blog tour: crafting with kids by Jennifer Casa
April 18th, 2011
Jennifer Casa, from the fabulous blog Jcasa handmade, has written a very nice kid’s craft book called Teach Yourself VISUALLY Crafting with Kids
So, I sat down with her and we leafed through the book together. When we got to the Daily Docket project, I knew this was the one. Perpetual calendars are one of my very favorite things and as an added bonus we had almost all the materials on hand to make it.
Well, we didn’t have alphabet stamps, or rather we had L, Q, H, B and R, but we weren’t playing Wheel of Fortune so it didn’t help us much. So instead of stamping the months and days on fabric I had my daughter write them on with a fabric pen. When she was finished we cut them out and glued them onto felt. I knew I was going to regret the glue I used and I did, because bleh, it shows through. I should have sewed them or rustled up some fabric glue, but whatever.
For all the letters and numbers and clouds and things, I had my daughter draw them and then I made patterns from her drawings. This was a totally unnecessary step, but I think it made the project more hers than mine (which is was supposed to be, right?). The weather bit isn’t in the directions, but I had just seen Abby’s felt weather board and I thought it would be perfect with this project.
Because there were more little bits now with the weather forecast and because my children love to organize things, I sewed four pockets instead of making one big one. O.K. maybe I should stop, because wow, Meg, you sure are taking a lot of liberties with this project. I mean this is a review of a book, right? I did make changes here and there while we were making the calendar, but that’s what is so great about this book. There are so many simple projects in this book that you can use them as jumping off points for your children’s crazy creativity. It’s nice to have tutorials and books that teach us to make something just so, but it’s also lovely to have open ended projects that your kids can enjoy over and over again, each time in a new way.
I made one more little change to Jennifer’s awesome project, one that I was kinda sad about. I used a stick (straight from the yard) to hang the calendar instead of grommets. The grommets are one of the coolest bits of this project, but sadly, I am not cool enough to own a grommet setter. So a stick and some loops and ta da! a fantastically homemade perpetual calendar. So many good things rolled up into one!
Thank you Jennifer, for including me on your blog tour for your wonderful book! Would you like to own your very own copy? Jennifer has kindly offered a signed copy shipped to the door to one of my dear readers. Leave a comment on this post and I’ll pick a winner on Wednesday! Good Luck!
There are a few more stops on the bloggy book tour and some more chances to win a copy too:
- Wednesday, April 20 – Maya*Made
- Friday, April 22 – Stitches in Play
- Tuesday, April 26- Aesthetic Outburst
- Thursday, April 28 – Artsy Crafty Babe
THE GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED! KRISTA, #7 WON! YAY KRISTA!
Wow. I love everything about this project, especially that it is cute, but included so much from your daughter. My son would just love this kind of project… Looks like a cool book! I really want a copy now.
This looks fab! I’d LOVE a copy, I’m always on the lookout for great kids craft project inspiration.
The grommets would be cool but for those of us who do not own a setter.. you have made a very doable alteration! So awesome…This book is def. on my list for this summer and snow/too windy to leave the house days. :)
Wow, this looks like a fabulous book! I love that it has open ended projects, seems like a great book full of ideas for rainy days. Or snowy days like today! Oh, and your stick holder is just as cool as the grommets! :)
what a neat book. I have been wanting to make a March calendar with lions and lambs for the days that the child gets to select based on weather. Would love to get inspired by this book!
I would love this book me and my girls love doing crafts together this would get some great use in our home…my blog has kid friendly crafts and tons of girlie tutorials http://www.patriciaraedesigns.com hope I can win for my girls
I love the stick, very natural. I also love how your kids own that project instead of you doing it for them.
This book looks amazing! Some of my fondest memories as a child are making crafts with my mom and sisters. I can’t wait to start with my daughter and son! :)
okay, so i was already sold, but this totally seals the deal, as we are so trying to learn our days and months at the moment.
My girls have a foam calendar they love to do in the morning, but this one is WAY cooler! I have been looking forward to this book.
This book looks fabulous. My son’s last report from daycare said he did not like craft, but since then he has become the most crafty 2 year old I know – he loves to MAKE stuff not just draw so these ideas are perfect for him.
It looks like a really cool book. I am loving the felt projects right now and my son is loving making things with me!
Yes, please! Love this project–and the final result!
Now I have a plan for that ridiculous felt stash. The stick makes it so awesome
Loving all the projects in this book and would love to win a copy. By the way I think the stock hangar is just as cool as grommets, if not cooler :)
Oops – “stick hanger”
yep yep and yep. that is a winner.
love the stick idea! as a grommet machine non-owner, i might have to do that!
Wow! Looks like a great project.
Looks like a great book!
I love your addition of the weather- my kids always love to go look on weather.com with me to see what our weather is going to be for the day- they’d dig this project!
I have been checking out the tour for this book and I must say this project is my favorite so far.
wow it’s brilliant & I love the stick
I love the stick for hanging! Thanks for the chance to win!
What an exciting book, and a great project! I’m off to dig through my fabric stash…
This looks like a lot of fun- even for craft-flummoxed parents like me.