Editors Gretchen Jakub Fabre Shannon Hanley

Layout and Design Chichiboulie The Clever Kitty Head of PR

Michelle Vackar

Advertising Coordinator Linda Phrakhansa Treasurer Ahmelie Skistad

spring 2011

WELCOME

10 .... meet the editors

11 .... letter from the editors

WEAR - fashion trends

12....it’s all about honeysuckle

16....embracing nature in fashion

DWELL - home décor

21 .... right as rainbows

24....something old, something

new

CREATE - crafty tutorials

32 .... farewell winter, hello spring!

44 .... homemade sidewalk chalk

56 .... easy-breezy windsock

60 .... have chick, will travel

TASTE - cooking fun

39 .... breakfast as dinner

40 .... dreamy marshmallows

42 .... berry banana smoothie

43 .... white hot chocolate

contents modern

handmade child

on the cover

Little Guy Necktie

by Petite Peanut Boutique

photography by

Melissa Jones at Cherished

Memories Photography

Follow modern handmade child on Twitter, and become a fan on Facebook!

12

44

40

http://snugglebugkidz.etsy.com/

spring 2011

MEET - interviews

28 ... kaja designs

48 ... mama may i

LAUGH - the little things in life

55 ... things kids say

GROW - child development

66 ... spring cleaning

70 ... dear crafty shrink

CARE - growing up green

72...for the love of everything

green

SHARE - by moms for moms

77 ... dinner is served

WORK

80 ... facebook 101

For information regarding advertising in modern handmade child, please contact

advertising@modernhandmadechild.com

contents modern

handmade child

Contributors WEAR........... Marissa Fischer

DWELL.......... Kristi Duchon CREATE........ Angela Salmon Manni Nicole Passeier Michelle Vackar

TASTE........ Margeaux Fincher

Jen Dwyer MEET............ Shannon Hanley Laura Jacquemond CARE............ Tanja D’Lyn

SHARE.......... Kristie Piacine

GROW...........Julie Hartman WORK........... Liz Murphy

Please send all article submissions and ideas to: editor@modernhandmadechild.com

Note that submissions are welcome but are not guaranteed inclusion in the magazine. Copyright© modern handmade child 2011. Al l r ights reserved.

Reproduction or redistribution in whole or in parts without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.

48

72

68

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welcome meet the editors

Gretchen Jakub Fabre is an illustrator living in northern

France. A mother of 3 children and one Scottie pup, her

days are spent chasing after one small being or another.

When not looking after her small brood, she can be found in

her studio creating- usually a mess, but at times paintings,

prints, felt objects and “fabrications”. A self-taught artist,

her work focuses around the world and whimsies of children

and the young-at-heart, many inspired by her own daily

experiences. Gretchen‟s illustrations have been sold worldwide to both large companies and

individuals alike. Her work can be seen online at www.chichiboulie.com and in her portfolio

www.gretchenjakubfabre.com.

Shannon Hanley lives on the coast of southern Maine

with her husband and daughter. She works during the day

as a floral designer, and from home at night as an artisan

dabbling in many mediums, from knitting and felting to

jewelry making. Inspired by the vibrant colors and

beauty of nature, she loves creating things that are both

fun and functional. In addition to her creative work, she

is the leader of the EtsyKids Team, which she founded in

2006. You can find out more about Shannon and view her

work online at www.thecleverkitty.com and www.thecleverkitty.etsy.com, and read her blog at

www.thekittypad.blogspot.com.

gretchen jakub fabre and shannon hanley

gretchen jakub fabre and shannon hanley

letter from the editors

Winter can sure be cold, dark, and long.

Sometimes it seems as though it will never

end! While there is lots of fun to be had in

the winter – playing in the snow outside,

snuggling in cozy blankets and sipping hot

cocoa inside – the coming of spring is always

a very welcome sight.

It‟s always so refreshing to see the days

getting a bit longer, the temperatures a bit

warmer and the surroundings a bit cheerier

with the first signs of spring. New projects

abound with the new found energy we get

from the lightening of the mood.

This spring, Modern Handmade Child is

joining in on the new projects theme with the

launch of our updated website and blog.

Now you can check in daily for fun new

projects and crafts, delicious recipes, thought

-provoking images, gorgeous handmade

products and more.

We‟re still in the early stages and there is

inevitably some tweaking that will be done,

but come on over and check it out. And

while you‟re there leave us a message with

your thoughts as we hope to make the blog

an easy way for you, our readers, to

communicate with us and help us make

Modern Handmade Child even more

enjoyable for you.

Modern Handmade Child the Blog

Happy Reading and Happy Spring!

Gretchen Jakub Fabre

Shannon Hanley

We love to hear from you!

Send your comments and letters to editor@mhcmag.com.

by marissa fischer - rae gun

P antone‟s selection for the color of 2011 is Honeysuckle. Every year, they select a color

which they believe will be influential in fashion and design. They describe this vibrant pink as

being “Courageous. Confident. Vital. A brave new color, for a brave new world. Let the bold

spirit of Honeysuckle infuse you, lift you and carry you through the year. It‟s a color for every

day – with nothing „everyday‟ about it.”

Just to get you started, here are some great ways to introduce honeysuckle into your little ones‟

wardrobes. Try it in small doses in prints and accessories or embrace the courageous mood and

go for an entire dress or outfit in the shade.

valentine twirl skirt by chew chew‟s closet

left: pink and white dots

dress by sing me a melody

top row: mango tango

flower headband by southern

baby boutique, pink

houndstooth necktie by me

and matilda

bottom row: bunny appliqué

bodysuit by claire and me,

kristina knot dress by

1crown3tiaras

M any of us in the Northern Hemisphere, who have been stuck inside for the last few months, are eagerly awaiting the first signs of Spring.

Watching the life return to the world around us as ice melts and leaves return to green is revitalizing. As the air warms enough to venture

outdoors for more than a quick run to and from the car, we are reminded of the beauty all around us. While artists and musicians have always

found inspiration in nature, I want to share three ways to embrace nature in fashion for this Spring.

M any of us in the Northern Hemisphere, who have been stuck inside for the last few months, are eagerly awaiting the first signs of Spring.

Watching the life return to the world around us as ice melts and leaves return to green is revitalizing. As the air warms enough to venture

outdoors for more than a quick run to and from the car, we are reminded of the beauty all around us. While artists and musicians have always

found inspiration in nature, I want to share three ways to embrace nature in fashion for this Spring.

Colors While most of us don‟t immediately think of browns, tans and greens when we think of clothing

for the kids, these are a fabulous alternative to the blues and pinks we so often encounter. The

depths of brown and green are wonderful neutrals that work well for both little boys and little

girls as they add freshness to any outfit. Plus they are unique without being peculiar.

woodland top by sunnybrook farm designs, grass fed

toddler pants by greenplow, corduroy ruffle pants by the

fresh stitch

by marissa fischer - rae gun

Images Another way to embrace nature is to bring in the

images we find in the outside world. Think of

beautiful tree designs or darling bird appliqués.

Look both for plant as well as animal icons. The

range of options is endless. These can be as

subtle as a small feather print or as bold as a

picture of a woodland creature.

this page: vegan cotton striped hat by babbidge patch, mugglees infant boots by lil bums boutique, all natural

wool baby cardigan by sweet memories quilts

opposite page: aristotle the owl hoodie by joey and aleethea, herringbone pant and shirt set by butterfly baby

place, acorn toddler tee by critter jitters, apple of my eye bodysuit by winklepots

Material Finally, material is a great way to add a touch of

nature without being overly kitschy. Organic

everything is hot right now – including fabric.

Look for clothing made from textiles of natural

fibers. I love the rustic look that a loosely woven

linen brings to any outfit. Also look for fabrics

with texture that remind you of the outdoors –

think fluffy bunny, striped grass or ridged bark.

This Spring, I encourage you to take some cues

from the nature around you as you introduce new

articles of clothing to your little ones‟ closets.

clockwise from top left: hatching hollywood birdie bodysuit by petite fish, a little birdie told me tee shirt by my little legacies,

personalized monogrammed shirt and headband set by leave you in stitches, alligator appliqué bodysuit by round the bend again

N o two words define spring home

décor more than color and clean-

up. Especially when it comes to a

child‟s room. As parents, we are

constantly searching for creative ways

to organize those piles of toys, books

and clothing, while at the same time,

seeking subtle and affordable ways to

add color to our lives. Not an easy feat

with everything else we are

juggling. But there is no need to go

full tilt. A little color goes a long way

and clever storage can also function as

defining décor.

