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{Guest post from Hannah Rials} What is going on? Now we’re writing books that are encouraging kids to play video games? I thought we were supposed to be discouraging this? I’m so confused!
I’m sure a lot of you parents are thinking that right now. And yes, kids should be getting outside, exploring their world, reading books, and every else like that to live a balanced life. However, science and research are revealing more and more how helpful video games can be in a child’s cognitive development. Minecraft, for instance, helps with creativity, sharing, innovating, continuous learning, problem solving, craftsmanship, teamwork, interdependence, flexibility, storytelling…just to name a few.
Minecraft does not have to be just a kid’s activity. This book provides six different quests that teach gamification, which is the process of applying game principles to real life. Parents, you will learn about the world of Minecraft, while also bringing your children out of it. You’ll learn the lingo, the levels, the different things that you can do within the game, and you’ll come to realize why your kids love it so much and how beneficial it is to them.
But having this book, showing your kids how the skills they are learning inside the game are relevant in out-of-game experiences, is a wonderful opportunity for family bonding and for crafting and creativity!
How you can Gamify these quests:
Quest 1 – This quest is all about taking inventory of your resources. That’s easy. Together, your family can take an inventory of something in your house: the pantry, the refrigerator, your movie or book collection, etc.
Quest 2 – Textures, Patterns, and Landscapes, which talks about cooking and gardening. Do we really need to explain this one? I think you’re getting the hang of it!
Quest 3 – This is about architecture, so this gives your family a wonderful excuse to take a neat vacation to some city with unique architecture. Road trip to Charleston, SC or New Orleans, LA. Going abroad? Well, basically all the cities over there have interesting architecture! Have some fun!!
Quest 4 – Here, we look into the arts: the colors, textures, and styles of a museum. So obviously, you need to find a museum to day trip to! Even if your town, or the one next to you, doesn’t have the equivalent of the MET or le Louvre, that’s okay. All museums are great experiences.
Quest 5 – Game making; think how fun this could be! Each of the family members making up their own games and then hosting a family game night to try them out. Sounds like a good time.
Quest 6 – is the culmination of all the skills you have learned previously–you’re making a city. Maybe before you jump head into the game, you and your child can write about your city, make up people, laws, specific places or activities that go on there. Help them create their world both in and out of the game!
Grab your copy of this amazing book that is not only going to excite your young readers, but get their brains reading and exploring this summer!
**some of these links are affiliate links
Something to Do Minecraft-Inspired Activities:
Who can resist making this fun Creeper from TP rolls?! Instructions at Kids Activity Blog
For those interested in using Minecraft for Homeschooling, The Spectacled Owl has some great Homeschooling with Minecraft ideas and projects.
HANNAH RIALS: A Maryville native and current college student at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Hannah began writing her first novel at age twelve. Eight years later, the result is her new YA novel Ascension; a modern day teenage romance filled with “double-blooded” vampires and revenge-seeking witches (to be released in August of 2016). When not spending time with her family and playing with her beloved Corgis, Buddy and Noel, Hannah leads a creative group, crafts and cultivates her writing skills. Connect with Hannah on Facebook, Twitter and via her website.
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Breaking News! Proof that Dragons are indeed REAL!
My newest book, Dragons are Realis available and the excitement is almost blowing the roof off at Jump Into a Book/Audrey Press headquarters!
SO…what if I told you that all of the fairy tales, myths and legends that have been told about dragons over the years are WRONG. What if I told you that Dragons are indeed Real and that they are different than you’ve ever imagined?
This fairly true story is based on the author’s childhood friendship with a REAL live Dragon; a very special Dragon that she and her brother spent two magical summers with.
As readers turn the pages and learn the truth about Dragons, they will see that the fiercest beasts in known history can actually be the best of friends. It’s a lesson in finding companionship in the most unusual of places. Dragons are Real is a magical book filled with stunning illustrations and hints that dragon are indeed all around us
Dragons are Real is now available for purchase on both Amazon and Gumroad! We are also offering a special free bonus gift of a Dragons Are Real Inspiration Activity Guide when you purchase your copy of this enchanting picture book.
