When we began our creative focus on the first of May, green had a very different meaning to me. Green, then, was a hope and a dream. At the beginning of the month we were smack dab in one of the strangest “springs” I’ve ever known. Cold. Wet. Gray. Setting the creative focus as green was almost our way of willing it to be so.

Now, nearing the end of the month, it is green. So, so green. And now instead of dreaming and hoping, I find green reminding me to embrace and enjoy.

Green is here. And I want to soak up every last bit of it. The green grass. The fresh leaves. And all that those things inspire us to do. Climb. Walk. Picnic.

To me, right now, green is life. And I’m living it in all the ways that I can. How about you?

The post Revisiting Green appeared first on Crafting Connections.

Tell me a story about me.

Children love hearing about adventures – real or pretend – they have been on. Whether it is the recounting of a specific event from the day, or a make believe land they’ve journeyed across, stories that include my little ones as the main protagonists are always favorites. On a more serious note, retelling difficult events in story form – and adding in your own age-appropriate grown-up interpretation – can help your little one to process and make sense of otherwise confusing or scary events. These types of stories are often requested again and again until your child feels emotionally confident dealing with the story on their own.

Tell me a tried-and-true story, but change the ending.

If you find yourself telling the same story again and again, a fun way to shakes things up is to change the ending. Make it silly, suspenseful, or just plain different – and see how your little one responds. You can also invite your little one to help you come up with an ending they would prefer. Changing the ending of recurrent stories can also help with childhood fears or anxieties, especially around times of transition. A story is a safe way for your little one to both experience and succeed over things or situations that may scare them.

Use story shells (or stones) as a physical prompt.

Story shells – or stones – can be created as your stories call for them. You can start your own set by following this lovely story shells tutorial. A core set of familiar characters can easily set you and your little one up for a variety of fun and imaginative stories. The easily-identifiable graphic nature of story shells also encourage your little one along the path of language learning, offering a visual depiction of objects that are simultaneously appearing in your oral stories. But best of all, it is a special moment when your little one is able to use their story shells to tell you a story.

Start with “Once Upon a Time…”

Sometimes the simplest answer is the best one. Take a peek at how the most popular story in our home – you know, the one I shared about the dinosaur – starts, nearly every single time:

So tell us, what tips and tricks do you have for telling a story to your little one when the words are not coming as easily? Anything you do to jump-start the process? We’d love to hear your ideas!

The post Tell Me a Story… appeared first on Crafting Connections.

Sign up & Download your Crafting Connections Mini-Magazine!

a little peek into the pages

This month we have a special way to help you follow the thread and tell a story with Story Shells (or stones).

The downloadable mini-magazine has a step-by-step tutorial, suggestions for choosing your images, ideas on how to expand the project, gentle prompts to help you talk with your child about how to change a story, large picture pages, and a lovely poem to share with your little one.

One last thing – each mini-magazine is only available for one month! Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss out on future issues.

What are you waiting for? Sign-up for your Mini-Magazine today!

P.S. These mini-magazines are offered as a special thank-you to our newsletter subscribers. If you’re already signed up – thanks!!! – your mini-mag will be landing in your inbox with our next newsletter. If you simply can’t wait, contact us, and we can get it to you lickety-split.

Hope you enjoy the mini-mag and are inspired by the pages within to create something special for – and with – your little one. If you do, we’d love it if you shared!

The post Mini-Magazine #3 : : Story Shells appeared first on Crafting Connections.

We are entangled.  All of us – together – entangled, like the fibers in a felted sweater or a jumble of kite strings.  Our global connection has never been more obvious now that all economies shimmy and shake when one country doesn’t pay its bills
– when an amateur video produced in one part of the world creates havoc on the streets in another part of the world – when a boy in Tucson can play a computer game with a boy in Seoul, Korea and another boy in Helsinki, Finland at the same time.  The internet is only illustrating what is true – that we are connected with everyone at all times.

