I need the equivalent of PBS's Antiques Road Show for the kids' crafts. It would be great if I could summon a team of independent eyes from across the nation to appraise the pile of projects -- construction paper cutouts, cotton ball bunnies, pipe cleaner penguins -- we've amassed from years of careful cutting at preschool*. That way, I'd know what to keep and what to compost.
In year one, I couldn't throw anything away for fear that the kids would want these mementos when they were older. This year, I started throwing everything away -- when the doobies weren't looking, of course. If anyone rifled through our garbage, they'd find under the onion skins and empty ice cream containers, a bounty of jagged jewels such as lopsided leprechauns, hungry caterpillars and scary one-eyed self-portraits.
And, as if the paper products weren't enough, there are sculptures, too. My favorite is a huge monstrosity Madan fashioned out of wood scraps. He claims it's an airplane. I'm calling bullshit. I seriously think he's fucking with me. I've looked at it from every angle sober and drunk. It looks nothing like anything that could fly. Regardless, it's too big for the garbage can. The Waste Management dude would get a hernia. I'm thinking it's kindling for when we make s'mores this summer. (Thanks, Madan!)
So, what I want to know is this. What is craft and what is crap? What do you keep and what do you crumple up? I don't want to have a craft PODS in our driveway.
*If any of the preschool teachers are reading this, I am so totally joking. I love all the stuff they bring home. Really. Seriously. For real.
4 comments:
Isn't this the truth? I started mailing the flat stuff to grandparents ... then I don't feel so guilty.
The sculptures, I have no thoughts for. Maybe they'd make great lawn art?
I take pictures of all of Anjuli's artwork that she makes at school. It doesn't matter if it's 2D or 3D...I photograph it all and then I make a Shutterfly photo album. It's a wonderful way to preserve every little project without saving all of it. And this way I can keep my favorite pieces and not feel guilty about throwing away the rest. I will email you a copy of the book I made a few months ago...
Amy, I love the photobook! Great idea. I should have known you would do this. Question: Can I use your photobook and just swap out the pics of your daughter for my kids? They'll never know they didn't do the crapfts and it'll save me some work. ;}
i have the very same issue! i do throw a lot away and hope they don't go into the trash.. sometimes i actually move the trash around so their stuff gets covered and they won't see it should they open the trash bin!
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