Get Crafty – Aug 2010 – SUMMER!

 

Welcome back to the monthly Get Crafty feature. Design to inspire people to “Get Crafty”. Hope you find something lovely to make!

This month I bring you “Summer” – anything to do with summer – from trips to the beach to hanging out with friends to sunflowers and butterflies! Hope you find something lovely to make!

If you like what you see, do go and visit all the relevant sites – the crafty peeps would really appreciate it and they have so many other things for you to see!! Go on… you know you want to!

If you feel inspired, do embed the Get Crafty logo on your site – go to the Get Crafty tab and scroll to the bottom of the page for the code! 

Next Get Crafty challenge is “Yellow” – nice and easy! Sunflowers, Lemons, Birds, Giraffes, School Buses, Kites, Suns, Rainbows, once again, anything goes – your imagination once again is the limit!!!!

 

Submissions via the comments on this post by Saturday 28 August 2010.

 

Get Crafty with Children

Pinwheels

What is summer without a pinwheel. What is CHILDHOOD without pinwheels. If you can’t quite remember how to make them, visit Mari-Ann at Counting Coconuts for her beautiful Pinwheel tutorial. Lovely! This, btw, is a great way of recycle toddler art: if you have been painting with your toddler, you can use their wonderful creations for this too! They will love it!

Driftwood Boat

I love things made from nature’s finds. And driftwood is particularlybeautiful. Mary at Lavender and Linen made this beautiful driftwood boat. Take you kids to the beach. Go search. And Get Crafty!!!

 

 

Shells

This is actually a traditional Galician craft and it is lovely to learn more about another culture. So go and take a look  Meninheira over at Dalle un colino and have a go! (Use Google Translate to help you along a little…)

 

 

Window Display

Valerie over at Frugal Family Fun always comes up trumps with crafts for and with kids. Here she has  a quick, fun and very easy window decor craft using paints and coffee filters. What lovely birds and how they light up as that wonderful summer sun shines through! Valerie is the author of Frugal Family Fun Blog, where she posts daily about her obsession with inexpensive crafts, family activities, and all around good times on a budget!

Home Made Water Bombs 

Even the title of this blog is awesome “Making Memories, One Thing After Another” – with a title like that you know you are onto a good thing. Now this a very simple idea, but I can just hear the squeals of laughter and joy. Hop over to see how the made their Water Bombs! I think we will be doing this one at Opapa’s house!

Evolution of the Artist

As an advocate to Get Crafty, I am ashamed to admit that all my painting focus has been on Red Ted (2.5yrs), not on Pip Squeak (8mths). This post served as a lovely reminder to let Pip Squeak have a go too. We have. And we now have two awesome keep sake paintings in our hall way! Thank you! Summer is the best time of year to do this, as you can strip your little ones down and let them have fun! Like the idea of doing a background colour first! Hop over to For What It’s Worth and check it out!

Ice-Lollipop Stick Puzzle

“Impress Your Kids” impressed me when I saw these super easy puzzles. After filling your bellies with lollipops this summer, make sure you save all the lollipop sticks. Then on a rainy day, rush indoors, grab some holiday snaps and make these super easy puzzles. Give them as stocking fillers at Christmas. Easy. Fun. Effective. Job done!

 

Paper Flowers

Lots of flowers around during the Summer months. However, as school term drew to an end and the Summer Holidays a, Jen at The Madhouse made these lovely flowers with her boys. These could serve well as a thank you to teachers or as a simple “I love you”  to a loved one. Love the fact that the petals are heart shaped and that Jen’s boy was able to make these by himself!

Cork Boats

Our very own little Cork Boats. We went to visit Opapa for some splashing in the paddling pool and came away having been Crafty! Hurray. Super easy to make and provides you with an excellent excuse to drink some wine…

 

 

Memory Jars

After a perfect summer holiday, what do you do? Come home and feel the back to school blues? Not anymore! Make these wonderfully simple Memory Jars! Put all your little special somethings in it and come back to them on a rainy day. They look so pretty and are a great way to “do something” with all those little collectibles. Fabulous. I saw these by Melissa at the Inspired Room and indeed was inspired!!

