My Special Cloth Book
Make a special book about moms
All children enjoy having ownership in their work, and they especially like to complete projects which focus on themselves. Bookmaking can be a fun and easy way to help children at various ages and ability levels to communicate through writing.

Cheese Cake Squares
This recipe is very easy to make and even easier to eat! Children can also successfully prepare this dessert.  CheeseCake Squares can make an excellent Mother's Day Gift when placed in a pretty cookie tin box or wrapped in pastel plastic wrap.

Mother's Day Gift Buckets
To show that you appreciate and love your mom why don't you make her this wonderful gift "bucket"?  After decorating the bucket, fill it with all the items your mom loves- perfume,candy, books, facial cream, lotions etc...  She'll love the gifts and the homemade container.  For the little ones you can paint the bucket white let it dry and then using another color of metal paint and place the child's hand in the paint to make handprints all over the bucket.  Not only will this be a terrific gift, but a perfect mom keepsake!

Keepsake Scrapbook
This is a super project to keep materials and mementos organized and place them in the book as soon after the activiy as possible. You don't want to be digging around for Christmas memorabilia in July. Ziploc bags are one way to keep items safe and organized.

Oatmeal Soap on a Rope
Ever wonder what to do with those little pieces of soap, those hotel bars of soap your kids love to bring home?  Well, this is the craft for you!  You can add oatmeal to create an old fashioned oatmeal soap or if you use cornmeal (in the same amount as the oatmeal) you'll have a pumice soap- great for those tough skin areas!! This would make a terrific gift for Mother's Day or Father's Day!

Meet the authors
Debbie Janasak & Anna Swinney
"A Year of Scrapbooking"
hosted by Sue Spataro
see the interview with authors Debbie & Anna
It has a huge variety of projects, with technical tips and new ideas mingled through it. The language and instructions are clear and the photographed examples are creative and inspiring, yet achievable for anybody. At the end, there is a very detailed resources list so you can easily locate any of the products they have used. Organized by the calendar year, this book contains hundreds of ideas and project themes for each month- from birthday and wedding albums to holiday and special event scrapbook pages.  Debbie and Anna include tips on improving the quality of photographs and creative ideas for cropping and layout.  The design and technique tips are in an easy-to-follow approach and all ideas  include step by step instructions and pictures. This is a wonderful book to turn your valuable photographs into treasured heirlooms!

A Child's Footprint
This craft features a great gift for Dad on Father's day or Mom on Mother's Day. This Footprint Craft includes both the child's footprint, a nice momento, and a wonderful, touching poem.  Write the poem in the shape of a large footprint using waterproof marker.  Using watercolors or watered down tempera paints paint the child's foot and print it over the written poem a couple of time. After all is dried laminate the piece of paper and attach string on the back for hanging.

Mosaic Flower Pots
Mosaic pots are just right for creating that springtime feeling ! They are so simple to do and beauitful. This project can be done by kids who are 3 years old and older. To give the pot a genuine mosaic look at least half of the area on the pot should be covered by the broken tile pieces. The addition of "gems" gives the pots a glorious, sparkling look. You can use other materials to decorate your pot suchas shells, smooth stones, and dried beans. These are super for any gardener as a Mother's day or Easter gift.

Meet the Author & Craft-of-the-Week
Candy Rose
Candy Rose is a simple and beautiful (not to mention tasty) gift.  If you make 6 or more you have created a candy bouquet.  Make the roses, gather them up, using floral tape wrap around the roses and a big red bow and you'll have a full, candy bouquet! This craft/gift is perfect for children 5 years old and older.

Meet the Author & Craft-of-the-Week
Valentine Rose Pen
This week's Craft of the Week is brought to us by the award winning author and crafter Willie Ripple.  Her many craft books have been used by families and groups for years.  Her valentine's craft book Valentine School Parties What do I do? is perfect for both groups and families- it has everything to make heart day very special. Willie's craft Valentine Rose Pen is a great craft for children in kindergarten through sixth grade.

see new Mom Day Crafts

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My Very Own Mother's Day:
A Book of Cooking and Crafts
(My Very Own Holiday)

by Robin West, Robert L. Wolfe (Photographer), Diane Wolfe, Jackie Urbanovic
(Illustrator)
There are all kinds of great ways to show Mom you love her. This Mother's Day, make her a little gift -- a basket, a bouquet, or a necklace -- and whip up a fast and easy breakfast or put together a picnic lunch. Mom will be thrilled! Mother's Day will be here before you know it, so get started!