Even very young children can learn to cross stitch.  Children as young as seven have the ability to focus, 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 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 Brighly colored 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 colored floss
o Easy beginner pattern.  They make 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 that way they’re not overwhelmed with the project or 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 creating.  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.

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Craftster.org is an online forum.  It was created in 2003 as a place for crafters to share, post pictures, and even provide step by step instructions for their creations.  It is geared toward the more adventurous crafts and crafters.  They have a few fun slogans including, “Craftster.  Uncork the possibilities,” “Knit fast. Die warm,” and “Craftster.  Cheaper than therapy.”

Projects and blog posts are organized by:
o Category
o Date
o Whether a picture is posted

There are also a number of forums and blogs listed so it serves as a gateway to a number of other fantastic crafting sites and sources of information.  Craftster also includes a calendar which tracks crafting events all around the world.  Membership is free and users are encouraged to create a profile, to participate often, and to spread the word.

Getcrafty.com, Home of the Craftistas, is a comprehensive online crafting site.  Getcrafty.com operates as a directory and lists:
Crafting forums
Crafting blogs
Stories
Pictures
Wiki

They also have their own forum, chat room and blog.  It’s a fabulous, welcoming community of people who love Martha Stewart however do not aspire to be her.  They believe in the joy of making things, of crafting, rather than the joy of perfection.  The founder of the site, Jean Railla, also wrote a book titled “Get Crafty: Hip Home Ec”.

Membership at GetCrafty.com is free and users are encouraged to blog, chat, swap, and share.  Membership includes a free blog, free newsletters, a free online picture album and tons of online crafting fun.

Crafterscommunity.com is another full service online crafting community.  It offers a crafters directory, a list of top crafting sites, a banner exchange, and a pen pal service.  There is a forum, featured crafts are listed and updated often.  Featured crafts include pictures and step by step directions.  Projects are also listed by holiday and type of project.  For example quilting, paper craft, beading etc.  The site offers a forum, chat room, and photo sharing.  There is also a comprehensive list of projects which is updated regularly by members and facilitators.  Membership is free and each month members receive an email with:

o Fun Craft Projects and Ideas
o News and Happenings
o Free Contests

To make the most of online crafting communities it is advised to find one community to connect with.  Establishing a rapport with other members takes time and activity.  To simply register and read the posts is fine however people who take this approach are missing out on the social aspects of an online community.  A crafting community is a great place to make friends, learn, and to share crafting knowledge.

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Here’s a list of the super handy craft supplies for 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 crafts.  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 even an organizer designed specifically for crafting are a great way to store supplies without having them take over the home.

On top of the staples of a good craft supply kit, there are a few around the home supplies families can begin collecting.  It’s a great way to be environmentally conscious and to inspire your child’s imagination. Collect and reuse:

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 good ol hang around the house days are brightened when children are engaged and creating fabulous works of art.  A well stocked craft supply kit will make it much easier to have those moments and to make it easy for children to avoid those two dreaded words.  Make sure you have plenty of space to store their artwork and don’t forget to leave room on you refrigerator!

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Sometimes, however, it’s the hardest thing to come to a decision on.  There are just so many beautiful colors to choose from!  Here are some things to consider when selecting a color scheme for any project:

* Who is the project for?  If you’re making it as a gift for someone, does that person have a favorite color?  If so, try to incorporate it into the project, along with some complimentary colors.

* Is the craft for a special occasion?  If it is a wedding gift, doing it in the wedding colors adds a sentimental touch.  For a baby shower, the standard boy (light blue), girl (pink) and gender neutral (pastel green and yellow) colors are appropriate.  And most holidays have certain colors associated with them that you can use.

* Are you using items that include colors that are beyond your control, such as photographs?  This is a common concern in scrapbooking, but lots of other crafts use photos.  You’ll need to find a color that won’t clash with what’s in the photo.  Look for color ideas in the photo itself, or consider reprinting it in black and white if it’s too busy.

* What is the theme of the project?  Is it a nature item, or something in a futuristic theme?  Using colors that are commonly associated with a project’s theme is a nice, safe approach.

* Consider where the finished craft will be displayed.  If it’s an item for your house, or for a close friend or family member’s, you can scout around in the room for color ideas.  If you’re creating items for sale, think about common colors that people decorate with in those rooms.

* Use another piece for inspiration.  If you’ve seen something in a store, online, on television, or anywhere else that had an interesting color scheme, try using it on a project.  Interior design shows are a good place to look for unusual color concepts

* Think outside the box.  If you’re going for a formal look it’s best to stick with traditional colors, but if you want to make your project unique and funky, use whatever strikes your fancy.  It’s your project, and you can make the grass blue and the sky green if you want to.

