Make It At Home Monday: Melt & Pour Oatmeal Lavender Bar Soap

I have a truly guilty pleasure for artisan soaps. You know, the really expensive handmade ones you find at Whole Foods, local farmers' markets or food co-ops? The ones that cost several dollars a bar and then inevitably get sucked down the drain still half intact when the kids are in the tub? So, looking for another fun handcraft to try out at home, I stumbled upon several recipes to make your own melt and pour bar soap. For pennies on the dollar, I whipped up a batch of quick and easy (and quite lovely, if I do say so myself) oatmeal lavender bar soaps.

This is a simple project you could do with children and/or adults. It's also been a great way to encourage good hygiene and more hand-washing here as we are in the peak of flu and virus season and it's been running rampant around S's school.  If you'd like to try it out yourself, here's what you'll need to know:

Melt & Pour Lavender Oatmeal Soap

Makes 12 bars, but you can cut the recipe in half or increase as you wish.
Materials: 
*I am including links to items I purchased from Amazon, but these are not affiliate links

• 2lbs oatmeal soap base (I purchased this one)
• 1 tsp lavender essential oil
• 1-2 TBSP dried lavender buds (you can purchase these in bulk or harvest from your own garden if you're lucky!)
• silicone soap molds (I have these, but you can even use a silicone cupcake mold)
• crock pot or microwave safe glass dish & microwave

Directions:

I used my typical crock-pot method to make my soap. I also cut the recipe in half to make half a dozen bars. You can use a sharp knife to cut your soap base into smaller chunks beforehand if you wish, but mine melted just fine in its 1lb block form on the low setting in our crafting crock pot. I also filled the ceramic base with a bit of water to create a water bath and placed the soap base in a metal mixing bowl fit over-top for more even cooking. I did check up on it and stir intermittently to prevent burning. I removed the bowl from the heat source before it was completely melted and stirred remaining lumps.

In the microwave version, you'd place your soap base in a microwave-safe glass dish, such as a Pyrex measuring cup and you will want to cut down your block of oatmeal soap base into 1 inch chunks. Heat on a medium/high setting for 3-4 minutes, stopping and stirring intermittently to make sure the soap base is melting but not steaming and burning. You'll want to remove it from the microwave before it is completely melted and stir any lumps out.

Now with either heating method, you're ready to add the lavender essential oil and buds. Mix to incorporate and you're ready to pour into your molds. I set a couple of vinyl placemats down on my counter top first to catch any spills and protect the counter from the heat. This mixture is hot and should be done by an adult with proper precautions! Now you can add in any individual scents you wish (see "variations") or sprinkle on some additional lavender buds (optional). Let your soaps set for about an hour at room temperature or until solid. You can speed up this process by transferring the mold to your refrigerator or freezer. When they are hardened completely, they are ready to pop out and gift, store or use. I love these tin soap containers for storing soap and lotion bars.

Variations:

You can individualize scents by adding in other essential oils you like. I love the combination of lavender with lemon, mint or rosemary oil. You can also change up your scent altogether. I think a peppermint rosemary soap would be absolutely lovely, for instance. Swap out your lavender oil for peppermint and rosemary essential oil and your lavender buds can be replaced with dried rosemary leaves. Or try a floral soap with dried flowers and an accompanying floral scent.

A safety note about essential oils: Just because something is natural does not mean it is always safe. Please take precautions when using essential oils both on yourself and especially with young children. Essential oils should not be taken internally by anyone of any age (unless they are cooking grade essential oils used in baking) and they should not be used directly on the skin without being diluted. When introducing a new oil even through a carrier oil, soap or lotion, please keep allergy safety in mind. You may wish to test a small skin patch before lathering up with a new soap or lotion. I recently learned that there is a risk of respiratory distress associated with the use of eucalyptus and peppermint oils with children under the age of 2 (these are commonly found in OTC products like Vick's Vapor Rub for congestion). There are a lot of online sources about the use of essential oils, some backed by companies who sell them. I believe they are well-intended and I even purchase oils for myself from one particular company, but I also refer to reliable, evidence-based resources for information about safe use.


I have really found a love of creating some of my own health & beauty and home care items. It is a way for us to have fun and be creative while also living more frugally and knowing what ingredients are in the products we use and gift. These soap bars would also make a lovely gift, especially paired with a bar of Melt & Pour Body Balm! Handcrafting with and/or for your family is a wonderful way to preserve the joyful memories of our summer garden while patiently waiting for spring and I can imagine how that will expand again as we move into this next gardening season and the harvest it will yield.

