Keiki Gifts, Crafts & Activities

I could not have asked for a more wonderful idea…Lego + Muji!  It sounds like this gadget-building-paper combination will definately satisfy my creative side as well as the child in me.  I am certain that it will be a hit with my kids too.  Using a paper punch type tool, holes are made into paper and mounted on to the lego pieces turning it into a dimensional creation.  You will be able to make toys, cards, ornaments and more!

I don’t think you are able to buy this paper Lego products in the U.S. just yet but you can find it here online. 

Technorati Tags: craft, Japan, kawaii, Lego, Muji, toy

I borrowed this book from the school library - I don’t know what the title is but it’s an instructional book on how to make cute Japanese charms. The school librarian took a trip to Japan and purchased some fun Japanese books for the children. She was gracious enough to lend me this craft book and I am so enamoured with it that I don’t want to return it!

This 56 page book has colorful images and instructions on how to make many different kinds of charms using ribbons, beads or both. The instructions are all in Japanese, of course, but I followed the photo directions and was able to make a few charms.

The projects are pretty simple and some require a little crochet knowledge. Many projects are similar to lei making so if you’re familiar with ribbon lei crafts, just miniature your lei and make it into a charm.

I haven’t been able to find this particular book online but you can find more Japanese craft books at http://www.boutique-sha.com.jp. I’ve been able to find a few beaded and origami crafts books such as these at Marukai’s 99 cents shop. I’ll post photos of my completed project later.

Technorati Tags: Craft Books, Japanese charms

How To Brush Your Teeth

1. Rub 10 times on left hand teeth.

2. Rub 10 times on right hand teeth.

3. Rub 10 times front teeth.

4. Clamp your teeth then rub 10 times.

5. Do every one once more.

6. Do behind your teeth 10 times.

7. Brush your tongue.

8. Then brush 3 to 2 times.

9. Floss

Thada

Technorati Tags: Brush Teeth

It is a GREAT time to be crafting and creating! Halloween! Thanksgiving! Christmas! Imagine all of the things that you could be making for gifts, ornaments and just for fun. But…I haven’t been doing much as you can see from my blog and my Etsy shop.

I’m following a new blog called The Joy of Crafting. The TV show of the same name gives me inspiration but I’m happy the blog is up and I can access it at any time. I also like that I can follow links to other crafty blogs through the blog list, comments and fan links. However, the down side is…I am now really wanting a Cricut or Sizzix gadget so I can make those fancy schmancy cards and boxes that so many of the bloggers feature.

Right now I’m going to line my hallway with paper so the kids can graffiti the wall.  Happy Crafting to all!  If you like to motivate me with your creativity, please feel free to comment with your link.  Thanks so much!!

Technorati Tags: craft ideas, holidays

When working with paper, especially heavier paper like card stock, it is best to score your paper before you fold because it gives you a nice, clean crease.

Here’s a handy dandy tip I got from watching The Joy of Crafting on television:  Use your portable paper cutter to create perfect score lines.   Place your paper on your cutter and instead of using your blade, use a paper clip to make a line on your paper.  The indentation made by the paper clip makes folding much easier now and the ruler on the paper cutter measured the exact placing for your score line!

Technorati Tags: craft tip, score paper

The kids requested “corn soup”.

I made corn chowder.

They said, “This is not corn soup!”

“What is corn soup?” I asked.

“Corn soup is corn and water!”

“Ewwww….” I thought and wouldn’t you agree?

We compromised.

Here is the recipe for our corn soup.

1 package lipton soup mix made according to directions (kids’ favorite soup).

Beat an egg and swish it into the boiling hot soup.

Add canned or frozen corn kernels.

Heat about 5 minutes.

That’s corn soup.

Technorati Tags: corn soup, easy recipe

Welcome to the July 8, 2009 edition of Crafts Carnival.  Thanks once again for contributing your craft ideas to the 8th edition of my Crafts Carnival!  Read on and enjoy!

