So They Don't Drive You Insane

The summer break can get very boring for children. They love being out of school, but daytime TV can drive them crazy, not to mention the fact that they got tired of playing with all their new holiday toys about 2 days after the holiday. So how do you keep kids busy during the holiday break? Well you could always give them chores to do....I'm only kidding. One of the best ways to keep kids busy during the holiday break is crafts. Crafts take a lot of time and keep kids interested in what they are doing. Before they know it, it will be time for them to go back to school.

Here are some off the top of my head. That will keep you and the kids busy. Some of them can get a little messy lol.

Description
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Clay modeling
+
Acrylic painting| ages 10+|
+ Finger painting

Simple sewing projects (Id say around age 8 with supervision)
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Designing sandals and hats
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T-shirt painting for this if you wanna try with younger childen you can. Just dip their hand in some paint and press it on a shirt. Just make sure you clean their hands afterward' s cause you child will to eat it.
+
Make some wind chimes. (very easy to make)
+
Key Charms you know those little things that go key rings.
+
Turn your winter clothes in to summer clothes. A snip here and a snip there with some scissors, and you can add some nice additions to your wardrobe.

There's a whole lot more stuff you can do. Also I'll be explaining how to do some of this stuff in later articles.

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Matching Hooded Sweater For Cute Bunny

As promised here the pattern for the matching cute bunny hooded sweater. I was gonna put some bunny ears on the hood but, I dunno might be to much.

Hooded sweater{Matches The Cute Bunny}

Measurements
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To fit ages |0-3 |3-6 |6-9 |9-12 |12-24 |months

Actual Measurements
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Chest| 48 ||53|| 57|| 62|| 66| cm

Length To Shoulder| 24|| 26|| 28|| 30|| 34| cm

Sleeve Length| 14 ||16 ||18 ||20|| 22| cm

Materials
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4(4:5:5:6) 50g balls of Debbie Bliss cashmerino aran in pale blue
Pair of 5mm knitting needles

Tension
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18 sts and 24 rows to 10cm square over st st using 5mm needles.

Abbreviations
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see the Abbreviations post

Back
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With 5mm needles cast on 46(50:54:58:62) sts.
Beg with a k row work in st st until back measures
24(26:28:30:34) cm from cast on edge, ending with a p row.

Shape shoulders
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Cast off 13(14:15:16:17) sts at beg of next 2 rows.
Cast off rem 20(22:24:26:28) sts.

Front
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Work exactly as given for back until 16 rows less than back to shoulder have been worked
Divide for front opening
Next row (right side) K23(25:27:29:31) sts,
turn and work on these sts only for first side of front, leave
sts on a spare needle
Next row P to end
Next row K21(23:25:27:29), m1, k2
Next row P to end
Next row K21(23:25:27:29), m1, k3.
Next row P to end.
Cont to inc one st as set on 5 foll right side rows, 30(32:34:36:38)
P 1 row.

Shape Shoulder
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Next row (right side) Cast off 13(14:15:16:17) sts,
k a further 7(8:9:10:11) sts, m1, k to end.
Next row P18(19:20:21:22) sts, leave these sts on a holder.
With right side facing, join yarn to rem sts on-spare
needle, k to end.
Next row p to end
Next row k2, m1, k 21(23:25:27:29) sts
Next row p to end
Next row k3, m1, k 21(23:25:27:29) sts
Cont to inc st as set on 6 foll right side rows, 31(33:35:37:39) sts.
Next row (WS) cast off 13(14:15:16:17) sts, P to end.

Hood
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Next row(right side) [K10, m1, k8(9:10:11:12)] across sts of right, cast on 38(40:42:44:46) sts for back then [k8(9:10:11:12) m1, k10] across sts of left front,76(80:84:88:92) sts.
Beg with a p row, work a further 35(37:39:41:43) rows in st st.
Cast off

Sleeves
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With 5mm needles, cast on 30(32:34:36:38) sts.
Beg with a k row, work 8(8:10:10:12) rows in st st.
Inc row K3, m1 k to last 3 sts, m1 k3.
Beg with a p row, work 3 rows in st st.
Rep the last 4 rows until there are 42(46:50:54:58) sts.
Cont straight until sleeve measures 16(18:20:22:24)cm from cast on edge, enough with a p row.
Cast off.

To Finish
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Join shoulder seams. With centre of cast off edge of sleeve to shoulder, sew on sleeves. Join side and sleeve seam. With right sides together fold hood in half and join cast off edges. Join cast on edge of hood to cast off sts of back neck.

