Tag: crafting

Fall-Themed Crafts for Kids Using Leaves and Nature!

Autumn is one of the most beautiful and inspiring seasons of the year—especially for kids. With leaves crunching underfoot, acorns dotting the ground, and trees turning brilliant shades of orange and red, nature becomes the perfect craft supply.

Whether you’re looking for a fun weekend project, a school activity, or just a way to enjoy the season with your child, these fall crafts using leaves and natural materials are simple, affordable, and full of autumn magic.

Here are some of our favorite fall nature crafts for kids—no fancy materials required!

1. Leaf Rubbing Art

What you need:

  • Real leaves (fresh or dried)
  • Crayons or colored pencils
  • White paper

How to do it:
Place a leaf under the paper and gently rub over it with the side of a crayon. Watch the shape and veins of the leaf magically appear! Try using different leaves and colors to make a whole collage.

Why kids love it: It’s like making nature “appear” through the paper!

2. DIY Leaf Crowns

What you need:

  • Leaves in various sizes and colors
  • A strip of construction paper or cardstock
  • Glue or tape

How to do it:
Measure the paper strip to fit your child’s head. Let them glue or tape the leaves all around the band to create a festive fall crown.

Great for: Pretend play, nature walks, and mini woodland royalty.

3. Nature Collage

What you need:

  • Leaves, twigs, pinecones, acorns, bark, etc.
  • Cardboard or paper as a base
  • White glue

How to do it:
Head outside for a nature scavenger hunt. Then, arrange your collected items into a pattern, picture, or abstract design. Glue them down and let dry.

Learning tip: Talk about textures and patterns as kids build their masterpiece.

4. Acorn Animals

What you need:

  • Acorns, small sticks, leaves
  • Googly eyes (optional)
  • Glue

How to do it:
Use acorns as little animal bodies—add stick legs, leaf ears, and googly eyes to create squirrels, owls, or bugs. Let your imagination go wild!

Safety tip: Hot glue works best, but adult supervision is needed.

5. Leaf People

What you need:

  • Leaves in fun shapes
  • Paper
  • Glue
  • Markers or googly eyes

How to do it:
Glue leaves to paper as bodies, heads, or wings, then draw arms, legs, and faces to create silly or spooky leaf people.

Fun idea: Name them and create a “Leaf Family” or fall-themed storybook.

6. Painted Leaf Prints

What you need:

  • Leaves
  • Washable paint
  • Paper or fabric (like canvas or tote bags)

How to do it:
Paint one side of the leaf, press it paint-side-down onto paper, and gently lift. You’ll get a beautiful print of the leaf’s shape and texture.

Try this: Use fall colors like red, gold, and brown for a seasonal effect.

7. Pinecone Creatures

What you need:

  • Pinecones
  • Felt, googly eyes, pipe cleaners
  • Glue

How to do it:
Turn pinecones into animals like owls, foxes, or hedgehogs. Add felt ears and faces, and let kids design their own forest friends.

Great for: Imaginative play and homemade fall decorations.

8. Nature Mandalas

What you need:

  • Leaves, petals, seeds, rocks, twigs
  • Flat surface or paper base

How to do it:
Arrange natural objects into circular, repeating patterns (mandalas). This is a calming and creative activity that teaches symmetry and balance.

Mindful moment: Encourage quiet focus and outdoor reflection while making them.

9. Leaf Lanterns

What you need:

  • Mason jars or clean glass jars
  • Pressed leaves
  • Mod Podge or white glue
  • Battery-operated tea lights

How to do it:
Glue leaves to the outside of the jar using Mod Podge. Once dry, pop in a tea light for a soft autumn glow.

Perfect for: Cozy windowsills or evening storytime ambiance.

10. Fall-Themed Nature Mobile

What you need:

  • A stick or small branch
  • Yarn or string
  • Leaves, pinecones, acorns, feathers

How to do it:
Tie nature items to string and hang them from the branch to create a mobile. Hang it in a window or on a porch for a beautiful autumn display.

Extra charm: Watch it sway in the breeze or spin indoors!

Final Thoughts

Crafting with nature is one of the simplest ways to spark your child’s creativity and deepen their appreciation for the world around them. Best of all, it gets everyone outside collecting materials, noticing colors, and tuning in to the beauty of the season.

So grab a basket, head outdoors, and let the leaves inspire your next family art session. Fall doesn’t last forever—but the memories you make together will.

