Arts & Crafts - Jal,NM

one of my faves with my girls was collecting leaves, rocks, sticks whatever while we went for walks/ hikes and making collages. I also have a craft box, i buy all sorts of stuff, fabrics, gems, feathers, ribbons, buttons, paints, small figurines to paint, nice pens, crayons, markers & whatever paper I can get my hands on. Lately its been making hair clips, headbands stuff we use & hope to one day maybe sell too. There is no limit, and the dollar stores have all sorts of stuff for ideas. Be creative, start with a well stocked box like I have...

I love arts and crafts--I just wish I had more time to do them! I won't give you a list of the "usuals," since you've probably already thougth of those.

Instead, I'll share some ideas that I would LOVE to do (especially if I had 3 girls to help!):
1. Make cards (all occassions--birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc) then you never have to stroll the card aisle at the last minute.
2. Scrapbooks! You can find tons of stuff on sale or cheap, chop up some pictures, use stamps, stickers, pretty paper, etc.
3. Crochet--already know how? teach the girls. Or, pick up a "learn to crochet" book and y'all learn together. It's a great way to keep your hands busy and finished blankets & scarves make excellent gifts!
4. Make clothes--do tye-dye or get fabric paint and design personalized shirts (or hats, or purses, or...).
5. Make jewelry--start with inexpensive beads and string, work your way up to the fancier stuff.

Just stroll the aisles of any local arts & crafts store (Michael's, Jo-Ann, Hobby Lobby) and see what strikes your interest. Take your girls and see what interests them! Participate in local activities & events (Michael's does seasonal art projects, go to arts & crafts shows, flea markets, etc) to get more ideas!

Don't get upset if the girls aren't interested at first. I rememember my mom trying to show me how to do stuff like that when I was a kid and I would rather be outside playing or watching tv. But, now, I'm almost 30 and I get compliments ALL the time about the "crafty" things I do (at home & at work)! I hope to get my girl into crafts, too, so she got a really cool art easel for Christmas! I even started showing her how to string beads for homemade jewelry! (She's 2.)

familyfun.com is full of ideas

There are some great kits at Wal-mart and other retailers (soap, gardenstones, cake decorating, chocolates, candles, jewelry, tie dye, seasonal, etc). I would check out any local store and dig around...they go on sale all the time.

Buy a big bin of beads from Hobby Lobby. Pipe cleaners, string or yarn. Jewelry time!

Here's one and a link to some other activities below. Have fun!

http://blogs.goddardsystems.com/Cedar-Park-TX/2009/10/12/...

APPLE PRINTING
Materials:
Apples
Paint (Use washable poster paint for paper prints and fabric paints for clothes)
Paper plates
Something to print on
Newspaper to protect table

Art smocks
Knife to cut the apple
*Children should have adult supervision throughout this activity.

How To:
1. Cover your working area with newspaper, and make sure everyone is wearing old clothes or a smock!
2. Pour paint on to paper plates (one color per plate).
3. Cut the apples in half. Create an apple silhouette by cutting the apple from top to bottom, or create a circle with a star by cutting the apple horizontally. Have your child guess what each shape will look like before you cut the apple, or brainstorm different ways to create different shapes with the apple.
4. Have your child dip the flat side of the apple in the paint, thoroughly covering the apple, and then place it on the printing surface.
5. Have fun creating fun designs and pictures with your homemade stamps!