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24 February 2008

Ask MeCha Seeking crafty ideas for the non-crafty.→[More:]I have two nephews and three nieces who live in another state, ages ranging from 4 to 11. This week I received an envelope from my mom, and inside were handmade cards from them, with one of my nieces entreating me to "send me something."

I want to make some cards for them. The problem is, I am not crafty! What are some easy things I could do that a) kids would like, and b) wouldn't require skills that I don't have? (As to the extent of my skills, we're talking drawing stick figures here, folks.) And yes, I know that it is the thought that counts, but I want the thoughts to be good ones! ;-)

post by: initapplette at: 16:57 | 9 comments

Painting! Paint clouds; they're easy and relaxing :)

how about writing some poetry about your nephews & nieces?

posted by divabat 24 February | 17:25

Ear wax sculpture.

posted by jonmc 24 February | 17:30

Origami. Or money origami.

posted by The Loch Ness Monster 24 February | 17:35

Rubber stamping. It can be addictively fun, makes for great cards, and lets you be creative without any real hand-eye coordination.

posted by lleachie 24 February | 18:37

I've saved bits of funky paper - wrapping paper, freebie posters, whatever. When I get in the mood, I'll hand tear them into a shape I like. Sometimes it's just a cool shape, sometimes I try to tear them into things (like a flower or a house or whatever) and glue them to some cardstock.

Usually I write a quote I like in a dark pen (and funky handwriting, something not my normal "hand") too.

posted by Sil 24 February | 18:39

How bout something for Spring?

1) Make a simple card from fun paper samples and attach seeds with a small piece of tape. Maybe this can be on an index card inside your card so it can be taken out and planted. I think this sort of thing might work. If not,

2)send bulbs in a simple, hand painted little clay flower pot. Maybe with their name on it and little jewels glued around and so on. You could even get them a little watering can from the craft store and decorate that. Paint a simple sun and a green squiggly for hills. It's very simple. Add some clouds, too!

Also: post pictures!

posted by MonkeyButter 24 February | 18:56

cross-stitches are easy to do, and don't take too long when you get into the rhythm of it. They come with threads, and about the hardest part is working out the right colours and counting the right number of squares.

Plus, you can unpick.

Some cross-stitch kits are designed as cards, too...

posted by jonathanstrange 24 February | 19:24

I could've sworn I wrote a comment urging you to try printmaking, but now I don't see it. Well, okay, try printmaking. Woodcuts (or styrofoam deli trays, or potatoes, etc.) are a good way to start.

posted by box 24 February | 19:53

Thank you for the ideas!

posted by initapplette 25 February | 00:29

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