The Handicrafter

 Looking for a craft for a detail oriented child?  Does your child enjoy crafting?  Do they have an ability to focus and enjoy spending their time creating?  Cross stitching may be the perfect hobby. 

Even very young children can learn to cross stitch.  Children as young as seven have the ability to focus, have the eye hand coordination and the skills necessary to create fun and memorable projects.  When just beginning, depending on the age of your child and their skill and patience level, plastic canvas projects may be exactly what they need.  If they’re more advanced then perhaps a basic fabric pattern can be used to start.  Here are some of the basic supplies you’ll need to get started:

If you’re beginning with a plastic canvas:

o 7 or 5 count plastic canvas with fun pattern

o Brightly coloured yarn

o Large needles designed for children and plastic canvas projects

o Scissors

If you’re beginning with a fabric canvas:

o 7 or 11 count Aida cloth (the cloth designed for cross stitch with the little X’s on them.)

o 3″ plastic hoop

o Size 22 tapestry needle is recommended because it has a blunt end.

o Brightly coloured floss

o Easy beginner pattern.  There are a ton of beginner patterns designed specifically for children’s small hands. Bugs, animals, letters, and other large patterns with only two or three colors are a great way to start.

When teaching young children it’s best to begin with a short time limit in mind so that they’re not overwhelmed with the project or become frustrated.  Additionally, a short time limit will help them stay focused. 

Start with a basic lesson on how to hold the fabric, how to position the hoop, and how to thread a needle.  Quite likely that may be enough for a first lesson!  If they’re still interested in continuing, demonstrate the cross stitching process either by stitching a few rows yourself or showing them a completed row.  You may want to have them practice the basic stitch on a blank canvas and let them complete a row or two before they begin on their personal projects.

Teach in a room that is quiet, comfortable and free from distractions.  For many, part of the joy of cross stitching, and many other crafts or arts, is the almost meditative quality of the work.  If you’re teaching cross stitching in the middle of a busy and noisy room, they may miss out on that aspect and they may have difficulty focusing.  Sharing your joy of crafting and cross stitching with your child can be a wonderful way to connect, to spend time together, and to teach your child the joy of creativity.  Cross stitch is an excellent hobby because it enables your child to see the progression of their work and once they’ve completed their project it can be hung on the wall, sewn into a pillow, or displayed in any manner they choose so it can be enjoyed for years to come.

 Sometimes it’s ideal to set the children down at the table, give them a craft to work on and then step back and enjoy the focused peace and quiet that lasts for about five minutes!  Other times, it’s more fun to have the entire family get involved in a craft project.  It creates a sense of togetherness, shows your children that you enjoy focused time with them, and the results of the project can be appreciated and enjoyed by everyone.  Here are a few craft projects to consider doing as a family.

Family Tree Projects: 

Family trees are an excellent way to connect with your heritage and to teach your children about where they come from.  Family tree projects can be created by making a collage from copies of old family photos.  Depending on the age of your children you can also create a mural tracing your ancestry back as far as you can.  Smaller children will enjoy placing names or pictures on cut out green leaves and positioning them on a felt tree or a hand drawn tree.

Garden Crafts:  

Garden craft projects are exceptional because they not only allow your children to create something permanent they teach your children about growing and taking care of the planet.  Projects can be as simple as creating small seedling planters and painting or decorating the containers to creating elaborate yard art. Bird baths, luminaries, stepping stones, and wind chimes are all fun projects for the entire family.

Piñatas and other holiday crafts: 

Piñatas are a blast to make and even more fun to tear apart.  Family members can join together to create a fun family decoration and party favour for an upcoming celebration or use the piñata as an excuse for a celebration!  Piñatas require a balloon, paper mache tools, paint and candy or party favours inside.  Children can be involved in the entire process while parents oversee it or parents can join in and get arm deep in sticky paper mache - it’s fun!  Of course letting it dry is the difficult part and a piñata usually takes several days to make.  However the end result and the smile on your children’s faces as they dive for the goodies as they tumble out is more than worth it.

