Computer Generated Crafts

by Sherry Holetzky | More from this Blogger

21 Apr 2006 05:23 AM

Your computer is a great resource for craft projects. Not just because you can find fun stuff online, but also because of the fun stuff you can create. Using clip art or Web Dings found in your software programs, you can print out plenty of cute images to use in creative ways.

Make a Countdown Calendar

Design a calendar, and then print pictures to cut out that you can use to mark each day off the calendar as you count down to a special event. Cut out carrots for the Easter Bunny to count down until Easter (a little late for this year, I know). If your child is going to turn 5 next month, print out 5's in all different fonts, colors, and patterns. Cut them out and let your child attach one to the calendar each day until his birthday arrives. Do the same with pictures of pencils, crayons, and other school supplies to count down the days until school is out for summer vacation. Use ballet slippers to count down to the big dance recital, and a baseball to mark each scheduled game on the calendar.

*This project can be adapted for any holiday or event.

Personalize... everything

Children love to see their names all over their stuff. Have them create cool variations of their names with different fonts and colors. Print them out, cut them out, and attach them to binders, toys, and other objects. Combine several different variations on a piece of poster board and frame it for artwork in your child's room.

Games, Puzzles, Puppets, and More

Clip art and other images can also be used to create fun games and puzzles. For puppets, simply print an image, cut it out, and attach it to a craft stick, or add a band of paper to the back to make a finger puppet. Give your child a small box, like a shoebox, and print his or her favorite images to decorate the box. This will make a good storage box for art supplies or more clip art to use later.

Learn more about Sherry Holetzky

Sherry Holetzky is a work at home mom and freelance writer. Married to her best friend, Sherry and her husband are raising their family in a quiet rural setting in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

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