Here in the Northeast US, we're still gripped by the icy fingers of winter. Hopefully, spring will come soon. Meanwhile, I'll while away the gray days with Nature's Art Box, a sturdy and well-written hardcover book with 65 nature crafts projects for kids. This book is appropriate for parents, teachers, home-schoolers and group leaders. It's a nature crafts course for educators in a cosy, attractive book. The book is divided into several sections based on different types of natural materials:

• Vines, Twigs, Cones, and Moss
• Gourds, Pods, Husks, and Seeds
• Clay Stones, Sand, and Shells
• Paints, Inks, and Dyes
• Flowers and Leaves
• Stamps, Stencils, Molds and Seals

The introduction and appendix are full of helpful information on gathering materials and other crafts supplies to create the projects. The projects vary in complexity - some are very simple, and others require adult supervision. Safety tips and instructions are plentiful.

Here's a sampling of the 65+ projects included:

• Bark and Moss House
• Angel Ornament
• Okra Pod Canoe and People
• Sand Painting
• Shell Buttons
• Homemade Natural Paint
• Fern Print
• Dried-Flower Fairy
• Leaf Rubbing Gift Wrap
  

Right next to this book on a shelf, I picked up a nature crafts book that was lovely to look at, with elegant design and great photography. But the projects were scanty and simplistic. This book is the antidote - it is full of information, projects and ideas. You will turn to it year after year, season after season. Highly recommended.

Nature's Art Box: From t-shirts to twig baskets, 65 cool projects for crafty kids to make with natural materials you can find anywhere.

Cloth Dolls Doll Theme Craft Party
Mother Nature Doll
Recycling Jeans into Dolls
Bluebell Doll
Joints for Cloth Dolls
Sock Dolls
Cupid Doll
Dolly Hugs
Doll Wigging
Enlarging Doll Patterns
Freya Doll
Make a Wish Tree Top Doll
Wizard of Oz Dolls
Tea Bag Doll
Peaches Ballerina Doll
Poseable Guardian Angel
Country Critters
Annie Doll Pin
Patriot Bear with Bunny
Dishtowel Angel
Doll Pincushion
Mermaid Doll
Prim Polly Doll
Santa Claus and Angel Dolls
Country Angel Doll
Fancy Nancy Doll
Elf Doll
Porcelain Dolls, China Dolls
China Paint tips
Making your own porcelain dolls
Reborn Dolls
Step by Step Reborns
Reborn Tutorial
Basic Reborning Instructions
Reborn Instruction Manual
Barbie Dolls
Rerooting Barbie doll hair
Fashion Doll Furniture
Remove 'Green Ear' from Vintage Barbies
Barbie Dolls - Crochet
Mr. Fashion Doll Pants - crochet
Red, Hot, and Blue 4th July Party Dress
Crocheted Doll Sweater
Babydoll Nightie
Kelly Doll Dress & Purse
Kelly American Sprit Dress
Fashion Doll Ballet Costume
Kelly Doll Pantsuit
Fashion Doll Bride & Bridesmaid Dresses
Gown and Hat Pattern
Barbie Petal Poncho
Barbie Formal Dress
Barbie Dolls - Knitting
Barbie's Rainbow Ball Gown

Barbie's Ragg Hiking Socks
Knit Bow-Trimmed Barbie Sundress
Prairie Skirt for Barbie
Barbie's Poodle Skirt
Marilyn Monroe Dress
Barbie Valentine Dress
American Girl - 18-19" dolls
Knit Western Outfit
Drop-Waist American Girl Doll Dress
Strip Doll Quilt
Crochet Doll Hood
American Girl Doll Bedding
19" Doll Cardigan
Crochet Thread Snood
Miscellaneous Doll Patterns
Victorian Lace Doll
Ribbon Garden Fairy
Funky Doll Jacket
Timber Shelf Dolls
Ribbon Lady
Corn Husk Doll
Lady Bug Doll Pin
Making Apple Head Dolls
Pumpkin Patch Teddy
Felt Wee Folk
Mimi's Handbook for Dollmakers
Tiny Hearts Sweater - knitting
Bear in Bunny Clothes
Doll Grocery Bag Recycler
Flower Pot Fairy Princess
Crochet Mrs. Claus Pattern
Crochet Nun Doll
God Bless America Angel
Gingerbread Boy
Crochet Victorian Doll
Party Dress - 8" doll
Doll Wristwatch
Teddy Bear - 5 1/2"
Yankee Doodle Bear
Wrapped Dolls
Japanese Rain Doll
'Misbehaving' Dolls
Tomato Cage Doll
Dollhouses
How To Wire a Dollhouse
Printable Dollhouse Items
Miniature Crochet Patterns
Miniature Knitting Patterns
Dollhouse Decorating Tips
Dollhouse Assembly Tips
Art & Collectible Dolls
AADA Gallery of Art Dolls
Collectible Doll Reference
Homemade Face Molds
Waxed Paper Bag Art Dolls
Basic Polymer Clay DollMaking (pdf)