Make Your Own Puzzle with Blocks!

As I was scrolling through photos of LEARN: Hands on Learning Plans for Your Preschooler, Louis caught eye of Henry doing this activity and exclaimed:

“Let’s do that activity, Mom!”

Of course. We went right to it. This is a great activity for kids to learn about spacial concepts, and also area. It’s fantastic in so many ways. But I just love it as a quick breather activity that keeps them busy, and gets them thinking.

As I mentioned, Henry did this in the past, you can see his version below. We’ve done it several times, we tried it with larger blocks for George awhile back. The larger blocks make it easier for younger kids, and a faster activity.

You can do this ‘fill in the shape’ activity with different shapes. But just for simplicity sake, a square or rectangle is easiest (for me to tape, and for them to fill).

I taped this square on the floor, using painter’s tape. I always, always recommend using painter’s tape, and please test it on your floor before taping all over it.

Its about a foot and a half square. Make it smaller or bigger, depending on the time you have and the number of blocks you have to fill it in.

Louis sat down and I started filling in the square with a few blocks to get him started. (Here’s an affiliate link to the blocks we have.)

He took it from there.

He liked to stack the blocks on top of each other, too. Which is totally fine. I did remind him a few times though that the point of the activity it to fill in the entire square, so we may need those blocks later.

George later joined us. He would have joined us earlier, but he had a sassing moment and said the activity we were going to do would probably be stupid anyway.

He missed out on the beginning then, and got to join us in the middle. He was then eager to play!

As he’s a little older, his method was much more thoughtful.

He chose blocks of all the same shape as size (until he ran out of those at least).

He also counted how many blocks it took to fill in one length of the square (18 1/2 in case you were wondering…).

They both continued on… filling their square with blocks.

It may have turned into a race to see who could fill their square first…

It may have turned into a fight as to show got the blocks… because we were running out of the little ones…

But all in all, they played very nicely, quietly, and cooperatively, with just the few hiccups.

Towards the end, they did run out of these kind of blocks.

George made the observation that all he’d need was the one big, big block and it would fill in the rest of his.

Well, it almost filled it in… it took a couple of those big blocks. (Here’s an affiliate link to the big blocks we have.)

Louis followed suit, and filled in the rest of his square with the big blocks too.

So they filled the square with blocks!

And shortly thereafter, they were wrecked and blocks were everywhere… oh well, pick up time while I get dinner on the table.

Henry filling in the shape with blocks

On a whim, we found a way to make our own puzzles!

On ‘one of those days’ I needed something to have Henry do to get out of his slump I started putting painters tape down on the floor… Not really sure what to do with it though.

I made squares.

Henry decided they were fields and ‘harvested’ these fields, then put up wooden cylindrical blocks for bins.

Getting those blocks out gave me an idea! We filled the squares with blocks, and made a homemade puzzle!

This totally got him out of his slump (except when George came over to move all the blocks).

Henry had to think about what he was doing. I loved this activity for that.

It wasn’t something he was used to.

Learning something new: problem solving.

Putting together a puzzle in his own way!

There was no right or wrong way to do it. Just to fill up the square, with no open holes.

Of course, once the squares were filled with blocks, Henry harvested them away, too.

I am feeling the need to link to other harvesting activities, where Henry breaks out the combine during his activity:

• Food Tracks & Layered Playdough
• Learning Activity : Cutting Straws
• Free Play : DIY Road Map

Make Your Own Puzzle with Blocks! on handsonaswegrow.com

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I think millennials aren’t weird

In the last few days, here's what I have learned about millennial homebuyers from multiple surveys: A third of millennials plan to buy a home in the next year. (This is from a TransUnion survey.) 38% of millennials plan to buy a home in the next year. (TD Bank survey) 43% of millennials have a

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Mortgage rates for Tuesday, April 26

Rising home prices and a lack of inventory are sidelining prospective first-time homebuyers in many markets.

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How to Make Your Own Produce Bags

Imagine yourself in the grocery store picking out the perfect collection of organic apples. You look around, only to discover that you have no option other than to put your fruit into a plastic bag. Not only are they thin and easily torn, they expose your food to the dangers of plastic and have a negative impact on the environment.

There are many non-plastic options for produce bags but did you know they are incredibly easy to make yourself? In fact, I spent more time setting up my sewing supplies than I did actually sewing! (Only very basic sewing skills are required for this super easy DIY project.)

Depending on the supplies you use, these reusable produce bags can be made for next to nothing. You can repurpose a worn or out-dated t-shirt and a spare shoelace as a drawstring for a virtually free bag.