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Cute Bunny Rabbit

Back again presenting another baby craft

Cute Bunny Rabbit
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Measurements
Approximately 28cm, excluding ears

Materials

• Two 50g balls of Debbie Bliss cashmerino aran in Duck Egg
• Small amount of cream yarn for pom-pom tail
• Pair of 3 1/4 knitting needles
• Washable polyester toy stuffing
• Grey embroidery wool for features

--------------

Tension

23 sts and 32 rows to 10cm square over st st using
3 1/4mm needles

Abbreviations
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m1L= inserting left needle from front, lift stand
between sts and k into back of it so base of made st
slants to the left

m1R= inserting left needle from the back, lift stand
between sts and k into front of it so base of made st
slants to the right

Face
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With 3 1/4mm needles cast on 9 sts.
1st row: (right side) Kfb, k6, kfb, kl.
2nd row: and every wrong side row P.
3rd row: Kfb, k4, m1R, k1, m1L, k3, kfb, k1, 15 sts.
5th row: Kfb, k6, m1R, k1, m1L, k5, kfb, k1, 19 sts.
7th row: Kfb, k8, m1R, k1, m1L, k7, kfb, k1, 23 sts.
9th row: Kfb, k9, m1R, k3, m1L, k8, kfb, k1, 27 sts.
11th row: Kfb, k10, m1R, k5, m1L, k9, kfb, k1, 31 sts.
13th row: K11, k2tog, k5, skpo, k11, 29 sts.
15th row: K10, k2tog, k5, skpo, k10, 27 sts.
17th row: K1, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k5, skpo, k6, skpo, k1, 23 sts.
19th row: K1, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k5, skpo, k2, skpo, k1, 19 sts.
21st row: K1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k5, skpo, k2, skpo, k1, 15 sts.
21st row: K1, [k2tog] twice, k5, [skpo] twice, k1, 11 sts.
P 1 row.
Cast off.

Back
Gusset
With 3 1/4mm needles, cast on 22 sts. Beg with a k row, work 6 rows in st st. Cont in st st, dec one st at each end of next 8 rows, 6 sts. Cast off.

Back
With right side facing. pick up and k42 sts around shaped edge of gusset. Beg with a p row, work 15 rows in st st.

Dec row(right side)
K1, [k2tog] 10 times, [skpo] 10 times k1, 22 sts. Beg with a p row, work 11 rows in st st

Shape Armholes
Cast off 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows, 18 sts.

Dec row (right side)
K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, skpo, k1, 16 sts. Work 5 rows in st st.

Shape Shoulders
Cast off 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows, 10 sts. Work 2 rows in st st.

Shape Back of head
Inc row (right side) Kfb, k to last, 2 sts, kfb, k1, 12 sts, Cont in st st, inc in this way at each end of next 3 right side rows, 18 sts. Work 5 rows in st st. Dec one st at each en of the next row and 4 foll right side rows, 18 sts. cast off.

Front
With 3 1/4mm needles, cast on 22 sts. Beg with a k row, work 16 rows, st st. Dec on st at each end of next row, 20 sts. Work 11 rows in st st.

Shape Armholes
Cast off 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows, 16 sts.

Dec row (right side) K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, skpo, k1, 14 sts. Work 5 rows in st st.

Shape Shoulders
Cast off 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows, 10 sts.

Dec row (right side) K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, skpo, k1, 8 sts. Work 2 rows in st st. Cast off.

Legs
With 3 1/4mm needles, cast on 5 sts. 1st row (right side) [ktb] 4 times, k1 9 sts.
P 1 row. Inc one st at each end of next row and roll 2 right side rows, 15 sts. Work 17 rows in st st.

Shape Thighs
1st row (right side) K6, [kfb] twice, k7, 17 sts. Working one more st before and sfter incs, inc 2 sts in this way at centre of next 5 right side rows, 27 sts. Work 9 rows in st st **.

Next row (right side) K11, skpo, k1, k2rog, k11, 25 sts, P 1 row.
Next row (right side0 K10, skpo, k1, k2rog, k10, 23 sts, P 1 row. Cast off.

Arms
Work as given for Legs to **. Shape top Cast off 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows. 11 sts. Dec one st at each end of next row. 9 sts.
P 1 row.
Cast off.

Ears
With 3 1/4mm needles, cast on 7 sts

1st row (right side) kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1, 9sts.
2nd row K1, p to last st, k1. Cont in st st with k1 edge sts, inc one st at each end of next 3 right side rows. 15 sts. Work 31 rows straight.

Dec row (right side) K2, skpo, k to last 4 sts, k2tog,
k2. 13 sts.
Dec in this way at each end of next 2 right side rows,
9 sts. Work 1 row. Cast off.

