Progressive Pioneer

The Friday Make and Do

I'm feeling spring in the air, how about you?  Seems like the perfect weather for... seed bombs!  Heart-shaped, of course.

The Saturday Make and Do

Oops, sorry about that!  I've been too busy making and doing to actually write about making and doing!  Clay's family is in town and we've been to a historic farm, the library, made cookies, are making kites and planning more fun for tomorrow!

The Friday Make and Do

My goodness, how is it Friday already?!  That week just flew past!  Here's hoping the weekend stretches out nice and long.  And here are a few fun things to fill it, like making your own hip beanbags!

The Friday Make and Do

Make your own flashlight!

The Friday Make and Do

Little paper toys to make, perfect for drizzly weather and chilly days.

The Friday Make and Do

This is a BEAUTIFUL quilt made from felted wool scraps.  I'm wondering if I have enough in my stash to make one...  It looks so cozy!  (And speaking of cozy things, these aren't so much a make and do, but you could totally buy some of these cozy fish and support the artist- I love them!)

The Friday Make and Do

Two foxy things, a sweatshirt and this cute valentine.  (Are foxes the new birds?)

The Friday Make and Do

Have your gardening catalogs already started arriving?  I've already got a few pages of Seed Savers dog-eared...  Here's a great idea to remember come spring, if you don't have a lot of space.

The Friday Make and Do

These are intended to be party decorations, but don't you think it would be super fun to make a bunch of these dresses and water color and decorate them with your kids?

The Friday Make and Do

Happy Christmas Eve Eve!  I'm so excited for Christmas, having little kids makes it that much more magical.  Have you been enjoying the holiday season?  Eating delicious food?  Enjoy the twinkly lights?  Spending time with friends and family?  What a great time of year!  Here are a few fun ideas for the weekend, some last minute gifts, special things to do, and of course, yummy things to eat!

The Friday Make and Do

Are you feeling cozy and Christmas-y?  We're definitely feeling it here!  My parents got into town on Tuesday and are staying all the way through the new year.  It's been so fun for everyone, especially the kids, who now always have at least one adult willing to read to them, or stack blocks or listen attentively to whatever story they have to tell.  Here are a few fun things we may be trying this weekend!

Grain-free, sugar-free gingerbread men!

The Friday Make and Do

I'm so happy to be writing Make and Do posts again!  I'm pinning now (how did it take me so long?!) and have been finding SO many great things to share!

The Friday Make and Do

We've been doing lots of lacto-fermenting lately; I think these radishes sound so good!  I love a little something tangy and tart to go with dinner.

What a great inspiration list for incorporating the written word into kids' rooms (or anywhere!); you could totally do something like this yourself... We're going to Maine this summer; I totally want to try making my own sea salt!

A great tutorial for making an old school camping stool- this might make a cool Father's Day gift...

If you've been making your own cheese or yogurt, chances are good you have tons of whey lying around.  Here's a list of ways to use it (we love to make fruit smoothies with ours!  Such a great way to squeeze in even more nutrition.  I'm totally trying the lemonade recipe too!)

This trailer gets me pretty riled up.  Has anyone seen the whole movie?  I wish it were playing in UT somewhere...

Farmageddon - Movie Trailer from Kristin Canty on Vimeo.

Do you have a family tree displayed somewhere?  I love these ideas.
And this wall thingy is awesome.  Do you think I could squeeze some driftwood into my suitcase when we come back from Maine...? Have you seen the book and craft series on the Crafty Crow?  I love these peg dolls; my dad made a whole series of these for our Christmas tree when he and my mom were first married.
Lovely tutorial for making a sweet zippered pouch.

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Friday Make and Do

It's still Friday!  I can squeeze a Make and Do in, right?  It's been one of those days...  I was just reading Rachel's blog, sounds like she had a doozy of a day as well; maybe you did too?  Some sort of strange planetary alignment perhaps?  Anyhoo, on with the wonderful things for us all to make and do this weekend, because I'm sure it's going to be one of those weekends, the good kind!

How about making your own baking powder?  You could call yourself a hardcore DIY-er then for sure!

I think I'm going to try this recipe for a natural, all-purpose cleaner. Some great ideas for non-toxic week elimination (speaking of which, anyone have any ideas for getting rid of snails and aphids?  I've been hosing the aphids off the plants, maybe we should get some ladybugs?  And the snails I've just been silently cursing, but haven't known what to do with them.) Have you tried making ghee?  We've been making it lately and really love it. After all our hard work in the garden and cleaning and making stuff from scratch, I think we should all relax with this delicious-looking ginger and lime mocktail- yum! This strawberry-basil sorbet is looking mighty delicious.  Of course, I'd have to swap the sugar out for honey for us; do you think it would still come out right?  I once made a peach and sage ice cream that was pretty fantastic; I love herbs with fruit. This rhubarb clafouti is totally GAPS-legal and I'm so making it after a trip to the (first of the season!) farmers' market this Saturday.  Rhubarb is my favorite! Hope your weekend is relaxing, but that you still get a few things checked off your to-do list, that it's full of sweet treats and farm-fresh springtime veggies, and scattered with quiet moments and visits with good friends- all of the things a perfect weekend should be filled with.

