Most girls--my own daughter included--have lots of these little metal snap barrettes lying around and, if you happen to be a crafty type , you probably also have some pretty wool felt at home, too. If so, in just about 15 minutes you can…
A long time ago before there were many children under my feet, I was actually pretty crafty. Yes, I even used to knit! But sadly, I'm hard pressed to find the time these days. That's why I'm so jealous of all you moms who might be able t…
My 3-year-old is currently in the full throes of wanting to be an artiste . Paints, crayons, felt, tissue paper, googly eyes, she wants to do it all -- especially if she can wear a beret at the same time. And now there's a new shop offer…
Any hipster with a scarf can tell you: The fiber arts are enjoying a renaissance. I can knit (poorly) and spin (horribly), and I sometimes consider trying needlepoint. But no kittens and flowers for me. No, I'd start with the wacky but l…
We're installing a hook-and-eye on my daughter's closet today because she's desperately convinced that the Gremlins live in there and come out to mess up her room each night. I don't buy it. But here's a book of monsters that I'm pretty …
It's very possible that some of you may score some new technology for the holidays. And of course we know that it's the gift that keeps on taking--that dandy new iPhone 4 will require a spare power cord, decent ear buds, some fun apps, a…
Kids need a little ink too. (No, not tattoos. We may be hip and fashion-forward, but we're not crazy.) I'm talking about the kind of ink that creates together time, yields beautiful artwork, and teaches an interesting lesson . The all-in…
Hanging boughs of holly and popcorn is fine for the mantel, but you wouldn't want to wear them yourself. I mean, think of all the cleavage sap full of popcorn crumbs. If you're looking to decorate yourself for the holidays while staying …
Something strange happens to me every December. I don't usually have much patience for craft projects, but every holiday season, something comes over me and I feel the need to do something with glitter. Well, here's a holiday gift for al…
I love crafty people. I wish I were one of them, but, alas, I'm not even that great at wrapping gifts. They end up looking like my three-year-old took the reins. But, this year, my friends and family will think I've developed some seriou…
With all the awesome Black Friday sales online today, I've had the best morning avoiding the crowds at the stores. I've been cuddling up with my girls, watching the Mahna Mahna video for the zillionth time on you tube, and jumping online…
If you're an artist, a wannabe artist, or even an artist-in-training, we sure hope you'll enter our Color Your Own paper holiday ornament design contest that we're putting on with the fine folks at Etsy . All it takes is your design for …
I made a huge withdrawal from the Crafty Mom Bank on Halloween, when I decided to make a Big Bird costume for my daughter by hand. Turns out even a mini bird requires a lot of faux feathers. So I've been ever-so-slightly grinchlike when …
It's like Miss America for crafters, and you're a judge. But there's no Miss Congeniality. This one's all about looks, and you only get one vote. Actually, it's the competition for Martha Stewart's annual Holiday Craft Fair at her compan…
The good thing about Halloween falling on a Sunday this year is that one very valuable extra weekend day to get ready. Check out theses posts, take a deep breath and say ohm. Then go crack open those Reeses. Last minute Halloween costume…
What is it about vintage prints that I am so drawn to? Maybe it's that the quirky quality, mixed with a nostalgic feel just make happy when I see them. Now there's an online shop that taps directly into that feeling an an extensive colle…
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, and it's certainly one of my kids' too. But with all the costume-wrangling and candy-buying and party-coordinating, I suddenly realize I have yet to hang so much as a fake spiderweb on my front d…
The joke around here is that a great many of us are devoid of the crafty gene, hence our obsession with the amazing creations by many of the folks we feature here at Cool Mom Picks. But that doesn't mean we don't have crafters envy, espe…
I've long thought about how to channel the power of the restaurant paper placemats in my own home so that we can all enjoy a pleasant meal. In other words, one in which the kids are occupied while I'm busy cutting their food into a billi…
D anielle asked us on Twitter for the best birthday gift ideas for a 5 year old boy, since her son is about to hit the big number five. She says he likes "things that go" but already has 400 cars. He also likes art projects and writing n…
Today I was so desperate for a new project to pull the tiny whiners off my knees that I gave them a huge cardboard box and some Sharpies. They ended up just stomping on the bubble wrap inside, much to my headache's eternal sadness. But i…
I've often joked that I'm devoid of the crafty gene, but that's not completely true. I actually do enjoy crafting; it's just that I don't often have the time or the individual instruction I need to get me over those challenging humps. We…
My nieces and nephews from Israel are on their way visit grandparents. My 2 year old son will probably not have a chance to visit but would like to send something to them while they are here. Any ideas for a gift to help entertain the 2 …
When I was pregnant with my first daughter, now six, rattles that were actually cute, functional, and not made completely of plastic were just starting to make it onto the scene. Well it seems that now cuteness and a bit of hilarity abou…