Crafts

Crafty gal Dawn of UK Lasse in the US generously shared her fabric dollhouse and barn tutorial a while back and I haven't been able to get it out of my mind. Call me crazy or a sucker for multi-purpose goodies but I'm thinking a certain little half-pint deserves to unwrap one of these super cute fabric homes this holiday season. And depending on how it goes maybe a few of her mini playmates will receive one as well. I can just see it now.

You're preparing for the holiday gift giving season. You think gift boxes are a waste of cardboard and money. Your day is bookend by a heaping bowl of Fruity Pebbles for breakfast and a satisfying soggy bowl of Cookie Crisp as a midnight snack. Don't toss those empty cereal boxes just yet. Try recycling those cardboard babies into stylish gift boxes.

Frugal DIY site Dollar Store Crafts just makes me happy. Showcasing resourceful who just can't pass up the bargain bins without thinking "I could use that." And better yet, the site shows how-to turn discounted items into some pretty cool stuff. And just in time for the holidays.

Savvy craftster Bella Dia is sharing her spiffy Handprint Turkey Softie tutorial. According to Bella Dia "For me, the hand print turkey is the quintessential Thanksgiving kids craft and it is one of my favorites. I thought it would be fun to have a more permanent version so I decided to make a softie version." The perfect activity to make each year and watch your child's turkey farm grow in more ways than one.

Instructables member My Home Boutique has a quick and clever way to recycle your knee-high trouser socks into some deliciously cozy leg warmers for your tiny tot. Check out her Instructable "How to Turn Old Socks into Toddler Leggings for the magic. This witty little how-to is fun, easy, practical and full of clear photos and humor.

Sleepycat of Learning My Way Through has generously provided a pretty genius way to transform a few household items into a quick and easy play kitchen. She's provided a very clear DIY play kitchen tutorial complete with instructions and nice pictures.

I wish I were one of those people who could look at a common object in my space and see how it's potential goes way beyond it's purpose. Well, I'm just not wired, but thank goodness there are oodles of people who are and they share.

Design*Sponge just happens to be one of those sites who know how to share. Lucky us. I love the crisp, uber-cool feel of their site even if I feel like the geeky girl trying to hang out with the cool kids every time I'm in it's crafty presence.

MagPie Time is a new show "dedicated to teaching arts and crafts to children in an accessible and entertaining manner by re-using found everyday objects in creative ways." And whose main character "Magpie" is played by none other than the most excellent Maggie Wheeler or "Janice" from Friends minus the annoying laugh but with new rapping action. You can catch a sneak peek of the show by checking out their offical sizzle reel on Vimeo.

As I'm sure you are fully aware Halloween is upon us..finally. Some parents have been preparing for the big event for a month or more now and some of us went to Target last night hoping to score a ladybug costume returned by someone who must've sensed you needed THAT costume only to leave there in tears sighing "What have I done? What have I done?" Don't give up just yet, Amber Dusick has provided a yummy costume how-to idea that is as minimal as it is simple.

We've been invited to a family Halloween party and the hosts are very insistent that EVERYONE come in costume. Seeing that I haven't put any thought into a Halloween costume this year mainly because planning the perfect grown-up Halloween get-up seemed to take a backseat the moment we had our first kid I really didn't know what to do.