Until next time...

Happy Playing!

Parent Playtime Post: Quick Knit All-Purpose Cotton Cloths

This is the perfect quick knit project if ever there was one. I created the pattern late in the summer because I wanted transition from using paper napkins to cloth ones in S's school lunchbox. Standard cloth napkins are way too big for the school setting and the standard size of kid tables. I wanted something small and friendly to kid sized hands, mouths and spills. I also thought it would give him a little feeling of home during his school day to find something handknit by his Mommy at lunchtime. I knew I ran the risk of him accidentally losing some or throwing them away (so far the damage hasn't been too bad). I was not too surprised either, to see that he is so environmentally conscious he still only uses his sleeve to wipe his mouth and that most of the time, these little guys come home still neatly folded in half in a triangle shape right in the bottom of his lunchbox! Nonetheless, I often use them with a spritz of my easy homemade all-purpose cleaner (about 1 part rubbing alcohol to 10 parts water) to clean out the inside of his lunchbox each day and subsequently the dairy side counter-top after I prepare and pack his lunch for the next day. They even do well with warm soapy water to scrub out midweek yogurt spills when you don't have time to run the washing machine and still have a dry Paw Patrol lunchbox in the morning!

Yes, these Quick Knit All-Purpose Cotton Cloths have and do it all. They are great little napkins. They have a fabulous scrubbing action from the texture of the garter stitch. They are thick enough to soak up spills and soft enough to wipe tiny little hands and mouths on the go. They make a great travel wipe as well with a bit of soapy spray or water. Use them as washcloths, dishcloths, for cleaning or even dusting. And the best part is how quick and easily they knit up. I keep a ball of cotton yarn and size 7 needles in my cars for long trips when I'm a passenger or unplanned waits at the doctor or when I arrive too early for preschool pickup (which rarely happens these days). Because they are so quick and easy (and cost effective) to knit up, it's easy to stitch up an abundance of these little buggers. They make great gifts, have plenty of household uses and you won't feel [too] bad if a few get lost in the hustle.

In fact, a note on all handcrafted items you gift to your kids: they may get lost. They may get damaged. They may get rejected one day and beloved the next. If you are the type to become really attached to something you created (I am), this might be an exercise in breathing deeply and letting go. Opting to send your little guy to school in the first ever sweater you knit might not be a good starting point. Opting to stash a cotton cloth in his lunchbox is probably a safer bet!

So if you'd like to whip up one or two or six dozen of your own Quick Knit All-Purpose Cotton Cloths, here's what you'll need to know:

Materials:

• 1 skein 100% cotton yarn
• This will make multiple cloths. Common brands are Lily Sugar and Cream or Walmart's comparable item, Peaches and Cream yarn. They come in a variety of solid and variegated color options, even self striping. There are often sales and coupons available for craft supply stores on these products. You can go with all one color or collect a few. I may have collected more than a few, but I use this yarn for a variety of projects. 
• size 7/4.5mm straight knitting needles
• I really prefer the feel of bamboo, but any straight needles will work
• yarn needle & scissors for finishing

Directions: You will be working this project diagonally. The y/o at the beginning of each row will leave a little hole that creates the outer border pattern.

abbreviations: 

K= knit

y/o= yarn over

inc. = increase

dec. = decrease

K2tog = knit 2 together

st = stitch

Begin by casting on 4 stitches.

Increase rows:

Row 1: Knit across

Row 2: K2, y/o to inc. by 1 st, K to end of row. You should now have 5 stitches.

Repeat Row 2 until you have a total of 25 stitches. You will now begin your decrease rows.

Decrease rows:

Row 1: K1, K2tog, y/o, K2tog, K to end of row. You should now have 24 stitches. Your y/o will preserve your border pattern, while knitting 2 together both before and afterward will decrease your stitches by one each row you work. 

Repeat that row until you have 4 stitches remaining.

Knit across row.

Bind off.

Weave in and trim tails.

Parent Playtime Post: Knit Your Own Swift & Simple Wrist Warmers for the Whole Family

 Oh the woes of gloves and mittens and keeping the family's hands warm all winter while also keeping your fingers functional. First there are the morning mitten wars. Both boys want the orange mittens. There's only one pair. Ok, so each one gets one orange mitten and one blue one with an orange stripe. One kid can put his gloves on independently, the other needs help. Now that his fingers are all snug as a bug in a rug, S can't buckle his seatbelt independently anymore! Has Y lost yet another glove or is he just striving to look a bit more like Michael Jackson? And my hands are freezing on the steering wheel--I really need something I can drive to preschool drop-off in...

