lap duvet sketchbook.

seen: lap duvet by purl bee

Let's revisit the fantastic Purl Bee because I found Molly's lap duvet sketchbook tonight and cannot look past it.   Naomi Ito's Nani Iro line is exactly what I would hand pick for a first "quilt" project.  And the practicality of a made-to-fit gauze blanket for an evening show or novel is extra encouraging.

threading paper.

Oh no.  I haven't been without the delightful this summer, I've almost just had so much of it that my head is spinning: four weeks of swim lessons, camping on the coast, a birthday, school shopping, furniture deliveries and a big family reunion coming at us quickly.  (And I can't help but take any spare time to Pinterest instead.)

But this- threading paper on a string- stands simple but colorful and clever.  That's what I'm attracted to most this month.

to do: color science.

We've been inside all week-- even the preschool outdoor time is cut short when the 'weather watch' counts enough rain drops (or hail!).  To stay happy today, we came up with this simple & colorful craft.  It makes all this gray feel less dreary.

(seen: yellow, red and blue food coloring)

You only need:
*one ice cube tray
*one dropper
*blue, red and yellow food coloring
*water

Now, on to becoming a color scientist.  Mix as you like.

diy pinata

seen: d.i.y. piñatas

Giddy Giddy blog: We've known piñatas all our lives, but doesn't Teri suddenly transform them into fantastic?  We could go anywhere with this.  D.I.Y. tutorial here.  

potato print monster tees

LMNOPs issue 12 is out and it's always a treat.  And I don't think it would be far fetched to say that the little 4 year old of mine who now insists on picking out his clothes every day would do flips for a potato stamped monster tee.  And maybe I wouldn't mind if one of these became a new favorite for him or baby brother.

See tutorial below.  

inspired: forget laundry blog

seen: pieces of a great Secret Agent party

This featured Secret Agent party (above) brought me to this blog and I found these projects that I think are especially creative (& simple- my running theme).. and just suit us.  I'm excited to make:

seen: mr. pizza face

seen: paper bag mini books

seen: "fresh lobster"

preserving.

seen: printed jam and pickle jars, $7/8

I sort of fell in love with preserving when I bought some spicy pickled carrots and some bread and butters from the Happy Girl Kitchen Co. at San Francisco's Ferry building last Spring.  They were incredible and it opened up this can of ambition: I wanted to take a pickling class, to have shelves of homemade jams, to preserve my own mango chutney, to be the girl who gifts pickles.  Luckily, my sister surprised me with this for my birthday and now I know exactly what hobby I'll purse this fall/winter.  

Aren't these jars terrific!  A little pricey for shelves of jam, sure, but for a special gift- exactly what I would choose.  

diy huge chalkboard easels

seen: "outdoor art fun"

angry chicken: lumber wood + chalkboard paint + chalk = huge outdoor 'easels'.  This is the most clever kind of summer fun.  (I'm a big fan of leaving the messes outside.)

to sew.

image from here

I wanted one big thing for my thirtieth birthday: to learn a new skill.  After months of deliberating, I've decided to learn to sew.  Of course I'll be a beginner so I don't need much, but I'm on a serious search for a good basic sewing machine.

I know I want the option to quilt, but other than that-- where to start?  I spent last night reading reviews and this has been the most helpful so far.  I might as well pay homage to Purl Soho now because they'll likely be the source of inspiration and materials.   [Even without sewing or knitting know-how, I'm already a daily reader of  their great blog!]

Clearly it's all very subjective, but what machine do you use and love?  What do you look for?  Or avoid?  

(Thanks!)

make a sponge ball

seen: sponge ball craft

I saw this and loved the idea of a doable craft for 4 year old Cole and wet activity both boys would go crazy over.  I think they would vote to make an entire bucket full of colorful sponge balls for a playful water fight when our weather decides to warm up.  One I wouldn't mind getting in on!  

make these toys!

seen: make these toys [$10.04 on Amazon]

Aahhh... yes!  Just the book I've been looking and looking for.  The kind that helps me create with curious boys who need to be kept busy.  "101 clever creations using everyday items" like a milk carton balloon boat, embroidery hoop tambourine or puppies that roll on thread spools.  

Ordered.  

[seen in Living, August 2010]

diy celery + lettuce printmaking

seen: diy {lettuce and celery} printmaking

printmaking 101 [via poppytalk]: This week, we're stamping with leafy greens (summer goal: daily creative projects).  I think I'll pull out the blues and greens and call it camouflaging with celery.  

diy paper globes

seen: paper globes

alphamom: my new resolve for summer is planned creative projects each week.  science projects, boy crafts, homemade edibles...  I think this is the perfect start.  I love the idea of these globes lining our hallway.  

paper city

seen: paper city by made by joel [vehicles and helicopter]

I know a certain four year old who would truly love making & imagining with this paper city.  Maybe it would be the cure for our grumpy, rainy week?

hand-tied bouquet

seen: how to make a french hand-tied bouquet by {frolic!}

Isn't this pretty!  I bookmarked it as soon as I saw it and then went and picked myself some English roses.  I totally equate motherhood with hand picked bouquets.  Don't you?

Happy Mother's Day weekend!  Mine is starting off right-- Brad took both boys to run errands while I get ready in a quiet house.  Then, we're meeting friends in the city to eat and hike to my favorite lighthouse.  

I really love my life with three boys and know I'm lucky.  It's happy to think there is a world of people who feel the same...

make rustic candles

seen: DIY "rustic candles" 

With all those unused pots and for all those outdoor dinners.  These are brilliant.  

tooth fairy bunnies

seen: homemade tooth fairy bunnies via inchmark

photo by brooke (inchmark)

Hand sewn, customized boy/girl bunnies is such a sweet twist on the traditional tooth pillow.  I really love the idea of making more magic for this already anticipated milestone.  (My elementary best friend and I swore to be tooth fairies when we grew up.  You?)

Have you tried Hand Stitched Felt?  If it can help me create the likes of this, I'm ready to add it to the cart.  

spring stamp sets

seen: stamp sets, starting $11.50

yellow owl workshop: I'm really pretty proud of my small rubber stamp collection and love adding to it.  (It all started when I worked at the great store Black Ink.)  In fact, these sets are so exciting that I'm straining my brain trying to come up with a good reason to buy the badminton kit.  

[seen on poppytalk.]

to quilt

seen: me plus you modern quilt (pattern) by Kelly McCaleb

I went to a quilting themed activity last night and for the very first time came home wanting to quilt.  Give it a try.  Of course I'm thinking Kelly's quilt could be the perfect goal.  

[Did you know that the latest Martha Stewart magazine rated the Singer Confidence, $250, the best basic sewing machine?  It's so within reach.]

Your favorite pattern?

DIY jelly bean bags

seen: bag of beans how-to

the purl bee: "to cut back on the sugar and up the fun factor" for Easter, try piles of wool felt jelly beans in a rainbow of jelly bean colors.  I foresee an instant win-win.