PIXIE PLACE

Let your child escape to a world where flowers grow as big as their head, where grass is big enough to look like a forest, and where their best friends are fairies full of magic. The best part? This fantastic world is as close as their living room, and sets up in seconds over a standard card table. The front door flap makes it easy to get in and out, and side windows let you peak in on their delightful adventures.

Resources: www.copycrafts.etsy.com
Skills required: intermediate machine sewing, easy embroidery
Approximate time to craft*: 25 hours
Approximate cost for supplies*: $40
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

HANDMADE GIFT IDEA #15

If you haven't noticed yet, we LOVE to give handmade gifts.  We especially love giving gifts that are not only handmade, but are also useful.  Which is why we LOVE these cute reusable fabric lunch bags.  Plus, they're quick and easy to make.   If you're feeling adventurous, you can make them without a pattern - it's just one big long rectangle (front, bottom, and back) and two small rectangles on the sides.  If you're not feeling so adventurous, have no fear, there are tons of great patterns for these available.  Emmamae on Etsy sells a pattern for a bag identical to this one, and it includes two sizes.  Great gift for working moms, dads, and kids in school!

Resources: Classic Lunch Bag pattern by Emmamae
Skills Required:  easy sewing
Approximate time to put together*: 1 hour 
Approximate cost for supplies*: $5
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

LEGO STAR WARS VALENTINE

About a month ago I began to get really excited to make Valentine's with my son  (if any of you are rolling your eyes, please keep in mind that he is my first, and he is in Kindergarten - I'll probably roll my eyes with you in a couple years).   There are so many darling Valentine possibilities, and I honestly thought we would never be able to choose.  Then came the bad news.  Yes, they are doing Valentine's this year, but there is no candy allowed.  Seriously, no candy.  On Valentine's Day.   Does anyone else find this WRONG?  I mean, yes, the "responsible parent" side of me should be thrilled that he won't come home on a sugar high, but it seems like it takes away half the fun as well.

The good news is that this severely limited our choices of Valentines, and my little Star Wars fan was of course drawn to this one.  I think they turned out super cute, so I've made my peace with the "no candy" thing (or at least I'm trying).  The cards are a free printable from stitchcraftcreations.com, and can be printed with a colored or white background onto card stock.  We got the glow-sticks from the dollar store (5 for a dollar).  I used a single hole punch to punch holes just above and just below the light saber, and my son stuck the glow sticks through the holes.  Here's my only caution:  if you have a little guy (like mine) putting in the glow sticks, buy extra.  He accidentally cracked several of them so they started to glow, which he thought was wonderful, but which meant we had to go buy more glow sticks.  But we had fun, and we put 24 together in less than an hour, so even if you've left Valentine's till the last minute, these are still easily doable.

Resources: Printable Lego Star Wars Valentine by stitchcraftcreations.com
Skills required: none
Approximate time to craft*: 1 hour for 24 Valentine's   
Approximate cost for supplies*: $5 for 24 Valentine's 
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

SIMPLY WOVEN QUILT

As soon as I saw this quilt pattern, I knew I HAD to use it for my next scrap quilt.  It is so fun, and a great change from the traditional square patterns (plus the tutorial by Jessica Kelly is FREE!).  I love how cheerful my scrap quilt turned out, but I also think this quilt would be adorable in a child's bedroom - maybe in navys and greys for a boy, or in shades of turquoise for a girl.  So many possibilities!

Resources: Moda Bake Shope - Simply Woven Quilt Tutorial  
Skills required: intermediate quilting
Approximate time to craft*: 30 hours  
Approximate cost for supplies*: $15 (scrap quilt) - $100 (new fabric)
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

HANDMADE GIFT IDEA #13

So I have to say, the moment I saw these baby hats, I knew I had to find an excuse to make them.  They are the kind of thing that gets most women gushing and using words like "adorable," "precious," and of course "CUTE!"  It gets even better though.  The author of this pattern (Lullaby Lamb) has a large selection of crochet and knit hat patterns that are - dare I say it - just as "adorable," "precious," and "CUTE!"  My favorites include the fruit orchard hats (of course), a pumpkin hat, a sailor hat, and a granny cloche hat.  Any of her hats would make an amazing gift for a baby shower, or a young child's birthday.  This pattern, called the "Fruit Orchard Rolled Brim Hat" is knit in the round, and was clear and easy to follow.

 Resources: YouCanMakeThis.com - Lullaby Lamb Patterns
Skills required: intermediate knitting
Approximate time to craft*: 2 hours (newborn size)
Approximate cost for supplies*: $5
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

CHRISTMAS FELTIES - FREE EPATTERN

Every year I like to have my son make a few gifts to give away for Christmas.  I like to think that it reminds him the holiday is not just about getting presents (whether this is successful is up for debate).  So I am always on the lookout for cute little ornaments my son can make, but that I wouldn't mind hanging on my tree (I'm sorry, maybe I'm a snob, but construction paper doesn't really do it for me).  This year I came up with this idea we could make together!  I did the sewing, and he did the decorating (the ornaments pictured are actual ornaments he made - I think they turned out really cute, especially for a 5-year-old).  They went together quickly, he had a blast, and they didn't cost anything - we just used stuff we already had.  In fact, this is the perfect craft to use up those odds and ends from previous projects that you have no idea what to do with, but can't bear to throw away.  Best of all, we're giving away the pattern and instructions for 8 ornament shapes for FREE.  Just click on the link below! 