No matter what supplies you use, this easy tutorial will show you how to make you own produce bags to take along on your next shopping trip.

Homemade Produce Bag Supplies

Fabric: This is a matter of preference. I have used both organic cotton muslin and a lightweight polyester mesh with a light stretch. As I mentioned above, an old t-shirt or any other lightweight fabric you have on hand will work well. Remember that your bag will be weighed along with your produce so you don’t want to add more weight than is necessary.

I did make sure that the fabric was washable before I chose one. Some mesh fabrics require special care when washing but I want to be able to toss it in with my regular laundry if/when it becomes soiled.

The organic cotton muslin was the easiest to work with and cinched very well with the drawstring, so this is what I would recommend for a beginner. Plus you have the added benefit of using organic fabric.

Bag Closure Options: There are several ways you could finish the top of your produce bags:

The absolute easiest way would be to just finish the edge with a simple hem. This technique would leave the top of your bag open similar to the plastic bags provided at the store. The drawback would be that your produce would have the possibility of falling out of the bag. However, you could use a silicone bag clip to fasten it, keeping everything safely inside.

Another simple solution is to use elastic. I would not recommend this if you buy a lot of bulk nuts or other small items but it works great for larger things like apples, tomatoes, and avocados. Just measure a piece of 1/4″ wide elastic (measure with the elastic fully stretched) the same length as the circumference of your bag plus 1/2″ for overlap. Then insert it into a casing the same way you would for an elastic waistband.

The closure type I most prefer is a drawstring. I purchased a 1/8″ cable cord and also later realized that a large round shoelace would work well. The cotton muslin stayed closed quite well but the mesh slipped a bit on the drawstring so I put a cord lock on that bag for added security.

Other Supplies

• Sewing machine
• fabric scissors or rotary cutter and quilting mat
• measuring tape or quilting ruler if you are using a rotary cutter
• thread
• safety pin for inserting drawstring
• iron for pressing hems and seams (not necessary but helpful)
• sewing pins (not necessary but helpful)

DIY Produce Bag Directions

This tutorial will show you how to make a drawstring produce bag that is roughly 12″ wide by 14″ long using a lightweight organic cotton muslin. Use 1/2″ seam allowances unless otherwise stated.

1. Lay your fabric out so that it is 2 layers thick.

2. Cut a 13″ by 16″ rectangle (this will give you 2 pieces).

3. With the 2 pieces together, measure down 2.5″ on one of the long ends. Mark this spot with a straight pin. You will leave these 2.5″ open to leave room to make the drawstring casing.

4. Starting at the straight pin you placed in step 2, sew a seam around the rectangle on 3 sides, leaving the last side (top of bag) and the 2.5″ on the side open.

5. Along the top edge, fold over 1/2″ to the wrong side and press with your iron.

6. On the side with the open section, press open the seam allowance including the 2.5″ opening.

7. Starting at the top edge, stitch down to the bottom of the 2.5″ opening. Stop, pivot, and sew across the side seam about 1″. Stop, pivot, and sew back up the other side, ending at the top edge.

8. To make the casing for the drawstring, fold over 1″ around the top edge to the wrong side and press.

9. Stitch all the way around just inside the bottom of the 1″ fold forming a casing for your drawstring.

10. Cut the 1/8″ cable cord long enough to go all the way around the bag through the casing and have enough to tie a knot. I cut mine about 34″.

11. Wrap a piece of tape around each end.

12. Put the safety pin through one taped end of your cord and use it to feed the cord through the casing.

13. Put both ends together and tie an overhand knot.

I also made a smaller size that would be handy for buying things like kiwi, ginger root, or 3-4 average sized apples. The finished size of the smaller bag was 8″x 10″ so I cut the initial pieces 9″x 12″.

You can really make any size you would like. Just take the finished dimensions you want and add 2″ to the long side of the bag (so you have plenty of room to make the casing for the drawstring) and 1″ to the width.

Making the switch to cloth produce bags is an easy way to reduce plastic use in your daily life. Here are some other tips.

Ever made your own grocery bags? What other changes have you made to avoid plastic?

