Kids Summer Paper Crafts

When I lived in the UK I was a member of Girlguiding (or Girl Scouts in the US), and often helped plan meetings and activities, especially the craft ones. So I am digging out some of my past projects to share with you to keep the kids busy this summer.

So some summer paper Crafts

Paper Ice Lollies

Print off the pdf design (2 lollies a sheet) and let the kids colour them in. Then cut out the shapes, fold in half and stick together with a popsicle stick in the middle.
Download pdf file

Flip-Flop Matching Game

Print off the pdf file and cut out the squares. For younger children they can just match the colours, for older children they have to match colour, and left and right foot.
Download pdf file

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Fun Snacks this Summer

This summer I have seen so many creative ideas to make fun creative foods for kids. Fruit and vegetables, breakfast, lunch and snacks! Here are some of our favorites, enjoy!

Berry Fish Bread from Funny Food Recipes

Peanut Butter Banana Split Sandwich from Inspired RD

Carrot & Zucchini Bars from MOMables

Rainbow Fruit Kebabs from Sumptuous Spoonfuls

Lemon Squares from Babble (plus other deserts)

UFO Banana Bagel from Spoonful

Peachy Parrot from Kitchen Fun with my 3 Sons

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EtsyKids Design Challenge for August: Let's blast off back to school!

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"Let's blast off back to school!" is our challenge for August, picked by our last month's winner PlayPrettyWears.  This challenge will feature items such as accessories, clothing, school supplies, book bags, backpacks, satchels, lunch carriers, etc.  all hand made by our talented members of the EtsyKids team.

EtsyKids members will have until August 20th to submit their entries, and voting will be open to everybody from August 21st to August 27th. So, be sure to come back to the EtsyKids blog for a new post on the 21st to see all of the entries and VOTE!  In the meantime, please click here to get a sneak peek at some exciting entries so far!

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Introducing Sweet Pea and Mama Bees

Today We Introduce You To Georgia of
Sweet Pea and Mama Bees

Q: What motivated you to start your shop?
I had my daughter 18 months ago. My career in Finance had me working long hours and I had a 1 hour commute each way. I felt like I never got to see her, so I decided to leave my job and stay home with her. I knew I needed something to keep me from getting cabin fever and to hopefully bring in some extra money from home.

Q: What is the story behind your shop name?
I love creating things not just for my daughter but also for things for myself and other friends. I wanted the shop name to reflect that my items are for girls of all ages. My husband and I have always called our daughter "Sweet Pea" and I knew that I had to include that in the name.

Q: Do you have a favorite Etsy Shop (non-child related)?
Currently crushing on HelloBerry right now. I love accessories and I want every item in her shop!

Q: What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
I think I was most surprised by how easy Etsy makes the setup. I put it off for a while not realizing how easy it is. It can be time consuming, but it really isn't difficult.

Q: What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
I think my biggest challenge is getting my shop noticed when there are so many other similar shops.

Q: What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I started out making a lot of "popular" products, but then I realized that I really wanted the shop to reflect my talents and style. I still love doing custom orders for people but they are based on other styles or similar to items listed. I guess I feel that the quality and style should be true to me, even if I am not selling as many items.

Q: How would someone (other then you) describe you?
Definitely that I am "Old Soul" I love vintage items and things that look old. You can really see it through every aspect of my life, from personal style, decor......even my knowledge of older music and movies.

Q: What music do you have on while you are creating?
I usually am creating during my daughter's naptime....so I keep it super quiet in hopes to get as many extra minutes as possible :)

Q: What do you do when you aren't working?
When I'm not working, I am being a mom, housewife and spending time with my family.

Q: Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
I feel so lucky and blessed to be able to stay at home with my daughter and have a job that I love at the same time. I can see now that creating things is what I was meant to do.

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EtsyKids Team Treasury Challenge Winner!

We decided to bring back the Weekly Treasury Challenges we used to have as part of our Treasury Team. The first week's themes were "Go for the Gold" and "Back to School." Our team members curated some great treasuries fitting these themes that you can see here.

'School Daze' by HarmonyGirlsClothing

Soon the wee ones will be going back to school. Enjoy!

Apple Cozy Teacher ... TizzyDee $20.00	Ain't School A ... ChewChewsClose... $31.00	Alphabet Apple - Ch... PuzzledOne $30.00	School Bus Felt Hai... TheLollipopBou... $3.49
Childs Name in Cray... DucksInARowBou... $5.50	Back to School - Fu... pinkmouse $49.00	Creative Kids Art B... MomNMiaQuilts $24.00	Teacher Stationery ... erinshelby $17.50
Back to School Spid... WalterSilva $14.00	This Way to the Lio... mamamade $7.50	Cassette Tshirt Lin... monsterinthecl... $26.00	Natural Wood Toy- T... applenamos $35.00
PRINTABLE Back to S... yourblissfulda... $5.00	Sweet School Girl D... kangacoo $52.00	Alphabet Poster in ... gracehesterdes... $25.00	SALE - Crayon Walle... LilBDesigns $11.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

The winning treasury was submitted by Cheryl of Harmony Girls Clothing. Opening in 2009, Harmony Girls' Clothing specializes in handmade clothing for smart girls with style. Cheryl says, "The garments I make are bursting with vivid colors, and I love to create harmony by mixing and matching colors, patterns, and prints." From ruffles to patchwork, this playful, modern clothing is made to twirl around in, but will also hold up to bike rides and tree climbing. Each garment is made with caring attention to detail, comfortable sizing, and meticulous finishing.

