Think Crafts by CreateForLess

By Craft Trends Contributor, Gillian from the blog Dried Figs and Wooden Spools. Check out our Craft Trends board on Pinterest!

It’s finally, finally summer at our house and the kids are so ready to get outside and play in the sun! Water is always the first choice for outdoor summer play so we’ve been collecting ideas all thought the winter and spring to keep us cool and entertained during the coming warmer months! Although we’re planning on trying them all, here are what we think are the best of the best.

Water Blob Tutorial – The Clumsy Crafter

Oh the water blob! My kids have been asking to try this for months, even when it was freezing out. It’s at the top of our water fun summer list! I particularly love the idea of adding glitter and sequins to the water for a sparkly look but plain water would be a hit too. Can’t wait to try it out!

Water Gun Painting- Somewhat Simple

We are SERIOUS water gun connoisseurs around here and have regular neighborhood battles every time there’s a hint of heat in the air so I know this one will be a hit. Painting with water guns! I can see a party activity with this in our future!

Water Balloon & Sidewalk Chalk Angry Birds- No Time For Flash Cards

I’m keeping this brilliant idea under my hat until a hot day full of “i’m bored” moans comes. What a great boredom buster. And I suspect that Daddy will love it just as much as the kids will!

DIY Water Wall – TinkerLab

We’re planning one of these this summer for our water obsessed girl. Every time we hit a museum with a water wall or water table there she stops and there she stays so having a full time water wall at home is a no-brainer. She’ll love it (and so will her big brother I bet!)
What are your best water crafts and activities? Planning a water balloon fight this summer? Send us your ideas! We love to see them! And check out these and other ideas on our Craft Trends Pinboard!

By Craft Trends Contributor, Gillian from the blog Dried Figs and Wooden Spools. Check out our Craft Trends board on Pinterest!

The Industrial Chic look has been around for a few years now but as far as I can tell, it’s as popular as it ever was. And for good reason, the look adds a rustic elegance to almost any style of decor and I, for one, am totally on board. I love the look and try to mix it in with my otherwise cottagey style here and there. As a friend once told me, it’s like adding a pair of shiny earrings to a plain outfit, just a little glint and shine to spice things up. The only thing I don’t love is the price on some of those industrial elements. So I’m all about the DIY with this particular look. Here are some of my favorite ideas on that front.

Industrial Style Light- Pressing On

I’m seriously considering a light like this for my studio. On top of looking just plain cool AND being a super inexpensive fix for boring lights, it will make the room brighter than the old diffused cover allows for. Plus, did I mention how cool it looks?

DIY Vintage Rolling Wooden Crates- Wouldn’t It Be Lovely

I inherited a stack of crates like these with my house and now, instead of holding old paint cans, they will be put to better use as great looking storage for my kids rooms! If you don’t have access to vintage crates, how about new ones aged to look old? Two projects in one!

Antique Train Destination Sign- Ebay

I was a sucker for vintage trains even before I had a train obsessed little boy and the love hasn’t abated so this arrivals board is right up my alley. And so simple to make? A little chalkboard paint, a little white paint, some lettering work and voila! Super cute (and handy for list making too!)

Decorative Spheres- Design Dining Diapers

Well this is just downright clever. Did you spot those as made from cardboard? I sure didn’t! I’m thinking of making several mini versions of these to fill up some pretty bowls on my mantle to add a little industrial vibe to the more classical look I’ve currently got. Now I just need to choose, silver or brass…

Have you come up with any fun industrial chic DIY’s? Share them with us! We’d love to see! And check out these and other Industrial Chic ideas on our Craft Trends Pinboard.

By Craft Trends Contributor, Gillian from the blog Dried Figs and Wooden Spools. Check out our Craft Trends board on Pinterest!

I’ll never forget the terrible summer of my childhood when a severe drought caused a city wide ban on fireworks. All fireworks. For a kid, it was pretty awful. No sparklers, no black snakes…how could it be the Fourth of July without fireworks? Some ingenious parent in our neighborhood came up with a few alternate ideas for our annual block party which, I have to say, made that July survivable. Now that I’m the parent I recognize that have some indoor or non-fire fireworks is always a good idea, even if there’s not a drought. Very little kids who might be afraid of the sound can participate as can kids who just can’t wait and want to see some sparkles now! Here are a few of my current favorite fireworks crafts, perfect for getting you in the mood (or substituting the real thing) for Independence Day.