Enter my DIY Swift & Simple Wrist Warmers for the Whole Family! I knit up my first pair for S (see children's version*) last winter. He insisted on wearing only one because he wanted a wrist brace like one of his favorite teachers who had injured herself in a skating accident. She, a fellow knitter, also appreciated a gifted set of knitting needles, skein of self-striping yarn and a copy of my adult sized pattern for her birthday gift from S a few months later!

I wanted a pair, too, so I whipped up my own--perfect for driving to preschool on those cold winter mornings! And this year, we have lots of hands and lots of opinions on fashion. It was easy enough to knit up a few extra pairs of wrist warmers for the boys using partial skeins of yarn I had leftover from other projects. Another benefit to these is that they are great for very little ones first learning to put on mittens and gloves. Since either end will fit their hand and wrist, they can't really go wrong. A thumb hole in the side seam allows them to poke through their thumb, an important skill preceding being able to put on mittens and eventually gloves, but without the challenge of also fitting it in a tiny, enclosed compartment. Lastly is the benefit of having warmer hands but access to your fingers for buckling carseats, picking up sticks and stones, for driving, jotting down notes on the go or texting and typing. You'll still need another warmer and more waterproof option for extended outdoor winter play, but these are just right for a trip to the car or a playtime on the playground at school. If you'd like to knit up a pair (or two or half a dozen...) for yourself and/or the kids, here's what you'll need to know:

Swift & Simple Wrist Warmers for the Grownups

You will need:

• 1 skein soft, worsted weight medium (4) yarn
• US 8/5mm size straight needles
• yarn needle

Gauge: 18 stitches = 4” in St st

Directions:

Leaving a 12” beginning tail for sewing seam, cast on 31 sts.

Lower Ribbing Row 1 (Right Side): P1, *k1, p1; repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2: K1, *p1, k1; repeat from * to end of row.

Row 3: Repeat Row 1. 

Body: Work in St st (knit on Right Side, purl on Wrong Side) until piece measure 7½” from beginning.

Bind off loosely. Cut yarn, leaving a 12” tail for sewing seam.

FINISHING: With beginning tail, sew side edges together for 3”, beginning at lower edge. With ending tail, sew side edges together for 2”, beginning at top edge. Leave 2” between the two seams open for thumb. Weave in ends. Repeat for second wrist warmer. Note: Top edge will roll to outside.

ABBREVIATIONS: k = knit; p = purl; st(s) = stitch(es); St st = Stockinette stitch

Swift and Simple Wrist Warmers for the Littles
This pattern is provided in two size options. The smaller size is suitable for toddlers/preschoolers and early school aged children. The larger option in parenthesis is geared toward older, school aged children.
You will need:

• 1 skein soft, worsted weight medium (4) yarn
• US 8/5mm size straight needles
• yarn needle

Gauge: 18 stitches = 4” in St st

Leaving a 12" beginning tail for sewing up the seam, cast on 16 stitches (20 stitches).

Bottom of Wrist Warmer: Rows 1-4: Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat across row. Work first 4 rows in this ribbing pattern. 

Row 5: Knit across

Row 6: Purl across

Body: You will continue to repeat rows 5 and 6 to work in stockinette stitch for a total of 10 rows (12 rows for the larger size).

Top of Wrist Warmer: 

Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat across row for 2 more rows. Bind off, leaving a 12" tail for sewing up the seam.

Finishing: With beginning tail, sew side edges together for about 1/3 of the way up, beginning at lower edge. With ending tail, sew side edges together about 1/3 of the way down, beginning at top edge. Leave the remaining third in the center between the two seams open for thumb. Weave in and trim ends.

NOTE on yarn and washing: These can be handwashed or machine washed on a gentle cycle. Make sure, however, if you happen to use 100% wool that you do not machine wash on hot, as this will felt and shrink your wrist warmers! I recommend a washable acrylic/natural blend that will be soft against the skin and withstand your laundry machine, especially for the littles!

Happy Playing!