Hand knitting has been around for arguably thousands of years, though in modern times its popularity has waxed and waned. Waldorf schools around the world have long recognized that teaching young children handicrafts helps develop their fine motor and analytical skills. The great thing is, libraries can promote knitting, too! Currently, knitting is very popular and many libraries have started their own knitting circles. Here are several reasons to start a knitting circle for tweens at your library and a step-by-step list on how to get started:
Start a knitting club for adults. My adult knitting group meets in the evenings right near the children’s area, so we’ve garnered a lot of interest from the kids by simply existing. They want to know all about knitting, how we started, what clothes we’ve made, etc. Most kids ultimately ask if I can teach them how to knit. We have a diverse group of men and women in our adult group, and in turn I’ve had both boys and girls show interest in learning. Having a multifaceted group is a great way to highlight that knitting is not just for women.
Step 2
Find someone who wants to teach kids how to knit. If you are a knitter, it could be you. If not, contact your local knitting guild or meet up group to see if one of their members has an interest in teaching kids how to knit.
Step 3
Gather your materials! You’ll need yarn, needles, scissors, tapestry needles, and knitting books from your collection to get the kids started once they’ve masted the basics of knit and purl. Ask your adult patrons if they can donate materials or reach out to your library friends group for the funds needed to purchase some knitting paraphernalia.
Step 4
Pick a date. I find that knitting clubs for adults tend to be the most successful if they occur at the same time and place weekly, so pick a date and time when your tweens will usually be able to attend. We have our summer knitting club on craft day, the same time every week!
Step 5
Publicize! Spread the word about your knitting club at school visits and outreach, and on library social media and websites. It also helps to reach out to your local knitting guild so they can publicize for you!
Kate Eckert is an artist, knitter, and mother of one. She is also a member of the School Age Programs & Services Committee and is a Children’s Librarian at the Free Library of Philadelphia. She tweets @8bitstate and may also be contacted at eckertk AT freelibrary.org.
Lots to do, lots to do… and so little time. You would think we would be old pros at this now, but damn if the butterflies don’t start a fluttering around this time. Paying for shows, flights, hotel rooms, airbnbs… and a whole slew of other things that will cause a bit of anxiety. But it is worth it as we love traveling and seeing everyone at the shows, which will start off Saturday with a one day horror show.
The 4th Annual Spook Show at the Halloween Club in La Mirada is here on March 5th and it will be our third time doing it. It keeps getting better and better each year; artist, crafters, vendors, food trucks, music, and much more. One of our favorite small shows, plus it is a great way to start off the con season. The show is free, but you must RSVP your free tickets to gain admittance. It is from noon til 7 on Saturday and family friendly.
There are plenty of more shows in the coming weeks, so everyone have fun and we hope to see you soon.
In Maya’s Blanket/La Manta de Maya, written by Monica Brown and illustrated by David Diaz, Maya takes an old blanket that her abuela sewed for her and turns it into many different things. Her blanket turns into a dress, then a skirt, then a rebozo, a scarf, a headband and even a bookmark! Maya teaches us that something old can be turned into a new and beautiful something else.
In this season of crazed holiday shopping, sometimes it can seem like nothing’s worth having unless it is brand new. But creating DIY projects–either for yourself or as gifts–can often be more meaningful, and it is also much more Earth-friendly!
DIY means “do it yourself.” This means you’re making, building, or repairing something without professional help. People who DIY are known as “DIYers.”
Here are some great DIY projects you can do with items from around your house:
Pinterest has become a teacher’s go-to source for all sorts of curation inspiration. If you’re like me, you can browse and pin for hours without even once questioning when you’ll have time to DIY your heart out or eat everything pinned to your food inspiration board.
So, since June is right around the corner we thought we’d help you get a head start thinking about and planning some fun end-of-the-year tokens of appreciation. Whether you’re a teacher, student, or parent, Pinterest has an overwhelming amount of DIY-inspired gifts to celebrate the end of the school year and kick-off the start of the summer.
Teachers: 8 gift roundups (& no apples in sight!)
101 Easy & Creative Teacher Gift Ideas from The Dating Divas. An impressive list of over 100 teacher gift ideas broken down by category: the first day of school, appreciation gift ideas, end-of-the-year ideas, and even 2 bonus gift ideas for the bus driver.
