KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Cassi from The Crafty Crow

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Hello everyone! Time just flies by, doesn’t it? I can’t believe Easter is just around the corner so here are some fun ideas to get you going.

Several of these projects use googley eyes. These are a great little item to have in your craft stash – you can buy them plain or with a sticky back so think about picking some up the next time you’re out

Enjoy!

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1 - Sparkplugging shows you how to make these adorable finger puppets that are made from chenille stems, pompoms, and googley eyes.

2 - Everyone can make an Easter bonnet with this simple tutorial at Lottie Lulu.

3 - One More Moore makes an easy Easter treat with Oreo’s, chocolate, and candies.

4 – I think these sun catchers at 4 Crazy Kings are really cute – this is a great project to do with a group of kids.

5 - Paint some watercolor eggs with this idea at My Montessori Journey. Hang several from string and they would make a great Easter garland.

6 – You’ll get some beautiful eggs with this process at Full Circle, just be careful with the hot eggs!

7 - One Golden Apple has the directions for these sweet fuzzy birds – so cute you’ll want to make a whole flock.

8 - Kids can make these jelly bean bracelets found at Mrs. D. Lightful for a fun treat or party favor, or make them on your own and slip them into an Easter basket.

9 - More Mom Time shows you how to make these cute wobbly eggs.

10 - Get started now with these sprouting egg heads to have them ready for your Easter table – details are at A Number Of Things.

You’ll find many more great craft ideas at The Crafty Crow, I hope you’ll come by and say hello! If you have a project that you would like to submit then send it my way – details are in the right column on The Crafty Crow.

You can view more ‘The Crafty Crow Presents’ posts on KidStyleFile here.

Today’s post written by Cassi from The Crafty Crow

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Hello everyone, can you believe it is already March?

Our weather here in Idaho is warming slightly, just enough to melt a little snow and hear the constant drip, drip, drip off the edge of the house. Are you starting to cool off a bit? I always find it fascinating that our seasons are so perfectly opposite

The activities today can mostly be made with items you already have at home and enjoyed by all ages. Have fun!
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1 - Kleas shows you how to make these lovely lanterns from balloons and tissue paper. I think they would make an evening walk pure magic!

2 - If you have a stack of magazines that need to be tossed then this project from Mama Veg will come in handy. Children can practice spelling their name, cutting, and gluing while recycling.

3 - No Time For Flashcards shares a fun activity – painting with flyswatters! This would be a fun party activity too.

4 - Make a simple spinning top with these instructions at Julie K In Taiwan.

5 - This colorful ribbon ring at Ikat Bag would make a great homemade party favor.

6 – Mommy Coddle shows you how to make a keepsake that showcases all the things your child loves!

You’ll find many more ideas like these at The Crafty Crow, I hope you’ll come by and say hello! If you have a project that you would like to submit then send it my way – details are in the right column on The Crafty Crow.

You can view more ‘The Crafty Crow Presents’ posts on KidStyleFile here.

Today’s post written by Angela

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Calling Sydney! Calling Adelaide! All aboard for Mathilda’s Market happening in both of your beautiful cities this coming weekend, Saturday 6 March 2010.

The essential details for your diary are:

Paddington, Sydney:

• Saturday, 06 March 2010, 9am to 1pm
• Paddington Town Hall, Corner of Oxford St and Oatley Rd, Paddington
• Paid parking around Town Hall.
• Click here for full list of stallholders.

Marryatville, Adelaide:

• Saturday, 06 March 2010, 9am to 1pm
• Loreto College, Marryatville, 316 Portrush Rd, Marryatville
• Free parking on College ground
• Click here for full list of stallholders.

Mathilda’s Market holds events all around Australia. Check the full calendar of dates and locations to see when Mathilda’s is coming your way, and find out more about the Mathilda’s Market ethos here.

Some of my hot picks for both events below. Take advantage of this great opportunity to meet some of the finest designer-makers of baby and kids products this country has to offer.

1. little luv (Adelaide)
2. Merrin Stacey Design (Adelaide)
3. Green Kids (Adelaide)
4. Kideko (Sydney)
5. Baobab (Sydney)
6. Aunty Ollie (Sydney)

Today’s post written by Bec

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Autumn is here, and so is a great selection of handmade knitted products from madeit – madeit.com.au – sellers.

You can read more madeit.com.au Five Fabulous {Handmade} Finds posts here.