Parent Playtime Post: Knit Your Own Kids' Cozy Cowl

When it comes to getting kids to dress appropriately for the winter weather, I've learned a thing or two. And still know nothing that works consistently all of the time with every kid! But one thing that does help encourage our seemingly cold blooded critters to bundle up out there in the winter is having options. LOTS of options. First there's the kid who wants to wear the puffy winter coat everywhere, maybe even inside, but it's not car-seat safe. Then there's the one who has a favorite hat. And the one who wants no hat, and only a hood. And the one whose mittens must match. And the one whose mittens must never match. And the one who will wear only one mitten. (Have I mentioned this is all the same kid?) Options. Options. Options.

And then came the scarf obsession. Y especially loves scarves and S took a liking to them as well when we had our dramatic play skating rink up. But to be quite honest, a long scarf on a short kid is just about the most impractical item for bundling up out there. Introducing the cozy cowl... a quick knit, perfect for family members of all ages and sizes. It's a great project for the seasoned knitter who wants something quick to whip up and easy to put down. It's a great project for the beginning knitter or even first-time knitter! It's even a great project for an older child first learning to knit independently.

Using my favorite leftover skeins of soft, chunky yarn, I whipped up a quick collection of these for the boys. Options are a mom's best friend. The little guy who loves Cookie Monster Blue today will feel in the mood to wear only shades of grey tomorrow... I liked them so well I decided to use up a skein of colorful variegated yarn I had leftover from last year's fingerless gloves to make my own version--a slightly longer infinity scarf to double wrap around my own chilly neck!

If you'd like to try your hand at knitting your own Kids' Cozy Cowl, here's what you'll need to know:

Materials:

• 1 skein or a partial skein of your favorite soft, chunky yarn
• Choose your favorite color or a variegated option. I find that working with striping yarns can make a project go faster as I eagerly await the color and pattern change! Since this will go right against the sensitive skin of the neck and upper chest, I do recommend something soft and not a potentially itchy wool or scratchy acrylic. If your little ones have sensitive skin, you may wish to opt for natural fibers.
• straight knitting needles in appropriate size
• I would recommend using the size suggested on your skein of yarn but you really can't go wrong here with this simple knit if it's a bit larger or smaller than suggested, so long as you're comfortable knitting. I also prefer wood options to metal, but use whatever you like!
• wide-eyed blunt needle for finishing

Instructions:
Cast on 20-25 stitches, depending on how chunky your yarn is. You want your cowl to be wide enough to cover the neck and to roll down a bit on either side (that's the cozy factor) but not so wide you'll lose your kid in there!

Row 1: Knit across
Row 2: Purl across
Repeat rows 1 and 2 to work in stockinette stitch until your piece measures long enough to fit comfortably over the head of the child or person you're making it for. Keep in mind that there will be a bit of stretch and give. You want it to be cozy. You don't want it so cozy it chokes you! You may need to test your length on your child's (or your own) head!
Bind off.

Finishing: with the "wrong side" (bumpy side) out, stitch together your ends to create a seam using the tail of yarn from either side. Weave in your ends and trim any remaining tails of yarn. Turn right side out and voila! 

Variations & Optional Additions/Modifications:

One for YOU: You can make cozy cowls in adult sizes, too! Just work your piece a bit longer for a comfortable fit. Turns out I have a really tiny head and neck, so I can share my kids' cozy cowls. They also function quite well as a headband if your ears are cold or can be pulled up over the mouth and nose for a quick thaw in really frigid temps!

Infinity Scarf: For a feminine more grown-up variation, knit your cozy cowl double in length (or even longer if you wish) and create your own infinity scarf. Wrap it around loosely twice for a longer scarf or more (length permitting) to get a bit more warmth and coziness.

Add Your Own Flair: Sew on a fun button or add a unique pin. More advanced knitters might wish to work in a ribbed stitch or cables. Very beginning knitters might be more comfortable working the project entirely in garter (knit) stitch. 

A Note to Beginning Knitters or Older Children: This is a great project for first time knitters. If you or your older child are new to knitting, there are great books out there and--even better--great videos and tutorials online. Better yet? Find a relative or friend who knows the craft to teach the basics! This project can be worked entirely in garter (knit) stitch as noted above if you're new to knitting and haven't yet learned the purl stitch. Additionally, soft, chunky yarns are very forgiving to errors. Don't sweat the mistakes, embrace them as the beauty and charm of the craft! Your kids won't notice the dropped stitch or unplanned line created by a repeated purl row. They will just be so pleased to have something cozy, warm and one of a kind!

