Crafty, creative people...I need ideas!!

[Dawn S]

Every year, for my daughter's b-day, I always come up with some little something to "make" for her, along with her usual gifts. One year, I made her a really nice notepad with her name & some pictures & such on it. Another year, I made a Disney scrapbook for her with our most recent vacation pics. This year, I'm totally void on ideas & I only have a few weeks left.

I was going to try to make some type of an autograph book for her, but I can't seem to think of a way to jazz it up a bit & make it something really out of the ordinary. Other than that, I am totally blank on where to even start.

If anyone can think of anything at all that could spark an idea, or some specifics on how to persue the idea, I'd be eternally grateful! If it helps, here's some detail on her: she will be 6. She loves Disney, princesses, unicorns, Power Puff Girls, Barbie, Scooby Doo & art. Thanks, in advance folks!!!

 

[DisJosh]

How about a sketch pad with a collage of all or some of the characters you named there? They have these cool hard covered sketch books you can get at Michaels that would be perfect. If you wanted you could buy one of the small ones and call it an autograph book. If you did that you could glue a little cut out of an individual character in the corner of each page.

Just some ideas...I always put collages on the covers of my sketch pads and I love it. It really makes it yours...it's personalized without puting a name onit.

 

[The Mom]

When my daughter was her age, I painted her favorite character on a plain apron...she loved it!

How about painting a wooden jewelry box (you can find them in craft stores) with her favorite characters, or in her favorite colors. You could glue beads, etc on it.

I also bought a fancy ballet applique, and sewed snaps on it and also on a sweatshirt, so she could wear it in cooler weather. (the snaps are for removing it before washing)

If I think of anything else, I'll post it.

 

[Dawn S]

Josh: You actually brought up something similar to what I thought of, as far as the cut-outs on the corners of the pages go. Here's my only problem. I can't draw anything better than a stick figure, so I was hoping to print out images, cut them with a razor knife & stick-glue them on. BUT...I can't seem to find a whole lot of images to use. I've scoured the net & there are so many characters that I still can't find. I don't have enough to make it worth it. Any clues on that?

Mom: I also love the jewelry box idea. She would really like that. I actually have a really nice, large plain wooden jewelry box that my father made for me. I've had it packed up to keep it safe & I planned on giving it to her eventually anyway. I think it would be truly special to dress it up a bit & then pass it on. Definitely something to ponder.

Thanks to both of you. Keep the ideas coming if anyone has any. This is a HUGE help. I have 4 birthdays all the same weekend, so I'm a little bogged down with that & the back-to-school thing. :hammer:

 

[DisJosh]

I think your best bet would be to buy some cartoons or Disney related magazines. There are alot out there. I'll try to find names if I can for ya...

 

[mightyduck]

Don't forget that larger craft stores (like Michael's) have tremendous selections of Disney stickers that are of archival quality, plus there are lots of things you can do with rubber stamps, too!

Have you thought about making her a photo album or scrapbook and giving her a camera and film or a couple disposables? It's amazing what children see that we adults overlook.... This way, it's something you can make for her as a gift (decorating the outside, that is--don't forget using the fabric covering method, too! They can be beautiful!) and then you can work together to put the album together or create scrapbook pages with her photos when she's done.

Just a thought. Good luck!

 

[figmentmom]

Wow, you guys have great ideas. I can't draw at ALL, but I do make a lot of costumes for my elementary school musicals. How about making her a personalized princess hat? It's pretty easy to do.

You can use either colored oaktag or plain manila, but make sure it's a heavy-grade paper. Roll a cone shape, leaving an opening at the point of the cone large enough for a small finger to pass through. Staple, tape or glue the cone shape securely, and trim the bottom so that it will fit your daughter's head (it doesn't have to be perfect - I know this is a surprise!) You can either cover the outside with material, or not, depending on your preferences. (Just make sure you cover any staples on the cone with tape or material, so that she doesn't scratch herself on them.) Next, you can glue or sew sequins, fancy trim, ribbons or whatever suits your fancy on the hat. She might like her name and/or her favorite princess' name on it. You can staple, tape or glue a piece of elastic to go under her chin to hold the hat on.

Last but not least, tie a good-sized knot in either a long chiffon scarf or length of gauzy material. Feed the un-knotted end up through the hole at the top of the hat. You can either staple, sew or glue the end with the knot to the inside of the hat for added durability. I found some GREAT gold and silver-starred rainbow-colored chiffon material at our local fabric store . You can even find Disney-themed material, if you're lucky! If you really feel like going all-out, you can make her a matching wand from a wooden dowel covered with ribbons and some of the same material on the hat.

Anyway, good luck. I'm sure your daughter will be thrilled with anything you make for her!!!

 

[Tigggrl]

Hi Dawn! I hope im not too late...LOL
Go to Michaels...they have a wonderful selection of unfinished wooden boxes, and paper Mache ones too, and they have cut outs and paper pages from Disney in books in the Scrapbook section...They also have several small photo albums with plain paper pages in the scrapbook section that would be perfect for a autograph book...and lots of stickers...Disney and Powerpuff girls...Then you can decopage the boxes with the paper, and decorate the photo album with...I am planning to try to make a couple for Christmas...
Michaels is great! I wish I were ther to help you