Animal, Vegetable or Mineral

The lovely Christine over at her blog has a host of Summer Time activities to keep the little ones occupied, happy and away from the TV!  In this post she shows us their fabulously crafty vegetable animals. My favourite is Marvin (featured) and Parsnip the Unicorn. Go and take a look and then have a go with your kids too. You can always kid yourself that they’ll eat more veg after or stop playing with their food… mmmh. Or check out Christine’s other fabulous summer time ideas!

Beach Art

Some of you may remember how much I loved the V&A project that I mentioned on Nature Get Crafty (scroll down to the bottom for it). Well, Jude at Artful Adventures did just that (unrelated to my post, I hastened to add – she is a wonderfully creative person!). So take a look at her fabulous article on Land Art involving kids. And when you are at the beach this summer, DO HAVE A GO! We are going with Red Ted in 2-3 weeks time and I can’t wait to get Arty!

Peg Butterflies

Cathy at the Nurture Store, does the most wonderful craft and activities with her girls. She came up trumps again with this very pretty butterflies – tailored to her girl’s crafting abilities and yet still turning out so wonderfully pretty. A summer without butterflies wouldn’t b the same, now would it? Do check her other activities too, lots of great ideas for you and your little ones!

start Night – Peg Friends

Wonder Mom at The Fantastic Fice Hockman blog has been hosting “stART Nights” for the children in the neighbour during these summer months. I think it is brilliant that she is sharingthe crafty fun amongst the children around her. So this summer, this is one of the things the kid’s made – a “box of cloth peg friends“. Summer is all about meeting new kids on your road, making friends and having fun!!

Get Crafty for Children (or with older children)

Ants

A summer picnic seems to always attract ants! But if the ants that came to our picnic were some of these, I wouldn’t mind so much.. Staci at Craftify It, shows us how!

 

 

Hi-ho apple-o game

If you are planning a long journey this summer or just want some new games to play at picnics or at home, why not try your hand at this fun hi-ho apple-o game? Kimberley at Bugaboo, Mini, Mr & Me shows us how.

 

 

Wooden Sun Crafts

This Wooden Sun really caught my eye, as it was so different and unique. We are shown how to make it over at Wabi-Sabi Wanderings. This would be a great woodwork project for boys and would look lovely in any garden! It would definitely bring some summer sun to the garden in those gloomy winter days.

 

Farm in a Bag

I told you Valerie comes up trumps, because here she is again,this time with something she made for her girls – a “Farm in a Bag” – or should I say the bag is the farm and you put all your farm things inside! I am telling you, once mine are that little bit older (next summer?) they will surely be getting one of these!

 

Sensory Sea Box

What a lovely and detailed how to. My Mommy Makes It not only shows us how to die rice but also how to make the mermaids and the sand banks and even the palm trees. A lovely sensory toy for your children. I think at the very least I will be making a mermaid, they themselves are ADORABLE!

 

I Spy

Michelle came up with super easy, super cute I Spy book to keep children entertained on those long car journeys (when all items in the car have already been spied)  or flights. If you think you are “not crafty”, then stop by here and think again. Simple, easy, effective. And be surprised but what words, letters and numbers your children already know… Michelle was!

Get Crafty for Adults (or older Children)

Bug Candles

Think of those lovely long summer nights. Think of those pesky bugs. No more. Make your very own pretty and effective bug candles a la Positively Splendid, they are indeed splendid!!!

 

 

Summer Sunflower Cushion

Summer is all about Sunflowers! This is the time of year tha they grow to their full height. If you missed out growing some this year, why not Get Crafty and make this gorgeous Sunflower Cushion? Or use the tutorial to make a little flower for your dress or hair? Dangerously Domestic Jen shows how.

 

Lollipop Soap

Ok, so which is it Lollipops or Soap? These deliciously refreshing looking loolies are in fact soap and not at all edible. Sigh. They do however look fabulous and would may be persuade the odd reluctant child to wash their hands more often. I am dead impressed. Pop over to Greanbean’s Crafterole and check it out now!

Get Crafty – Oooooh

Home made Ice Cream (no ice cream makers needed!)

Oooh, how CLEVER is this homemade ice cream? No ice cream machine needed and a “keep them busy” activity included. I am so giving this a go. Go on, check it out how Stacie over at Amazing Mess made it. Another one for our “holidays at home” to do list!