Color is an important element of any project, whether you’re sewing a dress or making a wall hanging.  The good news is that there’s no right or wrong color to use for a given project.  You’re not being tested on it.  So just go with your instincts and use the color scheme that you think is best.

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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 colored 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.

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 colored or like sized buttons, grab a hot glue gun or craft glue and decorate pots to give them an 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.

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.

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.

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It’s fairly easy, and common, to get into a crafting mood head to your local bead store and spend gobs of money only to get home and not know what to do with what you purchased.  Instead of going to the bead store and buying everything that looks good, kinda like a kid in a candy store, consider going with a project in mind.  A bracelet for example, is a good beginner beading project to start with.

Make a list of what you’ll need.  This may require a bit of research.  For example a power bracelet is a great place to start.  Power bracelet supplies include:

*  Elastic Cord
*  Beads Of Your Choice
*  One Bead With Three Holes
*  Scissors

It is important to make sure the cord fits through the holed in your bead.  Finishing the bracelet, making sure the beads don’t fall off the moment you slip it onto your wrist, is the final step.  With a three holed bead the process involves pushing the cord through both sides of the three holed bead and up through the top.  The final step is to tie an overhand knot, trim the ends and voila!

Other project options are wire jewelry, hemp jewelry and earrings of all shapes and sizes.  Once you have a project decided upon and a list of supplies, then it’s time to head out to the local bead store.  Now some project supplies, like the three holed bead, can be difficult to find.  There are many online options to locate those hard to find supplies or if your determined to make your project and are willing to compromise on some of the supplies then variations can generally be suggested and purchased at your local bead store.

For example, using the power bracelet supply list if the three holed bead is unavailable a two holed bead can be supplemented using an alternative tying method.  It’s done by looping one of the cord ends through the end bead and then pulling it up and through another bead before making a knot.  It leaves the string exposed so choosing a string that matches your beads is recommended.

Once you get started creating beaded jewelry it’s hard to stop.  There are so many beautiful projects to create and a seemingly endless supply of stunning beads.  Start small, plan your projects well and be willing to ask questions and make adjustments as you go.  Enjoy!

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Plastic Pop Bottles:

Butterflies-  Grab a butterfly stencil, about four inches square for a large 2 liter bottle and 2 inches square for standard 12 oz bottles.  Trace the butterfly onto the plastic and cut them out.  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 12 oz bottles.  Fill half the bottle with clear non-toxic oil – like a light canola oil.  Fill the remaining half with water.  Add food coloring, glitter, small lightweight plastic items and confetti shaped like your child’s favorite animal or shape and recap tightly.  Let your child play with them to their heart’s content.

Cardboard Tubes:

Rainsticks 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 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.  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 armor, 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.

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If you’re serious about getting started in scrapbooking, there are some great DVDs out there to give you the boost you need.  By actually watching someone put a layout together, you can learn subtle arts and techniques you need to be a successful scrapbooker.

The Art of Scrapbooking: If my husband can scrapbook…so can you! is a great example of exactly what scrapbooking DVDs should be about: technique.  This instructional DVD is for beginners and teaches you how to use a variety of different products.  It doesn’t focus on creativity and layout design; that you can learn from books and articles.  It teaches you the stuff you really need to see to understand and it makes it easy for people who are just getting started.

A DVD doesn’t really need to be about scrapbooking specifically to help you perfect your layouts.  An Altered Journey with Tim Holtz is an instructional video on various inking and stamping techniques that can be used in scrapbooking and other art projects.  Even though the DVD’s main focus isn’t scrapbooking, it gives you some amazing techniques you can use and might just help you out with your non-scrapbooking related projects are well.  And if you like it, he has several other instructional videos to continue your learning process.

If you really want to learn techniques, and DVDs seem to work for you, then you should look into buying a series.  There are sets that have instructional DVDs on all sorts of topics.  That way you’re always learning and getting better.  A great way to speed up the learning curve even more is by watching with your friends.  You can have regular get-togethers to watch DVDs, practice techniques, and help each other out if someone isn’t catching on as fast.

The best part of DVDs is that they’re always there.  They usually have clear titles and menus so you’re not flipping a pile of books or searching the internet to get a refresher course on a technique.  You just pop in the DVD and fast forward directly to what you’re looking for.

You should remember that DVDs aren’t going to make you a master scrapbooker.  You need to continue to read books, research online, and constantly search for new ideas and inspiration.  Although they can’t make you and expert, DVDs can give you that extra push onto the right path.

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