Based on the age-old principle that oil and water don't mix, this marbleized paper is one of those projects that looks like a 20-step Martha Stewart process, but is actually easy enough for someone like me to do. Jake, my six-year-old, made enough postcards to send to every close relative-- just so they'd know that staying at home is sometimes the best summer vacation of all. Parents may want to be available to help younger children with the paint.

WHAT YOU NEED

Old Tupperware container, or foil or plastic take-out container from your recycling bin (big enough to place a card in)
Water
Small plastic eyedroppers
Two or more colors of enamel paint (the kind used for models)
Toothpicks or sticks
A pack of white watercolor postcards or index cards

DIRECTIONS

1. Fill your container halfway with water.

2. Using an eyedropper, add a few drops of paint in different colors to the water. Swirl the colors with a toothpick or stick.

3. Drop a blank card into the water. After a second or two, carefully lift the card straight up and set it aside to dry on newspaper or paper towels. When it's completely dry, if the card curls, place it beneath a heavy book for a couple of days to flatten the edges.

Tip: You may want to clear the water between card dips by dragging a toothpick through the water.

COST: about $8

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