 

 

Rainbow Cookies

https://redtedart.wordpress.com/2010/06/09/book-cook-duckies-rainbow-by-frances-barry/ Back to our Rainbow Cookies! If summer isn’t behaving and we are faced with clouds and rain, make some of these rainbow cookies to cheer yourself up! Alternatively, if summer IS behaving, make some anyway!

Rainbow cookies

Jelly Watermelon Slices

I ADORE these Jelly Watermelon slices that Christine at Little Page Turners made. Summer is not the same without Watermelon treats and to make it crafty and fun you can make these out of Jelly and Limes. This is such a fun treat for any summer party or BBQ! She also made some fabulous looking Watermelon Cookies. Amazing.

Flower Sugar Cubes

Last but by no means least, is Denise at Snaffle Mummy. She made these fabulous Flower Sugar Cubes. Wouldn’t they be lovely at a tea party? She tells me that she has them at the office for her cups of tea. How wonderful to bring a bit of sunshine into the office.

Previous Get Craftys

July – Made by Man + August theme: Summer

June – Inspired by Nature + theme July: ManMade

May – All things Red + theme June 2010: Nature

April – Nominations Theme + theme May 2010: Red

Launching Get Crafty + theme April 2010: Nominations

Get Crafty – July 2010 – Made by Man!

Hello! Welcome back to Get Crafty! This month’s theme was “Made By Man” (aka ManMade Get Crafty)! As always, my interpretation was the loosest possible sense:  from robots, to cars, to rockets, to cardboard kitchens and dolls houses, to toddler handbags, to puppets. You have all surprised me by how imaginative and beautiful ManMade can really be!

If you like the look of something DO PLEASE show your appreciation by clicking on the link and thus telling the crafters that “you like”!!

If you feel inspired, do embed the Get Crafty logo on your site – go to the Get Crafty tab and scroll to the bottom of the page for the code! 

Next Get Crafty challenge is “Summer” – from sunflowers, to butterflies, to garden dens, to roasted marshmallows, to fruit, to veg, to sunhats, to flip flops, to tshirts…. – your imagination once again is the limit!!!!

Submissions via the comments on this post by Friday 30 July 2010.

 

 Get Crafty with Children

Rockets & Aliens

I know I said rockets, but I didn’t quite expect an awesome rocket like this one! And it even comes with Aliens. Be ambitions with your rocket building and check out se7en and all their craftiness! Your kids will love making and playing with this!

 

 

Egg Carton Boat

You may recognise this Egg Carton Boat from my “Gallery-Motherhood” post or you may have seen it over at The Madhouse, where I did a Guest Post on how we made it! Hope you like 🙂

 

 

Cardboard City

Zoe always has wonderfully imaginative and playful craft projects over Playing by the Book. Her girls look like they have so much fun crafting and subsequently playing with their finished work. Brilliant. This time, they made this geat cardboard box city – lots of lovely painting – followed by lots of lovely playing. The city is simple to make and yet so effective. Go over and have a look – you will also see what fab little book inspired this project! 

 

 

Egg Carton Wind Chimes

You guys should know by now that I love anything made out egg cartons (see boat above or Dragon in Red Get Crafty) or loo rolls (see Giraffe Marionettes or Red Baron Airplane), so when I saw these windchimes at Dalle Un Colinho, they HAD TO GO INTO ManMade Get Crafty!

 

 

Nesting Dispenser

Meninheira (Dalle un Colinho) also sent us this CUTE nesting dispenser – I like the idea of something ManMade helping nature… and how sweet to use brown wool to match the bird’s nest!

 

 

 

Night & Day City Skylines

Cities are perfect for ManMade Get Crafty. And I love the fact that here we have some back to basics PAINTING. Sometimes it is easy to get carried away with all the “making stuff”, when painting and drawing in itself are awesome activities and great for children to take part in! I love the process that The Artist Woman took the kids through, making fun day and nighttime backgrounds (need to do some spray painting with Red Ted, me thinks!). Hop over, take a look. Get Crafty!

 

Planes & Flying Saucers

One of our very first “Story + Art” posts – Red Ted and I made a Red Plane and a Flying Saucers! We had such fun that Wednesday craft was born!

