Demystified...

We New Englanders have been living in the dark.  A curious, at times envious, crafting dark.  A Hobby Lobby dark.  Up until this weekend, that is, when our first Hobby Lobby (at least in Massachusetts) opened!



So many crafty blogs casually mention this store and we have been left to wonder what we are missing.  Wonder no longer, my friends!  I was able to snap a few photos with my phone (not many, though - seems they were triple-staffed for the grand opening!) to satisfy your curiosity.



While the fabric selection was small, there were so many cute prints and colors.  These were the home dec chevrons! 

Tons of things to decorate your home, too!  While I have been on a major decluttering spree and do NOT want these things in my home collecting dust, they are still fun to look at.  Do you want faux birdcages? glass bottles? metal Ford signs for your garage?  mini-London phone booths?  They have it all, and lots more!  It's almost too much!

In the end, I think I showed pretty good restraint.  3 yards quilting cotton and 1 yard striped knit.  Not bad for feeling like a kid in a candy shop!

Show Me a Story Book Review and Giveaway

 

 When little E was a baby, I met a very talented crafter at a local fair.  Emily and I quickly became friends, and she was a source of crafty inspiration for me. 

Five years later, Emily has combined her creativity, teaching background, ability to inspire and personal love of story to create Show Me a Story: 40 Craft Projects and Activities to Spark Children's Storytelling.

It is filled with ideas for parents, teachers, caregivers and anybody who loves children and stories.  Emily offers engaging crafts and activities for all ages to nurture children's storytelling.

  

 The girls and I were fortunate to join Emily at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art to make a project from her book.  We made Memory Cards.  Little E's first card was of a horse, a story long-forgotten in my mind.  It was enlightening to see her artistic rendition and hear her story of what must have been an important event for her. 

Here is our collection of memory cards when we were finished.  Can you guess which one the three year old did?  I think her story will be about creating the card, and I know Emily will be thrilled that the project inspired a story for little A.



The same joy and love of stories Emily exhibits in person is what makes her book so unique and a must-have!  (This is Emily looking at little E's horse memory card.)



Another wonderful thing about Show Me a Story: 40 Craft Projects and Activities to Spark Children's Storytelling is that Emily suggests ages for each project and activity.  Little A and I enjoyed collecting rocks one morning on our daily walk.



When we got home, she LOVED painting them and creating the Magic Pebbles from Emily's book.  For A, I think the magic and stories come from having a special project she could do herself.  Still, I can imagine her hiding these around the yard and pretending to be a fairy.



As the resident 5 1/2 year old, little E creates detailed works of art, and is starting to tell stories to accompany them.  After perusing Emily's book, she wanted to create the Traveling Puppet Theater. 



Like the other projects, there is as much story in the creation as there is in the final product.  Little E created her idea of Rapunzel (and was clear that the only puppets she wanted to make were Rapunzel and her mother - should I be flattered or worried?) and loves the power she has to tell and create the story to fit her ideas, loves and fears.

I love that Show Me a Story: 40 Craft Projects and Activities to Spark Children's Storytelling has projects and activities the girls and I can enjoy now, and so many more we can look forward to in the years to come.

I can't wait to hear what stories A and E come up with next!

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Now that you've seen what a lovely book this is, would you like a chance to win a copy?

Leave a comment telling what kinds of stories you prefer hearing or telling.  Is it mystery? fairy tale? fable?  Be sure to include your email!

Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will run through Friday October 12th at 12 p.m. EST

You can also visit the Storey Publishing blog for a list of book reviewers (and a few more chances to enter and win!).

And, because I know your children will want to get their storytelling craft on after seeing this book, I am giving away this handsewn oilcloth smock to one other lucky winner! 

 

Good luck!

 

Party Prep

Last Thursday, little E turned FOUR!  In some ways, she has seemed like a four-year-old for a while, and in other ways, she seems suddenly so grown up!  Either way, we had fun planning and scheming for her birthday party. Here are the highlights of the party prep.  Photos of all this in action to follow soon. 

1. It all started with this book.  I love that she isn't a Disney Fairy Princess - just a spunky, creative, opinionated girl (sound like anyone we know???).

Alice the Fairy by David Shannon

2. The "farty pavor" collection: a wand, tattoos, stickers, pixie dust, a fancy ring, and a frog.

 

3. All wrapped up.

 

4. Decorate your own crown.  Sure, I could have put out paper crowns, but where's the sewing stress in that?  (I only had to sew ten!) 

 

5. A close-up of the crown - made out of simple muslin.

 

Dress-up Crown tutorial from The Long Thread

6. Create your own magic wand.  Thanks to my dad for cutting, sanding and drilling holes in the dowels.  And, try as I might to undo my pack rat ways, I had to smile to think those jingle bells are at least 5 years old.

 

Magical Wand from Angry Chicken

7. Felt broccoli and strawberries for the food toss game.  In the book, Alice is convinced broccoli is poisoned and strawberry jello would make a good bath.  I thought it would be funny to throw these into a cardboard cut-out of her mouth.

 

Felt Broccoli and Strawberries

8. Finally, the dress to sport at the party.  I actually had this fabric in my stash and was so happy to find a good use for it.  Little E wanted short sleeves, but I didn't want to rush the alteration.  And...even with glittery fairies all over it, I think it still need a little something.  Maybe a red ribbon sash, or trim at the bottom? 

Everyday Dress by ManiMina Studios

As you can see in the blurry dancing shot, she didn't seem to be missing anything! Love the pink tights with silver hearts to complete the ensemble!


 

Hope you have lots of reasons to celebrate and be happy today!