Crafty goodness

Aha! You thought I was going to miss Day 4 on my 30-day blogging spree, didn't you? But the boys are finally asleep, and here I am.

We had a lovely day. Breakfast on the patio again. A visit with my parents after their weekend in Las Vegas. Storytime at the library with friends. Afternoon at home visiting with Mom some more, who's been gone in Germany for the last month, while Baby napped and the boys played outside. And little too much time putting off dinner to read crafty blogs...

Yes, I've been obsessing. I'll blame my friend Melinda, since she's been at the beach and isn't around to defend herself. :P It started when she sent me a link to SouleMama's blog. I asked for her new book, "The Creative Family," for my birthday. I love it. So many wonderful ideas, so enjoyably written.

Since then, I've found several more craft blogs I've been perusing for inspiration. And there's no end in sight. If you haven't noticed already, there's an endless supply of creative moms in the blogosphere. I'm only a wannabe, but you can stay and see what we make anyhow.

I don't have the craftiest of kids. Well, I say that, but the younger two love to paint, and all three are continuously creating new things with Legos. But traditional crafts? Well, I haven't been the best about making resources available.

And then, tonight, after two chapters of "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe," after baths and before-bed-snacks, and just before teeth brushing and kisses goodnight, my oldest suddenly noticed the bag of pipe cleaners on the homeschool resource shelf by the computer. I'd forgotten they were even there.


Bedtime was postponed, because suddenly they were twisting and turning, declaring bits of colored fuzz and wire "frog on a tree branch," "snail on a stick," and "moose antlers," and shoving their creations at my nose with pride.

Apparently craftiness can be encouraged in one's children simply by obsessing over other mama's craft blogs. Though I wouldn't really recommend that approach.

And, lest anyone be tempted by too many delicious craft ideas in the above links -- read this honest reality check post at HomeWork about the endless possibilities for overplanning fun for our kids. Because it's always more fun when they come up with stuff themselves. :)