We love what Joy Thigpen did with her

daughter‟s room. When she asked her

then two-year old daughter what her

favorite color was, she was given a

rainbow of hues. So she did just

that. She hand-painted herself a

rainbow room. There is no artwork

necessary in this room, but the costume

hooks provided both an artistic display

and functional storage.

kristi duchon - zuzu girl handmade

decorating with color

Rainbow room photos by Joy Thigpen via Design Sponge clockwise from top left: hatching hollywood birdie bodysuit by petite fish, a little birdie told me tee shirt by my little legacies,

personalized monogrammed shirt and headband set by leave you in stitches, alligator appliqué bodysuit by round the bend again

cottage wood shelf by old new again, forever flower garland by emma lamb, rainbow crochet blanket by rocket and bear, desk

organiser by less & more, madeleine frame collection by amye123, crochet floor cushion by la casa de coto, personalised toy

crate by chunky monkey luv, by order of the management print by john w golden, droplets screen print by summersville

cottage wood shelf by old new again, forever flower garland by emma lamb, rainbow crochet blanket by rocket and bear, desk

organiser by less & more, madeleine frame collection by amye123, crochet floor cushion by la casa de coto, personalised toy

crate by chunky monkey luv, by order of the management print by john w golden, droplets screen print by summersville

Paint is one approach; product is another. A colorful piece of art here, a fabulous rug there, and a

bright pillow or throw on top of the bed can turn a small space into a whole new room. Have your

child create his own art with acrylic on canvas or simply frame someone else‟s vibrant work.

Some cleverly placed hooks and a decorative toy box can organize a space with style. There is no

longer a need to stuff everything away in the closet when you find just the right toy chest or set of

hooks. Spend some quality time finding the perfect focal item or make it yourself!

Keep it simple and remember that color is the key. Include your child in choosing colors but

remember, if you take them too literally, you just might end up on the other side of a rainbow.

A s the snow melts and the flowers begin to

grow, so does my desire to make some design

changes. Do you feel the same? Then start

packing up those cozy knit blankets; there are

easy ways to update your space and let that

sunshine in. Add some “happy” by using

light and airy colors, while including some

quirky items to keep things fun and

interesting.

Think Art Put your child‟s

artwork to good use!

They may have

produced a good

amount during those

cold, indoor only,

winter months. Donna Brandt at Outside the

Lines Designs will take your child‟s drawings

and appliqué them on just about anything,

including wall hangings, pillows and

clothing.

Think Light Lighting that is. It‟s a fun way of bringing

added design elements to a room, and there

are more and more fun choices popping up

for the nursery. Take the Early Bird from

Perch! Available in 7 color options, this mod

pendant light is Amy Adam‟s bestseller.

Think Pillows Pillows are a weakness of

mine, and they are a

relatively inexpensive way

to change the whole feel of

a room. Donna Wilson‟s

Rain Cloud Pillow will

bring out the child in

anyone. Or personalize your pillow

kari flrak - little mr moo

arrangement with K Studio‟s Family Series

Pillow and choose from their assortment of

family members the ones that most closely

replicate your own.

Think Mobiles Mobiles add style to

your space with the

added bonus of

being entertainment

for your little one. I

love the All About

Birds Mobile from

KLTworks, with

original black and

white drawings

silkscreened on the front and punchy Helen

Rawlinson fabric on the back. Or make your

baby giggle with the Mr. Moustache Baby

Mobile from Jaellundtofta.

Think Details

Small details can make a big impact. Try

switching up your drawer knobs to add that

pop of color, like these Dotted Delight

Doorknobs from Sweet Mix Creations. Or

add some toys as decor like these Zoo Cubes

from Cate and Levi.

Whatever route you choose, one or all or

something in between, dressing up your

home for spring will be sure to not only

brighten your interior, but also brighten your

interior!

left to right: swirl tree with owls vinyl wall art by janey mac, mama and

child bird shelf by maple shade kids, personalized name door sign by hand-

made with love by sesiber, owl bedroom door hanger by heartfelt hand-

made, wooden bird bookends by the wooden owl

interview by laura jacquemond - blue terracotta

mhc: Tell us a bit about yourself, where

you live, your family.

kaja: I am 38 years old, and I work as an

IT consultant and run my clothing business

at night, when the kids are asleep. I live in an

old house in Gothenburg, Sweden with my

husband and our two kids, son of 7 and

daughter of 5.

The house is located only 10 minutes from the

city centre, but still we see elks, deer, foxes,

owls and falcons visiting our garden. And we

love going up into the woods looking at frogs

in the pond or climbing the rocks there.

mhc: How and when did you start creating

clothes for children?

kaja: It all started when I was expecting

our son. We got all the big baby things like a

crib and a nursing table from a friend. So

during my cocooning phase I was sewing,

mainly crib sets, but also some clothes. When

my daughter was born it was so easy to make

little bonnets and dresses for her, and then

people started asking if I could make things

for them as well.

After a while I started blogging and then an

art & design shop found me online and asked

me to make a collection of dresses to be sold

in the shop. Since then it has just kept on

rolling.

A chat with Swedish designer Eva-Karin, owner of Kaja Design, about her work

mhc: Why did you name your shop Kaja

Design?

kaja: I couldn't pronounce my name when

I first started talking, so I called myself Kaja.

Since then no one has ever used that name,

but when I started hanging out online I

wanted something shorter than Eva-Karin,

hence Kaja.

I ordered red clothing labels with Kaja in

white on them. But, when I wanted to register

a domain with Kaja I realised that most

domains were occupied, so I decided to go

with KajaDesign. After a while, I discovered

that there already is a company with that

name, so I have used Kaja & lilla krax as

brandname, but my shopname is still the

same. Kaja is a female name in Scandinavia,

but also the Swedish name for the bird

jackdaw. So, Kaja & lilla krax is a pun,

meaning "Kaja and little caw", where caw is

the sound that the jackdaw makes.

mhc: Do you create other items besides

your children's line?

kaja: Oh yes! I am one of those fortunate

persons that have more ideas than they have

time to carry them out. Someone once said

that a true crafter always uses every event in

their life to make something new. That is so

true for me.

We bought a new kitchen table a while ago,

so now I have made three sets of placemats. I

make adult clothes for myself, I knit beanies,

crochet mittens and shawls, create

mushrooms from salt dough, scrap birthday

cards, make necklaces and bracelets from

beads. Well, pretty much every craft there is.

And when I have more ideas than knowledge

I let someone else do it for me. Usually, it is

my husband that ends up doing some

woodwork.

mhc: Where do your ideas come from?

What's your inspiration?

kaja: All

over the place!

As I make

children‟s

clothes I get a

lot of ideas from

my own

children and I

also use them

for prototype

testing. I just

ordered some

fabric

in a print that is

made from one of my son‟s drawings.

Right now we are reading about space,

planets and stars with the kids. So, then it is

only natural for me to start searching for

fabric with space motifs, or making a shirt

with space appliqués.

My daughter likes to pull out all my fabrics

and cuddle them. I‟m not fond of having to

fold all the fabrics and put them back in

place again, but it is definitely a good way to

get new ideas. Suddenly, the polka-striped

fabrics end up with the night train fabric, and

you get a whole new combination for a shirt.

I don't use any little books to scribble down

my ideas. I keep some files with pictures or

links to patterns that I want to remember on

my computer. But, apart from that, it's all in

my head. I let the ideas swim around and

bump into each other, turning into that

perfect idea. Sometimes it takes a week,

sometimes a year until I actually make that

idea into reality. And it still gets changed

when I start sewing it.

I think I do about 30% of my design when I

am sewing. I cut up all fabrics, but then after

a while I realize that it doesn't have the right

"feeling" to it. Perhaps an appliqué? But,

then I realize that the sleeves aren‟t quite

right with that particular appliqué, so I save

the sleeves for some other project and make a

new pair instead. This way, even if I plan on

making say 2 dresses for my daughter, I end up

making 5 new dresses. So we keep two and put

the rest in the shop. They become like a little

mini-collection.

mhc: Do you sell exclusively online? If not,

where else are your clothes available?

kaja: Almost. I do try to attend some fairs

and sell a little something to friends every

now and then, but I don't have any resellers in

a brick-and-mortar shop. I like to keep my

customers close to me, as I find that I get some

of my best ideas from customers.

mhc: What's your favorite item to make?

kaja: Oh… I think I like making things that

solve a problem the best. Like things that are

impossible to buy anywhere except from me.

Tractor pants or matching mother-daughter

outfits. I also love that I am able to sell

things with popular children‟s characters,

like Pippi Longstocking, Moomin or

Curious George, all made out of vintage

fabrics.

