Things to Make and Do, Crafts and Activities for Kids

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July 2010

Balancing Butterflies &
Switching to Blog Lite

balancing paper and watercolor butterflies craft

Hello everyone! I just wanted to let you know that
I'll be blogging very lightly over the next couple of weeks.
I need to focus on several Crafty Crow business projects,
do some major house organization and try to squeeze in
a few trips to the lake so I won't miss out on summer. I'll
be posting a few things but I hope you'll check the
archives too - there's over 2000 ideas in there! Please
continue to send in submissions, I'll still be checking my
email. Thanks so much for all the kind comments over at
my interview on The Artful Parent - you all are the best!
❉ ❉ ❉
This lovely balancing butterfly was created at
Childhood Magic - she even has free templates for you!

07/13/2010 in 12+ years old, 18 mos to 2 years old, 3 - 5 years old, 6 - 12 years old, Activities, All Ages, Animals & Bugs, Art, Crafts, Crafty Crow Chatter, Family, Free & Fun Crafts, Group, Homeschooling, Inside, Outside, Paint, Paper Crafts, Party Ideas, Printables & Downloads, Summer Crafts | Permalink | Comments (16)

Super Size Marble Painting

I think this painting looks like it came straight from
a gallery, but you already read the title of this post...
Super Size Marble Painting!

Let The Children Play super size marble painting

So many possibilities I can hardly stand it!
Click over to Let The Children Play
for more details :)

07/09/2010 in 12+ years old, 18 mos to 2 years old, 3 - 5 years old, 6 - 12 years old, All Ages, Art, Crafts, Experiential, Family, Group, Homeschooling, Outside, Paint, Spring Crafts, Summer Crafts | Permalink | Comments (7)

Yarn Maze

Now, I'm not suggesting you do something
on the same scale as this artist but wouldn't
it be fun to create this yarn maze in a smaller
size?! I can just picture this as an activity at
a birthday party! Get the details, and ooh
and aah, at Donna Wilson :)

07/09/2010 in 12+ years old, 18 mos to 2 years old, 3 - 5 years old, 6 - 12 years old, Activities, All Ages, Art, Building/3 Dimensional, Family, Group, Homeschooling, Outside, Parent Made, Party Ideas, Spring Crafts, Summer Crafts | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tissue Paper Window Collage

Fill a room with color and have fun
creating this amazing tissue paper
window collage at Filth Wizardry!

07/09/2010 in 12+ years old, 18 mos to 2 years old, 3 - 5 years old, 6 - 12 years old, All Ages, Art, Collage, Crafts, Family, Inside, Paper Crafts, Spring Crafts, Summer Crafts, Winter Crafts | Permalink | Comments (1)

Felted Bunny Giveaway Reminder

The giveaway for this little bunny that I made ends today on The Artful Parent. Just leave a comment to be eligible!

07/09/2010 in Crafty Crow Chatter | Permalink | Comments (6)

Book Review:
Our Shadow Garden

Recently I was sent the book Our Shadow Garden by
Cherie Foster Colburn and illustrated with art by the
children at the Children's Cancer Hospital at M.D.
Anderson Cancer Center. The author is also a landscape
designer that specializes in habitat gardens and works
with school children designing learning gardens. Most
pages include a sidebar that has information about
planning a garden, choosing plants, night insects,
nocturnal animals and the health benefits of gardens.

The story is about a young child and her grandfather
creating a shadow garden for her sick grandmother who
can no longer garden in the sunlight. This story has an
interesting theme - creating a garden that comes into its
full beauty at night time - and an inspiring theme - a
young child and her empathy for a sick grandmother. I
think children will also be intrigued by seeing the
illustrations and knowing that they were all drawn
by kids just like them.

I cupped my fingers around my mouth and cried,
"Whip-poor-will...whip-poor-will," just like Poppa.
"Whip-poor-will," the nightjar called back, and
the crickets joined in the song.

I love this page showing all the artists and some of
their work that is included in the book.

The purchase of this book, and many other wonderful
items from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Children's
Art Project, help fund patient programs such as camps,
ski trips, and scholarships.

You can also visit shadowgardenbook.com
for free lesson plans using Our Shadow Garden!

07/09/2010 in Crafty Crow Chatter | Permalink | Comments (1)

Crafty Mom Contest at Parents Magazine!

Just a reminder about the Crafty Mom Photo contest
over at Parents magazine. The categories to enter are:

General Crafts
Paper and Fabric Crafts
Nature/Recycled/Green Crafts

Be sure to read the rules and then get crafting - the
contest ends August 9th. The winner gets their craft
published in Parents magazine!

07/09/2010 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Craft Theme: Seashore!

kelp horns
Se7en

mermaid peg dolls
Paint Cut Paste

"under the sea" muffin tin
Muffin Tin Mom

seashell necklace
Chasing Cheerios

Ninth Street East under the sea felt pic

"under the sea" felt board theme
Ninth Street East

07/08/2010 in 12+ years old, 18 mos to 2 years old, 3 - 5 years old, 6 - 12 years old, All Ages, Building/3 Dimensional, Crafts, Dollmaking, Edibles, Family, Group, Homeschooling, Nature Crafts, Needlework, Outside, Paint, Parent Made, Party Ideas, Summer Crafts, Textiles, Themes | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sticks & Stones

mosaic stones
Glittering Shards

stick snake
Creative Jewish Mom

treasure stones
Sew Can Do

wrapped twigs
Aesthetic Outburst

painting and playing with stones
I'm A Teacher, Get Me Outside Here!

sumac wind chimes
Natural Kids

Twelve Crafts Till Christmas outdoor fun

rock rainbow & other creations
Twelve Crafts Till Christmas

twig easel
5 Orange Potatoes

twig flower pot
Nini Makes

07/07/2010 in 12+ years old, 18 mos to 2 years old, 3 - 5 years old, 6 - 12 years old, Activities, All Ages, Animals & Bugs, Art, Building/3 Dimensional, Crafts, Doughs, Paints, Mixes, and Concoctions, Family, Free & Fun Crafts, Gifts to Make, Group, Homeschooling, Mobiles, Garland, Bunting & Wreaths, Mosaics, Nature Crafts, Outside, Paint, Party Ideas, Summer Crafts, Themes | Permalink | Comments (2)

Interview With Me at The Artful Parent

Jean, author of The Artful Parent, is sharing an
interview and giveaway with me today! If you'd like
to find out more about me and The Crafty Crow then
go take a look and if you leave a comment you'll be
entered into the giveaway for this little needle felted
wool bunny and carrot I made. Jean has an impressive
roster of other interviews so be sure to take a
look at those as well :)

07/07/2010 in Crafty Crow Chatter | Permalink | Comments (7)