DIY Crochet – Ear Warming Headband

Welcome back friends! Do you crochet? I dabbled in crochet off and on for a few years, always fascinated, but never fully catching on. I kept at it, and suddenly, it clicked! I feel calm and cozy when I’m crocheting, and fiercely proud whenever I complete a project.

It’s that time of year for keeping warm! Whether you’d like to create a ear-warmer headband for yourself or to gift to a friend, I’m here to help! 

This headband is cozy, classic and ideal for any level of crocheter (beginners included)! Any bulky size 5 yarn can be used in this pattern.

SUPPLIES
  • Crochet hook (size 6mm)
  • Yarn (size 5)
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Create a slip knot and then 64 chain stitches. The chain number may vary a bit depending on the head size you are creating the headband for. If possible, hold the chain around your head or theirs to measure.
  2. Turn your chain around and half double crochet (hdc) into the back loop of the second stitch from the hook, then continue to hdc in the back loops of each stitch all the way across your chain.
  3. Turn your work. Insert your hook under both loops of the first stitch, yarn over and pull through. Then insert your hook behind the second vertical loop of the stitch you just created, yarn over and pull through. This create a smoother/ straighter finish along the sides of the project.
  4. In the next stitch, hdc into the back loop and then continue to hdc in the back loops of each stitch all the way across your project.
  5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the next 8 rows for a total of 9 hdc rows. You are welcome increase or decrease the amount of rows if you’d prefer a thinner or wider headband.
  6. After the last hdc of your last row, use the scissors to disconnect the yarn from the skein and pull the loose in through your crochet loop, leaving a good length to sew the headband together.
  7. Taking each end of the project, pinch the corners in towards each other to create a C and a backwards C, then bring the C’s together to interlink. Using a yarn needle, stitch the remaining yarn back and forth through all 4 layers of the interlinked ends.
  8. Turn the headband right-side out and there’s your twist!
  9. Put over your ears, and get cozy!

DIY Crochet- Halloween Chevron Blanket

Welcome back friends! Do you crochet? I dabbled in crochet off and on for a few years, always fascinated, but never fully catching on. I kept at it, and suddenly, it clicked! I feel calm and cozy when I’m crocheting, and fiercely proud whenever I complete a project.

It’s that time of year for autumn and Halloween decor, so let’s create a chevron Halloween blanket! I thought it would be creative to make a candy corn color pattern framed by black on either side. Mine is the size of a lap blanket, but you can use this pattern to create any size you choose!

SUPPLIES
  • Crochet hook (size 6.5mm)
  • Medium yarn (size 4) in black, yellow, orange and white
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle or small crochet hook
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Starting with the black yarn, create a slip knot and then chain stitches in increments of 27, then add 5 extra stitches to whatever amount you choose. I chained 216, plus five came to a total of 221 stitches.
  2. Turn your chain around and single crochet (sc) into the back-loops of the second and third stitch from the hook, then skip the next stitch.
  3. Single crochet into the back-loops of the next 12 stitches.
  4. After completing the 12th sc, put three single crochets together into the back-loop of the next stitch (this will create the peak of our chevron).
  5. Single crochet into back-loops of the next 12 stitches, then skip the following two stitches after that (this will create the valley of our chevron).
  6. Now we’ve reached the start of our next chevron and we are going to repeat steps 3 through 5 until we have 3 stitches left in our chain.
  7. When you have 3 stitches left in the chain, skip the next stitch after your hook and sc into the last two stitches in the chain. Chain 1 and turn your blanket around.
  8. For the rest of the blanket, we will be working in both loops.
  9. Repeat steps 2 through 7, for the next 6 rows, then we’ll change colors.
  10. To change colors, halt halfway through your final single crochet of the row when two loops are over your hook, hook onto your new color (yellow), and pull it through. Cut off the previous color of yarn and weave the tail into the blanket with a yarn needle or small crochet hook to secure it.
  11. Chain 1 with the new color and turn your blanket around.
  12. Repeat steps 2 through 7, for the next 7 rows, then we’ll change colors to orange and do seven rows, then white and then back to black. We’ll keep going in this pattern until we’ve created the length of blanket we desire.
  13. When you’ve reached the end of your last black row, chain two and rotate the blanket 90 degrees. Begin single crocheting down the side of the blanket.
  14. At the end of this side of the blanket, chain 2 and rotate the blanket 90 degrees. Single crochet along the starting chain of the blanket, following the chevron rules from above (steps 3 through 5) over the peaks and valleys.
  15. At the end of the starting chain of the blanket, chain 2 and rotate the blanket 90 degrees. Single crochet down this side of the blanket.
  16. At the end of this side of the blanket, chain 2 and rotate the blanket 90 degrees. Single crochet along the top row of the blanket, following the chevron rules from above (steps 3 through 5) over the peaks and valleys.
  17. Repeat steps 13 through 16 until you are happy with the width of the blanket’s borders (I did 6 passes around).
  18. Cut the yarn and pull the loose end through your last loop, then weave the tail into the blanket with a yarn needle or small crochet hook.
  19. Place in your house, cuddle up under it and enjoy!

