Kids Crafts

 Summer vacation is on the horizon. And while it brings on all manner of joy and sparkles - for the kids, parents may feel a mixture of anticipation and dread. But fear not. There's a bunch of easy, fun craft projects to keep your kids occupied. And how about this to motivate you? Craft projects play a positive role in preparing preschoolers to be ready for kindergarten and beyond. Projects range from an adorable gorilla made from pipe cleaners to a cute owl carved from a watermelon. There's a great deal of paper craft ideas, ranging from flowers to butterfly chains and even party hats. There are also several Father's Day cards as well as coloring pages. You may want to stock up on some colored paper and glitter glue to get your little crew started.

Members: 403k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None

Go here to visit or join.

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Toy knitting patterns (finished projects)

It is astounding what you can knit when you put your mind to it. And it helps when you have a pattern to guide you from casting on the first stitches to sewing in a quirky smile or mischievous eyes. But this is not a strictly pattern swapping community, although there are occasional requests for specific items. No, this is pure inspiration. In keeping with the time of year, there's an abundance of Christmas themed items - Santa's, elves, reindeer, snowmen, angels, tree decorations and even a grinch or two. There are also plenty of covers and cozies, ranging from can covers and orange covers to tiny cozies to protect your chocolate bonbons. I saw characters such as Super Mario, Postman Pete and even the K-pop Demon Hunters. Probably the zaniest exhibit was that knitted cyclops potted plant.

Members: 92.5k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None. 

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Actually, what this group excels at, is wholesome, hart-warming craft stories. The senior feline who still takes his duties as quality inspector and emotional support animal very seriously. A teen entrepreneur struggle against bullies while she works magic with her crochet needle. Stories about the husbands who are heroes (and the ones who aren't). Craft projects that work quietly in the background to preserve family memories for future generations. Meet the dog who has his own honor wall. The people who discovered the fire of creativity late in life but wouldn't let go of it again. Who repurpose found objects into accessories. Patients who craft rehabilitation and recovery into their creations. How a doctor uses art to inject warmth into his treatments. How someone rediscovered a lost family treasure in a thrift store. If this group is anything to go by, then Todooo is definitely doing something right with the commerce platform and global community they created for creators and craft fans. 

Members: 1.1 million, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Handmade Scotland

Dollhouse miniature made from everyday things

Handmade Scotland

It's been quite a busy morning on Handmade Scotland and Halloween is definitely in the air already, judging by some of the posted items on offer. This group showcases a rich variety of hand-crafted items, ranging from brightly hand-painted cabinets to a paper mâché Punk Rocker. There are also knitted scarfs and beanies, felt-crafted critters and creatures, a real menagerie of hand-crocheted animals, as well as (in a separate post) a crocheted Franken-cow. Witch's hat earrings. Burnt art functional items. Glass art. Wood carving. An adorable little sailboat crafted entirely from repurposed/upcycled materials Some wonderfully rustic-looking pottery. And best yet, a custom-made, decorated Celtic axe If you're looking for a particular item, for example a traditional tartan shawl, you can consult the hivemind for recommended crafters. 

Members: 136.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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Let's make rag dolls!

Some are stylish, with a hint of sultry energy gleaming between the tiny stitches. Others are humbler, with yarn for hair and button eyes. There's a collection of outrageous witches regarding you with wise, yet tired eyes. At least one has outfits and accessories to spare. Another draws inspiration for her bright traditional dress from Yamaya, Orisha Goddess of the Sea. But she is not the only ambassador for cultural fashion. A personalized gift pokes fun at the trials and tribulations of the aging female body. Here and there, a cloth cat or dog. Or a blast from the past - a rag doll from long ago that represents love and distant memories. There are Viking maidens, baby dolls and even a plush and pink elephant lady. It is amazing to see how much individualization is possible with rag dolls. Many probably reflect the unique characters of their makers. 

Members: 7.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Rock Mandalas

There is something very soothing about looking at a rock mandala. Or any kind of mandala. I totally get why there are whole coloring books dedicated to mandalas (I have one - a gift). And having tried my hand at painting a rock mandala once Friday afternoon, I have absolute respect to everyone posting their work in this group, because mine didn't come out nearly as neat and beautiful as any of these. They are so beautiful. Aside from a wealth of rock mandala ideas from all the photos posted, there are video tutorials, as well as examples of how to incorporate Mandalas on functional items.

Members: 72.4k, at the time of writing

Trigger warnings: None

Go here to visit or join. 

Gelli Printing for Newbies! Projects, Ideas, Suggestions

Gelli printing is a new-ish mono-printing technique that uses flexible printing plates to create a textured and multi-colored effect. It's lots of fun, and if you're about to get your fingers wet, this facebook group is a great space to look for support, encouragement and handy tips for first timers. There's also plenty of shared work, to take inspiration from. You can ask for advice, or discuss techniques or materials. Go through the media to look for ideas on how to utilize your creations into functional items, such as greeting cards. There are also links and posts about available resources. 

Members: 5.4k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

Quilt Guild

Aren't I a strange child? In my neck of the woods (the southern hemisphere) , the days are getting warmer and I want to look at quilts? So I did. There are over 1200 images in the gallery of quilts, some of them very colorful and highly creative.  Plenty of action on the discussion board too. There is more activity on the discussion board. Threads include 'Block swap anyone?', 'Quilting Magazines & Blogs', 'New Quilt Designs', 'Calendar Quilt', 'Quilt Retreat Ideas needed', 'Block of the Month', 'Tshirt quilts?' and many, many more.There are 95 links to check out - some spam, but other's leading to further internet resources. Enjoy!

What's great about this group: If quilting is your passion, this group would make a wonderful resource for tips and ideas.

Update (26 October 2023)

While I could not find an updated link for this group, there are numerous quilting Facebook groups, many of them with regional affiliations. 

Knitting

In recent years, knitting has seen a huge revival of interest, with new innovations emerging and public knitting events being organized in various cities. This group, with over 4000 members, is an excellent forum to share your passion for stitchcraft with kindred spirits, ask for advice or find out who does what in your area. Threads on the discussion board include 'Best Brand of circular needles', 'Knitting Magazines?', 'Current Projects' - with well over a hundred posts to date - and 'Knitting Newbie - Need Help'. You can also check out the gallery to admire photographs of completed knitting by members or post your own achievements.

What's good about the group: It offers knitters worldwide a great opportunity to network.

A word of caution: Give it a miss, if you are not into handcraft.

Click here to go directly to 'Knitting'.