Teacher Gift Ideas in Mason Jars from Mason Jar Crafts Love. If I had to describe Pinterest in two words it might just be mason jar. But dare to challenge their all-inclusive, miscellaneous nature and you’ll surely be disappointed.
20 Cheap, Easy, Cute & Practical Teacher Appreciation Gifts from It’s Always Autumn. You’ll find less of the cutesy, where-am-I-going-to-put-this DIY projects and more practical gift ideas that teachers can actually use, from classroom supplies to gift cards.
28 Pun-Tastic Teacher Gifts from BuzzFeed. A laugh-out-loud collection of “punny” printables and DIY ideas for your “uh-mason” teacher or “berry sweet” students.
DIY Treat Bag Tags-Teacher Appreciation from The Busy Budgeting Mama. You can never go wrong with an edible gift, particularly those made with sugar. Here are 5 printable tags to say thanks in a sweet way.
25 Teacher Appreciation Ideas That Teachers Will Love by Crazy Little Projects. This roundup of 25 usable and practical DIY gifts hits it on the head for most teachers. I would be ecstatic to receive anything on this list.
4 Gifts That Teachers ACTUALLY Want (told by teachers!) from A Girl and a Glue Gun. This roundup of teacher-minded gifts shows you how to make what teachers really need and want-from cleaning wipes to pizza gift cards- feel personal and special.
from the blog Love The Day
FREE Teacher Appreciation Cards from The Chickabug Blog. Overwhelmed by Pinterest’s crafting skills? Are you a self-aware last-minute gifter? Or maybe you just have a sarcastic sense of humor? Look no further. This list of printable teacher gift card holders is here to save the day.
The Archives:These blogs are a treasure trove of teacherappreciation gift ideas, many more than can be covered in
thisroundup. Here, you’ll find teacher gifts for any and every occasion throughout the school year.
Teacher Appreciation Ideas from Skip to My Lou. 10 whole pages worth of ideas to thank a teacher. Need I say more? This is one you’ll want to bookmark for later.
Teacher Appreciation/School from Eighteen 25. Printables, printables, printables! This blog is chock-full of cheesy tags & quick DIY gift ideas for teachers that are practical, yummy, and great keepsakes.
Teacher Appreciation/School from The Domesticated Lady. An archive of teacher gift ideas and even “s’more” puns.
Teacher Appreciation Gifts from The Happy Scraps. Teacher gifts for any occasion, these DIY ideas are quick and as simple as possible without breaking the bank.
Students: 8 ways to settle those testing nerves and end the year on a high note with your students.
End of the Year Gifts! from Lessons With Laughter. Your students’ futures are bright! But with cool sunglasses to wear, a survival kit bucket for life by their side, and having had you as a teacher they’re sure to be headed in the right direction.
Smartie Pants from The Muddy Princess. These are the best kinds of “smartie pants.” All you need is some cardstock, brads, glue, and Smarties!
Sidewalk Chalk End of School Year Student Gift Idea & Free Printable from My Sweet Sanity. Puns make the teacher and student DIY gifts really special, and this “chalk full” of fun idea is no exception. Any inexpensive, summer-themed gift that encourages kids to head outdoors is definitely a winner.
End of the Year Gift for 2nd Graders from Drama Mama’s LittleCorner. There is only one small problem with this ice-pop gift idea and it’s that it’s being limited to second grade. Ice pops RULE!
Easy End of the Year Student Gift from Happy Home Fairy. Just like the school year, these Frisbees will fly (just hopefully not at your head!).
Candy Gram Ideas from Happy Home Fairy. Candy grams are always sweet motivation for either starting or ending the school year.
Graduation Gift Idea Printable Seed Packets from Pre K-Pages. Just as you helped them plant seeds of knowledge, encourage students to keep growing their minds with this gift. Not only perfect end-of-the-year gifts for students and teachers, Forget Me Not seedlings make memorable graduation gifts.
Finally, if you’re a fan of Pinterest then we want to connect! Follow Lee & Low Books on Pinterest here.
Veronicahas a degree from Mount Saint Mary College and joined LEE & LOW in the fall of 2014. She has a background in education and holds a New York State childhood education (1-6) and students with disabilities (1-6) certification. When she’s not wandering around New York City, you can find her hiking with her dog Milo in her hometown in the Hudson Valley, NY.