DIY – Crocheted Double Pocket Hug

Welcome back friends! Do you crochet? I do! I feel calm and cozy when I’m crocheting, and fiercely proud whenever I complete a project.

My daughter is entering Kindergarten this year and, while I’m sure she’ll love it, I believe she’ll need a little comfort while she’s away. Pocket hugs are a small token that can be tucked into a pocket to remind someone we love that we care for them, even if we’re apart. Zoey carries hers in a pocket of her backpack.

I created two different sized pocket hugs and when I held them together, I admired how much they looked like a cookie with frosting so I had the idea to attach them together. Et voila! Now we have a double pocket hug that looks like a cookie! You could use any color of yarn for this, the possibilities are endless!

Let’s get started!

SUPPLIES
  • Two different crochet hooks (I used sizes 3.75mm and 4.50mm)
  • Two different yarns (I used sizes 2 and 4)
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle or small crochet hook
  • Hot glue gun
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Using the smaller yarn and hook create a magic ring and chain two.
  2. Stitch one triple crochet into the magic ring, then repeat twice more for a total of three triple crochets.
  3. Stitch one double crochet into the magic ring, then repeat twice more for a total of three double crochets.
  4. Chain one, then stitch one triple crochet into the magic ring for the heart’s point, then chain one again.
  5. Stitch one double crochet into the magic ring, then repeat twice more for a total of three double crochets.
  6. Stitch one triple crochet into the magic ring, then repeat twice more for a total of three triple crochets.
  7. Chain three and slipstitch into the magic ring.
  8. Slipstitch into the back loop of the beginning three chains of the heart.
  9. Single crochet under both loops of the first triple crochet from the first round, then single crochet again into the same stitch.
  10. Repeat step 9 on the second and third triple crochets of the first round.
  11. Single crochet under both loops of the first double crochet of the first round.
  12. Repeat step 11 on the second and third double crochets of the first round.
  13. Single crochet under the chain.
  14. Single crochet under both loops of the triple crochet, chain one and then single crochet back into the same stitch.
  15. Single crochet under the chain
  16. Single crochet under both loops of the double crochet.
  17. Repeat step 16 on the next two double crochets of the first round.
  18. Single crochet under both loops of the triple crochet from the first round, then single crochet again into the same stitch.
  19. Repeat step 18 on the next two triple crochets of the first round.
  20. Slipstitch into the back loop of the ending three chains of the heart.
  21. Slipstitch into the magic ring one more time, snip off the yarn and pull the loose end through the final stitch tightly to secure it.
  22. Pull the loose end of the starting yarn to pull the center of the heart in tightly.
  23. Using a smaller crochet hook, weave the starting yarn and ending yarn into the heart.
  24. Repeat steps 1 through 23 again with the larger yarn and hook.
  25. Once both hearts are done, heat up your glue gun and apply a steady amount of glue to the back of the larger heart, within the confines of where the smaller heart will lay, then press the back of the smaller heart to it. If there are any loose edges gently lift them up, apply glue underneath and press it back.
  26. Once cool, give your pocket hug to someone who needs it!

DIY – Double Crochet Dish Cloth

Welcome back friends! Do you crochet? I do! I feel calm and cozy when I’m crocheting, and fiercely proud whenever I complete a project.

I’ve always wanted to crochet some of my own dish cloths and now is the perfect time! This pattern is simple, textured and ideal for any level of crocheter (beginners included)! Any cotton yarn can be used for this dish cloth.

Let’s get started!