The Friday Make and Do

This chandelier is amazing!  Follow the link for super-easy DIY instructions. My dad always made us paper hats when I was a kid; to this day it's still one of those mysterious skills that I've never mastered.  Good thing Clay knows how:) Make your own striped shirt!

I love this list of summer activities; I think it needs to be stuck to our fridge. This is such a neat project (and it involves a power drill!); I can think of a dozen uses for this! Have you seen Poppytalk's affordable art series?  I love it and it makes me want to fill my walls with beautiful art!!

I picked up a bunch of paper lanterns on our last trip to San Francisco; I love them!  Don't these paper mache lanterns look like they would make an outdoor party so festive?

So many fun ideas for your favorite fairy afficionado. How about reupholstering your chair with duct tape? Have a happy weekend!

The Friday Make and Do

I've been hoping for a summer weekend, but I'm afraid we're due for more clouds and rain (the garden should be happy though!).  Maybe some of these summery projects will convince the sun to show its face.  How could it not shine on this cheerful sandbox?!Homemade bubbles?  Yes please!

We have tons of frozen berries; I'm totally trying this!

I bet it wouldn't be too hard to make up a whole set of these...

This idea for shadow puppets is so clever; I'm tucking the idea away for winter nights by the fire.

Hope your weekend is wonderful, rain or shine!

The Friday Make and Do

Love this hoodie; Sam's crazy about dinos right now and this would make his week:)
I love healthy conveniences; saving time, eating well, what could be better? My mom was just asking me for an apron to use this afternoon (mine is out of commission with a torn tie; things seem to linger in the mending basket around here...).  I wish I had half a dozen of these hanging in my kitchen! 
This is such a thoughtful idea for an end-of-year teacher gift. Sam would love this project! Get your daily dose of weeds! Here's a fun page you can print for quick reference with 10 easy after-school art projects.
Have a wonderful weekend!  We're kind of coming out of the dark place (the cleansing phase) of beginning this GAPS diet; I'm hoping for some renewed energy and sunny days this weekend:)

The Friday Make and Do

Make a puzzle-filled pinata (the idea for the filling came from a reader- thanks!); you can watch Sam and I showing you how on Barilla's Piccolini TV.
Guerrilla gardening!  I love this idea. Remember the big spider web Sam made?  Here's an outdoor, garden version (via Crafty Crow).

I kind of want a pair of these for myself!

This reminds me of the blanket I made for Viv, only even easier- my kind of project:) This looks like a great recipe for egg paint- only three ingredients! (via CC) Hope your weekend is filled with good, simple things, lots of sunshine and bright colors!  See you next week!

The Friday Make and Do

First things first, some important news, I'm now on Twitter.  Hello 21st century, nice to meet you.  I know, what was I waiting for?  Beats me.  Anyway, you can follow me there in 140 letters or less.

Meanwhile, hello popsicle season!  These orange creamsicles are making my mouth water...
I love tiny sandwiches.  These would be perfect for a Mother's Day picnic...
Try this deodorant recipe; it looks really good, similar to the ingredient list on my FAVORITE deodorant (I had to use all caps because I love it that much.  LOVE!)

I think I must be hungry because I can't stop thinking about food, particularly these.  And I might need one of these to get the job done.
DIY play silks!
Make this great bird mobile.
Sometimes I just love a little sparkle.

Sweet, handmade baby present.
And this is just rad.  A little food for thought for the weekend.
Have a great weekend!

The Friday Make and Do

This soap looks yummy (and like a nice gift for Mom...)
How cute are these rock fish?  They would make a great mobile (just make sure they're on tight!).

I remember making linoleum block prints in high school and loving it.  Here's a great video tutorial that shows you how.

Love biscotti and LOVE cardamon.  These look fantastic!
I've really been wanting to sew some dresses for myself (I just can't seem to find the right thing in stores anywhere...).  Here's a great tutorial.  I've also been looking for vintage patterns from the 60s and 70s; I'll keep you posted... :)
Have a fun weekend!

The Friday Make and Do

I made these brownies last weekend and they are SO good!
And as long as we're talking sugar, I would totally make these peeps s'mores, you know, if I was in one of those moods.
Coolest tutorial for making your own fruit and vegetable-based paints (perfect for Easter eggs if you want to eat them later).  (Also, click here and then on "Easter.")