I've also made items that are suited for a

special purpose. A blog friend of mine has

a son with a muscular disease that means

that his head needs extra support. She

wanted something that looked like a

regular beanie, but that still could provide

that extra support. This beanie has buttons

on the side (to be attached to a button

elastics and then to the wheel chair) and

woven fabric in the front. This is nothing

that I could make and sell on a regular

basis, but it gives me a lot of pleasure and

satisfaction to be able to figure out and

then make something that really is helping

someone else.

mhc: What do you do when you're not

creating?

kaja: I think I am almost always

creating, one way or the other. A simple

walk with the kids in the forest behind our

house almost always turns into some

creative outlet. It could be building a house

for a squirrel, or picking mushrooms

and putting them on leaf-plates to give as

"candy" for the trolls that we are pretty

sure live up there. Working out in the gym is

great for making up plans for new designs.

Cooking lemon curd gives me the idea of

making little crocheted jar-hats (which

reminds me, I still haven't made those…).

Even sleeping is not a safe zone as I usually

get a lot of ideas when I go to bed.

mhc: What are your plans for the future of

Kaja Design?

kaja: Up until now I have been creating a

lot and doing the design as I work with the

item. But my next goal is to start selling

patterns and eBooks.

I am also planning on making free tutorials

on how to repurpose things. The theme will

be: "You see – I see". I held a workshop a

while ago and showed how you can turn an

old pair of chinos into "play pants" for kids.

Or a pair of old jeans that got turned into a

bag. Someone commented: "Well, it's easy

for you to make something like that, because

you are so creative, but I would

never have come up with an idea like that."

So, my mission this year will be to show

everyone that it is not that hard to be

creative.

T he winter blues has packed its bags and is

waving its last farewell to us to set out on its

adventurous journey to the Southern

Hemisphere (...well, at least until the next

time around!) And just around the corner, our

next sweet guest comes strolling along with

giant and graceful steps, arms packed full

with a bunch of presents for us to enjoy – it

carries lightness, the promise of new

beginnings, fresh starts and lovely flowery

scents. The sweet chirping of bird song will

be floating through the air again soon, too.

Smiles are returning to our faces, and our

steps become lighter as we shed our winter

clothes layer by layer by layer. Nature dabs

its paintbrushes in a myriad of colors and

throws a magical, zappy, radiant and happy,

light new dress across the Earth, and dear

nicole passeier - magic rainbow dreaminx

Basic Materials

- 2 pieces of thick recycled cardboard (dry

goods food boxes from the supermarket,

e.g.) in desired size

- cardstock in colors of your choice.

Structured & patterned paper or colorful

magazine pages will be lovely, too.

Anything happy.

- scissors and/ or cutter

- pencil

- ruler

- glue stick

- school watercolors or acrylic paint

- paintbrushes

- something to string your butterfly: e.g., jute,

string, satin ribbon, wool, raffia

- a thin bamboo stick or a fallen twig (please

be respectful and only use already fallen

off branches you find on the ground. Do

not break any off a tree.).

- needle or other pointy object

Materials to decorate your butterfly &

sign – take your pick:

- colored cardstock or paper, happy wrapping

paper, colorful magazine pages

- wooden beads or buttons

- ribbon, lace, etc.

- craft wire & wire cutter

- mini paper punch

- colored pencils, felt pens, wax crayons

- stapler

Grandfather Sun gifts us with its soft warmth

and kisses our skin tenderly .... ahhhhh, hello

Spring! Welcome back.

The one animal representing all of the above

– lightness, softness, happiness,

transformation, liveliness, colorfulness,

airiness, floating – is the butterfly. Therefore,

the butterfly presents itself as kind of a

natural choice in welcoming spring back into

our homes by decorating our doors with a

cheery door hanging, begging spring to come

in and fill our homes with laughter and

happiness.

Some tips before you begin:

- look up pictures of butterflies in books or

on the internet to use as templates – be

inspired by their vast variety of shapes

and colors

- make some rough butterfly sketches on

regular paper to design your personal

butterfly on a small-scale basis before

actually getting to work on the big one

and experiment with colors, patterns &

shapes

- cut paper templates of any desired shapes

you want to embellish your butterfly with

– that way you can move them around on

your butterfly to get a feel for what it will

look like later on

Making a template (optional):

Draw your butterfly silhouette in the desired

size onto a piece of regular paper or thin

cardstock and cut out.

Step 1a:

Draw your butterfly silhouette in the desired

size onto your piece of cardboard and cut out.

If you have opted for a template, place your

template onto the cardboard, trace around the

template and cut out.

Step 1b:

Draw your sign in the desired size and

desired shape onto another piece of cardboard

and cut out.

Step 2

You can now glue a strip of white paper

around the edges of your butterfly and your

sign to cover any open padding spaces in the

cardboard.

Step 3

With school watercolors or acrylic paint in

the color of your choice, paint around the

edges of butterfly and sign as seen in the

picture. Ideally, the paint color(s) you choose

should match the later main color(s). Let the

paint dry.

Step 4

Place your butterfly onto a piece of cardstock

and trace. Remove the cardboard butterfly.

Now re-trace the first line by adding an

“allowance” of an extra 1 - 1.5 cm, so your

cardstock butterfly will be slightly bigger

than your cardboard foundation. Your

cardstock butterfly will become the front of

your butterfly.

Step 5

Repeat step 4 for the sign.

3 4

5 4 4

Step 7 Now the colorful and fun part begins: add

color, shapes, patterns to the front of your

butterfly. Add any embellishments you like.

You can draw, paint, glue ... just let the

Step 6 Cover the cardboard pieces with glue, align

and glue them onto the respective matching

pieces of cardstock. Smooth out any air

bubbles or folds with the palm of your hand.

6

7

6

7

like for them to be. Make sure you align them

along the center.

Determine your points of hanging, and mark

with tiny pencil dots. Make sure they are

evenly spaced and level!

You will have 6 points altogether: 2 on the

top wings, 2 on the bottom wings, and 2 on

the top of the sign. (See pictures for details.)

Carefully push a thin needle through your

marks so that your cardstock does not rip.

butterfly unfold itself under your hands right

before your eyes.

If you like, you can add some antennas as

well. I used red craft wire. You could also use

pipe cleaners. Attach on the back of the

butterfly head with tape to hold them in

place.

Step 8

Time to choose your wording for the sign: I

chose “Hello Spring”, but you could also put

“Come on in”, or any other spring

greetings you like. You can hand-

write the words with paint or with

felt pens, or cut letters from

wrapping paper or cardstock. You

could also pick the letters you

need from magazine headings, or

cut your letter shapes out of flower

pictures – the flowers make for a

nice pattern and are springy and

colorful. Make it fun, make it

unique, make it yours! Add any

spring-themed embellishments

you can think of.

Step 9 Both pieces are now done. Next

you‟ll attach them to each other.

Place the sign and the butterfly as

close or as far apart as you would

8

9

Step 10

Add your string. Make knots to keep

in place. Whether you make the knots

on the front or on the back is up to

you.

Step 11

Attach your butterfly to your stick or

twig, choose a happy place for it in

your home and voilà: you‟ve waved

the winter blues good-bye and are

welcoming a vibrant Spring in all its

color, freshness and happiness.

Extra-cute touch:

Cut out a simple shaped butterfly

silhouette in three different sizes,

each size a different color. Place all

three on top of each other and staple

together in the middle. Make several

the same way. Add a bit of glue stick

glue (or a tape loop) to the back of

the butterflies and stick and place

around your butterfly door-hanging

for some extra spring-inviting

cuteness.

© Nicole Passeier

For personal use only.

Caution: Safety rules. Always. Ensure that any sharp objects such as needles, scissors and

cutters are well out of reach of any small children. Be sure to supervise your children‟s use of

any crafting material.

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

1 bag (2 lb.) frozen hash browns

1 onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup of cooked ham, diced

15 eggs, beaten

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Salt and pepper to taste

Potato, Ham and Egg Casserole

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 F, spray a 9” x 13” pan with cooking

spray and prepare all ingredients. Mix the hash browns,

onion, green pepper, and garlic in a large bowl.

2. Heat 1 Tbsp of the oil in a large, non-stick skillet over

medium heat. Add 1/3 of the hash brown mixture. Cook,

without stirring, for about 5 minutes, or until browned (lift

the edge of the layer of hash browns to check). Flip hash

browns, and cook for about another 5 minutes. Place the

cooked hash browns in the prepared 9” x 13” pan. Cook the

remaining hash brown mixture in two batches, using 1 Tbsp

of oil per batch. Place all hash browns in the prepared pan.

3. Sprinkle ham over hash browns. Pour the beaten eggs on

top, stir lightly, and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle

with the shredded cheese.

4. Cover pan with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil

and cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until the surface of the

casserole is firm and crispy, and edges are browned. Cut into

squares and serve.

margeaux fincher - mux originals

This savory casserole, rather like a hearty, crust-less

quiche, is a perfect breakfast-as-dinner entrée. It‟s easy to

make, and any leftovers reheat wonderfully. If you have a

small family, halve the recipe (use 7 eggs) and bake it in an

8” x 8” pan.