SUPPLIES
  • Crochet hook (size 5 mm)
  • Cotton yarn
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle or small crochet hook
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Create a slip knot and then 30 chain stitches.
  2. Turn your chain around and double crochet (dc) into the third stitch from the hook, then continue to dc all the way across your chain.
  3. Chain 2 and turn your work. Dc into the back loop of the third stitch from the hook, then continue to dc in the back loops of each stitch all the way across your project.
  4. Repeat step 3 for the next fourteen rows for a total of 16 dc rows.
  5. After the last dc of your last row, chain 1 and rotate the dish cloth 90 degrees to the right.
  6. Single crochet across this side of the dish cloth to give it a more finished look. There will be no distinct loops to follow, but try to stitch in regular intervals, your hook will know where to go!
  7. Chain 1 and rotate the dish cloth 90 degrees to the right again, lay the original tail along the original chain, then single crochet around it (to weave it in) as we single crochet all the way down the original chain.
  8. Chain 1 and rotate the dish cloth 90 degrees to the right again, then single crochet across this side of the dish cloth to give it a more finished look. There will be no distinct loops to follow, but try to stitch in regular intervals, your hook will know where to go!
  9. After the last single crochet, use the scissors to disconnect the yarn from the skein and pull the loose end in through your crochet loop.
  10. Using the yarn needle, weave the loose end into the dish cloth and cut off any extra.
  11. Enjoy!

DIY Crochet – Bee Plush

Welcome back friends! Do you crochet? I do! I feel calm and cozy when I’m crocheting, and fiercely proud whenever I complete a project.

I’ve seen some adorable bee plushies in the animated shows my daughter watches, and I wanted to create one for her!

This bee is soft and cuddly! The pattern is easy, and ideal for any level of crocheter (beginners included)! Any size 6 chenille-style yarn can be used in this pattern, but I used Bernat Baby in buttercup yellow and lapis blue, and for the white of the wings. You can use whatever color combination you prefer!

Let’s get started!

SUPPLIES
  • Crochet hook (size 6.50 mm)
  • Chenille-style yarn (size 6)
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle or small crochet hook
  • Fiber fill
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Round 1: With the yellow yarn, create a magic ring with 6 single crochets (total of 6 stitches). Place a stitch marker in the last stitch of this round.
  2. Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (total of 12 stitches). Place a stitch marker in the last stitch of this round (henceforth remove it and move it up to the last stitch in each round after this one).
  3. Round 3: 1 single crochet, 1 increase, alternating around the round (18).
  4. Round 4: 2 single crochet, 1 increase, alternating around the round (24).
  5. Round 5: Single crochet in each stitch around (24).
  6. Round 6: Switch colors to blue (or whatever color you choose for the bee’s stripes), then single crochet in each stitch around (24). 
    • To switch colors insert your hook into the first stitch, yarn over and pull through so there are two loops of yellow on your hook. Hook onto the blue and pull in through the two loops of yellow to create the first stitch of Round 6 (for extra security, bring the two loose ends together inside the project and double knot).
  7. Round 7: Single crochet in each stitch around (24).
  8. Round 8: Switch colors back to yellow then single crochet in each stitch around (24).
  9. Round 9: Single crochet in each stitch around (24).
  10. Round 10: Switch colors back to blue then single crochet in each stitch around (24).
  11. Round 11: Single crochet in each stitch around (24).
  12. Set the main body aside for now and begin the wings.
  13. Wings Round 1: With the white yarn, create a magic ring with 6 single crochets (total of 6 stitches). Place a stitch marker in the last stitch of this round.
  14. Wings Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (total of 12 stitches). Place a stitch marker in the last stitch of this round.
  15. Cut the yarn about 8 to 10 inches from your hook and pull the loose end through the last stitch, then set it aside.
  16. Repeat steps 13 through 15 to create a second wing.
  17. Thread your yarn needle with the loose end of one wing, position it where you would like (somewhere on the band of yellow between the two black stripes), and insert your needle through one of the stitches. Pull through until the wing stops at the body of the bee. Position wing and stitch through the bottom of the wing where it comes into contact with the body of the bee. Repeat this stitching process along the bottom of the wing.
    • If there is a tail from creating the magic ring, conceal it by stitching it into the wing and/or into the body of the bee.
  18. Repeat for the second wing.
  19. Attach the safety eyes.
  20. Body Round 12: Switch colors back to yellow, then 2 single crochet, 1 decrease, alternating around the round (18).
  21. Body Round 13: 1 single crochet, 1 decrease, alternating around the round (12).
  22. Begin stuffing the bee to your preference.
  23. Body Round 14: 6 decreases around (6).
  24. Cut the yarn off 8 to 10 inches from the project and pull it through the last stitch.
  25. Stuff the bee a little more if necessary.
  26. Thread the needle and insert the needle through each stitch, then pull tight.
  27. Knot and sew the remaining tail of yarn into the yellow stitches around.
  28. Enjoy!