And yet, we often don’t believe it.

Instead of knowing that we have access to all we need in any given moment, most of us spend a lot of time seeking support and guidance from without.  We look to the “experts” before we make many decisions – especially when it comes to our parenting.  “Is this normal?”  “What should I do?”  “How do I stop this behavior” and “What is wrong with my child?” are questions we try to answer with best selling books, popular blogs and tips from visiting lecturers.

But if we can step back for a moment and really believe that we are already entangled with all the experts, all the latest research as well as centuries and centuries of empirical data – well, then – we have everything we need right here, right now.

So the question is – how do we access it?  If not with a book or a google search or a workshop – then how?

As is often the case in this highly complex, highly specialized, informationally rich times – the answer is simple, old and – I think – easy.

Intuitive Storytelling.  Making up stories, on the spot.  Your son is nervous about going to the dentist?  Tell him a story about courage and facing fears.  Your two daughters are fighting in the back seat?  Tell them a story about conflict.   You need to break the news that the family is moving – that their favorite uncle is sick – that a neighbor has died?  Tell them a story – and watch the transformational results.  No lecture, no explanation, no ‘making sense.’  With intuitive storytelling, you go straight to a very deep place – a place where habit and behavior begins and you can actually build new behavior and new habits.  Habits that serve them and their community.

OK – so how do you do it?

The short answer is – just open your mouth and say “Once upon a time…”  Truly, the hardest part of intuitive storytelling is finding the courage to actually do it.  Parents judge their storytelling and think their stories need to be as ‘good’ as professional storytellers and entertainers.  But the fact is, no one knows your child as well as you – so no one has better access to the ‘perfect’ story for your child than you do.  You are the expert.

That being said, there is a technique.  There are skills that can be practiced and a form that can be used for structure.

#1 Quietly set an intention.  Say to yourself “I want to tell Jamison a story that will help her deal with the boy who is teasing her” or “I want to tell Donald a story that will help him relax and fall asleep”.  Breath, take 5 seconds and articulate what you want for your child.

#2 Look around for a starting place.  Something will catch your eye: a stuffed toy lion, a wooden train, a picture of a unicorn, or the sound of an airplane flying overhead – anything goes.  You just need a port from which to sail.

#3  Start talking.  Say “Once upon a time there was a hungry little lion …” or “There was once a train car with a broken wheel…”  It really doesn’t matter – what is important is that you are talking.

#4 Let go.  Here is where the intuition kicks in.  Intuition cannot be forced or told what to do.  Intuition must be allowed to unfold – and the only way to do that is to forget you are using it.  Just talk.  Follow the story as if someone else is telling it.  Do not try to turn it into a story about moving to a new place or facing fear or anything that you think it should be.  Allow it to be whatever it is and trust that it is right.  Because it is.  You will discover that later.

And if you get stuck, go back to step #2 – look around the room and let something grab your attention.  If may seem totally irrelevant or even counter to the story – but again, trust that it is right and keep talking.

Later on you will realize the brilliance of your story and how perfect it turned out to be.  For now, just talk and talk and talk some more.  Then don’t worry about a graceful ending – just let the story end and that is that.

And then, the following day – or later that afternoon – you will notice something has changed.  Something has changed in your child – they are less frightened, less anxious, less sad, less angry and more peaceful in themselves.  They aren’t picking on their younger brother or needling you about sugary treats.  A change has happened and you can pat yourself on the back for having the courage to reach into the entanglement that is your intuition, and teasing out the perfect thread – the golden thread – of a transformative story.

David Sewell McCann fell in love with spinning stories in first grade – the day a storyteller came to his class and captured his mind and imagination. He has been engaged in storytelling all of his adult life through art, film-making, teaching and performing. Out of his experience as a Waldorf class teacher and parent, he has developed a method of intuitive storytelling which he now shares through workshops and his work with Sparkle Stories. David lives with his wife Lisabeth and their two sons in Vermont.

