August 2010

  • Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

    Hi Friends, The last three parties were actually operated from computers in various places in the United States, but now I’m back at my very own desk, and my very own computer. The jet lag is waning, most of my kids are back in school and I’m feeling a sudden need to do some serious…

  • Container Gardening In The California Wine Country!

    I'm very happy to report that a love for container gardening seems to run in the family! On my recent visit to my brother's home in Sonoma, CA, I spied this hydrangea topiary and thought that it was just perfect outside their sliding glass door. Who would have thought that a hydrangea would make such…

  • Introduce Boys and Girls To The Art Of Pottery!

    Aren't these bowls fantastic? My eight year old daughter and nearly seven year old son made them in their ceramics class, and I wanted to share these with you for several reasons. First of all, my seven year old son who (alack, alas) isn't interested in doing crafts with me most of the time, has…

  • Wax Paper Mobiles: Wire, Tissue Paper + Imagination!

      I just love wax paper, and so I'm really happy to share yet another great kid's craft project with you. One of my nephews did these sweet mobiles years ago, but I'm so happy that his mother saved them long enough for me to photograph them! You could really take this idea in so many…

  • Crochet A Wonderfully Rustic Basket From Rags!

    As you may know, I've been really into crocheting and knitting with rags lately. And my desire to make a crocheted basket together with the idea that one such bowl/basket would be a nice gift for my brother's house in Sonoma led to the question: "Mom, do you have any old sheets that you don't…

  • Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

    Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday! I just love Sundays and all the inspiration that it brings each week! Last week there were many new faces at the party, which was really so very exciting! Thanks so much to everyone who contributed, I appreciate each and every one of you. And now, for the the featured…

  • Slice Of Life: The Garden Shed Sonoma-Style!

    Okay, the secret is now officially out, I have been in the United States for the past several weeks! I know you never would have guessed right? But now it's time to start sharing some of the great things I saw while making the family rounds and showing my children some of the lovely local…

  • A Primative And Charming Quilt!

      One of my brothers who lives in Northern California (I didn't tell you, but I was there recently, more about that soon!) owns this wonderful quilt that I just had to share with you. It was made at an art center for mentally disabled adults in Oakland, CA and I think it's a really…

  • Make A Cute Model Of Your Dream Vacation Destination! (Using Recycled Materials, Of Course!)

    As it turns out, something is in the air, and imaginative little villages of all kinds seem to be sprouting up all over blog land! So you won't be surprised to see that we also made this little village a while back, and have just been waiting for the right time to share it with…

  • A Whimsical Crocheted Pin Cushion

      A while back when I made some cute but small flower pin cushions, I realized it was about time that I actually tried to design something myself. So here it is, a sculptural three tiered pin cushion! Yes, it does look like it arrived from outer space, and I have been using it and…

  • The Making Of An Artist: An Eight Year Old’s First Painting!

    Isn't this painting wonderful? Yes, I may be biased as the artist's mother, but I thought I'd share it with you as inspiration for getting an early start on your own child's art education! I recently found a wonderful art teacher that will be able to give my daughter a nice introduction to the true…