Craft #1 – “Hello, I’m Mr. Ed” Chandelier – Mary Beth

Giddy up!  When it comes to making chandeliers, this was my first rodeo.  I was inspired, or should I say “challenged” by a friend to make this.  She sent me a link to a similar chandelier she had found online that cost almost $400.  Yowza.   She asked if I could recreate it for less.  As John Wayne said “Courage is being scared to death – and saddling up anyway.”  Lord knows I love a new challenge, so I said I would give it a whirl.  I saddled up and gave it a run for my money.  And this one only ended up costing me $39!  Can I get a Yee haw?!

Craft #2 – Baby Tracks – Cheri

Craft #3 – Felt Dinosaur Play Mat – Carrie

We love all things Dinosaurs around here! So, for the animal theme I made a Dinosaur Habitat.

This habitat is full of hand sewn prehistoric creatures… Including a lava spewing Volcano, Brontosaurus, T-Rex, Stegosaurus, and some Prehistoric Trees.

Each piece is movable which allows for endless combinations of prehistoric play.The felt mat can even be folded up and taken along with you to      grandma’s house!

Craft #4 – Bean Bag Buddies – Vanessa

My son is big into animals right now and is crazy about throwing things
around so what better project to work on than animal shaped beanbags? Made
with felt and packed tightly with lentils, they’ll be able to withstand
the brutality of a 1 year old and look darn cute doing it!

I sewed these with a sewing machine but they’re only palmed sized so
sewing by hand is feasible. I’ve got to admit I’m a bit addicted after
making the three of these. I’m already imagining all the other animals
that can be made!

I was kinda thinking that these would be great to practice juggling with
but first I’m going to have to pry them from my little one’s hands. Oh
well, at least he’ll be occupied.

Craft #5 – Knuffle Bunny – Emilie

This Summer my children fell in love with a new friend while participating in our local library’s Summer Reading Program…

Knuffle Bunny. Now, some people pronounce it “Nuffle” while others say “Ka-nuffle” (including our family), but no matter how you say it, this story book character by creator Mo Willems is completely adorable!
Of course when this week’s theme was Animals I knew it was my chance to create our very own Knuffle Bunny for our family to love.

Now, I’ll admit, this Knuffle Bunny took a few tries. I wanted him to truly look like the real deal. But now that he is perfected I have an easy pattern which I can use again and again. When my friend’s daughter begins her first year of Kindergarten this Fall, her very own Knuffle Bunny and a copy of the two Knuffle Bunny books will be carefully placed in a little basket and given to her as a Kindergarten gift!

Don’t you need your very own Knuffle Bunny for the cute kids in your life?