Lobster with Daddy

In an attempt to get some work done, I suggested my husband do a craft with Alexandria the other day since she really calms down while doing crafts even if they don't last that long.  I picked out a really cute lobster idea that I saw and set them on their way.

Things you'll need:
 - Red paint
 - Paintbrush
 - White paper
 - Black marker
 - Google-y eyes
 - Glue

First thing first was to do the hand prints that would act as the lobster claws.  Use the paint brush to apply paint to one hand at a time and make the print on the paper.  Alex really enjoys this part! :)

For your own sanity, be sure to wash each hand after the print has been made!  After that, apply paint to a foot (either foot will work, so whichever is easiest) and make that print so that the toes are at the bottom of the paper and the heel will act as the lobsters head.

Next step is to add the arms and legs to the lobster.  My husband just free handed these with the paintbrush.  The beauty of crafts at home is that imperfection is actually the greatest part of the craft; at least I think so!  (Not that my husband did any part not perfect :-P)  After everything is all connected, then you can glue on the google-y eyes at the top of the head (heal).  Last step is to add the antennae and smile using the black marker as the final touch!

Hop Hop

In the spirit of Easter and having some extra time this morning with Alexandria before her Easter party at daycare, I decided to make a bunny using her feet as the ears to give to her teacher (and to keep one for at the house).  My neighbor gave me the idea when she sent me a similar craft picture the night before that her son had done at school and I thought it was so cute that I had to give it a try.

Things you'll need:
 - Pink paint & a paintbrush
 - Black marker
 - White paper
 - Tiny toes

The foot prints (one of each foot) will become the ears of the bunny, so you want to have them looking and angled the same as much as you can depending on the age and squirmy-ness of your child!  I held Alex on my lap and painted one foot.  I let her stand up on her non-painted foot and then pressed her painted foot down with my hand onto the white paper held vertically.  After washing that foot off in the sink, I repeated with the other foot.

And that's almost it!  After that, I made ears around the footprints and then drew in the face of the bunny.  My neighbor's son had cut out he bunny and glued it to another colored piece of paper to give it some extra color, but we were on a time crunch, so I just left it on the white piece of paper.  Any finishing touches will do and you have a quick and easy bunny rabbit with keepsake footprints in a matter of minutes!