Word of warning though, don’t use too much glue or else the piñata will withstand hammering with even the studiest of baseball bats.

Other holiday crafts include Christmas tree decorations, Halloween masks, and Earth Day tye dye t-shirts!

Family crafts are a great way to spend a rainy afternoon, a fantastic way to create a holiday tradition and always a superior way to connect as a family and create special memories and love.

 Wise parents and child care givers know the power of a well stocked craft closet.  Rainy days, sick days, and those extra long school breaks can wreak havoc on even the most patient of parents.  A well stocked craft closet can save the sanity of babysitters, grandparents, and parents when these two little words are uttered, “I’m Bored.”  The words are enough to send children and parents alike into tears.  Imagine being able to reach into your magic craft supply box and pull out exactly the right craft supplies to help your children entertain themselves and keep them busy and happy. 

Here are my suggestions for those super handy craft supplies needed to get you through those moments when having an activity is an absolute must!

o Tempera paint

o Glue - clear or white glue is best. 

o Construction paper

o Tape (Lots and lots of tape)

o Crayons

o Markers

o Glitter and or glitter glue.

o Hole punch

o Safe scissors

o Pipe cleaners

o Ruler

o Clay - the kind that doesn’t dry out is ideal.

o Cookie cutters

o Felt or foam sheets and shapes

o Paint brushes

It also helps to keep a folder full of easy to make craft instructions.  That way all you have to do is pull out the craft instructions and supplies and an afternoon will pass quickly by.

Of course, all of those supplies can take up a ton of space.  A plastic organizer, cart with drawers or an organizer designed specifically for crafting are great ways to store supplies without having them take over the home. 

On top of the staple craft supply kit, there are a few items found around the home that you can begin collecting.  It’s a great way to be environmentally conscious and to inspire your child’s imagination. Collect and reuse any of these items:

o Bottle caps

o Buttons

o Cereal boxes

o Straws

o Egg Cartons

o Scraps of fabric

o Old magazines for collages

o Popsicle sticks

o Paper towel and toilet paper rolls

o Wrapping paper

o Bows and yarn

o Tin cans

o Newspaper

o Sponges

Rainy days, cold weather days, sick days and those good old hang around the house days are more fun when children are engaged in creating fabulous works of art.  A well stocked craft supply kit will make it much easier to have those special moments and you’ll never hear those two dreaded words “I’m bored”.

Make sure you have plenty of space to store their artwork and don’t forget to leave room on your refrigerator!

Children are fantastic when it comes to using their imagination.  They’re also pretty great about the three Rs, reduce, reuse, and recycle.  Put those two ideas together and your children will have a ton of fun.  Here are some ideas on how to get them started. 

Plastic Pop or Water Bottles: 

Butterflies -  You will need a butterfly stencil approximately four inches square if you are using a large 2 litre bottle or 2 inches square for a standard 780 ml or 1 litre bottle.  Trace the butterfly onto the plastic and cut them out.  Decorate with glitter glue sticks for extra bling. Butterflies can be strung by piercing the center with a needle.  Hang them outside for extra fun.  

Ocean in a Bottle – This project works best with smaller 780 ml or 1 litre bottles.  Fill half the bottle with clear non-toxic oil – like light canola oil.  Fill the remaining half with water.  Add food coloring, glitter, small lightweight plastic items and confetti shaped like your child’s favourite animal or shape. There are many different shape punches available in your local arts and crafts dealership. Recap tightly.  Let your child play with them to their hearts content.   

Cardboard Tubes: 

Rain sticks are a fantastic and fun way to spend rainy afternoons indoors.  Not that you’d want to conjure up more rain!  Supplies include: 

o Masking tape

o Paper towel tubes

o Tempera paint

o Elmer’s glue or other white craft glue

o Rice, lentils, or small beans 

Paint the tubes first and allow to dry.  Poke several very small holes, toothpick sized, into the tube.  Cover one end of the tube with tape and place a small handful of rice or beans into the tube. Cover the other end of the tube with tape and let them at it.   