The post Following the Thread | How to Tell a Story appeared first on Crafting Connections.

Every time I read My Mama Had a Dancing Heart by Libba Moore Gray, I can’t help but think about my own little ones and what they’ll remember me for.

What kind of heart do I have?
What sort of legacy will I leave?

Thinking about legacy at this stage in life can seem a little odd. A little early, perhaps.

But as Chris Guillebeau, author of The Art of Non-Conformity, points out, “by the time you come to the end, you don’t have time to change anything that happened long ago. That’s why I think it’s better to begin thinking about your legacy right now, regardless of how old you are or what season of life you’re in.”

And while Chris, not yet a parent himself, is speaking specifically of a legacy project – of work – I think his advice is fitting for mothers, too.

Mothering is, after all, one of our legacy projects. It is our work – arguably our most important – to raise up these little ones. To send them out into the world, filled with parts of our legacy, set to make legacies of their own.

Defining what you want your legacy to be gives you a destination to walk towards.

So, awesome mamas, what do you want your legacy to be? Will you be remembered for your dancing heart – or something else?

The post Living Your Legacy appeared first on Crafting Connections.

- Henri Frederic Amiel

Here are 10 ways you, creative mother, are embracing all those sweet little things (and little ones) that have come into your life, feeling their greatness, and succeeding in so many more ways than you probably know.

You share words of bravery and encouragement, lifting up fellow mamas in our own times of questioning and need.

You give voice to the many things – big and small – to be thankful for in the day.

You continue to practice the very things we are teaching our little ones – honesty, gratitude, love, patience.

You think about your work/life (family) balance – you think about it a lot, and you know there are no easy answers, but you do the very best you can – making the best choice for your family.

You provide the space and opportunity for your little one to put words to big things – big concepts, big emotions, big experiences – encouraging careful looking and seeing from different perspectives.

You are kind to your little ones, even when it’s really (really) hard.

You notice the little things that affect your children, whether they are aware of it or not, even if it’s as simple as the color of a toy.

You practice the art of listening – in those quiet, unexpected moments, when little ones choose to bare their soul – you listen, even when your own heart is overflowing with emotion, you listen.

You know that this role of mother is both everything, and yet, just a part of who you are. So you’re seeking out others – connecting and talking about the other parts of you – your interests, your passions, your creativity.

You lead by example, knowing (or not) that your little ones find you fascinating – the things you do, the beauty you create, the words you speak, they take it all in. And you do your best to be the person you hope your children will want to become.

 And so, creative mothers, here’s to you. To all the little things you do – each day – to create the greatness that is your family, your little ones, your work, yourself, your life.

The post For You, the Creative Mother appeared first on Crafting Connections.

See, it’s really bad. Anyways..

I’d imagine very few people are remembered for their clean homes. I know I, most certainly, will not be. And I’m ok with that.

I do, however, get extraordinarily bothered when I don’t feel that I’m being a creative success. When I haven’t done a big awesome project with my little ones for a few days, or weeks. When I spy in my knitting basket the half-finished sweater that is now (way) too small for the intended recipient. When my sketchbook has gotten little more than a doodle added at the end of the day.

And, if I’m not careful, those small, tiny nagging bits add up and I start to feel like a big fat creative failure. And that is something I can’t handle.

When that starts to creep in, I know I have to chase it out. And fast!

To chase those way-too-hard-on-myself blues away, I often stop and force myself to reflect on the ways that I have achieved creative success that day.

And, in that vein, I’d like to share with you five ways that I’ve succeeded creatively (just today!) in the hopes that it’ll make you realize all the ways that you, too, have succeeded.

1. I made a new spreadsheet. Collection of spreadsheets, really.

After trying a handful of inventory programs on for size, and not finding one that fit, I took matters into my own hands and built a series of spreadsheets that I think will work. Time will tell.

