Needing some ideas-

I need craft ideas! I am counting on yall creative folks out there! Please, can you help me think of something???

Hi all. DD & I have taken up giving some of our time at the local home for the elderly. Today we went to help stuff pillows. Myself and another mom are involved. Shirly(the other mom) and I need some ideas for our next "craft" class. We need to keep it very simple as most of the ladies really don't have full use of hands. Today, Shrily and I went in with pre-sewn pillows, leaving just an opening for the ladies to stuff. MY dd ran behind us helping the ladies hold their pillows open and handing them fiber fill. Many required help with this task. After the pillows were stuffed, Shirly, myself and dd hand stitched the opening closed. This took some time, there were 13 pillows to be hand stitched.

Can you think of any craft that would be fast, easy and not too expensive for the materials?

The joy that a simple thing like stuffing pillows brought to those ladies will not be forgotten for a long time. It made my day. Something so simple was so touching.

Thanks in advance.

I think what you are doing is wonderful. You might try a few simple Christmas decorations next. There are lots of ideas in the crafts sites on the internet. I would think that you are perhaps talking more like children's crafts as far as capabilities. Maybe you would want to let them make a Christmas card or two for loved ones or even some simple fabric painting on a dresser scarf or place mat would be nice. I will start thinking in this direction and let you know when I see ideas you might be able to use.

This message was edited Nov 6, 2003 7:47 PM

I donated cardstock pre-cut,gluesticks, envelopes & extra flower photos I had for a card-making project at a local nursing home. We gave them an assortment of stamps for the backs & left the inside plain. They can use them as all occasion cards like I do or give them as gifts. The ladies had a lovely time making the cards & enjoying the bright colors of the flowers.

If they are able to hold a paint brush perhaps they could decopage (watered down white glue) a picture to something like a piece of wood. If it was spring I'd say plant a marigold in a pot. How about paper snowflakes? have them tear the paper instead of using scissors. Can they use rubber stamps? They could make their cards with those. Oh oh oh...how about stamping with veggies!! Like a potato!!

I'll think some more...but Elena is right. You could find lots and LOTS on-line. Just look under children's crafts.


BTW, when I'm old I hope there's someone like you to entertain me. You're doing a tremendous service. Atta girl!!!

Lisa..one thing we do at the Widow's Support Center where I volunteer is refubish stuffed toys. One lady washes them....we have to unstuff the large ones to get them in the washer. After they are dry we repair any that needs it...new ribbons...and new stuffing in the large ones that didn't get the stuffings washed. Some of these go to the loval nursing home to be used as Bingo orizes or something...the patients love them.

The Salvation Army storre saves us the ones they get (as we give them so many when they have the Children's Christmas party...I'll bet they would give them to you...and lots of friends and your Church members could donate them to you. Jo

Lisa this is a wonderful gift you are giving.

The first thing that came to mind was a candy wreath but it is a little hard with good use of your hands. Have you ever made Hershey's Kisses trees? You stick a toothpick in the kiss and the other end in a styrofoam tree. You cover it and it's a great decoration and you can eat it. You can reuse the tree next year. Even if it doesn't turn out great it's still delicious. And you can eat your mistakes. You can use other styrofoam shapes too.

What about cutting out felt shapes, glue them mostly together around the edges and then stuff with small amount of scented polyfill- peppermint for candy canes and stars, rose scent for hearts etc. A drop or two of oil can scent a lot of polyfill-then glue shut the last edge.
Just thought that one up as a slightly different take on yours.
I have a way of making pins using old eyeglass lenses (free from my eye doctor), that uses colors, paper, glue and pin backs) I will send you some to have and look at if you are interested. Just e-mail me and let me know ( I do tend to forget what projects I am doing.

thank you all for the help. I am going to run these ideas past Shriley and see what we can come up with. The biggest problem is that at the nursing home only about 3% of the women are able to use their hands. Most of them are wheelchair bound.

When ever you are having a really bad day--go visit your local nursing home, you would be surprised how uplifting it is. An hour of your time goes a long way. Some of those folks never see a smiling face or go weeks without a hug and kiss on the cheek. Everyone needs a hug and has the need to feel loved. They get so little of it. Every now and then, a real gem comes along, one person who can recall their childhood and tell you all their adventures. I've learned so much from these gems. They make my life very full.

Lisa, I received a catalogue from the Oriental Trading CO. yesterday. One thing I noticed in there, was lots of kits for making ornaments and party favors and such. Most ranged from $5-9 per dozen. I don't know how many ladies you have, or if it is cost effective but even if you don't order, maybe it will give you some ideas. They have a website at www.Orientaltrading.com I think what you are doing is great! I always loved going to the nursing home with my great aunt and grandma to see my great grandma. As of last week, they are all gone. I miss the stories of years gone by. :( I am sure the folks there truly enjoy you and especially little Sally.