Artsy Fartsy Family

Today we made giant thank you cards with file folders. It’s easy. First, you have to cut the edge of the folder off, so that it’s smooth.

I drew swirlies on mine with a crayon while Madelyn (6) glued random things to the front. We were making the card as a thank you from girl scout camp. Everyone at camp had signed the card to acknowledge the donors, and together we were decorating them. When we were done with the crayon, I painted over the entire thing (glued elements and all) with hot pink watercolor paint.

When the paint dries, if it’s curled, I’ll just iron it. Did you know you could do that? lay a towel or something (raggedy in case the crayon melts) over the top of it and iron it flat again. It doesn’t take much.

The value of working together to make thank you cards is immense. Not only can parents participate in an act of gratitude with their children, modeling the expression of thankfulness, but, when you’re putting your heart and soul into a project, it is infinitely more special than something you picked off the shelf.  Knowing that you worked together as a family to focus on your gratitude, is a priceless gift.  Imagine, knowing that someone was banding together to celebrate your gift.  This Artsy Fartsy Family rejects obligatory thank-you cards, but is all in favor of spending creative time in true gratitude.  I hope you will try it, too.