaving enough room to bend over the bottom of the pin to secure the beads. If they cannot handle the wire cutter and pliers, you can do this part.

Then, use the jewelry pliers to pry away the eye hole of the pin. Slide the eye opening of the ear wire into that opening. Again use the jewelry pliers and seal the eye pin closed around the ear wire. Do that for two matching earrings. That's it.

Now the kids can wear or sell their creation. They might even gift them to mom.
Add Comment
 
 
Picture
Photo: (c) Lyn Lomasi
by Lyn Lomasi, Staff

Need something to keep the kids busy? Forget the store! Collect all that extra stuff you may have put into the trash bin to do some cool craft projects. By repurposing household items that may have gone to waste, you're helping save the environment. Plus, you'll be making your kids happy and getting some cool new decor, too! My friend and fellow writer Tamara L. Waters, is an expert at recycled craft items. Here are some of her great ideas to share with your kids.

Recycled Craft Supplies: Crafty Uses for Trash Items
Not everything that is waste has to become trash. Recycling and repurposing some trash items for craft use is a great way to save money and tread lightly on the earth.

Recycled Crafts: Patriotic Jar Candle Holder
Make a patriotic jar candle holder for an easy summer craft. This project uses a recycled jar and is an easy way to decorate for an Independence Day party this summer.

Recycled Crafts: Plastic Bottle Windsock
Combine crafting and recycling to create this simple plastic bottle windsock for your garden.

Recycled Crafts: Cinco De Mayo Maracas
Make simple maraca crafts from recycled items for Cinco de Mayo.

Recycled Crafts: Plastic Cup Bug Catcher
Recycle clear plastic cups into a cute little bug catcher.

Recycled Crafts: Plastic Bottle Bird Feeder
Recycle a plastic bottle into a bird feeder for an earth-friendly craft.

Green Living: Cheap Eco-Friendly and Recycled Seed Starter Container Ideas
Use cheap, recycled and eco-friendly seed starter containers to save a few pennies as you live lightly on the Earth.

Green Living: An Easy Valentine's Day Centerpiece Using Recycled Items
Make a simple Valentine's Day centerpiece or decoration out of recycled items and other readily-available supplies.

Recycled Lid Matching Game Craft
Use recycled items to make this educational game for your kids.
Add Comment
 
 
Picture
Fun for baby is about more than just baby talk and peek-a-boo. Although those are a great source of enjoyment as well. Learn from experienced parents how to keep an infant busy and happy. Below are ideas, tips, and activities from moms who know best from practice. A busy baby is a happy baby, right?

Making a Homemade Recycled Baby Noisemaker by Pam Gaulin
You can make a baby noisemaker for an older baby or a toddler out of recycled material and household items. Babies and toddlers love rattles and noisemakers. They learn cause and effect, when they shake or move the object, it makes noise. For babies 12 months up to toddlers that are 18 months, try this easy recycled baby noisemaker.

Easy Games to Play With Your Baby: Teach Motor Skills, Mental Development, and Cognitive Skills by Kimberly Sharpe
Babies adore time with their mom and dad. They will actually tune in and listen carefully when they hear their parents voices over the voices of strangers. They will listen intently and try not to miss a word. This means that game playing with your baby is a wonderful way to interact and teach baby many things because your baby will always give you their complete attention. Here are three wonderful early games to enjoy with your baby. They each teach motor skills, mental development and cognitive skills.


Unique Toys for Baby Through Elementary and Teen by Lyn Lomasi
Finding and choosing toys can sometimes be a headache, not to mention the fact that most kids already have many of the basic toys out there. But, don't fret. Here are ten tips for finding and choosing unique toys for all ages.

Cupcake Cup Baby Bird: Crafts for Kids 18 Months and Up by Pam Gaulin
Kids who are two and older can create their own paper muffin cup baby birds with this paper craft idea. This craft idea for kids 18 months and up does need some preparation by parents or teachers.

Cloth Doll Patterns to Make Dolls at Home by Karen Barnes
Cloth doll body patterns are great to use for making baby's first doll. The cloth doll body patterns are made in a manner that are soft and huggable for a baby. The cloth doll body patterns can make great gifts for anyone of any age.

Four Motion Games That Every Baby Will Love by Kimberly Sharpe
Babies adore motion. They find it soothing and stimulating. They like swings, jumpers/bouncers, vibrating chairs, and they love being rocked. Scientists believe that their love of motion is due to the prenatal motion they experienced inside the womb. Motion will sooth and calm a fussy baby.

Free Baby Toy Sewing Patterns by Karen Barnes
With so many recalls being on the market for baby cribs, strollers, and other items over the years, making toys for babies with these sewing patterns can help reduce your concerns over manufacturer recalls. Even though I don't list more than a few free baby toy sewing patterns in this article, searching for more of these types of patterns can help add to homemade baby toys.

~posted by Lyn Lomasi~
Add Comment