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Encourage Creativity: The 5 Best Apps for Kids

August 20, 2013 by AllFreeKidsCrafts

This post brought to you by Megan Gilligan and Katherine Sutton of AppCertain.

Read our review of AppCertain!

How can we use technology like iPad apps to stimulate kids’ creativity and encourage it? There are many apps that enlist a child’s creative thinking while they use them. Here are our top five picks for apps that encourage kids to be creative on their own, not just in the digital world of a mobile device!

Foldifyfolidfy-app

This is an awesome app that lets you color in different shape templates on your iPad. The unique part of this app is the feature that allows you to print your custom design on a regular sheet of paper, cut it out, and construct a real life object that you designed on your iPad.

kids-crafts-appKids’ Crafts

Enjoy a wide selection of arts and crafts activities that clearly state the goals and outcomes for the children.  It is very helpful that each activity  includes an organized list of materials available for purchase and needed to complete each project.  You can browse by new activities, gift ideas and seasonal crafts.  Visit often since new activities are constantly being added!

Dorling Kindersley’s Kids’ Crafts

DK-kids-crafts-appThe New York Times featured this app in their App Smart section.  It is based on DK’s award-winning activity books and contains three interactive activities for the iPad along with hands-on tasks allowing access to knitting, sewing, and drawing off the screen.  It strikes the perfect balance between quick-fix fun and games while inspiring children to get creative at home.

On-screen crafts:

Scrap bags: Design your own scrap bag on-screen or use it to try out a new design that you can create in the real world!
Cross-stitch: Tap on a pattern, your choice of yarn, and a type of stitch to start creating. You can even use a blank canvas to design your own cross-stitch from scratch.

How-to off-screen activities:

Pirate Pete: Make your own pirate friend who’s full of beans!
Rainy day doodles: You won’t believe what you can do with a doodle! This activity shows you all the different types of patterns you can make with a set of felt tip pens.

Lazoo:  Squiggles!

laz00-appFun drawing app for smaller children with unique animation features.  You simply pick a scene (there are 12 ready-made scenes + blank canvas + an option to choose a picture from the device).  Then listen to the instructions (the goal is to draw squiggles complementing the picture, e.g. add ‘squiggly’ wool to the sheep or waves in the sea).  Just press the go button to see a simple animation involving the objects in the scene and the user-made squiggles (e.g. spaghetti swirling on the plate).

The app also includes a short animated movie with the main characters and a mini book with simple interactive elements.  The bonus points include excellent concept, great graphics, easy operation, spoken and visual instructions.  The painting tools are excellent and easy to use.  There is also an option to save and share the pictures.

Martha Stewart Craft Studio

martha-stewart-appThe app comes with four themed bundles: Everyday, Birthday Party, Doily Lace, and Nature. You can add on to the fun by purchasing bundles of punches, papers, stickers, and glitter, featuring seasonal and occasional motifs: Elegant Celebrations, Spring, Outdoors, Vacation Adventure, and Summer Fun.

This easy-to-use app allows you to personalize cards, invitations, thank-you notes, scrapbook pages, keepsake, and more. Browse through an array of colored and patterned “paper” backgrounds, import your own photos, and embellish your work with an abundance of stickers, stamps, glitter, textured borders, fonts, and punches. Tap to share your works of art with family and friends. So versatile, it’s the only digital crafting tool you’ll need!

 

What is your favorite kids’ app?

Filed Under: Advice, Tips, & Tricks Tagged With: crafting with kids, Electronics, ipad, iPhone app, ipod, Kids Crafts

Trendy Quilted Gifts for Tech Geeks

July 31, 2013 by FaveQuilts

Although there are quilt designs called Grandma’s Garden Flowers and Log Cabin Blocks, quilting is anything but outdated. Actually, I’ve found that quilting and technology go hand in hand. Not only is there a diverse collection of free quilt patterns and quilting tutorials on sites like FaveQuilts, there is also a growing interest in small handmade gift patterns for tech accessories.

You can choose to create a graduation gift for a college student with a laptop, a birthday gift for a dad that likes to read his Kindle on the train, or a quilted Christmas present for a photographer who wants a DIY camera strap. You are guaranteed to find a fantastic free quilted gift pattern for every tech geek on your list.