		Beanie and Mary-Jane Shoe Set – 0-3 months – Pastels Seller –  melpaton Price – $20.00 More info/Buy It
		Cheeky Monkey Hat With or Without Flower – 3M to 6M Seller – VictoriaOC Price – $27.50 More info/Buy It
		Iced Donuts – Baby Rattle – Play Food – Assorted colours/flavours Seller –  Little Fish Price – $22.00 More info/Buy It
		Grey baby slippers Seller –  babaindi Price – $18.00 More info/Buy It
		One little Green frog, Finger Puppet Seller –  twinklekids Price – $7.50 More info/Buy It

All prices quoted are AUD$. Please contact individual sellers for postage and delivery information.

Today’s post written by Edwina

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The Varita ‘Colour-It-Yourself’ Skirt by Finnish label Kakara is a truly remarkable way to let your little girl express herself through fashion. A combination of clothing and craft, the Varita is the perfect way to encourage imagination, improve fine motor skills and keep your child productively occupied I can only imagine after all the hard work of colouring in their masterpiece how special they will be to wear, and the ooohing and aaaahing they will receive.

The 100% cotton, fully washable Varita Skirt features a comfy elasticised waist with a swirly bell shaped skirt, and comes complete with three textile permanent marker pens at a cost of $59.95. The Varita ‘Colour-It-Yourself’ Skirt is available in sizes 4 – 7 years, and will be arriving soon at Mini Style – www.ministyle.com.au. Put your name down to be notified as soon as they arrive.

Why should kids have all the fun? Designers Berber Soepboer and Michiel Schuurman have come up with a gorgeous A-line frock that will have us relaxing afternoon away colouring in our own masterpiece.  The Colour-In Dress is available for 250 Euros and comes with its own set of markers.

Please contact individual stores for postage and delivery information.

Today’s post written by Cassi from The Crafty Crow

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Hello everyone!

Let’s see, what do sugar cookies, bills, horses and tea have in common? Well, they are just some of the ways you can have fun with your kids this week. All of these ideas are simple, easy and practically free since you most likely have everything you need at home right now.

Enjoy!

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1 - Children are never to young to start a nature journal. This post at Four Squares reveals the process they went through and also lots of charming pictures of their nature journals over the years.

2 - I love the old-fashioned charm of these button sugar cookies at Garden Mama.

3 - “S is for Skyscraper” is the theme at Preschool Daze where you’ll find ideas on creating skyscrapers from building blocks, paper, and cardboard boxes.

4 - All ages will find this simple experiment that shows the strength of an arch fascinating! Check it out at Imagine Childhood.

5 - Art Projects For Kids shows you how to make a horse from clothespins and cardboard. I wonder what other animals you can create using the same supplies?

6 - This little project just may have you looking forward to getting your bills! Maya*Made created a memory game using the printed inside of security envelopes.

7 – If you ever need a quick, last minute project then take a close look at this bearded man picture from Cider & Faun. Can you tell what his beard is made from? I love this!

You’ll find many more ideas like these at The Crafty Crow, I hope you’ll come by and say hello! If you have a project that you would like to submit then send it my way – details are in the right column on The Crafty Crow.

You can view more ‘The Crafty Crow Presents’ posts on KidStyleFile here.

Today’s post written by Edwina

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When I first featured the wonderful work of Mummysam (aka Samantha Cotteril), an arty English girl living in upstate New York, it was her super-cool softies that I fell in love with.

Today I’m falling head over heels once more, this time with the news of her upcoming fabric line  for Robert Kaufman Fabrics, entitled ‘A Day in the Life’, to be launched in April this year.

Samantha says, “The idea for the line stemmed from my daily doodles I used to draw in bed at night when my kids were babies.  Instead of documenting my day through words, the day was portrayed through a series of pictures.  Looking back at it now, I cannot believe how much I did before 10am!”

The colourways have not been finalised, so this sample does not portray the colour scheme of the line, but we are loving the visuals and will have to wait patiently until April to see the rest of the line, when three fabulous new designs will become available.

In the meantime you can satify yourself with another Mummysam project just completed: a limited edition set of prints created in collaboration with Rachel Hetzel from Pistachio Press. These would make a fantastic addition to a child’s room and are available, together with the fabulous Mummysam softies, from the Mummysam Etsy shop.

Today’s post written by Cassi from The Crafty Crow

Hello everyone! Can you believe it’s already February and time to make Valentines? I’ve gathered a variety of ideas so kids can have fun making their own cards and gifts.  Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

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1. These colorful tissue flowers hide a sweet treat in the center – a lollipop! Find the details to make your own at Full Circle.

2. You’ll find these cute “Bee Mine” valentine cards at Ducky House.

3. Scrumdilly Do shows you how to make these lovely puffy heart valentines. We made some giant ones like this last year and they were so much fun!

4. These flower and heart bracelets at Plum Pudding make a fun group project – adults can cut the felt shapes for younger kids while the older ones can cut their own.

