It’s no secret around these parts that I’m not a very crafty person.
Perhaps this is due in large part to the fact that I don’t do crafts at all.
Ever.
And unfortunately, my child has paid the price for my failures in the craft arena. He hasn’t had lots of exposure to things like, you know, scissors – which he wields as if his right hand has been seized by an electrical current – because, well, CRAFTY THINGS MAKE MAMA NERVOUS.
Plus, I don’t know if y’all know it or not, but art is oftentimes messy.
Over the last year or so, though, I’ve had a change of heart. It’s not that I like crafts now – OH, HEAVENS NO – but I do want for Alex to enjoy coloring and painting and lo, even pasting things. I also want for him to have memories of doing crafty things outside of church or Mother’s Day Out, perhaps even in the house where he lives with the mother who is crazy.
As an added bonus, the occasional crafty activity might just help Alex learn how to “hold a pencil” and “write some words” and other skills that will come in handy when he starts school.
So I have been trying to do better.
And lately, I feel like there’s been something resembling crafty progress in our family.
For starters, I bought a big canvas at Michael’s about a month ago, and one Saturday morning I covered the breakfast room table with a sheet and a bunch of newspaper, put out about 15 different colors of craft paint, and let Alex paint to his heart’s content. He mostly used a brush, but he also used his hands, and even though there is still a substantial chunk missing from the inside of my bottom lip, I didn’t try to control the mess.
The little man had a blast, and his finished masterpiece was one of D.’s Father’s Day presents.
All in all, the missing chunk of lip was a small price to pay. The paint that missed the canvas came off the kitchen chairs fairly easily, though the sheet I draped across the table will never be used as a bed linen again. Unless I want to frighten my guests.
I’ve also discovered that while Alex doesn’t care for crayons, he LOVES HIM SOME MARKERS. It’s been raining here the last couple of afternoons, and just look at the results:
I draw the pictures – sometimes labeling them with what color should go where if he says he wants to “read colors” – and Alex works his magic with the markers. Then he colors some more. And then he asks if he can color ONE MORE TIME before he goes to bed.
Internets, I believe that’s what you would call a crafty victory. For both of us.
So if you’ll excuse me, the little man and I need to head to Walmart. They have Crayola markers for eighty eight cents a pack, and we crafty types like to pick up our supplies when they’re on sale.
I’m sure you understand.
July 11th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Good job, girl!
July 11th, 2007 at 10:18 am
I really like the painting…what does that say about me, I wonder. The crafty thing? Yeah, that’s something I’ll need to work on when Kevin comes home, too. I’m not into it either…
July 11th, 2007 at 10:47 am
I so understand and I did not manage to get over it with my boys. It is sad, but on the upside, my oldest is quite the drawing artist (perhaps because his crazy mother would only let have a pencil???)
He has taken quite a few drawing classes and is quite good; I’ll have to post some of his work sometime on my blog.
Here is the interesting thing. My girls just do it anyway.
I don’t even know where they get the stuff.
They have a small, white, rectangular, kitchen table in their room now because I just can’t watch.
The other day they were gluing and sewing all these little squares of fabric and making collages.
They swear they did not steal from the craft store but that some friends gave them the cloth and glue. Hummm.
I’m going to have to watch those girls. There is all kinds of craftiness going that I’m not aware of at all. And honestly, I like it like that!
So here is my advice, put a table in his room and don’t watch. Just clean up the mess when he’s done. That is my policy.
July 11th, 2007 at 10:50 am
Ha ha! You described my philosophy exactly- I have never liked the mess or trouble, but have been trying to come out of that now that my kids need the skills that all that crafty stuff brings. Except my kids like watercolors the best, and I’ve discovered that Crayola watercolors will wipe off or wash out of everything. If I had known how easy it was to clean up, and how much my kids would enjoy it, I’d have started all this a long time ago. I hope I haven’t stunted their creative growth.
