A Tale of Two Play Kitchens

October 11, 2018 // No Comments

We built and refurbished two play kitchens in recent years, but I thought it would be worth an update to share how well they have held up to significant abuse use. I’ll profile each separately since they’re quite different. The... Continue reading →

Sewing a Tooth Fairy Pillow with Pokémon Fabric

July 26, 2018 // No Comments

We are on tooth watch here at home as LB is about to lose his first tooth. It’s all very exciting and to channel his enthusiasm, we decided to design and sew a custom tooth fairy pillow. LB chose Pokémon... Continue reading →

Ballyhoura Baby Blanket Free Knitting Pattern | EvinOK

Free Knitting Pattern: Ballyhoura Baby Blanket

July 19, 2018 // 2 Comments

When I was pregnant with AH, I was contacted by Maria Moynihan about a possible knitting series that focused on baby patterns. I was intrigued, but exhausted and pregnancy complications demanded all my energy. Then one year later, she reached... Continue reading →

Making New Crayons from Broken Bits – Phoenix Crayons

July 10, 2018 // No Comments

I’ve done it before and I’ll keep doing it because making new crayons from broken bits is such an easy recycling project that also is useful. I find my recycled crayons ideal for when we’re out and about or traveling... Continue reading →

Hot Air Balloon Nursery Mobile Kit from Flying Tiger

October 5, 2017 // No Comments

Usually, I shy away from craft kits because I have a very thorough craft supply cupboard and much prefer to find my own way when making something new, but I couldn’t resist making the hot air balloon nursery mobile kit... Continue reading →

Sprucing Up a Play Kitchen…Again

August 22, 2017 // No Comments

A few years ago, I unearthed my old play kitchen cabinet from the basement of my parents’ house. It had some damage to the wood base, but our friend patched it up and I spray painted it for a quick... Continue reading →

Usborne Farm Baby Crib Bumper refashioned into a quiet book | EvinOK.com

Baby Crib Bumper Sewn Into a Quiet Book

June 20, 2017 // No Comments

For my first born, I was given a beautiful Usborne cot book with a farm theme. It was fun to tie to the crib/cot rail for entertainment, but my second born is more grabby than my first and it was coming... Continue reading →

Making a Butterfly with Felt and Pipe Cleaners

September 19, 2016 // No Comments

I love sharing my passion for crafts with my son LB and try to have our projects be approachable enough that he can take the lead with successful results. One such project was making a butterfly with felt and pipe cleaners.... Continue reading →

Make Your Own Harry Potter Potions Kit evinok

Create Your Own Harry Potter Potions Kit

February 12, 2016 // 2 Comments

This is a guest post by Katie, author of Curdled Like Cheese. She and I have known each all our lives (and our parents before us), so I’m so excited to share her post with you. Seriously, this is SO inspiring.... Continue reading →

Let’s Make Paper Snowflakes

December 24, 2015 // No Comments

It’s the holiday season and the entire family is together. No, it’s not a joke or a coffee commercial, it’s my life right now. There are seven adults and three little boys (sorry, they prefer the term “big boys”) under the... Continue reading →

DIY Felt Elephant Clothespin Craft

July 31, 2015 // No Comments

LB and I love to do crafts a few times a week. I often forget to take step-by-step photos as we’re hard at work, but sometimes I do and today’s post is focused on one of the projects when I... Continue reading →

Beauty Boho Glass Bead Necklace handmade in one afternoon

Simple DIY Beachy Beaded Necklace

June 11, 2015 // 2 Comments

On Saturday, my son LB decided he wanted to make mommy a necklace. We were out of penne and macaroni so I asked him where we should get more supplies at the grocery store or the craft store and he... Continue reading →

Popsicle Stick Shapemakers

May 7, 2015 // No Comments

I recently was looking for an inexpensive portable and expendable creative play project for my son. Something that could fit in my purse for playing at restaurants or when we were waiting someplace. Naturally, Pinterest had plenty of ideas, but... Continue reading →

Quick-Sew Panel Quilt That’s Out of This World

February 26, 2015 // No Comments

I recently felt inspired to sew LB a little nap-sized quilt of his very own. He got into the habit of carrying his full single bed duvet around home and it just made more sense for him to have a... Continue reading →

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Send a Valentine to St. Louis Children’s Hospital

February 4, 2015 // No Comments

I’m a long-time fan of the artist Mary Englebreit who posted on her Facebook page yesterday the idea that her fans send cards to her without a name specified and she’ll deliver them to St. Louis Children’s Hospital so the... Continue reading →

From Dollhouse to Firehouse: Thrift Find Reimagined

December 10, 2014 // 2 Comments

About a year or two ago, while visiting an Enable Ireland thrift store here in Cork City, my son, LB, became enamoured of a Fisher-Price dollhouse. I paid €4, but similar houses are on eBay for £5–20. LB loved it... Continue reading →

Make Do and Mend: Upcycled Gradient Phoenix Crayons

November 26, 2014 // No Comments

Remember a few months ago when I used the broken bits of crayon to make a new crayon (I even wrote a blog post)? Well, after that I thought that if I ever did it again, I would certainly separate the... Continue reading →

Favorite Baby Cardigan Knitting Patterns

October 3, 2014 // 4 Comments

The arrival of my son was a blessing and a joy and the beginning of nights that melt into days with spit up on my shirts. He is amazing and I have a newfound appreciation for a solid night’s sleep,... Continue reading →

Make Do and Mend: Phoenix Crayons

September 24, 2014 // No Comments

We’ve all seen it on Pinterest and wondered what parent has time to melt down crayon bits to create a new crayon. Well, I managed to find the time. Yes, I’m still a bit surprised it happened. And it was easy!... Continue reading →

Real Can Be The Key to Fun Imaginary Play

September 19, 2014 // No Comments

When my son turned 18 months old, a key turned in his brain and he began noticing keys. Instead of buying a plastic set for him and acknowledging he was quickly moving out of the everything-in-his-mouth phase, I decided to... Continue reading →