Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Easy placemats

Here's another fun way to preserve children's artwork - take a drawing that particularly appeals to you (all the better if it's a fairly big one), write the child's name and the date on the back, and have it laminated. Presto, instant placement. They're cute, practical, and easy to clean (if the lamination is done properly they can go right into the sink).

(This is where I would add pictures of two really cute placemats if Blogger wasn't being such a pill, you'll just have to take my word for it.)

My kids love using placemats they've made themselves, and they make great grandparent gifts too.



Swing by Shannon's Rocks in My Dryer for loads of helpful hints from the parenting trenches, and don't forget to check out the incredibly giveaways going on over there (500 different ones and still going strong, one of them even by yours truly).

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am lucky enough (or unlucky cause everyone wants to use it) to have my own laminator that goes up to A3 size so I am forever making placemats for my friends kids work!

You can make coasters too, but they don't last long if hot drinks are used.

Nancy said...

What a great idea! I should go through the art I saved from when my 19 and 22 year old were kids!

Jo said...

Now I've got an idea for grandma's christmas, thanks.

Anonymous said...

Great idea!! Why spend money on placemats when you can make them yourselves?? I also love the Christmas present idea!! Thanks!!

Mel said...

That is a great idea Robin - especially as we have a laminator!

Reiza said...

I wonder if that would work for dining out. I have a huge diaper bag that could fit a laminated piece of paper in there. It might help keep the general area around TheBoy tidy and I think his big sisters would get a kick out of making travel placemats for him.

I can already hear them gushing to the wait staff about how they made those placemats for their brother.

Phyllis Sommer said...

ooh great tip. i always forget about this idea and i've started taking photos of the artwork instead. i think i have to save some for grandparents' birthdays...chanukah...anniversaries....thanks!

My Trendy Tykes said...

Great tip! Thanks for sharing.

Linda

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic idea, and they would make great presents for Grandmas!

Erin said...

HI Robin, just wanted to let you know that you have won the giveaway over at www.purplefrangipani.blogspot.com!!!
Now I need to get your postal info so I can send your prize over to you - can you go to my profile page and email me? if I don't hear back by 10th Novemeber I'll be sending it along to someone else.

Congratulations and thanks for entering!!!

Yearn to travel said...

The artwork in my son's room is my favorite in the house. One year he had this great art teacher and made some little gems. I bought inexpensive mats and picture frames for all of them. The mats were off white and the frames were all black but different styles. The artwork looks incredible in them. My son gets to look at his creations everyday when he wakes up.
Medelise