HANDMADE
By Zoey Nettles
Mother’s Day is quickly approaching and we all have women in our lives that deserve to be appreciated. Handmade gifts not only can save money, but they also have a unique and personal touch to them. Some gifts, such as poems and drawings, hold great sentimental value. Other gifts can hold both practical and sentimental value. These crafts include things that will be as special as they are useful.
Hand Painted Canvas Tote Bag
• Difficulty Level: Moderate • Supplies Required: Canvas Tote, Acrylic or Fabric Paint, Brushes or Sponges, Stencils Some Ideas: Kids can use the paint to transfer their handprints onto the bags. Use letter stencils to spell out words or names. For this craft, feel free to unleash your creativity! Make sure the bag is clean and laid out flat for smooth painting. Simply use paint and stencils to design whatever you want. Create something the recipient is sure to love by personalizing it with their name, nickname, favorite flower or favorite color.
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Fingerprint Mother’s Day Card
• Difficulty Level: Easy • Supplies Required: Cardstock, Washable Paint, Marker(s) This card is perfect for children, however be sure to supervise them in order to minimize messes. Fold the cardstock in half and draw a few straight lines to represent flower stems. Using safe, washable paint, have the child use their fingerprint to create flower petals around the stem. After they have finished their fingerprint masterpiece, have them tell you a message to write inside and get them to sign their work!
Hand Painted Flower Pot
• Difficulty Level: Moderate • Supplies Required: Terracotta Flower Pot, Paint Markers or Paint, Modge Podge (Optional) This gift is great for gardeners! Simply use paint or paint markers to draw whatever words or pictures you want on the flower pot. After you or the child has finished their creation, seal the design with something such as Modge Podge, however this part is optional. If you want to add something extra, consider planting some flowers in it yourself!
Small Painting
• Difficulty Level: Easy • Supplies Required: Small Canvas, Paint, Brushes This gift is classic and simple. Purchase a small canvas, such as an 8x10 from a local dollar store, and paint something that holds a special value to the recipient. Whether this be a portrait of a person or a depiction of something they love, allow your creativity to run wild! I hope that you enjoy creating these gifts for that special someone. These crafts do not have to be solely used for Mother’s Day. Feel free to utilize these ideas for showing appreciation to those you love throughout the year. No matter which craft you may choose to do, the personal touch and the effort put into it will surely bring meaning to the recipient. ■