 

 

 

Photo Frame

This gorgeous little frame was actually intended for Nature Get Crafty, but it was  a little late. However, I strongly feel that a photo frame IS something “Man Made” too, so phew, we can add it in! It was made by my old flat mate E & her little girl G – and it only cost them 50p! Go E&G! look forward to more Get Crafties from your house! x

 

 

Fridge Frames

If you like my simple Paper Frames, you will LOVE these fridge frames from Jude at Artful Kids. They are wonderfully effective. Display one your kids drawings or paintings in it and you truly have a piece of art!

fridge frames

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Wooden Spoon Theatre

The Frugal Family came up trumps when their sock puppets failed, all was not lost and spoon puppets were invented! Followed by a live theatre performance. Brilliant. I say, who needs the Oscars when you have The Frugal Family theatre?!

 

 

Double Decker Bus

What would ManMade Get Crafty be without a Double Decker bus? Cathy and her girls at the Nurture Store oblige with this brilliant double decker bus. I love it that their toys fit perfectly and that they made it after a ride on a real double decker (and look at that very orderly queue)! More wonderful childhood memories!

 

 

 

Get Crafty for Children (or with older children)

Cloth books

Oh my, when I saw these, I was simply in awe! What a LABOUR OF LOVE! Emily over at Naptime Creations, made these gorgeous gorgeous clothbooks! So many details and so many ideas. Love this! I was given a book similar to this and we love it. How special would it be if you MADE one. Or you made one for you grandchild/ godchild. Simply beautiful. There were so many pages to choose from for the little photo, it was really hard – I picked a little road (ManMade after all!) that you can play with toy cards on, but you simple have to go and take a look yourself to get the full effect of all the pages!!

Dolls House

I love this dolls house that Sandrine made – I love that it was (yet another) labour of love. I love that it is made out  of everyday things. I love that it has so much detail. And I love that it is loved!!! This is what all home made dolls house should be like and they are most definitely what define childhood memories. Lovely. Lovely. Sigh.

 

 

Dorodango

Sorry what? Dorodango? Yes, Dorodango! This strange and mysterious shape comes alway the way from Japan. Marvelously Messy explains: “Dorodango are polished spheres, formed out of mud and the skill of your hands. They are a traditional past time of children in Japan. They are an exercise in patience and a great tool for meditation. The translation of the phrase Dorodango is doro: mud and dango: a type of round rice flour dumpling.” What an amazing and random bit of crafting.. I can imagine some older boys gettin into this!

 

Elmo Hat

Oh how cute and fun is the Elmo Hat! Michelle at Girl in Air shows us how! She is a beginner crocheter and yet still produce this stunning hat and YOU CAN TOO! Head over and be inspired! 

 

 

 

Key Chains

I love these Key Chains from Thoughts and Ideas. They look simple and stylish and are a good “Man Gift” (these particular ones are for father’s day, but surely, they will do for birthdays or christmas too). Lovely little tutorial. Only “but” is that you need the “stamping kit”… but you sometimes get to use these are “craft activity stores/ sessions” – so if you are near one, keep an eye out for what tools they have!

 

Get Crafty for Adults (or older Children)

Tic Tac Toe

As father’s day was upon us in June, there was lots of “Manly” crafting going. I just ADORE this Tic Tac Toe that Leane at Organize Your Stuff Now made. The stones are so simple and yet so effective. I can really imagine how lovelty they are to hold whilst you are playing. A nice weight to them and a nice round feel. Perfect!

 

 

Old Boot Flower Pot

I just LOVE this old boot flower pot – it looks such fun and is such a great way to recycle an old boot! Go hope over and see what Amy at Keeping up with the Schulz Family did! I love discovering new blogs and this is a new one to me!

 

 

Coasters with a difference

I thought these photo coasters were pretty good. Then I look at the tutorial more closely and realised, that these coasters are BRILLIANT!  Learning how to make coasters is amazing, but what I loved was the detail: Emily didn’t just use lovely photos of her children, but she photographed them holding letters – so when you put the coasters all together they spell “Grandad”. How wonderfully detailed is that? One day, we will do the same!

 

Polka Dot Clock

I do love the simplicity of this clock. And it is so easy to make. What else can I Say, save for head over to Craftify It and check it out!

 

 

 

Crochet edged pillow cases

Snaffles Mummy shows us her fantastic pillow cases! She made the whole lot -from pillow case to crocheted edge and links through to some excellent instructions.  Didn’t she do a great job! I bet it feel lovely to climb into that bed. Fabulous and perfect for ManMade Get Crafty!

