Small Wooden Birdhouse

Small Birdhouse
This is a really fun project to do with your child. I took my 3 1/2 year old daughter to the craft store (Hobby Lobby) and got all of the supplies for this quick project under $15.00. First, we picked out the small wooden birdhouse (if using outdoors, think finch sized). Of course there are larger birdhouses available for decent prices, but I wanted a quick project. Next, we picked out some wood paint, stickers, brushes, and varnish. I let my three year old help paint the two coats of paint and attach the stickers (after the paint was dry of course). The only thing she didn't help with was the varnish which I used to coat the outside with to secure the stickers on and also to protect the paint.

Supplies
1 small birdhouse available at Hobby Lobby or other craft stores
2 colors of wood paint small size (we used the outside/yard paint and only about half of the bottle of each color)
1 bottle of varnish/finish (ours had a bit of a sparkle to it which was intentional and this, too we only used about 1/3 of the varnish)
Decorative stickers - I let my daughter pick out the ones she wanted and she went with Butterflies and Bugs.
Craft Brushes

Directions:
1. Paint the house as desired, making sure to add two coats of paint, letting the paint dry between coats. Let dry.
2. Decorate with stickers
3. Apply the varnish over the entire project.
4. Be SURE to wash the brushes with warm water in between use with colors and the varnish to preserve them for other projects.
5. Be SURE to keep the project away from prying hands, pets, husbands, children while drying.

Inside Ball - Crochet

Inside Ball
This is a nice 1-2 hour project which yields a mom-friendly indoor ball. My daughter likes to throw things and I want to encourage her hand/eye coordination, but during the colder months, it's not as pleasant playing outside. So, I made this ball partly as an experiment to see if it would work and partly because I had some remnant yarn left over from a hat and I wanted to use it for something.

Supplies:
Lionbrand Vanna's Choice yarn (about 1/4 - 1/3 of a skein depending on the size)
Size I crochet hook (Can do this with knitting, I thought that a crochet stitch would be tighter)
Polyester filling for pillows

Directions
Create a ball shape by knitting/crochet as if creating a hat. Can go top to bottom or bottom to top. I started at the top and worked toward the (would be) brim. Once size becomes the desired size of half the finished project either work in reverse, decreasing instead of increasing or create another hat to crochet/knit/sew together. Add desired polyester filling (I used a generous amount so that the ball would have enough weight). Using a crochet hook, pull any extra "strings" down through the ball to finish it off cosmetically.

Other variations: Use multiple colors, make various sizes

Basically, this is a simple way to create something that will entertain your child for a while and make sure that Grandma's china doesn't crack in the process of play. My daughter loves her so much that she takes it to bed with her and it does make a suitable soft snuggle toy for the bed.

Will be making more for friends and for the new baby expecting in April 2011!

A monogrammed baby blanket for our new addition

So me and my husband are expecting a boy (Cillian) at the end of April, and I'd like to get to work on a monogrammed baby blanket for him. No one really likes to stitch/sew together squares (at least no one I know), but this project will include separate squares which I will then knit together using a very simple method - using a crochet hook - which is mentioned in Teach Yourself Visually Knitting Design: Working from a Master Pattern to Fashion Your Own Knits (Teach Yourself Visually) (One of two knitting pattern books I use).

Using the concept of smaller squares, dishrag sized, I will include his name Diagonally in the design, creating a 7 Square X 7 Square blanket, with the average square measuring 36 stitches X 55 Stitches. The rest of the squares will be alternating dinosaur squares as well as blank squares, so the end effect isn't too "busy". While I included the dinosaur patterns under "sources", I am going to change the patterns to fit the 36X55 stitch requirement.

Dimensions
7 Squares by 7 Squares
Each Square average 36 X 55 Stitches
Final product: 252 X 385 Stitches + boarder
Total Blanket Dimensions:
approximate: 45 inches X 65 inches
approximate: 3.75 feet X 5.4 feet

Basic Pattern w/o "filler squares" marked:

C X X X X X X
X I X X X X X
X X L X X X X
X X X L X X X
X X X X I X X
X X X X X A X
X X X X X X N

Basic Pattern w/ "filler squares" marked:
X = blank, B = Brachiosaurus S = Stegosaurus T = T-Rex

C X B X S X T
X I X B X S X
T X L X B X S
X T X L X B X
S X T X I X B
X S X T X A X
B X S X T X N

Yarn:
Peaches & Creme 4 ply Worsted Weight 100% cotton
(light weight, not scratchy, easy to wash, and no risk for skin allergies).
1 Cone White
1 Cone Lemon
1 Cone Baby Green
2 2 oz. Lemon Lime (for boarder)
2 knitting needles in size 5.

Color Design:
A Tri-color design of alternating squares in threes with a basic border all around in the color way Lemon Lime.


Sources:
Letter patterns are gathered from this link:

Alphabet Squares Here

Dinosaur Patterns (Brachiosaurus, T-Rex, Stegosaurus) are from this link:
Knitted Kitty's Dishcloth Patterns

All colors can be viewed/purchased here:

Peaches & Creme Balls and Cones

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Progress
* 2/49 squares done
* No pictures taken yet

Dishcloths

Looking for an easy craft to gift to people for Christmas? Try one of these dishcloths from a site that looks like it was made in the 90s. Still, tons of patterns, guaranteed to find one that will suit your needs:

dishcloths directory
Dish and Wash Cloth Mania