Resources: Christmas Felties - Free ePattern
Skills required: easy sewing
Approximate time to craft*: 20 minutes for each ornament
Approximate cost for supplies*: free
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

E-I-E-I-O

You just have to love baby's first words.  There is just something about that sound that might, possibly, if you really listen hard, be "mama." Among these first words are usually animals sounds - and this is the perfect quiet book to inspire baby's budding vocabulary.  Pretty soon they'll be saying "woof," "baa," and something that might, possibly, if you really listen hard, be "you're the best mommy ever!"

Resources: www.copycrafts.etsy.com
Skills required: intermediate machine sewing, easy embroidery
Approximate time to craft*: 20 hours
Approximate cost for supplies*: $15
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

CASTLEFORT

What little prince or princess is complete without their very own castle?

With a drawbridge to enter through on the front, windows on both sides to peer out from, and a very friendly dragon in the back, this fortress is perfect for the smallest of royalty. And when “their highness” is done playing, this stronghold can be taken off the card table, folded up and stored away until the next royal adventure!

Resources: www.copycrafts.etsy.com
Skills required: intermediate machine sewing, easy embroidery
Approximate time to craft*: 25 hours
Approximate cost for supplies*: $40
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

FUNNY MONEY

That’s right – print your own money! Piles and piles of warm fuzzy cash.

Play money is great for learning math skills, and all kinds of creative play. This Print and Play Felt Money set includes: $1 bills (fronts and backs), $5 bills (fronts and backs), $10 bills (fronts and backs), $20 bills (fronts and backs), pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters.

Each figure is drawn by hand, and is colorless – so you can make them any color you want by ironing onto different colors of felt. Just print the figures out onto iron-on transfer paper, iron onto felt, and cut out. It’s so easy, you might just decide to make a set for every kid you know!

Resources: www.copycrafts.etsy.com
Skills required: ironing and cutting
Approximate time to craft*: 1 hour
Approximate cost for supplies*: $2+ (depending on how many you make)
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

HIT THE ROAD

Beep! Beep! Clear the road! Underage drivers coming through!

This Print and Play Felt Figure set has everything they need to feel like the King of the Road! Of course, while they enjoy their new wheels, you can sneak in some lessons about road signs and safety. Print an unlimited number of straight road pieces for those kids who are really going somewhere. This set includes: 3 cars, 1 pickup truck, 1 delivery truck, 1 police car, 1 fire engine, 1 stop sign, 1 yield sign, 1 crosswalk sign, 1 crosswalk, 3 stoplights, 5 straight roads, and 4 corner roads.

Each figure is drawn by hand, and then digitally colored for vibrant colors. Just print the figures out onto iron-on transfer paper, iron onto felt, and cut out. It’s so easy, you might just decide to make a set for every kid you know!

Resources: www.copycrafts.etsy.com
Skills required: ironing and cutting
Approximate time to craft*: 1 hour
Approximate cost for supplies*: $12
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

SAFARI ADVENTURE

Children just love exploring and adventures! In fact, every day our son begs us to do something “new” – I guess we’re not exciting enough for him! But what is more exciting than an African Safari?!

Treat your child to a Safari Adventure that can be enjoyed again and again. This Print and Play Felt Figure set includes: 1 explorer boy, 1 explorer girl, 1 canteen, 1 camera, 1 pair of binoculars, 1 jeep, 2 crocodiles, 2 hippos, 2 giraffes, 2 zebras, 2 elephants, 2 tortoises, 2 flamingos, 2 monkeys, 2 meerkats, 3 birds, 2 ostriches, 2 rhinos, 2 gazelles, 2 snakes, 2 lions, 2 cheetahs, and 1 tree.

Each figure is drawn by hand, and then digitally colored for vibrant colors. Just print the figures out onto iron-on transfer paper, iron onto felt, and cut out. It’s so easy, you might just decide to make a set for every kid you know!

Resources: www.copycrafts.etsy.com
Skills required: ironing and cutting
Approximate time to craft*: 1 hour
Approximate cost for supplies*: $10
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

A PIRATE'S LIFE

Ahoy! Avast! And ARGHHHHH!

This Print and Play Felt Figure set has everything they need to set out on the high seas for the adventure of a life time! Follow the map to dig for treasure, do some swashbuckling, maybe even get stranded on a desert island. . . This set includes: a pirate ship, 1 deserted island, 1 row boat, 1 treasure chest, 3 waves, 4 pirates, 1 treasure map, 1 apple barrel, 1 canon, 1 set of canon balls, 2 shovels, and 4 swords .

