Melissa & Doug Friendship Stamp Set

The Melissa & Doug Friendship Stamp Set would make a very attractive and fun gift for a special child in your life. The set includes nine wooden stamps with different images, ranging from hearts, flowers, balloons, teddy bears and butterflies that can be used to create lovely pieces of art.

In addition to the stamps, there are five colored pencils and two pads of washable ink in pink and blue. I love the look of the wooden box the set comes in. It has a see-through lid and has different compartments to keep the stamp supplies easily organized. I am sure that your child will treasure this box and its contents and will create lots of beautiful artwork.

Overall, I think this would make a fantastic and well-appreciated gift, for any child. It is recommended for children age 4 and up.

Let's have a look at what others, actually using the  Melissa & Doug Friendship Stamp Set  has to say about it:

This is what Benjamin M. Hoyt has to say:

I bought this for my niece for Christmas and it was an immediate hit. I like the simple but useful packaging and the terrific price. My niece wasn't supposed to open the packaging on gifts until she got back home (to avoid messes at Grandma's house), but we found her hiding behind the tree coloring with her new stamp set! She's very happy with it, and the box it came with means she hasn't lost all of the pieces.

And this is what Granny B thinks of the product:

Bought this for my homeschooled granddaughters who are 4 and 6, and they love to do crafts as well. They are having fun with it and learning too!

Here is what K. Cornette has to say:

This was purchased as a gift for a 7-year old and I thought it was an adorable set, sturdy and will certainly last for years to come!

For more ideas for crafts for kids you can also have a look at Mosaic Ideas For Beginners. For a kit that will keep your little girl busy for long have a look at Alex Toys Happily Ever Crafter.

Salt Dough Recipes and Craft Ideas

It’s amazing how many people think some crafts are only for certain times of the year. Take salt dough crafts, for instance. Many people think you can only make them during Christmas. Using these salt dough recipes, you can make a variety of crafts for any time of the year.

For a few very good ideas you can have a look at Salt Dough Just 3 Ingredients More Than 100 Projects and Salt Dough Sculpture Creativity Series. In these you will find many more ideas for your salt dough creations.

There are a number of crafters who use salt dough to create wonderful Christmas ornaments which are three-dimensional and normally painted. You may have seen angels, candy canes, or snowmen and not realized what they were made of.

Salt dough is an easy craft medium to work with. The recipe is:

• 1 cup of fine salt
• 2 cups of flour
• 3/4 to 1 cup of lukewarm water (more or less water may be needed depending upon the humidity)

Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Add the water, a little at a time, and stir until a large ball has formed. Take the ball out of the bowl and knead it on a lightly floured surface. Continue to knead the mixture until you’re satisfied with the texture.

If the dough is too tacky, add more flour/salt in the same proportions. Dry dough may require a little more water. For a more ‘rustic’ feel to the dough, use a coarse salt. This recipe will create white dough which will keep for several days in a tightly closed plastic bag. Color the dough by adding instant coffee, cocoa, or curry powder. Adding a drop of vanilla extract will produce a wonderful smell as well as act as a mold inhibitor.

Use cookie cutters, pizza cutters, rolling pins, or garlic presses to create the different elements of your ornaments. You can also make freehand designs by making the dough into ropes which can shaped into wreaths or braids. Roll the dough into balls of various sizes to create little animals, people, or abstract designs. The only limit you have is your artistic ability and your imagination.

Make a bouquet of flowers for Mom on Mother’s day out of salt dough. How about a miniature golf club and balls for the golf enthusiast in the family? You can even use salt dough to create wonderful, artsy jewelry if you want to. Be sure to place a hair pin or ornament hanger on any ornaments you intend to be displayed. If you’re making jewelry, poke a hole in the ornament before you bake it so you can put a piece of ribbon through it.