2. I read a story, with voices.

And my little ones were delighted. I don’t usually do voices.

3. I did some gardening.

Spreading some fresh compost around my already thriving plants – kale, garlic and herbs. Making plans for the still empty spots – potatoes, beets, carrots and onions.

4. I put together breakfast, lunch and dinner.

While this may not seem like much, it’s worth noting that I haven’t grocery shopped for about two weeks (we do get milk and produce delivered weekly). Gathering three meals requires more creativity than you might think.

5. I crafted with my little guys.

It was a simple nature craft, but one that we all enjoyed. One that we’ll be sharing with you in our soon-to-be-released summer issue!

Those are five examples of creative success in my day. How about you? How did you succeed today – creatively or otherwise?

The post Creative Success | Looking for and Finding It appeared first on Crafting Connections.

Thank you everyone who stopped by and left a comment reflecting on the word GREEN. We have loved reading all your comments, but ultimately, only one winner could be chosen…Congratulations lucky #4 – Brooke!!! Brooke shared, “When I hear the word green I think of grass. Our grass here just turned green this week. It has been a late spring here!” We couldn’t agree more Brooke – we too have been experiencing a late spring.

Didn’t win but love what you see? Scoop up a Treasure Bag Craft Kit of your own in the shop – supplies are limited.

If you’ve just come over through Sew Mama Sew’s Giveaway Day – welcome! And if you are one of our loyal readers – thank you! We are Andrea & Danielle – the creative forces behind Crafting Connections. We are so very excited to again be participating in giveaway day (well, week, really), let me tell you a bit about us!

At Crafting Connections, we believe in crafting an authentic, connected and creative life through the act of making. We bring you the inspiration, confidence and tools for raising creative children, while learning a bit about yourself, as well, along the way. We publish a quarterly creative magazine (offered in print or digitally), as well as craft kits, subscriptions, individual project kits, specialty themed kits (coming soon!), and a {free} monthly mini-magazine.  (You can read a bit more about us here and browse all our products in our shop).

The Giveaway

We are offering one Treasure Bag Craft Kit.

This project was a subscriber favorite from our Fall Nature Walk issue. With hands working together, you will deeply connect with your child as you stitch together a pint-sized messenger bag to hold the many treasures your little one discovers in their world.

The Treasure Bag Craft Kit includes everything you need to complete the bag – blunt needle, burlap, fleece, yarn, and a lovely little instruction booklet.

But the real beauty of this project comes in the making and finishing – the quiet chatting between grown-up and little one as the bag is stitched together, the look on your little one’s face as they admire their beautiful and useful creation, the joy they get each time they put on their bag as you head out for a stroll, and the pride they will feel when others notice their hard work. These are the moments of connection that make your heart swell.

How to Enter

So, ready to enter the giveaway? Here are the details…

The Sew Mama Sew giveaway runs from Monday, May 6th through Friday, May 10th (closes at 5pm PST).

You can enter our giveaway twice:
1 entry for leaving a comment to our question below (this is mandatory)
1 bonus entry for liking us on Facebook (please leave a 2nd comment to let us know!)

The winner will be chosen by Random Number Generator on May 11th and emailed no later than May 12th.
This giveaway is open to international shipping.
Be sure to check back on the Sew Mama Sew blog for additional giveaway opportunities – good luck!

Please comment below with your answer to the following:

Our Creative Focus for May is the word GREEN. What does “green” invoke for you – a poem, a memory, an experience, or something else entirely?

Wait, before you go! Since you may have found us through Sew Mama Sew, we assume you like sewing – be sure to check out our current quilting and embroidery-inspired {free} monthly mini-magazine (it’s only available for download until May 14th!) Our Memory Pillow mini-magazine includes a step-by-step photo tutorial, suggestions for choosing your fabrics and transferring your art; ideas on how to expand the project and explore more; and a large picture page with questions to get a conversation started with your little one. Be sure to get yours today!