0 Comments on Pinterest Roundup: 100’s of End-of-the-Year DIY Ideas for Teachers & Students as of 1/1/1900
One of Michael's tasks for The Earth's Wife is to research "second lives," so to speak, for the waste that had been diverted to Walt and Nora's spare bedroom. He uses 1001 Ways to Give New Life to Old Things (Northampton, Mass.: The Free and Open Press, 1973) for this task.
On Monday morning, Roberta asked him, "What kinds of things have you been finding in your room? You said you made a list." "Butter containers," Michael said. "There are hundreds of butter containers under the bed. They're all different sizes and colors and brands. And then there are lots of those artificial-whipped-cream containers." "Someone must have given Nora those. She would never buy anything in a plastic container herself. And she wouldn't buy artificial whipped cream no matter what it came in." "Plus, there are empty bleach bottles all along one wall," Michael said. Roberta groaned. "I swear, when I was in college, people were making purses out of bleach bottles. Or maybe that was just one of those urban legends, because you never actually saw anyone carrying one of the things. I did know a guy who made himself a vest out of the ring tabs on soda cans, though." "There are only a half dozen soda cans. I brought them in yesterday," Michael admitted. "Fortunately that's not enough to make anything out of. Whatever you do, don't buy any more. What else have you got?" Michael looked at his paper. "There are some used beach towels." "Are they nice?" "No." "Maybe we can make pot holders out of them. What's that you've got written there? 'Blue jeans'? Are there a lot of them?" Michael nodded. "But they have holes." "Now those we can use to make a quilt. I've seen a few of those. They're actually attractive." "A quilt!" Michael repeated. And then he thought, What does she mean by "we"?
I think my Aunt Tessy really did make one of those bleach bottle purses. I don't know if she went out in public with it.
When the original edition of this book was in the editing stages at G. P. Putnam's Sons, someone there told my editor that no one would cut up old blue jeans for a quilt. They were too valuable. Well, I would. I don't have any kind of emotional attachment to my old Levi's. Or those of any of my family members.
And so, folks, I have, indeed, made a denim quilt out of old blue jeans. I think it was done either just before I was writing this book or soon after. It went away to college with someone and is now in his house. I also made a cute little bag for a girl out of denim with a denim patch work side. Don't have a picture of that.
What I do have a picture of is all the denim, some of it already cut into squares, that I've collected for another quilt. A couple of weeks ago a family member was visiting and told me he had a bag of denim for me but had forgotten to bring it. So there will be more squares and more quilts and maybe more denim bags.
Wow. Little denim bags. I could have cranked out a bunch of those and used them for swag. I could make a little denim bag and put a copy of the original paper STP&S in it for raffle donations! Got to think seriously about my ROI on that idea.
This whole recycling old things business was a bigger deal in my college days, so this is another example of an autobiographical element making its way into my work. Recrafting recycled items still has its advocates, however. Team EcoEtsy is a group of sellers on Etsy who reduce, reuse, and recycle. This past month they ran a trash-to-treasure challenge to celebrate Earth Day.
Nora would have done an article about them for The Earth's Wife.
0 Comments on The Annotated "Saving the Planet & Stuff" Part Eleven: DIY Recycling as of 4/27/2015 10:21:00 AM
Toys are important to a child but too many of them can be a handicap. A child who has a chest full of ready-made playthings often becomes indifferent to them. Eventually none amuse or please and the toy-owner becomes restless, dissatisfied, and frequently difficult to live with. Such a child urgently needs a wholesome release … Continue reading Making+Doing=Being
0 Comments on Making+Doing=Being as of 3/22/2015 3:36:00 PM
Each year, I ask my student aides to take time to make something to give to a teacher they admire, look up to, or just enjoy. What we make are book wreaths. While those take some time (and there are SO MANY to do!), there are others that don't take as long. Here are five different projects you can make with students using old book pages to give to their favorite administrator, teacher, parent or friend....or even themselves!
2. Decoupage Ornaments: This next one is fromhttp://www.kinassauerstyle.com/search?q=ornamentswhere you can take something as simple as a glass (I think plastic would work just as well) and decoupage pages over it, adding glitter or other types of shimmery effects.