DIY Crochet – Super Mario Super Star

Welcome back friends! Do you crochet? I do! I feel calm and cozy when I’m crocheting, and fiercely proud whenever I complete a project.

March 10th was Mario Day! In celebration I created this super soft and cuddly Super Star pillow! This pattern is intermediate and ideal for those who know their way around “magic rings”, “increases” and “decreases”. Any chenille-style yarn, size 6, can be used in this pattern, but for my example piece I used Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn in buttercup yellow.

Let’s get started!

SUPPLIES
  • Crochet hook (size 10 mm)
  • Chenille-style yarn (size 6)
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle or small crochet hook
  • Fiber fill
  • Black felt
  • White felt
  • Black thread
  • Sewing needle
SuperStarEyePatternDownload
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Round 1: Create a magic ring with 8 single crochets (total of 8 stitches). Place a stitch marker in the last stitch of this round.
  2. Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (total of 16 stitches). Place a stitch marker in the last stitch of this round (henceforth remove it and move it up to the last stitch in each round after this one).
  3. Round 3: 1 single crochet, 1 increase, alternating around the round (24).
  4. Round 4: 1 single crochet, 1 increase, 1 single crochet, alternating around the round (32).
  5. Round 5: 3 single crochet, 1 increase, alternating around the round (40).
  6. Round 6: 2 single crochet, 1 increase, 2 single crochet, alternating around the round (48).
  7. Round 7: 5 single crochet, 1 increase, alternating around the round (56).
  8. Round 8: 3 single crochet, 1 increase, 3 single crochet, alternating around the round (64).
  9. Round 9: 7 single crochet, 1 increase, alternating around the round (72).
  10. Round 10: 4 single crochet, 1 increase, 4 single crochet, alternating around the round (80).
  11. Finish off the first center piece of the star by slip stitching into the next stitch, then cutting the yarn pulling the end through. Using a yarn needle, stitch the loose end of the yarn into the body of the center piece and set it aside.
  12. Repeat steps 1 through 10 to create a second center piece of the star. This time, do not slip stitch, leave the yarn attached and move the stitch marker to the last stitch.
  13. On this second center piece that we have not tied off, count 16 stitches from the marker on your last stitch from the round before and put a stitch marker through the 16th stitch. Count 16 stitches from this marker and place another marker through that stitch. Continue this around your center piece until you have 5 markers total.
  14. Place the marked centerpiece over the tied-off centerpiece with the more textured sides both facing out, then re-pin the five markers through the aligned stitches of both centerpieces.
  15. Point Round 1: 16 single crochet down one side of the pinned centerpieces from marker to marker with the 16th stitch bringing both sides together just inside the next marker. Then turn your work and do 16 single crochet up the other centerpiece side to reach your starting point (32). Place a stitch maker in the last stitch of this round, which also joins both sides together.
  16. Point Round 2: Single crochet in each stitch around (32). Place a stitch marker in the last stitch of this round (henceforth remove it and move it up to the last stitch in each round after this one).
  17. Point Round 3: 14 single crochet, 1 decline, turn the project around and then 14 single crochet and 1 decline (30).
  18. Point Round 4: 4 single crochet, 1 decline, 4 single crochet, alternating around the point round (27).
  19. Point Round 5: 7 single crochet, 1 decline, alternating around the point round (24).
  20. Point Round 6: 3 single crochet, 1 decline, 3 single crochet, alternating around the point round (21).
  21. Point Round 7: 5 single crochet, 1 decline, alternating around the point round (18).
  22. Point Round 8: 2 single crochet, 1 decline, 2 single crochet, alternating around the point round (15).
  23. Point Round 9: 3 single crochet, 1 decline, alternating around the point round (12).
  24. Point Round 10: 1 single crochet, 1 decline, 1 single crochet, alternating around the point round (9).
  25. Point Round 11: 1 single crochet, 1 decline, alternating around the point round (6).
  26. Point Round 12: Decline 3 times (3).
  27. Cut off your yarn with a little bit of a tail. Attach a yarn needle and insert your needle through the top 3 stitches of the point and pull them tight to make a sharper point. Then stitch the rest of the tail into the body.
  28. To begin a new point with loose yarn, insert your hook into the first stitch, yarn over with your loose yarn and pull through, then complete the stitch by yarning over and pulling through this loop. This will anchor your loose yarn to the next point and mark the first stitch.
  29. Repeat steps 15 through 27 to create the next point. If you’re feeling lost, remember to always count your stitches. At the end of each round the amount of stitches should match the number I’ve put into parenthesis for that round.
  30. Continue repeating steps 15 through 27 until you have completed 4 points of the star, then stuff what you’ve completed. Do not worry about the holes at the base of each point, we will sew them up once we’ve completed the final point.
  31. Begin the last point and stuff it a little at a time as you stitch upwards. Finish the stuffing with chopstick and tie off.
  32. Once the star has been stuffed and completed with 5 points, use the same yarn and a yarn needle to sew up any holes, found at the base in between each point. Concealing any excess yarn by stitching it into the body of the star.
  33. Once the star has been completed. Cut out the pieces for the felt eyes using the patterns I’ve provided, and the black and white felt.
  34. Stitch the white highlights onto the black backgrounds, then stitch the eyes onto the pillow.
  35. Enjoy!