About her craft, Cheryl says, "I love sewing….and I sew often and a lot. To me, sewing is more fun than you are supposed to have as a grownup. I am a life-long seamstress, and this is the kind of craftsperson I am – perfectionist, artist, miser, and speed demon – it’s a complex relationship."

As the winner, Cheryl got to choose this week's themes. She chose "Back to (Obedience) School" and "Before the Fall Harvest".  You can see this week's submissions here. The treasury with the most views is the winner!

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Bring the Outdoors in: Herb Potpourri

By Christine of, Belly Bear Baby Gear

With our trusty collection baskets in hand, Isabel, Sean and I headed for our herb garden to collect the makings for an herbal potpourri!  Items needed: collecting basket, herb garden, small containers for potpourri.  Old baby food jars work great and are the perfect size for little hands.

Isabel and Sean got right to work picking as many herbs as they could.

They paused frequently the give the herbs a sniff.  As your child is taking time to, "Stop and smell the roses", be sure that you are identifying each individual herb they are smelling.  Thus extending their learning experience and expanding their vocabulary.

Once a suitable amount of herbs have been collected, it is time to head to your indoor work space.  There really is no recipe for this potpourri.  You can use whatever herbs you have on hand.  Hardy perennial herbs do work best though: Thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano, or lavender for example.

Encourage your children to begin tearing the herbs into small pieces to place into your potpourri containers.  We didn't have any baby food jars on hand, but really any small beautiful container will do.  Be sure to carefully supervise young children if using glass or ceramic containers.  This is an opportunity to help them learn about using gentle hands and treating fragile items carefully.

Isabel giving her completed potpourri, a final sniff test.

Once your potpourri is complete, find it a home in your kitchen, dinning room or bathroom.  It will add a beautiful scent to any space.  Guests arriving to your home will imagine you must be cooking up something tasty.  Once the potpourri seems to be losing its muster, simply pick a few more herbs to add in.

Christine can be found online in the following locations: Facebook, Blogger and her Etsy shop:

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Introducing The Wonderland Studio

Today We Introduce You To Rachel from

The Wonderland Studio

Q: What motivated you to start your shop?
Quite simply, I was tired of my day job! I went to art school and was always working for myself on the side. After my son was born, I realized I needed to have a steady income and so got caught up in non art related work. Well, one day, enough was enough and I felt Etsy would be the perfect venue to start out full time on my own.

Q:  What is the story behind your shop name?
When I first started to think about going out on my own, I didn't even know what I would sell. I was trained as a painter and illustrator so I naturally thought about selling original artwork and prints. I majored in Illustration in college and was always drawn to childrens's book illustration. I figured I should have a shop name that would appeal to a kid's market but wouldn't be too specific on what I was making. The Wonderland Studio just seemed to be a good fit. Good thing it was a little vague because kinetic mobiles is actually what I ended up selling!

Q:  Do you have a favorite Etsy Shop (non-child related)?
Well, I am absolutely coveting everything in the shop called joepapendick. He makes scultpural bird feeders and I really can't wait to own one! I also buy lots of soap products from showertreatsoap. The owner, Laura, is fantastic to buy from and her products are wonderful.

Q:  What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
How much work there would be! I knew it would be a lot but at times, it can really be all consuming...

Q:  What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Balancing home life with work. When you sell all over the world, there is a tendency for customers to think you are available all the time at any time. I try to be, but because I am a busy shop, I do have to check out from the studio and get back to my family at the end of the day. Plus, with smart phones, I sometimes find myself waking up and answering emails at 2 in the morning, just because I can.

Q:  What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I want to provide original artwork that is accesible to anyone and was created with kids and babies in mind. That's it! I do believe that all kids should be surrounded by art. Mobiles fit the bill nicely because you can hang them anywhere and kids are absolutely mesmerized by them.

Q:  How would someone (other then you) describe you?
Nice? Hardworking? Funny? Generous? Honest? I don't know really, but I hope all of those things are true.

Q:  What music do you have on while you are creating?
I usually listen to a very wide range of music..Some of my favorites are The Pixies, Johnny Cash, Fiona Apple, Niel Young, Tori Amos, Bob Dylan, Amy Winehouse, Joni Mitchell, Mumford and Sons, The Grateful Dead.....this list could go on and on.

Q:  What do you do when you aren't working?
Just living my life with my family. My son is 9 and my husband and I try to spend as much quality time with him as we can. Of course, you have to fit in time for your friends too! I am blessed to rich in both family and friends.

Q:  Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
I think that covers it! Thanks so much for the interview!

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