3. Paper Christmas Trees: Christmas trees made from old discarded wrapping present cores can be made using book pages. Think of other places as an educator to get those cardboard cores. I've saved mine from lamination film. Here are some simple directions: http://www.crafts-for-all-seasons.com/paper-cone-tree.html
4. Snowflake: Big or small, any book page will work well to make these beautiful snowflakes! (see example above). Believe it or not, it took me about 30 minutes to make one of these. I'm sure it'll be easier the more you make. http://m.wikihow.com/Make-a-3D-Paper-Snowflake
5. Book Beads: For the jewelry lover, try making book beads to string for a bracelet or necklace. Or create bigger ones to use as tree garland. Simply roll one inch strips using a toothpick for smaller beads and other cylindrical objects for larger beads and Modge Podge the outside. Hint: spray whatever you're using with some spray oil...it'll help loosen up the beads when they're done drying.
And of course, if you need some more ideas, just go over to Pinterest :) I have a board called "What To Do With Old Books." http://www.pinterest.com/naomibates/what-to-do-with-old-books/ And there are plenty more!!! Please share if you have one dedicated to creative archiving old books
0 Comments on Five Great Crafty Ideas for Librarians and Students as of 12/15/2014 7:28:00 PM
Hope you had a happy Halloween. Ours was lots of fun, and thankfully, the cold and rain held off until right when we were all ready to go in anyway.
This year, I only made one costume, since my daughter only needed a thrifted dress for her “diva” outfit. Our son, seven, wanted to be a bald eagle. He has a thing for birds of prey. At one point it seemed his visions were never going to match up to reality, but in the end, both of us were happy with how it turned out.
It’s made from four thrifted items: brown jammy pants (unaltered), long-sleeved brown T-shirt (sized down), brown henley shirt (cut open and scalloped for the wings), and the cut-off top of a fleece hoodie (sized down and scalloped for feathers). My son made talons made of yellow foam and cardboard. He also made the foam beak, which he attached to a pre-bought plain white eye mask. I tried to convince him to just attach a beak to the hood, but he was having none of that.
I thought he did a great job making eagle poses here. For more semi-homemade costumes from previous years, click here.
Meanwhile, I’ve been slog, slog, slogging through my novel rewrite. Also, enjoying the fact that Bletchley Circle has new episodes. Woo!
7 Comments on Bald Eagle Costume, last added: 11/11/2014
I think the bald eagle costume was original and well designed and made. If Lucas were in contest, it should have won first place. Were you able to open and view the video, “”Osprey, the ultimate fisher”. It should have been of great interest to Lucas. GD Bob
If your kids would like to give their family and friends a home-made and unique gift for the holidays, why not try this simple and economical one: necklaces made from metal washers. When I first spotted this on PINTEREST, I couldn’t believe how simple and clever an idea it was. Assemble an assortment of washers (you can get them at LOWE’S, HOME DEPOT, SEARS, or any hardware store. I actually found mine on the sidewalk. Then paint them with nail polish in desired colors. You can use several coats and colors, but let each layer dry thoroughly before adding a second coat. Then tie a ribbon or yarn through the washer to hang. For mine, I added the smaller inner washer with a piece of jewelry wire. You can also sprinkle glitter, add tiny sequins or whatever catches your eye. These are so easy and cheap to make, you can give them as party favors or to friends/neighbors as a “thank you”.
For more ways to decorate these washers, visit the washer jewelry pages on PINTEREST. http://www.pinterest.com
0 Comments on Easy Craft: Washer Necklaces…just in time for the Holidays! as of 1/1/1900
This time of year I am creating Hand Painted Ornaments for my JingleBulbs.com site.
I started painting them for clients that I would have during the year, and then it turned into a nice side business. Eventually it would be nice to be able to turn the designs into cards and Christmas related products.
0 Comments on Jingle Bulbs as of 11/6/2014 10:15:00 AM
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
I have a decorated can in my Sunday School class (that we call our "I Can") to encourage my girls that with Christ, we can do all things. It's been a great way to encourage positive attitudes with my girls as well as myself (I mean, if I'm teaching this lesson, I need to be working on it myself too in my daily life!). I currently use our "I Can" for our SS offering so that it has a purpose to sit out on the table every week. However, when I first introduced this lesson to the girls, we made clothespin flower clips to put on the can. Now I use their flowers clips as a way to hang up their artwork on the wall. So, I thought you might enjoy a quick tutorial on how to make flower clothespin clips. They are really simple and my own daughter has already made tons of them....so fun!
