Hello,

I'm sorry it's been so long since our last issue of the magazine... life just gets in the way sometimes. Father's Day is quickly approaching, so I wanted to get this issue out in time to find some use in the projects. In case you're unaware, Father's Day is Sunday, June 19th. Enjoy the projects!

Little Kid^TM Crafts

• Father's Day at Danielle's Place - I usually only refer people to individual craft pages, but this page has several great gift and card ideas for Father's Day that cover a wide range of ages. This one is definitely worth looking at!

• Father's Day Collage - Assemble a bunch of old magazines and have the child cut out pictures of things that Dad likes. Younger children will have some very definite ideas of what Dad likes (and they might suspiciously look like things the child likes). Glue the pictures onto a piece of construction paper and label them for Dad.

• Nuts and Bolts Paperweights - This craft makes a paperweight by creating a ball of plaster of paris and pushing nuts and bolts into it.
  
  This year the children and I are going to make a similar craft using bread dough or paper dough... We'll form the paperweight shape, push a variety of nuts and bolts into it, and let it dry. Then we'll cut a piece of felt to cover the bottom of the paperweight (so it won't scratch the desk) and glue it on. You could also take this one a couple of steps further by painting it or spelling out DAD with the hardware.

• Father's Day Windchimes - An easy craft made from a margarine tub and metal washers... although some adult help will be needed to make the holes in the tub.

• You're A Great Catch - This one's cute, but a little too elaborate for younger children. I'd suggest simply cutting out a fish shape from a paper plate and decorating it. Then continue, as indicated in the directions on the page, to make the fishing pole, line, and hook. This is a cute idea, if you adapt it to fit your child and situation!

• CD Photo Frames - I got one of these for Mother's Day this year from my youngest and I'll treasure it always. I haven't had time to put the craft up on our craft site yet, but below is a brief description:
  
  The outside of the CD case has a piece of paper covering it as a decoration, then you open up the case and one side has a picture of my daughter and the other side is a piece of paper with her little handprint on it. The picture and the handprint paper are glued into the CD case where the cover paper and the CD would normally fit into the case. My two year old was very proud to give this to Mommy, and I'm sure Dad would love this as a Father's Day gift too!

  There are other simple children's Father's Day Crafts here that aren't included in this issue.

More Challenging Crafts

• Business Card Holder - This is a cute gift that Dad will love. It's more of a "tweanie" craft... too hard for young children, but not quite sophisticated for really big kids.

• World's Best Dad Card - This is another "tweanie" craft, although younger children could make it with a little adult help.

• Printable Certificates - Free, printable certificates for fathers, grandpas, and other special guys. Choose from a variety of certificates, both colored and black and white for you to print out and color - made especially for dads, grandpas, uncles, and other special guys. You can also print out special ribbons.

• Father's Day Tease Shirt - This is a cute idea no matter what the age of the child... it require the use of fabric paint, so close supervision is necessary.

• Treasure Map - I include this because it was such an original idea that could go along with any other gifts you have in mind or can be used along.

• My Dad's love is stronger than nails! - A recycled CD, nails, and hot glue becomes a unique picture frame to give Dad.