This must be a common dilemma among the legions of crafting mummies out there. The obvious solution seems to be to integrate them into what I am doing. With gardening this works brilliantly - Mark is a willing and increasingly able labourer and Johnny loves to potter. With cooking it's also fine but with crafting - I just can't seem to do it. I think the problem is that I am still such a beginner in so much of what I am trying to do, that I find it hard to accomplish it while supervising and helping little ones in the meantime. But I am really really trying.
I enjoyed making the series of minimoopies I did recently and I learned that it's not so impossible to sew a softie. Feeling quite bold, I asked Mark to help me design something we could make together and he drew a really great robot picture. I have annoyingly mis-placed it or I'd scan it for posterity.
He helped me choose the fabric and buttons and arrange the paper pattern and then, when they were safely tucked up in bed, I sewed and stuffed him.
Mark loves him in a really gratifying way and shows him to anyone who comes to the house. And I am trying to think of some other ways I can let them share this stuff with me. I surprised myself - it was fun.
16 comments:
You clever thing, it's wonderful!
I can totally relate! I usually will do a kids craft project with the boys and then try to sneak in some of my own crafty time when they're playing outside (on the rare day it isn't raining around here)or playing with their toys. Some days work out better than others.
I love the little robot and the concept of bringing your son's drawing to life in the form of a toy. That is definitely something I'll have to try this summer!
Great robot!
I love Robbie Robot! He is fantasic!
I, too, have a rather hard time drawing the line -- my kids don't really care about my sewing so much yet, they'd rather play with legos. But as soon as I pull out my scrapbooking supplies, it is a mad rush to create scraps for them to play with as well.
Hi Ali
We've just had 2 weeks of school holidays here, and it is such a balancing act. And a guilt trip! I sew with Alice climbing on me. Good thing is that Beth is really becoming interested in what I do, so makes it easier to have her "help". And thanks for the skit comments too.
That should read skirt. I'm not an actress.
I definitely relate to that problem. Whatever I try and do, my daughter wants to 'help' (which means take control of it and do it herself even though her fine motor skills are still in need of development). We've had a lot of highly dramatic stropping because she couldn't master knitting/stuck herself with a needle etc etc...
How very cute!
Ali it's brilliant. I'll pinch the idea if you don't mind... although the boys' drawing abilities are somewhat limited. No 1 is into strange surreal spaceships, No 2 is still drawing zombie like Humpty Dumpties... we'll see.
It's wonderful when they love the things you do though. My boys are very proud of their quilts and it makes me feel all fuzzy inside.
super cute robot!
He's cool.Whenever I sew the kids wnat too. Then they end up in knots with thier cotton, then I'm stressed getting no where with my sewing. You'll just have to go wonderful places all summer and show us photo's.
He's cool.Whenever I sew the kids wnat too. Then they end up in knots with thier cotton, then I'm stressed getting no where with my sewing. You'll just have to go wonderful places all summer and show us photo's.
What a great way to incorporate your little guy into crafting! I try to include my kids as well, but it is very hard. My boys will pin fabric together, wrap yarn around bobbins, or cut my fabric scraps. I get a little bit of sewing done, but not very much this way.
I like the robot's hair and his wrench-looking hands - great job!
adorable! what a great way to mortalize our children's drawings and ideas.
He is very very cool, and TV is not the end of the world, it can be educational too!
what a lovely little robot! I love the idea of creating something from your child's drawing. I can really relate to tryingt o keep children busy while you are crafting... my son is three and quite likes painting and drawing while I sew, but my one-year-old daughter is harder to entertain! Good luck with more 'collaborations!'
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