To Finish
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Join inside leg seams. Stuff legs. Flatten tops of legs and slip stitch closed. Join back to front at side seams. Sew legs to cast on edge of front, then to cast on edge of back join arm seams. stuff arms. stuff body to armholes. join arm seams. stuff arms. Stuff body to armholes. join shoulder and set in arms. Add more stuffing to body through neck hole. Fold cast on edge of face in half and join for chin seam. Join face to back of the head, leaving a gap at the top. Stuff face. Roll cast off edges of ears and set ears into gap at top of head, closing seam between ears. Add more stuffing to head, Join face to neck. Using Grey embroidery thread and face shaping as a guide to placing features, embroider nose, mouth and eyes, pulling thread through head to indent eyes slightly. Make a pom-pom from cream yarn and sew on for tail.

Well finally finished with this one, its a really nice finished product. If it's to plain you can always just rework the pattern to suit your own sense of style. Oh yeah I have a nice matching hooded sweater pattern for this that I will be posting soon. So look out for that in the mean time have fun making this

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Embroidered Raglan Sweater [Baby Craft]

Size 1 (3-6 months)
To Fit Chest: 46cm||Width: 55cm||Length: 24.5cm||Sleeve: 16cm
Size 2 (6-9 months)
To Fit Chest: 52cm||Width: 58cm||Length: 28.5cm||Sleeve: 31cm
Size 3 (9-12 months)
To Fit Chest: 52cm||Width: 61cm||Length: 31.5cm||Sleeve: 21cm


Tension
18 stitches and 25 rows to 10cm square measured over stocking
stitch on 4mm needles. Always work a tension swatch and change needles accordingly if
necessary.

Materials
Any medium-weight or dk yarn, such as
Rowan Hand knit DK Cotton

A (red) 5(5:5) x 50g balls

B (pink) 1(1:1) x 50g balls
Oddments of yarn for embroidery1 pair each of 3.75mm and 4mm knitting needles. Large sewing needle 3 small buttons, different colors and designs.

Tech Tips
The only special techniques required are increasing and decreasing and knitting through the
back of the loops for the full fashioning detail. When knitting fully-fashioned garment,
work the increases and decreases 3 stitches in from the outside edge.

Knitting the back and front
With 3.75mm needles and yarn B, cast on 53 (57:63) stitches. Change to 4mm needles and yarn A and continue in stocking stitch - one row knit, one row purl alternately - until work measures 13 (15: 17)cm from cast-on edge, ending with a wrong side row.

Shape raglan
Cast off 2 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. Decrease 1 stitch at each end of next and every alternate row until 19 (21:23) stitches remain. Cast off.
Knitting the sleeves
With 3.75mm needles and yarn B, cast on 33 (35:37) stitches. Change to 4mm needles and yarn A and continue in stocking stitch, increasing 1 stitch at each end of 5th and every following 6th (8th:6th) row until 45 (47:53) stitches remain. Continue without shaping until work measures 16(19:21)cm from cast edge.

Shape raglan
Cast off 2 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. decrease 1 stitch at each end of next and every alternate row until 11 (11:13) stitches remain. Cast off.

Making up sweater
Sew any yarn ends. Lay out all finished pieces. Press gently with a steam iron, taking care not to flatten the rib. Join both sleeves to back raglan seams and left sleeve to front raglan seam.

Knitting button band
With 3.75mm needles and yarn A, and with right side facing, pick up and knit 32(34:38) stitches up right sleeve raglan, 10(10:12) stitches across sleeve top, 19 (21:23) stitches across front, and 32 (34:38) stitches down front raglan, 122(130:146) stitches.

Make button holes
Knit 8 (8:9) stitches, * with yarn forward knit 2 together, knit 8(9:10), repeat from * with yarn forward knit 2 together, knit to end. Change to yarn B and knit 1 row.


Note

• Pattern #1: Is Stem Stitch
• Pattern #2: Is Satin Stitch
• Pattern #3: Is Running Stitch
• Pattern #4: Is French Knot
  

Embroidering the sweater
Using oddments of yarn, embroider simple running stitch around each edge of the sweater, up the sides and around the cuffs. Using the embroidery template as a guide, copy the flower motif using simple stem stitch, running stitch, satin stitch and french knots. Alternatively work a design of your own to personalize you garment.

Finishing the sweater
Sew buttons onto shoulder bands to align with button holders. Join side and sleeve seams.

That was a monster lol. I'm gonna need to recover after this one. Have fun making it, Lord knows I had fun writting it (not really) lol.