 

 Camera Accessory Quilt Gift

Digital Camera Case

Whether they are a photographer for National Geographic or a new parent who loves snapping pictures of their baby, anyone with a camera will love a personalized camera strap. I’ve noticed that avid photographers always need to keep their cameras close to them; which is why a Quilted Camera Strap Cover is such a fashionable idea for anyone in need of a DIY camera strap. Need a quilted gift design for someone who goes on a lot of fun family trips? This Digital Camera Case is an easy quilted gift pattern that does an excellent job of protecting a camera on the go. For an even quicker pattern for a personalized camera case, check out a contemporary Quilted Camera Case that would be a perfect quilted gift for a teenager.

 

 

Laptop and iPad Case Quilt Gifts

Vintage-looking Laptop Case

Nowadays, every college and high school student has a laptop. Any young adult is sure to appreciate your talent when you make them a cool laptop or iPad case quilt gift. Your daughter or granddaughter will be the chicest girl on campus when you quilt her this Vintage-Looking Laptop Case to carry her computer between lecture halls. For college-aged guys, check out an ironic pattern for a Retro iPad Case DIY that actually looks like a vintage transistor radio. Last but not least, make a DIY laptop case for dear old dad or a beloved husband with this Manly Man Laptop Case.

 

 

eReader Cover Quilt Gifts

Love of Literature Tablet Cover

One of the greatest features about gadgets like ereaders is that they help save trees by putting news articles and books online. I especially love this idea for the Love of Literature Tablet Cover because it protects a tablet  but also flaunts an appliqued vintage typewriter. You can also protect your electronic reader by making this Mexican-themed scrap quilt design for a Dia de los Muertos Kindle Sleeve. For an even quicker tutorial on constructing a Kindle or eReader cover, check out this pattern for a  Last Minute Gift Kindle Cover.

 

The free quilted gift patterns for new technologies don’t stop there. Check out 23 Geeky Gifts for Nerds for even dorkier gift ideas!

 

Tell us, what kind of handmade quilt gift will you make YOUR tech geek?

 

 

Filed Under: Gifts Tagged With: Christmas Gift Ideas, Claire Hawkes, DIY gift ideas, DIY trends, FaveQuilts, geek crafts, Gifts, Gifts for Men, holiday gift guide, ipad, ipod, nerd crafts, Quilting, technology, teens

Link Love: Cozies for All Your Cool Travel Gadgets

December 29, 2011 by FaveCrafts

Looking for a few ideas on how to use up some yarn and fabric scraps?  Why not make a cozy for your cool travel gadgets?  Cell phones, laptops, tablets, MP3 players, cameras, and e-readers all deserve a lot of TLC, so here are a few projects to help keep your tech toys safe and warm!

  1. Easy Fleece iPad Cozy from CraftSanity
  2. An iPod Case for Your Arm from One Shabby Chick
  3. Star Felt iPod Cozy from Craftster
  4. Cell Phone Cozy from All About Ami
  5. Padded iPad Case from The Polkadot Chair
  6. Laptop Sleeve from Skip to My Lou
  7. Knitted Kindle Cover from Pretty Puzzles
  8. iPod/Camera Cozy from Sew, Mama, Sew!
  9. Kindle Case from The Sometimes Crafter

Filed Under: Link Love Tagged With: DIY gift ideas, fabric crafts, Favecrafts, gadget cozy, gadget sleeve, ipad, ipod, Melissa Conner, sewing crafts

Link Love: Apple Crafts in Memory of Steve Jobs

October 6, 2011 by FaveCrafts

In memory of Steve Jobs, here are the best Apple themed crafts (no, not the fruit) from around the web. Make an iPhone carrier, iPod themed gifts, and other geeky projects inspired by Apple! Show your love for the tech mogul with one of these clever craft ideas.

  1. iPhone Cupcakes from Dolce
  2. iPhone Pouch Tutorial from Made During Quiet Time
  3. iPhone App Magnets Tutorial from Infarrantly Creative
  4. Crocheted iPad Sleeve from Revving it Up
  5. iPhone Case MakeOver from Accidental Crafter
  6. Handmade Wooden Ipod from Jozaeh on Flickr
  7. iPod Gift Card Holder Tutorial from Just Give me Stamps
  8. iPod Scrapbook Page from Life and Memories

Filed Under: Link Love Tagged With: geek crafts, ipad, iphone, ipod, Mac, Steve Jobs, technology

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How to Make a Reusable Grocery Bag from Sheets

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