Spinning Yarn

Spinning Yarn

Spinning Yarn

Ever wondered how to make Yarn/ Wool? The lovely and ever so creative Mari-Ann at Counting Coconuts shows us how!! Take a peak.

 

 

Get Crafty – Oooooh

English Breakfast Face

When @dizzydanni84 posted this photo on Twitter, I knew it had to go into ManMade Get Crafty – afterall we have had a number of Kitchen Craftiness posts and I thought this one was so simple and yet so wonderful! I know the photo is blurry, but that is beside the point. The point is, that this was done in an inpromptu creative moment which was wonderfully fun and what childhood is all about! Go Danni!

 

Ice Cream Cupcakes

If you are planning to have the summer party of the year (and making your very own Pinata), do also check these fabulously fun “cupcake icecream cones“, by Allison at House of Hepworths. Aren’t these simply brilliant? The most orginal cupcake I have seen in a while!

Previous Get Crafties:

• June – Inspired by Nature + theme July: ManMade
• May – All things Red + theme June 2010: Nature
• April – Nominations Theme + theme May 2010: Red
• Launching Get Crafty + theme April 2010: Nominations

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Get Crafty – June 2010 – Inspired by Nature

Hello! Welcome back to Get Crafty! This month’s theme was “Inspired by Nature”! My interpretation was the loosest possible sense: from drawings of animals and  trees to things made out of sticks and stones. Once again a WONDERFUL collection of crafts to keep you inspired the whole of the summer!

If you like the look of something DO PLEASE show your appreciation by clicking on the link and thus telling the crafters that “you like”!!

If you feel inspired, do embed the Get Crafty logo on your site – go to the Get Crafty tab and scroll to the bottom of the page for the code!

Next Get Crafty challenge is “Made by Man” – we had Nature, now show us what Man can do – from robots, to cars, to rockets, to cardboard kitchens and dolls houses, to toddler handbags, to puppets – your imagination is the limit!!!! Submissions by 28 June 2010.

Let’s begin

Get Crafty with Children

Doorstop Owl

Aly has made another LOVELY contribution to Get Crafty. This month she brings us this GORGEOUS doorstop owl! I want one. I have been oohing and aahing about doorstops for Red Ted’s room for ages and now I have a solution. Thank you Aly! Love it love it!

 

 

Sugar Cookie Flower Pot

Technically this goes into a “Kitchen Section” of Get Crafty (or Get Crafty ooooh), as these gorgeous little flowers are not just decorative, but EDIBLE! How is that for some craftiness. Rhinestones & Pine Cones tells us more…

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Craft Butterflies

Jane over at Fired4U made the cutest little butterflies with little mini potter. Wouldn’t these look great as a mobile? Or just individually dotted around the house. Lovely!

 

 

 

Name Garden

Getting crafty in the garden! As this is Nature Get Crafty, how can we not venture out into the garden without being creative. I just LOVE this little project – perfect for thos amongst you with little ones learning to read and write – a double whammy reward: see the seedlins grow and watch your name emerge. What fun! More gorgeous stuff from Ariella at Childhood Magic!

Egg Shell Mosaic

Ok, I know that Easter is over, but Ithought this idea was so simple and ingenious that it had to go in. Hopefully for everyone to remember next year. Also, Jen at Paint Cut Paste has a marvellous set of other craft ideas, so do please please check out her blog! It was REALLY hard to “choose” what to post…

Dandelion Field

What would Nature Get Crafty in May/ June be without some dandelions?! Red Ted is loving dandelions and whenever we spot one it has to be picked!Playing by the book doesn’t only show us how to make our own dandelions, but Zoe and the girls review a fabulous little books for us, plus other dandelion links (cookies, syrup, costumes etc!). Go take a look! (Oh and I found some Dandelion Jam here…)

Twig Easels & Dragonflies

Lisa at 5 Orange Potatoes brings us 2 for 1 – two lovely ideas for crafts with twigs! The dragonflies are super quick to make and will keep your little ones entertained for a little while. Hope over to Lisa’s blog and take a look at her easel too. How simple. How fabulous!

red

Bottle Print Flowers

Now, I really wanted to use “the final” images as these flowers are so pretty, but, even more I wanted to use one of the “action shots”. Valerie’s girls look like they were having SO MUCH fun that I can’t wait to try this with Red Ted, as soon as possible! Valerie is the author of Frugal Family Fun Blog , where she posts daily about her obsession with inexpensive crafts, family activities, and all around good times on a budget! You can read more about her at http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com – go on, hop over and see what else they get up to!!!