Directions:

1. Prepare the pan: Lightly spray a 9” x 13” pan with cooking spray. Line it with plastic wrap or

foil, leaving an overhang on all sides, and spray the wrap/foil with cooking spray as well. Set aside.

2. Combine ¾ cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a medium saucepan, and attach a

candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Place over high heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Cook,

without stirring, until mixture reaches 238 degrees (approx. 10 – 15 min.).

These fluffy marshmallows are full of sweet vanilla flavor. Homemade marshmallows are easier to

make than you‟d expect, although the process does take time and can get a little sticky. For a

delicious treat, make a sandwich of cinnamon graham crackers, peanut butter, and a homemade

marshmallow.

Yield: 9” x 13” pan (the total number of

marshmallows varies depending on what

size or shape you cut them into)

Ingredients: Cooking spray

1 ½ cups water, divided

3 cups granulated sugar

1 ¼ cups light corn syrup

¼ teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons + 1 ½ teaspoons unflavored

gelatin

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Confectioner‟s sugar, for coating

margeaux fincher - mux originals

3. In the meantime, combine the gelatin and ¾ cup water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted

with a whisk attachment.

4. Once the sugar syrup reaches the right temperature, remove the pan from the stove. Turn the

electric mixer on low, and pour the sugar syrup over the gelatine mixture. Gradually raise mixer

speed, and beat the mixture until it is stiff, white, and cool, approximately 12 – 15 min. Beat in

vanilla extract.

5. Pour the mixture into the prepared 9” x 13” pan, using a spatula to move it along. Coat your

hands with confectioner‟s sugar and use them to smooth the surface of the mixture.

6. Allow the mixture to solidify, uncovered and untouched, for a minimum of three hours. If

necessary, it can be left overnight.

7. When you‟re ready to cut the marshmallows, sprinkle a generous layer of confectioner‟s sugar

onto your work surface. Place about a cup of confectioner‟s sugar in a large bowl and set aside.

8. Unmold the marshmallows onto

the layer of confectioner‟s sugar,

and peel away the plastic wrap/foil.

Lightly spray a paring knife with

cooking spray, and cut the

marshmallows into squares.

Alternately, you can used greased

cookie cutters. Place the cut

marshmallows in the bowl of

confectioner‟s sugar and toss to

coat them with the sugar.

9. Store the marshmallows in an air-

tight container for up to a week.

They also freeze beautifully and

thaw very quickly.

jen dwyer - puntebella

The pineapple chunks give

this healthful and refreshing

smoothie a bit of a tropical

flair. For a sweeter smoothie,

make sure the banana is ripe.

Ingredients:

⅔ cup non-fat milk

⅔ cup pineapple chunks

¼ cup pineapple juice

1 banana

1 cup frozen mixed berries

Place all ingredients in a

blender and blend until

smooth. Serve immediately.

Makes 2 eight ounce servings.

Ingredients:

3 cups of milk

2 cinnamon sticks

½ cup white chocolate chips

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Whipped cream and mini chocolate chips (optional)

Heat the milk together with the cinnamon sticks

over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Stir

frequently until the milk is steaming and bubbles

begin to form around the edge of the pan.

Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes to infuse

the cinnamon into the milk.

Add the chocolate chips and cook and stir until the

chocolate is melted. Remove the cinnamon sticks

and stir in the vanilla extract.

Pour into four 6 oz. mugs and top with whipped

cream and mini chocolate chips if desired.

The white chocolate makes for a smooth and rich hot cocoa. Using cinnamon sticks instead of

powdered cinnamon keeps the spices from floating to the top. jen dwyer - puntebella

One of our favorite outside activities at our home is drawing with chalk on the driveway. You

can play hopscotch, four-square, and of course draw and create silly stories. One day as we

played hopscotch, my daughters and I were talking about how to make chalk, and I thought to

myself, let‟s try it! It‟s pretty simple, and ended up being quite a lot of fun. This recipe makes 6

tubes of chalk.

michelle vackar - hi mamma

Supplies:

6 toilet paper tubes (or 3 paper towel

tubes cut in half)

scissors

duct tape

wax paper

small bucket or disposable container to

make the recipe

1 ½ cup of warm water

3 cups Plaster of Paris

5-6 tablespoons of tempera paint

Directions:

Step 1: Cover one end of

each tube with duct tape to

hold the contents within.

Step 2: Cut 6 pieces of wax

paper, roughly 6 inches by 6

inches. Roll the wax paper

loosely and insert into the

tubes to create a liner (the

top of the wax paper will be

higher than the tubes). The

wax paper liner will keep the

chalk mixture from sticking

to the cardboard tubes, and

will eventually be peeled off.

Step 3: Pour the warm

water into your bucket.

Sprinkle the Plaster of Paris

over the water and stir the

mixture with a plastic spoon.

The Plaster of Paris roughly

starts hardening within 20-

30 minutes, so you need to

work fast so that it does not

harden too quickly.

Step 4: Next add the tempera paint into the Plaster of Paris mixture and stir until thoroughly

mixed. If you would like brighter colors, add more tempera paint into the mixture. We wanted

to make a variety of colors of chalk, so we spooned about ½ -3/4 cup of the Plaster of Paris

mixture into separate containers and mixed in the different tempera paint colors into each

bowl.

Step 5: Stand each tube with the tape side down on a cookie sheet/flat baking dish/box lid to

make the project easier to transport to a drying location. Pour or spoon the colored Plaster of

Paris mixture into the wax paper lined tubes. Lightly tap the sides of the tubes to release the

air bubbles (so you do not have holes in your chalk). When done trim the excess wax paper so

that it is closer to the cardboard tube.

Step 6: It took 3 days for our chalk to dry. On the last day, we peeled off the duct tape so that

the underside could dry. When the chalk dries, peel off the paper tubes and wax paper. Your

chalk is ready!

interview by shannon hanley - the clever kitty

mhc: Tell us a little about yourself.

jessica: My name is Jessica. I currently

live in the city of Philadelphia with my

ambitious, business minded husband and

inspiring, tenacious 2 – almost 3 - year old

daughter, Layla. We are excited to be

welcoming our second little girl sometime in

May. I can‟t wait to start designing things

from the beginning again – the newborn

stage!

mhc: Aside from creating things, what do

you love to do?

jessica: The best part about my job

creating things is that I love what I do. There

really isn‟t a separation from my “creating

things” and my business…they all

intermingle and intertwine. I am a creative

being – whether I am creating a homemade,

rainbow birthday cake, designing a new

super chic drool catcher, writing momentos

on my blog, playing and learning with my

little one, or sketching product ideas just for

fun – it is all about life, love, learning. These

are the things I love to do. I am just so lucky

to be able to share them with other little ones

and their families!

mhc: How did you get started making

things? What is the first thing you remember

creating?

jessica: I have been interested in creating

things for as long as I can remember. I have

memories of designing things on paper and

meet Jessica Perkins of

bringing them to my Mom to help me create

them into real life objects. I have so many

great memories...staying up past my bedtime

just so I could finish a project.

Even when I was in grade school I would find

ways to unleash my creativity. Whether it was

with an elaborate book report cover, holiday

classroom treats, decorations for my

bedroom, gifts for friends and family, or

designing a new living room and rearranging

my Mom‟s furniture, I found a way to turn my

ideas from visions to sketches and then into

real life tangibles.

I would bake beautiful

cupcakes and hand them out

in school. I would write

poems on extravagant

Valentine‟s cards and give

them to people I thought

deserved a happy note. In my

childcare and development

class we had to plan a

“birthday party”: Mine was

an outer space party. I

somehow convinced my

group to build an actual

spaceship playhouse as part

of our project. It had a

doorway, seats, rocket

engines with crepe paper

“fire”, windows, a lighted computer

command center with a picture of the

universe, keyboard…. We left it assembled in

the classroom for the preschool students to

use for pretend play for the rest of the year.

mhc: When did you decide to start selling

your work?

jessica: My journey started from

childhood. I love designing, pairing, creating,

making, doing, seeing my imagination turn in

to real things. I have had the good fortune of

having a wonderfully supportive network of

people surrounding me who have all

contributed to my creative love becoming a

“career”.

I am always designing, creating, and making

things. I have forever given my handmade

pieces away as gifts or sold them to friends

and family. When I found out about Etsy I

was so excited to set up shop. I am honored

and grateful to be a part of this wonderful

collaboration of artists and crafters. I first

opened shop on Etsy in September of 2008. I

am constantly trying to come up with new

designs, concepts, and toy ideas to debut.

mhc: What is the name of your shop?

jessica: Mama May I – When I first

opened shop I thought long and hard about

the vision I had for my company. I wanted it

to be open-ended, changing, growing….just

like my little one. When I sat down to create a

mission statement these words came to mind

and continue to be the core of my business:

Mama, Mama, May I explore?

