For my step-mom's 50th birthday, I knew I wanted to do something special but times are tough & money is tight! So, I wandered around our local craft store for inspiration. Anyway, they had all of their canvases on sale (50% off) so I purchased one about 11X14 (I think, might have been next size up) for about $7-8. I brought it home, stripped my son of his shirt and pants, broke out the paints, and let him have at it! We painted the entire canvas, including the sides (didn't have money to frame it and didn't like the look of the glaring white sides of the canvas). He used paint brushes, foam brushes, his hands, and had an absolute ball. Bath immediately following, of course. It turned out soooooo cool. I gave him a selection of colors that I knew she liked & had incorporated in their house so it fit into their decor. SHE LOVED IT!! AND CRIED, AND CRIED, AND CRIED! It is hanging over their couch in the family room! OH - and put his name and year in the bottom corner. Anyway, then, for father's day, I purchased the smaller size canvas, think it's a little smaller than 8x10, and had him paint it and put his handprints all over it for my husband's gift. He loved it (he was envious of the large one we did for grandma) and has it hanging in his office at work!
Just make sure to put a base color down to cover the entire canvas, let it dry a little, then let them have at it! I found the base color first covering the entire canvas gives it a more "professional" appearance and less like a scribble colored page from a coloring book. BUT - it's totally up to your little artist!!!
This idea was such a huge hit, my mom wants one from all of the grandkids! LOL
Check out these interesting topics from all over CafeMom:
- Smarter Living:Sun Safety
- Family Piggy Bank: Meet Your Goals
- Positive Parenting: Host a Card Shower
- Dinner Ideas: Ranch Spinach Pasta Salad
- mattysmom09
on Sep. 22, 2009 at 1:11 PM