I'm MOVING!

I'm packing up this little blog and moving it over to Wordpress.  I'm also getting a spiffy new design and cleaning things up around here.

If you are subscribed via email or an RSS feed reader, you shouldn't have to do anything to update those. 

I'm going to be working hard over the next couple of days reformatting my posts so they look fabulous and by Monday, you should see the brand new ChristyNelson.net.  In the meantime, I'll be hanging out over at the Facebook page.  I'll post all the latest news over there. 

Monster Mania Ebook Review

I've been reading Marie's blog, Make and Takes, for years.  In fact, I remember reading it back when she was still The Stitching Barn.  We finally met in real life earlier this year.  Isn't it great to meet blog friends in real life?  Gotta love it.

This is Marie's latest venture.  It's an eBook called Monster Mania.  For only $7 you get a download of all of these great kid projects (15 in all).  Not only do you get all the projects, but she's included a great master list of craft supplies that will get you through all the projects in the book and that are great to have on hand for all sorts of craft projects. 

Each project also includes a learning objective.  You can see Marie's background in education come through as she helps us with ideas to make these crafts great learning experiences as well--not just as we're making the crafts, but beyond. 

A few of the projects are food based.  I think even I could get my kids to try some Monster Stew. 

The book is available now!  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

September Craft Challenge Winner!

We have a winner!  It is KraftyKash with her organizer box! 

I saw her working it on Twitter and her blog to drive some votes her way!  Congratulations!

Thank you to Craft Critique for sponsoring our challenge this month.  Don't forget to send in your butterflies!

The winner of the butterfly prize is Steph!  Congratulations!  You both receive a free month of the craft challenge and a prize from Craft Critique.

REMEMBER:  You have until tomorrow 9/29 to register for next month's challenge!

September Craft Challenge Voting

It is time to vote for your favorite entry! The polls will stay open through the weekend. I'll announce the winner on Monday morning.

Here is a reminder of what the crafters had to work with.

Submissions to the butterfly project will be allowed until the end of this month! Remember to submit your butterflies. You did not have to participate in the challenge to participate in that special project.

October craft challenge packets are available in my etsy shop. That deadline is Sept. 29th.

Announcing the October Craft Challenge!

I know we haven't finished up the September challenge but I thought I better make an announcement soon about next month so you'll all have time to sign up! 

Our sponsor is Neatnix and they will be providing this great bucket (products not included).  I met the people behind Neatnix at CHA Summer and loved seeing their products up close and personal.  This bucket is pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and you can bet that the challenge will have something to do with that.

I'm coveting their stuff cubbies.  They look like regular magazine holders but they are sturdy and they fold up! 

If you'd like a chance to win this bucket next month, SIGN UP HERE!   The deadline is September 30th.

The craft challenge costs $5 (or buy a longer subscription at a discount) and includes some fun supplies for you to make something amazing!  I provide the product, you provide the creativity. 

Stop by tomorrow to see what last month's participants have come up with! 

Make. Story Dice or Story Blocks

Yesterday I broke out some paint and little wooden blocks to make a set of story dice.  As you may notice, I'm not so great at drawing pictures.  However, these are just the thing my daughter loves and she recognized every single picture.  Okay, she thought my pig was a cow.  Either way. 

I had plans on painting more blocks but my daughter had too much fun painting them herself.  So, only a handful of them have pictures now.  I don't think she minds. 

Want to see them in action?  Here is a great video of her using the story dice to tell a fabulous story!

Make. Greeting Card Organizer

  How great is this project?  This card organizer has pockets for each month and has a perpetual calendar so you can use it year after year.  I used this tutorial with some modifications.  I relied on designer paper for decorating the organizer and in this particular one I kept the pages white to save on cost (I eventually sold this at a craft show). 

This is the inside of one that I made using all double sided paper.  I really love how it turned out. 

Instead of using a bind it all, I punched holes through all the pages.  I added eyelets on the front and back pages.  I used some hemp twine to tie it all together.