May I dance, may I sing, may I cry?

May I roam, flap my wings,

Pretend to be king

May I dream, may I play, may I fly?

To me, these words capture the human spirit

and the innate curiosity in us all. When I was

pregnant, I asked for parent

advice from my Grandmother.

One of the things she said to me

was, “Don‟t say no unless you

have to, and when you say “no”,

mean it.” As a parent, and a

designer, these words guide me.

My little one looks up to me all

the time for direction, and I want

to be able to answer all of these

questions with a resounding :

“Yes, You May.” When I create, I

design with these thoughts and

ideas in mind. I want the pieces to

engage, encourage, captivate,

and fill her and other little

learners with confidence.

Design. Create. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Learn. Love.

mhc: What‟s your favorite item to make?

jessica: I don‟t necessarily have a

favorite item. I love the process of designing

in general. That‟s my favorite part. It‟s the

figuring out what Layla needs next, coming

up with new ideas, mulling around designs,

diagrams, and patterns in my twilight sleep,

and actually coming up with something

tangible for her and I to explore and learn

with.

I love how open-ended these products are.

My favorite part is watching other little ones

engage and interact with my designs. I love

to see how different children, of all different

ages, abilities, and backgrounds, engage and

learn with the things I make. Sometimes

different, sometimes the same, but the process

and outcome are always unique to each little

explorer. It‟s thrilling as a mom and educator

to watch, and humbling to be a part of.

mhc: What‟s your most popular item?

jessica: The soft toys and loveys are very

popular with the new learners because they

provide a soft, cozy, interactive world. The

wooden toys like the Colored Cups and Balls,

Little People Rainbow World, Stack a Spool,

Color Sorting Bowls, Blocks, The Family

Box, are perfect for little explorers tinkering

with and discovering the world around them

through open-ended play. My Little Nurture

Box, The Sensory Color Sorting Play Set,

Nesting a Rainbow, Rainbow Fish Frolic are

all great for little scientists interacting with

and understanding their worlds. The You

Create the Why Story Starters and Make a

Match Memory games are perfect for little

ones expanding their vocabulary and verbal

communications. The Crayon Wallets are

wildly popular as a gift item for almost any

age (even adults!).

Each Learning Lovey has been thoughtfully

designed with your little ones‟ developmental

needs in mind, so they are all “popular” at

different stages of growth and development.

mhc: Where does your inspiration come

from?

jessica: Everything I make, I make

because I am inspired by some part of it – the

colors, the textures, skill building, and play

experiences inspire me to design. I always

think: what can I make to help Layla? How

can we better learn about this concept? How

can we explore? How can we make our lives

more interactive? How can this nurture the

relationship between us so we are working

and learning together – playing, imagining,

and creating memories together? The things I

create are things I would use, and do use,

with the people who are closest to me. Layla

is certainly a willing product-tester and we

have spent hours experimenting together. If

she loves it, I make more of them because I

feel there are other little ones out there who

would also love them.

Play, imagination, and education all inspire

my ideas. Really, everything in my life

inspires me. I am always finding things in my

world I think can be changed, made easier,

more fun. More often than not, parenthood is

about finding the little experiences and

grasping teachable moments. I am inspired

by the life I live, the songs we sing together,

the silly sounds we make, the new dance

moves Layla teaches me, the amazing things

we accomplish together every day. I am

inspired by the walks we take, the people we

meet on the playground, at the park, the zoo,

the city, and in books. I am inspired by

motherhood and by the child in all of us who

can‟t wait to dance to the ice cream truck‟s

merry tune.

mhc: What is your creative process?

jessica: My creative process is in playing

and exploring my thoughts and ideas in the

same way Layla plays with and explores her

world. It starts as a thought and becomes a

game – and through laughter, trial and

tribulation, an understanding is born. I

design it. Sketch it. Create it. We play around

with it a little more, and if it gets Layla‟s

“Play of Approval”, I take pictures and write

up a description.

mhc: What‟s the best part about earning a

living making things?

jessica: I love how playful my work is. I

love that I can see the world through

imaginative, exploratory eyes and make

something inspired by my own life. Just as

your little one is full of spunk and spirit, so

are these little handmade pieces. Colors,

patterns, textures, and experiences inspire my

own imagination, and create a unique end

product that takes on a character all its own

(a character quite like its owner). An added

bonus, children are the most grateful

recipients! Children love, cuddle, bite, drag,

chew, hold, and hug my handmade pieces.

This is what I love most about

my products – bringing smiles,

imagination, and exploration to

little worlds. I love being able to

be a part of a child‟s curiosity

and growing understanding of

the world.

mhc: What handmade item do

you cherish?

jessica: I cherish all

handmade items because they

each have a story behind them. A

thought. An inspiration. They are

a gift of time and labor of love.

My very first quilt I ever made, I

was going to sell on Etsy. Layla was about 9

months old when I started it. I was inspired

by the colors in each fabric swatch I

thoughtfully collected. She was awed. She

would play with those swatches on the design

board – move them around, stack them, chew

on them, oogle them. When I completed the

quilt, I was ready to take pictures to post the

listing. I triumphantly showed it to my

husband, unfolding it gently, to find Layla

staring up at it, wide eyed. “Ooohhhhh” she

said. I knew I could never part with this

colorful creation. She was a part of this one‟s

one-of-a-kind story. I used this quilt as the

inspiration for her Play, Learn, and Grow

space (her bedroom). The color palette,

patterns, and warmth provided my

inspiration for her entire room. Every time I

see this quilt on her bed I think about her

little fingers fiddling with the squares and her

bright-eyed enthusiasm of Mama‟s project. It

makes my heart happy to see

her cuddled up under my

creation. I cherish it because

I cherish the story behind it.

I try to share these stories

with my customers because I

feel they are such an

important part of each and

every design.

mhc: What to you is the

importance of buying handmade?

jessica: Buying handmade is important

because it facilitates a connection between

people who may not otherwise be connected.

It allows me, a stay-at-home-Mama, the

ability to put my little one first. It allows you

the unique ability to see into the design

process and perhaps even collaborate on an

idea. It gives you an insight into the

background of each product – its story.

Everything I create has been thoughtfully

planned out with my own

little one‟s growth and

learning in mind – I don‟t

sell anything that we don‟t

use and love. It is with my

enthusiasm for exploring,

love of learning, and care in

creating that allows this

beautiful relationship to

manifest naturally. There is

something special about

having a basket filled with items you have

thoughtfully chosen – that were lovingly

created and designed by hand, nurturing your

own little one‟s mind and cultivating

development. There is a connectivity, sense of

community, and beauty in this transference of

ideas and learning through play.

Jessica is offering

10% off your purchase of $25.00 or more from her shop, Mama May I.

Please enter the discount code “MHC10” in the notes to seller box when purchasing.

Offer expires February 28th, 2011.

Our 3yr old granddaughter was spending the day

with us, and I asked if she would like a grilled

cheese sandwich for lunch, of which she answered

"yes" to. I then asked Grandpa if he wanted to

join us for a grilled cheese sandwich. Before he

could answer, Cara started laughing and said,

"Grammy, Grandpa's a man, he can't have a grilled

cheese sandwich, he has to have a 'boy' cheese

sandwich"!

- Nancy Keesling in Bella Vista, AR When we brought our second child,

Charlotte, home from the hospital, I

was nursing her in the living room. My

oldest, Emma, came over and asked

"What are you doing, Mommy?" I told

her that I was feeding Charlotte, and

without missing a beat and with a

HORRIFIED look on her face, she

exclaimed, "Charlotte eats BOOB?!"

- Laura Prascher in Charlottesville, VA

Upon seeing a man smoking on the

side of the road, my 5 year old

daughter asked her grandmother,

"How do you learn to smoke, do you

take a class?"

- Debbie Weinstein in Houston, TX

Overheard conversation: "Maya,

it‟s freedom that we want, not

money. It's freedom!" - Ethan

- Aaron in Mankato, MN

"Nanny, I'm a side-kick! I can

read your mind!"

- Jen Arledge in Livingston, LA

While returning a broken Christmas

toy my son turns to me and asks

"How do you even know where Santa

got it?" Busted!

- Rachel in Mankato, MN

A lmost every day during the spring, we go outside and play. It doesn‟t necessarily matter

what we play; we are warm, happy and outside. In winter, we spend our mornings

unfreezing pipes with hairdryers and afternoons hunkered down with endless games of

monopoly. Needless to say, I spend my cold winter days longing for spring.

angela salmon manni - angel fish boutique

I look for signs of spring in the most unusual

place – the dairy section of my supermarket.

