Summer has well and truly arrived, bringing with it those lovely long, warm evenings.
I remember how much I hated going to sleep while the sun was still shining outside, so I tend to relax the girls’ bedtimes when it’s this close to the holidays. Which means we have more time after school to do fun things, like some easy crafts for children.
The girls had also both come home with amazing report cards *proud Mum face*, so I surprised them with a trip to one of their favourite places – HOBBYCRAFT. We’re lucky to have a store just a few minutes from where we live, so we popped in one day after school.
We found a cool Paper Making Kit (bottom shelf, green box) in the Craft Kits aisle, and decided this would be the perfect way to have some fun, and make a cute ‘we love you’ gift for Nana in New Zealand.
We couldn’t resist picking up some sheets of glitter stickers on the way out too, because, well, shiny!
The girls loved mushing up the shredded paper, to create a pulp.
Then we shaped the recycled paper, and removed as much of the excess water as we could with the sponge that came in the kit. Next, we sprinkled it with glitter (of course), and left our homemade paper in the sun to dry.
Next, we walked over to the park across from our house for a flower hunt. We’d just missed all the blossoms, but managed to find daisies, clover and even a few red poppies.
On our way back home we stopped in our front garden to pick some stems of deliciously fragrant lavender (grown by Mummy from tiny seedlings, no less), and carefully placed all the blooms into a flower press.
A few days later we checked the press, to find the flowers had preserved beautifully – perfect for our floral crafts for children. We chose to use the lavender for our handmade card, as they smelled so divine and the other flowers needed a bit longer to dry out.
I got the girls to sign their names on the back with a fine liner, then used a good dollop of PVA to secure each bloom. I’ll be packing them carefully in a bubble wrap envelope to send to Nana, to let her know we’re missing her, and can’t wait to see her this Christmas.
Quick, colourful, easy crafts for children.
READ: Making Homemade Lavender Pouches // thoughtful teachers’ gifts
What a lovely activity! The finished card is adorable, lucky Nana!
I so wish we had a hobbycraft near us (although my purse is probably gratful there isn’t!). I have a flower press hidden away for an ‘I’m bored’ day in the holiday – I may have to get it out, as seeing this, i now can’t wait to play!
You should!! It’s such a simple thing to do, but so lovely. The girls really enjoyed it! x
Such a lovely craft idea! Hobbycraft is a great store and always has so much to keep the kids entertained. I hope their Nana loves it! 🙂
Oh this is so lovely – Pickles nan would love it! I wish we had a Hobbycraft near us. Kaz x
Aw this is such a beautiful card and it looks like a lot of fun to make! Hobbycraft is one of my favourite shops too <3
What a lovely idea, I love craft kits which allow children to be creative.
Aw what a beautiful card and nothing better than some summer crafts . Hobbycraft has everything you could need as well.
This is so beautiful, such a lovely and unique idea! Might have to copy this idea and out them on the wall in my living room