Continue Reading...How to Make Your Own Produce Bags

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Feature Project: The Blackberry Kitchen Cafe at Norma Kenny House

In 1979, Norma Kenney, locally known as “The Velvet Steamroller”, founded the Mission Heritage Association (MHA), with a mandate to preserve the area’s local heritage. Through this Association, Kenney became the driving force for preserving a particular piece of crown land that was slated for high-density development. Under the charming and persistent leadership of Norma Kenney, the MHA lobbied the government to conserve the site formerly used by the St. Mary’s Mission and Residential School; and in 1986, forty-four acres of the original land became what is now the Fraser River Heritage Park. The following year, Rob Littler, the founder of Artisan Log and Timber Homes, taught his very first log home building course. Eventually, Rob and a dozen of his eager students built The Norma Kenny House, named after Norma to honour her commitment to founding the MHA, and her perseverance in achieving the dream of having the St. Mary’s property designated as a park. This beautiful log home, located at Heritage Park in Mission BC, boasts stunning views of the Fraser Valley and surrounding mountains, most notably the majestic Mount Baker.

Now, nearly 30 years later, the we are excited that the next generation of Artisan builders is following
in our dad’s footsteps to restore the Norma Kenney House, using the same hard work ethic and high standards as Norma Kenney herself. Operating under the direction of Chef de Cuisine, Kerry D. Martin of Kela Cuisine Inc., The Blackberry Kitchen is undergoing a much needed facelift, as we re-purposes the 1200 square foot log building into a gourmet restaurant.  and provide a much needed facelift to the Blackberry Kitchen. Renovations include removing the existing log floor to re-use the logs as new structural posts, and opening up the entire space to make it much more inviting and open overall. With our commitment to quality workmanship and honouring the mission of Norma herself, we are excited to introduce the Mission community to the new Blackberry Kitchen, where both the food and views still delight the senses, as you surround yourself with the warmth and light of this beautiful building.

If you are ever traveling through the Mission B.C. area we highly recommend that you stop in for a meal at the Blackberry Kitchen to enjoy one of the best home cooked meals you have ever had and take in the beautiful Fraser Valley scenery.  

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Mortgage rates for Monday, April 25

Looking to buy a home? Mortgage rates remain attractively low.

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Real Flower Crafts & Activities for Kids

I love this time of year. The fresh green buds on the trees and the hopeful feeling of a new flower bud about to bloom. The fresh possibilities of the upcoming months. It’s a fresh start!

Flowers bring so much happiness with their beauty and smell. This year I’m hoping to have a garden of flowers to cut to fill vases upon vases throughout the summer! But also to make flowers crafts and do activities with them!

Yes, they can be so much more than just a flower in a vase.

Many of these flower crafts and activities are also a fantastic opportunity to talk to your child about the parts of a flower.

What is the stem? The petal? What is the stamen?

Here’s an article that explains both the anatomy of a flower, but also the life cycle of a flower that may help as you waits for those beautiful blooms.

Flower Crafts & Art Projects for Kids:

Bring the beauty of flowers into the home and get creative with them!

Make these flower crafts, or do an art project with flowers!

They’re gorgeous!

• Flower Stained Glass The Artful Parent
• Homemade Pressed Flower Votive Homegrown Friends
• Painting with a Bouquet of Flowers Teach Preschool
• Flower Chain Crowns Fireflies and Mud Pies
• Flower Fairy Fashions Artful Adventures
• Nature Suncatcher Wind Chimes
• Pressed Flowers Bookmarks Buggy and Buddy
• Nature Suncatcher
• Flower Petal Placemats No Time for Flash Cards

If you’re on the lookout for more flower crafts that aren’t made of real flowers, check these flowers out!

Real Flower Activities for Kids:

Flowers can be more than just about their beauty.

Explore flowers with experiments, sensory activities and even learn with and about flowers!

• DIY Glowing Flowers Fun at Home with Kids
• Nature Sensory Bag Suncatcher
• Spring Flower Play Dough Craftulate for Pre-K Pages
• Fairy Soup Happy Hooligans
• Count Flower Petals
• Invitation to Create with Flower Petals Teach Preschool
• Homemade Watercolors Made from Flowers Learn Play Imagine
• Flower Petal Numbers Fantastic Fun and Learning
• Nature Cutting Tray Munchkins and Moms
• How to Dye Flowers Two Colors The Artful Parent
• Dissecting a Flower Gift of Curiosity
• Spring Flower Sensory Bottle Kids Craft Room
• Freezing and Melting Flowers in Ice The Imagination Tree

Nature is amazing to explore with the kids. I love the children remind me to not take it for granted. They often help me look at it with fresh eyes and its so beautiful!

What flowers do you have in your yard to make some of these flower crafts or do these activities?

Real Flower Crafts & Activities for Kids on handsonaswegrow.com

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