Nothing makes me happier than a March

expiration date on my milk carton! But really,

as we get closer to it, you can almost smell

spring in the air – that hint of spring hanging

on a cool, mild breeze will put me in the best

of moods. So I watch and patiently wait for

my March-stamped gallon of milk, and gentle

spring breeze.

Let‟s get ready for spring with this “Easy-

Breezy” windsock, using supplies you might

even already have on hand. Kids can get

creative by using their favorite colors and

embellishments, such as sports-themed, floral

or insect stickers.

It‟s time to say goodbye to the frigid winds of

winter and hello to the gentle breezes of

spring!

Supplies:

White Paper Cup (9 ounce size in photos)

Scissors

Hole Puncher

Paint

Paint Brushes

Crepe Paper

Ribbon or Yarn

Tape

Glue

Stickers / Embellishments (3D Stickers,

sequins and Sports Stickers used in projects)

1

2 3

5 6

4

Directions:

Step 1: Adults only, use your scissors to

poke a hole in the bottom of the cup. Cut out

the bottom. If there are any pieces that you

can‟t quite cut out, simply bend them down

into the cup as pictured.

Step 2: Using your hole puncher, punch 2

holes, one on each side of the cup, near the

bottom (cut) end.

Step 3: Paint as desired; let dry. 2 coats

might be necessary to cover any design on

the cup.

Step 4: Decorate with stickers and

embellishments as desired.

Step 5: Cut the crepe paper to your desired

length and tape it to the inside of the cup, as

pictured. You can use as many or as few

strips as you like! You can also decorate the

crepe paper with sequins and/or stickers if

desired.

Step 6: Thread the ribbon or yarn through

the holes.

Hang your windsock on a tree, hook it to your front porch, or wherever else you like, and

get ready to welcome spring!

angela salmon manni - angel fish boutique

Creating a fun (and mishap-free)

travelling spring planter

“Look mom! We planted marigolds in

school!”

I look down at my smiling little 5 year old,

and his Dixie cup full of soil. “Wow, great!” I

say, trying to match his enthusiasm as I

glance towards the back seat of my car. I

know what lies ahead, he is not the first one

to come home with a cup of dirt and a dream.

Many times we have in fact had a successful

transfer of seedling from school to home, or

from home to grandma‟s house. But at other

times the poor thing doesn‟t quite make it out

of the car. While the finger pointing usually

begins at once, the “who-how-and-why”

doesn‟t matter. The damage is done and my

child‟s dream of a horticultural triumph is

reduced to a pile of dirt in his lap.

How do we avoid this tiny disaster? Spend an

afternoon with your little one, and make a

Mini Chick Traveller. It‟s cute, covered, and

keeps even the tiniest of passengers secure.

2. Create Chick Features:

Eyes: Cut out 2 small circles from your white

cardstock. Using your marker or crayon,

color small circles to complete the eyes as

pictured.

Beak: Cut out a small triangle. To ensure that

it sits flush against the egg, snip a small slit

in the middle of the longer end of your

triangle and create a tiny fold where you will

attach your double sided tape. Color the beak

as desired. You can also cut the beak out of

colored construction paper.

Wings: Cut 2 triangles out of colored

construction paper - have fun using different

colors!

Tail: Fold your paper in half as pictured (see

following page) and cut a triangle-like shape

on the fold. Size really doesn‟t matter. On the

smaller, open end, fold back paper so it will

sit flush on the egg as pictured. Cut small

slits into the folded end to mimic feathers.

Attach your chick‟s features using double

sided tape.

Supplies:

2 Plastic Easter Eggs (though you will only

be using the 2 short bottoms, and one tall

top)

1 Small Button

Hot Glue Gun and Stick

White Card Stock and/or Construction Paper

in your choice of color

Marker or Crayon, your choice of color

Scissors

Double Sided Tape

Soil

Flower seeds

Directions:

1. Create the Base: (adults only) Hot glue

the button to the bottom side of one of the

smaller egg piece and let set. Then hot glue

second short egg piece to top of button as

pictured.

3. Plant: Add soil, plant a seed and you‟re done! Once your chick makes it safely to its new home,

remember to remove the top part of the egg to allow

for sunlight and watering.

Mini Chick Travellers are a fun spring gift option

for kids, so get “cracking” and help your kids bring

a creative planter to those you love, safely and

easily!

creating the tail

clockwise from top left: easter basket by monograms, markings and more, personalised easter basket by it‟s

personal, galvanized pail by brody and ma, kid‟s art bucket by mom n‟ mia quilts

clockwise from top left: blue bird in felted wool by bent whims studio, birds pillow cover by sukan, yellow chicks

cupcake wrappers by papershop, the sheep amigurumi pattern by irene strange, knit lamb baby hat by lulu‟s

woobies, chick drawstring sewing pattern by winter peach, easter chick bodysuit by whimsy tots, felted wool eggs

by woolicious.

clockwise from top left: blue bird in felted wool by bent whims studio, birds pillow cover by sukan, yellow chicks

cupcake wrappers by papershop, the sheep amigurumi pattern by irene strange, knit lamb baby hat by lulu‟s

woobies, chick drawstring sewing pattern by winter peach, easter chick bodysuit by whimsy tots, felted wool eggs

by woolicious.

Child Development Skill of the Season julie hartman - petite fish

W hen I pondered what developmental

skill to focus on for the Spring issue, a

common phrase popped in my mind: Spring

Cleaning. In my household growing up, that

meant Dad spent the day outside, raking up

the mucky dead leaves and stuff around the

gardens to make room for new growth. It

meant Mom got out the outdoor table cloths,

sand box and toys, and planted fresh flowers.

There also seemed to be some household

cleaning, but nothing major.

As kids, that phrase didn‟t mean anything.

While I appreciated the pretty flowers and

warmer air, it wasn‟t until I was an adult that

I recognized it as an opportunity to prepare

for growth in other ways: to refresh and

renew lots of things that get bogged down

during the slower days of winter.

As this Crafty Shrink continues her mission

to provide tips, using crafts, activities, and

advice on important childhood development

skills, I‟ll use this issue to focus on ways to

nurture in children the concepts of renewal

and growth inside our hearts and minds as we

witness these things in the springtime world

around us.

Springtime is about sunny skies and sunny

hearts

No matter where you live, Springtime often

conjures up images of sunshine, flowers, and

fresh air. In some regions, it‟s about melting

snow or cleansing rains. For your green

thumbs, garden bulbs begin to bloom and for

kids, it means summer fun is around the

corner.

Spring is also a time to conjure up these

sensations in your mind and body. All of us

experience a sort of hibernation during the

winter months. We often exercise less and

gain a few holiday pounds, our skin dries out,

and we‟re constantly surrounded by layers of

insulating clothes. And less time outdoors

means less cleansing fresh air.

Spring is the perfect time to teach kids about

purposefully „shedding that winter layer” -

like a snake sheds its skin - and inviting the

sunshine into our hearts. Here‟s how:

1. Invite your child to divide a piece of paper

in half with a line. One the left side, ask

him to draw a picture of himself (you do

the same for you!) covered in bundles of

clothing for winter and surrounded by

everything wintery - snow, leafless trees,

cloudy skies. Encourage him to use darker

colors, like navy, brown, and gray. On the

other half of the paper, ask him to then

draw a picture of himself in a t-shirt and

shorts, surrounded by all things spring –

flowers, clear sky, sunshine, and outdoor

games. Encourage him to use lighter

colors, like orange, yellow, and green. This

contrast helps him welcome the new

season into his life and heart.

2. Encourage your child to spend 20 minutes

outside every day after school. The

purpose is to breathe in the fresh air and

absorb the sunshine into our pores as a

way to clean-out all the cobwebs of winter.

Make it even better and join her! A crafty

way to get your child to comply? Spend

some days doing some fun scavenger hunts

or physical challenges (i.e. “I dare you to

hop on your left foot from that tree to the

wall”). End other days by doing a craft

outside. Many craft and fabric stores have

inexpensive kits that make set-up and clean

-up a cinch.

3. Expect your child to lend a helping hand to

a neighbor or family friend who lives

nearby. Perhaps it‟s pulling weeds,

planting veggies, or organizing part of the

garage. Springtime is about movement.

Plants are constantly moving by creating

new branches, leaves, and blooms. Soil is

constantly being churned by earthworms

and beetles. Birds are making nests. It‟s

good to encourage children to borrow the

motion of spring and get moving!

With spring around the corner, be sure to take

advantage by trying these tools with your

child(ren), and help make spring a time

where they will feel warm and fresh from the

inside-out.

Crafty Shrink is an article written for

Modern Handmade Child Magazine.

Authored by Dr. Julie Hartman, a licensed

clinical psychologist with a specialty in

children. She is also a proud mother and

owner of Petite Fish – swimmingly good

attire for little fishies.

