CRAFTS - MAKE HOLIDAY PLACEMATS WITH YOUR CHILDREN!!

Kids' cherished creations

Every gift a family could possibly want is just a shopping mall away. But the most priceless item by far — the gift of time — can be found in your own home. Why not set aside a few hours to do a craft with the children that's fun, inexpensive and can be cherished for years?

Children can stretch their imaginations by creating holiday gifts for relatives to enjoy. All it takes is time, art supplies and some guidance. Decorative artist Kathie Davis has one to consider: stenciled place mats. Not only will they look festive on a table, but you can also use them as gifts for relatives after a holiday meal. "It gets you in the spirit," says Davis, who specializes in faux-finishing, murals, hand-painted tile and floor cloths. "It's a project that brings families together and makes the kids feel special."

Supplies:
All the supplies can be purchased at crafts stores. Families who frequently do art projects might already have some of the materials. Here's what you'll need:

FOR THE PLACE MATS:
Primed canvas (16-by-20-inch piece for each place mat)
Paint brushes
Tacky Glue
Painter's tape
Red paint
Metallic paints in red, gold
Small paint roller
Sea sponge
T-square or ruler
Box cutter or scissors
Stencil with a holiday message
Stenciling brush
Age level: Children 6 and older
Time required: Several hours, with frequent breaks

To create the place mats: On the back of canvas, measure 1 inch on each side. Iron or fold with scissors to make a crease. Spread Tacky Glue in folds and press into place until smooth. (Lay heavy books on edges of mat, if necessary.) With a small roller, spread red paint evenly on front side of canvas until fully coated. Let dry for about an hour, or use a blow dryer to speed up drying time.

Mix metallic red and gold paint on a paper plate. Using a sea sponge, lightly blot or feather paint on canvas. Let dry.

With a No. 2 pencil, measure 3 inches from the edges of canvas. Using T square or ruler, draw lines connecting 3-inch marks to create a box. Edge the box with painter's tape and cut with box cutter or scissors. Take gold metallic paint and blot around edges of border. Let dry. Remove tape. Put a stencil with a holiday theme on place mat. Using a stenciling brush, blot color onto the canvas through the design of the stencil. After paint dries thoroughly, remove stencil.