I love to paint on fabric!
I do everything from painting my own art quilts to teach five year olds how to paint their own design on a t-shirt.
But do I necessarily use the same fabric paint for every project?

Of course not!
There are lots of different fabric paints on the market these days.  You can find everything from inexpensive squeeze bottles of puffy paint to high-end designer paints that can cost more than a meal.  I recommend playing around with different products to see what you like the best.
And don’t forget that by mixing in a fabric paint or textile medium …read more

If you’re still looking for activities for the youngsters in your life. If you’re teaching craft classes at a youth center.  If you need craft ideas for Vacation Bible School….
Take a look at my post at Blisstree’s Arts and Crafts section, Crafts for Kids – Mary Emma’s Round-up.
A number of these activities tie in with my Theme Weeks here at Blisstree’s Parenting section, such as Beach Week, Travel Week, and Family Reunion Week. What crafts and activities have you been enjoying with your youngsters this summer.  Do share with us.

For some, school begins in early August.  However, other youngsters don’t return to school until just before Labor Day or immediately afterwards.  So there are still many days to occupy.
Why not try some crafts?  I’ll suggest some in a round-up from my Arts and Crafts posts at Blisstree.
Creating Family Reunion Crafts
10 Artistic Opportunities at the Beach
Travel Memory Crafts
“Trash” Quilts
Clipboard Altered Art & Wall Hangings
I hope you find these craft suggetions helpful for the youngsters in your life.  Some of the activities are compatable with the Theme Weeks I’ve been emphasizing in my Parenting posts here at Blisstree.
Let me know what …read more

This is not only easy and simple for kids to do, it’s also good for the environment as it recycles materials such as CD’s and popsicle sticks.
This video tutorial is on how to make pompoms and pompom maker! Next school year is just several weeks away so you’d be busy waving those pom poms! Better learn how to make them. Saves you money!
Materials needed:
For the pompom maker:

Old CD
Popsicle Sticks
Hot glue gun

For the pompom:

Yarn
Scissors
Pompom maker

**STICKY: Join Bliss Tree’s Arts & Crafts’ latest giveaway: Win 1 of Rand McNally’s Pin Your Journey Maps!’

I’m just getting prepared for teaching a summer’s worth of art & crafts camps for kids.
I’ve got dozens of projects planned out, my supplies are ready to go – and hopefully the kids will be as enthusiastic about it as I am

Are you still looking for more fun things for your kids to do over the summer?
Whip Up has been collecting some great ideas to keep your crafty kids happy this summer.  From learning how to weave, making sun prints to creating puppet shows, there are tons of fun ideas for happy kids.
image: Stock.xchg

Just for fun, and because it’s the weekend, I thought we’d look at some cool garden crafts. I’ve got some that are savvy enough for adults and some that are just for kids, but all are spiffy and perfect for the weekend. Starting with the simplest flower press ever – good if you’re short on wood or need pressed flowers quick, without having to build a real press…
Garden crafts for adults:
Pressed flower note cards
Fresh blue & white summer wreath
All American wreath
Gain inspiration from Recycled Birdhouse Company – cool site!
All sorts of pressed flower crafts
Metallic wind chimes
Homemade Recycled Luminaries – …read more

If you are looking for something for your child to do for Mother’s Day this year without spending a lot of money or just something they can do on their own here are a few quick ideas. Let me know if you can come up with a few that isn’t mentioned below.
Craft Ideas:
Popsicle Stick Frame-  Kids love to make things with popsicle sticks, let them make mom her very own picture frame she can keep on her desk.
Fingerprint Family Tree- Have your child paint a brown tree and then take their finger and dip it in Mom’s favorite color finger-paint …read more

Need a fun and easy Christmas project to keep your kids happy during the holidays?  Better Homes & Gardens has a great idea for creating stamped holiday bedding.
Lots of craft stores have inexpensive holiday-themed foam stamps – get some acrylic paint as well and you’re set!  Of course, you could also create one-of-a-kind stamped fabric for gift bags, Christmas gifts or even a tree skirt…
image: Stock.xchg

It’s not quite Hallowe’en and we’re not celebrating Thanksgiving yet – but your kids still want to make crafts with a Fall theme – what’s a fiber person to do?
Luckily, there are tons of free, fun patterns for kids!

This pumpkin is perfect for your pre-teen or tween who wants to learn how to cross-stitch.
Toddlers can learn to “sew” with these fun laced Hallowe’en themed projects.
Your older child can make their own sewn trick-or-treat bag using these easy instructions.
Make pumpkin lanterns or luminaries with glass jars and fabric.
Pom-poms and pipe cleaners make fun “critter” rings for little ones.
You can choose …read more

I’m spending my summer trying to keep kids from getting paint on their shoes – this could be a fun alternative!
Craft Chi has come up with a clever idea to use kid’s sneakers or running shoes as fabric stamps – that sure sounds like a fun summer activity to me
image: Stock.xchg