This project is so quick and simple. You can make one. You can make a dozen. You can take it on the go and even knit one up on a long car trip (presuming you are not the driver and that you don't get motion sickness). They make a lovely gift and [very slightly] increase the chance that your little ones will be bundled and appropriately prepared for the cold windy days of winter!

Happy Playing!

Make Your Own Melt & Pour Body Balm

Parents and Caregivers, it's time for YOU to play! I'm veering a bit off course from children's play activities this week to offer some playtime posts for you, the grown-ups. We all know that as parents and/or caregivers, self-care is important--vital, even. And yet, we often put our own interests and projects on the back burner as we tend to necessities of everyday life. So I'm devoting some space in my day and here on my blog to some adult-friendly fun. Of course, we all have different interests and hobbies. If my hobbies of choice don't happen to be yours, I encourage you to pursue your own creative interests. If you don't know what those are yet, try some of the activities here or, better yet, get lost perusing Pinterest boards! There's a hobby waiting just for you! Some of these activities will yield gifts for you. Some will yield gifts for children! Some will be able to be adapted so children can help if you wish and some are even great beginner projects for older kids to try.

Let's kick off with a great one for your winter dry skin:

DIY Melt & Pour Body Balm

This project idea was actually born out of a recurring and stubborn patch of eczema S keeps getting on his leg. While on a visit to family up north, I had my stepmom, a pediatrician take a peek at it and Nana offered S some beeswax balm to put on it. S is very particular about lotions for some reason. He never minds sunscreen but never wants any type of lotion or ointment on. I think this feeling increases when a "boo-boo" is involved. I peeked at the ingredients on Nana's special balm and realized I could probably make it at home. In fact, maybe if I did make it at home and let S decide on a scent he liked, he might even want to try some. (He also might not, and that's OK, too.)

I searched Pinterest and subsequently a few blogs for simple recipes and combined/adapted a few to create my own. I decided to test it out on my own before getting S involved. I got out our crafting crock pot (remember our melt and pour beeswax candles?) and plunked in the first few ingredients. I turned the heat to low and went about my day. Parent Playtime Projects are best when they can easily be ignored or quickly put down! After picking up S from school and getting both boys ready for their afternoon nap, I returned to my now melted ingredients and set out to pouring a bit into empty metal tins. To each individual tin, I added a combination of essential oils I liked. I carefully transferred them to the refrigerator for faster cooling (this gets very hot so be careful!) and within 15 minutes it was set and ready to use, store or gift away!

So, if you'd like to try your hand at your own Melt & Pour Body Balm or some variations thereof, here's what you'll need to know:

Ingredients and Materials:

• 3 oz beeswax 
• You can sometimes find this in craft supply stores or Whole Foods type places locally. If you happen to know a beekeeper, even better! If not, you can rely on Amazon and purchase bricks (as I did) or pellets, which melt faster.
• 4 oz coconut oil
• You can buy coconut oil now in almost all grocery stores.
• 4 oz shea butter
• This can also be ordered from Amazon or purchased locally if you find it.
• essential oils
• I really prefer the "real" stuff here to artificial scents. Essential oils can be pricey, so I'd recommend sticking with one or two you really love if you're just starting out.
• crock pot or double boiler or microwave safe dish
• I use a "crafting crock pot," a small crock pot I devote solely to crafts like this. Keeping a kosher kitchen means that anything I cook in my dishes and appliances must be kosher as well. Since cosmetic grade items don't always fit this bill, I reserve a crock pot for my cooking and some secondhand or inexpensive cookware for the process involved. I'd also add that beeswax and other ingredients can be hard to get off of your cookware, so I do recommend having a separate pot for this if you are using the double boiler or microwave method as well. I have a comparable sized metal mixing bowl that I found at a thrift store. It fits right inside the crock pot so that I don't have to use the ceramic insert itself. 
• measuring cup, spoon, potholders, thick place-mat or towel to cover your workspace
• Don't use your favorite potholders and place-mats here in case of spills!
• empty metal tins and/or silicone molds
• You can order or purchase silicone lotion/soap molds or empty metal tins. I've seen molds and tins even at places like Dollar Tree or Walmart. You can also use a loaf pan lined with parchment paper in a pinch!

Instructions:

Melting Your Ingredients:

Crock-pot Method: Create a water bath by filling the ceramic insert about 3/4 full with water and placing a comparable sized metal mixing bowl inside. Measure and add your beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter into your metal bowl. Cover and turn heat on low. Let your ingredients melt completely but be careful not to overheat beyond that as it will smell a bit burnt. (Yes, I learned this the hard way and also, not to use the high setting to speed things along!)

