My boys used to be addicted to this beading craft. Their backpacks were adorned with lizards, frogs, Pokemon and more. Every zipper pull and clip, bore a beadie. We haven’t visited this craft for years. When I mentioned blogging about beadies I thought I would be greeted with groans but to my amazement they each enthusiastically started beading.

First you will need a pattern. There are thousands out there. We like Making Friends, Margo’s Beadie Critter Collection, Evelyn’s Beadie Page and Jason’s Beadie Page. The pattern you choose will tell you the amount and color of pony beads you will need and the length of cord. Most patterns will call for satin cord. We find that plastic lacing cord is much easier to work with. The stiffness of the cord makes it easy to thread the beads—no need for a needle. We choose clear cord instead of colored because it works for every project.

First you will divide your cord in half and attach a lanyard clip with a half hitch knot .

Beads are threaded on one side of the cord in color order according to your pattern

The other side of the cord is threaded back through all of the beads. You continue through the pattern in this fashion.

We made this leprechaun and leprechaun hat

and looking forward to Easter this bunny and chick.

If you have used the plastic lacing cord and have trouble getting your beadie to lay flat when finished, you can take it and drop it in boiling water for about one minute. Remove from the water and place on a towel. Press your beadie with another towel, adjusting and flattening. Use caution– it will be hot when it first comes out of the water (especially the metal clip).

Happy beading!

I think this is the most wonderful site filled with beautifully illustrated toys ,boxes, books, games and cards. We made this sweet dancing Irish Fairie, you put her on a pencil, blow gently and she will spin and dance.

I think this magic fairie box would be so cute filled with chocolate coins for St Patrick’s Day. After we cut out our fairie and box we gave them plenty of clear glitter to make them sparkle.

There are holiday ideas and plenty of toys to keep us all busy. Many of the toys use a marble so they move easily—how clever. Check out the marble mice or bunny bowling. Too fun! This site has so many ways to add pizazz to a parties and holidays but most importantly it is the perfect solution to, “Mom, I’m bored!”

Here is a really simple to make crochet treasure bag for kids (or anyone).

The pattern can be found here. 

I am sorry that pattern is no longer available. You might try :

Drawstring Bag

Christian’s Treasure Sack

We participated in MollyCoddle’s mini swap—what fun we had. We sent off a box of wrapped goodies.

We swapped with a little boy named Lincoln. His mom, Katie, told us he loves robots and trains. We made him personalized notepads and bookplates. We drew the pictures and had Office Max do the rest.

I made him a special case to carry a drawing pad and some twist-up crayons. I used the pattern found on Craft Apple—except I made 8 pockets instead of 6 for the crayons. Later I will post a tutorial for a slightly different style.  We also sent a crochet treasure bag (I will post a picture later) and a personalized denim bag.

We received the most wonderful box of loot.

The boys each received personalized scrapbooks—all they need to do is add their own pictures. They also made us a holder for twist up crayons. We received some beautiful vintage books and Bella was totally spoiled with a handmade apron, carrots, tomatoes and a cookie. It is just the cutest food I have seen. I will be making these for some little girls I know. She also made Bella the sweetest collage for her room.

Thanks Katie and Lincoln!

Last Friday my son’s fourth grade class made bread in a bag. The children were divided into groups of three and given a bread making kit. The kit included everything they needed to make three mini loaves of bread. The instructions can be printed from Kansas Wheat. More information about wheat, bread and nutrition can be found here or here.

Items needed to make a Bread-in-the-Bag Kit: (makes 3 mini loaves)

• 1 Two-gallon, heavy-duty freezer bag
• 1 Twist tie
• 1 Quart-size plastic bag with 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 Quart-size plastic bag with 2 cups of whole wheat flour. NOTE: To measure flour accurately, first stir the flour, and then spoon it into a measuring cup intended for dry ingredients and level with a knife.

• Two teaspoons of salt in a disposable container, such as a sandwich bag, small paper/plastic cup

• One package active dry yeast or fast-rise yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
• Two tablespoons sugar in small disposable cup or bag
• One tablespoon of vegetable oil, in small disposable cup, etc.,.
• 3 Disposable mini-loaf pan, 5 x 3 inches
• 3 One-gallon plastic bag, for transporting bread home

Recipe for Easy Wheat Bread

Mix in a heavy-duty (freezer) plastic bag:
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 package active dry yeast or fast-rise yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup warm water (105° to 115°F)

Close bag, release air and work with fingers until completely blended. Let rest 15 minutes.

Open the bag and add:
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup warm water (105° to 115°F)

Mix well until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bag–about 5 minutes.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 5 to 6 minutes. Knead in just enough flour to make a soft dough; it should be a little sticky. If too much flour is added, the final product will be dry and low-volume. Divide dough into thirds. Cover with plastic bag. Let rest 10 minutes.

Press the dough out flat with fingertips into a 4 x 6-inch rectangle. Beginning at a short end, roll the rectangle up tightly like a sleeping bag. With fingertips, pinch the edge to the rest of the dough forming a seam. Fold over the two ends and pinch.

Place dough, seam-side down, in pan.

Cover with bag and let rise until doubled, about 45 to 60 minutes. Bake in a preheated 350°F to 375°F convection oven 15 to 18 minutes; or in a 400F conventional oven for 30 to 35 minutes.

Remove from pans; cool on wire rack.

The children also made homemade butter with an antique butter churn.

To keep the correct rhythm while turning the crank, the children chanted this authentic poem.

Such a simple way for kids to make a delicious mini loaf of bread. We made it again at home and put the entire amount of dough in one large loaf pan.