A Stroke of Creativity

"Motherhood is creative," Dru a trained artist and mother says. "As a mom you are always creating - sharing ideas and inventing activities for kids to do."

"Crafting is an easy creative outlet," she adds. "It keeps your hands busy and when you're done you have something cute to show."

Home-made gifts are great to give and get.
"I take it as a compliment when someone gives me something they've made, because I know it took time, thought and energy."

Dru embellishes baby blankets and bibs by crocheting the edges; for step-by-step instructions click here.

Encouragement for those who think they aren't the creative type:

JUST TRY IT!

"Most crafts are a lot easier than they look," Dru says, "and if you do the same project several times, you'll get really good at, and be able to do it in a short amount of time."

The first time Dru crocheted the edge of a blanket, she thought it would take forever. But, after completing several, she swears it is "so easy!" And can whip through them in no time.

The more you craft, the easier creating becomes and the better you get at it, Dru assured me. "Plus, you'll probably gain more confidence to try something new once you see how easy it is."

Dru's mom inspires Dru with project ideas ... and Dru says she just keeps her eyes open. "Often I'll see something in a magazine or store and think, "I could probably make that, or something like it."

As a professional artist, Dru is meticulous about detail and spends hours working and reworking an image. She paints from life, nature scenes and relationships she's witnessed.

Though more demanding of time and self expression that craft projects, Dru's art art and skill has helped her become a more art-minded parent. "As an artist I look at the world differently, I notice curves, and try to appreciate nature more. That is something I hope to teach my children to do too."

Here are a couple of tips Dru shares for encouraging artistic expression in children:

1. Never force kids to do art.

2. Encourage self expression without expecting "artistic" results.

3. Teach children to see the beauty and symmetry of nature.
4. Teach children to look at, study and appreciate art.

Here's a sample of some of Dru's crafty creations to get your own "I can do that" juices flowing:

1. Baby carrier cover:

2. Bead a Binky:

3. Embellish Your Wipe Container:

Exciting Breakfast

Oatmeal is a great food for breakfast- it offers fiber, protein and lots of other good nutrients. But sometimes it can get a little boring. Here's a quick and easy way to jazz it up and get an extra serving of fruit inside your kid.

Start off by cooking one serving of oatmeal. I recommend Kashi GoLean Creamy Truly Vanilla Instant Oatmeal. It has 9 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber in one serving and it cooks in the microwave. Then get a few cubes of frozen homemade baby food that are any combination of fruit. My favorite to use is apple blueberry for the color and the antioxidants of the blueberries.
Plop the fruit cubes in and watch them melt.

Your child will love watching the colors swirl into the oatmeal.
The fruit cubes cool the oatmeal down so your child can eat sooner and it naturally sweetens the oatmeal.

A variation on this for an older child or one that is capable of eating different textures is to use a bag of frozen berries or frozen fruit. I recommend Trader Joe’s Frozen Organic blueberries or Trader Joe’s Frozen mixed berry blend. Simply sprinkle a serving of frozen fruit on top of the oatmeal and stir. The frozen berries will produce the same results as the fruit cubes both cooling and coloring the oatmeal.

-Posted By: Bethany Sebra