But make doing them fun for your kids using these adorable chore charts

from Joy Charde, organised mother behind creativemamma.com.

Download your free kit by logging on to her website where you‟ll find all

sorts of fun goodies!

Dear Crafty Shrink: Our loved ones went

crazy this year with Christmas. We also

inherited a lot of hand-me-downs. We have

accumulated so many toys and clothes,

everything is a mess. How can I get my 9

year-old to donate some of it to Goodwill?

–Rachel, Oregon

Springtime is a wonderful opportunity to teach

children the important skill of organization.

Many of us accumulate so much stuff during

the year and especially during the gift season.

Whether it‟s old school papers, toys/clothing,

or random items in the „junk drawer‟, here are

some crafty ways to teach the organizational

component of Spring Cleaning:

1. Depending on your child‟s age and

temperament, I suggest blocking out “Spring

Cleaning Time” or “Organization Time” into

20-minute to 1-hour blocks at a time. If you go

much longer than that, the learning lesson

tends to diminish due to overload. With that

said, organization is a process, so make sure

you carve out a designated space for „in

process‟ work in order to be able to go back to

it until it‟s finished. Sometimes this means

covering it with a blanket and making a sign

that says “do not touch”.

2. During your Spring Cleaning session,

encourage your child to make piles. I suggest 3

piles: (1) a pile of „must keep no matter what‟,

either because it‟s a favorite, it‟s a necessity,

it‟s new, and/or it‟s sentimental, (2) a pile of

„would like to keep‟, but if the pile was

„kidnapped‟, you/the child wouldn‟t miss it too

much, and (3) a pile of damaged, outdated, or

no longer used items.

3. I suggest forcing things into those 3 piles,

while letting the child know that you will

review when he is done and that he will be

allowed pile changes before the „goodbye‟

happens. For instance, if he wants to move

something from the „no longer used‟ pile to the

julie hartman - petite fish

Dear Crafty Shrink is a column where readers ask Modern Handmade Child‟s Grow Editor, Dr. Julie Hartman,

for simple advice on creative ways to teach kids various mini-lessons on life.

„would like to keep pile‟, then he will have to

move something from the „would like to keep

pile‟ to the „no longer use pile‟. This keeps

progress going toward the goal of „saying

goodbye‟, while also providing a system that

feels fair.

4. Say goodbye to the „damaged, outdated, or

no longer used items‟ first. If you have a child

who is particularly attached to everything, say

„goodbye‟ to it first by moving it from the house

to the garage (or a neighbor‟s garage). Then,

after a week, say goodbye to it by placing it in

the trunk of the car for a week. Then, the final

goodbye goes to goodwill or the dump. Make

sure your child is present for each stage

initially – this will build the skills needed to

part with things more easily in the future.

5. After one pile is gone (a successful goodbye

has been accomplished), encourage your child

to identify 5 – 10 things from the „would like to

keep pile‟ that can move into the „goodbye‟

pile. Repeat as needed during spring. I suggest

making this a springtime ritual so your child

has a break from this level of detailed

organization the rest of the year (although

certainly organization is a day-to-day skill).

6. To celebrate the process, invite your child to

bring the new into an organized space. There

should be more room now in cubbies, bins,

closet shelves, etc. I suggest you sit down with

your child, markers, stickers, tape, and

construction paper in hand, and make signs to

place in areas where certain items should go

(i.e. “blocks, cars, dolls, school papers”).

A caveat: I can hear what you‟re probably

thinking: “my child is attached to all of it. She

claims that everything is sentimental or being

„used‟ (even if she hasn‟t touched it in

months)”. In that case, I suggest bringing out

the camera and making a memory book of their

pictures to honor those belongings; your child

can even write a „tribute‟, such as “this picture

of the bunny book is special because I used to

read it every day.” For some children, their

toys and things feel like extensions of

themselves, even their family. I remember

wanting to keep this one broken doll because

“Aunt Chrissie gave it to me” (even though I

didn‟t play with it anymore). The idea is to

teach children to honor memories, hold the

specialness in their hearts, but that goodbyes

are a necessary part of life. A goodbye doesn‟t

have to be harsh or rushed, but it does have to

happen when it comes to making room for the

new.

If you liked this article, please let the Crafty

Shrink know! Ask more questions and send in

examples of how you implemented the advice.

E-mail Julie at craftyshrink@mhcmag.com.

I live in the Northwest, but was raised in

Southern California. My Grandmother?

Well, she‟s from the South.

Family history plays a part in our upbringing,

mannerisms and our lifestyle, so it comes as

no surprise that I glean from my grandmother

in this article about living green as a

family. My inspiration? Her antique tea towel

which reminds me of her cooking, her

gardening and her love of everything green.

New beginnings are an essential part of living

green, and with spring coming, there are

many ways to start anew. With the following

activities, I will share with you some of my

family‟s fun ways to repurpose, up-cycle and

create new beginnings.

Every spring, we as a family clear out our

closets, getting rid of toys and stuff we just

do not use. Although this spring cleaning may

sound like work or chores, we make it fun!

Having an art studio helps us to “think

outside of the box” as we are not just getting

rid of our old stuff, but are instead finding

things to up-cycle as well. Things we put

away from last year are going to be put to use

in our first project of creating a small herb

garden.

Planting and caring for your garden will be a

fun new way to encourage new beginnings,

family traditions and create a wonderful

sense of purpose in a child‟s life! Once you

have planted these important seeds, keep this

process going. As your garden grows, create

some wonderful recipes, and plan out what

you will cook with your herbs. This is the

part that I remember the most about my

grandmother: spending time with her

planning and creating wonderfully living

green recipes has created such wonderful

memories for me. Sadly my grandmother is

no longer with us, but the wonderful

traditions she helped create for spring live on

in our family traditions.

by tanja d’lyn - inspiring design studio

Herb Garden: Got Wheels?

We chose our old red wagon, retro-tin vase and an old

dump truck toy. Look around for anything fun that

you can fill up with potting soil, that can fit on your

counter or can roll from your porch to the sun and roll

back when it rains, whatever suits your mood really!

Have fun and be creative.

Instructions: 1) Line your container if needed, then spread a small

amount of gravel over the bottom.

2) Add potting soil to just under the halfway mark

then plant your herb seeds in rows 2 inches apart.

3) Cover seeds with remaining potting soil so the

container is half full.

4) Water your herb garden following directions on

seed packets.

5) For a decorative and practical touch, add moss

around sides of your item. Be sure to avoid covering

the seeds.

Materials:

-2 to 4 packages of herbs

-small pebbles or loose gravel

-potting soil - enough to cover half of

the bottom of container

-water

-black liner (particularly for old or

rusted items)

-green moss (great for adding vintage

detail but practical as it helps keep

soil moist)

Marker Savvy: Plant Stake Folk Art

Materials:

-empty seed packets

-wooden plant stakes, tongue depressors or popsicle sticks

-card stock paper, recycled birthday, holiday or thank you

cards or colored construction paper

-markers, paint or rubber stamps and ink

-ribbons, rick rack or any craft fun decorations that will

inspire creativity

Instructions: 1) Cut out the picture of the herb from seed packet.

2) Cut out a same size card stock paper and glue or sta-

ple the image to the paper.

3) Decorate the front and back.

4) Cut a small straight line at the top and bottom, about

½” in (slits for the tongue depressor).

5) Decorate the tongue depressor and insert through the slits.

6) Mark the herbs in your garden with the matching herb stakes.

Now that you have created and planted your garden, you will want to mark your herbs so that

you will know what is growing where.

We are going to do this in a very green way by recycling the empty seed packets. Use any of

your favorite art mediums for this: rubber stamps, markers, paint, crafting scissors, colored paper

or old birthday, holiday or thank you cards (we recycle our favorites in a box in the art

studio). Let your creativity flow.

Instructions:

1) Cut tea towel in half lengthwise or use full towel depending on the size you will need for your

child.

2) Pocket: Center the hankie, doily or fabric square about 3 inches from the top of apron (or

over a hole or stain ) and sew the “pocket” to the apron

3) Waistband: Fold in and press ¼ inch along one long length of band as well as the ends of

band. Fold in half and press

4) Place unfinished end of band along the top of apron, right sides together and stitch

5) Fold band over seam and pin in place. Stitch.

Upcycled Tea Towels: Vintage Child Aprons

Materials:

-vintage tea towel or your favorite tea towel with a hole or stain

-fabric for the band that ties at waist: 4 x 36 to 44 inches depending on

length you need

-hankie or vintage doilies or fabric for the pocket

-trims, ribbons, rick rack or any fun decorations that will inspire creativity

-white thread

-sewing machine

-common pins

by kristie piacine - kind living designs

“Uncle!”