Double boiler Method: Measure out and combine your beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter. Melt your ingredients in a double boiler on stovetop.

Microwave Method: Disclaimer: I haven't tried the microwave method as I don't have a microwave, but presumably you should be able to create a water bath using microwave safe glass dishes and melt your ingredients that way. I'd recommend using a lower heat setting and short runs of time in there just to be sure you don't overheat them and burn it.

*If you keep a strictly kosher kitchen, please consult with a knowledgeable rabbi or source on Kashrut before using your stovetop or microwave!

Pour Time! Here's where the fun starts. Carefully handle your melted ingredients (they are HOT!) and pour into your mold of choice. If you are using tins as I did, you'll pour directly into the tin and add your scent. Warning: The container will be very hot once you pour in the mixture! Add a generous number of drops of your favorite essential oil or combination thereof into each tin. Similarly to that method, using a silicone mold you will also pour in your mixture to each compartment and then add your scent. You can make each bar the same scent or change it up! With this method, once completely cooled, you will pop your set mixture out of each mold and have your very own body balm bars. You can store these in tins from there.

To cool and set you can either leave the filled tins/molds out at room temperature until solid or pop them in the fridge/freezer to speed things along.

Now you're ready to use, store or give away your body balm! Since there is no water in this recipe, it stores well long-term. It can melt, though, so do keep it out of direct sunlight and extreme heat. If you've used the direct-pour method into tins, you'll use the warmth of your fingers to soften the body balm and scrape a bit out for use. It can be used on hands, body and even chapped lips. If you have used a silicone mold, you'll be able to warm the bar in your hands and then rub it in. Now here are some suggested scent variations:

Some of my favorite scent combinations are lavender & rosemary, lavender, lemon & peppermint, lemon-peppermint and...

Vapor-Rub Body Balm: Combine eucalyptus, peppermint and rosemary essential oils for an all natural alternative to commercial vapor rubs.

Kid-Friendly Boo-Boo Balm Bar: While this is a project definitely more geared toward adults and older children, you can get little ones involved in selecting a scent for their own boo-boo balm bar. Maybe if he creates his own signature scent, S will want to try it out on his boo-boo! (And maybe not...)

Happy Playing!

 

Playtime for YOU: Nurturing and Rediscovering Our Own Creative Side

Moms, Dads, Grandparents, Educators and Caretakers of all kinds--this playtime post is for US--the grown ups. I write here a lot about the importance of play in children and more recently, I've remembered how important it is for adults as well. We might call it self care or hobbies or "me time," and there are a number of ways we might choose to spend it. And while we often recognize the need for our children to have free time in which to play and explore and express themselves creatively, we do not always recognize (or honor) that need in ourselves. For me, it comes out as feeling completely spent by the end of a day, desiring something more, something challenging (well, differently challenging than getting through a day with a 10 month old and a 3.5 year old!). There are many ways in which we can care for ourselves:

• Physical/bodily self care might include nutrition, fitness, enjoying a manicure or a massage...
• Spiritual self care might include observance of holidays/traditions in the home, religious or spiritual practice, meditation or whatever practices are meaningful to you
• Social self can involve engaging with friends, family and community--everyone's needs in this area are different and depend largely on where one falls on the spectrum of being introverted or extroverted
• Mental/emotional self care encompasses the paths we utilize to navigate difficult emotions, resolve conflicts and work on personal growth
• Intellectual self care can be expressed in how we continue to pursue education in areas of personal and/or professional interest. For some that may be taking a class or joining a club, for others it may be meaningful to engage in volunteer work or connected specifically to your career

For the sake of this post and in regard to the basic theme of this blog, I am focusing today on creative self care. I have heard so many of my friends claim that they are "not creative," and I could not disagree more! I think there are a lot of ways to express creativity, although many of us associate it in particular with artistic work. That being said, anyone who has seen very young children explore art materials can see that there is no struggle in early childhood to express creativity! Children are process oriented, rather than focused on a product. And then, somewhere along the line, a message about art and creative work is internalized: art should look a certain way. I would not personally describe myself as being artistic, though I do feel I am a creative person. I find it meaningful to engage in activities that create something. I especially like activities that use my hands--where I can touch materials and manipulate them into something else. I believe that being creative is like being fit--you need to exercise the muscles involved. I would further argue that exercising those muscles is just as important! And while it is easy to go through days and weeks of "not having time" to nurture that side of ourselves as we are busy with family, work, household tasks and other obligations, there is a price that we pay ourselves and inherently, a tax that is put upon those whom are in our care. Perhaps you feel guilty or selfish pursing personal hobbies and creative activities during "family time," but I have recently re-framed my thinking about that. Not only is it important to integrate self-care into your daily routine for YOU, it is equally important for our children to see and intuit that this is important. Children who see their parents being creative and experiencing joy in that process will likely grow to value their own creativity and self-care down the line.