Kitchen Roll Flowers

Nicole, who brought us that ingenious Paper Flower How To, now brings us these lovely Kitchen Roll Flowers. Now, these look SO good, you would have thought they’d go in the adult section. But go and check out the instructionsand I am SURE You can make these with your children. They look so simple and sweet. I am saving some cleaning product squirty bottles, so I can make my own “colour dispensers” and will have a go. I know Red Ted will LOVE squirting he colour….

Fairy Garden

I knew the Nurture Store would come up trumps again, as Cathy is always coming up with new and creative ideas, some simple, some ingenius and some that childhoods are made of! Here is her little girls’ Fairy Garden! This will no doubt remain a treasured memory for many years to come! Hope the fairies stay too! (I particularly like the blue stone path.. and the execution of the post! Lovely).

Chick Chick

One of “my” submissions, Red Ted and I made these as part of our story + art series of crafts, as well as in anticipation of Father’s Day. The chick’s peak moves when you open the card! Hurray! Very simple to make and will really please your children!

Nature

Paper Tulips

These paper tulips are simply lovely! Who says you should “just” give them at mother’s day? Surprise Granny or Mummy at any time of the year. Go check them out over at Mini Cuties!!

 

 

Get Crafty for Children (or with older children)

Meteorite

I love this project! It actually started off as a project for Red Get Crafty (so I am told), which went wrong, but the craftiness and high spiritedness of the 7 yrs old, turned it round and made it into this FABULOUS meteorite. Read more about what happened here!

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Rain Catcher

Love this take on “Nature Get Crafty” – At The Madhouse, they are “interacting” with nature by making this super simple, but fabulous rain catcher! I love the rain marker that they made and that they will be using this to lear about the weather but also some maths!

 

rain catcher

Giraffes

As part of my weekly craft session Red Ted and I made these Giraffe marionettes. Ok, so I made them, but Red Ted helped paint, stick and fold and he most certainly loves playing with them. Hurray. Take a peak here.

 

 

Counting Owls

I LOVE these counting owls over at Counting Coconuts by Mari-Ann, which is FULL of fab Montesorri inspired crafts for kids. Go and check it out. I will def be off buying some felt to make some for us! And I will definitely be dipping in and out of Mari-Ann’s great ideas!

 

 

Get Crafty for Adults (or older Children

Nature’s Buttons

Oh My! How GORGEOUS are these. So simple and so effective! THese are definitely something to be made with older children or as a fun project for yourself. Ariella at Childhood magic, shows us the way!

 

 

Strawberry & Flower Bookmark

Cara over at Freckles Family, was a little late with this entry for “Red” – luckily it still fits with “Inspired by Nature”. So here we are! I think that this is simply the cutest little bookmark and I will SOOOO be knitting one of these once I have finished a couple of other little crafty projects. Great one for using wool leftovers! Go on, check it out!

Fruit Bowl Batik

I remember Batik attempts from my school summer fete days. I don’t actually remember any of the results. But Anji at Pom Pom Emporium, makes it look easy (enough) and fun. Definitely worth having a go with older children? Or just for yourself!! 

red

Get Crafty – Oooooh

Zingy Zangy Lemons

Very Get Crafty in the Kitchen! In the spirit of nominations these mouth watering lemons were submitted by Diary of a First Child on behalf of Gardenmama. Just looking at them makes me think of lazy summer days. How refreshing these must be. Visit Gardenmama for more info!!

 

Violet Jam

Another kitchen craftiness that I couldn’t miss out. Violet Jam! Violets are so pretty and so beautiful that the process of making this jam feels like art itself. I love connecting with nature this way – making things out things that are freely available! And the recipe is so simple too! Please go and visit Soule Mama for more info!!! (Oh and I found some Dandelion Jam here…)

Butterfly Cake

Tania over at Lavender Bay shows us that you need no excuse other than butterflies in your tummy to make a goreous cake creation! Yummy. Pop over and say “hello” – she is new to blogging!!

