I was so excited when my mom bought me a Chewbeads necklace…it’s a great-looking accessory made from baby-safe silicone beads. But after the first wearing, I quickly realized that I was covered in drool—not just the necklace but also my shirt. (And the silicone would get caught in my hair which was sort of painful.) The concept is genius, and maybe my little Oliver is droolier than most, but it proved to be a total mess for me. So now the necklace sits in his toy bin, along with everything else he puts in his mouth.
And then I came across this adorable DIY teething necklace by A Bit of Sunshine on Craftgawker. Maybe it would have the same effect, but perhaps the fabric cover over the beads will safeguard my hair and act as a sponge for all the saliva? Maybe? Possibly? Hopefully, because it’s too cute, and I need to make one.
Everyday, I’m a proud mom to my son Oliver, but today, I’m a proud, crafty mama. Ohdeedoh, the ultimate blog for all things fabulous in kids’ design and craft, wrote up a flattering (I’m blushing) piece on the June 2011 story Project Nursery about my son’s bedroom.
Visit Ohdeedoh to read their post and take a peak at Parents for all of the craft how-tos!
I love this idea posted on Moomah: The Journal. Before your child embarks on a new experience, whether it be camp, a new school, or a just a sleepover at grandma’s house, glue some family photos (don’t forget the pets) to manilla tags to make this adorable necklace. Cover the pictures with clear packing tape to protect them, then string them onto braided yarn, elastic, or a shoelace. When your child has a down moment, she can just glance down and see shiney, happy faces staring back at her.
Do you have any tips to help ease your child’s separation anxiety?
Who says a Mother’s Day gift has to be expensive? There are other sweet, thoughtful, and heartfelt ideas moms will surely love. If it’s your family’s first time celebrating, here is a dad’s guide to making her Mother’s Day special. Below are some ideas that will make this year extra memorable.
Mother’s Day feels early this year, but don’t be caught empty handed! There is nothing a mom loves more than a hand-crafted gift from her kids. Check out this video, brought to you by Etsy and Joel Henriques of Made by Joel, a fabulous DADDY blog of homemade kids’ toys and crafts. (Joel made this adorable Turkey craft for Parents last November.)
For a slide show of other crafts for mom, click here.
I love paint chips, and I especially love crafting with them. Check out this happy Easter Egg garland made by Modern Parents Messy Kids. Visit the site (or just look at these photos) for the very easy how-to. You can hang this garland on your mantle, front door, or in the trees near the egg hunt!
You might not associate temperatures in the 40s with gardening, but mid-March is actually the perfect time to plant peas, according to gardening expert Rebecca P. Cohen, author of the new book,Fifteen Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids.She recommends planting them in containers outside or, if it feels too nippy to be digging in your garden, on a windowsill. It’s an easy project for little ones to help out with—and peas are one of the most exciting vegetables to grow (add a stake to each container, and your kids will enjoy watching the peas vine up the sticks over the coming weeks). If you don’t want to deal with soil, you can even use wet newspaper with the seed pressed up against the glass, Cohen notes. Within seven days, your seed will sprout!
What was craft maven Martha Stewart like at 10-years-old?
We can’t answer the question, but a new holiday cartoon special called “Martha and the Christmas Tree“ will feature an animated 10-year-old Martha Stewart. The cartoon will be the first in a ”Martha & Friends” TV series that will debut on the Hallmark Channel this upcoming Monday, December 20 at 7:00 pm EST.
A collaboration between Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, A Squared (A2) Entertainment, and AOLKids, the holiday special will feature “a 10-year old Martha Stewart as a problem-solving, craft-loving, generous spirit who, with the help of her three best friends, comes to the community’s rescue during the holiday season” (PitchEngine.com).
A clip of “Martha and the Christmas Tree” shows a 10-year-old Martha with her recognizable adult haircut, dispensing fun advice and tips for Christmas crafting and baking. The animation, done in sweet, simple pastels also features her two French bulldogs (who talk, of course!).
Four more feature-length cartoons will debut next year along with 26 webisodes (plus related games and projects) on www.marthaandfriends.com.
You might not associate temperatures in the 40s with gardening, but mid-March is actually the perfect time to plant peas, according to gardening expert 