Our winner was chosen using random.org.

The post Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day! appeared first on Crafting Connections.

It was neat to see the changes in Danielle as well. I think we underestimate the effects of screen time – even if the screen is small – on our day to day quality of life. There is a fine line, as Danielle noted, between screen-as-tool and screen-as-everything. With no little screen calling her name, I certainly noticed a change – excited (afternoon) calls about places they had explored and really experienced. And, hey, the world didn’t fall apart either just because her phone was off!

As for me, Danielle’s experiment definitely made me look at my own screen use and make some changes. I am already notorious for putting down my phone (ringer set to silent, of course) and walking away (ok, ok, forgetting it) for hours at a time. A sort of self-imposed unplugging, I suppose. My computer, well, that’s a bit trickier since it’s always there, calling for just a quick check of this or that and suddenly, what little time I have to myself during the day is gone.

Since Danielle’s challenge, I’ve instituted my own personal challenge. I’ll continue to forget my phone around my house (that’s just who I am), but my computer gets shut down and put away during the day. My children are still small, and even though some days can feel like I’m treading water, I don’t want to miss this – all of this. Right now. And especially not to technology.

Have you been inspired to go screen free for a bit? What changes have you made? What suggestions do you have for us to make unplugging and going screen free a bit easier? We would love to hear your thoughts.

The post Reflections on Going Screen Free appeared first on Crafting Connections.

Happy screen-free week all! How’s it going? Did you turn it all off? Just take a step back? Don’t know what I’m talking about?

While my family didn’t choose to participate in screen-free week this year, I have been spending a lot of time this week thinking about the role of screens in my own life and the life of my little ones. That got me wondering, have we ever told you about why we decided to offer print? I’m not sure that we have.

When we started Crafting Connections, we knew that we wanted to help give grown-ups the tools to connect creatively with their little ones.

As a new business, with an extremely limited budget pulled solely from our own resources, going digital seemed like a no-brainer. We could create the content, which required time, but didn’t require purchasing any physical product. We could do what we love, do what we felt passionate about, without investing in inventory.

So, we started the blog. We set about creating our inaugural issue. We released Fall Nature Walk into the world as a digital-only magazine.

And even though we were happy to have started, and so so pleased with that first issue. We knew that something was missing. Having a digital-only presence didn’t quite jive with part of our mission. We wanted our magazine to be shared between little ones and grown-ups. So, we sent our second issue, Winter Cozy, to print!

Here’s the top five reasons we {love} Crafting Connections in print!

1. It’s Physical.

Which means it’s there. With an actual, print magazine, sitting on your coffee table you’re more likely to pick it up, thumb through, and find something exciting to do.

2. It Invites Conversation.

There’s something about print, versus an eReader, that invites little ones to cozy up and talk. You can read the poems within our pages, ask and answer the starter questions we provide, or your little one can just look through on their own, revisiting their favorite pages and projects.

3. It’s (more) Engaging.

Studies show that often websites are skimmed in as little as 15 seconds and that reading digitally is 20-30% slower than reading print. Little ones, pre-readers especially, need a good foundation of skills before becoming readers themselves. A print-rich environment is good for everyone, little ones especially.

4. It Minimizes Screen-Time for Little Ones.

There’s a lot of screen-time in our modern world and debate over how much is too much. We don’t need to add to it. 

5. It’s Ad-Free.

While it isn’t always the case for print, we’ve made a conscious choice to be sure that our magazine is ad-free, digitally and in print. We don’t like when our little ones are targeted by advertisements, and we don’t want yours to be either.

What are your thoughts? Do you, personally, prefer print? What about for your little ones? We’d love to hear what you think!

Side note – the biggest downside to print, for now, is it’s price. That’s why, even though we totally {love} and prefer print, we continue to offer our digital content as well. We want to make sure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to craft and connect with their little ones.

The post We {LOVE} Print appeared first on Crafting Connections.