Are You My Mother?

This project was inspired by one of my favorite board books, Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman.  It is about a baby bird in search of his mother.
Supplies: giant blue washable ink pad or washable paint for the bird, wet wipes, gift basket filler for the nest, glue, card stock or construction paper, orange marker for the beak and black marker for the eye.  You can get creative and add additional details on your paper.
This simple handprint bird will be sure to put a smile on mom or grandma's face this Mother's Day!!

Father's Day Gift Idea

 

Mother's Day and Teacher Appreciation are behind us and yet another holiday will be here before we know it.  As I write this, I initially thought this would be a Father's Day gift idea....however you could do this for an end of year gift for your teacher or save for another loved one.

I asked my son these 5 questions, but you can ask any question you like:
What is your daddy's name?
What color are his eyes and hair?
What does daddy like to do?
What do you like to do with daddy?
Why do you love daddy?

I found a photo of my boys and imported it to Printshop.  I made the opacity of the photo 80% so you can see the text.  Then I typed over the photo the answers to the questions.  Be sure to include the date! I printed it out and inserted it in a frame my son painted.  (I found the wood frame at Michael's Craft Store for $1.)  On the back my son wrote his name and put the date.  This is the one we made last year, but I think I might make it again.  It will be fun to hear how he answers the questions this year.

  

Our Teacher has Heart and Soul - Class Gift

As the year comes to an end, our class generously gave money toward a gift card for our teacher's favorite places.  We also wanted to make sure they had something to "remember" this class.  We decided on an apron, which any primary/preschool teacher can use.
I planned a class park date and we were able to complete this project  at that time.

All materials were purchased at Michaels Arts and Crafts.  Red apron, white fabric paint, Sharpie paint pen and sponge paint brush.  Additional items: WET WIPES

I wrote: "Miss Luci has HEART and SOUL" near the top of apron.  Then I had the kids take turns painting their foot or hands.  *Make sure the apron is turned upside down when painting the hands to make it look like a heart.  This paint dries relatively quick.  I wrote the child's name below their prints and the name of the school and year at the bottom of the apron.

My son pressed his hands in a giant red ink pad to make the bag for the aprons and filled it with red tissue paper.  You can also use red paint.

This project cost approx. $15 for 2 aprons, one bottle of paint and one paint pen.

The teacher's loved it!

* This would be a great gift for Fathers, Mothers or Grandparents! *

Do you have any fun ideas to share???  :)

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

It is that time of year when we are struggling to find some meaningful and heartfelt gift for our moms or mother-in-laws.  Usually it ends up being a photo of the family or kids.  Yes, they love photos, but after awhile they run out of space to display these cherished images.  Here are some inexpensive alternatives that she will love and be proud to display.

Photo Flowerpot:  Originally saw this idea on www.pinterest.com under Teacher Gifts but thought Grandma would love and appreciate it too.  You can use photos of your family or include photos of all the grandchildren and/or their families.
Depending on the number of photos, chose a terracotta pot to fit.  Print the photos on regular printer paper.  You or your child paint the pot first.  When dry, modge-podge the pictures onto the pot.  Once everything is glued down well (with some coats on top) spray the whole thing down with some clear acrylic spray to remove any stickiness. 

http://pinterest.com/pin/200410252138059128/

I found this quote that would be the perfect finishing touch:   "A garden of Love grows in a Grandmother's heart."  Author: Unknown

Garden Stone:  These are always a hit and easy to make.  Handprint or footprints make it a special keepsake.

Brag Bag and Shutterfly 8x8 book

Brag Bag: Paint your child/children handprint using fabric paint on a canvas bag.  Once dry, put a special book about Grandmas or if you have time, a digital photo book inside.  She can take this anywhere and show off to her friends.
One of my favorite books for Grandma is The Gifts of Bring Grand and Grand-O-Grams by Mariane Richmond.  www.amazon.com

 "The Gifts of Being Grand", for grandparents everywhere, pays tribute to the special joys and rewards of grandparenthood.  You can have your child add a letter to grandma telling the reasons why they love them or have them draw a picture.  "Grand-O-Grams" is a bound book of 40 everyday and seasonal postcards that allow grandparents to keep in touch with those precious grandchildren.  I added a book of postcard stamps. 

The Storyteller in Lafaette has a great selection of books. 30 Lafayette Cir Lafayette, CA 94549 

Craft supplies and garden kits can be purchased at Michaels in Pleasant Hill.

Spring Gift to make for GIRLS or MOMS

I confess, I made this craft for my girlfriend's birthday, but can easily be made by kids too!  It was fun and easy to get creative on this Spring garden scene.  I picked out some flower hair clips at the store (Forever 21) and then set to work to make this card.  Using a single sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" blue card stock paper I cut small slits where I wanted to place the flower clips.  The rest is the Spring picture was made from card stock too.  When complete, place the clips and write a special message one the bottom.
This would great for Mother's Day, teacher appreciation, or a birthday gift.