Kids Craft: Hand-made Wool Felt Purse and Jewelry

For her friends' birthday, the nine year old made her trademark wool felt purse, plus some matching jewelry, and a matching hairpin to boot. Since the birthday girls were twins, she wanted to make two of each.

The bracelet and earrings are fairly easy, no fancy work. Elastic thread for the bracelet to ensure fit. Standard earring hooks and connector rings. She had a bunch of nice filigree beads which came in handy. Also, I had these Indian mirror-work circles which we hot-glued to make the hair-pin.

Add a  book and a game, and it makes a lovely present. But, she wanted to add a little something more. So, she ended up making a set of unique blank note-cards that can be used for all occasions.

Kids Craft: Felted Wool Indoor Slippers

Wet felting is an art as is needle-felting. Bunches of carded wool can either be spun into yarn, or used as-is for felting. Certain types of wool work well for wet felting and others don't.

On and off the older child has done some needle felted fairy dolls and other little things with me. Although she is not obsessed with it or chooses to do it all the time, I am glad for the times she has done it so far.

When the 8 year old was visiting her Nana, she met with a friend who showed her how to felt wool into cozy comfy slippers. A bunch of wool and hot soapy water come together to make gorgeous footwear.

This is the best gift I've received this year so far: hand-made and perfectly useful - my favorite any time!

All of Nine

It's fun to have a simple celebration at home on the special day. Then, a nominal celebration in the classroom with teachers and classmates. Plus, an extra fun one with a handful of close friends in a chosen venue.

At least, that's what the nine year old said a few weeks ago once the dust settled from all the festivities and she felt like a seasoned nine year old.

A beautiful hand-made dress sewed by Paattee with vintage cross-stitch around the neck, on the chest and at the bottom - just amazing, one-of-a-kind dress.

Awesome Mochi with candles, as she declared that does not care for cakes anymore.

"Dirt Dessert" to share with classmates as it just happened to be Earth Day: A scoop of vanilla ice cream, a scoop of devil's food cake "dirt", a few gummy worms, plus favorite toppings that kids get to assemble to their liking.

A nice thing about keeping the extra fun party small? Bountiful eco-friendly goodies in the goody bags. The little girl put a lot of thought into it - asked my input and budget - and chose items she'd like to receive in a goody bag. Things that can be used over and over, not a lot of plastic novelty that gets tossed away once the novelty wears off. What's not to like about socks and headbands? Or stamps, glue, and chalk for that matter? For that hand-made touch, seed paper and bead necklace worked well. One can never have enough markers, especially if they are double-ended mini stamp markers.