Crafty Moms, This One's For You

Crafty Moms, This One's For You

Okay you mamas with the crafty gene. Now don't be coy, you know who you are. You're the ones who see some of the awesome handmade stuff we feature here and turn up your noses and say pfft, I could make that myself for THREE CENTS. And you might be right.

So I'm going to put aside my envy for one moment and say you're right! You can make some cool stuff yourself. All you need is The Softies Kit from Therese Laskey.

It's more than a book, it's an entire kit including 15 laminated cards with instructions for softies (Brit-speak for plush) from a Japanese Cherry Cake that's rated "easy" but looks impressive to me, to a slightly more advanced mama/baby elephant caravan that snaps together. There's even a starter needle, some felt, and some embroidery floss so that if the inspiration hits before you've hit the local craft store you can get stitching.

And by you I mean you. Not me. My last sewing project was a pillow from in my 7th grade home ec class that will not be appearing in any softies kit any time soon. -Liz 

Check out the winners in Therese's second annual Softie contest, or find inspiration from more than 1000 entrants in the flick'r pool. Amazing.

Congratulations to Tatjana K, winner of The Softies Kit!

Share this story

Pin

More in KidsView all picks →

Illustration of three smartphones and a kids' smartwatch with location, signal and Wi-Fi icons
Sponsored

Phone plans for kids, compared: what a first phone line really costs in 2026

From free lines to $65 a month: what a kid's phone plan costs at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and the cheaper carriers, plus kid-safe phones and watches.

Bijou Build adaptable and portable playgrounds

Bijou Build: a modular outdoor playset that grows with your family

Start with the Mainstay and add accessories over time • Panels are woven from recycled water bottles and resist moisture and UV

Collage of holiday gifts for kids, including a Ms. Rachel Toniebox, a LEGO Wallace & Gromit set, a gingerbread house inflatable bed, a drawing robot, a scooter and a red wagon

The Cool Mom Picks 2026 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids

Our annual holiday gift guide for kids: screen-free favorites, LEGO, bikes, books, cozy PJs and the hot toys kids are asking for this year.