July 11th, 2007 at 10:51 am
I don’t have a bit of it in me either. Thanks for the inspiration…
And love the painting :)
July 11th, 2007 at 10:57 am
Oooh, I have the perfect solution for your new crafting gallery that will save your fridge door. But I think I might just make you wait until next WFMW to read about it! [insert cruel bloggity laughter]
July 11th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Congratulations…a real, live break-through!! Way to go, Girl!
I think instead of arts and crafts, you lean more towards crafting words and food in the kitchen. Am I right? Creativity is your forte…paint or not.
Blessings,
Holly
July 11th, 2007 at 11:06 am
So funny and so true!
My kids don’t even ask me anymore. Sometimes I think they get up extra early just so they can get a little painting in before Mama wakes up and puts a stop to all that MESS occurring on the kitchen table. On the up side – my refrigerator and kitchen walls have never been so colorful!
July 11th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Here’s a little something to make your skin crawl (it made MINE crawl, and not only am I a Crafty Maverick, but I am not what is known as a NEAT person). Last week, my sister let my 4-year-old niece do sand art WITH KOOL-AID PACKETS. After she told the story, she was like, “I cleaned the kitchen right before that, and I thought, I’d better not mop.” And my mom was like, “You do realize that if you mop now, your floor will be colors.” And the fear dawned in her eyes.
July 11th, 2007 at 11:15 am
He’s a crafty genius, I can tell. You’re a very brave mommy.
July 11th, 2007 at 11:23 am
Congratulations! He is a great artist! Love the abstract canvas art!
P.S. Consider yourself tagged. Come over to my blog and check it out. It is a great one, and I would love to read what you have to say about Him.
July 11th, 2007 at 11:27 am
I am also a craft chllenged mama. I do like play doh though, and all my kids know how to make chocolate chip cookies.
What else do they really need????
July 11th, 2007 at 11:34 am
Shaving cream is a fun one. I squirt it all over our glass-topped coffee table and let 4yo and her 4yo cousin sculpt to their hearts’ content. When I wipe it off, sparkly glass! The other fun thing to do with it is put some in a bowl, mix in a few drops of food coloring, and give it to the kiddos with a big brush in the tub. Paint the tub walls, themselves, the tub, their bath toys–whatever. Then just rinse it off with water. Plus it’s cleaning whatever they paint. :-)
July 11th, 2007 at 11:47 am
oh i LOVE it!
those pics are SOOO cute.
LOL.
i hope to be able to display such beautiful masterpieces when i’m a mom!
July 11th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
love it! i just love kids’ art. it’s my favorite thing of all about having kids, well that and the hugs!
July 11th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Please, oh please, tell me you bought washable markers!! I have thrown away any crayon or marker that is not washable at our house. But if you do get some non-washable marks on tables, walls, etc. be sure to use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser – it gets the marks off in a jiffy (even permanent sharpie marker on my kitchen counter that came through the paper!)
July 11th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
hee hee hee..yeah “we crafty type like to get our supplies on sale”.
Oh good grief! I think, just think, you have become a crafy snob now. I mean, shopping at Michael’s and such…my gracious.
Kidding.
Just kidding.
Seriously, $0.88? hm…
July 11th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
I am a lurker, but I couldn’t resist commenting on this. I am a kindergarten teacher and I am so happy to see you getting out the markers, crayons, and scissors (PLEASE get out the scissors!) My poor babies–mostly the little boys–struggle so much at the beginning of the year and this will help so much. One tip: In a very loving way, guide them to hold the tool (crayon, pencil, etc.) correctly. It makes their life so much easier! ha! I love your blog!
July 11th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
I LOVE crafts…perhaphs that is why I liked teaching kindergarten so much! Try stamps, paper chains, and gluing punch outs or whatever else you find around. I punch out different shapes with my craft punches, and my kids (ages 1 and 2) stay busy gluing them with a gluestick for a LONG time.