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Decoupage Ideas

I'm back again with some more info on Decoupage. I found some good sites with a bunch more ideas and articles that might interest those who are into Decoupage artwork. These sites are in no specific order.

Site #1: Make your Own Baby Crafts. This site has number of useful articles you might want to take a look at. The link above is one of those and, it's about how to make a baby craft using the art of Decoupage.





Site #2: DiY Network. Another good site features a lot of do it yourself projects. It features ideas for fun Decoupage projects. Clicking the link above will send you directly to the Decoupage tutorial section of the site.



Site #3: Michaels.com. Operates specialty retail stores which provide a large assortment of general crafts, home decor items, picture framing materials and services, art and hobby supplies, party supplies, silk and dried flowers, wearable art, and seasonal and holiday merchandise. The above sends you to a tutorial. It shows you how to make the what is featured in the image on the right.


Site #4: Flickr.com. Well you all know what Flickr is I assume. So no real explanation except it leads to a very interesting photo. I think anyone who is interested in Decoupage should have a look at it.

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Decoupage: I Got The Materials Now What!?

|Prelude|: As with all art you will need to have an idea.

Step 1|First Things First: Prepare your surface you should start by making sure it's clean. Then paint and seal it.

Step 2|What Comes Next?: Cut out your pictures using your Craft knife, or School Scissors for your kid.

Step 3|Uhuh Now What?: Now you will want to arrange the pictures in an order that you like. Just for reference from my own experience. The first arrangement is always subject to change. Nothing is really set in stone until you add the glue. Then it's still not set in stone it's set in glue so..... anyway. The images you like can go any which way you want. On to the next step.

Step 4|Arrangement Got It What Else?: Alright now you add the glue to the backs of your pictures be careful though you don't want the ink running. Especially if your using pics from a magazine. I won't really go into the steps to prevent ink bleeding right now. Just don't add to much glue. Make sure you add a bit to the surface your adding the images to also.

Step 5|Anything Else?: Now it's time to stick your picture to your surface. Use a Brayer or your handy dandy Popsicle stick. Oh yeah if it's a larger picture start from the center and work you way out.

Step 6|Alright it's Starting to Look Good: Continue step #4 and #5. Until you have no more images you want to add, or you run out whichever comes first. Then it's to the coating process. Try This: dilute your Elmer’s or other PVA glue. With a little bit of water so it goes on smoothly. The color blue seems to run more than others so watch for that. Make sure to let it dry a completely.

Step 7|Ok I'm Done Right?: Wrong. You'll have to keep adding coats of glue or another sealer (polyurethane, acrylic spray, etc. ) . Keep adding coats until the edges of the pictures are smooth.

OK guide's over have fun!

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Baby Crafts Eeyore Crochet[Download Removed]

This Download Has Been Removed Cause I Don't Want To get Sued

Here's another project this time it's an Eeyore doll you know from "Winnie The Pooh". Even if you don't know, it's still very cute and stylish. So check it out, make it and give it to someone you love for a gift or just a random present.

Hint: Makes a great gift for toddlers or daughters of all ages.

It's a PDF file so your gonna have to download it. To view the information simply get a program like Foxit Reader it's free and it's great.

Let me warn you it's a very detailed tutorial and it's 45.32 mb. I would've just typed it myself but who really want's to type 45mb worth of pdf not me. I have a fairly fast internet connection and most people should have at least broadband or dsl by now. If you are in the category who doesn't just comment, and I'll try to figure out a why to get the tutorial to you in a faster more quicker manner.

Without further or do here is the Eeyore Crochet .

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Cute Baby Bib

Make your little guy’s feedings a little more formal with this super sweet bib with a necktie applique. Get a load of the little collar! Charity from Just Tutes! is going to show you just how to make one. Go to the tutorial.

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Baby Crafts Main Focus

Hello! Let me welcome you to Baby Crafts! This blog is first and foremost focused on crafting and crocheting for your child. However old they may be from hats to PJ's. We have tutorials for them all some are out sourced and some are directly from yours truly.

Along with other crocheting ideas, and free patterns Baby Crafts is just the name. The main focus is this blog will be filled with all types of crafts, unique guides and fun activities, to help you save that extra money while raising and still providing for your child. For example you might want to check out this article here on WEBMD, to get a few facts and tips on on how to just that.

It's hard to raise a child, and with the economy the way it is just makes it even harder. Not saying that me blogging is going to be the answer to all your problems. I just want to offer help to those in need of it. If you've managed to read this far then there is nothing left to say, but I hope you enjoy your stay here at Baby Crafts.

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