Each figure is drawn by hand, and then digitally colored for vibrant colors. Just print the figures out onto iron-on transfer paper, iron onto felt, and cut out. It’s so easy, you might just decide to make a set for every kid you know!

Resources: www.copycrafts.etsy.com
Skills required: ironing and cutting
Approximate time to craft*: 1 hour
Approximate cost for supplies*: $8
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

FUN FELT BOARDS

The perfect learning tool for play time, preschool, or home school!

Includes the pattern for both travel and full size felt boards. The travel size is perfect for individual play, long car rides, doctor’s offices, or church. Just Velcro the sides closed, slip the felt pieces inside, and you’re ready to roam. The full size is large enough for at least two children to play together. Perfect for play time at home, or preschools. It folds flat for easy storage.

Resources: www.copycrafts.etsy.com
Skills required: easy machine & hand sewing
Approximate time to craft*: 3 hours each
Approximate cost for supplies*: $10 each
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

FISH TOWELS

Hooded bath towels are a great way for keeping babies and toddlers warm after a bath. With this pattern you can transform any bath towel into either a fish or shark to wrap up in. This pattern is designed to be very quick and easy, and you'll have a really cute towel to wrap up your little swimmer in no time!
Resources: www.copycrafts.etsy.com
Skills required: easy machine and hand sewing
Approximate time to craft*: 2 hours each
Approximate cost for supplies*: $10 each
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

FISH CLOTHS

Who wouldn’t want to take a bath or wash a pile of dishes with these fun and “fishy” wash cloths? Their texture makes them perfect for scrubbing even the dirtiest of the dirty. And being made of 100% cotton they are gentle on the skin.

Resources: www.copycrafts.etsy.com
Skills required: easy knitting
Approximate time to craft*: 1-2 hours each
Approximate cost for supplies*: less than $2 each
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

CAMP WANNACRAFT

Welcome to “Camp Wannacraft!” - where every day is a perfect day to go camping. The weather is always cooperative, only pretty bugs are allowed, and furry friends NEVER steal you food.

This card table fort is great for living room campouts (for times when outdoor campouts are not a possibility), creative play, and even makes a great place for quiet time. Front zipper opening makes getting in and out easy, and star shaped windows let in lots of light. The whole thing just slips over a standard size card table, so taking it down is a snap! 

Resources: www.copycrafts.etsy.com
Skills required: intermediate machine sewing, easy embroidery
Approximate time to craft*: 25 hours
Approximate cost for supplies*: $40
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

DAISY LANE DOLLS

Why should your little one have to leave their dollies and all that fun to had behind when it's time to go somewhere.? Let them take it with them with this "Daisy Lane Doll" quiet book. All the fun of a dollhouse - including two dolls with changeable clothes, a fully stocked kitchen, cozy bedroom, functional bathroom, and so many fun toys to play with in the living room. They'll never have to leave their favorite dolls again!

Resources: www.copycrafts.etsy.com
Skills required: intermediate machine sewing, easy embroidery
Approximate time to craft*: 20 hours
Approximate cost for supplies*: $15
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

HANDMADE GIFT IDEA #11

I don't think I can call myself a quilter. I tell those who ask if I quilt, "Only when I need a quilt for something," and from the looks on their faces I think this response doesn't qualify me for "quilter" status. But I do craft and sew a whole lot, and inevitably there is a mountain of leftover fabric. So once or twice year I de-stash by making a scrap quilt.

Scrap quilts are quick and easy - no need to worry about the pattern turning out right. They're also a great way to practice, so that when I do want a pretty quilt for something, my corners are not a complete embarrassment. These scrap quilts make great baby, graduation, and wedding gifts. Or, if I don't have someone specific to give it to, the local homeless and women's shelters are always in need of quilts. So go ahead, get scrappy!
Skills required: easy sewing
Approximate time to craft*: 40+ hours
Approximate cost for supplies*: $5 (the above quilt was made for nothing!)
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

TO THE ZOO

If you've got some little monkeys, you know they'll love this quiet book about going to the zoo! Petting pandas, watching snoozing snakes, and playing peek-a-boo with a giraffe are just some of the fun activities that await them in "To the Zoo."

Resources: www.copycrafts.etsy.com
Skills required: intermediate machine sewing, easy embroidery
Approximate time to craft*: 20 hours
Approximate cost for supplies*: $15
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

HOW I FEEL

Toddlerhood can be exasperating. For them, and for their parents. Add to this the fact that most toddlers lack the vocabulary and understanding to appropriately express how they are feeling, and you've got a real recipe for frustration. "How I Feel" is designed to teach toddlers emotion vocabulary, helping them to better understand and express their emotions - hopefully making life a little better for everyone. But of course, the learning is kept fun with bright colors and fun peek-a-boo flaps, so they'll never suspect you're actually trying to teach them something.

Resources: www.copycrafts.etsy.com
Skills required: intermediate machine sewing, easy embroidery
Approximate time to craft*: 20 hours
Approximate cost for supplies*: $15
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.