Carve a Stamp and Feature it On a Leather Necklace

How to make a stamped leather necklace. This is a project I designed for an archery event on Sunday, but it would be great for a summer camp or a family picnic.

Make a Suncatcher

This is a good choice for older kids.  Younger kids will need help with using wire cutters and pliers.

First I took a sturdy branch about a foot long.  I gathered up some wire, beads, shells, polished stones and other found objects. Drilling holes in things can be challenging so try to pick things that already have holes. I used a technique called 'looping' to encase the bigger items in wire. I think it came out lovely.

Nature Crafts

It's so important for children to get enough exercise.  So why not plan out some nature exploring and nature crafts.  Take sketchbooks and watercolor pencils, hike to a nature spot, and spend some time drawing things. Collect leaves and take them back for use as stencils. Sometimes it's harder in the city, but look for regional parks, beaches, lakes, and nature trails.  If you are allowed to glean things, bring back flowers to press. Pine cones and pine needles are useful for many crafts. Seashells are a favorite of children everywhere. Fashion simple hair ornaments using things found in nature. Or frame seashells and leaves in shadow boxes. Many places have scheduled nature walks that are kid friendly.

Magic Wands

Do you love to play dress up? My next tutorial is going to be on making magic wands to go with your castle adventures and tea parties. We will be using a cereal box and keeping it out of the land fill, so save your next empty box. Also collect some glitter and jewels for it.

WRITTEN TUTORIAL

Easter and Ostera

Easter (or Ostera on the Pagan calendar) is coming up soon so I need to get busy with the bunnies and the eggs. If you have some craft ideas on that feel free to chime in. I have wooden eggs to paint. It's a good time for farm animals like bunnies and chicks and lambs. I can't wait for spring, even though we have mild winters here in S. CA.

Spring is great for juggling outdoors.

Making Valentine's Day Cards

I've been busy working on a tutorial for making valentines. Some are easy enough to make with your kids, if you do the cutting for them. Of the ten designs I came up with, at least half are family friendly. So enjoy.

About the Title

I wanted to come up with a cute name for a kid's crafting blog. And I'd just listened to this video that was playing Skip to My Lou. I learned that song in grade school and it always puts a smile on my face. But this version had a verse I hadn't heard before that went "Funny Little Bunny With A Hole in His Shoe, Skip to My Lou My Darling."

So somehow that got mixed in my mind with the thought of a children's tea party, with me as a little girl sitting at a little round wrought iron table, and in one chair is a big fuzzy bunny stuffed animal. If I ever did that as a child I have no idea. I do remember a little china tea set my grandmother bought for me when she visited New Mexico from New York. So there you have it. The way my mind works.

Then when I was looking for a photo I ran across this vintage bunny sleeping on it's side. My friend Bonnie gave that to us when she moved to New Mexico and that is where I grew up, so I cherish it. So welcome to Sweet Tea With Bunny and Me.

Children's Craft Blog

When my kids were little I did crafts with them all the time. Our days were filled with finger painting and bread dough art and paper making, and cutting out snowflakes. Then they grew up! Well, it happens to the best of us. We moved apart and they made their lives and I made mine. And we would have gone on that way until something amazing happened. They both had babies. And now I have two grandsons and two new mommies who are suddenly asking, "What do I do with this kid all day so he doesn't just sit there and play video games and go on the Internet."

So I started telling them on the phone different crafts and activities. And I'd send them ideas on Facebook. But would they remember after they hung up the phone and went back to their hectic lives? So suddenly it hit me...a BLOG! Why I hadn't thought of doing a kid's crafts blog before I don't know. It just never occurred to me. I'm looking forward to it. Yes, it's a good thing. Please join me. If I have one gift in life, it's to never run out of creative ideas!