Because Babies Grow Up

Marie from Make and Takes has an endless supply of craft ideas that she shares on her blog. She has just released an eBook with crafts focused around the theme monsters. I thought the theme was perfect since we are approaching Halloween, but Marie points out in the introduction that monsters are silly, playful imaginary creatures that children can relate to on some level and is therefore a great anytime theme for a craft. Great point!

I had so much fun clicking through the pages of the Monster Mania: Crafts for Little Monsters eBook. Each craft immediately drew me in and got me thinking about what supplies I had, which I needed to get and how I’d do it with Sammi. By the last page, I was wiggling right out of my seat just excited to get crafting.

For the Monster Me Mask craft I actually had everything on hand, which was great because I didn’t lose my energy for the project. Elli was down for a nap so I got out all of the supplies and got us set up. Elli then woke up earlier than I thought. I hesitated, but decided to strap her into the booster chair and get crafting.

We had so much fun! Sammi helped me put the glue on the plates and then I squished the crepe paper around it. Then I gave her options for accessories and she did the rest. Elli also got to choose her accessories and I glued them on for her. My biggest regret is that our paper plates are flimsy and I should have double (or triple) plated.

Marie explains that the eBook is meant to be a guide and that when you or your child come up with a new interpretation, to go with it and let the creative juices flow. I found a stack of smaller plates and we made Sammi’s new bear his own monster mask. Sammi really liked that extension of the craft, especially since even though her mask was finished, she was wasn’t done.

Because it’s meant to be a guide and allow room for individual creativity, the directions are not super specific and a lot of steps are left implied or only shown in the illustrations. Sometimes that’s hard for me because I tend to be a rule follower to the tee. But it stretches me to find my own creativity, a good exercise for me and the girls.

Currently I’m gathering supplies for the rest of the crafts in the Monster Mania: Crafts for Little Monsters eBook. I have bags of candy for the Spooky Monster House and foam paper for the Furry Monster Feet. Make and Takes offering the Monster Mania: Crafts for Little Monsters eBook to one lucky Fall Fling participant. Visit this post and leave a comment to enter to win. Also, if you’ve written a blog post about how you welcome fall, don’t forget to leave the link in the comments so I can check it out and highlight it on Friday.