Conference moira::parenting

    How about picture frames?  It sounds like they have all the necessary
    skills...woodwork, painting etc, or they could buy plain unstained
    frames and paint or stain them and decorate them with glitter or
    nick-nacks.  For example a frame for a birthday party photo might be
    bright colored and include one of those  party horn thingies.
    A Christmas frame could have pine cones or snow men made of pom poms.
    
    Nancy
    

    I was thinking of picture frames also!  You may be able to find some
    plain ceramic frames also, paint them a solid color (like white) and
    sponge over another color (like blue...)  Be sure to add a picture of
    them in the frames!
    
    sandy

    Christmas tree onaments might be nice...
    
    Take three painted (green, red, gold or silver)
    popsicle sticks and glue them piled on top of
    each other in a shape of a star.  Sprinkle with
    glitter.
    
    Make pot-holders.
    
    Make picture frames out of yard sticks.
    
    Make candles on their sick days or during 1/2 day
    of school or that Columbus day three day weekend
    that not all of us get off.
    
    Friendship bracelets.
    
    Smaller cross-stitch projects.  Teach them that
    new wastecanvas technique that deals with cross-stitch
    and you can take a $5.00 (on sale) sweatshirt and add
    a snowflake, bird, heart, etc and have a nice gift for
    their best friend, grandmother, etc.
    
      

    Where was I reading about the kid whose gift to Grandma was a promise
    to write a letter every month. Seemed like a great idea as grandma's
    response was the beginning of a relationship. It taught responsibility,
    encouraged writing, and was cheap.
    
    Maybe sending a homemade card every month and giving grandma a scrap
    book or one of those pretty fabric covered boxes in which to keep them.
    Grandparents don't want gifts; they want a promise that the kids will
    be thinking of them.
    
    Also saw one of those kits used to make an "art plate"...child draws a
    picture on special paper and sends it to the company which sends back
    a plate.

    Check out KISMIF::CRAFTS.  There might be something in there.
    
    Hit KP7 to add it to your notebook.
    
    Holly
    

    One thing we used to do was share memories.
    The family talked about relatives and got our memories churning. I used
    to make Memory books for older relatives, sharing some of my favorite
    memories about them or times together, and wld bind them in fabric/wrap
    paer on cardboard, and ribbon or wool to tie them.
    
    Made collages and framed them in branches, paper mache frames.
    
    So, many great ideas books at library.
    
    Also for little one- trace a little hand/foot and let her/him paint, glue
    sparkes, (etc) and make garland for a tree or mantle.
    
    Also, you might want to make floor clothes with canvas,gypsum,paints,
    shelac (sp?). the kids stick their feet in paint and dab footprints on
    the mat. dry and shelac and makes colorful mat.
    
    tons of ideas

    Every year my daycare has a teacher appreciate day.  Last year I bought
    plain plastic mugs and had my 4 year old paint something on everyone.
    I followed along and painted the teacher's name.  They turned out
    pretty good and gave the teacher a personalized gift.
    
    Irene

	Last year we made a personalized sweatshirt for our daycare
	provider.  Emily and Andrew stuck their hands in fabric
	paint  and each made handprints, then I wrote their names
	underneath them.  The sweatshirt was only five or six dollars.

	For older kids, I'd just let them loose with the fabric paints
	and let them create artwork on the T-shirts  or sweatshirts.

	Karen

    Here's a really easy one (for you):
    
    Make memo pads - have the kids draw with a black marker on a half sheet
    of paper, along the bottom and/or the top.  Bring these to any copy center
    (like Kinkos) and have them make them into pads.  They copy, cut, and
    glue them for you.
    
    My daughter made Grandpa's Grocery List - wrote that on the top and
    illustrated it along the bottom with the major food groups: fruit and
    ice cream!  The one for my grandmother had kid-pictures only, and she
    used it for letters.  Make sure they sign their work.
                                                        
    You can even get assorted colors in the pads, most places.

    To add to a couple back with the idea of hand prints on sweatshirts, I
    did the same on the canvas tote bags you get for a couple of dollars at
    Joann Fabrics.  After the kids put their hand prints on the bag, I
    added the date and "Grandma's Bag" at the top.  My mom really loved
    them.  Did these in 1991 and my mom (and I) still use them.  They
    wash up fine too.
    
    Last year for Christmas we did calendars.  Although we did it a bit
    different.  I printed off the months from my PC.  Purchased white
    poster board and used 2 sided tape to attach the months to the bottom 
    half of the poster board (after I stapled the months together along 
    the top).  I then went through the boxes of pictures of the kids from
    birth to present and had them pick as many as would fit on the top half
    of the poster board.  My then 6 year old trimmed the pictures down and
    taped them to the board in what ever design he wanted.  We added some
    stickers of choice and the year - done deal.  These mailed easily to
    Florida to Grandpa.
    
    Both projects took minimal time and the kids - and I - had fun.  
    
    Chris

    These are some really wonderful ideas!!  Now I'm having trouble
    choosing!!
    
    One thought that my sister had had also, was to get a pic of all the
    grandchildren, and have it put on a sweatshirt for Mom - she'd LOVE
    that.  I really like the hand/foot prints too!!
    
    Can you explain the "doormat" thing in more detail?  
    
    This is nice to have so many options, so we won't have to make everyone
    the same thing.
    
    On the picture frames, do they sell wood the "size" of yardsticks, or
    are you pretty much forced to use yardsticks?  
    
    I think my creativity genes are on vacation this month .... or just too
    preoccupied with Halloween!  
    
    Thanks again!!
    Patty
    

    Patty,
    
    You could always hit a hobby store and buy unfinished wooden picture
    frames and varying pieces parts and then let your kids' imaginations
    run wild.  Buttons, acrylic paints, tissue paper and starch, stencils,
    wood forms, etc. are all available at local hobby/craft stores.  
    
    meg

    My son's daycare did the cutiest thing for pictures (good for your
    two-year old).  They took a simple picture of each of the students. 
    
    Then, they cut pieces of cardboard that would fit around in the shape
    of a picture fram.  The kids decorated the frame with all kinds of things. 
    Mostly, they glued on glitter, colored packing "popcorn", cotton balls, 
    etc. The did just a little bit of coloring with what was probably water
    colored markers.
    
    A piece of plastic was put over the photo, and it was taped to the
    back of the decorated cardboard frame.  Finally, they glued a magnet 
    to the whole thing.  I've kept it on my fridge, and just love it.  I've
    gotten lots of comments on it, too.  Unfortunately, my son kept taking
    it down, and some of the pieces have since come off.  I finally got
    smart and put it out of his reach, and it will have to be stored away soon.
    
    Peggy