 

 

Inspired by Nature Art

I couldn’t resist sneaking in some “arty farty” stuff on the topic of “Nature”. These simply embrace the concept so well! I hope you don’t mind, but enjoy!!! (Don’t get TOO inspired by Ofili..)

Chris Ofili

What could be more inspired by Nature than Chris Ofili’s elephant dung paintings! Yes, that is right, Chris Ofili is renouned for his work with elephant  dung, I thought I’d share these with you :-). This one is Strange Eyes 2001, but to read up on more! More on Mr Ofili himself here on Wikipedia!

World Beach Project

How fabulous is this a WHOLE WORLDWIDE project invovling pictures & sculptures made from stones! I have shown the Sue Lawty’s own contribution. But come to the V&A website to read more and see more fabulous creations! Take part even! “Devised by artist Sue Lawty in association with the V&A, the World Beach Project is a global art project open to anybody, anywhere, of any age, building on the experience many of us have had on holiday of making patterns on beaches and shorelines.”

We couldn’t get to a beach, but still wanted to “take part”, so friends of ours brought us some Brighton Beach stones and we got Inspired by Nature at home.. these are our “hungry & happy caterpillars” – using the same set of stones. We had lots of fun playing with them in the garden. No doubt we will paint them ONE day..

Red

Elephant Family Org

A charity fun raiser and art “installation” in London Town… I think these are particularly “fun” for young children, so though  would share these with you. Being “stuck at home” these days, I am showing you Sarah’s Bass’s photo. She managed to find 10s if not 100s of the elephants! Go visit her site www.monstersandmonkeys.com.

Previous Get Crafties:

May – All things Red + theme June 2010: Nature

April – Nominations Theme + theme May 2010: Red

Launching Get Crafty + theme April 2010: Nominations

Get Crafty – May 2010 – All things Red

Welcome to the monthly Get Crafty carnival – designed to inspire and provide ideas for all age groups. This month’s theme was “all things red”. And my! How many lovely RED things there are out there!

I have decided to categorise this time, so you can quickly find what inspires you most!

With Spring in the air, June’s Get Crafty theme is “Nature” – this basically can be anything: drawings of animals, insects, flowers etc or something made “from nature” – leaves, sticks, stones….. your imagination is the limit!

Get Crafty with Children

Dragon Egg Box

I am sure we all remember Egg Box crafts from when we were young. Red Ted’s nursery claims they are not allowed to use these due to Health & Safety (boo hiss), so here is something to inspire you at home from Activity Village!

Red ted

Giant Strawberry

Here we have a GIANT Strawberry that Aly made for her children. This was a true labour of love, as it the Giant Strawberry Seeds took 4 nights to sew on, but lovely Aly, gives us some handy hints as to how to speed up the process and make it safer for <3yrs olds! What a fab tea set addition!

RED TED

Swing Clip Folk

Charlotte at Chez Lee has been making some fabulous “Swinging Clip Folk” – I remember doing these as a little girl and loving it! Take a closer look… they incredibly good (but “easy enough” for your little one to have a go at!)

 

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Marbled Paper

Look at this BEAUTIFUL marbled paper – doesn’t it look effective? It is SO simple to do and doesn’t cost a lot. Use it as wrapping, as part of cards, or just hang it on the wall and enjoy – Frugal Family Fun shows us how (and check out the rest of her site – some awesome awesome fun things to do!).

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Post Box

As you know we LOVE reading in our house. So when Mrs Frugal at Frugal Family made this to encourage Master Frugal to read more, I thought it was simply ingenious! A must have in Red Get Crafty!!! So simple. So effective!

 

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Butterflies

A LOVELY take on “story + art” – I know there is only a little red, but pink is close? And this submission is from someone claiming (!) not to be arty at all (I protest!) – Claire (who doesn’t blog) described the event: “We visited the butterfly houses at Golders Hill Park and London.  I cut out a buttefly shape on some card – drawing on the back of the card and then folding it in half before cutting to get it symmetrical .  Emily [2yrs!!] then painted the butterfly in lots of colours – and while it was still wet we folded it in half to get the pattern the same on both sets of wings (in theory you should probably just paint half of it – then fold – but Emily likes painting so the bigger the space to paint the better!)

