School is out for many a child.  That means total joy for a few days, and then the refrain starts.  “I’m bored.”  That makes me crazy.  I don’t see how anyone can ever be bored – I have never had time to be bored, even as a kid.  But I’ve heard it more times than I care to admit it from my own kids.  This is a good time to collect up some crafting ideas for the kids – get some they can do alone and others they require an adult – family crafts are fun and this one will be especially fun because it will be a wonderful gift for your cat and super entertainment for you as you watch kitty play with it.

The Kitty Climber is a wonderful craft.  I have had similiar objects for my cats and they go nuts over these things.  It is also good for them as they get exercise.  They tend to act completely insane on them (Here’s a tip – rub some catnip on the climber when it is done – watch your cats go completely wacko!).  It is so much fun.  Get the camcorder out too – you might make it into one of the home video shows.

Remember this craft takes adult supervision.  It isn’t appropriate for kids alone.  But bring the kids along to choose the carpet scraps; get lots of colors – the cats won’t care but it adds to the entertainment.

And yes, this is a photograph of one of my cats.  Her name is Precious and she truly is.  She weighs all over 4.5 pounds and is a holy terror.  NO ONE crosses Precious.  But she is not at all spoiled.  *discreet cough*  Not even a little bit.

Kitty Climber

Do you like jewelry?  Most women do and a lot of us like special, one-of-a-kind pieces.  One good way to have those kind of jewelry treasures is to make them.  And learning isn’t that hard, particularly if you have OH! Bejewelled to help you. 

OH! Bejewelled is a site on the Internet that ties into the Oxygen Network’s Crafty Girls – a television show devoted to various crafts.  I like the way the crafts are presented on this site.  There is a video of the project, which is always helpful; watching someone make something makes it much easier to make it yourself.  And, there is also a .pdf file of the instructions for you to save and/or print out for your own use. 

Right now on the site’s page there is a charm bracelet, a layered necklace and hammered earrings.  There is also one project that isn’t on this page but it has to be my favorite.  The link is below – it will take you directly to a little video that shows you how to make some of the cutest earrings.  They have one pictured that is a number – now I am thinking if you have double pierced ears and want to flaunt your age, you could do two numbers and announce to the world you have reached 21 – maybe that would eliminate the need for ID – well probably not, but it would be cute for a birthday.  Or you could do 50 and let the world know they better not get in your way; at 50 you have become a power to be reckoned with!

There are many ideas on this site and they do change regularly so bookmark it and keep in touch.  You will find many ways to bejewelled yourself!

OH! Bejewelled

Earring Video

This craft is a great one for kids.  Not so much for a child to do, but as a gift for a child that you love.  It is an easy craft, takes very little time, and is very inexpensive.  Everything you need is found on this Web site, including the printouts for these precious little dream pillows.

I like the idea of a dream pillow.  It is a gift that could reassure a child who is afraid of the dark or wants a promise of sweet dreams every night.  It would be perfect to put a little pocket on for those visits from the tooth fairy.  It would be a cute baby shower gift too.  You could put some of your own imagination into this project and embellish it a bit more to individualize it for a specific child.  I think that once you view the pattern and make one, that many original ideas of your own will come to mind. 

This is a two page pattern.  The links to page two are at the bottom of the first article.  There are printouts for five individual designs.  The instructions are easy to follow and have a page that is meant for printing.  Have fun!  This will be a great project.

Kid’s Dream Pillows

Quilting is a very popular craft.  It is probably so popular because there is so much you can do with it.  You can crazy quilt, machine quilt, hand quilt, applique or use one of many techniques.  Each quilt always is an individual because of the time and love the quilter puts into the work.  This Mountain Landscape Quilt is a beautiful and fairly easy quilt to make; it would make a lovely gift for someone or for yourself.

I like this pattern because it is a simple one.  Reading it did not overwhelm me with details I have no idea how to do.  It gave suggestions and it talks about what I need to know in order to finish this piece.  The pattern is free; all you need to do is have the materials, the dedication, and your imagination!

Mountain Landscape Quilt