Young Makers: The Tapestry Project

I'm currently toying with the idea of offering an indie crafting class for the pre-tween set. I imagine it to be a time to work on projects like string art, sculptural/3D pieces, and paper lanterns, and naturally we would also talk out the world's problems while we craft. I had a couple of little ladies over last weekend to work on one such project that I designed to share over on Playful Learning today.  After learning how to make my own simple loom for a weaving assignment in a textiles class, I decided to try it out as a kid's project, as the materials and technique are really quite straightforward. I was joined by 4th graders Ella and Amelia for an afternoon of weaving, here's Ella's finished tapestry...

For the full tutorial please hop on over to Playful Learning! Thanks girls!

PS. If you haven't done so yet, go ahead and like the 14 Days of Love Giveaway  on Facebook. A collective group of design/craft bloggers (including me) are giving away some amazing gift cards just to show a little love for our amazing readers. Enter today, some giveaways end soon. Here's the full schedule:

Feb. 1 Oleander and Palm - $100 Land of Nod ecard

Feb. 2  Design Improvised - $100 Hayneedle ecard

Feb. 3 Sarah Hearts - $150 Wayfair giftcard

Feb. 4 Bunny and Dolly - Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bag and Baby Book

Feb. 5 Poppy Haus - $100 gift certificate to Kidecals

Feb. 6 A Golden Afternoon - Tea Collection

Feb. 7 Lulu the Baker - Umba Products

Feb. 8 The Flair Exchange - $100 Tiny Prints giftcard

Feb. 9 Melissa Creates - $100 prize package from Sassy Steals

Feb. 10 Frock Files - Eat Boutique

Feb. 11 Hello Lidy - $100 West Elm giftcard

Feb. 12 Living on Love - $75 Minted giftcard

Feb. 13 Jade and Fern - $50 Home Depot Gift Card and a Handmade Valentine

Feb. 14 Squirrelly Minds - Omiyage gift box valued at $100

Don’t miss out on any of the great prizes! Like the 14 Days of Love Giveaway pages.

Playful Learning World Tour + Giveaway

So this is fun...today we get to welcome you to join us where we live as part of Playful Learning's World Tour. As you know I am a contributor to this amazing educational website that offers e-courses for parents and kids on subjects ranging from building writing skills, to conflict resolution. Over the last month bloggers from around the globe have been interviewing their children about where they live and what they like to do. So today the tour arrives in California, and here for the world to meet are my little guys, Jasper and Wylie Jennings.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
Jasper: Pet-a-lum-a, in California

WHAT SEASON IS IT?
Jasper: Ummm, Summer
Wylie: Yeah, it's Summer.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO PLAY?

Jasper: I like to play Legos- Star Wars Legos
Wylie: I like to play...
Jasper: Star Wars Legos
Wylie: Yeah, I like animals too!

 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL?

Jasper: Okay, I'll tell you my favorite animals 

GO ON.

Jasper: Jaguar, panther, wildebeest, puma...
Wylie: I love pumas
Jasper: Rhino, elephant, tapir, boa constrictor, ocelot, and caracol
Wylie: I like lions, pumas, panthers, caracols, and servals
  

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LEARNING WITH FRIENDS?

Wylie: I like to play the copycat game!
Jasper: I like to learn with my friends at school.  One time I taught Wylie's school about the rainforest. 

CAN YOU TELL US SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE OR THE GAMES YOU PLAY?

Jasper: We live near the ocean.  I like to go to Dillon Beach and Daddy's school in Tomales.
Wylie: Me too!
Jasper: Oh and I play baseball. I practice it every day!
 

Can you tell us something special or different about where you live or games you play? - See more at: http://childhood101.com/2013/08/playing-all-around-the-world-a-fabulous-freebie/#sthash.xGSmbxZa.dpuf

Can you tell us something special or different about where you live or games you play? - See more at: http://childhood101.com/2013/08/playing-all-around-the-world-a-fabulous-freebie/#sthash.xGSmbxZa.dpuf

And there you have it! So I have some great news, Playful Learning is offering a scholarship for one of their amazing e-courses to one lucky Poppy Haus reader.  Simply leave a comment at the end of this post and you will be automatically entered to win! I'll announce the lucky reader's name on Friday August 30th.

You can join in on the fun and share your own story and pictures on Playful Learning use the hashtag #PlayfulTour. 

Check out the full tour here!

August 1st: Playful Tour Kick Off http://playfullearning.net/blog/
August 2nd: Oh My Handmade, Canada http://ohmyhandmade.com/blog/
August 5th: My Organized Chaos, Japan http://www.my-organized-chaos.com/
August 6th: Childhood 101, Australia  http://childhood101.com
August 7th: Mindful Parenting, Australia  http://www.mindfulparentingmag.com
August 8th: Picklebums, Australia http://picklebums.com/
August 9th: TrashN2Tees, USA http://trashn2tees.blogspot.ca/
August 12th: Simple Kids, USA http://simplekids.net/
August 13th: Mee A Bee, Japan http://www.meeabee.com
August 14th: A Happy Adventure, NZ/China http://www.ahappyadventure.com/
August 15th: Story of Mum, UK http://storyofmum.com/ 
August 16th: Poppy Haus, USA http://www.poppyhaus.com/
August 19th: Kid World Citizen, USA  http://kidworldcitizen.org/
August 20th: Salsa Pie, USA http://salsapie.blogspot.ca
August 21st: Everything Mom & Baby, Canada www.everythingmomandbaby.com/
August 22nd: Simple As That, USA http://www.simpleasthatblog.com/
             An Everyday Story, Australia http://www.aneverydaystory.com
August 23rd: Made By Joey, Canada http://madebyjoey.blogspot.com
August 26th: Growing Up Herbal, USA http://www.growingupherbal.com/
August 27th: All Done Monkey, USA  http://alldonemonkey.com/
August 28th: Thirteen Red Shoes, Australia http://www.thirteenredshoes.blogspot.com.au
August 29th: The Tiny Twig, USA/Africa http://www.thetinytwig.com/
August 30th:  Swoon, USA http://www.swoonstudio.blogspot.com

Little Green Ideas

Today over on Playful Learning I'm talking "Little Green Ideas".  I am trying to change some of my more wasteful habits to make a healthier, more resourceful home. Here's a simple tutorial on how to make your own removable clothesline for under $10. You should do this, your clothes will smell like sunshine...

 

Martha Jr.

I'm over at Playful Learning today with a tutorial on how to make this bracelet! Part of my Martha Stewart experiment, I use her technique to assemble, swapping in round wooden beads and kids crafting stretch cord.  Check out the full post on their blog here.

xo, Heather

Color Me Happy: Shopping with Kids

I'm contributing over at Playful Learning today, where I share my strategy for taking a three year old to the grocery store.  If you have a three year old then you know why you need a strategy. Check it out here!