- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- grandparents today articles
- grandparents today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Fun on the Cheap
5 Craft Ideas Every Grandparent Should Know
By Anne Culbreath Watkins
Cheap Craft #3: Keep a Cool Head
Dress up your grandchild's room by transforming old satin or silk dresses into cool pillow shams. This project may be too complicated for younger children, but kids 8 and up can usually manage with a little help. Carefully snip the stitches along the clothing seams, and pull out the threads. Then separate the pieces of fabric. Next, lay out the pillow sham pattern, pin the pieces to the fabric and cut out. Then run a few straight seams and finish the edges. Voila! Now you've got a wonderful, one-of-a-kind pillow sham. And there's an added bonus to this project – the fancy buttons or accessories that were on the clothing can be reused for other craft ideas. Cheap Craft #4: (Don't) Pass the Bottle
Did you stumble across a box of old bottles and jars? Stop! Don't pass these up, as the most interesting ones can be used to create fun decorations. Give your grandchild a selection of pretty ribbons, and help him tie on a big bow. Then fill the jar or bottle with colored marbles to create a snazzy room accessory. 
Teenagers might enjoy trimming bottles with jute twine or ribbons and then filling them with scented bath oils. Another fun idea: Help your grandchild cut out small pictures from magazines. Using white glue, attach the pictures to the jars to create funny collages. Let sit until completely dry, and then spray with clear sealant.