Hand- & Footprint Fish

Here is one of ours – part of the “Story + Art project Hurray for Fish” – we made lots of fish from our hand and foot prints… here is a red one.

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Giant Tissue Paper Flower

Look at this gorgeous HUGE spring flower! Mommy Moment shows us how to bring spring into your house!!!

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Touchy Feely Alphabet Wallchart

What a lovely way to learn the alphabet – over at the Nurturestore, they are making their own touchy feely wallchart. Imagine spending a good 10-30min making a letter, it would definitely make you remember it better! Go take a peak. Be inspired! I think Red Ted and I will be make some of these very soon – he loves my wool, he’ll love it even more if he is allowed to use some!

Paper Plate & Egg Carton Bugs

A Hungry Caterpillar inspired activity session, resulted in not one, not two, but SIX buggy creations! Go over to Molly’s place and check out what they did and what you need to make your own! I am VERY impressed...

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Baby Feet Bunting

Decided to decorate Pip Squeak’s room and make a lovely little “keep sake” with this paper bunting made with her scrummy tiny feet! All you need to do:make some foot prints, cut them out in a bunting shapped triangle (or cut them out & stick them on a triangle, may be easier especially if there’s some smudging, it just means more cutting). Staple to some ribbon. And hey presto, you are done 🙂 I drew an edge, just so it contrasts a little better against the wall. But if you cute your feet out, you could use coloured paper for the triangles. That would look gorgeous! Top tip: helps if there is another adult around. One of you holds baby, one does painting of feet and pressing down. Have a bowl of warm water handy and an old teatowel to dry tiny feet and get rememnants of paint off!).

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Get Crafty for children (or with older children!)

Hungry Caterpillar Cake Decor

Ok, so only the head is Red. But I saw this and said to Kooky Boutique “it must go in”. How gorgeous is this FIMO hungry caterpillar? She made it as a cake decor! Fabulous!

 

 

Baby’s hat

Another one of mine. I knitted this hat for a friend’s baby – it is a Debbie Bliss pattern – I love Debbie Bliss – the patterns are not too “naff” and her wool is machine washable (I buy it on ebay!). Out of the wool stated you can almost make two hats, so get double the amount and make 3!! Have made about 7 of these!!! Pip Squeak has one in teal and white.

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Red Birthday Party

How lucky for Get Crafty that over at Sew Chic and Unique a little birthday girl was celebrating here birthday with her favourite colour RED! Yay! So we have this gorgeous little toddler bag – VERY chic. Love the strawberry H. As well as a red & rainbow pencil roll… and of course RED RED RED cupcakes. Perfect!

Soldier Pegs

Ok, so there are “few” of my submissions, but can I help enjoying making things. Especially if it involved my children?! Here we have some more pegs. A while back Red Ted Got Stuck In and made some pegs with me. He painted, I decorated. I have been wanting to make some feathery birds since then. Red Ted has been wanting to paint more pegs. So we made some birds (photo to be posted in previous post ASAP) as well as these cute little soldiers. We use all our pegs on our “Art Washing Line”. A great way to dry art, but also display it! I highly recommend having one!

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Get Crafty for adults (or older children)

Lanterns

Aren’t these paper lanterns simply devine?! How beautiful. How gorgeous!  The beautiful Childhood Magic blog shows us how!!! These are definitely part of any childhood magic… make some for your children (but, erm, please be careful with live flames! We once had a Xmas tree housefire… sigh).

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Get Crafty – oooh

Heart Photo

Here is an “Ooh” for you. How pretty. Pen made this for valentines! She tells us how on flickr.

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Monsieur Alphonse Poissonnier

I knowI said “no shops”, but every so often something just TOO CUTE sneaks in. This time it was this naughty Kitti by The Other Mousie! Also, we shall soon be seeing a “How to” from this Kitti’s creator, so he simply had to stop by and say hello!

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Yummy Scrummy Cupcakes

Newbie blogger Tania (go on, pay her a visit and say “hello” and make her feel welcomed!), made these super delicious Cupcakes. They look devine! Shame she lives Down Under and I live in Blighty. None for me! Do like this “entry” though, as who said you can’t be Arty in the Kitchen…

I am linking this to the Special Rainbow Red edition of