Tag Archives: Crafts

Arts & Crafts; A Love/Hate Relationship

Arts & Crafts; A Love/Hate Relationship.

By Orlaigh McLay, Family Learning Worker

When you think of Arts & Crafts, what do you think of? Pritt sticks, cardmaking, plastic beads, pipe cleaners, lolly pop sticks, PVA glue, tissue paper? Did that list excite you or fill you with dread? Did you do any of the activities listed in our previous Family Learning blog? If so, have a think about how they made you feel. It’s what we experienced in school and it’s what our children know and (presumably) love. It keeps them busy and entertained, it encourages creativity, messy play and independence. However, I don’t think I’m alone when I say that as a parent, I find it quite overwhelming; the mess, the stickiness, the cut-up bits of paper all over the floor, the glue in hair and the glitter that can still be found 10 years later.

 

 

It’s ok to not love every second of it and it’s ok to dread the clean-up. For some, the cons outweigh the pros and Arts & Crafts isn’t something that features readily in their homes, and that’s ok. It’s good to acknowledge that you don’t enjoy something and if facilitating it for your child brings your resting heart rate up; there are other things you can do that the whole family will enjoy. The interests and passions in these homes may lie within imaginative play, dancing, discovering different types of music or instruments, cooking, baking, or exploring nature. Children find it easier to enjoy and explore topics that their parents show interest and/or confidence in.

 

 

As a parent, I will admit that the potential mess does bother me, but I try to remind myself that I don’t need to control the mess, and that everything is wipeable (wishful thinking?). I tell myself that everything can be tidied up after my child has enjoyed some card-making or painting and that her enjoyment is the priority. I try to be present and encouraging and try not to interfere or tidy while she is busy discovering textures, colours and shapes. My child loves being creative, and nothing makes her prouder than gifting her creations to her family and friends, or sticking something on the fridge. Nothing makes me prouder too!

 

This blog however isn’t about how to remove a Pritt stick from your child’s hair, or how to get a bead out of their nose (a very recent experience for us which ended up at Crosshouse Hospital), it’s about how you can bring Arts & Crafts into your life, as an adult. You don’t have to have an art degree, or a broad range of fancy paintbrushes or the best quality oil pastels. You just need time… Did you scoff reading that? Time is something I’m sure you feel you have very little of. Between preparing school lunches, working through piles of washing, keeping the house tidy, dealing with sickness bugs, catching up on Love Island, keeping the fridge stocked and paying your bills, you probably feel like you barely have enough time to wash your own hair or grab a cup of tea. But if you can, forget about the washing for half an hour. Ignore the pile of toys on the floor when your kids have gone to bed. Take a deep breath and have some time for yourself. Some people like going for a bath or reading a book, others like to see what’s new on Netflix or cook tomorrow’s dinner. It’s all some form of self-care, isn’t it? It’s all about taking some time to unwind.

 

 

For me, I do that with Arts & Crafts. Within my home (which is our second renovation project, I know – we must be mad), I love to paint murals, or just decorate (see photos). I like making things look nicer, and I love to inject colour. I take time to consider colour schemes, furniture, textiles, functionality, and budget (that’s a topic for another blog). When I’m not pretending that I’m an Interior Designer, I’m making something. I recently discovered cross stitch and have been working on a project for my sister’s wedding anniversary. It was supposed to be for her wedding last year but see paragraph about limited time above. I have picked up supplies in charity shops and have been lucky to be given a huge box of needles, thread, and fabric for free. That’s the joy of the Arts & Crafts community; when you tell someone you’re interested in something, they will no doubt give you things they don’t need or have valuable knowledge about where to buy or look for things.

 

 

I recently completed my first embroidery project, which was just a little beginners pack from the sale section in Wilko (see photo). I learned how to do all the stitches (with the help of YouTube of course) and loved seeing it come together. I found time to do this in the evenings, when the wee one was tucked up in bed. I would get comfy on the sofa with a cup of tea and just work at it for as long as I wanted to. Some nights my eyes were strained from a day on my laptop, or my head was sore after a noisy bath time with a toddler. Some nights, it felt impossible to thread the needle, which if I stabbed myself with, would be enough to make me want to launch the loop out of the window. So, I would pack it all away and come back to it another night. It’s not about pushing yourself to work at something constantly until it’s finished. It’s about focussing in on something that doesn’t require a huge amount of effort or concentration. At first it might, but then it becomes easier.

