June is national Celebrate Outdoor month and I am always looking for ways to encourage my kids to get off the sofa and outside. It is often hard to pull them away from video games or electronics, so instead of fighting that battle, I’m using their favorite play things to my advantage.

The one toy my kids CANNOT get enough of is LEGO.  I’ve written about how much it means to me that my kids play with LEGO building sets just like I did as a kid, and even as they get older, they still love them!

10 Wooden Lanterns You Could Build Yourself

As part of this month's power tool challenge I needed to create a lantern out of wood.

Sure you could go the “I love you dad” cheesy route, and nobody would judge you if you do.. but if your dad has a great sense of humor, one of these sarcastic designs may be perfect.

10 Sarcastic Father’s Day Cross Stitch Ideas: 

Today I’m throwing back the curtain and making a big public admission: I am a MESSY crafter. Some people may be afraid to fess up to a trait like that, but I must.   And not only am I mess, but I am also not focused on any one type of craft, I have a commitment problem. I love quilting, crocheting, cross stitch, water color, hand lettering, paper crafts, and working with my electronic cutting machines. I could never pick just one.  My creative mind is JUST as messy as my creative space.

Summer is finally here!!  By the end of the school year I was just hanging in there by a thread, and we finally made it!

I’m celebrating along with the Dollar Store Design squad.  We’re creating dollar store projects perfect for summer!   It is so fun to see what people come up with when the only limitation is "use something from the dollar store."  From wreaths and tote bags to personalized drinking glasses and wall decor.  The possibilities are endless.

10 Summer Projects featuring Dollar Store Items