A simple stencil technique allows your toddler free expression while painting these one-of-a-kind gifts -- and results in near-perfect designs. She'll be proud as a peacock to see them grace a friend or relative's holiday table.

Materials

• TO MAKE 6 MATS, YOU WILL NEED:
• Ruler and pencil
• Pinking shears and scissors
• 1 yard fray-proof multipurpose cloth (we used Roc-lon)
• Con-Tact paper

• Cardboard
• Craft knife
• Newspaper
• Fabric paints and brushes
• Paper plate

Instructions

1. Use the ruler, pencil, and pinking shears to mark and cut six 14- by 18-inch rectangles from the cloth.

2. From the Con-Tact paper, cut 6 rectangles slightly larger than the mats. Then cut out cardboard templates of such holiday shapes as ball ornaments (circles), dreidels, trees, and stars.

3. Trace the templates onto the Con-Tact paper rectangles and cut out the shapes with a craft knife (a parent's job). One rectangle at a time, peel off the backing and stick the Con-Tact paper onto a mat. Be sure to press out all the bubbles to prevent the paint from bleeding later.

4. Cover your work surface with newspaper. Then squeeze some of the fabric paints onto a paper plate, give your child a brush, and show her how to fill in the shapes with a dabbing motion.

5. Carefully peel away and discard the Con-Tact paper and, when the designs are dry, add other painted details, such as ornament hooks.

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Find more about:

• 1 Hour |
• Gifts |
• Kitchen Fun |
• Painting Supplies |
• Paper Crafts |
• Preschooler |
• Toddler

Related Categories:

• November 2007 |
• Place Mats