DIY Fuse Bead – Super Mario World Magnets

Welcome back friends! We bought a new refrigerator some time ago and I’ve been thinking it would be nice to decorate it with some Super Mario Bros. magnets! Also, March 10th is Mario Day!

Working with a limited amount of black and white perler beads, I chose a handful of characters / objects from Super Mario World to begin with, and more to come! I created (and the pictures of the patterns are included below) for small Mario, small Luigi, a coin, Yoshi’s egg and Yoshi.

The magnets turned out great! I left them a little less melted on outward facing side because I like the look, but you are always welcome to melt them more! Be careful with the iron, but don’t be afraid to make some mistakes! Mistakes happen for everyone, you may see two pieces of my Mario’s mustache that were over-melted from an unevenly heated iron, but if it’s not worth scrapping the whole piece, embrace it!

Let’s get started!

SUPPLIES
  • Fuse beads
  • Fuse bead pegboard
  • Parchment paper
  • Point tweezers (optional)
  • Painter’s tape
  • Seam ripper
  • Iron
  • Iron-safe surface
  • Peel and stick magnet discs
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. If your beads did not come pre-sorted by color, sort them into the colors you need per character and/or object.
    • Coin: 50 black, 25 white, 17 light brown, 27 bright yellow, 41 gold yellow.
    • Luigi: 63 black, 29 white, 19 bright green, 39 light brown, 18 dark brown, 5 lighter blue, 17 blue, 12 darker blue, 20 lighter tan, 17 golden tan, 2 bright yellow.
    • Mario: 63 black, 29 white, 19 bright red, 39 light brown, 18 dark brown, 5 lighter blue, 17 blue, 12 darker blue, 20 lighter tan, 17 golden tan, 2 bright yellow.
    • Yoshi’s egg: 40 black, 70 white, 19 darker green, 29 lighter green, 8 bright green.
    • Yoshi: 146 black, 63 white, 23 gold yellow, 20 bright red, 34 darker green, 54 bright green.
  2. On your pegboard, begin laying out the appropriate colored beads for the character(s) and/or object(s) you’ve chosen. I recommend working on one character/object at a time, then moving on to the next.
  3. If you are having a hard time placing beads into specific places, use pointed tweezers to pick up each bead and then insert it.
  4. Once each character has been completed, take strips of painter’s tape and cover that character, slightly layering each piece of tape so it’s one connected piece.
  5. Take a seam ripper (or other sharp pointed tool) and poke a small hole into the center of each fuse bead in the pattern. This allows built up heat to escape the tape when ironing.
  6. Carefully remove the taped pattern from the peg board and place it tape-side down on an iron-safe surface. Then place parchment, wax, or ironing paper over it.
  7. Heat a dry iron to a medium heat and as smoothly and evenly as you can, begin to iron the project in a circular motion. Do not press down. Beads take about 10 to 20 seconds per side to fuse evenly and some colors may fuse more quickly than others.
  8. When the beads begin to fuse together you’ll see their colors more clearly through the paper and the center holes will shrink to a pinhole size. Lift the paper occasionally to see how the beads are fusing.
  9. Let the design cool, placing a flat and heavy object over it to keep it from curling.
  10. Remove the weight and paper and flip the project over. Peel off the tape and place the paper back on this side of the project.
  11. Repeat step 7 through 9 on this side of the project. I chose to only lightly fuse the beads on this side because I prefer the look, but you are welcome to melt them more!
  12. Remove the weight and paper and flip the project over. 
  13. Peel the back-liner off a magnet and attach it to the back of your project. For the smaller objects like the coin and egg, I used one magnet. For Mario and Luigi I used two, spread evenly. And for Yoshi, I used three magnets, spread evenly!
  14. Stick to you refrigerator or other magnetic surface and enjoy!

