small + friendly

Handmade Halloween 2016

Well the day has passed, but the candy hasn't all been eaten, so I think it's still safe to post a few Halloween pictures before we all move on to turkey prep and Christmas crafts.

Free Knitting Pattern: Bear Beanie

Want to make an adorable hat in less than two hours? I've got the perfect super simple pattern for you! With the help of super bulky yarn this hat comes together lickety-split! If you are new to knitting I've included links to helpful YouTube videos, if you can knit and purl, you can make this hat!  And if you are an experienced knitter you can cast on and bind off in the time it takes to watch a couple episodes of your favorite show, might I recommend Stranger Things or Call the Midwife?

If the little bear ears aren't your thing you can simply opt for a single pom pom or leave them off all together. In the interest of simplicity this beanie has a very basic decrease and can be made smaller or larger with very little fuss.  The pattern is written for a toddler/little kid but at the end of this post you will find tips for making baby or big kid sizes.

Also, if you love hat patterns I've got two more free ones: Basic Knit Hat and Simple Ribbed Hat!

I hope you like this little hat pattern as much as I do!

Quick and Easy Bear Beanie

Materials:

Super Bulky Yarn (I used about yards of Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick)

Size 13 (9mm) circular needles (16" or 36" if you prefer magic loop)

Directions:

Using a long tail cast on, cast on 40 stitches and join in the round (join in magic loop)

Knit 1, Purl 1 to create a simple rib until your work measures 8 inches

Knit 2 together (K2tog) for two rows until ten stitches remain (if not using magic loop you will need to pull your cable out at intervals and muscle it a bit, but I promise it will look good when you're done)

Cut the working yarn, leaving a long tail

Weave that tail through the remaining stitches as you remove them from the needle, pull tight and secure with one knot.

Make two pom poms by wrapping yarn around three fingers, tying it at the center with a piece of yarn, cutting the loops, and trimming.

Attach your pom poms to either side of the hat (about 3" measured from the center down along the curve of the hat with a flexible measuring tape). 

Weave in all your ends and try not to be blinded by the cuteness!

For a baby sized hat try casting on less stitches in multiples of 2, I would go with 34 and start your decreases at 6 inches.

For a larger hat cast on more stitches in multiples of 2, 48 should do it, and don't decrease until 9-10 inches.

Again, if you love hat patterns I've got two more free ones: Basic Knit Hat and Simple Ribbed Hat!

Happy Knitting!

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!

 

Simple Busy Box For Toddlers

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group®, Rubbermaid® fasten + go, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #FastenNGo http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

As I've mentioned before, I bring Ronan to work with me.  I feel very fortunate to work for the family business, which makes bringing my little one to work possible.  However, it is an office setting and I must actually get work done, including making phone calls.  It wasn't too hard to manage this when Ronan was a baby, but now that he is a very busy toddler, I've had to get creative.  

I put together is simple, open-ended busy box and it has been a big hit.  Although in all honesty I'm pretty sure half the fun lies in the nifty NEW Rubbermaid® fasten + go Sandwich Kit I packaged it in.  This sleek kit snaps together in a perfectly organized bundle and even has a removable carrying strap.  Ronan loves snapping the smaller containers together like a little puzzle. I love that it is BPA free and nests together for compact storage.        

This fun busy box is a great toddler activity.  It keeps them occupied and learning without a huge mess.  Plus, you can put it together quickly with just a few simple supplies.  This kit has everything you toddler needs to create bracelets made by stringing straw beads onto pipe cleaners, an excellent fine motor activity.  As well as a color matching game, where pom poms can be matched up with felt shapes; a wonderful lesson in colors and pre-math skills.  Finally, all of the supplies lend themselves to imaginative exploration.  Perhaps your toddler will enjoy pouring the straw beads from one container to another or trying to find other matching shapes and colors from around the room.    

To Create A Toddler Busy Box You'll Need:

• Rubbermaid® fasten + go Sandwich Kit
• Felt in several colors
• Pom Poms in colors to match the felt
• Pipe cleaners
• Plastic straws (preferably large ones)

How To Assemble a Toddler Activity Kit:

1.  Cut felt into shapes and place them in the sandwich container.
2. Top those with pipe cleaners.
3. Cut straws into 1" pieces and fill the two smallest containers.
4. Fill the last container with pom poms.
5. Wrap it all up and prepare for fun on the run. 

I hope this fun kit helps you keep your little one busy!  Starting on 12/27/15 head to your local Target store to purchase the NEW Rubbermaid® fasten + go kits! Available in Entree, Sandwich, and Soup Kits!  If you're looking for more simple toddler ideas, check out this DIY Travel Felt Board and ever popular Homemade Playdough!