When it comes to creative expression, there are a lot of activities that are enjoyable for different folks. You may already know what you enjoy. Perhaps you want to try something new or perhaps you have no idea at all where to start. Websites like Pinterest are a great place to search a wealth of artistic, culinary and other creative activities. Library shelves are also stocked with books full of great ideas. Many libraries and parks and rec centers also offer free or low-cost classes to adults to try out a new hobby or craft. Art supply stores and craft stores often offer classes for adults as well as aisles stocked with materials, books and even free pamphlets for project ideas. Taking up an old hobby or even starting a new one does not need to break your bank either. You can utilize materials you already have, purchase secondhand or perhaps borrow from a friend or family member. 

Here's a peek at some of the creative work I have found meaningful lately. I'd love to hear about your favorite ways to play--feel free to comment below! (I may or may not be looking for more hobbies...)

Whenever I think of my grandmothers, I always remember their hands being full of yarn, knitting or crochet needles, tapestry and embroidery work or other portable projects. They often worked in front of me and sometimes even showed me a thing or two about their craft! They also created beautiful gifts and priceless heirlooms for their loved ones. My own parents were also very creative, though often their creative hobbies were reserved for later hours after we were asleep. My mother was quite crafty and I remember waking up to the results of her late night labor. I did not know until adulthood how long it took her to fabric paint canvas bags or sew us a pillow case. My father took up hobbies like guitar lessons, tennis classes and Tai Chi in adulthood and gave over the important lesson that you do not need to be incredibly talented in an activity to enjoy it. (Dad, I hope you'll forgive me for saying that!)  Additionally, my parents both supported me (without pushing) in my own creative endeavors as I was growing up, whether the activities were ones they personally enjoyed or not--I think this was a huge factor in why I am a creative adult.

Knitting & Yarn Crafting: I took up knitting as a tween and revisited the craft with fervor in my college years. I always imagined once I was married and had children, I would knit all kinds of things for my children and husband. Well, it never happened. Until recently. I let go of long, complicated and detailed projects for the time being in favor of simpler, smaller projects that can easily be picked up and put down as needed. These are the One-Skein Wonder Years and since I like to see the fruits of this meaningful labor rather quickly (or at least in this decade) I tend to gravitate toward little projects like loom knitting pumpkin hats for my boys this fall or some little hats for their baby dolls or even an abundance of washcloths and dishcloths. I can easily leave a ball of yarn and needles with a small work in progress in a few rooms of the house so that wherever we might be, I can grab it and go for a few minutes when the timing is right. Whereas I used to have bin loads of yarns and needles and UFPs (Un-Finished Projects) in college, I now favor and savor a handful of carefully selected yarns and a few sets of quality wooden/bamboo needles. 

I used to wait to knit only at night or nap times. Recently S asked me to make a hat for his baby doll and the next morning when he woke up, there it was! He was ecstatic! Then his other baby doll wanted a hat. The next morning, when he awoke to the second hat, he asked if he could cut it with scissors. My gut instinct was to be appalled and offended. I'd spent a couple of hours working that yarn into a doll hat and he wanted to cut it?! Then I realized that was his way of wanting to work the craft of knitting as well, although he'd never seen it done! I leave a "knitting basket" out for him to explore that contains bits of yarn and string too small for other projects and allow him to explore and experience the textures of the different yarn with scissors, glue and paper and whatever else draws his inspiration. Yesterday, he saw me knitting for the first time and saw how each little knot with the yarn caused that string to slowly, slowly, slowly turn into a piece of functional fabric: a washcloth! He was amazed. He wanted to knit, too, and this knitting basket was the perfect way (for now) for him to experience the craft. Y, too, can enjoy exploring the colors and textures of a ball of yarn or a homemade Pom-Pom. In this way, you can include your children in your own hobbies, even if you are working simultaneously on different levels of a craft. 

