How-to host a craft party

"How-to host a craft party" by Jessica of Living the Swell Life via Marta Writes.


This is totally on my list of things to do this year. How fun is a craft party. Now I've just got to collect a number of crafts that would be fun to do. I'll also need to find a group of friends to invite. It's a really good idea to make Christmas presents, so maybe sometime in July or August.

Hmmm.. maybe I could even think of a theme. Kitchen crafts, Christmas decorations, gifts for men....

The Tape Trick

"The Tape Trick" from Prudent Baby.

This just seems like a good tip to remember... especially after hearing stories about how my parents would have to lock my younger sister into our bedroom at night because she was such an escapee. It's amazing how simple solution like a piece of tape could do the trick.

ANOTHER TAPE TRICK: I've also heard that by placing a small piece of scotch tape on upset baby's foot distracts them from their crying.

Outer Space Birthday

"Outer Space Birthday" from stephmodo.

When I have kids, I want them to go through an outer space phase (after a dinosaur phase, and before a secret agent/spy phase!). Surely that's not asking too much. If the stars do align (haha!), I'd love to steal some ideas from this birthday party that stephmodo threw for her son. Vintage outer space stamps, a space flashcard banner, games like "Pass the Plutonium" and "Hot Potato" (with an inflatable astronaut!), astronaut ice cream, moon t-shirts... sounds like a fun party to me.

Other ideas:

• Decorating the table with constellations
• Scavenger hunt for glow-in-the-dark stars
• Rocket launch game--with foam rocket slingshots
• Comet toss with velcro
• Ring around Saturn ring toss

Felt Mailing Envelopes

"Felt Mailing Envelopes" from Hello! Lucky.

My heart swoons for these felt mailing envelopes. I can just imagine what trinkets could be saved in such a lovely package. Maybe gifts that are swapped back and forth between secret pals. Maybe mementos from a special occasion. Or my favorite... maybe this is how letters to Santa should be sent. (Add some felt holly leaves or candy canes to get in the spirit!) And, maybe with such a fancy envelope, Santa might even be willing to respond with a note of his own.

Nativity Blocks

"Nativity Blocks" from I am Momma - Hear Me Roar.

Another great project from Cheri at I am Momma - Hear Me Roar. I love that this nativity set is kid-friendly, inspiring kids to build and play with the characters. I love that she suggests that older children could help make them--I think that's awesome!

Magnetic Alphabet Puzzle

"Magnetic Alphabet Puzzle" on Someday Crafts from guest blogger, "I am Momma, Hear Me Roar."

I love games and toys that are cleverly designed, fun to play with, and teach something, too. That's the ultimate trifecta. These magnetic alphabet puzzles are super cute, and I love the magnetic lunchbox, as a storage container AND a play surface. The different cut designs are a great way to scaffold the activity for those who don't quite have the alphabet concept mastered. You could also make these for numbers or even sight words. I love how this mama personalized it for things her kids are familiar with, e.g. "T is for Transformers."

Bleached Out Tees

"Bleached Out Tees" from DesignMom.

Gabby's kids always make their own gifts for each other--a tradition in itself that I love. But, this particular gift seems fun and easy for kids to make, but still has a designer sense to it.

1. "Start by gathering your materials. You’ll need a 100% cotton t-shirt in a bright or dark color (you can use a pastel, but the contrast from the bleach won’t be as intense), bleach, rags and something to block the bleach. We used vinyl cutouts and duct tape as blockers.
   
2. Spread out the t-shirt, then put a layer of rags or an old towel between the front and back — so the bleach doesn’t bleed through to the back of the shirt.
3. Apply the design you want on your t-shirt. For most of our designs, we used sticky-back vinyl that was cut into shapes and letters using a Silhouette machine. If you don’t have a Silhouette machine, you could still buy a sheet or roll of sticky-back vinyl and cut out the shapes you want by hand.
   
4. Next, pour some bleach into a container and dip an old rag into the bleach. Press the rag on to and around the vinyl or tape. When the shirt is as bleached as you’d like it to be, life the front of the shirt, slip out the rags and immediately rinse the shirt in water to stop the bleaching process.
5. Dry the shirt in the dryer and you’re ready to wrap it up. Yay!"
   

Handmade Coffee Table

"Handmade coffee table" from Darling Dexter.

