We’ve gotten to the point in summer where I live where I spend a lot of time thinking about ice cream. While I’m trying to avoid eating ice cream daily as a way to beat the heat, let’s take a … Read More...
Roundups of DIY ideas
Which one is your favorite?
Learn about French Guiana for Kids
French Guiana is actually not an independent country; it’s an overseas department that’s considered a region of France. It’s also known by its French name, Guyane, but since it is situated within South America as if it were a … Read More...
11 Beginner Quilting Books That Will Help You Master Your First Quilt
Learning to quilt can feel overwhelming at first. Between choosing fabrics, cutting pieces accurately, understanding quilt blocks, and actually assembling everything, beginners often feel like they need a small library just to get started.
The truth is, the right quilting … Read More...
Easy Moss Stitch Crochet Patterns For Blankets, Scarves, Cowls And More
Moss stitch is one of those crochet stitches that quietly becomes a favourite once you realise how easy it is. It has that lovely woven texture, it behaves beautifully with stripes, and it is forgiving enough for beginners who are … Read More...
Activities for Teaching the Alphabet
Last month I shared some tips for teaching the alphabet to kids and why going in alphabetical order isn’t the best way to do it. Honestly a lot of learning at this age has to do with play, so let’s … Read More...
Bastille Day for Kids
When I was writing about France the other day, it occurred to me that Bastille Day was also coming up (July 14, to be precise), and I wasn’t sure that I had written about it before. On further digging I … Read More...
Crochet Leg Warmers Patterns You’ll Want to Make This Season
Crochet leg warmers are one of those projects that somehow manage to feel practical, nostalgic, and trendy all at once. They add warmth without the bulk of full socks, they work beautifully with boots or sneakers, and they’re one of … Read More...
Eyelet and Mesh Sweaters to Keep Cool in Summer
Adding eyelets to a project is a great way to make it more wearable in the summer, and these mesh and eyelet sweater patterns are perfect for summer (and beyond!) for layering.
The Inez Summer Sweater from Happy Love Co… Read More...
Cross Stitch Creatures from the Sea
Last fall I came across this cross stitch pattern for a sea turtle and I talked myself out of sharing it right away because tropical animals don’t feel like a “fall” thing, but now that it’s summer again, let’s take … Read More...
Crafts from the Beach Kids Can Make
Whenever you go to the beach with kids, you’re sure to come home with some seashells and more than a little sand. Let’s use some of those treasures to make fun crafts.
This handprint craft is made with a sand-infused … Read More...
Cross Stitch Ice Cream and Frozen Treats
Summer is the time for sweet treats, whether eating them or stitching them. This collection of patterns is full of designs that are good enough to eat. Almost.
This year of ice creams from Simone Balman Art is lots of … Read More...
Shark Week Learning for Kids
Shark Week generally happens in July, but any time is a good time to learn more about sharks.
First, start with some fun whale facts like these from Kids Craft Room. Here I learned about the dwarf lantern shark… Read More...
Knit Summer Tops with Fun Necklines
I mentioned the other day that there are, or at least it feels like there are, a lot more options for knitting garments to wear in the summer, and I want to share as many of them as I can, … Read More...
Using Pizza and Pretend Play to Learn about Fractions
When my daughter was young she loved the PBS show “Peg + Cat,” and if you’ve got a fan of that show in your house this activity will be even better, but it doesn’t matter if your kids don’t already … Read More...
Learning about France for Kids
France is a country in Europe that’s officially the French Republic, but it also has overseas regions and territories include French Guiana, the French West Indies and islands in the North Atlantic, Oceania and the Indian Ocean. Let’s learn more … Read More...
Tropical Bird Crafts and Learning Activities
I don’t know why tropical animals feel like something you should learn about in the summer, because these tropical bird crafts and activities are great to do any time of year. Let’s take a look.
Homeschool Giveaways has a printable … Read More...
Pretty Tank Top Knitting Patterns to Keep You Cool
I’ve been writing about knitting online for a long time, and a lot of things have changed. But one good thing I think has changed over the years is that fewer people see knitting as a seasonal activity. Most people … Read More...
Seagull Cross Stitch Patterns
Summertime is beach time, and that means it’s the perfect season to stitch up some seagull cross stitch patterns — those favorite scavengers of the shore, in chart form
This little seagull stamp from Easy Patterns Only is super cute … Read More...
Fourth of July Cross Stitch Sampler Patterns
Looking for Fourth of July cross stitch sampler patterns? These patriotic, sampler-style charts are a great place to start if you want something more general than my America 250 picks.
Stitch up some classic July 4th symbols, from the Statue … Read More...
15 Dog Poop Bag Carriers You Can Sew For Your Dog
If you’re a dog owner, then you know the inevitable truth — what goes in, must come out. And in my house, that truth has a name: Aloo, our lovable, curly-coated Labradoodle who has made it his mission to … Read More...









