Browsing around, I happened upon this great sounding book by Amanda Blake Soule or "Soulemama." It hasn't been published yet but is available for pre-order at Amazon. Here's the description by publisher Trumpeter Books:
Between work and school, music lessons, and sports practice, there is less and less time to connect as a family. Those few moments together are often spent making meals, doing homework, or watching TV. In this inspiring book, Amanda Soule, a young mother of three, presents simple ways to use arts and crafts and other forms of creativity to deepen family connections.
For parents of all backgrounds, The Creative Family offers unique creative activities for the whole family. The range of projects includes: imaginative play such as dress up, home theater and parlor games; arts and crafts such as family drawing time and knitting with children; nature explorations such as creating garden journals and making natural toys; and family celebrations that include making music and displaying children's art. These fun and engaging alternatives to television, video games, and the computer are meant to captivate children´s imaginations, celebrate their achievements, and express love and gratitude as a family.
And some additional words from Soule:
So that's the book! I would add that whether or not you draw or sew or have never even identified yourself as someone 'creative', I do believe that we all have it in us - and finding that and nurturing it can be a wonderful experience for the whole family - child and parent. My intent in writing the book was to fill it with activities, patterns, projects and ideas on how you can incorporate creativity into the lives of your family - in some small way - every single day. Throughout the book are my full-color photographs as well as beautiful illustrations by Portland, Maine friend and artist Betsy Thompson. The cover photograph is by the dear and talented Jessie Fields.