You will need:
Clothespins
Beads (must have a wide hole)
Hot Glue gun/glue
Felt
Pinking Scissors
Purple and Green Pipe Cleaners
Step One: Line up 3 purple and 1 green pipe cleaner. Slip 1-2 beads on and push them to the middle
Step Two: spread out the purple pipe cleaners and pull the green pipe cleaners down
Step Three: Start rolling the end of a purple pipe cleaner towards the middle until you reach the bead
Step Four: Roll up all the rest of the purple pipe cleaners the same way that you did on step three
Step Five: Curl the green pipe cleaners around a pencil
Step Six: Measure a clothespin on a piece of felt and cut the shape out with pinking scissors (make it a little bigger than the clothespin)
Step Seven: Hot glue the felt to the clothespin
Step Eight: Hot glue the pipe cleaner flower on to the clothespin. Make sure and glue it to the non-pinching end.
To encourage creativity: set out a variety of colored felt, pipe cleaners and beads and let your kids have fun making their own unique flowers! Let me know if you give this a try :) Blessings, Jenni
0 Comments on Clothespin Flower Pipe-cleaner Tutorial as of 10/30/2014 5:39:00 AM
Oh, dear friends (and Friends), the Lehigh Valley Friends Meeting Craft Fair approaches. (Oct. 18th) I should be planning the arrangements of all the tables, setting out yard signs, contacting the crafters and making sure they all show up, sending emails to all the bake sale donors and volunteers. But instead I want to: - read - play the accordion, or the piano, or the kazoo - bake muffins for me and mine and NOT for strangers - write another adventure of the Advent Avenger, or the Halloween Hero, or the Thanksgiving Titan; (Titan?? where did that come from?) - doodle - do 6 or 10 or 15 sudoku puzzles and a few crosswords - take down the wash - make supper
ANYTHING!!! ANYTHING but what I should be doing. It is an affliction - this tendency of mine to ignore my responsibilities and just fritter. Puttering is guilt-free. Frittering is fraught...just totally fraught.
Anyway, if you are in Bethlehem, PA on October 18th - stop by the Lehigh Valley Friends Meeting and spend money. I will be the heavyset flustered woman in the weird hat. You will have fun.
10 am to 3 pm. 4116 Bath Pike, Bethlehem, PA 18017 And there will be homemade soup and bread, fresh pressed cider and music, sweet, sweet music.
It’s time for the yearly round-up of costumes, in case you need some ideas. What are you dressing up as? Last year, I was the Prancercise Lady, but it’s going to be hard to top that one. The kids want to be a diva (10 year old) and a bald eagle (7 year old). We’ll probably get started on costumes this week. This always starts with a trip to the thrift store. Our costumes are of the slapdash variety—-altered rather than sewn from scratch, with not too much (okay, almost no) emphasis on perfection.
So glad to get my copy of the Budget Bytes cookbook the other day. If you haven’t yet discovered the Budget Bytes blog, you’re in for a treat. The recipes are on the simple side—weeknight friendly, for the most part, but not boring in the least. As the title suggests, the recipes are wallet-wise, but beyond that, they’re just appealing, and in many cases, less-meatarian, which I love. Also many are gluten-free or easily adaptable to GF. I checked the book out from the library and liked it so much I had to buy my own.
Discovered another new-to-me podcast for children’s and YA lit enthusiasts. It’s called First Draft, and it’s interviews Sarah Enni conducted with authors during a cross-country road trip. Good stuff, food for thought.
What about you? Discover anything good lately?
1 Comments on Low-Sew Halloween, last added: 9/26/2014
Today's a special day for our friend Vanessa Salgado -- dancer, dance educator, visual artist, and creator extraordinaire. Vanessa is the mastermind behind a unique character and children's book called Crafterina, which is more or less a storybook, craft book, and dance lesson all rolled into one. Today is special because it marks the launch of Crafterina's first YouTube video about the book. Take a look!
