After I finished making the Last Days of Summer Tank, I had a bit of material leftover, so I made my littlest niece a pinafore. Do you recognize which one of our past tutorials inspired this sewing project? This pinafore is perfect for putting over a dress, or for wearing with leggings and a top. I clearly want to relive my dreams of Little House on the Prairie, because I’m definitely going to make a matching bonnet next.
Find out how to sew the DIY Pinafore after the jump…
When we built our house 5 1/2 years ago, we fell in love with this large lot with a row of tall trees at the back. We’ve sowed a family garden, had epic sidewalk chalk sessions, eaten literally hundred of frosty treats, and conducted several rowdy Easter Egg hunts despite the flat landscape. The plan has always been to give the yard a major overhaul at some point, we are talking fantasy backyard with stunning outdoor kitchen, pool, hot tub, and that time is finally here! I’M SO EXCITED!
You know it’s going to be pretty luxe and classy since my husband is in charge of this project and not me. If it was just me, I would be pulling scrap wood and mattress springs out of my neighbor’s trash to craft lounge chairs. I might still, we can’t let him have all the fun after all. But after 20 years of moving around the world in the Navy, he is very happy to be investing in our “forever home” by creating a beautiful outdoor space for our family and pals. 
We’ve come across many great books this Summer so it feels like a good time for a new Pretty Prudent Reading list, just in time for Back-to-School. While we love to read the same books over and over (hello, Pete the cat!) we also love to find great new reads, creating new family classics. 
First up on the list we have one of Colleen’s new favorites, The Cloud Spinner
, which she loves to read with her niece and other tiny friends.
One small boy has a special gift—he can weave cloth from the clouds: gold in the early morning with the rising sun, white in the afternoon, and crimson in the evening. He spins just enough cloth for a warm scarf. But when the king sees the boy’s magnificent cloth, he demands cloaks and gowns galore. “It would not be wise,” the boy protests. “Your majesty does not need them!” But spin he must—and soon the world around him begins to change.
I’m always on the lookout for fun biographical books for kids and the award-winning Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker is my new favorite.
In exuberant verse and stirring pictures, Patricia Hruby Powell and Christian Robinson create an extraordinary portrait for young people of the passionate performer and civil rights advocate Josephine Baker, the woman who worked her way from the slums of St. Louis to the grandest stages in the world. Meticulously researched by both author and artist, Josephine’s powerful story of struggle and triumph is an inspiration and a spectacle, just like the legend herself.
Pictured at top: Yonderfel’s Castle: A Medieval Fable
(bargain priced at $6.80, FYI) was a gift from my godmother while we were in Rhode Island this Summer. It’s a fun read with a great message of kindness at any cost.
Yonderfel is a generous king who lives on a mountain and never ever turns anyone away from his castle. But when an ogre takes away half the mountain, leaving the castle teetering on the edge, all the people leave and nothing can convince them to come back. One day it begins to rain, and the rain fills the valley where the people have been living. And then they remember Yonderfel, the king who lives high on a mountain in a very dry castle, and who never ever turns anyone away! Jean Gralley’s wry humor shines off every page, warmly inviting readers to enjoy the tale of Yonderfel and his castle.
Pictured at top: Oh Mac Barnett, you are my fav. Author of my favorite children’s book Extra Yarn
, Mac Barnett has just come out with a crazy fun new book, based on the classic campfire game Telephone
(now available for pre-order.)
It’s time to fly home for dinner! In this witty picture book from award-winning and bestselling author Mac Barnett, a mother bird gives the bird next to her a message for little Peter. But passing messages on a telephone line isn’t as simple as it sounds. Each subsequent bird understands Mama’s message according to its own very particular hobbies. Will Peter ever get home for dinner? This uproarious interpretation of a favorite children’s game will get everyone giggling and is sure to lead to countless rereads.
Read on for more great picks for Kids of all ages… (more…)
Millions of peaches! Peaches for me! It’s peach season, so grab some fresh fuzzy beauties and turn them into swirly, creamy ice pops for the last days of summer.
Or you can make some Mango Sriracha Pops, Jaime’s Famous Strawberry Basil Balsamic Pops, Mango Sriracha Popsicles, Cucumber Mint Pops, or The Sweetest Sweet Tea Ice Pops if any of those are more your speed. But if you like this fuzzy fruit of summer, I think you’ll agree these honey-sweetened, yogurt-filled swirls of beauty are just peachy.
Get the Peaches & Cream Pop Recipe after the jump… (more…)
We are in total back to school mode here now that Scarlet is off to first grade and the Boneau kids are heading back next. In order to prep, Jaime made Scarlet this adorable DIY Cross Stitch Leather Pencil Case. Now I’m going to show you how to make a reusable lunch bag out of waxed canvas. I chose to use canvas because you can easily wipe it clean and it’s waterproof (win, win!).
For more back-to-school projects, check out our reusable snack bags, a bento tote, and drawstring backpack.
Find out more about how to make the Canvas and Leather Lunch Bag after the jump…
I went digging through the home of Sara, amazing human, crafter, and collector of craft supplies and projects from the 1960’s and beyond. Come with me and see what I scored: Macrame! Sewing Machines! This amazing headscarf! Magic!
I can’t wait to get started on pretty much every project in these books…
What should I do first?
Scarlet started first grade this week! Excuse me while I wipe a single tear from my eye. In honor of this occasion (the first year she is required to bring her own school supplies, hiccup), she asked me to make her a fancy pencil case. Of course, I obliged.
I had this perforated suede (that I bought on clearance eons ago for about for an entire hide), and I had been playing around with the idea of cross stitching it. So I stitched up this quick little heart for my little sweetheart, and it was so fun! You can use this tutorial to make any old lined zip pencil case out of any old fabric, or you can be inspired by it to create something else that is fabulous and cross-stitched using perforated leather or suede (be sure to send us a picture on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest).
All you need are these supplies,
and you can turn perforated leather or suede into a perfectly modern cross-stitch:
Find out how to make our DIY Cross Stitch Leather Pencil Case after the jump…
(more…)
This summer I have been taking many trips to the LA Flower Mart to pick out fresh blooms for our Flower Friday posts. This place is absolutely spectacular and filled from top to bottom with colorful flowers and plants. If you haven’t been there yet, you’ll surely want to add it to your Downtown LA Travel Guide.
Now that we’ve shared many ways you can use your flowers (make rose and eucalyptus scrub, a corsage, and even yarn bombing them), we are going to look at which flowers to keep your eyes out for this season. Crafting with flowers that are in season can definitely help save you some mula too. Let’s start with beautiful roses…
Keep your eyes out for some of the most beautiful roses you ever did see around late summer and early fall. There are an array of colors to choose from now.
Next stop on the list: Hydrangeas and Gladiolus. These flowers can make a big statement even on their own. Fill a vase with tall Gladiolus, and use a vase of Hydrangeas as your table centerpiece.
Get your hands on Calla Lilies, Sunflowers, and Safflowers before the summer is over. Sunflowers are my favorite and are still in season through the fall.
Bring soft colors into your home with Lisianthus and Calcynia.
Zinnia’s have been looking especially gorgeous at the LA Flower Mart this year. Their colors are like paintings, which is why they were my first choice for yarn bombing.
Dahlias can add a dramatic effect to your most basic bouquet. Pick a few to add to an inexpensive bouquet to give it a boost. You can see how we used Dahlias in the Mother’s Day Bouquet and May Day Bouquets.
A few other blooms to keep your eye out for this season are:
Sea Holly
Gerbera Daisies
Queen Anne’s Lace
Iris
Yarrow
