Time to Get Crafty

Family Crafts From Flowers to Portraits

By Katherine Bontrager

ays. "It's OK to leave spaces between the pieces of paper; if pieces overlap, be sure that all the edges are glued down. Brush glue over only a small area at a time."

Remember to add in the details, including dark eyelashes, freckles, beauty marks and so on. Add in a neck, ears and hair, and don't forget such finishing touches as clothing, earrings, hats, eyeglasses, crowns and tiaras, Whitted says. "Once the glue is dry, fill in spaces with colored pencil or marker," she says.

Finally, let your crew decide whether to hang up or even frame their handiwork. "And don't forget to sign and date your keepsake artistic creation," says Whitted. "You'll be glad you did in years to come!"

These same techniques can be used to create pictures of other people, animals or anything in children's expansive imaginations. Whitted says that dimensional objects are also fun to add, such as thread, yarn or real fabric.

Among the other arts and crafts projects that are big hits with Whitted's clientele is the use of colored sand. "There may not be another material as soothing to humans as sand," she says. "We like to lie on it, dig our toes into it, and children will play in it for hours. It's also a wonderful all-natural art material. Layer it in glass containers for a fun landscape; add a tea-light for nighttime illumination, and paint with it, using glue, or make a 'loose' painting that can change each day and be poured away once you're done."

Another sure-fire hit? Colored tissue paper. "With 20 colors in one package, tissue paper is so versatile, no home should be without it," Whitted says. "Wrap presents with it, use it to make bouquets of flowers, or create 'stained glass' artwork by tearing it into pieces and applying with glue to almost any surface."

Need yet more creative, crafty ideas? Help your children embrace their family heritage and make a family tree, or go through the dozens of leftover photographs sitting around and let each child make their own photo album. Whatever you do, cherish this time, and work to keep the imagination, creativity and fun flowing!