5. By Little Hands created this heart block valentine for little ones to do after she was inspired by one at Martha Stewart

6. Use fabric glue if you don’t want to do any sewing for these fun felt hearts and purchase the pre-cut letters to make this project even simpler. Details at Sewing School.

7. Maya*Made shows you how to use potato stamps to create these happy heart flowers. This is a great craft to do with a group of kids as well. To make it even simpler, just use your potato stamp on plain cardstock folded in half for a card.

You’ll find many more ideas like these at The Crafty Crow, I hope you’ll come by and say hello! If you have a project that you would like to submit then send it my way – details are in the right column on The Crafty Crow.

You can view more ‘The Crafty Crow presents’ posts on KidStyleFile here.

Today’s post written by Edwina

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I have been having a great time putting together this weeks post from The Crafty Crow. Cassi has such amazing website linking to heaps of great craft tutorials to enjoy with your little ones. Here are some of my favourites. Enjoy!

1. Rainbow Stars

Theseare such gorgeous Waldorf inspired window stars from Garden Mama.

2. Gluten Free Play Clay Beads

Play Clay is a lot of fun, you can mold it, dry it and paint it. Jessica Wilson has posted this cute tute on Craftzine.

3. Creation Station

This is what I need to do at our place. A Creation Station is perfect way to manage all the bits and bobs that come with kids crafty creations. They can even help keep it tidy when you are done! (fingers crossed!)

4. Matchbox Bugs

Aaaah so cute, these remind me of the Bug family that lived on the window sill in Sesame Street. Make your own Matchbox Bugs with this cute tute from Sydney Mum, Coloured Buttons.

5. Finish the Picture

I love this idea, quick and easy and I imagine you could get some of these ready before hand for a long trip or restaurant event. More great ideas at artprojectsforkids.org

6.  Twig Chair

Dad? Grandpa? Check out how cool this twig chair is?  Twig Chair instructions here.

7. Bandana Quilt

This is an easy and quick way to make a colourful and fun quilt.

8. Printable Tickets

Every bedroom play or talent show needs its own box office so why not print these cute Tickets before showtime.

9. Babushka Pencil Toppers

One Crafty Mumma has a lovely tutorial on these super cute Babushka Pencil Toppers, there is also instructions for a house and car too.

10. Mark Your Shadow

I love this idea. It is so simple as well as educational – I imagine it would also be a lot of fun marking the shadows. Good project for a few kids and – yippee! – mess free!

You’ll find many more ideas like these at The Crafty Crow, I hope you’ll come by and say hello! If you have a project that you would like to submit then send it my way – details are in the right column on The Crafty Crow.

You can view more ‘The Crafty Crow presents’ posts on KidStyleFile here.

Today’s post written by Edwina

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It never ceases to amaze me just what a creative and talented bunch of people live on this planet, and Kindergallery – www.kindergallery.com has gathered together an absolutely stunning group of them.

A gorgeous online gallery that offering original paintings, limited edition works, prints, stretched canvases, wall decals, mobiles and sculptural objects from some of the world’s finest up-and-coming and established artists, Sydney based Kindergallery focuses on pieces that will complement and enrich a child’s environment and encourage them to acquire the visual language of art and design in a stimulating and lasting way.

Kindergallery is carefully curated and includes something for every budget. Art is a great gift – perfect for a special occasion or as a treat to brighten their world – and is something that children can respond to in different ways as they grow up.

Artists represented at Kindergallery include Ana Ventura, Anna Walker, Gav Barbey, Ida Pearle, Isa Form, Isak, Kahaus, Kate George, Katrin Dauer, Kelly Boulton, Kristin Loffer Theiss, Meredith Gaston, Mimi’lou, Petit Collage, Princess Pearl, Rose Minuscule, Shinzi Katoh, Superoboturbo and Tamar Mogendorff.

Some of my favourites works at Kindergallery would have to be the mobiles from Rose Minuscule, Tamar Mogendorff’s beautiful collection of birds and creatures, the original watercolours by Meredith Gaston, Anna Walker’s happy prints and the vivid dreamscapes of Superoboturbo – and these are just the tip of the ice-berg!

Kindergallery is a most inspiring place to explore  – head over to be treated to the talent on show.

A The Attrapeuse of Clouds by Rose Minuscule  $150
B Flying Stork by Tamar Mogendorff $295
C Butterflies by Anna Walker  $120
D Ugglan Blue by Isa Form  $150
E Lamb Decal by mimi’lou  $100
F Pin Wheel Girl by Petit Collage $25
G Little Faces in Fruit Baskets by Meredith Gaston   $150
H Puddle by Anna Walker  $90
I Mindy Wants to Meet the Cats by superoboturbo  $235

Kindergallery charge from $10 delivery within Australia. International orders are warmly welcomed. Click here to read the full postage and delivery schedule.