Really pretty (and easy) batik-looking Easter eggs.
Make this rad and super easy chevron tee.
Egg shaped sidewalk chalk to tuck into baskets.
I am CRAZY about these surprise carrots!  Crazy, I tell you- I want a whole bushel full.
What a fabulous party idea (and from a fabulous gal; Rebecca is a friend from back when Clay and I lived in SF).
Homemade silly putty carrot!
Look at this charming picnic set made from some old luggage.  Doesn't it make you so in the mood for summer?
I love this sweet idea; so simple, but such a nice touch.  (via A Cup of Jo)
Have a wonderful weekend and a happy Easter!

PS One more thing, just saw these beautiful (and free!) Easter paper dolls from Sarah Jane Studios.  You can download them on her site.

The Friday Make and Do

I love bean burgers.  I used to go on a girls' camping trip each summer in Maine and we would always make bean burgers (and foil dinners and go skinny dipping!).  These look delish.
Wouldn't it be sweet for your kid to wake up to this hanging over their bed each morning?
We're not big into candy for the holidays, but how fun would these peeps be in an Easter basket? (via Poppytalk)

Create your own plant-based dyes.  This project is for cloth to make a table runner, but I'm thinking it would work just as well on Easter eggs...
A fun and pretty science experiment.
And another, more delicious use for flowers.
This is how we did our Easter eggs a couple years ago.

How about a brioche bunny in the Easter basket?  Peter Reinhart has a great recipe for a 100% brioche; you could use that recipe and then just shape it like a bunny.
Check out these clever little doodads from Mayamade.
Have you seen the Monster Party that One Charming Party has been featuring this month?  So fun!
Here's a sweet game to tuck into an Easter basket.
This isn't really anything to make or do, it's just super rad.
And I would really love to see some of these in my mailbox...  Okay, that one wasn't really a make and do either.  But seriously?  Yum.
I'll leave you with these classy Easter bunnies.

Have a wonderful weekend!  We'll be celebrating Sam's third trip around the sun with carrot cake, a family party and a few goodies.  We do the "something to wear, something to play with, and something to read" thing, so he's getting a book, a 3D dinosaur puzzle and.... drum roll please.... a karate outfit and karate lessons!  I think I'm more excited about the outfit than the lessons; it's going to be so cute:)  See you Monday!

The Friday Make and Do

We're making these for Easter and I'm so excited! Make yourself some healthy soda. Plant a string garden. Or perhaps just a beautiful arrangement of hanging vases. Love these felt alternatives to plastic Easter eggs as a place to hide goodies. Homemade playdough in pretty spring colors.

If you've ever wanted a crown for your kiddo, here are a bunch of great tutorials (and places to buy too).

This oatmeal cake is sounding so good to me right now.  (I think I'd halve the sugar, maybe use honey instead, and whole wheat...).  If I had a magic nose I could twitch and make things appear, this cake would be on my desk right now.

I could totally see these jar lights over the table Clay made.  (via poppytalk) This beautiful herbed butter looks so fresh and springlike.  The satisfaction of making your own butter, but even easier! Another Easter project just might have to be this paint chip garland; so bright and cheery (and easy!). I just have to mention this terrarium-making party.  I love parties where you actually do something and this looks like such a blast! Has anyone heard of flower clocks?  Totally new to me and I am in love with the idea.  What a fantastic project this would be to do with kids.

Spring scavenger hunt, fun!! Phew!  That was one long Make and Do post!  I couldn't help it; there are just so many fantastic ideas floating around out there.  I hope you get a chance to make or do at least one fabulous thing this weekend!  I'm not sure which we'll pick, but I definitely see quite a few of these projects in our future...

Have a fantastic weekend!

The Friday Make and Do

If you're in the mood to make something snugly, these little swaddle softies look like just the thing.  And here's a wonderful collection of easy-to-make, springtime dolls.

Do you ever get the itch to totally rearrange all the furniture in your house?  Yeah, me too.  Try this, and skip the heavy lifting.
These curtains are so cheerful, and what a fun way to help your kids personalize their space.
LOVE this simple art project that has such a bold, modern end result. 
Sew something for yourself!

Have a fun weekend!

The Friday Make and Do

Sprng is here, perhaps you'd like to celebrate; these little guys are just the ticket.
This is the loveliest idea for a spring knitting party. 
In case you need a creative boost; here are about a million and one fantastic ideas for sewing projects for boys. (Then you can use this tutorial to create your own clothing labels.)
Take advantage of this balmy, windy spring weather and make and fly some handmade kites! (via the Crafty Crow)

Start getting excited for Easter!  Have you planted your Easter grass yet?  I love this idea for decorating eggs.
Have a beautiful weekend!