Today I’d like to share a great new book called Make Stuff Together: 24 simple projects to create as a family by Bernadette Noll and Kathie Sever. (And by share I mean give-away a free copy! Details at the end)

A few years ago I came across Future Craft Collective, Bernadette and Kathie’s website. Basically they believe in building family connections through crafting and I couldn’t agree more with their philosophy! Lucky us to have access to two women who share this idea through their blog, camps, classes and now a beautiful book! And lucky me, I was honored to be asked to write the foreword to their book, which is just what I did…..

homemade piñatas, my brother, my neighbor, and me, circa 1972

As long as I can remember, I have been making stuff. Growing up in the 70’s, most of the stuff consisted of macramé bracelets, paper maché piñatas and sand candles at the beach on summer vacation. I was greatly influenced by family members making stuff around me. My mother sewed, my grandmother knit, my father caned chairs, my brothers drew and built and created stuff constantly. My fondest memories are those sitting around the kitchen table with my family crafting.

Today, all grown up with two boys of my own, I’m fortunate to carry on this family tradition. We live in such a busy time with so many distractions (much of them electronic), often rushing from one activity to the next. It’s more important to me than ever to spend time unplugged and in the moment with my kids.

Make Stuff Together offers fun and creative projects that foster building family bonds while making cool stuff! The authors, Bernadette and Kathie, share their invaluable experience and insights about sewing and crafting with children, what’s realistic and what doesn’t work. Their projects utilize reclaimed materials and are often themed around values like showing appreciation, exploring nature, and celebrating milestones.

As I strive to create connections through creativity with my children, Make Stuff Together is just the book I need at my fingertips. Time spent together and the process of making is the best “stuff” I could ever hope to give to my children.

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If you’d like to read more about Make Stuff Together, feel free to follow the book’s blog tour. If you’d like to win a copy of the book (and who wouldn’t!?) please do the following:

* comment on this post by midnight EST Friday July 8th
* tell me about your favorite crafting memory from your childhood
* be sure to leave your contact info in case you win
* US shipping addresses only please!

In the meantime, I can’t wait to get started on a few projects with my own kids. Summertime is a great time to re-connect and make stuff together!

***comments now closed. Thank you! I have notified the winner: Congrats to Lisa P of Illinois!***