Different materials, rice, beans, or lentils make different sounds.  Encourage your children to make several and experiment with sounds. 

There are a huge number of items around the house, items that normally end up in the garbage or the recycle bin that can be used to create an artistic masterpiece and hours of fun.  Old egg cartons can be used to make tulips or bells.  Tin foil can be washed and used to make picture frames or small sculptures.  Old newspaper makes great paper mache, baby food jars are excellent containers for luminaries and snow globes.  Tin cans make great planters for starting seeds just be sure to remove any sharp edges with a file.   

Give your children the challenge to come up with ideas of their own. A paper grocery bag could become a suit of armour, a plastic bottle can become a wind sock or a piggy bank.  They have amazing imaginations, creative thinking skills, and they’re truly the experts at recycling and reusing materials around them. 

Looking for a craft to teach your children?  A craft which will result in quality, usable products?  A craft which will teach them to focus, to set goals  and give them a sense of  accomplishment  and pride as well as to teach them design planning and follow through?  Sounds like a tall order, right?  Nope, the answer is as simple as teaching them to crochet or knit.   

Crocheting 

Crocheting is a great place to start, particularly for younger children, because it uses a single blunt needle called a hook. Children as young as four can be taught to crochet. Required supplies include: 

o Size J hook

o Favourite color worsted weight yarn

 o Beginner pattern   

Hooks come in a variety of materials from metal to plastic.  Lighter weight hooks are often easier for small hands to use effectively.  It’s easier to teach a child to crochet if you’re sitting side by side so a couch is ideal, just make sure the television is off or they won’t be paying attention.  It is important to note whether your child is left handed or right handed as the pattern directions will vary.    

Beginner patterns are usually scarves, blankets or placemats.  Remember to start small, be prepared for frustration in the beginning and set a mental time limit or create a goal – for example, let’s start with a 4X4 square so they feel like they’ve accomplished something when they finish. 

Before beginning any project it’s important to master a few knots, practice them, and make your yarn skein into a yarn ball.   

Knitting

Like crochet, knitting is a great way to teach children focus, give them a sense of accomplishment, and is a great way for children to keep busy as an alternative to a television, computer or video game.   

Knitting supplies:

o Size ten knitting needles

o Yarn, preferably wool

o A knitting pattern or project 

Easy knitting patterns include a scarf, a potholder, or a hat.  Begin with your child sitting next to you somewhere comfortable.  Sometimes it helps to have your child sitting in your lap so they can emulate your hand motions.   

Like crochet needles it helps small hands if the needles are larger and if they are lightweight.  Additionally, choose needles which have rounded tips rather than sharp pointed ones.   

Patience is required when teaching knitting or crocheting.  Knots can be difficult for small hands to master.  If you become frustrated they will too.  Knitting and crocheting are a fantastic way to bond with your child and to teach them the joy of crafting, the joy of creating something with their own two hands that will last a whole life long.

Buttons are easy to collect.  Our house always has a big pickle jar full of the most fascinating buttons. When clothes wore out both my mother and grandmother would cut off the buttons and drop them in the jar. They are a great crafting resource.

If you place a jar in the laundry room you’ll be surprised at how quickly and how many you can collect each year.  Buttons come attached to new clothes which eventually wear out. They often show up in the strangest of places.  Sometimes you can even buy bags of assorted buttons.

So what can you do with all of those buttons?  Make great projects with your children!

Here are seven fun things your kids can make with all those extra buttons:

1. Button People.  Buttons with two holes make great faces.  A swatch of fabric glued onto cardboard can be cut to make the clothing, pipe cleaners or cord can be made into arms and legs and string can be cut and glued to make the hair.  Grab a flat backed pin, glue it to the cardboard and you have yourself an adorable button person who can be pinned to bags, shirts, or a long ribbon to hang.

2. Button Flowers.  Buttons have the perfect shape for the center of a flower.  Give your children several pieces of brightly coloured construction paper, glue, scissors and a few buttons and see what kinds of spring bouquets they can come up with.  To get really fancy, give them string to glue to the paper beneath the flowers as a stem. Use the flowers to make beautiful brooches.