DIY Crochet – Cat Ear Beanie Hat

Welcome back friends! Do you crochet? I dabbled in crochet off and on for a few years, always fascinated, but never fully catching on. I kept at it, and suddenly, it clicked! I feel calm and cozy when I’m crocheting, and fiercely proud whenever I complete a project.

It’s that time of year for keeping warm! And, in the spirit of playing the Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes game, I thought I’d make a blue crochet cat ear hat!

This hat is whimsical and cozy! The pattern is easy, and ideal for any level of crocheter (beginners included)! Any size 4 yarn can be used in this pattern, but for the Pete the Cat blue of my example piece, I used Red Heart yarn in the “soft navy” color. The size of the hat can also be adjusted for smaller heads by reducing the amount of rows to match half the circumference of the intended person’s head.

Let’s get started!

SUPPLIES
  • Crochet hook (size 5.50 mm)
  • Red Heart yarn (color: soft navy)
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle or small crochet hook
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Create a slip knot and then at least 60 chain stitches (you can chain a few more if you want to make the brim wider). I wanted a wider brim/slouchier hat so I chained 70.
  2. Turn your chain around and half double crochet (hdc) into the third stitch from the hook, then continue to hdc all the way across your chain.
  3. Chain 2 and turn your work. Hdc into the back loop of the third stitch from the hook, then continue to hdc in the back loops of each stitch all the way across your project.
  4. Repeat step 3 until there is a total of 28 to 30 hdc rows (the amount of rows can be adjusted so that the width of the project matches half of the circumference of your head).
  5. After the last hdc of your last row, fold the length of the project in half (the fold will be the top of your hat where the “ears” form).
  6. Using the yarn that is still attached, stitch up this side of the hat towards the fold. Insert your hook through the aligned stitches on either side and perform a single crochet to bring them together. 
  7. Once you’ve reached the top corner of the fold, tie a knot and cut the yarn. Use a yarn needle or a small crochet hook to weave the remaining yarn into the project.
  8. Knot the tail from the beginning of the project to your yarn skein and repeat steps 6 and 7 up the other side of the hat.
  9. Fold up the brim, place the hat on your head and adjust the ears to your preference!
  10. Enjoy!

DIY Crochet – Warm, Fuzzy Scarf Pattern

Welcome back friends! Do you crochet? I dabbled in crochet off and on for a few years, always fascinated, but never fully catching on. I kept at it, and suddenly, it clicked! I feel calm and cozy when I’m crocheting, and fiercely proud whenever I complete a project.

It’s that time of year for keeping warm! Whether you’d like to create a scarf for yourself or to gift to a friend, I’m here to help! 

This scarf is cozy classic and ideal for any level of crocheter (beginners included)! Any bulky size 5 yarn can be used in this pattern, but for the soft and fuzzy results of my example piece, I used Carron Latte Cakes Yarn.

SUPPLIES
  • Crochet hook (size 6mm)
  • Carron Latte Cakes Yarn (Color: Rose Scented)
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle or small crochet hook
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Create a slip knot, then chain 250 stitches.
  2. Turn your chain around and half double crochet (hdc) into the third stitch from the hook. Continue to hdc in each stitch all the way across your chain.
  3. Chain 2 and turn your work. Hdc into the back loop of the third stitch from the hook, then continue to hdc in the back loops of each stitch all the way across your project.
  4. Repeat step 3 for the next thirteen rows for a total of 15 hdc rows. You are welcome increase the amount of rows if you’d prefer a wider scarf!
  5. After the last hdc stitch of your last row, use the scissors to disconnect the yarn from the skein and pull the loose end through your crochet loop.
  6. Using a yarn needle or a small crochet hook, weave the loose ends of the yarn into the surrounding scarf.
  7. Wrap around your neck and get cozy!