I'm a writer, crafter, Zombie Preparedness Planner, and homeschooling momma of two kids who will hopefully someday transition into using their genius for good, not the evil machinations and mess-making in which they currently indulge. I'm interested in recycling and nature crafts, food security, STEM education, and the DIY lifestyle, however it's manifested--making myself some underwear out of T-shirts? Done it. Teaching myself guitar? Doing it right now. Visit my blog Craft Knife for a peek at our very weird handmade homeschool life, and my etsy shop Pumpkin+Bear for a truly odd number of rainbow-themed beeswax pretties.
I believe that you can teach children about the environment while keeping it positive and even making it fun! This book can help.
The Kid Planted a Redwood: A Review of 23 Ways to be an Eco Hero Read More 👉
It’s pretty common to need to shorten a chain, and especially common to need to shorten a chain on a lovely piece of delicate jewelry, when you’re the most afraid of messing up.
How to Shorten a Chain Read More 👉
Learn the proper methods to build a treehouse that is safe and sound for you and the tree, plus actual, doable treehouses you can build!
Build a Treehouse This Summer Read More 👉
Yes, it sits on your hand just like a ring. Yes, it really colors!
Make a Crayon Ring Pop Read More 👉
Unlike container gardens, these DIY hanging planters will convert a regular potted plant, just sitting there and taking up shelf space, into a hanging plant that will perch nicely up out of the way and still freshen the air and brighten your living space
16 DIY Hanging Planters Read More 👉
Get Father’s Day on lock this year with one of these handmade Father’s Day gifts.
15 Handmade Father’s Day Gifts Read More 👉
With this window bird feeder, you can do that without leaving the comfort of your couch!
Make an Upcycled Window Bird Feeder from a Milk Carton Read More 👉
Help a bee out, why don’t you, by building your very own mason bee house?
How to Make a Hanging Mason Bee House Read More 👉
Got thank-you notes or birthday invites to write? Here are 20 ways to create your own, recycled handmade stationery!
20 Handmade Stationery Projects Read More 👉
Here’s how to draft a template that is exactly right for every card, and how to assemble it so that it keeps your card safe in the mail.
How to Make Custom Homemade Envelopes Read More 👉
I promise that these DIY photo cards are even quicker and easier than driving to the store, looking at every single Hallmark greeting card on the rack, choosing one, paying for it, and driving home.
How to Make a DIY Photo Card Read More 👉
I think that giant boxes are one of the most important things for a kid to have as a plaything.
Get Your Kid a Giant Box Read More 👉
Doll Shoe Lane wants to give one of you a free pair of 18″ doll shoes!
It’s a Giveaway! Win a Pair of 18″ Doll Shoes from Doll Shoe Lane Read More 👉
Because who cares if it came from Goodwill if it’s got your own personal dragon logo painted on the pocket?
Craft Book Review: Graffiti Jeans from This Belongs to Me Read More 👉
Go out right now and thrift yourself some old Scrabble games, because you have GOT to try these DIY Scrabble tile crafts!
Two Dozen DIY Scrabble Tile Crafts that You Must Try! Read More 👉
These DIY Scrabble tile magnets look cute AND hold things, and you can make them in under an hour, drying time included!
How-to: Easy Scrabble Tile Magnets Read More 👉
The kids and I made this Spawn egg hunt game entirely with the supplies that we had on hand, using not only mostly natural or recycled materials but also materials that would easily compost back into our yard (no clean-up necessary!!!).
Minecraft Party Games: Spawn Egg Hunt (with Spawn Egg Cascarones!) Read More 👉
The kiddo loved it, her friends loved it, and they had a fabulous time beating it to bits with a baseball bat.
Minecraft Crafting: DIY Creeper Pinata Read More 👉
DIY puzzles are extra fun, since not only do you get the pleasure of solving them, but you also get the pleasure of making them!
15 DIY Puzzles to Make and Play Read More 👉
If you want to do something a little special with some of your building blocks, check out how I made these puzzle blocks, and try it for yourself.
Make DIY Puzzle Blocks from Ordinary Building Blocks Read More 👉
At CAGW, we’ve got you covered for your own May the 4th festivities; here are my favorite eco-friendly Star Wars crafts.
May the 4th be with You! 20 Star Wars Crafts to Celebrate Read More 👉
One of my children’s favorite projects to do with these vintage bottles is the age-old craft of sand art.
Create Sand Art in Vintage Bottles Read More 👉
Sea glass is especially intriguing because it’s a product of both nature and recycling, a rare, almost impossible scenario in which nature turns litter into something beautiful.
15 Awesome Sea Glass Crafts for Your Beach Vacation Read More 👉
Do you have any DIY pom pom crafts to add to my list?
25 DIY Pom Pom Crafts Read More 👉
Why, yes, this IS an oddly specific tutorial that I’m writing here.
Make a Giant Upcycled Cardboard Minecraft Grass Block Party Invitation Read More 👉
There are ways to get kids into the garden without destroying your entire strawberry harvest.
15 Creative, Kid-Friendly Garden Ideas Read More 👉
Every year since she was four, my younger daughter designs an outfit, I create it from thrifted and discarded clothing and other fabrics, and then she models it on the runway at our town’s annual Trashion/Refashion Show.
A Refashioned Dress from a Graduation Gown and Formal Dresses Read More 👉
Bling your garden without breaking your budget or adding anything new to the waste stream with these upcycled garden decorations. Weekend project, anyone?
11 Upcycled Garden Decorations Read More 👉
Gardening can actually be kind of expensive, considering that you’re supposed to be saving money on grocery stores and florists by growing your own organic produce and flowers.
Handmade Review: Gardening on a Shoestring Read More 👉
Even if you can’t sew, you can sew this.
How to Replace a Button on a Button-Down Shirt Read More 👉
Here are some of our favorite popsicle recipes. Most of them work well with the homemade popsicle bar that we like to put together, some are recipes that you can set aside to surprise them with, and some are just for adults!
13 More Wholesome Homemade Popsicle Recipes Read More 👉
If you, like I, would rather mix up your own hipster popsicles in the comfort and privacy of your own home, then have I got a treat for you!
Host a Wholesome Homemade Popsicle Bar Read More 👉
Why, oh why, has no one told me that Artist Trading Blocks are a THING?!?
Artist Trading Blocks are a Thing, and I LOVE Them! Read More 👉
Don’t be afraid to display your vintage photographs!
12 Beautiful Ways to Display Vintage Photographs Read More 👉
