Over the past five years I've done a lot of crafting in spite of kids. Crafting around kids. Crafting for kids. I'm-crafting-damnit-can't-I-just-get-one-fricking-minute-to-myself-without-kids. What I did with kids that involved craft materials was nothing I considered crafting. It was more like
1. Drawing on demand for a perfectionist Biscuit who knew he couldn't make the SR-71 Blackbird look exactly "right."
2. Dragging the easel and paints out into the driveway, pouring paints into Tupperware, managing the inevitable freakout when the wind blew the paper up, replacing said paper, and finding drying space for dickety-eleven works of "art" that would eventually (who're we kidding) fill the recycling bin anyway.
3. Managing the glue bottle.
But it seems five may be the magic age! Biscuit is not only interested in crafting, he's able to do so many more things now. He's tried his hand at embroidery, and this summer he worked the foot pedal while I made him some new pillowcases:
(pattern in Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts)
Then last weekend he went to Jo-Ann with me and chose the trims and fabrics for superhero capes for his best friend Will and Will's little sister. He did a great job, don't you think?
(pattern in Stitched in Time)
So today, when he woke up chattering away about his birthday (which is in September, mind you) and how he wanted to have a cooking party and that we needed to make decorations RIGHT NOW, rather than going with my first instinct and whipping out the calendar to illustrate the point of there being no big rush, I decided to go with it, and together we made this:
Yep, a garland. One of those things I never thought I'd have any desire to make (kind of like wreaths) until I saw them popping up on the Internet and they wormed their way into my mind. (Check out this post to find my original garland-spiration, and this Flickr set for wreaths that make my heart go pitterpat.)
It was so fun making this with the Biscuit. It was playful, colorful, and creative. My teacherly side liked that he got to practice tracing (fine-motor skills), color mixing and matching, puzzles, and design. I also think the project had a nice balance of "on" and "down" time for him, as five-year olds need both--sustaining attention to one project for long is not in the cards, but this project alternates between adult and child roles nicely.
I've written the whole thing up tutorial-style in a Flickr set that is pretty darn thorough- let me know if you try it out!
JF, you are a crafting genius.
Posted by: diana | January 31, 2010 at 05:23 PM
I love this! Thank you for sharing such details photos of your process on flickr. Your finished garland looks like something that will be enjoyed thoroughly by all!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 31, 2010 at 06:41 PM
god i love the colors. so awesome!
Posted by: mintyfresh | January 31, 2010 at 07:23 PM
I love it! I may have to break down and make one myself. Thank you for posting the tutorial.
Posted by: Donna Tensuan | January 31, 2010 at 08:04 PM
Stealing this.
Posted by: Kate | January 31, 2010 at 08:29 PM
How lovely!! Stuff like this is what makes good memories (sounds hokier in print than it did in my head, sorry)
Posted by: Rose | February 01, 2010 at 04:21 AM
That is super awesome! This seems like a craft that I could do with my boys, too, who are a little older than the Biscuit (but one of whom has autism). Plus it just looks so cute hanging from your ceiling. :)
Posted by: Laura | February 01, 2010 at 06:22 AM
Super cute project, and great tutorial. Especially like how your son got involved with it!
Posted by: Diana | February 01, 2010 at 07:59 AM
Absolutely beautiful. I wonder if I could get my 18 year old to sit and do "just one more thing with Mom" before you head off to the great wide yonder? Doubt it! :-)
Posted by: Patty | February 01, 2010 at 10:50 AM
i just used that bird fabric in the blanket i finished. i love the garland but i love that he loves it even more.
Posted by: mamie | February 01, 2010 at 09:24 PM
bright and cheerful and i love it! i've actually been enjoying all the garlands online for some time, but i haven't quite justified a reason why i need one yet...
Posted by: k | February 02, 2010 at 08:50 AM
Cheerful, precious!
Posted by: rebekka | March 10, 2010 at 11:50 AM
beautiful! :) I totally want to do this for my little one's bday, but she's only 2... may have to do more of the "kiddo" steps myself :)
Posted by: Meg Bertapelle | May 11, 2010 at 04:28 PM
Love love love the garland. Very cool colors!
Posted by: Hook and Needle | June 21, 2010 at 06:37 AM
This garland is fab. I have got to make one for my little boy's birthday. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Crossfintan Cottage | September 05, 2010 at 12:58 PM
Absolutely beautiful
Posted by: Diseño Web | September 21, 2010 at 06:58 AM
Your finished garland looks like something that will be enjoyed thoroughly by all! Very cool colors!
Posted by: Homeowner Insurance | May 31, 2011 at 04:24 AM
What an awesome idea!
Posted by: yarnydays | August 25, 2011 at 11:20 AM
I love this! Thank you for sharing such details photos of your process on flickr. Your finished garland looks like something that will be enjoyed thoroughly by all!
Posted by: Insurance Check | October 06, 2011 at 10:01 AM
I love it! I may have to break down and make one myself. Thank you for posting the tutorial.
Posted by: Insurance Check | February 01, 2012 at 06:17 PM