 

Autumn Gliders: A Simple Fall Kid Craft

California isn't exactly known for it's fall foliage (although the vineyards put on a pretty gorgeous fall display), and this year has been extra strange with the drought and Indian summer weather, but autumn has finally reached us and the tress have stopped trying to bloom and decided to put on a different show instead.  To celebrate, the boys and I went a long walk around the neighborhood, enjoying the crisp air and loading the stroller with pretty leaves.  Just when I thought we had done just about everything there is to do with fall leaves, Jude came up with this awesome new idea (and a few others we will share soon) to create fairy planes.  This is such a great way to take the fun of throwing leaves and make it last long after the pile has been raked up.  This craft is easy, fun, and great for all ages! Keep reading to learn how to make your own as well as a fun list of other fall leaf crafts!    

How to Make Fall Leave Airplanes

All you need to make these fun fall gliders are a piece of paper, a collection of fall leaves, and a glue stick. 

Start by folding your paper into a simple airplane.  Next select pretty fall leaves that fit on your airplane.  Rub the back of each leaf and apply it to your plane.  Over lap makes for a pretty effect but be sure you don't weigh down your plane too much.  Your plane can be decorated as completely as you'd like.  Below are a few examples of what your finished product might look like depending on the age and enthusiasm of the crafter.  

Let your glue dry a bit and get throwing!  We were surprised at how well they flew!  Jude had a blast imaging little fairies and sprites going for a ride on their special gliders.  And when they land in a pile of leaves, they blend right in!  I hope you have as much fun making and playing with these as we did. 

Looking for more fun things to do with fall leaves?

Make a cool mask!

Press them into pumpkin spice playdough.

Preserve them the easy way!

Everything is better with glitter!

Make leaf stick puppets.

Wishing you a beautiful autumn!!

Handmade Halloween 2015

I know we've all moved on to talk of turkey and handmade holiday gifts but I HAD to share the boy's Halloween costumes and this is the first chance I've had!  

First a funny story.  Did you ever have a movie you watched when you were little that you were both obsessed with and terrified of?  For me it was The Never Ending Story.  Well, I accidentally introduced Jude to his version, Spiderwick.  We had enjoyed a Spiderwick book at the library and while I usually watch the movies before I share with him, I thought it would be okay.   Holy smokes, that's an intense film!  Anyway, fingers crossed he's not scarred for life, but he really enjoyed the movie even though I kept asking if he'd like to turn it off.  All this to say Jude knows I'm kinda anti-Spiderwick, but there is a huge cool gryphon in the film.  You need this back story for our costume conversation to make sense.

"Jude do you still want to be a polar bear for Halloween?"

"Yes!"

"Okay cool, maybe brother could be a snowy owl."

"I want to be an owl."

"Okay."

"Or how about an eagle?"

"Totally."

"I don't know why you won't let me be a gryphon!"

Challenge accepted.  

After seeing how cute Ronan looked in the Viking hat I had made years ago his costume concept was a no brainer.  And so this year we had a gryphon (griffin?) and a Viking.  Want all the DIY details?  Keep reading for the how-to's and lots more pictures!  

DIY Mini Dutch Door! A Handmade Activity Toy

Ronan is obsessed with doors and latches.  At the pool we joined this summer there is a kid sized door that separates the baby pool from the rest of the grounds.  He loves to open and close that door even more than he likes to swim.  Watching him play gave me the idea to create a super fun mini dutch door complete with latches, locks, and a mailbox.  And since I made the strong choice of marrying an very handy guy, my wacky idea became a real life toy.  

The door itself is made of plywood and it is hung on a simple two-by-four frame.  To make it extra sturdy the frame is attached to a small plywood base.  It is light enough for an adult to move around but strong enough to take some serious toddler (and kindergartener) abuse.  Most of the latches and locks are just for fun, but this is a fully functioning dutch door that can be latched and swung together or opened separately.  

Jason was able to salvage all of the wood from construction scrap, hooray for free and green! The latches, hinges, and knobs came from Home Depot and I found the mailbox on Amazon (affiliate link).  I painted the finished door with leftover paint, the gray is our exterior house color and the aqua is from the boys room.  All told this was a very affordable little project.    

Of course this would be an adorable playhouse entry, but for now I love using it as a free standing door.  Placed in front of the entry to the hall or kitchen, this little door provides so much fun and keeps him playing right where I can keep a watchful eye.  Speaking of watchful eye, I should note, if you make a door of your own, it is quite safe but you will still need to keep an eye out for pinched fingers and slammed doors.  Larger kids might be able to topple it if they are really determined.  As with most things, do not allow children to play with a toy like this unattended.        

I have lots of plans for more little details: curtains, flower pots, welcome mat!  And I will be sure to share those here, but first I'd love to know, would you like a full tutorial?  If you'd like to make your own door, but feel like you need detailed instructions I'm pretty sure I could twist Jason's arm if we get enough interest.  Please leave a comment if you'd like all the DIY details.