Kerry Fletcher presents How to archive your children’s art posted at Houston Interior Decorating Examiner.  Kerry says…”Anyone who has kids probably has stacks of artwork.  So, how do you archive the artwork in an organized way after it has spent some time on display?”  Find out here…

Kate Hudson presents Spinning my own Yarn posted at Strawberry Moonbeam.  Share Kate’s experience with yarn spinning.  She writes…”At the weekend I got my drop spindle out and had a go at spinning. I’m very new to spinning, I’ve only tried a couple of times before. I had a batt of corriedale cross which I wanted to spin up into a bulky yarn, about 5 or 6 wpi.”  Read more…

Darcy presents My Paper-Covered File Cabinet posted at Smart-Bottom Enterprises, saying, “I made this and I just think it’s great! Anyone can do it!”  I must say that this project came out really, really nice and I think “George” is happy with his make-over.  Who is George? Well, you need to read the full story here!

Wendy Piersall presents Camp Crafts: God’s Eyes posted at Craft Jr. This is a great tutorial with photos on how to make a God’s Eyes craft that can be used as decoration or even as fun necklace pendants.  Everyone needs to try this craft!  For instructions, go here.

Condo Blues presents Make a Garden Border Out of Old Bricks! posted at Condo Blues.  Here is a quote from this post…”Something I recommend by the way – always try to get someone else to do the dirty digging work.”  To see the finished project and great instructions, read the full article.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of crafts carnival using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati Tags: blog carnival, crafts carnival, Tutorial

I’m gonna make a pitch here. This is for is for cash back shopping at Ebates.  It works likes this…shop at over a 1000+ stores listed on Ebates, accumulate cash and earn cash back.  Quite easy.  And yes, you get paid for referrals also.  Here’s a video description on the program.

Here are some art/craft supply stores currently selling on Ebates.

• Dick Blick Art Materials 3% Cash Back
• Fabric.com 5% Cash Back
• Joann.com 5% Cash Back
• Mr. Art  4% Cash Back

You can even combine savings while shopping.  For example, you can use coupons that you may have received or use your credit card that rewards you for purchases.

If you haven’t signed up for Ebates yet, I’d suggest you try it out…it’s free!

Technorati Tags: ebates, money saving tips

I’m currently working on Origami Fans for my Etsy shop and wanted to give a full description of the products I’m using to create these fans. Sometimes customers want a more detailed description of the materials I use but often times, after buying my supplies, I organize them into containers without saving the original packaging it came in; therefore, I forget the name of the manufacturer and the details of the product. Before I do this again, I thought I’d document what I’m using to create my latest collection of Origami Fans.

The origami paper used to make these fans are made by Yasutomo and Company, made in Japan and distributed in the U.S. The print is called “Peony” and decorated on both sides. The front is a pastel floral print with butterflies and the back is solid yellow. The paper is quite sturdy and flexible making it great for origami. (The open fans are made from washi paper and from a different project).

The glaze is Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating (1303). This glaze provides a permanent, protective gloss finish that does not yellow with age. It is also moisture resistant making the finished fan more durable. Although the vapors are toxic while wet, the dried product is safe but I wouldn’t recommend eating it or having it around kids who may mouth the fan.  With Hawaii’s high humidity, the glaze sometimes takes longer to dry.

The thread used to bind the fan’s pleats together is Coats & Clark’s brand, metallic thread made of 40% polyester and 60% nylon. The jump ring are 7mm and gold finished from stock I already have in hand.

These fans will go up on Etsy soon.

If anyone can recommend a glaze that is non-toxic both wet and dry while providing clear, glossy protection for paper projects, I’d love to hear from you!

Technorati Tags: Etsy, origami fans, paper

When the weather is unbearably hot, I like to make a Somen Salad dish for my family. It is refreshing and delicious!

Photo Credit: st3v3133

Here is the recipe:

• 1 pkg. somen, boiled according to package directions
• ham or char siu pork, thinly sliced
• 2 eggs, scrambled, thinly sliced
• 1 kamaboko (fishcake), thinly sliced
• green onions

Sauce:

• 2 T sesame seeds
• 2 T sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 c vegetable oil
• 2 T vinegar
• 2 T shoyu

Cool rinse and drain somen then lay in 9″ x 13″ pan. Garnish with lettuce, kamaboko, ham, green onions. Mix sauce ingredients in a bottle, shake well. Chill. Pour sauce over salad when ready to serve.

My notes: I like to “roll” the somen into balls (like when eating spaghetti) then place the balls into the serving dish and garnish — makes it easier to pick up for individual servings. I usually have everyone pour their own sauce. I like the tart vinegar sauce above but my kids like the milder bottled sauce.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: recipe, somen salad