Fireworks In a Jar- 504 Main

This would have been such a perfect thing when my little ones were very small. Beautiful and ever-changing, this simple glitter jar really does bring fireworks to mind without the sound and smell and danger.

Dish Brush Firework- Sassy Dealz

These dish brush fireworks prints are so clever and so surprisingly realistic looking! I love them! You could really ramp up the fireworks look as well by using glitter paint for some of or all the brush strokes. So clever! And PS, these would make great art for patriotic party invitations!

Cup Cake Liner Fireworks- No Time For Flash Cards

Here’s a project that even the littlest artist can help with – Cupcake liner fireworks! How cute would these be strung into a banner or attached to the tops of skewers in a vase? This simple craft has a lot of visual impact and is so very fireworksy! Fantastic!

Do you have any indoor fireworks crafts or projects? Tell us about them! We’d love to post a picture on our Pinboards! And check out these and other Indoor Fireworks crafts on our Craft Trends Pinboard!

By Craft Trends Contributor, Gillian from the blog Dried Figs and Wooden Spools. Check out our Craft Trends board on Pinterest!

I know the Fourth of July is really only one little part of the summer but it’s one of my favorite little parts and I like to stretch out the celebrating as long as I can. Flags fly all month long (all summer long!) in my neck of the woods so flag crafts are summer staples. Flags are such a great inspiration point for all sorts of crafts at all sorts of levels, advanced, simple, kid friendly – and summer is the perfect time to test a few out. Here are some of our favorites!

Patriotic Pinwheel Wreath – Love, Pomegranate House

I’m a little bit in love with this wreath.
OK, I’m a lot a bit in love with this wreath! It’s totally calling my name! I love it’s low profile sophistication combined with the playful shapes. So much fun in one door decoration! This could be super cute paired with individual pinwheels stuck in the grass along a path for a Fourth of July Party, don’t you think? Yep, I’m in love.

Patriotic Hand Print Craft – B-Inspired Mama

I’ve always been a sucker for hand print crafts, such a great keepsake of how little your little one is right in that moment! We’ve made all sorts of hand print art over the years for decorations and cards and grandparent gifts and this is one of my all time favorites. It’s got happy written all over it, doesn’t it?

Drinking Straw American Flag – Reading Confetti

My kids would go crazy over these straw flags! In part because they love straws and building things form straws but also because it’s such a clever use of material, I know they’ll think it’s super cool. Perfect as a party activity for the kids, this would also make a great summer camp activity!

What kinds of flag themed crafts are you planning this summer? Drop us a line with some photos

By Craft Trends Contributor, Gillian from the blog Dried Figs and Wooden Spools. Check out our Craft Trends board on Pinterest!

It’s getting to be that time of year again! Pretty soon the caps and gowns will be out and the graduation parties will be starting! While I don’t have any grads to plan for this year I will in a few years time so I’ve been collecting some fun Graduation ideas for when the time comes!

DIY Marquee Letters – Celebrations

What grad wouldn’t love to be welcomed home with their class year up in lights? These DIY marquee lights would be a fabulous addition to any party and a fun piece of wall art to remember the day by later on!

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By Craft Trends Contributor, Gillian from the blog Dried Figs and Wooden Spools. Check out our Craft Trends board on Pinterest!

The warm weather is here! My house seems to be an never ending stream of kids in and out and playing all sorts of games these days. It can be a challenge keeping everyone busy, especially with kids of all ages running around. So I’ve been putting together a list of backyard games to make to keep the kiddos occupied this summer. And don’t forget! Backyard games are just as much fun for adults as they are for kids! So get making and get playing! Need some ideas? Here are a few of our favorites!

Giant Bananagrams – Constantly Lovestruck

We are Bananagrams and Scrabble addicts here in our house. Even the littlest among us can play a mean game so this lawn version is at the top of my list. And bonus! They’re cute enough to display around your patio as decorations as well as making for a great summer’s day game!

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By Craft Trends Contributor, Gillian from the blog Dried Figs and Wooden Spools. Check out our Craft Trends board on Pinterest!

With outdoor season just beginning, it’s time to spruce up the yard with some fun, outdoor crafts! From decorations to lights to artsy projects, there are so many crafts that can be done in or for the outside of your house, it’s hard to choose. Here are a few of our fun favorites!

Teacup Bird Feeder – Signed by Tina

Here’s a pretty use for that one random tea cup you’ve got stuck way at the back of the cupboard, plus the birds will love you for it. Encouraging the birds now will keep them coming all summer long, so you might as well make a few to keep them well filled up!

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