I’ve found that since trying to bring Arts & Crafts back into my life as an adult, I’m more relaxed and I have more patience. I’m productive and mindful and it must be good exercise for my brain (I’m sure that’s a thing). I don’t feel like my evenings have escaped me and I enjoy spending time making things I’m proud of, just like my little girl does.

Have a look at these ideas of Arts & Crafts that you could try:

“Be Happy” Embroidery Craft Kit

Botanical Embroidery Craft Kit

Nature Cross Stitch Craft Kit

Make Your Own Glass Painting

Watercolor Painting Bundle

Nature Painting by Numbers

4 Pack Paint by Numbers

Creativity with Watercolors

Orlaigh McLay
Family Learning Worker

Top 10 Summer Craft Ideas for Families

Top 10 Summer Craft Ideas for Families

Welcome to the Family Learning Team’s first blog post. We will be posting a blog with a different theme monthly. We hope you find these useful for your family.

Here are 10 creative, summer-themed craft ideas that involve the whole family. We hope you have fun trying these.

To get published on our website trying any of these crafts, please email photographs and a short blurb describing how you found the craft to: familylearningteam@north-ayrshire.org.uk

Alternatively, you can tag us on social media: @NAC_FLT for Twitter and NACFamilyLearningTeam for Facebook.

 

  1. Rainbows

Rainbows are often typical of the Scottish summer and a marvellous sight to behold. Create your own hand-print rainbows, tissue paper rainbows, rainclouds, finger-print rainbows, or moveable paper-plate rainbows. Follow the link above for each of these, including a link to a Makaton sign-along version of the Rainbow song.

 

  1. Feely Paper Plate

The ‘feely’ paper plate is an awesome craft for people who enjoy sensory stimulation. Click the link above for a step-by-step guide for how to create your own with common household materials. Create a summer masterpiece with what you can find around your own house!

 

  1. Paper Plate Animals

There are a huge variety of paper plate animals you can create including giraffes, koala bears, snakes, snails, and crocodiles. Explore the many options and get inspired via the link above.

 

 

  1. Paper Plate Dreamcatcher

Enjoy sweet summer dreams by making your own dreamcatcher using simple materials. Use your own favourite colours to complement your bedroom. Pleasant dreaming!

 

 

  1. Toilet Roll Crafts

There is an abundance of projects you can try using toilet roll tubes! Follow the link above to see a butterfly, kaleidoscope, racing car, flower, rocket, and octopus.

 

 

 

  1. Pipe Cleaner Crafts

Who knew all the things you could create using pipe cleaners? Follow our link above to get making a pair of glasses, flowers, crocodiles, a wee chair for a toy, a crown and finger puppets. Pipe cleaners are easy to shape and come in an array of bright colours.

 

  1. Lolly Stick Crafts

Enjoy a yummy summer ice-lolly and then save the sticks to get crafting! You could make photo frames, mini superheroes, aeroplanes, fish, and animal puppets. There is something for everyone. There are also some thrifty gift ideas!

 

 

  1. Chalk

Create your own stained glass window designs using just scissors, Sellotape, and coloured chalk. Follow our link above to see how this can be done. If your family remembers Art Attack, you could create your very own Art Attack moment and place yourself in a chalk-filled scene. It’s a perfect photograph opportunity! You could keep things traditional by designing a hopscotch board, Twister game or obstacle course.

 

  1. Bubbles

Enjoy some bubble fun in the garden this summer! Our link above has the recipe for a homemade bubble mix and demonstrates how to make bubble wands. You can then turn this into a craft opportunity by making popping bubble patterns, sensory bottles, pom-pom and foam cupcakes, and more!

 

  1. Cereal Box Guitar

Summer is a great opportunity to learn a new instrument. Did you know you can create a functioning guitar using a cereal box? You just need a few other simple materials to enjoy making some music for your family. Top tip: gather and use elastic bands of different thicknesses to make higher and lower sounds. On the next page there is some inspiration for homemade shakers, a drum and panpipe.

 

There are so many different ideas to get stuck into. Have fun creating and don’t forget to share with us – we would be delighted to see what you have made together!