My husband and I have tried our hand at making furniture before. But most looked fit only for the dorm room in which it originally sat. This table from Darling Dexter is quite an inspiration. Doesn't take extremely skilled labor, but still looks lovely. Definitely need hardwood floors though!!

Blessed to Bless bags

"Blessed to Bless" bags from Joy's Hope.

I, too, often feel the awkwardness of giving to people begging on the street. A part of me wants to help and knows that I should help, but I wonder what is the best way to help.

I love that Julie encouraged her extended family to help out in this endeavor after a holiday meal and celebration. That with a few small donations from each person they were able to make a big impact. Could you do something similar at a child's birthday party?

Coupon Books

"Coupon Books" from Good Look Cookbook.

I always love the personalization possible with homemade coupon books. They are also a wonderful way to give the give of time, rather than more Made-In-China crap. I think it would be a wonderful tradition to put a personalized coupon book in each stocking. And, these are some mighty pretty ones, at that!

Alphabet/Flashcard Party

"Alphabet/Flashcard Party" from Blonde Designs Blog.

What a cute toddler birthday party based on the flashcard concept. Used flashcards as food labels. Favor bags said, "brought to you by the letter Mm." Letter diecuts hang from the chandelier making a clever centerpiece.

A presidential baby shower

"a presidential baby shower" from Blonde Designs Blog.

Another cute party idea from the girls at Blonde Designs blog. This baby shower would be perfect for my sister (someday!) who had presidential dreams as a child. I love the campaign buttons... I'm a sucker for pins like that.

Although I'm not such a fan of shower games, it might be fun to vote on names, gender, weight, who he/she will look most like, etc. Could have some cute ballot boxes to and voter cards to check off.

"Coupons put in their place!" from Blue Cricket Design.

I am sooo bad about taking coupons and forgetting to use them. I'm not sure that coupons save you a whole lot of money, but there definitely won't save you anything if you don't remember to give them to the cashier.

This handy shopping organizer is super cute. And, just removing it from the cart would remind you to hand your coupons over.

Personalized Stickers

"Personalized Stickers" from Good Look Cookbook.

Maralee made these cute stickers for kid's cups at her family's reunion. Such a great idea! I can totally see using plastic reusable cups as well. I wonder if you could find a sticker that's dishwasher-safe...

Personalized Game Pieces

"Personalized Game Pieces" from Giver's Log.

I love that Amberlee took photos of family members and printed them on shrinky-dinks to make custom game pieces. Aren't shrinky-dinks the best!?!?

Wouldn't this be a cute gift for a board game lover?

Repurpsing Duplo blocks

"DIY Spinny Spellers and repurposing Duplo blocks" from Filth Wizardry.

What a cute way to create words and sentences. More versatile than magnetic poetry. Much more fun than flashcards. This is just playing games.

This image also inspires me to use this strategy for a birthday invitation... use the blocks to spell out the invitation message and take a photo of birthday child holding the tower.

Fabric Stash

"New Addiction" from The Little Green Bean.

Although a bit different than my usual posts here, school is starting back this week and I know that I won't get around to this project anytime soon.

Missy has organized her fabric stash by making here own bolts out of foamboard. She cut the foamboard down to 10 x 7.5--just the perfect size for little scraps.

Picture stand

"Picture Perfect Teacher Appreciation Gift" from Skip to My Lou.

Such a cute gift for those teachers, friends, etc. who need something a little special to remember how much their loved. These photo frames are made by cutting a slit in a wooden ball doorknob.

Great baby ideas

"Something Free + Five Lifesavers" from Young House Love.

Lots of wonderful baby ideas from this one post from Sherry and John. A DIY baby book--> would be cool to use their download as a start, but actually create a Blurb book to write in as a journal.

I also love their weekly photo series with baby Clara. They take a photo of her laying on a scrap of patterned fabric each week (thanks to $1 deals at the fabric store, as well as patterns they have around the house). They dress her in a simple white onesie, and then photoshop the week icon on her chest. What a great Blurb book to chronicle a baby's growth through the year.

Father's Day signs

"Father's Day signs" from lovelydesign.

I so admire the projects that Sharilyn plans with her daughter. Using pieces of her daughter's abstract art, she created some awesome Father's Day signs for the fathers in their lives. You could also use your child's name or inspirational words, like "hope" or "love."

What else?