Both cutting and using playdough are excellent ways to work the small motor skills needed to learn to write.
I congratulate you on your willingness to mess up the house a little in the name of art. Many moms won’t do it at all!
July 11th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
I’d be buying a frame for that painting. I seriously would frame that one.
July 11th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Hey Boomama, there is an invention that came out I don’t know, in the 1880’s, it is called The Coloring Book…you might want to pick a few up for your boy in case you have a not-so-crafty day! The suprising thing is, it really isn’t very messy at all! (Wink wink!)
I must confess, I am not the artsy/crafty type either! (Except for scrapbooking…but that is not for the kids!) It is a GINORMOUS deal for us to get the glue stick out!
July 11th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
I like doing crafts but the thought of having my boys do them gives me the shivers!!
My MIL would do all kinds of neat crafts with them that if it was at my house I would be climbing the walls. The bravest thing I did with the boys was I let them finger paint – before you pass out – with chocolate pudding (I watered it down a bit). They loved it and since it was pudding I didn’t freak out like last time when they licked their fingers. Blah! Good luck!!
July 11th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
YAY! Someone else in the anti-craft camp. I just posted about my anti-craftiness last week. My kids suffer too, but I always say, that’s what preschool is for. To do all those messy arts and crafts projects I don’t want to do at home. Good for you, venturing out of your comfort zone. Hope your lip grows back quickly! :-)
July 11th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
That painting is actually quite good. I’d have him keep that up if I were you.
July 11th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
I’m not the artsy kind- by NO Means. But I gave birth to two that are. They’ve been out-drawing me since they were 3.
And, I have to tell you- that painting is AWESOME. I bet David was thrilled :)
July 11th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
I love preschool crafts but boy do I want to be a control freak about it, so I understand what you’re talking about. An outdoor easel is great and I want to echo the comment about helping him position the tool. And YES, practicing using scissors is a great idea for hand-eye coordination and concentration. Kumon makes great cutting workbooks!
July 11th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
There is nothing like craft time to bring me to the verge of a breakdown. I applaud your craft commitment in spite of the loss of your inner cheek.
July 11th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Well done, both of you!
July 11th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
While at Walmart pick up the most lovely, yet cheapest vinyl tablecloth you can find. It’s great for protecting the table from crafts. I have an Easter egg one I pull out just to make – you guessed it, Easter eggs.
July 11th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Get the Crayola magic markers. They only write or color what have you. On the certain paper that goes with it. They also have finget paints that only color, or paint….. on the certain paper. I love it. :) Good luck- and welcome to the wonderfull world of Crayola. * They really don’t pay me to say all this. :)
July 11th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Congrats on the craftiness! A’s painting is great.
July 11th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Love the painting! And good for you. Before you know it you’ll be posting a painting that you yourself did!
July 11th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
I found a neat site to print out pages for coloring…I ask the kids what they want to learn about that day and then find it in here and they can color them , while I’m reading blogs :) maybe I’ll get around to starting a blog someday
http://www.firstschool.ws/theme/cpgeneral.htm
July 11th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
I guess with 2 girls in the house, there’s no way to avoid crafts! I enjoy a good paint-by-numbers as much as the next gal, but I’m far from “crafty”. My oldest is into any craft she can get her hands on. She will make “stuffed” animals out of construction paper and tissue. She will makes crowns and birds out of pipe cleaners. And she can do amazing things with tin foil and glue. Hey, I feel a blog post coming on. Excuse me while I go blog about my crafty 8 year old!
Blessings,
Georgia Mom
July 11th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Hi!
Thank you for sharing the craft victory! It was great! I found your site through OW – just wanted to stop by, introduce myself, and say hello!
God’s Peace!
July 11th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
I absolutely understand a child’s love for creating. And good for you for being so willing to let Alex indulge.
Just don’t forget to frame a couple of your favorites. As time goes on you can place other works of art in the same frame with the newer ones on top of the older ones. It will be fun for both you and Alex to one day go through all the pieces in the frame and see how his talent progressed.
