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The Mini Maker's Guide To Summer Fun!!

Can you believe that summer is just around the corner?  I don't know about you, but I am always looking for cool stuff to do with the kids or better yet set the kids up with when they cry “bored”.  Summer is awesome, but it also means a lot of free hours.  I reached out to some of my favorite creative mamas to get their help to make this summer extra fun.  We created a series called The Mini Maker's Guide To Summer Fun!  Over the coming days we will be providing you with all kinds of new and creative kid activities and sharing on social media with the hashtag #makingsummerfun.  We hope you'll join us!! Tag us when you try an idea or share one of your own.  Together we'll make this the funnest summer ever!

 

 

Check out all of these awesome ideas from our fab line up of bloggers:

Creating Summer Rhythm by Inspired By Familia

Blanket Fort Kit by Kid Stuff World

No Churn Dairy Free Strawberry Ice Cream by Smashed Peas and Carrots

Write a Book by A Happy Stitch

Sensory Shaving Cream Pool by Tag & Tibby

Backyard Bowling by Cloudy Day Gray

Braided Jersey Fun and 35+ Boredom Busting Projects by Buzzmills

DIY Bug Hotel by Small + Friendly
 

Here's to making summer fun!!!

Sewing With Kids - Cozy Clouds

This weekend Jude and I sewed up some sweet little cozy clouds.  It was a really fun project that we could work on side by side, and it was inspired by Sanae Ishida's new book Sewing Happiness.  

Sewing Happiness is a beautiful and touching book about the healing power of making.  Part memoir, part craft book, and all gorgeous, you won't be able to put it down.  I loved how Sanae shares her journey from burnt-out corporate ladder climber to peaceful self-taught sewist with such honesty and eloquence.

Beyond the beautiful words, there are the stunning projects.  Each project is designed with simplicity in mind, making them great for adding your own adaptations or sewing with children.  With so many great ideas it was hard to choose which project to try first.  But then I realized I had Cotton and Steel Zephyr in my stash and I knew exactly where to start.  We would make our own versions of the cloud heating pads.  

For Jude's version he first drew a cloud on paper to create a pattern that we pinned it to one layer of quilting cotton and one layer of wool felt.  Using his pattern as a guide he was able to cut out his cloud shape.  

Then with a little help and a nice slow speed, he sewed around his cloud leaving a hole for adding the rice.  Once it was full of rice I helped sew it shut.  Jude then trimmed along the edges with pinking shears.  (Note: we modified the project to avoid turning the work, simply sewing the wrong sides together and finishing with pinking shears.) This sweet little cloud can be heated in the microwave or chilled in the freezer, making it the perfect comfort companion, warming a bed or soothing a bump.     

While Jude was working, I made a fluffy little cuddle pillow inspired by the same project.  I find it helps if I have something to work on alongside Jude, it makes it so that we can spend time crafting together without me being tempted to take over his project.  Mine was one side faux shearing and one side cute clouds, stuffed with polyfil and ready for lots of hugs.    

If you haven't already, I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy of Sewing Happiness it is sure to bring joy to sewists of all ages and skill levels.  

Happy Sewing! 

Please note, I received a copy of this book to review but all opinions and words are my own.  Furthermore, this post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase on Amazon after clicking that link I make a tiny commission, thanks so much for your support.  

The Quick And Dirty Guide to DIY Kombucha

Why bother brewing your own kombucha?  Because it's super easy, tastes amazing, and costs next to nothing.  My family loves kombucha, but the store bought versions aren't just super expensive, they also don't taste half as good as homemade.  Jude and I have been making homemade kombucha for well over a year now and it's really easier than you might think.  In this post I will share how to create a simple and delicious raspberry flavored kombucha complete with tips for a healthy brew and how to get the kids in on the action.  This is a great base recipe and kombucha can be flavored in many different ways.  In fact, I will be sharing a few of my favorite seasonal flavors soon!      

Kombucha Is A Tasty, Healthful Drink

First, a little info on what the heck komucha is and why you should make it.  Kombucha is a beverage made from fermented tea, it is full of probiotics and healthful yeasts, both of which are great for your gut and immune system.  Because it is fermented it does contain a very small amount of alcohol.  I do allow my kids to drink it, just not by the jug full.  Usually they get about half a cup at a time, just to be safe and because I want more for myself!  

 

Kid Art Tote Bags

Need the perfect way to wrap that Mother's Day gift?  Have your kids create these simple, yet stunning tote bags.  We came up with two different styles, a scribble art tote that even the youngest artist can create and a batik inspired bleach pen tote that will let older children flex their creative muscles.  Both designs result in beautiful bags any mom would love to use.  

I love the idea of kid-made things we actually want to use!  This is not to say that there isn't a special place in my heart for macaroni necklaces, but a chic little bag to carry to the market is really something any mom can use AND brag about!  These totes use one of my favorite tricks: simplicity.  Toddler scribbles are much more chic when confined to black and white and framed by interesting shapes.  And kid art in a batik style reads more folksy and less elementary.      

Scribble Art Tote Bag

You'll need:

• White or natural tote*
• Fabric marker* or Sharpie
• Masking tape
• Cardboard

How to:

1.  Iron your bag and insert a piece of cardboard inside.
2. Tape the bag to a table in a simple pattern.  We used stripes for the first side and an asymmetrical star burst for the second side.  Be sure to press the tape firmly into place. 
3. Give your little artist the pen and let them go to town.  The more scribbles the better!
4. Optional: repeat on the other side.
5. Remove the tape and cardboard and use your iron to heat set the design.

Bleach Pen Tote Bag

You'll need

• Black or dark colored tote bag*
• Bleach pen*
• Cardboard
• Optional: rubber gloves

How To:

1. Iron your tote and place a piece of cardboard inside.
2. Have your kiddo think of a design they would like to create.  Have them wear a pair of rubber gloves if you're worries about them possibly touching bleach.
3. Give them the bleach pen and let them go to town.
4. Let the bleach set for about 30 minutes.
5. Rinse the tote in cold water and let dry.

I hope you and your kiddos love making and gifting this cool bags.  And to all those mamas out there, I'm wishing you a very happy mother's day!

Looking for more cool kid created gifts? Scribble art dishware, artsy birdhouse, watercolor bookmarks, finger paint Mother's Day cards.  

And if rad totes are your jam, this free printable iron transfer is screaming mother's day gift in the best possible way.  

*Please note this post contains affiliate links.  If you click on one and make a purchase on Amazon I make a tiny commission, thanks so much for your support!