Thursday, December 11, 2008

Are you crafty?

When we started homeschooling, my girls were in the 4th and 2nd grades. They loved crafts and we did tons of them. When you look at our tree, it's covered in homemade ornaments the kids have made. One of my favorites is one Nichelle did in school when she was 4 years old. It's a silver bell made out of an egg carton cup, covered in tin foil with a pipe cleaner and bell attached to it. It's so simple, but one of my favorites. The boys are in 4th and 1st grade this year. They love crafts too, but they're a little less patient than the girls were, so I keep things simple. This picture is of my boys this week, being goofy as always. We made star ornaments out of popsicle sticks and sequins. Nathan wanted to do a Star of David and Neil decided to do a traditional star. Sometimes crafts can be pretty complicated, but I cheated and used pre-colored sticks and adhesive sequins. The only thing I helped was with the hot glue gun so we wouldn't have to wait hours for them to dry. The funny thing is, because they were so simple, my boys enjoyed making them even more. The girls could sit there for hours, cutting things out, gluing stuff on, getting things just right. The boys like things fast and easy -- must be a boy thing! We made egg cup bells yesterday and on Monday we turned last year's Christmas cards into angels.

This other picture is of me taken sometime in the 70s. Even though I'm painting eggs here, I'm sure this was a Christmas project. I remember having this awesome Christmas craft book that had all sorts of fun projects. One of them was to blow out the inside of eggs and paint them into Christmas ornaments. I think that's what I'm doing here and I'd guess that was the book behind me on the couch. I've searched for that book online, but haven't been able to find it. I remember doing so many fun projects. I'd love to find an old copy of it, but I can't remember the name. I always loved doing crafts, whether it be in school or at home. I remember Christmas fondly because I kept myself busy making crafts. Today the boys are making peace doves and tomorrow they'll make handprint lambs. Then after school we're heading to the library to drop off some books and then over to Joann's Crafts. I found a handful of old Christmas cards the other day and I want to get more beads to turn them into little angel ornaments. Tis the Season to be Crafty!

13 comments:

  1. Great craft ideas Rena! I love crafts too and right now (because the kids are so young) we like simple and easy! So there is alot of colouring projects and I have a buncy of stamps and punches from my scrapbooking. The kids think it is a big treat to use 'mommy's stuff!'

    I don't remember being very crafty as a young kid - my parents aren't big 'craft' people. But in my teens I got into it and now I just love any craft - as long as it involves a glue gun! lol

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  2. Great pic Rena.
    I also love the ornaments my kids make best of all!

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  3. Hand made things are always the most precious. My mother called it being arty farty. I've been working/playing with my hands since I was at least five when I became the mistress of glue. During my teens I made quite a bit of money selling my shell crafts to stores in the islands. My main thing now is tatting.

    I've lived a crafty life...

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  4. how awesome that you do so many crafts with your kids! I love to do crafts. I usually have the kids make gifts for birthdays and Christms.

    Great pictures!

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  5. Gee your house sounds like the fun place to be! Cute pictures - I like how the boys are peeking through the stars.

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  6. My kids' handmade ornaments are my favorite ones on the tree, too!
    You do a whole lot of crafts with them, that is awesome! Where do you (and how) do you store all your craft supplies?
    Great pictures, I think your youngest looks a lot like you in your childhood picture!

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  7. Sadly,I'm not a very crafty person.I think it's mostly lack of time,and talent!LOL.I admire how you do so much with your kids,you are an inspiration to us homeschoolers.Cute picture of your boys!

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  8. You started out with Are You Crafty. NO! heehee You do have some really fun ideas, I'm sure we could do them.

    Nancy

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  9. I actually love doing crafts...and am planning to make a lot of things this year for gifts...

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  10. I love making crafts at Christmas. We have the best of both worlds with Hanukkah and Christmas so Jonathan is one busy boy at the holidays. As a matter of fact he just made an orniment in school today for our tree. :)

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  11. I'm glad to see there are still people taking time for this. And your kids will remember the togetherness when they're adults. Good for you!

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  12. Thanks everyone!

    And Leanne -- It's nice to see you around! :)

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