3. Sock Puppets.  No sock puppet is complete without a pair of button eyes.  Grab an old sock, extra felt for mouths, arms and legs, yarn for hair, and your children have the tools to get creative and put on their very own puppet show.

4. Flower pots.  If you have a collection of like coloured or like sized buttons, grab a hot glue gun or craft glue and decorate pots to give them upbeat polka dotted flair.

5. Button tree.  Small holiday trees can be purchased at your local hobby or craft store for less than $.25.  Small buttons can be glued onto the tree to create a lovely wintertime or holiday table centerpiece.  The more unique the button, the more interesting the centerpiece you can create.

6. Cards. Buttons can be arranged to create an abstract design or an image and glued onto heavy cardstock.  For example a collection of buttons arranged to resemble a clutch of balloons might be the ideal card cover for you’re a child’s birthday card. Make miniature artist trading cards to swap.

7. Robot.  Wrap a few small boxes with tin foil and stack them to resemble a robot with the smallest box on the top for the head.  Attach paper towel tubes also wrapped in foil to the body.  Buttons can be glued on for eyes, technician’s panel or other robot-like decorations.  Grab a can of metallic paint to add a more technical feel to the buttons.

Button projects are a great way to keep your children happy and occupied on a rainy day.  They invigorate their imagination and provide a very good use for those growing button collections. 

Keep on crafting!

Painting on fabric is a craft idea that’s loads of fun for both children and adults.  Non-toxic, brightly coloured paints can transform the plain t-shirt into a personal fashion statement.  Children can creatively express their own unique personality.  Their artwork  can be worn again and again.    

Here’s how to get started with fabric painting.

Supplies:

o T-shirt, sweatshirt, canvas bag, or even a pillow case.

o Fabric paint  non-toxic, water soluble

o Paint brushes, sponges

o Cardboard

o Paper plate or pie tin to hold paint.

Start with a simple t-shirt.  White isn’t the only option, any colour will do.  The key is to make sure the fabric is at least 50% cotton.  The paint will adhere more easily to natural fibres rather than synthetic.  The painted design will last longer and survive through more washing than if it were done on are 100% synthetic fibre.

Most paint manufacturers recommend that you test a small area of your t-shirt to make sure that the paint will adhere to the fabric and that it does not bleed.  If possible buy a t-shirt with a tightly woven fabric.  The paint will cling better and the colour intensity will be brighter.

It is also recommended that you wash the fabric first.  This removes any sizing from the material which can interfere with the painting process.   If you choose to wash the fabric first, be sure to skip the fabric softener. 

There’s a wide variety of fabric paint available.  The fabric paint which comes in bottles with nozzle tops makes application easy for children.  However, by using sponges and paint brushes you can add texture and a higher degree of detail. 

If you’re using bottles with an applicator tip, store them upside down to prevent bubbles from interfering with the lines of your design. Glitter can be added when paint is still wet to add an extra sparkle to the project.

Sometimes children have an idea of exactly what they want and all you have to do is give them the tools and watch them go.  Other children may benefit from having a pattern or design ideas to guide them.  Cookie cutters make great stencils. Cups make perfect circles and a ruler can help a child make straight lines.  Letters can be created quickly and easily with stencils.  Coloring books with large pictures can also work very well as templates. Of course for ultimate fun painted hands make a fantastic fashion statement.

When the children are ready to paint, the fabrics have been tested and prepared and designs have been planned out it is time to begin. Slide a piece of cardboard underneath the material of the t-shirt being painted.  If a t-shirt or sweatshirt is being painted the cardboard should be inserted inside to keep paint from bleeding onto the other side.  The same holds true for pillow cases and bags.  If you’re painting a napkin or something with only one layer, cardboard positioned underneath will protect the table surface.

Follow the directions on the paint for drying times.  This is often difficult for children who want to be able to finish the other side of their project or who are ready to wear their masterpiece.  Plan to have an activity after painting or explain the process ahead of time so children won’t be disappointed.  This is a fun project!