I had the pleasure of interviewing Vanessa last year to talk about how Crafterina came to be and how crafts and dance go hand in hand. You can read that interview here. And, to supplement the book, Vanessa has created an Etsy site where you can purchase a wide range of additional dance-themed crafts. Her back-to-school paper dolls and pumpkin Halloween mask are popular ones for this time of year. Congratulations, Vanessa, on all your success!
0 Comments on Read, Create, Dance: Crafterina's New Video! as of 9/22/2014 12:16:00 PM
Marilyn Scott-Waters loves making things out of paper.
Her popular website, www.thetoymaker.com, receives 2,000 to 7,000 visitors each day, who have downloaded more than six million of her easy-to-make paper toys. Her goal is to help parents and children spend time together making things. She is the creator of a paper toy craft book series The Toymaker’s Christmas: Paper Toys You Can Make Yourself (Sterling), and The Toymaker’s Workshop: Paper Toys You Can Make Yourself (Sterling). She is also the co-creator with J. H. Everett of the middle grade nonfiction series, Haunted Histories, (Christy Ottaviano Books / Henry Holt Books for Young Readers).
On top all of this…..Marilyn is also my co-author and co-creator of the upcoming children’s book A Year in the Secret Garden.
I have known Marilyn for almost years now and these last three years have been a delight. It started in September of 2011 when I went to St. Paul Minnesota to attend The Creative Connection Conference. I was sitting in a hotel lounge writing in my notebook when this very cheerful woman came up to me and said, “Oh you have a moleskin. Can I pull up a chair and sit down?” Never would I say no to such a request. As she sat down she said,” Hi I’m Marilyn from California.”
And that’s when it all made sense. ” Are you Marilyn Scott Waters The Toymaker?” I asked. After she confirmed she was I admitted I had been buying and downloading her paper toys for years. Small world!
For the next four days we, the toymaker and I, had ample time to become friends and I even got to make toys with her. Over the course of our ongoing friendship we have mentioned to each other that we need to creatively collaborate on something. A book, a project….something. Then last fall we both had a flash of brilliance and the A Year in the Secret Garden book project was born.
Marilyn and I both agree that the process of creating this amazing children’s book filled with over 120 pages of activities, crafts, recipes, gardening fun and also education opportunities along with 150 original color illustrations. There is a total of 48 activities for families and friends to enjoy, learn, discover and play with together. Marilyn and I have a mission of offering A Year In the Secret Garden as an opportunity to introduce new generations of families to the magic of this classic tale in a modern and innovative way that creates special learning and play times outside in nature.
This book encourages families to step away from technology and into the kitchen, garden, reading nook and craft room.
Marilyn shared with me that creating this book for families almost felt like a calling, and I wholeheartedly agree. We both have put 110% into making A Year in The Secret Garden a unique and enchanting experience that encourages families to push away from the “i-devices” and create some memories together. Marilyn is a former art director and design guru and this is sooooo evident in her breathtaking creations within this book.
As we pieced this unique books together that is inspired by the classic children’s tale The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, we both knew we wanted this to be a book for all ages to enjoy, and also a reason for parents to spend time outside with their kids enjoying and discovering the beauty of nature, just like young Mary did in the original book.
Our physical A Year in the Secret Garden book is now available in PDF download form HERE. If you’d like more in-depth look at the magical fun inside the pages of A Year in the Secret Garden, or order your special pre-sell copy of the physical book, go HERE to view a list of activities, recipes and learning opportunities connected to the book.
I have to go back to work tomorrow and I'm not really looking forward to it. I don't feel like I've been "off" for awhile, which is really terrible of me. I mean, I had a LOOOOONG time off in April-May. I'm just a vacation person. Work doesn't suit me. Hahahahahahahaa!
Anyway, this is my super short blog post that I felt I simply HAD to do, since it's been something like 1-1/2 months since I last blogged.
Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects: easy to pick up, hard to put down
Sophie Maletsky
Zest Books. 2014
ISBN: 9781936976546
The publisher sent me a copy of the book to review.
All ages.
We are pleased to take part in the
Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects
summer blog tour.
