A few of my favorite things.

Lots of stuff cookin', but nothing that is officially done and show-able. Really, I am having a hard time readjusting to life after a weekend away...and so I feel a bit ADD-ish these days, as I try to put my self back together. Only to leave for vacay in 9 days, and replay this whole scenario all over again.




Such is life.




So. While I am getting my act together, I thought I would share a list of my favorite art/craft supplies, which I try to have on hand at all times. And I write this because sometimes people gasp in wonder that I can pull a craft out of the air! NOT TRUE! I just happen to have all the pieces available..which makes all the difference. Hey--I have an entire pantry full of stuff and no idea how to put a meal together...but, give me some crafty supplies and I can entertain a six-year-old!


Been thinking about this list for some time, and I think the general idea is..."If I were stranded on a dessert island, what 10 craft items would I want with me?"




Disclaimer: Do not let the "stranded on a dessert island" part fool you...this list is in no way practical, or capable of building shelter, producing water or supplying food (unless said food is made of paper mache and mod podge). And if I was, indeed, stranded, YES I WOULD want something to craft...I'm not so much for the fishing/shelter building/water purification responsibilities. Now that we have that out of the way.



Mod Podge. No shocker here. I love it and I find new uses for it everyday...honestly, it just gives a nice shiny look to everything, it's a glue the kids can handle and it dries amazingly fast. Anything the kids paint (for example, flower pots), I shellack with mod podge and it takes it up a level. If you know what I mean.




Acrylic Paint. Now...I wrestled with this one a bit, because acrylic paint is non-washable if you don't get to it soon enough. For that reason, I really don't let the little ones paint with it too often, unless we are doing something I plan to keep for years (yes, I know this is means almost everything) or gift. Everyday painting is done with the water-soluble stuff. However, I believe the vibrancy is great and the color palate unmatched (as there are HUNDREDS of shades by numerous brands available...for a very low price).







Grosgrain Ribbon. This is more of a finishing touch on gifts and such, but I use it a lot when making spontaneous little girl jewelry. Toss on a shrinky-dink charm, and you've got a bracelet, or a necklace. I am particularly fond of grosgrain ribbon with polka dots. Shocker.




Scrapbook paper. Lots of it. In all shades and patterns that speak to me. I used it a while back for the torn-paper collage I did with G (see here), but also like it for making last minute gift tags, or to put cute borders on pictures that the kids draw, that we'll often keep and frame, or give to grandparents...it dresses up plain white paper, is what I'm getting at. Occasionally I do scrapbook, but seeing as I am still working on Big J and L's baby book, you can see this is not high priority on my list.


Felt. I heart felt. It's cheap, it's easy to work with, and you can do a lot with it! I made hair clips for G earlier this year, I've made appliques for t-shirts and fun clothes for paper dolls that G has decorated. For about a quarter a sheet, I just like to have these on hand. I thought about including fabric on this list, but honestly, I think felt is the most multi-functional. Granted, you are not going to want to make a dress out of 25 cent felt...but for everyday use, this stuff can do a lot.

That's five...enough for tonight, more to come tomorrow or Thursday. And I put that disclaimer in there, because you never know what weird thing my kids will smear on the walls, or what great adventure they have brewing in their crazy little heads (for which I will come along to clean up the shrapnel that is inevitable).