Super Eco

Photo credit: konarska, stock.xchng

By this point, most of us parents have probably built up a big, fat dose of Crafting Guilt. We know we're supposed to be starring in heart-warming scenes of family bonding, repurposing trash and treasure alike as homemade crafts ... But somewhere in between the second-grader's spelling list, dinner prep and cleaning up what the cat left on the front step, we lost track of hand-knit socks and seasonal mobiles. We can't all be Amanda Soule, after all. (Go on, click over—I double-dog dare you. This woman is the Mother Gaia of Crafting. I read her blog every morning and weep at my mortal weakness.)

So you're not the crafty type. Neither is your family. Well, neither am I—but I've stumbled upon the key to a kitchen table crowded with eager crafters. The guiding principle: out of sight, out of mind. Keep your family's supplies at the ready!

When my husband leaves out the bins of paints and brushes for his hobby, my daughter's colored pencils usually end up close by. Plus a mess of loose paper. And my stapler and tape ... and the curlicue French curves for my son's school art class. Pretty soon, it's like a jigsaw puzzle on a card table in the living room. Who can resist stopping to add a few pieces?

• Keep the basics on hand. Glue, scissors, paper, buttons and beads, colored pencils, paint and brushes ...
• Keep the basics near at hand. If you don't have room for a dedicated crafts corner (a fabulous excuse for a pretty armoire), store supplies nearby. At the very least, pop everything into bins and baskets you can whisk in and out of a closet.
• Don't recycle (yet)—repurpose. Paper towel and toilet paper rolls, shoeboxes, mailing envelopes, gift wrap, plastic bags, ribbons and shoelaces ...
• Restock regularly. Swing through the office and craft aisles at the discount store during your weekly shop. Make regular stops at places like Hobby Lobby, with the kids in tow. 
• Never give up, and never say never. If you're just not the craftsy type—maybe a Craftastrophe is more your style.