Hi friends,

It's hard to believe in the midst of this heatwave we're having in Toronto, but summer is rapidly drawing to a close. With back-to-school just two weeks away, I thought I'd gather up a few crafts from the Canadian Living web archives to help keep the kids busy and get them ready to head back to the classroom.

• This summer memory book will come in handy for the inevitable "What I Did This Summer" assignment – and will be a keepsake for years to come.
• This quick-to-sew lunch bag will keep those sandwiches and apples from rolling around the bottom of your child's backpack.
• It's easier to stay organized if you start early. This bulletin board will help with that! (And if your child doesn't seem too enthused about the flowery push-pins, why not sub in colourful vintage buttons, or maybe plastic creepy-crawlies?)
• Speaking of staying organized, why not create a personalized date book?
• These instructions for a basic popsicle-stick photo frame are just the beginning: why not use the foam letters to spell out your child's name and grade? And they aren't just for school photos...imagine a print from your time at the cottage surrounded by twigs you collected while there, or a picture of the family at the beach in a frame decorated by beach pebbles.

Do you have any special projects you'll be working on with your kids as the summer draws to a close? I'd love to hear about them in the comments.

Have a good day!

Hi folks,

How did it get to be 4 p.m.? I'm just popping in to say that those of you who are looking for great kids' craft ideas (and judging by this week's contest entries, there are more than a few) should check out The Crafty Crow children's craft collective. I like the stuff Bookhou has got going on, too. There are lots of ideas over there, so you're sure to find a few to carry you over until school starts up again! And of course, Canadian Living's always got your back: check out some of these great ideas.

Have a nice night!

Good morning!

I found this great idea in my travels around blogland yesterday. You might remember Sandra Juto's amazing crocheted blanket. She recently showed off a neat gift she received in the mail, called a Surprise Ball:

Once you start to unwrap it, she discovered layer upon layer of small toys and vintage trinkets:

Sandra's was made by Gina Namkung (find them for sale at at Kiosk) but it struck me that making something similar would be a fantastic project to do with kids, not to mention an awesome, unique handmade birthday gift or party favour.

Depending on the age and attention span of your little ones, I bet you could even spread the project out over two or three days:

• First, a scavenger hunt/shopping expedition to find some little toys (apparently there are at least 15 surprises in each surprise ball from Kiosk!) and to pick up an assortment of crêpe paper (I think that's what the wrapping papper is) and maybe some coloured masking tape and stickers
• Next, some time deciding what order to wrap things in, and to start wrapping. I think this would probably work best with the biggest item in the middle, wrapped in crêpe paper until a rough ball formed, with additional items tucked in on the sides.
• When all the items are tucked in, I'd wrap the ball in a final layer (or two) of tissue paper to smooth things out a bit, then start the layers of decorative tape and stickers.
• (And of course, the opening up would be another day altogether.)

The more I think about these, the more excited I get. Imagine a surprise ball filled with tiny art supplies or sewing notions, or a GIANT surprise ball filled with treats that you could pass around at a wedding or baby shower, unwrapping one layer per person (like a grown up version of hot potato). Or you could make one up and give it to your kids as you head off on a long car journey, to keep them entertained in the backseat while you travel. Oh yes, I think there's a surprise ball in my future.

If you try this, let me know!

(Thanks for all the great suggestions that you're leaving as this week's contest entries. I'm already getting great ideas – and wishing for unlimited blogging time and budget! – so keep'em coming!)