Did you hear that, piles of papers that are

sitting in my dining room? Hey you, receipts

over there. I‟ll find you during tax crunch time

– maybe the third week of March. Emails? I‟m

not even going to bother. I know you‟re a trap.

Work, PTA, New Ideas, Paperwork, Phone

Calls, To-do Lists? Goodbye! I‟m going to

pretend you don‟t exist.

From now on my job is Stay-At-Home Mom

and nothing more. Isn‟t that enough?

Funny how at one point in my life, it wasn‟t.

Coming off of a pretty nice corporate job in

retail marketing, being at home with my

newborn those first few months was awesome.

Living and breathing every moment – sitting

with the video camera for hours just making

silly faces waiting for something, anything.

Nap time was heaven. I loved my glider. It‟s

still in the basement. We just can‟t get rid of it.

The hours I spent sitting in it doing nothing but

soaking in my child, my greatest achievement

in life. Usually it was quiet and nothing else

was calling my attention. But a few months

later, I don‟t know what exactly changed. I

started to think about my job. How I missed it,

but I didn‟t. How I missed being involved in

projects, brainstorming ideas, being

strategically creative. I was so over the 4:00

figure-out-what‟s-for-dinner hour.

That‟s when I dove into making my own future,

creating my own business. That was seven

years ago. It has been a wonderful trip so far. I

wouldn‟t give it up for the world. Except now

maybe I would.

Trying to be at home for your children and

work from home for your own business at the

same time is a little like trying to ride your bike

while you have a full leg cast on one leg. One

half of your life is cruising along on target,

getting things done. Unfortunately, the other

half of your life is dragging along, bits and

pieces getting lost along the way.

A forgotten phone call to set up that playdate.

The extra $10 in library fines because you just

couldn‟t actually get to the library over the past

10 days. Three trips to the grocery store in 4

days because you keep forgetting that you

signed up to bring snack for school, that you

don‟t have bread for lunches and oh yeah, you

were invited to that dinner party tomorrow

night. Back to the store for some cheese and

crackers.

Or maybe it‟s knowing you are three days

behind on orders and you keep forgetting to

actually stop and tell your customers you are

three days behind on orders because (cue

drum roll...) you are behind. Or you are in

and out of the car so often that by the end of

the day the one thing you had to do, you

didn‟t, and you‟re still staring at that package

that had to go out this morning.

Here‟s how my life had been rolling along:

Home life „under control” (and less is said in

the loosest sense of the word) = Work is a

mess.

Work sailing smoothly = Life at home is just

chaos.

Now I don‟t mean that we‟re all being mean

to one another and grumpy and unhappy. It‟s

more that when I focus on work, I‟m saying

things like, “Please, please. Go in your room

and play. Please. I have just a few more

emails to do.” “No, no. No computer games.

Mommy is working today.” I end up being

such a „no‟ Mommy when it is all happening

under one roof.

It‟s been a struggle really wanting to do any

work now that the holidays are over. The

chaotic rush of the buying season just left me

spinning. I am so grateful for a wonderful 4th

quarter, Amen, but I just feel like this year, I

missed out.

Just a few weeks ago I was

sharing this with a

friend, and she

mentioned how

privileged

we were to

be able to

be home

with our

children

day in

and day

out. To

really raise

them, literally.

Every day, every

hour serving

them. Serving

them. SERVING them. Click-Click.

(That is the sound of the light coming on.)

I founded my business on creating items that

help us connect with one another and that

help my customers spread smiles. I talk about

I founded my business on creating items

that help us connect with one another and

that help my customers spread smiles. I

talk about making gifts that serve a

greater purpose than just a material item.

Gifts that in some way serve as a

reminder of a love, kindness, connection

between people. And my friend, she was

talking about her just being, her being,

herself - she’s the “product.”

making gifts that serve a greater purpose than

just a material item. Gifts that in some way

serve as a reminder of a love, kindness,

connection between people. And my friend,

she was talking about her just being, her

being, herself – she‟s the “product”.

I got really quiet later that night.

My hubby asked me if

everything was okay

and I said, “No. No,

I don‟t think it

is.”

Deep in

thought am I

these days

while I sit

around doing

nothing. For I

am Yoda and my

four-year-old son is

Obi Wan. We are

fighting the evil Two-

Face and Joker with

the help of Raphael and Donatello.

Crafty am I when I work these days. Crafty

Mom sitting next to Crafty Daughter as we

talk about the type of fairy houses we‟re

going to build this summer. A new table with

two stools, her tools and my tools made her

smile ear to ear. Emails have sat unanswered.

Deadlines have passed (you really think I got

this article in on time?!).

Grocery lists have rocked. Fewer trips to the

grocery store have been made. Less random

spending has been happening. Fewer orders

are coming in, but less time is being spent

sitting in front of my computer while my

children are hard at play on their own. Date

nights are with my husband and not my

boyfriend, Mr. Mac. Scrabble has been

dusted off, Monopoly has been introduced to

my 7-year-old and lazy winter nights by the

fire have been the norm.

I love my customers. I love owning my own

business. I love creating my little objects of

joy. It‟s so fun to be a part of a little girl‟s

birthday party even when I‟m five states

away. I love that trees everywhere this season

had gifts with Kind Living Designs

somewhere under them. I feel wonderful to

know that they were given with the intent to

create joy for the recipient.

My life will always be on forward. Heaven

help us if we go backward, right? But instead

of fast-forward, I choose slow motion for

now. Dinner is being served and I‟m liking it.

I founded my business on creating items

that help us connect with one another and

that help my customers spread smiles. I

talk about making gifts that serve a

greater purpose than just a material item.

Gifts that in some way serve as a

reminder of a love, kindness, connection

between people. And my friend, she was

talking about her just being, her being,

herself - she’s the “product.”

I t is said that the secret to a successful

business is great marketing. Although that

still holds true (including a multitude of

other factors), the way in which businesses

market themselves looks completely

different today than even 10 years ago.

One way that is changing the way in which

businesses are getting their products into

the hands of customers is through the

internet. Facebook, which was originally

developed for students at Harvard

University to help them stay connected and

get to know each other, has now become a

place for businesses to connect with their

customers.

But marketing your business on Facebook

isn‟t always as straight forward as it may

seem. So, I took to the streets, the Etsy

streets that is, to ask sellers what strategies

and tips they use to promote their

businesses and increase sales.

Tip 1:

Use Facebook daily! Post pictures of items

that you have made, projects and tutorials

that you feel your customers would enjoy as

well as cool things that you have found

online. Make sure to get personal, posting

not just about the items you have made, but

about yourself or things that interest you to

help to make a connection with your

customer. - Candy Stick Lane

Tip 2: Keep your Facebook business page about

business. Although it is important to make a

personal connection with your customers, it

is not a place to gripe or complain. Make it

an interesting and fun place for your fans to

visit, and listen to them! Your fans will let

you know what they would like to see from

you. If you have a new fabric you‟d like to

work with, for example, ask for their input –

this is a great way to increase what you can

offer and ultimately increase sales. The

interaction on Facebook is immediate and it‟s

a fabulous way for crafters to connect with

their customers. - Rozzis Sweet Peas

by liz murphy - daisy creek designs

Tip 3:

Facebook has pretty strict guidelines about

contests and giveaways (www.facebook.com/

promotions_guidelines.php), but providing

special coupon codes only for Facebook fans

is one way to keep

customers coming

back. Posting pictures

that give customers a

sneak peek at what

you‟ve been working on

or offering opportunities

to purchase store items

before other customers

will keep your fans

interested in what you

are doing. Some

examples of fun contests

that require fans to

comment are 1) I Spy

where fans need to

identify an item placed

in a picture, 2) Photo

contests where fans

submit pictures of

themselves wearing your

creations and others get

to vote on their favorite,

and 3) Naming contests

for new creations. And

of course, who can resist

a good giveaway? - The

Trendy Tot and Rozzis

Sweet Peas

Tip 4:

Need more fans? Start by letting all your

friends know that you started a Facebook

page and invite them to follow you. Let

everyone you come in contact with know that

you have a Facebook

page, post links on your

other sites and frequently

include things that your

fans can only get on your

page. Take the time to

become a fan of other

pages and comment

frequently. Always

welcome a new fan to your

page, and suggest favorite

pages to your friends and

ask those businesses do

the same for you. - Laken

and Lila and Pink Pickle

Studios

As with any form of

marketing, consistency,

passion for your product

and making a connection

with your customer are

key. So, if you haven‟t

done so already, it‟s time

for you and your business

to join the Facebook and

social networking

revolution!

special thanks to (clockwise from top left) rozzi‟s sweet

peas, candy stick lane, pink pickle studio, laken and lila,

the trendy tot

contributors & staff