You may see just the mess that he is making at first. But look a little deeper. You are making memories here.
July 11th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Girl! I love that painting. That kid has talent.
I do understand the hesitation with allowing that messy crafting in the house, but I would cultivate that child’s abilities if I were you.
July 11th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
My favorite bday party for my girl was a painting party.
Ten 2yr olds, plus all the colors of the rainbow. It was awesome. We painted ’till the cows came home’ and they all got to take a canvas masterpiece home with them.
I dare you.
July 11th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
I let my kids make canvas paintings too- To hang in the playroom- It was so much fun- But when all I was said and done- I walked away covered from head to toe in the paint!!!I actually put old clothes on them and let them do it outside on the driveway! The paintings turned out a nice shade of brown mostly because that is what you get when you mix about 10 different colors together- Nouveau brown!! Gives a real artsy feel to the playroom!
July 11th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
The painting actually has good composition. My kitchen is full of art supplies and the like. It teaches medium and elements more than most realize.
You gotta get a little paint on your hands, rub lotion on first and your nails wont stain
July 11th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Wow, great painted picture by Alex! His colored pictures are nice too.
I consider myself a crafty person by nature, but I’m ashamed to say that I don’t make the time to encourage Snuggle Bug to explore his artistic side…mainly because of the time, energy, and mess involved. I need to get better about that.
One thingyou really should let Alex try…Crayola Twistable crayons. Snuggle Bug, who normally perfers Sharpie markers to anything (much to our dismay) loves, loves, loves his Crayola Twistable Crayons (the slick stix kind).
I may follow your lead and get a canvas at Michael’s for Snuggle Bug to paint on. His daddy’s birthday is coming up in December, so I have some time.
July 11th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
I’m not the craftiest mama either and we also just bought one of those stapled pieces of canvas to “decorate”. The kids had a great time and I feel pretty happy about it too-more well-rounded or something!
July 11th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
You have quite the little Picasso in your home!
July 11th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
I will confess I love “crafty” things if and when I have the time. I guess somehow this closet passion transferred to Lu Lu the 5 yr old. For her birthday, all she asked for was “craft stuff” and CRAFT STUFF she received. We bought her two craft desks so she and a friend / sister could craft together. But it was the grandparents who bought out the craft section of the dollar tree. We have everything from feathers to stickers. Of course I bought all these rubbermaid containers to put them in and where do you think it all is? Strewn in the playroom of course! But, she will craft for hours and boy is she proud of her work!
Love Alex’s work and I’m sure Daddy did too!
July 11th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Love the painting!! I love kids artwork. My husband is stripping the wallpaper in our kitchen and until it’s primed and painted we’ve been hanging up anything our kids color or paint. I love it.
July 11th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
You know, washable paint and washable markers are a good thing. A very good thing, in fact. My daughter has that stuff. And, I’m an artist and I do let her use it! (I could almost hear you gasp.) It’s okay, Mama. I promise. Step right up to your local discount store and stand in line for those mega cheap school supplies on sale. And you know what? Glue is washable, too. :)
July 11th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
For the sake of your sanity, stick to crafts that can be made using Walmart supplies.
You don’t want to commit yourself to a bunch of trips to Michael’s, because:
Michael’s, to me, is among the scariest places on earth. Very claustrophobic, what with the tall, narrow aisles and strange smells.
** My apologies if Michael is reading this or if you are somehow related to Michael.
July 11th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
I have some great pictures painted by our children that I keep saying I’m going to frame…
July 11th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Yes, but does he craft on “himself” yet?
July 11th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
I love crafts but the amount of stuff coming in from Sunday school, MOPs, etc. kills me after awhile.
I’m learning to be sneaky about throwing it away. My four-year-old feels we need to keep everything even though he only drew two lines on the page! He is his father’s son! A packrat at heart.
Stephanie from Rhode Island