Teens + duct tape = fun
Whenever the Teen Advisory Board at my library hosts events,
duct tape
0 Comments on Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects Summer Blog Tour as of 8/26/2014 10:27:00 AM
One of my favorite summer activities is being out on the water in a boat, enjoying the afternoon sunshine as the boat – any boat – glides through the water. Even if you can’t take a ride in a people-sized boat, you and your kids can make an amazing flotilla of boats using all kinds of recycled materials. And, best of all, they all float! So save your egg cartons, margarine tubs, seashells, and sponges and get ready to have a boat race in your pool or even in the bathtub. Don’t forget to take a video of the event and who knows, it may become an annual tradition.
I actually have three patchwork projects going now. Yes, three. Yes, I have a problem.
Hopefully more about the others soon. But this one started in the most irresistible way. I was making a bed cover for my daughter (10) when my son (7) declared he wanted a quilt, too. I told him he could look at some of my quilting books for inspiration, and he sat down and thumbed through them. He liked the Gee’s Bend book the best (is this kid good at getting brownie points or what? Gee’s Bend is my inspiration for all things quilty). Then he set about arranging my scraps into patterns.
It’s been so fun to see what he comes up with. He’s very particular. Also fun to see what surprises come together as the patchwork grows. The way the deep orange pops, the way the blues and greens begin to blend together, the way the prints dance and change character according to their placement and size.
All of these fabrics have a story. They’re bits from friends and family or pieces of other projects, some reeeeeally old.
He seems to want it to be a lap quilt. For more of my patchwork projects, click here.
Finished Call the Midwife (the book). It was very good. I especially love the stories about the nuns. Fascinating people.
0 Comments on Scrap Quilting with a Seven-Year-Old as of 1/1/1900
This is a great book for the quilter looking to bring something new to their craft. Zentangle is a style of doodling taken to an art form, and its practitioners are passionate about their repetitive pattern drawing. Tangle Stitches combines this art with quilting, a perfect fit as the doodles are very similar to common [...]
0 Comments on Tangle Stitches for Quilters and Fabric Artists as of 8/5/2014 9:04:00 PM
Hi again folks. What have you been up to? I hope it’s getting warm and green wherever you are.
Here in Charlotte it’s very warm now, too warm, but it’s been exciting to see all the flowers make an appearance, and inevitably, there are lots of weeds popping up, too. Lately I’ve been thinking about the things my friends and I used to do with various weeds when we were kids.
There was the weeds-into-pop-guns trick, pictured above (arrowhead weeds, I just learned they’re called).
Clover chains
Trying to make a grass blade whistle (okay, not weeds, but still counts)
Of course making a wish on dandelion heads
Know any others?
I’ve been so focused on my writing goals that I haven’t been doing a lot of crafts and (interesting) cooking, though I do have a few things l’d like to share in the coming weeks. Our last day of school is today, which means my schedule will be quite a bit different from here until the end of August.
I’ll try to be here as much as I can, but you may find me more frequently on Twitter and Instagram, since those are easy for quick snippets. My Twitter handle is @emilysmithpearc and I’m on Instagram as Emily Smith Pearce.
Good news! I reached the goals I set for myself with both my nonfiction and YA novel manuscripts. This is big. So much writing done this year, though it’s easy to wish I had gotten even more done.
HANNAH RIALS: A Maryville native and current college student at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Hannah began writing her first novel at age twelve. Eight years later, the result is her new YA novel Ascension; a modern day teenage romance filled with “double-blooded” vampires and revenge-seeking witches (to be released in August of 2016). When not spending time with her family and playing with her beloved Corgis, Buddy and Noel, Hannah leads a creative group, crafts and cultivates her writing skills. Connect with Hannah on Facebook, Twitter and via her website.
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Hello Kitty Crochet: Supercute Amigurimi Patterns for Sanrio Friends
I think the bald eagle costume was original and well designed and made. If Lucas were in contest, it should have won first place. Were you able to open and view the video, “”Osprey, the ultimate fisher”. It should have been of great interest to Lucas. GD Bob
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 19:21:37 +0000 To: [email protected]
Hi! I have been sick with a bad cold. We have not viewed the video, but thank you. Glad you like the costume.
You are amazing, Emily!
Holy Moley!!! That AM A ZING!!!!! I WANT ONE TOO!!!
Just a few thrifted tops and you can! Glad you like it.
*blush* Your comments always make me smile.
Oh you make my Sebastian the Crab look like a lump of lint…great job!