Paper-crafting is another hobby revisited for me. I used to scrapbook and make greeting cards in abundance when I was in college. I don't feel as drawn to those particular crafts at this point in my life but I do love recycling my children's artwork into simple greeting card sets for a meaningful holiday gift or making bookmarks with S to use in one of my other favorite hobbies, reading!

The nice thing about paper crafts is the pretty instant results and the ability to work with materials you already have at home. The two dimensional aspect of it is also a big space saver--your hobby won't need to take up a whole room!

I had been inspired by needle-felting for over a decade but always thought it would be "too hard" to learn the craft. S has a teacher in school who is quite a talented needle-felter and gifted me a little starter kit for my birthday. It proved to be one of those gifts that just keeps on giving! I instantly fell in love with the craft and invested in a few more tools and some additional roving. As it turns out, there is something hugely rewarding about repeatedly poking and prodding wool with a needle and watching it turn into something! It is a remarkable forgiving art form and the results are so much fun to use in play and display.

Speaking of play things, I've really enjoyed painting peg dolls for use in our play areas, indoors and out. I love the feel of natural materials in play and the creativity more open-ended play materials inspires in children.

S has enjoyed woodworking creatively with his Tatty, using simple kits and sometimes even scrap wood, nails and a hammer. I so appreciate that building together is an activity my husband has taken on to do with S. So much of our children's exposure to creative work comes from female adults--most commonly teachers, mothers, grandmothers. Fathers and grandfathers also have hobbies and are creative and particularly for my sons, I feel it is so important for them to see male role models being creative and enjoying such hobbies. My husband is one of those folks who would describe himself as "not creative," though I strongly disagree. Nonetheless, this does not stop him from joining in to create a huge family picture with markers and crayons and easel paper on the floor or painting pottery with the kids at a paint your own pottery shop. I love that about him! 

My husband is also more likely than I am to ask for us to spend an evening creating art together! I had this in mind when I purchased some discounted sketch books a while ago for each member of the family. Journaling was a huge area of creative expression for me as a child, teen and young adult. Journaling can take on many forms at different ages and stages. It can include drawing, writing, collage, photos, poetry and more. The only boundaries are the book that is used to contain it! I favor a blank paged sketch book particularly for pre-writers so that drawings and later, early expressions of written word can be accommodated. I'm excited to try out art nights here using our journals for a variety of means of expression. Perhaps you might try out the concept of still life by setting out something from nature or indoors that is visually appealing. With young children, we mostly focus on what colors or shapes they see or how an object makes them feel. A couple things to keep in mind with journals and sketch books:

• Using real, quality materials from the journal itself to the art or writing materials you choose can add a feeling of importance and value. I admit that I have "my own" markers and crayons and ones that are always accessible to S (and eventually Y). Nonetheless, there are times I "share" my own art materials with S and I favor quality art materials in general over quantity. Better to have a small set of chalk pastels that really work than an abundance that do not work as well and cause frustration. I find of a lot of art materials inexpensively at places like Five and Below or even thrift stores. It's also helpful to reserve those 50% off coupons at craft supply stores for things like this. The use of a journal or sketch book also indicates a level of value to children that plain paper may not. A book is "permanent" and shows a huge level of respect to children's creative work. Even children who are less drawn to drawing (pun intended) might love to do so in the space of a leather bound sketch book.
• Personal space extends to a journal. In this particular style of journaling, I encourage respecting those pages as an extension of each person's personal space. I do not draw or write in a child's personal journal and likewise, my own journal is entirely my own. We do shared work in other mediums. While we might engage in a set-up that invites a certain idea of expression, I don't specifically tell anyone what to write or draw about. Our journals are always accessible to grab and use on a whim or we can set a specific time to all use them. As children get older, they may wish to journal as a way to express and contain private ideas and I really encourage parents and caretakers to respect that privacy.

And the biggest rule of thumb for creative expression as self care--both your own and your children's--is that if and when it is not enjoyable, don't do it! If you don't love a hobby, set it aside. If the timing is just wrong, set it aside. This is a safe space to try something and totally fail at it. It's also a safe space to try new things and learn a new skill. I'm actually quite eager to begin exploring the art of embroidery with S and we are both beginners! He is at an age where he can use a blunt needle and some burlap in a smaller embroidery hoop to explore the texture, color and experience of this needle art. I will be right there learning with him! That beginner's mindset is one that is so important to cultivate in our children and continue to nurture in ourselves.

Wishing you all meaningful, creative playing!